Chapter 3: Becoming a Villainous Fodder, I Encounter a Top-Tier Succubus at the Start

The color drained from Gu Manzhi’s face, turning it as pale as paper...

No, it had completely turned into paper.

Her body collapsed rapidly; skin, muscles, tendons, and bones... peeled away layer by layer like a molting shell, revealing the "core" wrapped inside: it was actually a paper doll the size of a palm!

"So it really was the Paper Puppet Technique..."

Facing this bizarre scene, Chen Mo showed no signs of surprise.

Given the methods of a Saintess of the Moon Radiance Sect, it would be abnormal if she were killed so easily.

He reached out and picked up the paper doll; a flash of fire crossed his fingertips, and the paper doll ignited out of thin air.

Faintly, it seemed as though a wail could be heard.

A translucent phantom emerged, struggling to break free from the paper doll.

A dark red talisman lit up on the paper doll’s forehead, suppressing it firmly until it finally turned completely into ash.

At the same time, a notification message appeared:

【Killed "Nameless Wandering Soul," True Spirit +5.】

"An unexpected harvest?"

Chen Mo’s heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged as he said indifferently, "Come out. How much longer do you intend to hide?"

A moment later, a figure walked out from behind the screen.

Her appearance and figure were identical to the "Gu Manzhi" who had just died.

Only, there was less allure in her brows and eyes, and a bit more coldness; her peach-blossom eyes looked at Chen Mo in astonishment.

"How did he discover it?"

Gu Manzhi was extremely puzzled.

Her Paper Puppet Technique had reached perfection; to achieve flawlessness, she had even used secret arts to drive a wandering soul to attach to it, making her words and actions almost indistinguishable from a real person.

Unless one was a warlock proficient in this path and possessed a cultivation base far higher than hers, it would be impossible to spot any flaws.

As a martial artist, Chen Mo naturally did not fall into that category.

Logically speaking, it should have been foolproof...

Suddenly, Chen Mo stood up.

Gu Manzhi took half a step back, watching him with vigilant eyes.

Chen Mo walked to the tea table and sat down, tapping his fingers on the table.

"Pour the tea."

"..."

Seeing him so calm, Gu Manzhi became even more uncertain.

After a slight hesitation, she decided to play it by ear.

After all, this was the Imperial Capital; if she caused too much of a commotion, it would only invite greater trouble.

She moved with lotus steps, sat opposite Chen Mo, rolled up her sleeves, and lifted the teapot with her delicate hands.

Warming the pot, placing the tea, pouring the water, and rinsing the cups.

Her movements were skillful and pleasing to the eye.

But Chen Mo’s attention was entirely on the frame floating above her head.

【Moon Radiance Saintess · Falling Flower Severed Strings Feng Ningyu · Gu Manzhi】

【Realm: Sixth-Rank Warlock】

【Cultivation Method: Green Jade True Scripture】

【Arts: Six Jia Spirit Control, Paper Puppet Technique, Soul-Absorbing Severed Strings Zither】

【Favorability: 0/100 (Locked)】

【Note: Favorability from 0-100 is divided into four stages, each corresponding to different rewards; reaching 100 points will unlock special rewards.】

Seeing the "Favorability" column, Chen Mo frowned slightly.

One of the signature gameplay features of *Severing Immortals* was obtaining generous rewards by romancing the heroines.

This setting was, of course, fine for the protagonist.

But he was a villain now.

As long as he got involved with a heroine, there would absolutely be no good ending.

His predecessor was a bloody example...

"A woman's heart is like a cow; the more you lick it, the tougher it gets."

Chen Mo knew this truth well and naturally would not repeat the same mistakes.

What he was considering now was: is a Sixth-Rank Warlock easy to kill?

"My lord, please have some tea."

Gu Manzhi poured the tea in front of him until it was seventy percent full.

Chen Mo picked up the teacup and sipped it carefully; the sweet fragrance filled his mouth.

"Tianshan Silver Needle, the first tender buds of early spring. Good tea."

"An expert."

Gu Manzhi praised him, then said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "However, my lord, are you not afraid that there is poison in the tea?"

