356: Chapter 68 Confusion 356: Chapter 68 Confusion “…I’ve become weaker.”

Gongsun Ce said worriedly, “Is it because of Qiqi?”

His untimely attempt to catch the reference was met with Shiyu Ling’s glum gaze.

Gongsun Ce could only awkwardly explain, “It’s an anime reference…”

“Get lost.”

“I promise I won’t crack any more jokes, go on.”

Shiyu Ling snatched the plastic bag, rummaged through it for a while, seemingly unable to find any snacks to her liking.

She tossed the bag aside carelessly.

“My Spiritual Image Skill manifestation is an ability built upon a sense of superiority and self-love.

It’s my life, my beliefs turned into power…” she lowered her eyelids, “and it’s also a force shaped by Shiyu Genmi’s interference.”

——The only one you can love in this world is yourself.

The words spoken by Shiyu Genmi, the very experiment he conducted, had fundamentally influenced Shiyu Ling’s life, forging her nasty personality.

Abandoning familial love, innocence, standing diametrically opposed to goodness, she became a solitary demon of virtue.

She couldn’t survive otherwise.

Thus, she believed and became the poor quality witch she was, but all of this had been orchestrated by Shiyu Genmi.

The self-adoring narcissus flower, always growing in the shadow of Shiyu Genmi.

“But you’ve changed now,” Gongsun Ce consoled, “you’re not the same as before—”

“That’s why I’ve become weaker!”

Shiyu Ling clutched her hands tightly.

“Look at me now…

I’ve done countless stupid things, even talking with you…

I’ve turned into an inferior, foolish woman!”

“Don’t talk about yourself that way!”

“The narcissus can’t answer to me now, because I’ve changed!”

Gongsun Ce was at a loss for words for a moment.

He understood the cause of her sorrow.

Shiyu Ling’s Spiritual Image Skill embodiment, the narcissus that loved only itself.

If she were to awaken from that morbid obsession, become aware of others around her, and rediscover her human heart…

Then naturally, that power derived from distortion would also weaken.

The heart’s transformation could not be concealed with self-deception.

“Remember Shiyu Lingsan?”

“She wasn’t strong.”

“Because that idiot’s belief was brainwashed into her.

She had no underlying soul to support her abilities, just a beautiful shell,” Shiyu Ling said gloomily, “Now I’m the same.

My way of being contradicts Impermanence Skill, decayed.”

Ironically, as I underwent human growth, the power of my soul weakened.

“Maybe this is your chance to break through to the Creation Realm,” Gongsun Ce comforted, “Isn’t it common, to overcome one’s limits after rediscovering one’s true self…”

“Ha, my true self,” Shiyu Ling seemed utterly despondent, “Is that brainwashed Little Alice truly me?”

Gongsun Ce had no reply.

He realized the problem.

As a Dual Phase Mage, Shiyu Ling was fundamentally contradictory to her own existence.

Her Spiritual Image Skill was built on a foundation of falsehood, a product of drastic personality change, like a smoothly cycling virtual machine.

But as she became more like her “normal” self, that change of heart could not turn the fakery into reality.

Gongsun Ce tentatively suggested, “Why don’t you try hard to cultivate a Brahma’s appearance Skill with your current mindset?”

“I’m already a Dual Phase Mage, do you realize how difficult it is to cultivate another Domain?

It’s about as likely as an asteroid falling from the sky and landing on Shiyu Genmi.”

“It might just work.

I’ll pray for the asteroid right now.” Gongsun Ce cried passionately, “Ah, come forth, meteorite from beyond!

Gravitate to this sinful isle, execute justice upon the sinner!”

Shiyu Ling let out a disdainful chuckle.

She motioned weakly with her hand, “If there’s nothing else, get lost.

I need to rest.”

“Alright then.”

As Gongsun Ce walked down to the first floor, the little witch was descending from the second, looking like she had trouble sleeping.

Shiyu Lianyi, with a bunkobon in hand, called out upon seeing him, “How’s Sister Ling?”

“She’s great, brimming with spirit, and her fighting spirit is high,” Gongsun Ce said as he sat down at the table, taking out a cookie stick and crunching away.

“Everyone seems quite down, but you look to be in good spirits.”

“Well…” the young man in the suit chuckled lightly, “Revenge for me is more of a task that needs to be completed than a life goal.

So I’m not too stressed.”

Gongsun Ce agreed, “True.

Your life goal is to be the man behind a successful woman.”

The young man earnestly corrected, “If she doesn’t want to be a success, I’d be happy to be a house-husband or work a job together with her.”

“Brother, I was just saying, have you actually thought about such long-term stuff?”

“One must plan for the future,” he responded with a wink, “What about you, Gongsun?”

“Me?”

Gongsun Ce felt a pang in his heart.

While Shiyu Lianyi pondered her love life and life plans, Shiyu Ling thought about buying a house to live a carefree life.

What did he want to do?

“I don’t really have any…

dreams or aspirations,” the young man with grey hair propped up his face and said, “I used to think about being a freelancer.

The kind that wanders the world, sticks his nose into others’ business, and solves problems with superpowers and half-baked reasoning.”

Shiyu Lianyi didn’t even need to think before responding, “Isn’t that Mr.

Yan?”

Damn it.

It kind of was.

“I’ve changed my mind, I’ll open a small coffee shop after graduation.

If the business fails, I can just hang the sign and freeload off you and your wife.”

The young man laughed and said, “You could also help customers with little issues while doing business…”

“Yeah, exactly.”

“It sounds like those teenage literature protagonists from a decade ago.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep