Chapter 59: The Sect Leader’s Resemblance and Jidi’s Grand Entrance

“The feeling of sweating it out at the gym is truly exhilarating. Xingluo, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I’ve finished up here; come on, it’s time to head home. Hmm? Xingluo, has something happened?”

Noticing Liu Xingluo’s contemplative expression, Liu Ruyan immediately sensed that something unusual must have occurred during the time Liu Xingluo had been waiting outside for her. Otherwise, Liu Ruyan couldn’t fathom what would cause Liu Xingluo to appear so troubled.

“It’s nothing serious, really. I just ran into someone proselytizing outside earlier.”

While the religion worshipping Evolved Beasts was certainly peculiar, Liu Xingluo was far more concerned with the words the woman had spoken to her. However, she decided to keep this particular matter to herself, sparing her sister the unnecessary worry.

“Proselytizing? Well, they certainly picked the wrong people then. Neither of us is religious.”

“Indeed. But this religion isn’t just any ordinary one. Get this, they actually worship Evolved Beasts. Isn’t that utterly ridiculous?”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Taking the flyer handed to her, Liu Ruyan scanned its contents. Yes, it was indeed a rather absurd cult. However, Liu Ruyan had already heard about such cults during her work previously, so she wasn’t surprised to hear Liu Xingluo mention this one now.

“It’s just another cult; they won’t stir up any real trouble. Xingluo, just keep your distance from them, and whatever you do, don’t let them trick you into joining.”

Liu Ruyan herself had been pestered by proselytizers before, but as a staunch atheist, she had absolutely no desire to join any religion.

“Of course, I have no intention of getting involved with them. But, Sister, when that proselytizer saw me earlier, they were surprised and called me their ‘Sect Leader’.”

“You? Sect Leader?! Impossible, they must have mistaken you for someone else.”

It had only been a few days since Liu Xingluo had transformed into a girl. More importantly, Liu Xingluo was her younger sibling, whom she had raised since childhood; how could she possibly be the leader of a cult? She was an atheist, just like Liu Ruyan. Furthermore, she lacked the capability to establish a cult. While it might sound somewhat insulting to her sibling, Liu Ruyan was acutely aware of Liu Xingluo’s true capabilities.

“Yes, they admitted they’d made a mistake. But I’m still a little troubled by it.”

“But they’ve already admitted their mistake, haven’t they? What’s there to be troubled about then?”

If the other person had already acknowledged their error, shouldn’t the matter simply be closed? What reason was there to still feel perplexed?

“Because they made a mistake, it means their Sect Leader must look very much like me, right? That’s precisely what’s bothering me. What if I become famous someday, and that cult takes advantage of the opportunity, allowing a look-alike leader to significantly expand their organization? Or what if that leader gets arrested, and as a result, my reputation, due to our striking resemblance, gets dragged through the mud? Wouldn’t that be a huge problem?”

This was Liu Xingluo’s true concern. She had heard that when police apprehended criminals, they would blur their faces to protect innocent look-alikes. The thought of someone who resembled her being involved in a cult deeply worried Liu Xingluo about potential future repercussions on her own life.

“You’re getting ahead of yourself, letting your imagination run wild. You haven’t even started a proper job yet, and you’re already dreaming about being famous. Instead of dwelling on such fantasies, you’d be better off focusing on how to live well independently once you’re out there.”

Liu Xingluo’s thoughts were simply too far-fetched; Liu Ruyan didn’t believe she could possibly make a name for herself among so many Superhumans.

“Everyone needs something to look forward to in life, don’t they? You should be careful too, Sister. While I’m away, make sure you don’t get involved with this cult.”

“Thank you for your concern. But your sister here has dealt with these types before; it’s not the first or second time they’ve tried to recruit me.”

“Oh? Really? When did this happen? How come I’ve never heard you mention it, Sister?”

