Chapter 108 - 96: Grasping a New Skill, Dramatic Appearance

Chapter 108: Chapter 96: Grasping a New Skill, Dramatic Appearance

Su Lan’s Ghost Shadow twisted madly in the air, its churning black miasma threatening to swallow the entire courtyard.

At that moment, countless shattered memories washed through her Soul Body, finally converging on that one cold, hypocritical face under the lamplight.

’It was her!’

’She was the one who killed me!’

’It was also her who blinded my Soul with lies, tampered with my memories, and used me as a weapon against a man who was no longer a part of my life.’

’All the pain and resentment I’ve felt since my death stemmed from this sanctimonious woman!’

At this thought, Su Lan was consumed by rage, desperate to fly back and confront Jingxuan at once.

But there were other matters to attend to first.

And so, the torrential Ghost Qi slowly subsided, coalescing once more into Su Lan’s form in midair.

She looked down at Mr. Lu, who stood nearby, her expression incredibly complex.

The hatred had vanished, replaced by an ineffable sense of confusion and guilt.

Now that the fog of lies had lifted, she looked back on her past with Mr. Lu and realized that many things were not at all as she remembered.

’I really was difficult back then. Calling it "unreasonable" would be an understatement; I was just making trouble for the sake of it.’

And at the moment death truly came, as she cowered on the stool, not daring to face her end, Su Lan had a sudden realization.

She realized her feelings for Mr. Lu had been driven more by resentment and self-pitying sentimentality than anything else, certainly not a love she would die for.

’I was nothing more than a pathetic puppet, manipulated by hatred and lies.’

"Lu Lang..." Su Lan spoke softly, her voice trembling. "It’s all in the past. I was wrong to blame you. Please don’t hate me. We were fated to meet, but not to be together. In the days to come... please, take good care of yourself."

The name "Lu Lang" sent a tremor through Mr. Lu’s body. He lifted his old, tear-streaked face to gaze at the familiar yet alien figure in midair, overcome by a flood of conflicting emotions.

"Lan’Er, how could I ever hate you? You... you have to take care of yourself, too."

Mr. Lu knew this was likely the last time they would ever meet, for Su Lan had finally let go of her obsession with him. The grudge was settled.

Su Lan turned and drifted down to the stage, bowing deeply to Chen Ye.

"Thank you, sir, for helping me break the shackles on my memory on two occasions. I, Su Lan, will never forget this debt of gratitude."

Chen Ye felt exhausted. The grand performance had taken a huge toll on him.

So, in response to Su Lan’s gratitude, Chen Ye simply waved a hand and said in a weary voice, "I was only doing what was asked of me. There’s no need for such formality."

Su Lan gave another grateful bow and turned to leave.

"Wait," Chen Ye suddenly called out.

Su Lan paused, looking puzzled. "Is there something else, sir?"

"Are you planning on going to the Celestial Empress Palace to get revenge on Jingxuan right now?" Chen Ye asked.

"Yes!" At the mention of Jingxuan’s name, Su Lan’s Ghost Qi roiled uncontrollably once more, her eyes flashing a blood-red.

"She took my life and deceived my very Soul," she declared. "This is a blood feud. I will have my revenge."

Chen Ye sighed. "You won’t get your revenge by going back like this."

"If Jingxuan dared to commit such a heinous act, do you think she wouldn’t have countermeasures? The Celestial Empress Palace is a den of villainy, home to who knows how many powerful individuals. Do you really think you alone—er, as one ghost—can take them all on?"

Chen Ye’s words were like a pail of cold water, dousing the flames of Su Lan’s fury.

She fell silent.

’He’s right. They were able to refine me into a Fierce Ghost, gather the resentful energy of so many women, and even dared to scheme against the Government Office. They are not to be trifled with.’

’If I rush over there so recklessly, it would be suicide.’

’But am I supposed to just let it go?’

’This overwhelming blood debt, this endless humiliation... am I supposed to just swallow it?’

"Then... what should I do?" Su Lan’s voice was filled with helplessness and frustration.

"Of course you’re not going to let it go." Chen Ye’s eyes shone with a particular brilliance in the candlelight. "We can join forces."

"Join forces?" Su Lan was stunned. "How do we join forces?"

A knowing smile spread across Chen Ye’s face. "Oh, there’s a way..."

With that, he beckoned to Su Lan, signaling for her to come closer.

A moment later, Lu Jinghong watched the human and ghost huddled together on stage, whispering secrets, and couldn’t help but stare in astonishment.

’Can they... really do that?’

After their clandestine discussion, Su Lan wore a satisfied expression as she dissolved into a wisp of green smoke and vanished into the night.

Seeing the crisis had been averted, Mr. Lu was overjoyed. He hurried forward, insisting on throwing a grand banquet to entertain Chen Ye lavishly.

"There’s no need for a banquet." All Chen Ye wanted at that moment was to go back and rest, so he refused outright.

After walking a few steps, however, he suddenly remembered something. He turned and called back to Mr. Lu, "Oh, right! Don’t forget to settle the final payment."

Without waiting for Mr. Lu’s enthusiastic protests, he headed straight back to his room.

Back in his room, Chen Ye sat before the Copper Mirror and stared at his own reflection, his makeup not yet removed. He wore a peculiar expression.

’I have to admit,’ he thought, ’the talent of a Soul-Stealing Diva combined with this costume... the effect is truly devastating.’

But that wasn’t the important part. A moment ago, as Chen Ye guided Su Lan’s memories and brought the performance to its climax, his Professional Panel had quietly changed.

[You guided a lost soul through performance, piercing the veil of illusion with your art. Your understanding of acting has deepened. You have successfully learned the Skill—Dramatic Appearance.]

[Dramatic Appearance: When playing a specific character, your charisma, bearing, and persuasiveness are greatly enhanced. Your disguise is flawless. Every expression and gesture is captivating, making it difficult for onlookers to discern fact from fiction and readily inspiring their goodwill.]

Chen Ye stared at the Skill’s description and fell into a long silence.

’How should I put it?’

’It seems decent enough on the surface.’

’So why does it feel... weird?’

"Useless, utterly useless," Chen Ye muttered, shaking his head.

Other than making it easier to continue his ’sting operation’ at the Celestial Empress Palace, it didn’t seem to have much practical use.

Muttering to himself, he began to remove the makeup from his face.

As the greasepaint was wiped away, the devastatingly beautiful woman in the mirror transformed back into the clear-featured, serene-eyed young man.

Chen Ye then opened his system panel.

[Name: Chen Ye]

[Profession: Soul-Stealing Diva Level 1 (Peerless in performance and grace, entering the Way through theater, communing with gods and ghosts)]

[Talent: Tongyou—Your voice and performance can easily cross the boundary between the living and the dead, resonating with the spirits of ghosts.]

[Skills: Micro Level 3, Dramatic Appearance Level 1]

He had to admit, while the private performance had been harrowing, the rewards were substantial. First, his Profession had advanced to Soul-Stealing Diva. Second, he had acquired the new Skill, Dramatic Appearance. And on top of that, his Micro skill had even leveled up to Level 3.

Boosted by his Professional Talent and Skills, his understanding of the operatic arts had reached a profound level. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before he could make his official stage debut.

And he couldn’t forget the giant bag of EXP waiting for him at the Celestial Empress Palace.

But that was all a matter for another time. Right now, Chen Ye was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open. Without even bothering to take off his clothes, he collapsed onto the bed and fell fast asleep.