Although the Saint Light Maiden looked exactly like the Heavenly Maiden Beast, sharing almost identical personalities and combat styles, the sheer difference in combat power was undeniable—the Saint Light Maiden far surpassed the Heavenly Maiden Beast. Lin Luo had been hunted for over an hour. While he avoided severe injury, the physical toll was considerable; even with the power of Rule Creation within him, he was utterly exhausted, nearly collapsing.

This was despite the Saint Light Maiden holding back, clearly unwilling to take his life, intent only on purging his "filth." Filth? In all honesty, what exactly was filthy about him? Damn it!

This goes to show that even a master-level strategist in romantic pursuits cannot randomly flirt with everyone they meet. Sooner or later, one is bound to stumble. Think of Lu Dongbin, who tried to charm the White Lotus Flower thrice, only to suffer a huge loss himself.

"That woman is ruthless, what a narrow escape," Lin Luo sighed with relief as the Saint Light Maiden was recalled by Ikaros. But he wouldn't let this humiliation pass. He was determined that one day, he would thoroughly repay the Saint Light Maiden, just like that notorious vixen of history!

"Oh my, Teacher, you look quite disheveled after such a short time apart," Chao Lingyin asked, eyeing his dusty face with feigned concern, though the slyness in her eyes betrayed that she knew perfectly well what happened.

"And you have the nerve to ask? You scheming scientific monster!" Lin Luo couldn't help but lightly tap her head. While Ikaros had developed emotions, her somewhat vacant nature remained; it was understandable she might think he and the Saint Light Maiden were just playing. But Chao Lingyin was clearly enjoying his suffering!

"Hehe." Chao Lingyin stuck out her tongue, tacitly admitting her 'guilt.' Then, looking at Lin Luo, she said seriously, "Hey Teacher, could you lend me Ikaros-chan for a few days?" "Huh?" Lin Luo froze, staring at her strangely. He recalled that Chao Lingyin wasn't into yuri; why the sudden interest in a piece of specialized hardware? And what did "lend her for a few days" even mean? He hadn't even properly utilized her himself, how could he just lend her out? That was ridiculous!

"Teacher, you’re thinking dirty thoughts again, aren’t you?" Chao Lingyin chuckled, as if reading his mind. "You’ve misunderstood. Actually, you should know: Ikaros’s power is technology-based, which is highly compatible with me. Plus, after talking with her for a bit just now, I suddenly felt like those previous research problems I was stuck on had clear breakthroughs. I believe she could be very helpful to my studies, which is why I hoped she could assist me for a while. It would also greatly benefit her. What do you think?"

"Oh, I see..." Lin Luo scratched his head, feeling a blush creep up. His own thoughts were truly wicked; he had indeed misunderstood. "How should I put this? It ultimately concerns Ikaros's matters, so she needs to decide for herself. And we should ask Yao Yao too."

Researching technology with Chao Lingyin would indeed be advantageous for Ikaros, but if it meant missing Yao Yao's specialized training, the trade-off might not be worth it.

"That's absolutely no problem," Chao Lingyin said with a smile upon hearing his condition. "Big Sister Yao Yao mentioned a long time ago that because Ikaros is technology-aligned while she is purely mystery-aligned, the special training only needs to get Ikaros to the High-Tier Earth Rank to establish a solid foundation. As for the path she takes afterward, it’s better for Ikaros to decide for herself."

"There's such a thing?" Lin Luo was stunned. While he didn't suspect Chao Lingyin of lying, he found it hard to believe Yao Yao was helpless against technology types. Moreover, High-Tier Earth Rank was just the foundation? Did only the Heaven Rank count as truly expert level?

Lin Luo suddenly felt immense pressure. It seemed that in Yao Yao's eyes, he was merely a small bird... one that yearned to fly high but could never quite reach the heights.

"Of course. Otherwise, why do you think I emerged today? Testing the Law Weapon is one reason, but more importantly, I knew Ikaros would finish her seclusion around these days. If it weren't for a few errands, I would have been out yesterday," Chao Lingyin stated matter-of-factly.

"Well then, Ikaros, what do you think?" Lin Luo fell silent for a moment before turning his gaze to the young girl nearby, who was currently holding a watermelon.

Ikaros nodded, without a second thought: "I have no objections."

"Alright, since Yao Yao is stepping back and Ikaros herself agrees, I certainly have no objection either," Lin Luo told Chao Lingyin immediately.

"Teacher is truly magnanimous." Hearing this, Chao Lingyin immediately offered Lin Luo a round of flattering remarks, then leaned in intimately and murmured, "Actually, this doesn't have to start right away. Teacher, you still have one more night you can spend with Ikaros-chan, you know."

Lin Luo's heart skipped a beat. Anyone could understand what Chao Lingyin meant. While he wasn't entirely unwilling, he wasn't someone ruled by base urges. He waved his hand dismissively. "Cut the nonsense, let’s get going quickly, don't waste time."

Like inspiration in martial arts, scientific insights arrive suddenly and depart just as fast. Chao Lingyin had gained some inspiration through her conversation with Ikaros. If he kept Ikaros tied up for the entire night, her inspiration might not vanish, but it would certainly become muddled. There was no need to jeopardize serious business for momentary pleasure.

