[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-the-system-protagonist-joined-a-cross-dimensio":3,"chapter-i-the-system-protagonist-joined-a-cross-dimensio-i-the-system-protagonist-joined-a-cross-dimensio-chapter-656":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I, the System Protagonist, Joined a Cross-Dimensional Chat Group",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2293316,4485,"Chapter 656: Element of Destruction (Please Refresh)","i-the-system-protagonist-joined-a-cross-dimensio-chapter-656",656,"\u003Cp>“Yesterday, an unidentified Ascended caused some commotion in the area around Zi Yin Mountain and Jinling City.” Yin Ya attempted to strike up a conversation with Ai Qing, who sat on the edge of the windowsill gazing into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Bureau’s reports suggest it might have been a fourth-rank Ascended, with some signs pointing to fifth-rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Qing merely nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Astral Society’s resident inspector in Xinhai had little interest in work matters at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Ya studied her cheeks, then sighed softly: “Our guests have arrived in sufficient number.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’ll change clothes.” Ai Qing turned her wheelchair in another direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the bed lay an exquisite ceremonial gown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath a gloomy sky of leaden clouds, the cold room and sparse conversation all felt suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Ya stepped outside; the butler pulled open the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Classical music from the banquet hall, the festive atmosphere, the guests’ chatter and children’s laughter seeped into the room through the cracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hated himself for being the heir, powerless to interfere with the old patriarch’s decisions, unable to shield Ai Qing from the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was the birthday of Yin Liangji, the patriarch of the Jinling Yin clan—and the day Ai Qing, as a pawn, was to be wed to a blind man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Qing had nothing to say about this great-grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed; the servant entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not look at the gown; instead, she picked up a box, and on the central velvet cushion inside lay a brilliant crystal the size of a pinky joint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Grace, an expensive consumable of a high-tier Sacred Mark—a miracle gem that, when worn close to the skin, unquestionably grants an extra life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Happy birthday, Great-Grandfather,” Ai Qing smiled as she handed the gift box to the servant, preparing to make her entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think I should send something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi held a cup of coffee, peering toward the mountain villa, brightly decorated and overflowing with festivity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like in wuxia novels, you should send a bell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to yesterday’s incident, some official personnel were still mingling among the guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never mind how unpleasant it was to have your showboating interrupted mid-performance—Huai Shi felt as if he’d done a hundred sets of anaerobic training; the exhaustion hadn’t faded yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story of the manga “Legendary Chef Demon” also required power to manifest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he’d be stuck inside the manga, recovering while chatting in water groups, mocked by a bitch calling him a five-second man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll ask my sister if Emperor Jun has been reincarnated yet—if not, I’ll ask his big brother Taiyi for the Donghuang Bell on your behalf,” said the crow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi thought it better not to disturb them over such a trivial matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Donghuang Taiyi of the Journey to the West world found out it was this beastly crow’s “psychological counseling” that turned divine brotherhood into forbidden sisterhood, the bell would likely end up delivered to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wiped the sweat from his forehead and downed the last of his Lucky Coffee in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caffeine life-extension protocol complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tastes like hot pot broth.” Huai Shi walked toward the main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should we show off first or slap faces first?” The crow flipped through the Book of Fate’s “Apocalypse Forecast,” saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You could’ve just slipped in quietly and killed the old man—but no, you’ve got to stage some romantic drama where the prince steals the mob boss’s daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi couldn’t help correcting him: “Aren’t you reading the wrong book?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is clearly a runaway princess and white knight survival thriller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the crow said, he didn’t need to appear so ostentatiously—stealth and assassination would’ve saved him a lot of trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Qing wouldn’t cause trouble, nor would there be any grand escape through the rainy night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, I just jumped the track again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re just reluctant to skip this chance to raise your icy female superior’s favor?” the crow asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi stopped, tilting his head to gaze at the massive archway in the distance. He carelessly tossed his half-drunk paper cup onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ai Qing will wait a moment, then use the gift-giving opportunity to kill the Yin patriarch, and I’ll flee with her—only to be captured by the Astral Society’s preferential policy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, this ending isn’t bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi scratched his head, his confusion deepening: “But that doesn’t make sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cars streamed by, people bustled about, Ascended were everywhere; the luxury vehicles parked around him were ones he could never afford in a lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had even the money for one car, he wouldn’t have been tricked into becoming a male escort to pay for tuition and living expenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Yin patriarch and my grandfather were close friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He embezzled the Huai family’s assets, reduced me to near-poverty—I almost had to sell my ass. Almost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He destroyed my family, sent men to kill my parents—even though they never liked me much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They even planted a Soul-Draining Mark on me. Logically, slaughtering his entire clan wouldn’t be excessive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi frowned: “So it doesn’t make sense—this old bastard’s head belongs to me. This is my own business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the house, every brick and tile worth more than his bank balance, stretched his limbs, and stepped forward again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for Ai Qing,” Huai Shi smiled shyly, “like I said when I was in kindergarten—I want to be friends with Sister Xiao Qing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crow sighed: “Just to hold onto the last warm hues of your childhood memories?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, it’s because she’s a beautiful girl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi’s smile widened; his pace quickened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The polite butler ahead had been about to ask for an invitation, but when he saw the Virtue Sword already drawn beside Huai Shi’s trench coat, his face turned pale; the bodyguards and sentries around him reacted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heel crushed the cement pavement into a spiderweb of fractures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Spear of Compassion coalesced from radiance; its tip hurled forward, dripping endless blue blood from the Dragon of the Azure Crown, each drop sprouting pure white irises along the path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white steed answered the call, its body shimmering with enhancements from a cocktail of Marvel-grade serums.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, a roar erupted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grand door, crafted from some priceless wood, shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elegant, warm atmosphere of the hall shattered; guests stared in shock as a figure on a white horse charged into the room through the dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All eyes on me! I have an announcement!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi pulled the Spear of Compassion from the ground, surrounded by countless chills and killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out a suona and began playing wildly, blending into the classical music playing at the banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Di da di da di di da~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi looked at Ai Qing, still holding the gift box—first startled, then her expression turned to anger and confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set down the suona and smiled: “Huai Family of Xinhai—wishing the old patriarch a happy anniversary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Liangji, leaning on his cane, laughed; his cloudy eyes gleamed with sharp light—he thought this was the best gift of all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A threat to the Yin clan, left unchecked, would inevitably grow into an incurable plague!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came to them willingly—how perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness churned; shadows twisted into a cage, attempting to strangle the suona player atop the white horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow Guards, already planted by the Yin clan from the Grave of the Lost, a peak third-rank Ascended, struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blades, spears, axes, and other alchemical weapons rained down from nowhere, flashing with lightning-like spiritual energy, as if expendable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several unrecognizable corpses lay on the ground; around Huai Shi, more weapons hovered suspended by telekinesis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All bought by him before his return!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I spent real money,” Huai Shi said seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant Ai Qing spoke, Huai Shi released the reins—cold death’s premonition crawled up his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third-rank Ascended could still be dealt with by technology; fourth-rank was a leap into an entirely different tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the crushing hostility of a fourth-rank Ascended, molten gold light spread across his entire body; a terrifying yet majestic phantom myth enveloped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a flash, Yin Ya saw the boy, swallowed by the sun, smile at him: “This is how it should be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blazing light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scorching gale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a swirling vortex, a single thread of true essence pierced heaven and earth; the gloomy, heavy sky ignited like filthy cotton, flames spreading outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seconds later, the phantom story ended as the manga closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone remained unharmed; even the ceiling was intact. They had all felt consumed by the apocalyptic blaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except Yin Ya, lying on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skin glowed red like a boiled lobster; his clothes, hair, even the carpet beneath him were gone—but his chest rose and fell, proving he still lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reality manifestation extended only this far; the rest was cinematic special effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One can only say—Hollywood truly delivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, I cheated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi stared at the frozen smile of the Yin patriarch and the crowd; the source-axe forged from fury and killing intent appeared in his hand. He stepped forward, one step at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold, contemptuous, dismissive stares vanished—replaced by shock, fear, and confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could an Ascended, no matter how excellent their records, possibly accomplish this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve always been worried I’d retaliate against the Yin family,” Huai Shi said, raising his axe to face them. “So tell me—should I kill your entire family right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Liangji seemed to drift off, but he didn’t stay silent long before speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill me, or make me kneel like a dog—you can do whatever you want to everyone except Yin Ya. But for Xiao Qing and Huai Guang’s sake—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, he was still calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizz—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The axe swung, a flash of iron light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A head rolled to the ground, spraying hot blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never heard such an insane request in my life,” Huai Shi turned to the crowd, innocent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You all heard it—he asked me to do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sheathed his axe and met Ai Qing’s gaze, catching the instant stiffness in her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m heading to the border. We’ve worked together—don’t you dare drag me to the Astral Society now?” Huai Shi lowered his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just remembered—you’re getting married today. Wonder who’s so unlucky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, I’ll be a good guy to the end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seized Ai Qing’s wrist, ignoring her token resistance, hoisted her onto the horse, took back the Holy Radiance, and mounted up himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t call the Astral Society— if you do, I’ll answer the phone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a warning glance around, then rode off on his white horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Ai Qing stared blankly at Huai Shi, her confusion unresolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi had anticipated her plans—he’d done everything she meant to do, and taken all the blame onto himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the two left, the Yin family posted a bounty on Huai Shi across the darknet—this time, it reached 600 million U.S. dollars!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you prefer loyal oranges or purple pomelos?” Huai Shi asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Qing looked at him calmly. “The Astral Society will give you a fair judgment. You’d better stop now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think purple pomelos are better—but paired with bullets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi had fully unleashed himself—happier than Ai Qing, who was now unbound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, border mercenaries and bounty hunters watched as he pulled out a mountain of heavy weaponry and laid waste with fire, as if cutting down vegetables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instant kill of a fourth-rank Transcender? Iron Man armor? Floating cannons? Tank mines? Missiles? Laser guns?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Da Biao and Mo San and others saw the report on Huai Shi, they were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stood atop the gray wall, blinding lights converging on the criminal, barely a kilometer from the border.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Astral Society’s emblem loomed cold and high, urging the criminal to turn back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huai Shi, what else do you intend to do?” Ai Qing asked, confused. “It’s enough. Stop now—the Astral Society won’t punish you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi looked at Ai Qing. “Do you feel free now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No answer came—only her furrowed brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rode his white horse forward, toward the border.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the wall, a chilling aura spread in all directions, terrifying every reckless soul daring to plot rebellion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warning of death had been issued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the man on horseback pressed on, head never turning, smashing through layer after layer of defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did all this—exposed all these secrets—for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice came from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Qing continued: “Do you actually like this cripple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m in high demand now—you’ll have to wait your turn for an invitation,” Huai Shi said without looking back. “We can start as friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop,” Ai Qing said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can take you somewhere else—not the border.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m staying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi heard her answer, halted the white horse, set her down, but remained mounted himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once you cross the border, it’s official treason,” Ai Qing said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m chasing freedom too,” Huai Shi replied, extending his hands. “Want to put the cuffs on me yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Qing nodded. “If necessary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi smiled, urged the white horse again, glanced back. “Don’t worry—I’ll be fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sparse rain began to fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Astral Society, of course, triggered alarms and launched their assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hope it doesn’t hurt too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dead men owe no debts—combined with the resurrection artifact recovered by the Crow, he’d be revived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why do this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally—he wanted to change something. This was the new plan he’d devised yesterday with the Crow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All defenses were deactivated, including attacks from Transcenders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, under the confused stares of others, Huai Shi was completely engulfed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A resurrection coin fell—intended to, at the moment of revival, slip away via deception to another location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran up his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A roaring wave of air, rapidly spreading flames—dozens of cold, glowing circular arrays rose between heaven and earth. Moments later, pillars of light slammed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Detected fluctuation in the Current Realm】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Detected Destruction Element: The Shepherd】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Detected arrival of the Destruction Element—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai Shi opened his eyes again to find himself floating in the sky, six radiant wings behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...” He paused, then asked: “Where did you get this resurrection artifact?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crow remained silent for a moment, then replied: “It’s free.”\u003C\u002Fp>",2372,"2026-06-20T04:17:33.470Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b8a6b3573f4b9482f00df1812d3a438682b3a096f5f1e6376a2015f311d9061f","i-the-system-protagonist-joined-a-cross-dimensio-chapter-657","i-the-system-protagonist-joined-a-cross-dimensio-chapter-655",720,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-the-system-protagonist-joined-a-cross-dimensio-cover.jpg"]