Stepping in for the Heroine to Crush the Protagonist Group [Transmigration] - Chapter 26

This felt like silk.

Hu Li spread her palm and stroked the fabric back and forth. Then, she heard a soft, muffled “hmm” from the unseen object beneath her hand.

Hu Li’s face flushed crimson instantly, and she yanked her hand away.

The System, sensing Hu Li’s racing heartbeat, cleared its throat. “Host, the X-Ray Vision reward has been activated.”

I’m such a thoughtful System, it thought. I’ve even learned to help my host seduce her target.

At that moment, Hu Li, caught off guard, found Gu Sheng’s figure suddenly materializing before her eyes. Her breath hitched, and she frantically looked up at the sky, her entire body burning with embarrassment.

“System, you’re such a pain in the ass!” Hu Li muttered, frantically pinching her fingers and chanting an incantation to stash Gu Sheng into a small compartment within her Storage Bag.

[Fox Spirit, you’re so shy!]

[Is there anything our esteemed VIP members aren’t allowed to see? Hmm?]

[You’ve come this far, Fox Spirit. Are you gonna chicken out now?]

[Tail! I want tail play!]

[I’m a college student, and I want to see it too!]

[Go for it, Fox Spirit!]

[I know you’re all eager, but please be patient.]

[Ah, kswl.]

Hu Li calmed herself, her expression blank as she watched the book reviews rapidly turn orange or pink. She nearly lost her composure again.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to remain calm, determined not to let the Elders outside the Secret Realm sense anything amiss. She continued deeper into the Immortal Forest.

Beyond the golden, resplendent trees, a tranquil lake stretched before her.

In the original novel, this lake was described as the Wishing Pool, capable of granting any wish. It was here that Xi Qingyang had his first major opportunity, successfully summoning a magnificent Azure Dragon.

The Azure Dragon was an ancient divine beast, beyond the control of ordinary mortals.

But Xi Qingyang, after all, was the protagonist of a “Dragon Pride” narrative. The Azure Dragon quickly recognized him as its meal ticket and became a crucial asset in his path to glory.

Hu Li crouched down, her hand gliding through the cool lake water. After reviewing the original plot, she realized that, given the story’s increasingly chaotic trajectory, she would be the one summoning the Azure Dragon this time.

Rubbing her hands together in anticipation, Hu Li stared at the gradually rippling lake surface, her lips curving into a wild grin.

“Come forth, my little Azure Dragon!”

Hu Li’s thoughts settled, and the ground suddenly began to tremble. The azure sky, clear as washed jade, abruptly darkened, as if responding to her.

Before the Water Moon Mirror, the Elders fell silent, their earlier banter silenced. Instinctively, they focused their attention on the lake’s surface, eager to witness what the year’s Champion would summon from the Immortal Lake.

Bubbles began to rise from the lake with a glug-glug sound.

Sensing the water temperature change, Hu Li withdrew her hand into her sleeve and retreated to what she considered a safe distance, holding her breath.

Plop! A pebble she accidentally kicked landed in the lake.

In the next instant, a dark shadow materialized in the clear water, followed by an explosion of vibrant, multicolored light that erupted from the lake’s surface.

Within the radiant glow, the shadow slowly took shape, eventually forming the unmistakable silhouette of a dragon.

Hu Li’s eyes reflected the dragon she had longed for, her heart pounding with excitement. But as the dragon’s form became clearer, the smile that had been playing in her dimples vanished abruptly.

This dragon was… different from what she had imagined.

Hu Li stared at the creature, its scales shimmering in a thousand hues, each scale a different color, like a rainbow dragon straight out of the Divine Beast Realm’s most flamboyant fashion trends. She fell into deep thought.

Before the Water Moon Mirror, the Elders also fell into deep thought.

