Chapter 62

Just as Jiang Sishui said, unless you have a protagonist's halo, someone this reckless would have died long ago.

Shen Lang was the protagonist in "The Story of the Martial World," but in this comprehensive martial arts reality, will he still be the protagonist?

Will he still possess the undying fate that turns danger into safety?

These questions all remain unanswered.

By the shores of Taihu, at the Shen family estate.

Shen Shen Bijun was filled with worry.

Just as Jiang Sishui had said, Shen Lang's conduct and style truly carried immense hidden dangers.

Being soft-hearted and letting a tiger return to the mountains—you cannot expect everyone to be grateful and reform their ways, can you?

Once someone harbors resentment in their heart, they may try every possible means to kill you, or even target your family and friends!

The story of "The Farmer and the Snake" does not exist in this world, but even some children understand the basic principle within it.

Thus, Shen Shen Bijun hesitated, wondering if she should find an opportunity to warn Shen Lang.

But considering that Shen Lang has always been a man of strong convictions, and this matter concerned his principles of conduct, would he listen to her?

After agonizing over it with no result, Shen Shen Bijun helplessly sighed.

[Ding Chunqiu withdrew; with no good show to watch, the crowd dispersed.]

[I had originally been thinking about how to subtly probe Huang Huang Yaoshi for news of Rong'er.]

[But upon noticing the undisguised appreciation in Huang Huang Yaoshi's eyes toward Shen Lang, I suddenly realized I had gone astray.]

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying focused her mind slightly.

She knew that the following content was mostly what Jiang Sishui had held back during the day and not spoken aloud.

[Originally, upon seeing Huang Huang Yaoshi, my thought was how to gain his favor first, passing the test of the future father-in-law before going to find Rong'er.]

[In other words, I was thinking about how to cater to and curry favor with him.]

[But seeing Huang Huang Yaoshi's appreciation for Shen Lang, I realized I was wrong, and terribly so.]

[Because in this world where martial prowess is supreme, without strength, everything is illusory.]

[No matter how well I performed or how much I matched Huang Huang Yaoshi's tastes, without sufficient strength, I would still not meet his standards.]

[At our first meeting, Huang Huang Yaoshi's impression of me was likely not bad, but it was merely a slight fondness for a junior whose personality aligned with his own.]

[Yet toward Shen Lang, whom he had never met, he held an attitude of equality—an equality born of strength, along with intense appreciation.]

[Between the two, who was superior and who inferior was immediately obvious.]

[In that moment, I suddenly realized that my behavior of "catering to his preferences" was exceedingly ridiculous; I had even been smugly pleased with myself for guessing Huang Huang Yaoshi's thoughts correctly.]

Seeing this, the women fell silent.

From between the lines, they could perceive Jiang Sishui's deep self-mockery.

Clearly, that insignificant detail had touched Jiang Sishui's inner heart, causing a transformation in his soul.

[Thinking back on it afterward, I couldn't help but ask myself: Why should I try to guess others' thoughts?]

[I possess the System, the Cicada Sense, the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Art, the Lang Lang Fanyun talent... each one is enough to dominate the world!]

[Given this, why should I watch others' expressions, ponder their attitudes, or cater to their thoughts?]

[The times have changed; this is no longer the relatively comfortable world of my previous life. Here, "the strong are revered" is manifested to the fullest extent.]

[As long as my fists are big enough, whatever I want becomes mine!]

[Even if it isn't mine, I'll snatch it! Then it will be mine!]

[Why should I put shackles on myself, bound by various worldly rules and frameworks?]

[Those rules from ancient times to the present—did they exist since the creation of heaven and earth? Were they not established by a small handful of people at the very top?]

[If I am stronger than them, on what basis can their rules bind me?]

[If I want it, I take it; if anyone blocks me, I strike them down. Isn't that exhilarating?]

[From now on, I will make others abide by my rules!]

At this moment, across the Central Region, numerous women of unparalleled beauty fell silent.

