The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign

As soon as these words were spoken, the two of them froze, and the confrontation came to an abrupt halt.

Ye Qingchen had realized that he had been dragged into Ji Liantan's rhythm, often unable to control his anger—completely contrary to his original intentions.

And there was Shen Ying watching from the side. She knew all his plans, yet she had also witnessed his childish side, making him feel both humiliated and resentful.

As for Ji Liantan, he had only just learned that the Demon Lord already knew Ye Qingchen had entered.

He turned around, glaring at Shen Ying. "What did you say? How could he know this guy got in?"

"I clearly gave you anonymous entry tokens."

Shen Ying shrugged. "With Gu Lun's matter, I was counting on Shizun to back me up. Otherwise, why do you think I dared to kill him so decisively?"

"Wasn't Ye Qingchen the perfect scapegoat right here?"

Ji Liantan was furious. "Just for that? You went and exposed everything to him?"

"Are you doing this on purpose? With me here, do you really think that old demon Gu could do anything to you?"

Shen Ying replied, "That's not how it works, Senior Brother. No matter how powerful you are, at most, you can only make Old Demon Gu hesitate to retaliate openly."

"But when it comes to truly settling matters and negotiating benefits, it still has to be Shizun's doing."

"Besides, I killed Gu Lun to eliminate a competitor for you. Shouldering this grudge shouldn't fall on me—why are you making it sound like you're doing me a favor by smoothing things over?"

Seeing Ji Liantan still displeased, Shen Ying continued, "Look, you benefit from this, and the blame is conveniently shifted onto Ye Qingchen. Isn't that enough to make you happy?"

Ye Qingchen smirked. "Junior Sister really doesn't treat me as an outsider when discussing such things."

Shen Ying: "Why be so formal? We're like brothers, fellow disciples—what words can't be spoken openly?"

"Besides, Senior Brother Ye, you asked me for the entry token to come in and watch the show. Isn't carrying this blame just a small price to pay?"

Ji Liantan stared at her in disbelief. "What did you say? He asked for the token?"

"You told me you convinced him."

Shen Ying: "With your stubborn temper, would you have agreed if I hadn't said that?"

Ji Liantan exploded. "Whose side are you even on?"

Shen Ying raised her voice louder than his. "Then what do you want me to do? You two are brothers at odds, and I'm stuck in the middle—should I just meekly endure your tug-of-war?"

"A good mediator has to be skilled at deceiving both sides. Do you know how hard I work every day to make you think you're always one step ahead?"

Ji Liantan was nearly speechless with rage. "So I should thank you for your duplicity?"

Shen Ying, unyielding: "Fine, then I quit. Junior Sister's abilities are limited—I can't keep mediating between you two while also enduring your complaints."

Ji Liantan glared. "You quit? Have you forgotten what you did to me when you were bragging about your achievements?"

"You refused to back down, forcing me to swallow my pride and make peace."

"Now that you've gotten what you wanted, you dare tell me you're quitting?"

Shen Ying glanced at Ye Qingchen. "With things at this point, Senior Brother Ye won't trust me anymore either."

"Do you really think he's a fool?"

Before Ji Liantan could respond, Ye Qingchen spoke up. "Of course I trust Junior Sister."

"Junior Sister has been so thoughtful and considerate, showing no favoritism between us. How could I not understand her intentions?"

Ji Liantan stared at Ye Qingchen for a long moment before saying expressionlessly, "Earlier on the second floor, you and Junior Sister spent quite some time brewing tea, didn't you?"

Ye Qingchen: "..."

Shen Ying quickly urged, "Enough, enough. Save the bickering for later—let's loot the good stuff in the secret realm first."

"We're already here."

With that, she pushed open the door. Outside, Ninth Junior Brother was leaning against the wall.

When he saw the three emerge, he brightened. "Senior Sister—Huh? Who's this guy?"

After Ye Qingchen entered Ji Liantan's inner demon realm, the environment was influenced by Ji Liantan's consciousness. Since Ji Liantan knew Ye Qingchen's true identity, Ye Qingchen's disguise lost its effect.

Now, Ninth Junior Brother saw an unfamiliar face.

Shen Ying smiled. "Don't recognize him? Weren't you two working together to pass the second trial?"

Ninth Junior Brother: "Him? That wild man? He was disguised?"

He glared at Ye Qingchen with disgust. "Then we can't let him stand so boldly in front of Senior Sister—he must have ill intentions."

"Senior Brother, let's—"

Ji Liantan scoffed. "Oh? You'll take the lead?"

Ninth Junior Brother immediately fell silent.

Shen Ying ruffled his hair. This kid was always trying to stir up conflict between the two, hiding behind them to watch the show—another troublemaker.

After Shen Ying subdued the Old Ancestor, the entire secret realm underwent a drastic change.

She signaled Ninth Junior Brother to smash the wall, and this time, it was easily done.

Outside was the usual vibrant scenery of a typical secret realm.

It was clear that the Old Ancestor, being stingy, had herded everyone into the tower, unwilling to let even a scrap of his treasures scatter outside. Truly a master of getting something for nothing.

But his frugality was understandable—after seizing Ji Liantan's body, he would need resources to restore his former cultivation.

Even though the Demon Lord's son lacked no cultivation resources, how could they compare to the wealth he had amassed as the Demon Lord himself?

Ninth Junior Brother continued hacking at the wall with the back of his axe, carving out a large enough hole for them to pass through.

Shen Ying held the jade pendant and said, "Old Ancestor, where are the resources you've hidden for your comeback?"

"You wouldn't want to fade into nothingness after all your schemes, would you?"

Knowing she was capable of it, the Old Ancestor reluctantly revealed some locations, though he held back most, plotting how to win Shen Ying's trust and eventually escape to reclaim them.

Shen Ying naturally guessed his schemes but didn't expose them.

After all, with so many people outside now, taking too much wouldn't be safe. It would be better to return later and retrieve the rest.

By the time the others in the tower reached the top, they found nothing left. Hearing the commotion below, they realized they were too late.

But regret was useless now. With the Old Ancestor subdued, the tower's illusions faded, and the secret realm began expelling them.

Those still inside scrambled to grab whatever spiritual herbs or fruits they could find—no time to be picky.

In the next moment, everyone was ejected from the secret realm, reappearing in the Demon Sect's ritual grounds.

Core members of various sects and those who had withdrawn earlier stood in clear factions around them.

As soon as Shen Ying emerged, she saw the Demon Lord standing directly ahead, his gaze fixed excitedly on Ye Qingchen.

Ji Liantan noticed his expression and let out a disdainful snort.

Just then, several figures approached with murderous intent.

Their leader, the Bone Sect's leader, glared at Shen Ying and the others. "So you're the ones who killed my Lun'er?"

Before they could respond, the Demon Lord's expression darkened. "Gu Dai, I've already made it clear—in the grand competition, life and death have always been left to fate."

"However, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‍the Old Ancestor's temperament in the past was not as miserly as this time. This Old Ancestor cares little for the lives of the younger generation, deliberately inciting slaughter—it can only be blamed on misfortune."

"You must not treat Gu Lun's death as intentional vengeance."

The ancient demon glared at the Demon Sovereign, his eyes bloodshot with fury: "That was my son who died."

The Demon Sovereign's aura turned oppressive, making everyone present struggle for breath: "So what?"

After all, he went in with one son and came out with two.