Chapter 63

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

And Shen Lang is the protagonist in *Wu Lin Wai Shi*, but in this comprehensive martial-arts real world, will he still be the protagonist?

Can he still possess the undying destiny of turning danger into safety?

All of these deserve a question mark.

068 The Heart of a Hegemon, the Bewitching Flame Physique

By the shores of Taihu, the Shen household.

Shen Bijun was deeply worried.

Just as Jiang Sishui said, Shen Lang's way of doing things really does carry an enormous hidden danger.

Being soft-hearted and letting the tiger return to the mountain — you can't expect everyone to be grateful and turn over a new leaf, can you?

And once someone nurses a grudge against you, they may scheme in every possible way to kill you, even going after your family and friends!

The story of "The Farmer and the Snake" doesn't exist in this world, but even some children understand the basic principle behind it.

So Shen Bijun hesitated over whether to find a chance to give Shen Lang a reminder.

But then she thought — Shen Lang has always been a man of his own opinions, and this matter touches on his principles of conduct. Would he even listen to her?

Pondering to no avail, Shen Bijun could only sigh helplessly.

【Ding Chunqiu retreated, there was no more show to watch, and the crowd dispersed】

【I had originally been thinking about how to subtly probe Huang Yaoshi for news of Rong'er】

【But upon noticing the undisguised appreciation in Huang Yaoshi's eyes toward Shen Lang, I suddenly realized I had been thinking in the wrong direction】

Zhao Qiying's gaze sharpened slightly.

She knew that what followed was most likely what Jiang Sishui had been holding back in his heart during the day.

【Originally, upon seeing Huang Yaoshi, I was thinking about how to rack up goodwill in front of him — get past the father-in-law hurdle first, and only then would it be easier to go find Rong'er】

【In other words, I was thinking about how to cater to him and curry his favor】

【But upon seeing Huang Yaoshi's appreciation for Shen Lang, I realized I was wrong — and absurdly so】

【Because in this world where martial prowess is revered, without strength, everything else is empty】

【No matter how well I performed, no matter how much it suited Huang Yaoshi's taste, without sufficient strength I still couldn't catch his eye】

【At our first meeting, Huang Yaoshi's impression of me should have been decent, but it was only a bit of goodwill toward a like-minded junior】

【Yet toward Shen Lang, whom he had never met, he held an attitude of equals — an equality born of strength, along with intense appreciation】

【Which of the two is superior is plain at a glance】

【At that moment, I suddenly realized how utterly laughable my behavior of "catering to his tastes" was — and to think I had once felt smug about guessing Huang Yaoshi's thoughts correctly】

Seeing this, the women all fell silent.

From between the lines, they could sense Jiang Sishui's thick self-mockery.

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

【Thinking back afterward, I couldn't help but ask myself: why am I trying to guess other people's thoughts?】

【I have the System with me — Cicada Sense, Heavenly Sword Drawing Technique, Lang Fanyun's talent… each one alone is enough to dominate the world!】

【If that's the case, why should I read other people's faces, ponder their attitudes, cater to their thoughts?】

【Times have changed. This is no longer the relatively comfortable world of my past life. "The strong are revered" is displayed here in the most vivid way】

【As long as my fist is big enough, whatever I want — whatever it is — is mine!】

【Even if it isn't mine, I'll snatch it over! Then it's mine!】

【Why should I put shackles on myself, binding myself with all sorts of worldly rules and conventions?】

【Have those rules from ancient times to the present existed since the dawn of heaven and earth? Weren't they all set by a small handful of people at the very top?】

【If I am stronger than them, on what grounds do their rules bind me?】

【Want it, take it; whoever blocks, beat them down. Wouldn't that feel great?】

【From now on, I will make others abide by my rules!】

At this moment, one after another peerlessly graceful woman across the Central Domain all fell silent.

Staring at the sharp, edge-showing words on the diary copy, they seemed to see a newborn hegemon declaring his arrival to the world.

This was a madman who would break the old order and rewrite the rules!

But they had to admit — he truly did have that kind of potential.

For a moment, the women's reactions varied.

Some were stirred — for instance, Zhao Min and the Flower Fairy, who were witches and enchantresses by nature.

Some were troubled — for instance, Shangguan Haitang, Shui Furong, and Gao Yanan, who already had someone in their hearts.

And some were full of worry — for instance, Shi Feixuan, who fretted over the world, as well as Huang Rong, who feared her family might clash with Jiang Sishui.

And so on, and so on.

But no matter what, they all knew the Jiang Sishui of now was different from before.

The previous him probably hadn't yet shed the mindset of his past life, so even though he possessed an heaven-defying thing like the "Diary System," he was still willing to abide by the rules.

But today, after being provoked by Huang Yaoshi, he had an epiphany.

The him of now only followed the rules he was willing to follow; when he encountered ones he wasn't willing to follow, he would simply "flip the table"!

South of Nanzhou.

Yan Lingji lounged lazily on the couch, her smile like a blossom — stunningly, breathtakingly beautiful.

"A little man becoming a big man — sure is more charming."

The Jiang Sishui of before, in her eyes, was just a lecherous lucky fool. Though he had both lewd intent and lewd boldness, he always gave her a feeling of not being brisk and decisive enough.

He weighed every move forward and back — the type who "hid a needle in cotton" — truly boring.

But now, his edge fully revealed, he already possessed the heart of a hegemon, carrying a bold ambition to trample everything beneath him and look down upon all living beings.

This made Yan Yan Lingji's heart tremble.

Suddenly, the system's notification chime rang out—

【Detected Jiang Sishui completing today's diary entry. Congratulations on obtaining one month of true Qi】

【Selecting today's winner…】

【Congratulations to Yan Yan Lingji on obtaining the special constitution "Fire Charm Demon Body"】

"Is it finally my turn?"

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

After a long while, a pair of enchantingly bewitching eyes slowly opened. Two clusters of flame in her pupils flashed and vanished in an instant, but the smile in her eyes could not be concealed no matter what.

The special constitution "Fire Charm Demon Body" granted her four abilities.

First, her fire-control ability reached perfection.

Yan Yan Lingji's constitution was already extraordinary, innately fire-attributed. To her, flames not only failed to cause harm, but were actually a nourishing substance.

Yet she could not fully and freely control her own constitution—every time she arrived at a place, fires would inexplicably break out there.

Because of this, Yan Yan Lingji was hunted, and had no choice but to live in seclusion in such a remote place.

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

Third, she could briefly transform into flames, during which she would ignore all physical damage, reduce energy damage by seventy percent, and designate nearby living beings for spiritual burning.

Moreover, in flame form, her speed would increase tenfold!

Fourth, Innate Bewitching.

Apart from the diary's owner, any male with ill intentions toward her would have their intelligence halved when facing her.

"What a pity…" Yan Yan Lingji sighed, feeling a sense of imperfection.

The fourth effect was useless against Jiang Sishui, otherwise she would truly have liked to see what he looked like with half his intelligence.

That would surely be very interesting.

"I've stayed here too long. It's time to go out and have a look around."

Yan Yan Lingji turned her head to look toward the northeast. Her graceful, slender figure swayed once, transforming into a flaming rainbow that pierced through the sky and departed.

At the same time, Jiang Sishui also collected 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 artifact "Sun Gold Wheel (Projection)"】

【Congratulations on completing today's diary entry. Reward: Martial Arts experience +500】