Reborn As A Villainous Cannon Fodder

Chapter 471: Ch 471 – Red Spider Lily I

“…”

Yino fell silent.

He stared at the white fox girl’s pitiful expression and finally sighed helplessly.

After all, who could have predicted that the scheming, manipulative white fox master from the game who dominated the later plot, would now be frightened by a mere Crimson Prince?

Honestly, Yino felt Yuebai’s true strength far exceeded the Crimson Prince’s. Back in Azure Forest, she’d only been captured because the secret realm had restricted her cultivation to Core Formation stage. In the real world, even Jinyue and Liuli together might not be Yuebai’s match.

“Sorry you had to put up with Xumo’s treatment.”

Yino’s heart softened as he beckoned the pouting white fox girl into his embrace.

Fox demons really did share common traits, at least when it came to being adorable, Yuebai’s natural talent wasn’t far behind Jinyue’s.

As it turned out… The fox demons in the original game were only so vicious because the developers limited players from taming them as spirit pets. Now, Yino found both fox girls incredibly clingy.

“Master… after this illusion ends, do I still have to stay with Xumo…”

After finishing her act, the white fox girl curled up in Yino’s arms stopped wagging her tails. Her nine fox tails drooped as she lifted her face and her enchanting eyes staring at him expectantly.

Obviously… Her meaning was crystal clear.

“After this illusion ends, Xumo probably won’t be returning to Liuli Sect.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“What about me?”

She pursed her lips, looking even more cautious as she watched his expression.

Yino met her gaze and fell silent for a moment.

Looking at things now, he’d definitely gone soft.

Back in Azure Forest, Yino hadn’t seriously considered Yuebai’s future. They barely knew each other, she didn’t respect him, and he couldn’t be bothered caring about where she’d end up.

His plan had been to milk Liuli Sect for all their benefits, then abandon Yuebai without a second thought.

But life had other plans…

Who knew Yuebai would throw herself at him so enthusiastically? Over the past half year, instead of continuing their scheming and plotting, she’d spent recent days at Liuli Sect practically wearing him out with her devotion.

As they say, heroes fall to beautiful women. How could anyone have the heart to abandon such a clingy foxgirl?

“In the future, considering the White Fox Clan’s fate, I think you’d be safest returning to the Celestial Master’s side.”

“When the time comes, I’ll give you half of the Illusion realm’s treasures, including returning the White Fox Clan’s thousand-year soul pill. Afterward, you can report to the Celestial Master that I killed Xumo in the secret realm, you had nothing to do with it.”

“If we meet again and you’re in trouble, I’ll do everything in my power to help.”

….

“…”

When Yino spoke those parting words about meeting again in the martial world, Yuebai’s already expectant eyes immediately began to glisten with unshed tears.

Still, she wasn’t a child. She should have known this was all just a fleeting dream.

Before, Yuebai had constantly thought about how to escape Yino’s control.

Now, looking back, she actually envied Jinyue’s carefree existence.

Though the Demon Abyss had destroyed Jinyue’s clan that year, it also freed her to live the rest of her life entirely for herself…

In contrast, Yuebai’s life was far more constrained.

“Don’t worry so much! Maybe after Yino and I grow stronger over the next few years, we’ll be able to accept the White Fox Clan’s mandate and steal you away from the Celestial Master!”

Jinyue rarely stepped forward to pat Yuebai’s shoulder in comfort.

Her voice was gentle and considerate, but when Yuebai looked up at her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that mockery lurked at the corners of Jinyue’s lips.

Yuebai was getting on in years, she should have preferred a stable life…

But hearing Jinyue’s words now, she found it very hard to suppress that restless energy deep in her heart.

“That’s all talk for later.”

“Right now, we should focus on clearing this Liuli Illusion Realm. Once we get the treasures and opportunities, we can all return and report back.”

Up ahead, Yino didn’t want to dwell on farewells.

He lacked the ability right now. Just taking Ruoning away would be challenging enough. Yuebai was a White Fox elder with family backing, Yino’s current strength simply wasn’t enough to support her.

That’s exactly why Yino had come to the Liuli Sect to farm this secret realm.

“Speaking of which…”

“The murals in this dungeon seem connected to those visions I saw earlier.”

Following behind Yino, Yuebai began studying the dungeon murals thoughtfully.

She scanned them briefly. The murals clearly depicted a heroic saga of a human youth’s valiant crusade against the dungeon’s demonic creatures.

“Exactly.”

“The first three floors told the story of the human youth’s cultivation and growth, while floors four through seven showed the wondrous things he encountered on his adventures.”

“This eighth floor depicts the human youth breaking into a dungeon and accidentally rescuing a fallen princess trapped in its depths.”

Yino explained the dungeon’s story matter-of-factly.

At the same time, he seemed to finally find what he was looking for on the mural wall. Yino channeled spiritual energy into his palm and pressed down on a specific wall brick, activating a hidden mechanism within the murals.

“Found it.”

Yino snorted coldly, lips curving into a smirk.

“A fallen princess?”

Ruoning followed beside him, staring at the mural with confusion as she tilted her head. “But there’s no princess depicted in these murals…”

“Come in. You’ll understand once you’re inside.”

Yino took the lead into the dungeon’s secret passage.

He walked ahead while Ruoning and the two foxes followed behind.

At the passage’s end, they first saw a crucifix, then looked up to discover new murals behind it.

These murals showed a sealed princess with disheveled hair, and a human young man covered in wounds from battling breeding worms…

The young man and princess locked eyes, both their faces filled with innocence and naivety.

“So… this is a hero-saves-beauty story…”

Jinyue said quietly.

For some reason, her mind suddenly flashed to that night in the mountain shrine, she hanging upside down from the ceiling, tail tucked between her legs, trembling with fear.

Though the story’s background was full of scheming without the murals’ pure innocence, for Jinyue the ending wasn’t so different from what was depicted here.

“Right. The person who created this dreamscape hid this mural in a secret chamber, showing he didn’t want everyone to see the story’s complete picture.”

Compared to the wide-eyed girls taking in the sights, Yino’s expression remained unruffled.

After all, he’d farmed this Illusion Realm to death in his previous life. He could recite every hidden quest by heart.

“Yino, there’s a new collectible here!”