1073 - I Became a Villainess and Was Pestered by Beautiful Girls
The next day, several core warriors of the Xue clan, who had been fighting on the front lines, were summoned. Most of them were highly ranked in the Elder level, capable of leading formidable teams elsewhere. "I have a question," said the White-Haired Witch, sitting with arms crossed, deep in thought. "Why is it that along my journey here, our Xue clan seems predominantly female? Especially at the top, it's a sea of beauties." "Through comparison, we've discovered that women adapt better to the Xue clan's bloodline powers," Xin Er explained. "As for the reason, we're also unsure... Perhaps you might know?" "It definitely has nothing to do with my personal preference for beauties..." For these second-generation members, the leaders and elders from subsidiary families, it was the first time seeing the revered "Ancestor" of their clan. Before them stood a figure with a noble and mysterious aura, her white hair flowing majestically, exuding the commanding presence of a queen. She was the cornerstone of the Xue clan. Without her, there would be no Xue clan. "Greetings, Honored Ancestor!" A line of people knelt respectfully, performing a formal salute. "I've told you not to call me Ancestor... but whatever, suit yourselves," Senior Xue waved dismissively. "I've heard that since joining the Xue clan, you've been diligent, loyal, and have made outstanding contributions. Since I'm here, let's fulfill part of the promises that Xin Er and Tian Er made to you." "Honored Ancestor, are you saying...?" A short-haired, spirited woman asked, excitement in her voice. "Helping you break through your limits," the White-Haired Witch calmly stated. "But let me be clear. Accepting higher-tier bloodline gifts will come with stricter limitations on you. Gain and sacrifice are always in balance. If you don't want this, now's your chance to back out." "I am willing!" "I am willing too!" "We are all willing!" What a joke. To break through the ranks of their bloodline, tightening the reins, or even signing a servant contract, throngs would eagerly step forward. In the Void Realm, bloodline aptitude represents strength, status, and future prospects. For these people, enhanced talents mean they may advance to higher realms, blessing their descendants and future generations. "Alright, let's begin," the White-Haired Witch nodded. "First step, clean your neck and wait." Following that, sounds of intense yet ecstatic moans filled the tent, enough to make anyone squirm with a strange sensation... "Didn't Sister Xue mention that there's a way to grant bloodline powers without this method?" "Don't ask too much, maybe over the years, she’s developed a new kink?" The power given by Senior Xue wasn't randomly distributed. She slightly modified these people's bloodline aptitudes, but only by regularly accepting "empowerment" could their progression be sustained. In other words, loyalty must be absolute, or there would be dire consequences. After bolstering the clan's strength temporarily, the next task was to deal with the Tian clan. Xin Er and Tian Er each expressed their views. As usual, the elder sister was more calm, while the younger more ruthless. "Tian Er's idea isn't bad," Senior Xue gently patted the young girl's head. "Attacking their bloodline directly could expedite the end of the battle." "Uh..." Xin Er opened her mouth but said nothing. This person, who had come back, seemed to have changed somewhat... She appeared more resolute, focused, and colder than before. Such a change, in fact, wasn't necessarily bad. "However, the Tian clan won't be completely unprepared," the White-Haired Witch noted. "They already know that the Xue clan can devour bloodlines, so they will likely have bolstered their defenses in anticipation. When we attack, we are likely to face resistance beyond our expectations." "Mm," Tian Er pouted. "If their seventh-level elites come, it will be troublesome." In the Void Realm, reaching the seventh level is a challenging barrier, so there are fewer seventh-level experts in the Void Realm than the Tribulation Transcenders in the Nine Provinces Continent. The ten great families can secure their position on the mainland precisely because their bloodlines ensure the emergence of seventh-level experts in each generation, maintaining control. If her injuries were fully restored, Senior Xue naturally wouldn’t fear seventh-level experts. But now she was still severely injured, waiting to absorb the bloodline of their seventh-level experts to recover... "Honestly... without me, you'd get nothing done." While contemplating strategies, a weak voice echoed in the White-Haired Witch's mind. "Xiao Zhu? You're awake?!" Senior Xue stood up excitedly. "I finally sensed the unfulfilled emotion of the Staff of War," Xiao Zhu weakly remarked. "Can't you cherish the divine weapon in your hands a bit more?" "Next time, I'll definitely treasure it!" When being pursued by the Blood Light, there was no choice. Without overdriving the divine weapon, both master and servant would have been doomed. Xiao Zhu, despite its snarky words, was ever so helpful; without its full cooperation, escaping the Blood Light attack would've been impossible. A tsundere spirit weapon, truly the best... "If the body condition recovers somewhat, I might help you deal with the Tian clan's seventh-level experts," Xiao Zhu slowly suggested. "The repelling laws of the Void Realm don't affect me." "How can I help you recover?" Senior Xue inquired of her comrade, "Feel free to speak up, we're no longer the impoverished honorary elders of the Xuan Ling Sect, but the leaders of our clan!" "Look at you, acting like someone who's never seen the world..." The spirit weapon teased. "The requests aren’t high: some demigod weapon fragments, earth and metal-type rare treasures, the highest-grade energy crystals, the Flame of Blood Burning, five Elder-level experts, plus eighteen pretty girls will suffice." "...You call those reasonable demands," the White-Haired Witch's eye twitched, "I understand everything else, but what are the last eighteen pretty girls for? Are you going to perform a blood sacrifice? We're not that cruel, right?" "What blood sacrifice, it's a low-class method with no benefits," Xiao Zhu snorted. "You've drained me completely, am I not allowed to rest in the arms of pretty girls for recovery? Remember, they must be eighteen girls dressed as maids!" "...Did you hit your head too hard when you clashed with the Blood Light?" Dealing with a brain-fried maid in the future would indeed be troublesome... No matter the circumstances, being awake is a good thing. Though Xiao Zhu's demands sound outrageous, the White-Haired Witch's status today is vastly different. Eighteen pretty girls, five Elder-level experts, rare treasures, top-level energy crystals, and so forth were presented one by one. These offerings alone could purchase dozens of supreme weapons. "Demigod weapon fragments..." The only tricky part was this. To reach the level of a demigod weapon is rare even on the Nine Provinces Continent, let alone in the Void Realm, where crafting skills are slightly weaker. The Xue clan didn’t have such items, and neither did the Void Chamber of Commerce. Given this scenario, it was time to see if their friendly clans could yield any results...