r18novel Page 166
Page 166
"How about it!"
"Hey, hey, I'm awesome, right?!"
Seeing that the girl's face practically screamed "Please praise me," Nie Qingyun chuckled. He immediately recognized her desire to surprise him, so he generously showered her with praise:
"The most powerful in the universe."
As he spoke, he prepared to reach out and check the other party's detailed attribute information.
However, before he could even touch Cheng Yuqiu, the latter took a step back.
The girl then sheathed her shield, planted her short sword in the stone brick in front of her, and, with her hands clasped over the hilt, said mysteriously:
"There's something even more amazing..."
"Even more powerful?" Nie Qingyun asked instinctively.
Cheng Yuqiu blinked playfully, then closed her eyes.
The next second, a vortex-like airflow suddenly surged up all around.
Her golden twin tails began to sway.
Unlike the gentle feeling when summoning the Holy Book, this time there was no golden light, nor did the Holy Book appear.
Until a certain moment, several halo rings of varying sizes suddenly appeared behind Cheng Yuqiu without warning, overlapping each other in an intricate manner.
Perhaps because these halos were too dazzling, the entire sky seemed to darken.
Then, the girl slowly opened her eyes.
Those were a pair of unfamiliar yet solemn golden eyes, with a faint shimmering light on their irises.
Chapter 217: I'll Always Love the Princess the Most
Cheng Yuqiu had always been trying to appear more reliable in front of Nie Qingyun, rather than simply following behind and being protected.
Although she enjoyed being pampered and protected, she was the only one who had accompanied Nie Qingyun through the battles against Liu Zhenyu and Liu Chengyuan, two extraordinary monsters.
Compared to most ordinary people who only see zombies as their sole enemy, she has a deeper understanding of the world today.
The battles between "Transcendent Ones" test not only their control over power, but also their ability to exchange combat resources.
Even the most insignificant ability or skill, if used properly, can become the key to victory.
Therefore, Cheng Yuqiu was eager to become stronger. Even if she couldn't defeat the enemy alone, she wanted to give Nie Qingyun more cards in hand.
She wouldn't even mind being used as a tool; at least that way, she wouldn't have to rely on being loved to define her entire existence like before.
Perhaps it was because her feelings resonated with some kind of will, or perhaps it was because of the effects of her secret practice over the past few days, but during the days she spent by Qin Hehuan's side, she accidentally discovered changes in her skills.
Although her profession remains [Apprentice Knight], the descriptions of many skills in [Holy Summoning] have undergone minor changes.
For example, the original negative description of the Crusader Strike was that the attack had a high chance of failing, the damage was halved, and it would enrage targets without 'free will'.
Now it has become "there is a low probability of error".
Although only a few words were changed, the actual feeling is not just that.
Whether it's "holy light" or "magic," Cheng Yuqiu wasn't quite sure how to define this energy hidden within her body, but she was now able to control it to some extent.
While unleashing a skill, she can actively control the injection of energy to alter the skill's intensity.
For example, with Crusader Strike, the higher the energy injected, the greater the actual damage dealt. Similarly, reducing the energy injected will reduce the damage and enrage the target.
Two other skills have also changed: [Blessing of Freedom] and the newly added [Shield Counterattack].
The former, on the basis of the original immune movement restriction state, can also increase explosive movement speed in a short period of time.
The latter, on the other hand, can deflect most physical attacks by focusing its power on its shield.
She had actually wanted to tell Nie Qingyun about these things for a long time, but she had been waiting for the right opportunity.
An opportunity to surprise the other party.
Right now, Cheng Yuqiu's long hair was fluttering in the wind, and several overlapping halos of light were floating behind her.
She had secretly observed herself in the mirror, so she knew very well how magnificent it would appear to outsiders when she fully unleashed her body's energy.
However, that alone doesn't seem to be enough...
After a moment's thought, in order to appear more "cool," the girl immediately imitated Qin Hehuan's posture and struck a pose.
His cold expression was exactly the same as hers, and even his eyes seemed to look down on all living beings.
Seeing Nie Qingyun's stiff expression, seemingly completely intimidated by his aura, Cheng Yuqiu couldn't help but feel a little smug.
So I tried hard to recall the cringeworthy quotes I'd seen in those anime series.
After a moment, the girl spoke softly, her voice different from the usual crisp and sweet tone, instead ethereal and solemn.