The atmosphere suddenly chilled. Sensing something was wrong, the Little Rainbow Dragon looked at Hu Li with a pitiful expression, lifting its head and letting out a mournful cry: “Wuhu~”

Hu Li: …

She closed her eyes heavily, wondering if she was hallucinating.

Such an advanced dragon shouldn’t belong to me.

Hu Li before opening the blind box: Anticipation, joy.

Hu Li after opening the blind box: Shock, disbelief.

This dragon probably just finished its college entrance exams and dyed itself rainbow.

The trendsetter of hair salons in the Divine Beast Realm.

“What a colorful day,” Hu Li muttered.

Colorful indeed, Hu Li thought with a wry smile. After steeling herself, she walked over to the Little Rainbow Dragon, patted its head, and said, “Let’s form a contract after we leave this place, okay?”

She had obtained the Little Rainbow Dragon under the identity of Gu Sheng. Once they exited the Secret Realm, the dragon’s recognition of its master would still default to Gu Sheng.

The Little Rainbow Dragon nuzzled Hu Li’s palm and nodded obediently. It then transformed into a miniature seven-colored dragon, coiled around Hu Li’s wrist, and rested its head against her wrist bone.

Hu Li gazed at it, suddenly finding the Little Rainbow Dragon strangely endearing.

Having formed a contract with Hu Li and sensing the shift in its master’s affections, Little Coal Ball’s eyes widened. It leaped off Hu Li’s head, planted its paws on its hips, and began chirping in protest.

Hu Li was getting annoyed by the commotion. Just as she was about to put Little Coal Ball back into her Storage Bag, the little creature glanced sideways, its gaze meeting the Little Rainbow Dragon’s for a fleeting moment. Before she could react, Little Coal Ball had already scurried into the Storage Bag on its own.

Hu Li raised an eyebrow, chuckled softly, and said nothing.

With the Little Rainbow Dragon secured, the Immortal Forest storyline had concluded.

As night fell, Hu Li gathered some branches, lit a fire with her flint, and roasted the fish the Little Rainbow Dragon had caught for her in the Immortal Lake.

Following a method she’d seen in dramas, she skewered the fish on a forked stick and held it over the flames, slowly turning it until she thought it was done.

But when she pulled the fish out, both sides were charred black. Taking a bite, she found it still tasted bitter.

Hu Li spat out the mouthful in disgust, deciding to skip dinner. Instead, she closed her eyes and leaned back against a tree.

Outside the Water Moon Mirror, the Elders exchanged glances, unsure what to say.

Yu Yan, half-asleep, mumbled to Shen Heyin, “Cousin, I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed.”

After a few more idle words, the Elders dispersed, leaving the Water Moon Mirror to flicker faintly in the Council Hall.

Within the mirror, a dark light flickered at the center of Hu Li’s forehead. Then, her Spiritual Sense detached from her body and slipped into the small space within the Storage Bag.

The space was a small bedroom, furnished with a bed and a desk.

The bed was empty. Hu Li had already instructed the System to deactivate her X-Ray Vision, leaving her to feel around the bed with her hands. She carefully removed the Invisibility Cloak from Gu Sheng’s body.

As the cloak fell away, Gu Sheng’s form materialized.

Hu Li’s keen sense of smell immediately detected the heavy scent of blood.

Gu Sheng wore a black dress, making it impossible to discern the location of her injuries. After a moment’s hesitation, Hu Li reluctantly removed the outer garment.

Beneath the black dress was a white undergarment, stained with alarming patches of blood.

It was clear that Gu Sheng’s injuries were multiple.

Hu Li’s brow furrowed at the sight. Her earlier embarrassment vanished, replaced by decisive action. She swiftly removed the blood-soaked undergarment.

The blood-soaked fabric clung to the wounds. Hu Li winced at Gu Sheng’s pained moans but pressed on, gritting her teeth and working faster.

Gu Sheng’s body was crisscrossed with bloody gashes, each faintly shimmering with silver-white runes.