Gazing at the sharp and unrestrained words on the diary copy, they seemed to see a newly born hegemon declaring his arrival to the world.

This was a madman intent on breaking the old order and establishing new rules!

Yet they had to admit that he truly possessed such potential.

For a time, the women reacted differently.

Some were intrigued, such as Zhao Min and the Flower Fairy, women who possessed the nature of demonesses and enchantresses.

Some were worried, such as Shangguan Shangguan Shangguan Haitang, Shui Shui Furong, and Gao Gao Gao Yanan, who already had beloved ones.

Others were filled with deep concern, such as Shi Shi Feixuan, who worried about the world, and Huang Rong, who feared conflict between her family and Jiang Sishui.

And so on.

But regardless of their reactions, they all knew that the current Jiang Sishui was different from before.

Previously, he had not yet transformed from the ideologies of his past life; thus, although he possessed a heaven-defying object like the "Diary System," he was still willing to abide by the rules.

But today, after being provoked by Huang Huang Yaoshi, he had achieved enlightenment.

Now, he only abides by the rules he chooses to follow; when encountering those he dislikes, he will directly "flip the table"!

South of Nanzhou.

Yan Yan Lingji lay lazily on the couch, smiling like a flower, stunning and absolutely beautiful.

"A little man becoming a big man is indeed even more charming."

The original Jiang Sishui, in her eyes, was merely a lustful lucky fellow; although he had both the desire and the guts for beauty, he always gave her a feeling of being insufficiently straightforward.

His actions were hesitant and overcautious, belonging to the type that "hides a needle in cotton wool," which was truly boring.

But now, he was sharp and unrestrained, already possessing the mindset of a hegemon, with an ambitious spirit ready to trample everything and look down upon all living beings.

This made Yan Yan Lingji's heart tremble.

Suddenly, the system's prompt sounded—

[Detected that Jiang Sishui has completed today's diary entry. Congratulations, you have obtained one month of Qi.]

[Selecting today's winner...]

[Congratulations, Yan Yan Lingji has obtained the special constitution "Fire Charm Demon Body".]

"Is it finally my turn?"

As the reward merged into her, Yan Yan Lingji silently experienced the changes within her body.

After a long while, a pair of bewitching eyes slowly opened; two clusters of flame flashed and vanished within her pupils, yet the smile in her eyes could not be hidden in the least.

This special constitution, the "Fire Charm Demon Body," endowed her with four abilities.

First, her fire control ability reached perfection.

Yan Yan Lingji's constitution was already different from ordinary people; she was innately fire-attributed. To her, fire not only caused no harm but served as nourishment.

However, she could not fully control her constitution at will. Wherever she went, fires would inexplicably break out.

Because of this, Yan Yan Lingji was hunted down, and helplessly, she went into seclusion in such a remote place.

Second, her affinity with fire increased threefold, and the power of any fire technique she used tripled.

Third, she could temporarily transform into fire; during this state, she ignored all physical damage, reduced energy damage by seventy percent, and could designate nearby living beings to undergo mental scorching.

Moreover, while in her fire state, her speed would increase tenfold!

Fourth, natural charm.

Except for the diary's owner, any male with ill intentions toward her would suffer a fifty percent drop in intelligence when facing her.

"What a pity..." Yan Yan Lingji sighed, feeling a regret that marred an otherwise perfect situation.

The fourth effect was ineffective against Jiang Sishui; otherwise, she truly wished to see what he would look like with his intelligence halved.

That would surely be very interesting.

"I have stayed here too long; it is time to go out and look around."

Yan Yan Lingji turned her head to gaze toward the northeast, her graceful body swaying as she transformed into a rainbow of fire and shot through the sky.

At the same time, Jiang Sishui also claimed today's reward.

As expected, he once again obtained a precious treasure besides martial arts experience.

[Congratulations on completing the ninth diary entry. Reward: Defensive Dharma Treasure "Sun Gold Wheel (Projection)".]

[Congratulations on completing today's diary entry. Reward: Martial Arts Experience +500.]