Chen Mo shook his head and said, "The traces left by using poison are too obvious. You aren't that stupid; otherwise, you wouldn't have gone to such great lengths, first using zither music to bewitch my soul, then using a paper doll to lure me."

This plan could be called seamless.

His predecessor was kept in the dark until his death, thinking that he and Gu Manzhi were in love and deeply devoted, when in reality, he had been dating a paper cutout the whole time.

Pain, it was too painful.

"Those were just little tricks for flirting."

Gu Manzhi’s eyes shifted, her seductive voice making one’s bones feel soft, "Wouldn't it be double the pleasure if both of us served you, my lord?"

Chen Mo: "?"

Thinking about it, that actually made some sense...

Bah, foul woman, daring to corrupt my Dao heart!

Almost forgot, Gu Manzhi has the Innate Extreme Yin Body and is born with a seductive constitution.

By the later stages, when her constitution is fully matured, a single glance or smile could topple all living beings; she is known as the "Number One Succubus of Severing Immortals," even more exaggerated than her own demonic master!

Facing this woman, one must be on high alert; a moment of carelessness and he would be led astray!

Chen Mo composed his mind, his tone turning colder, "And is the Heart-Devouring Gu also just a 'little trick'?"

Gu Manzhi asked in confusion, "What Heart-Devouring Gu?"

Chen Mo sneered, "Still playing dumb at a time like this? Do you really not know what Ji Lianxing told you to do?"

Hearing the name "Ji Lianxing," Gu Manzhi was struck with horror; her wrist trembled, and the teapot fell to the ground.

Crash!

The pot shattered, and tea splashed everywhere!

Looking at that handsome face, at those eyes as black as lacquer and deep as an abyss, a chill crawled up her spine to the back of her head.

Panic, shock, disbelief...

Even with her deep cunning, she lost her composure for a moment!

"He can say the Master's name, which means he knew my identity all along!"

"Could it be that Yu Youhan sent him? Have they already set a net outside, waiting to catch a turtle in a jar?"

Thinking of that woman's terrifying methods, Gu Manzhi couldn't help but shiver.

If she fell into her hands, she would likely find it impossible to live and impossible to die!

While her mind was in turmoil, Chen Mo’s gaze sharpened.

Now!

He joined his fingers like a blade and slashed down fiercely!

The moment the killing intent leaked out, Gu Manzhi was already alerted.

She reacted extremely quickly; as her sleeves danced, wisps of green smoke swirled, rapidly forming an ancient green mirror in front of her.

The palm-blade struck the mirror surface, sending ripples outward.

The surging force was like a clay ox entering the sea, completely absorbed and neutralized.

Chen Mo had anticipated this; he backhanded a second strike, the force even greater than before.

A third strike, a fourth strike...

Each strike was fiercer, more brutal, and more ruthless than the last!

The mirror surface surged like waves, the ripples becoming increasingly dense, and the ancient mirror began to vibrate violently.

By the time the eighth strike was delivered, the force had more than decupled!

The mirror’s ability to neutralize reached its limit; it emitted a piercing, mournful cry, and under Gu Manzhi’s horrified gaze, it shattered inch by inch, dissipating into green smoke!

The palm, wrapped in blazing flames, passed through the smoke and struck her chest squarely!

Bang!

Accompanied by the crisp sound of breaking bones, Gu Manzhi spat out a mouthful of blood, flew backward through the air, and slammed heavily against the wall!

The entire room seemed to tremble!

In the blink of an eye, the situation had already reversed!

……

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Chen Mo toyed with his teacup, his tone indifferent.

Gu Manzhi leaned against the wall, her chest heaving, blood staining her pale, pretty face; she looked like a broken orchid or a shattered jade, a sight to stir pity in any beholder.

She caught her breath, shook her head, and smiled bitterly: "It seems Young Master Chen has hidden his depths even better than I... I have nothing to say. Kill me or carve me up, as you please."

Having said this, she closed her eyes as if resigning herself to fate.

Her left hand, hidden behind her back, quietly gripped a jade talisman.

Engraved within it was the Daoist technique "Brilliant Thunder Curse," with power equivalent to a full-force strike from a fifth-rank warlock; a single thread of intent was all it needed to trigger, and it would erase everything in this room.