"Oh my, Teacher is so generous! I’m once again utterly fascinated by you," Chao Lingyin seemed slightly surprised, chuckling softly. Then she leaned close to Lin Luo’s ear and whispered mysteriously, "Since Teacher is so decisive, I can't lose to you either. When I finish my Law Weapon next time, I will offer myself as a bonus reward for Teacher to enjoy. Look forward to it!"

With that, Chao Lingyin skipped away.

The warm breath she exhaled near his ear made Lin Luo feel a profound "discomfort." They say scientists lack common sense, and this proves it. Chao Lingyin is a super-genius scientist, and therefore, utterly lacking in common sense—to say such an inappropriate thing! Wasn't she deliberately seducing a pure man like him?

"Less talk, let’s go! If we don't leave now, I might change my mind!" Lin Luo feigned anger, waving his hand forcefully. Before turning away, he couldn't resist adding a reminder: "Be careful during your research; don't break her!" "If I break Ikaros-chan, then next time, Teacher can just break me," Chao Lingyin laughed heartily before taking Ikaros and running off.

"..." Watching the two receding figures, Lin Luo stood rooted for a moment. Finally, he reached a conclusion comparable to Kuroko Shirai's: "A genius writer, read as a pervert!"

Although Lin Luo generously let Ikaros leave, he still felt a pang of reluctance. Especially after being provoked by Chao Lingyin, his emotions were restless, and this pent-up energy was stifling. Out of necessity, he decided to seek out the one person with whom he shared a life-or-death connection.

Ten minutes later, Lin Luo arrived at the training room. As soon as he entered, he released his Supreme Aura and roared, "Damned Son of Fate, let us have a proper fight!"

"It’s you again, you mongrel!" Immediately, the immensely enraged voice of the God of Destiny echoed back. "...I have been imprisoned for countless years and exiled from my homeland... You insignificant whelp dare to challenge me... You are... COURTING! DEATH!!!" As the sound swallowed mountains and rivers, the entire Sky City seemed to tremble.

But almost instantly, another voice rose, refusing to be outdone: "Hmph! I am the ninth-generation sole heir of the Long Family of Huaxia, inheriting the countless glories of my ancestor Long Aotian, and having mastered one hundred percent of Master Long Jiaotian’s martial arts. How could I fear a mere prisoner like you? Come, take this move: The Proud-and-Cute Divine Fist!"

What followed was a cacophony of grunts, shouts, and awkward noises. A maid passing by while cleaning glanced toward the commotion, shook her head, and sighed, "Alas, the Master’s old habit has flared up again. It happens once or twice every month."

Snow City, also known as the City of Sin, was called Paradise by the strong and Hell by the weak.

Within its boundaries lay sins beyond imagination, primarily because the city suffered from extreme polarization. Only two kinds of people resided here: either the powerful elite—high-ranking officials, regional tyrants, esteemed nobles, or super-beings capable of flight and traversing vast distances—or the slaves!

This city was purely a marketplace for the powerful and the wealthy, saturated with vice and the ugliness of human nature. Countless passionate heroes had once attempted to crusade against this City of Sin, but the result was always entrapment. Those warriors either became skeletons or were reduced to slaves. The paradise of the strong remained unshakeable.

But!

Today, on this very day, this Snow City was about to transform into Blood City, becoming true Hell!

Standing atop a mountain piled high with countless corpses was a girl, perhaps twelve or thirteen years old. Her clothes were soaked crimson with blood, her long black hair matted with gore, and her scarlet eyes were as cold as frost. She gazed down upon the thousands of powerful experts and nobles surrounding her, her tone utterly merciless, as if issuing a decree from the depths of Hell: "I haven't killed enough. Keep coming!"

No one dared to charge. Facing an enemy that was one against ten thousand, they hadn't even managed to scratch the girl, yet fifty percent of their own people lay dead. Only a handful of experts remained standing, and even they were barely holding on. The nobles had long since collapsed into terrified, ashen-faced puddles.

In just one hour, the girl had slaughtered tens of thousands!

She was a demon! No, she was crueler than any demon!

Seeing no one advancing, the girl suddenly let out a cold sneer and, with a gesture across the distance, seized a richly dressed figure. "Long time no see."

"Y-you are..." He hadn't noticed before, but now that she was close, he realized with horror that he recognized this demonic girl!

Before he could finish speaking, the girl tore him into pieces. Clouds of blood mist scattered from the sky, merging with her cruel words: "This is not judgment, nor is it acting on Heaven’s behalf. This is embracing the ultimate evil of the world. You are the receiver, I am the bestower. Dance! This Sinful Dance woven from blood!"

Splash! Splash!

As the girl's voice faded, an invisible force raged around them, tearing everyone present into fragments one by one. Blood and shredded flesh danced together; screams and lamentations provided the soundtrack. The sheer brutality was shocking.

At that moment, Heaven and Earth lost their color; gods and ghosts recoiled in terror!

"Hahahahahaha!!!"

Amidst such a gruesome feast, the girl erupted in wild laughter.