You're Strong But Now You're Mine

Facing this colorful black-robed person, Smiley seemed unfazed, calmly asking, "Are you a newcomer? Please choose a code name for yourself, and tell me who your introducer is."

"My code name is Youth, and my introducer is the Witch."

Hetui!

Principal, you shameless rascal!

Then everyone turned to Fox-Masked Li Ying—was it you who brought the principal here?

Li Ying sat upright, boldly meeting everyone's gaze: That's right, I reported to the principal, try biting me if you dare!

Smiley said, "Youth, would you like me to introduce the Immortal Palace plan to you?"

Cha Huan: "No need, the Witch has already explained it to me. It's very intriguing. As a young dreamer of the new era, I'm very keen to contribute light and warmth to the Immortal Palace plan. Currently, the Imperial Court is in disarray; the ruling class is dull. These elders have monopolized high positions for too long. It's time for us new blood to spark a rebirth and create a new world. I'm ready to be a young immortal, to save the world and create miracles..."

"Thank you very much for your support." Smiley decisively interrupted Cha Huan's presentation, saying, "So, the Witch has already introduced ten newcomers, meeting the conditions to be promoted to Level Four disciple."

Indeed, apart from Le Yin, Yan Yi, Ning Xinyuan, and Cha Huan, Li Ying recruited six more students into the Immortal Palace plan, likely all her subordinates in the matchless killer research club.

She didn't mention it to Le Yin, instead choosing to act independently to complete the 'head recruiting' mission of the Immortal Palace plan.

Although Le Yin had repeatedly emphasized the potential dangers of Immortal Blood, making it clear there was no hurry, given that if they really wanted to recruit heads to exchange for Immortal Blood, the matchless killer research club members would be ripe for the picking.

Despite Li Ying and Le Yin not having any direct hierarchical relationship, she had essentially joined Ming Shuiyun's squad, and Le Yin was the chief enforcer and coach of Ming Shuiyun's team, so in such important matters, she should discuss them with Le Yin.

However, she chose to feign compliance, behaving submissively in front of everyone while secretly acting independently, reporting only after the fact.

If Li Ying had first quarreled with Le Yin before acting independently, it would have been better. But she didn't even mention it, seemingly afraid Le Yin would stop her, and only when Le Yin entered the basement and heard the introducer code names did he realize Li Ying's actions.

She fundamentally didn't trust Le Yin.

Le Yin wasn't angry; with Ice Blood coursing through him, he didn't harbor the 'soil' for anger. But to say he had no dissatisfaction would certainly be false. If Li Ying had a favorability system, she would hear, "Your friend 'Qin Le Yin's' attitude towards you has dropped from 'trust' to 'friendly'."

"Yes, Lord Smiley." Li Ying stood up, "Can I be granted the Immortal Blood now?"

"Of course, please come forward."

Li Ying glanced at Le Yin, then boldly strode towards the Blood Essence Stone.

Le Yin sighed lightly, and seeing Li Ying's determined eyes, he understood her state of mind.

She couldn't wait.

She had to seize this opportunity.

Because it might be the only miracle she could grasp.

Although Li Ying usually seemed carefree and lazy, Le Yin knew she wasn't always like this. At least, during her time in Star Engraving county, while not diligent, she wasn't lazy either. After miraculously entering the Imperial Academy, Li Ying spent a period training with Qian Yuya, attending classes with Lin Xue, taking notes with weak-minded Kui Nianruo, and only read novels occasionally.

But as time went on, she stopped training, slept in class, copied homework, and spent her days reading novels, gradually morphing into this 'low-quality' college student image. Although others didn't necessarily look down on Li Ying, there was a sense that she wasn't ambitious.

However, Le Yin also cared about Li Ying's work in the steam chamber of commerce. Qin Yueyang reported a completely different version of Li Ying: diligent, eager to learn, quick to understand, proactive about asking questions, even voluntarily working overtime, impressing everyone with her drive.

Qin Yueyang even suggested to Le Yin that, if possible, he should persuade Li Ying to quit school and work directly at the steam chamber of commerce. With a few more years of honing, her future business acumen would rival his own—which was the highest praise from someone considered a mere tool.

Li Ying was definitely not lazy, but why did she slack off in school yet work hard at her job? Could it be she had an innate love for working to build blessings? Naturally not. Li Ying was fonder of work simply because it was her only choice.

Li Ying had worked hard before, but she simply couldn't keep up with the teaching at the Imperial Academy, lacking the academic strength of its students, leading her to gradually choose to nap in class;

Li Ying had trained before, but she simply wasn't talented in Combat Technique, achieving little despite practicing Lingxu Battle Technique for over a decade, whereas Qian Yuya had already mastered it, along with Biting Battle Technique;

Li Ying had given up before, but she wasn't like Kui Nianruo, who knew nothing, whereas Li Ying knew everything.

She knew her father was already dead.

She knew she had no home.

Therefore, she could only rely on herself.

In the wildly competitive realms of politics and Combat Technique, where geniuses flock, Li Ying knew she couldn't compete with others, so she chose business. Though merchants were of lower status, the competition was also less intense; at least Li Ying was confident she could make achievements.

Li Ying originally planned to live steadily as a merchant, but the Immortal Palace plan offered her hope.

Hope is the sweetest poison.

Looking at the dazzling red glow of the Blood Essence Stone illusion before her, Li Ying's eyes flickered, yet she resolutely extended her hand.

After learning about the Immortal Palace plan, Li Ying had resolved to acquire Immortal Blood at any cost, even if it meant offending Shuiyun and Qin Le Yin or taking the risk of Immortal Blood being toxic. She was unwavering.

She was fully aware of being an ordinary person with no special talent; apart from taking shortcuts, she had no other way to control her destiny.

Supposedly, if Ming Shuiyun successfully ascended the throne, she could rely on their 'window classmates' bond to bask in imperial favor and enjoy luxury without effort, thoughts, simply adhering to Qin Le Yin's orders, a pampered cad.

Conversely, acting on her own might indeed offend Ming Shuiyun and Qin Le Yin, leading to failure, akin to picking sesame seeds but dropping watermelon, giving up long-term interests for small gains.

But if given the chance to redo it, Li Ying would still choose to act.

She simply didn't want to rely on anyone.

At the end of a month without receiving a letter from her father, Li Ying understood one thing.

No one in this world will always be by your side, not even your shadow during cloudy days.

Ming Shuiyun treated her well, but what if she refused to support idlers once she became emperor?

Qian Yuya was indeed her intimate friend, yet Li Ying knew her better than she knew herself. Qian Yuya might be willing to die to protect her but would never live for her sake.

Lin Xue, Kui Nianruo, Qin Yueshi, Qin Le Yin, and others weren't worth mentioning. They were merely Imperial Academy companions; once they left, they might view each other as strangers.

Previously, Li Ying chose to enter business because she had no other option. But did she secretly yearn for power, want to dazzle, long to stir storms effortlessly?

While under Su Qian's sword threat, did she not feel fear?

During Qin Le Yin's assault on her abdomen, did she have no dissatisfaction or sadness?

Watching others start forging their own paths, did she not feel envy, jealousy, and resentment!?

She merely wanted the power to fight fate.

She just refused to accept being a regular, drifting person.

She! Refused! To! Accept!