Including herself.

She would rather perish with her enemy than be captured without a fight!

"Master, forgive this disciple for her incompetence; I have failed your trust. If there is a next life..."

At this moment, an indifferent voice reached her ears:

"Tell Ji Lianxing not to harbor delusions of provoking the Empress, or no matter how vast these Nine Provinces are, there will be no place for her to stand!"

"The grievances between us are settled; from now on, we have no connection. You won't be this lucky next time."

"……Hm?"

Gu Manzhi looked up.

Chen Mo had already turned and walked out of the room.

Gazing at that tall, straight back, she remained stunned for a long time, lost in a daze.

……

"A pity, I almost finished her off."

Chen Mo’s expression was grim as he walked toward the main gate.

The reason he let Gu Manzhi go was not out of kindness or soft-heartedness, but because he was truly powerless to do more.

Those eight palm strikes just now had drained every bit of his true qi.

Blazing Flame Eight Slashes, an Earth-tier high-grade martial technique.

This was originally a blade technique consisting of eight moves; the blade momentum stacked layer upon layer with immense power, and it carried a blazing flame energy that would continuously burn the opponent's meridians and internal organs once it entered the body.

In terms of lethality alone, it was not inferior to Heaven-tier martial techniques!

Such a lethal move was naturally difficult to cultivate; not only did it consume a massive amount of true qi, but it also required a profound understanding of the blade Dao.

Upon entry, one could slash twice in succession.

Once mastered, one could slash four times.

His predecessor had been exceptionally gifted and, with the guidance of a grandmaster, was only one step away from Great Success, yet he could never fully integrate it, managing at most six consecutive slashes.

To cross this threshold, effort, aptitude, and opportunity were all indispensable.

However, for Chen Mo, who possessed a system panel, there was only one thing to consider:

Adding points.

By killing fierce beasts and demons, one could obtain "True Spirit," which could be used to improve the realm of cultivation methods and martial techniques.

He added the 5 points of True Spirit he had just obtained to Blazing Flame Eight Slashes, directly elevating the martial technique from "Minor Success" to "Great Success"!

It seemed like a difference of only one word, but in reality, it was a world of difference!

It was as if a membrane had been pierced; the previously obscure parts suddenly became clear, and infinite insights surged into his heart...

In an instant, he had reached the realm of perfect harmony!

Once one technique is mastered, all are mastered; after the blade technique reached Great Success, it was no longer limited to a weapon.

Chen Mo had deliberately closed the distance, launching a sudden attack while Gu Manzhi’s mind was shaken, compressing all his true qi into a single line and using his palm as a blade to strike her into a state of severe injury!

The price was that his true qi was excessively overdrawn, reaching the point of total exhaustion!

His current state was no better than Gu Manzhi's!

"With my seventh-rank martial arts realm, using this move is still too much of a stretch."

"No choice; warlock methods are treacherous and unpredictable. The longer it drags on, the more dangerous it becomes, so I had to gamble."

"A pity, the gap in our realms is too large. Even with the element of surprise, I still couldn't kill her... She might still have a trump card; this place is not a good place to linger."

Chen Mo panted heavily, his legs feeling as heavy as a thousand catties.

With every step, his internal meridians felt as if they were tearing apart, and his consciousness was gradually blurring.

"No, this place isn't safe..."

He forced himself to walk out of the gate and looked around.

Not far away, a two-horse carriage was parked, pulling a carriage body with a tin roof and black curtains—a style that only those with an official rank of fourth-rank or higher were qualified to use.

With no time to think, he walked straight over, lifted the curtain, and climbed into the carriage.

Inside sat a young girl with a delicate appearance, her pink cheeks stuffed full, holding a piece of osmanthus cake, looking at this uninvited guest in a daze.

Chen Mo tore the jade pendant from his waist and threw it over, his voice hoarse:

"My father is the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. We live on Ming'an Street in the east of the city. Take me back to the manor, quick!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his body completely lost its strength, and he collapsed straight into the girl's arms.

Plop.

The osmanthus cake was knocked to the floor.

The girl looked at the man in her arms, then at the osmanthus cake on the floor.

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