And in multiple instances where there was a crisis involving alien beast invasions, Xiao displayed extraordinary strength.
Only Su Yan noticed something was off.
[[“Xiao, are you feeling alright lately? You seem a lot paler than usual.”
When Su Yan approached Xiao this time, Xiao turned aside to evade him.
Su Yan’s hand missed its target and stopped mid-air, hanging there as he looked on in bewilderment.
“It’s nothing, I’m just a bit tired recently.”
Realizing his unusual behavior, Xiao softened his tone as much as possible to explain.
“Don’t overwork yourself.”
Watching Xiao’s hurried departure, Su Yan’s doubts only grew stronger.
“Um, Captain’s been getting stronger and stronger lately. You don’t really need to worry too much about him.”
“Yeah, he’s been taking down twice as many beasts as before. Maybe the intense fights have left him too drained to talk much while in the territory.”
Xiao’s teammates spoke up, trying to reassure Su Yan.
Since the recent misunderstanding involving Su Yan, the group now felt a mix of guilt and awkwardness around him.
After all, they had once revered Su Yan, but as if possessed by a ghost, they inexplicably suspected that the most beloved and respected prophet among them might be a hidden traitor.
But Su Yan no longer cared about such things.
Apart from fulfilling some daily tasks within the settlement, Su Yan had been diligently researching ancient texts and exploring clues from ruins.
After what happened last time, Su Yan suddenly decided that he should take advantage of this opportunity of traveling back in time to thoroughly understand the truth behind the coexistence and conflict between the Bart clan and humans, as well as the eventual downfall of humans and the Bart clan.
As for Xiao’s anomaly, Su Yan couldn’t shake off the worry for his loyal friend who had always believed in him.
“Coal Ball, do you see anything strange about Xiao?”
This time, Su Yan even tried asking Dreven for his opinion.
Through their interactions over time, Su Yan had come to realize Coal Ball was far from ordinary.
Su Yan suspected Coal Ball might be an ancient interstellar beast that had inherited some kind of legacy, which explained his profound knowledge.
But this time, Dreven merely looked at Xiao in the distance, remained silent for a long moment before shaking his head slightly.
He could sense something unusual about Xiao, but…
Dreven always felt that Xiao had become dangerous.
This intuition alone made Dreven’s expression grow solemn.
After all, this didn’t happen in the previous life. This can only mean that with his action of forcibly reversing time and space, everything eventually changed like the flapping of a butterfly’s wings.
Perhaps it was time to ask Bazak.
As the palace steward, Bazak was an elder from the Blood Moon Era after all, and was thoroughly familiar with its various anecdotes and histories.
During this period, Xiao, who seemed no different from a normal human, would suddenly clutch his neck in agony, his face contorted with pain, when alone in his room late at night.
[What are you hesitating for? You clearly like that human, don’t you?]
[But you’re nothing more than a pitiful worm. He obviously has no feelings for you, does he?]
[In fact, it looks like he’s even more interested in that pet by his side than he is in you…]
The deep, sinister voice came from Xiao’s own mouth, revealing an indescribable contradiction on his usually bright and handsome face.
“Shut up! If you dare get near him again, I won’t let you off!”
“You will never control me. I will never let you succeed…”
At that moment, Xiao opened his eyes in pain and, in an almost self-destructive manner, stabbed a mithril dagger into his own arm.
[You’re a lunatic! But I am you…]
The voice in his mind howled and vanished into the mysterious darkness.
Xiao’s red eyes gradually returned to their usual cold, dark shade.
But only Xiao knew that ever since he killed that vampire, something beyond his control had started to change within his body.
He had gradually acquired a mysterious and immense power, one he couldn’t control. His physical abilities now far surpassed human limits, and even his injuries healed unusually fast.
Looking at the arm that bore a gruesome wound moments ago but was now almost completely healed, Xiao let out a rare bitter laugh.
Indeed, he had gained the immense strength he had once yearned for, but at the cost of awakening a second personality within himself after being bitten by the vampire.