“It all happened during work. As for why I didn’t tell you, well, there was no need. Your sister here simply fended off all their recruitment attempts. Things I can handle myself, there’s no need to bother you with. Alright, let’s not discuss this out here anymore. Let’s hurry home. I just finished my workout and I’m covered in sweat; I’m desperate for a shower.”

“Wait for me, Sister.”

Trailing behind Liu Ruyan, who had already stepped out, Liu Xingluo also left the gym, heading home together.

****

“Jidi, don’t be too careless. Those humans, after all, managed to repel Father’s legion.”

Before the teleportation gate, the remaining four Imperial Princesses, including Yinlang, had come to see off the Sixth Princess, Jidi. Of them all, the Fifth Princess, Yinlang, was the most concerned for Jidi.

“Don’t worry. So what if those humans possess the strength to defeat a Legion Commander? We are Father’s proudest children; they can’t possibly compare to us. Mere humans, how could they ever be my opponents? Besides, our youngest sister has already gone ahead; perhaps the humans have already been completely devoured by her. No, no, this won’t do! Father personally designated me for this, and it’s a prime opportunity to prove myself. How can I let our youngest sister steal my thunder?”

The thought of her hard-won chance to display her prowess before Father being snatched away by their youngest sister, who had run off ahead, made even Jidi feel a surge of impatience. While she, Yinlang, and their youngest sister shared a strong bond in private, such a sneak attack was simply unacceptable! Once she reached the human world and found their youngest sister, she vowed to give her a proper lesson first.

“Jidi, it would be best to be cautious. I have a feeling something unusual has happened to our youngest sister. If you encounter her, observe carefully before making any decisions.”

Jiqiao’s previous reflections had not yielded a conclusive answer. However, she was certain that Father was orchestrating something that remained unknown to the Imperial Princesses. Their youngest sister, who had ventured to the human world first, was likely at the heart of Father’s scheme. Sending Jidi to the human world at such a juncture couldn’t simply be about eliminating troublesome humans.

Since she was unsure of Father’s true intentions, Jiqiao could only offer her counsel: to be wary of their youngest sister.

“Very well. Thank you for your advice, Second Sister. I’ll be taking my leave now. What a pity, Third Sister. You longed so much to prove yourself before Father, but alas, the opportunity has passed.”

“Provoke me again, and I swear I’ll truly beat you. Now go.”

Provoked so openly, Ganghuo found her patience wearing thin. Yet, sending Jidi to the human world was Father’s directive, which she could not defy. She could only endure for now.

“Alright, alright. I’m truly off this time. Just wait for my good news.”

Stepping into the teleportation gate opened by Father, Jidi departed for the human world.

Unlike Liu Xingluo, her journey to the human world would not be so straightforward. On the human world’s side, there was an entity intent on obstructing her arrival.

[Go back. This is not where you belong.]

The same voice Liu Xingluo had heard previously echoed in Jidi’s mind. It sought to persuade her to leave, for her arrival in the human world would undoubtedly cause immense casualties among humans.

As a mother, she truly wished not to witness her children slaughtering one another.

Jidi, indeed, encountered an obstacle: a barrier obstructing her path forward. The Evolved Beasts that had been driven back were unable to appear in the human world en masse precisely because of this barrier.

While it could block Legion Commanders and lesser Evolved Beasts, this barrier was insufficient to stop an Imperial Princess, who stood at the apex of the Evolved Beasts.

“You intend to stop me and send me back with just this? Mother, you remain as naive as you once were. Then please, watch closely now, and witness just how formidable your daughter, I, have become! Ha!!!”

With a swing of her clenched left fist, Jidi struck the barrier. Initially, the barrier held firm, but as time passed, it began to waver, cracks gradually appearing. Finally, Jidi forcibly punched through, creating an opening large enough for her to pass.

“Is this the human world? It looks quite interesting. Watch closely, Mother. Before your very eyes, I will crush those humans one by one, proving to you just how foolish your actions were—betraying Father and abandoning us sisters for that useless child.”