Chapter 19: I’m checking one last time…”

“He is the strongest one, possessing ‘Heaven and Curse’!!!”

Lin Zhizhi’s roar still echoed through the trees, as though some ancient, savage power was truly being roused from the depths of her bloodline.

Her bloodshot eyes locked onto Xi Ran—filled with fury, madness, and a do-or-die resolve.

But Xi Ran’s reaction made that resolve look like a poorly delivered joke.

The very instant the last drawn-out “ah” hadn’t yet faded from Lin Zhizhi’s scream—

“Pfft.”

A faint, almost inaudible sound—like a blade slicing through wet paper.

Lin Zhizhi’s eyes flew wide. She looked down at her uninjured left arm.

On the inside of her elbow, a perfectly round, clean-edged hole had appeared out of nowhere—front to back, blood gushing forth in an instant.

No attack trajectory. No sense of wind pressure. It was as though the hole had always belonged there.

The second explosion of agony arrived—but faster than the pain came an overwhelming, bone-deep sense of absurdity.

She had just declared her trump card… and before she could even move… she was disarmed?

“Argh—!”

Her pained cry and scream only managed half a sound.

Because Xi Ran’s figure had already ghosted right in front of her.

Lin Zhizhi could see her own distorted reflection in those eyes—pitch-black, utterly devoid of emotion.

Xi Ran raised her hand. The motion looked slow, almost casual.

Her joined fingertips lightly touched Lin Zhizhi’s forehead.

“Sleep.”

Xi Ran said, voice soft as though coaxing a child.

The next instant, the world in Lin Zhizhi’s vision spun violently. The violent power surging within her collapsed before it could fully erupt.

Darkness flooded in like a tidal wave, drowning every last shred of consciousness, unwillingness, and roar.

Her body went limp. She toppled straight backward—“thud”—crashing into the grass, kicking up bits of dirt and leaves, then lay completely still.

From eruption to silence—barely a few breaths.

Bai Linlin, still suspended in midair, had witnessed the entire thing. Her mouth hung slightly open in unconscious shock; even the throbbing in her cheeks was forgotten.

It’s… over?

Just like that?

Where was the promised “strongest bully”?

Where was that supposedly impressive “Heavenly Binding Curse”? It felt like a game glitch—skill wind-up interrupted and insta-killed before it even started.

An even deeper chill crawled up her spine to the back of her neck.

Just… how strong is Xi Ran?

Xi Ran didn’t spare the unconscious Lin Zhizhi so much as a glance.

She turned, her gaze returning to Bai Linlin, and stepped closer step by step.

It’s over, it’s over—now it’s my turn!

Bai Linlin’s heart pounded wildly. The ropes constricting her chest rose and fell unevenly.

Not only had she tried to run earlier, she had also blurted out that suicidal line—“I won’t bully you anymore”… Old scores and new ones were about to be settled together!

Xi Ran stopped in front of her, tilting her head slightly upward to look at the suspended girl.

Moonlight fell across Xi Ran’s bloodless face, making her look like a delicate porcelain doll—but to Bai Linlin, it only inspired bone-deep dread.

Suddenly, Xi Ran reached out. Icy fingertips gently touched the split, swollen corner of Bai Linlin’s mouth, where a half-dried smear of blood still clung.

Bai Linlin shuddered violently.

Xi Ran’s fingertip traced along the blood trail. Then she slowly brought the blood-stained finger to her own pale lips, the tip of her tongue lightly licking it away.

“Linlin’s things…”

“must not be wasted.”

A “boom” went off in Bai Linlin’s mind. All the blood in her body seemed to rush to her face—then drained away in an instant, leaving her pale.

Pervert! Super mega pervert!

But those words could only scream inside her head. Her lips trembled; not a single syllable dared escape.

Xi Ran seemed very pleased with the reaction. The corner of her mouth curved almost imperceptibly—then flattened again.

“As for punishing Linlin—”

She continued, gaze sweeping over Bai Linlin’s swollen face, disheveled dress, and the tight ropes binding her.

“—we’ll save that for next time.”

Bai Linlin blinked.

N-not… not punishing me?

“I’ll let Linlin off for today.”

The massive contrast left Bai Linlin momentarily frozen.

Only when Xi Ran circled behind her did she suddenly remember the far worse “punishment” methods mentioned in the outline. Her heart sank into darkness.

So… capital punishment may be waived, but corporal punishment is inevitable?

Fine. I’m mentally prepared to be stripped naked and used by Lady Xi Ran however she pleases… She tried to laugh at herself bitterly, but no humor came.

Behind her came the sound of ropes rubbing. The main line connecting her wrists to the pulley seemed to loosen.

Is she letting me down?

But hope shattered instantly.

Xi Ran had only untied the pulley connection—the part suspending her.

With one smooth motion of her arms, she caught Bai Linlin as she fell, cradling her in a perfect princess carry and lowering her from midair.

Then she walked to a nearby thick tree, gently set her down so her back rested against the trunk.

Bai Linlin’s hands and feet were still bound. She could only sit there like an oversized doll, staring up at Xi Ran with wide, expectant eyes.

Xi Ran crouched in front of her. She reached out and gently brushed aside the sweat-damp pink bangs clinging to Bai Linlin’s forehead. The gesture could even be called tender.

But the words that followed made that tenderness terrifying.

“Shh. If I untie you, naughty Linlin will run off again.”

With that, she stood. She walked over to the unconscious Lin Zhizhi, picked up the scattered ropes that had originally bound Bai Linlin, and returned.

She began tying Lin Zhizhi to the tree trunk.

Loop after loop—from chest to calves. Not especially tight, but enough to render escape impossible.

Of course, Xi Ran knew that for someone of Lin Zhizhi’s physical strength, these ropes were mere decoration.

After tying the final knot, Xi Ran let her finger hover about an inch above Lin Zhizhi’s shoulder—then lightly tapped the air.

Magic suppression… that was the true shackle.

Having finished, Xi Ran lowered her gaze to the unconscious Lin Zhizhi and waited quietly.

Time passed in suffocating silence.

Only the wind and insects sang in the woods.

After an unknown stretch of time, Lin Zhizhi’s fingers twitched. A pained groan escaped her. Slowly, her eyes opened.

Vision blurred at first, then focused. She saw Xi Ran crouching in front of her—and Bai Linlin sitting against a tree not far away.

Memories flooded back. Pain exploded from both hands.

Lin Zhizhi’s face twisted—humiliation and disbelief warring across her features.

She struggled to sit up, only to find her body felt leaden, foreign. That invisible magic suppression weighed down on her.

Xi Ran watched her struggle until the futile movements stopped. Lin Zhizhi panted heavily, glaring up at her.

Only then did Xi Ran speak.

Her voice rang clear and distinct in the silent forest.

“I’ll confirm one last time…”

She tilted her head slightly. Black hair slid from her shoulder.

“Are you really the strongest bully…?”