No matter how much Xiao tried to deny that this was a part of him, or suspect that it was the lingering soul of the vampire that had infected his mind, he couldn’t avoid the fact that this entity resonated with his deepest, most secret thoughts, amplifying all his malicious and negative emotions.
For the first time, Xiao had to confront the reality: deep down, he harbored so many dark desires.
If Su Yan ever found out, he would probably be deeply disappointed in him.
As he was now, how was he any different from the Bart clan?]]
This shocking revelation about Xiao’s transformation left the readers stunned.
No one had expected that instead of fully turning into a vampire, the bite had triggered the emergence of a second, darker personality.
[Honestly, I never imagined Xiao’s current strength came from something like this. Could it be that the vampire prince he killed wasn’t so simple?]
[Exactly! And how did Dreven not immediately recognize what’s happening to Xiao? But he’s the most pure-blooded of the Bart people. In theory, no Bart clan member should be able to hide from him!]
The plot about Dreven failing to identify Xiao’s condition sparked countless speculations.
Meanwhile, another group of readers, less sensitive to plot details, expressed a completely different reaction:
[Am I the only one who finds Xiao suddenly so intriguing!? I never liked him as the childhood friend because he felt so bland, but now he has a split personality? This is keeping me awake!]
[And now that he’s stronger, there’s also a hint of madness to his personality. Who knew he had so many thoughts about Su Yan? He always acted so normal before. Maybe that’s why he could never beat Dreven and had to leave the field sadly.]
[I ship everything, it’s good for my health. I’m not just shipping Dreven x Su Yan and Xiao x Su Yan; now I want White Xiao x Dark Xiao. Is there any food like this that I can eat? I am so omnivorous that I am even afraid of myself. TAT]
Although everyone habitually discussed the latest update fiercely after reading it, it was clear that in addition to the content of this update, there was another more critical issue, which was…
[Big Boss, although today’s update was amazing, where exactly were you last week when you missed updates!?]
In this regard, Yu Mian could only slide down on his knees and apologize profusely, claiming that it was an unexpected accident.
[Sorry, everyone! It was completely unplanned! TwT I promise it won’t happen again. For the next two weeks, there will be double updates every day!]
Of course, Yu Mian dared to make this promise only because he had reached an agreement with Huo Ting.
System: [How could you make such a bold request…]
“What’s the problem? I asked, he agreed. Why should a system like you object?”
Holding up the note with the word “Okay” written on it, Yu Mian felt triumphant.
During their exchanges of small notes, Yu Mian had finally gathered the courage to politely ask Huo Ting if he could have the study during the day to write.
To his surprise, Huo Ting had responded with a single word: “Okay.”
And just like that, his writing schedule stabilized once more.
The system was left baffled, never expecting Yu Mian to have the audacity to ask…and Huo Ting to actually agree.
“Is this guy really not scared!?”
Only after typing non-stop to complete another round of double updates did Yu Mian realize that the intense, high-pressure writing sessions away from the aquarium had once again left his fishtail showing signs of dehydration.
“Help… My tail is actually losing scales. What’s going on?”
To protest, a scale even fell off at that moment.
[But this scale is quite beautiful, though.]
The little system also observed the light golden scale resting in Yu Mian’s palm. It resembled a thin piece of crystal, refracting a shimmering glow like fragments of moonlight when it caught the light.
“It’s over. I used to lose hair from writing, and now I’m losing scales. If I keep pushing myself like this, my fish tail will go bald.”
Yu Mian rubbed his head in distress, unable to imagine what a bald fish tail would look like.
After all, whether it was a balding head or a balding tail, both would be equally ugly…
[Uh, maybe check if there are any ways to take care of scales? And seriously, you need to regulate your schedule better. Wouldn’t it be great if you just finished updates earlier?]
Seeing its host’s shocked and lost expression, the little system couldn’t help but chatter on with concern.
