Chapter 8: A New Beginning, a Familiar Encounter

Cangyang City – Lin Ling’s Home 10:00 PM

“I’m back, dammit!!!”

Lin Ling, returning home after a week’s absence, couldn’t help but marvel at the capriciousness of life. Who could have predicted that her formerly blissful existence would vanish in an instant?

She had only intended to clear her head, yet she had been transformed into this silver-haired beauty. Truly, fate played cruel tricks.

Yet, as she thought of the “mother” who had stolen her manhood, Lin Ling, despite her profound dissatisfaction, found herself unable to truly ignite her anger.

Instead, she felt a strange sense of gratitude towards her. After all, she now seemed to possess the capability to investigate the truth behind Xi Yue’s death.

Heh. What a contradictory state of mind, indeed.

As her spiritual energy stirred, a peculiar spatial rift gradually formed over Lin Ling’s chest.

She then extended her hand into it.

The next moment, a tiny kitten was pulled out by Lin Ling.

After releasing 001 from within her body, Lin Ling placed it before her laptop.

“Hey, the computer’s there. Connect to the internet first, learn about this world, and then help me look some things up.”

‘As an intelligent AI, it should be able to handle this, right??’

“Alrighty! Mission accomplished, guaranteed!!” 001 promptly replied to Lin Ling, executing a clumsy yet adorable salute. It seemed quite endearing.

“Then, good luck.”

Having undergone countless training sessions together beneath the sea, Lin Ling no longer felt any unfamiliarity with 001. She gradually accepted this adorable, albeit somewhat verbose, guide in the form of a kitten.

She would simply treat it as a pet.

As a child, Lin Ling had always loved small animals like cats and dogs, but her family had never allowed her to keep any.

Now, it felt as though a childhood wish had finally been fulfilled.

However, if it was indeed a cat…

“Do you eat cat food?”

“?? I don’t need to eat.”

“Oh, right. ‘001’ sounds like a codename. I’ll just call you Little White from now on.”

After all, it looked white. And vaguely, Lin Ling felt this cat should be called that name.

“Ah? You… you still remember?” Upon hearing Lin Ling’s words, Little White froze instantly, staring at her with a mix of shock and excitement.

‘??? Remember?’

“Hmm? What do you mean? Remember what?” Lin Ling was puzzled. Was there something special about the name Little White?

“No, sorry. I just think it’s a nice name,” Little White quickly turned its head to fiddle with the computer, replying, seemingly a little disheartened.

Hmm… Lin Ling watched the kitten, its shoulders slumped before the computer screen. She murmured to herself, ‘This guide… But I don’t actually know anyone named Little White…’

Oh, well. I’ll just observe for now.

As for now, first, a shower and a change of clothes, then it’s time for serious business.

Lin Ling had always been a bit of a clean freak, and now that she was a girl, this peculiarity seemed to have intensified. She couldn’t stand the dirty, seaweed-like residue clinging to her body.

While it was somewhat difficult to face her current perfect body, it was hers, after all, and she would have to see all of it eventually. So, why not…

Thinking this, Lin Ling shed her clothes without a shred of hesitation and darted into the bathroom, leaving a flushed Little White staring blankly at the computer screen.

‘Little White: That stripping scene was too intense!!!’

****

Inside the Bathroom

Lin Ling, her face already flushed from the shower, was still struggling to control her hands, preventing them from making any “improper” movements.

She had assumed a shower wouldn’t be a big deal, but now Lin Ling realized her mistake. This body was simply too perfect; she found herself unable to resist…

“This isn’t the time, this isn’t the time, this isn’t the time… Damn it, some parts are too sensitive! Can’t I just block this feeling?!!”

Amidst the steady sounds of the shower, some strange noises continuously emanated from within the bathroom.

****

Outside the Bathroom

Little White, equally flushed, continued to monitor the activity inside the bathroom.

“Maybe I shouldn’t tell her that Battle Sovereign has a much simpler cleaning method. This way seems pretty good too…”

As it mused, the cat experienced its first nosebleed since its creation.

After 30 minutes of “arduous struggle,” Lin Ling changed into a pair of old jeans and a jacket. With a few modifications, this outfit could still be worn, albeit barely.

It was 37 degrees Celsius outside, but Lin Ling didn’t care. After all, she could probably dance in the sun unharmed now.

Moreover, this outfit could somewhat protect her largely useless, dwindling vestiges of so-called male dignity (though how much was left after that bathroom escapade?).

According to Little White’s instructions, Battle Sovereign’s body was entirely composed of spiritual energy. She could alter her appearance by rearranging the sequence of her spiritual energy.