“An Immortal Forest Restriction?” Hu Li murmured, studying the wounds with a frown.

Hu Li reached out, her fingertips gently touching the wound, attempting to dispel the Immortal Forest Restriction with her Demonic Power.

But just as she began to gather her power, Gu Sheng suddenly sat up, her eyes hazy.

“Li Li,” Gu Sheng called out.

Hu Li froze, the tips of her ears burning, a strange guilt washing over her. “You’re awake?”

Then she realized Gu Sheng was only wearing a thin undergarment, and her heart skipped a beat. “I-I didn’t….”

Before she could finish, Gu Sheng suddenly cupped her face and pressed her lips against hers.

Their breaths mingled, Hu Li’s throat tightened, her beautiful fox-like eyes filled with Gu Sheng’s slightly flushed face.

In the silent room, their breathing sounded jarringly loud.

As Hu Li listened to the pounding of Gu Sheng’s heart echoing in her ears, she felt the thread of reason snap in the face of this intimate atmosphere.

She had to admit, from the moment she first saw Gu Sheng, her intentions had been impure. Whether it was love at first sight or mere lust, she couldn’t say for sure.

All she knew was that Gu Sheng’s sudden initiative ignited the nameless feelings within her like a chemical reaction catalyzed into explosive action.

Clumsily, she returned the kiss, her hands involuntarily wrapping around Gu Sheng’s slender waist.

[I can’t believe Kou Kou made the first move! So hot! Aaaaaah!]

[Fox Spirit, get a grip! Kou Kou is still injured.]

[Fox Spirit, now’s not the time for that!]

[My ship is finally sailing!]

[Fox Spirit is the male lead!]

[The ship has officially set sail!]

[Kou Kou is the top! Kou Kou is the top!]

[Fox Spirit is the top!]

[Please, please, let’s get some fox tail play going!]

Hu Li’s gaze snapped back to reality when she saw the comment, “Kou Kou is still injured.”

Regaining her composure, she gently pushed Gu Sheng away, cradling her in her arms. She then retrieved a small white porcelain bottle from a low cabinet beside the desk, opened it, and held it under Gu Sheng’s nose, letting her inhale the faint herbal aroma.

Leaning against Hu Li’s shoulder, Gu Sheng gradually closed her eyes as the soothing scent filled her senses, drifting into a peaceful slumber.

Hu Li sighed in relief, laid Gu Sheng gently on the bed, and began chanting incantations, slowly channeling her Demonic Power to dispel the sigils etched across Gu Sheng’s body.

The sigils were already nearly faded, and Hu Li quickly erased the remaining traces.

With the sigils gone, Hu Li retrieved a jar of premium Autumn Jade Ointment from the cabinet. She carefully scooped out a dollop of the ointment and gently applied it to Gu Sheng’s wounds.

After applying the medicine, Hu Li redressed Gu Sheng, tucked her under the covers, and quietly slipped out of the small space.

With her Spiritual Sense returned to its place, Hu Li took a short nap. She woke at dawn the next day, extinguished the fire at her feet, and leisurely made her way toward the exit of the Immortal Forest.

The exit was located at the Secret Realm’s most spiritually abundant point. Along the way, Hu Li “acquired” several more treasures before reluctantly stepping onto the exit’s teleportation array, leaving the Water Moon Secret Realm behind.

Outside the Water Moon Secret Realm, representatives from the Five Great Sects stood in a neat row.

Yu Shibai, doing his best to ignore Hu Li’s bulging Storage Bag, clapped her on the shoulder and, without a hint of embarrassment, showered her with praise.

Hu Li blushed crimson as she listened to terms like “heaven-sent genius” and “the pride of Tianyan Sect,” so mortified that she kept digging her toes into the ground.

Soon after, Min Xiuhe emerged from the Water Moon Secret Realm, her arm around Shang Miaoyun’s shoulder.

They stared at Hu Li, their expressions complex and unreadable.

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