“Sigh, alright, I get it. I was wrong…”
Yu Mian suddenly felt that his system was getting better and better at delivering jabs.
After a quick search online, Yu Mian did find some solutions.
In this interstellar era, many special races with scales or armor plates had appeared. Everyone loves beauty, so naturally, there was an abundance of skincare and maintenance products.
“Brilliant Moisturizing Essence: Protect every unique scale and armor piece, leaving them as brilliant as the stars…”
Yu Mian glanced at the ad and found the slogan somewhat amusing.
[But look, it’s quite popular. It seems to be a well-known product.]
The consumer reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and Yu Mian suddenly learned a lot about various interstellar races and races.
[This is amazing! Ever since I started using it, I’ve stopped losing scales. My entire body feels moisturized and comfortable, with a fresh, subtle scent. Highly recommend!]
This comment was from a woman with crocodile genes. There were scales on the arms she showed, which made her look quite cool and handsome like a queen.
[Absolutely agree. Even men will find it helpful. My daughter recommended it to me, and now I don’t lose my armor pieces during work. In fact, new ones are growing back. This is a genuine, honest product worth recommending.]
The next review came from what appeared to be a rugged man. Though his race was unclear, his tail, which looked like a dinosaur’s, was an impressive sight.
Who would’ve thought that even tough guys maintained the scales on their tails?
“So, in this interstellar era, everyone takes care of their scales, while I’ve completely neglected my poor tail?”
Yu Mian browsed for a while and realized he was the only “special race” who carelessly ignored his beautiful fish tail.
Not only did he often stay out of water, but he also frequently burned the midnight oil writing.
Whenever he saved up enough time to transform, he’d eagerly change the fishtail into legs and run around. No wonder his legs were itchy and dry every time he came back.
How wild and unrefined. There wasn’t a trace of sophistication about him.
Staring at the vast array of products online, especially the highly praised Brilliant Moisturizing Essence, Yu Mian suddenly had the urge…
To try it himself.
“But I really don’t have time to go out lately. Updates for ‘Eternal Night Rose’ need to continue for at least half a month, and I also have to work on the second volume of Rebirth of The Interstellar Soldier King.’ Sigh…”
Yu Mian flicked his tail and slumped over the desk, letting out a long sigh.
While lying there, his gaze fell upon the piece of paper pressed under the teacup.
“…Eh!”
Yu Mian stared at it for a few seconds before his eyes lit up.
[What are you planning now?]
The little system watched in alarm as Yu Mian grabbed a pen and started writing quickly.
That evening, when Huo Ting returned to the study, he found another new note.
—Could you please bring me a jar of this tomorrow? Or something similar. I’ll cover the cost. Thank you.
The note even included a detailed sketch of a small jar, complete with the logo carefully replicated.
This unexpected request momentarily caught Huo Ting, who had grown accustomed to exchanging notes, off guard.
To be honest, it was the first time someone had asked him for something like this.
But strangely, he didn’t feel offended.
Perhaps it was the sincere tone of the request or the impression that he genuinely needed this skincare product.
The only issue was that Huo Ting had never bought such things before.
So when getting off work from the military headquarters that day, Huo Ting suddenly asked the driver to stop the car, and Secretary Hals followed Huo Ting into the skin care counter in the Central Star Shopping Mall with great hesitation.
“Is this one good?”
As Huo Ting was looking for skin care products similar to the ones on the note with an expressionless face, he habitually asked Secretary Hals beside him for advice.
“Uh… I… I really don’t know!”
Secretary Hals, who was still reeling from the unexpected detour, was at a rare loss for words.
After all, this question was way outside his knowledge base.
Standing there while the sales clerks eyed them with curious surprise, Secretary Hals felt as if he was walking on pins and needles.
This was infinitely harder than any battlefield mission.
There was no denying it, something was definitely off about his boss lately.
Every day, he would leave work on time and return to the study, as if something in there was waiting for him!
Was he possessed or something…