However, maintaining the altered appearance required additional effort and spiritual energy, and her original form would return once she unleashed her power in combat.

Lin Ling closed her eyes, carefully manipulating the spiritual energy that formed her hair and eyes. Gradually, her silver hair and golden eyes transformed into the common black hair and black eyes of Huaguo.

Lin Ling’s current proficiency wasn’t enough to completely alter her body; changing even a part of her appearance was already her utmost effort.

“This way, I should be less noticeable.” Glancing at Little White, who was diligently absorbing knowledge and technology about human society, Lin Ling decided not to disturb it.

After putting on her shoes, Lin Ling’s destination was the morgue of the Cangyang City Public Security Bureau, where Xi Yue’s body lay.

“Let’s go!”

However,

In her haste to depart, Lin Ling completely forgot some crucial matters Little White had reminded her of, such as sensing her surroundings in advance.

Consequently, the moment she opened her door, Lin Ling directly collided with a burly young man who was coming downstairs.

The young man, upon seeing Lin Ling, also instantly froze in place.

??!! In that instant, their eyes met, and two faces wore expressions of utter bewilderment.

To make matters worse, Lin Ling happened to know this young man. He was Luo Xiang, a young man who lived upstairs, and their relationship wasn’t good, especially since Xi Yue had once beaten him up.

Ordinarily, if these two ever bumped into each other, a round of sarcastic jabs would be inevitable.

‘Damn it, what’s this guy doing out in the middle of the night??!!’

But just as Lin Ling prepared for a verbal counterattack, Luo Xiang’s actions completely defied her expectations.

“Beautiful! Do you have a boyfriend?!!”

Lin Ling: ???

“If not, would you consider me?”

“My name is Luo Xiang, and I’m a manager at XX Group!…

… … (A torrent of chatter)

Suddenly, the quiet hallway was filled with the excited voice of a certain man.

??! What?

At this moment, Luo Xiang, who should have been wearing a look of disdain, suddenly had golden light in his eyes and an expression of extreme excitement. He even directly grasped Lin Ling’s small hand.

This immediately sent a shiver of goosebumps down Lin Ling’s spine. An uncontrollable wave of disgust appeared in her eyes.

‘Damn it!! I’m not gay!! Is this idiot Luo Xiang sick? Talking to me, a grown man, like this?? Has his brain been…?! Wait…’

It was then that Lin Ling suddenly realized a serious issue. She wasn’t the “he” she used to be.

Influenced by habitual thinking, she had momentarily overlooked this crucial point. It was quite embarrassing, to say the least.

However, as she gazed at the spittle-flying individual before her, who clearly thought himself handsome, Lin Ling’s eyebrow twitched involuntarily.

Ugh. She had long known this idiot was a lecher; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been beaten half to death for harassing Xi Yue back then.

But she hadn’t expected him to be this exaggerated.

‘Is it still this face’s problem, after all?’

Alas, it seemed merely changing her hair and eye color wasn’t enough. She’d need to wear a hood or something.

Moreover, this person was so annoying!!

And by the looks of it, he wasn’t going to stop, was he?

Listening to the endless self-introduction at her ear, Lin Ling’s gaze gradually darkened, yet she still maintained an angelic smile. She simply watched the man before her, smiling sweetly.

‘Control the force… Remember to control the force…’

As she silently repeated the words ‘force’ in her mind, Lin Ling slowly raised her hand.

Meanwhile,

Under the influence of his hormones, the man named Luo Xiang seemed utterly oblivious to the gradually chilling air around him. He was completely captivated by the peerless beauty before him.

Seeing the girl smile, he became even more excited than words could express.

“So, uh, beautiful?! What do you say? Add me on WeChat first?”

Saying this, Luo Xiang eagerly pulled out his phone from his pocket.

However,

Just then,

Under Luo Xiang’s ecstatic gaze, the girl smiled and extended her delicate hand, gently ‘stroking’ his head.

‘Could this be my chance??’

Seeing this, Luo Xiang couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild.

However, the subsequent development seemed to differ somewhat from his internal fantasies.

Because, the instant the girl’s slender palm contacted his head, an unparalleled, irresistible force immediately acted upon his body from top to bottom.

In a flash,

The beautiful girl in Luo Xiang’s vision was abruptly replaced by the dusty wooden floor.

??!! Huh?? What’s happening??

Before he could even figure out what had occurred, Luo Xiang’s consciousness plunged into darkness.

“CRASH!!”

With a violent thud,

The once noisy hallway finally returned to its original calm, leaving only a man in a comical pose, backside up and head on the ground.