"Those who chant my true name will see eternal life in the cycle of reincarnation."
Nie Qingyun was indeed shocked by this scene. In fact, the turmoil in his heart at this moment was far stronger than the girl had imagined.
This scene reminded him of the night the young lady obtained the [Holy Covenant].
His solemn and dignified expression and the look of looking down upon all living beings were like Solomon in the Bible, faintly revealing a sense of divinity. Just by standing there, he symbolized authority and dominion.
It's as if this is the only eternal constant that should exist in the universe.
Suddenly, Nie Qingyun felt a pang of heart palpitation.
The princess's distant and unfamiliar appearance made him feel as if he were standing in front of a completely different person.
The lovely and kind girl from before was merely a shell that carried everything.
Even though she knew it was just her own wild imagination, Nie Qingyun still felt her heart clench.
If there is anything left for him, a man who has faced death countless times, to truly fear, it is his bond with the girls.
"How about it? Isn't he handsome? Give him a reaction!"
The familiar voice came from beside him, and Nie Qingyun immediately came back to his senses.
The halo behind the girl had disappeared, and her golden pupils had returned to their original state.
Light blue slim-fit pencil pants, a printed shirt, a small shoulder bag, and wind chime earrings swaying gently by her ears, coupled with her radiant smile, and standing before her was still the same princess.
For some reason, Nie Qingyun suddenly felt a thrill of something lost and then regained.
Before the girl could urge him again, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.
"Why did you suddenly hug me... You're pulling too hard!" Cheng Yuqiu suddenly exclaimed.
Nie Qingyun did not respond, but pressed his face against the girl's waist until he felt the warmth of her body and her faint fragrance before subconsciously relaxing his tense arms.
After a long pause, as if nothing had happened, he closed his eyes and spoke slowly:
"What was that skill just now? I don't think Princess's [Holy Contract Summoning] has a skill like that?"
Cheng Yuqiu looked around and, seeing that only Lingyuan Ellie was nearby, let Nie Qingyun hold her. Upon hearing the question, she immediately replied with a smug expression:
"That's not a skill."
"I don't know why, but I can feel something like magic in my body now."
"Once you gather all this energy together, it will become 'golden and shiny,' right? Pretty cool, isn't it?"
After checking the young lady's information several times through the [Apocalypse Survival Guide], and finally confirming that there were no strange changes, Nie Qingyun spoke with a hint of helplessness:
"He is very handsome."
"However, if your cousin sees this, based on my understanding of her, I estimate she will immediately 'praise' you, falsely claim you are some kind of saint, and then start engaging in religious politics."
“Uh…” Cheng Yuqiu paused for a moment, then used his hand to smooth the other person’s hair:
"Actually, my cousin isn't as bad as you think..."
"I can't judge whether it's good or bad, but she is definitely doing something beneficial to humanity," Nie Qingyun said, rubbing his cheek against the girl's waist, seemingly enjoying the gentle touch, and continued:
"In short, don't make a scene like that again..."
"Why?" Cheng Yuqiu pouted, messing up the hair she had just tidied up.
"You said it yourself, that a 'princess' should always be glamorous."
“That’s right…” Nie Qingyun was silent for a moment, then suddenly sighed, as if giving up the struggle, and said with a smile:
"But I always felt that you were a completely different person when you were like that, making you seem very distant..."
"It's like, it's like I'm suddenly going to lose you."
"If that's really the case... then everything we've been doing now would be meaningless..."
"I couldn't help but think that way..."
At this point, Nie Qingyun couldn't help but hug the other person even tighter.
"Thump thump thump!" Cheng Yuqiu felt her heart pounding wildly.
No matter how many times she talks about feelings with Nie Qingyun, she can't help but feel her heart flutter.
Then her gaze softened, and she hugged the other person.
This was the first time she had ever seen Nie Qingyun show such fear.
Because of this, she once again realized how much the other person cared about her.
Suppressing his rapidly beating heartbeat, Cheng Yuqiu put away his playful smile and suddenly spoke very seriously:
That's why I try so hard not to become your weakness.
"I'm really strong now."
"I won't let you go easily."
"Unless you don't want me anymore..."
"No, even if you don't want me anymore, I'll still stay with you."
At this point, Cheng Yuqiu paused, then immediately changed her words:
"No, no, it's you who can't leave me. You have to always 'like' me the most!"
The young lady is very warm; she makes people feel at ease, both physically and emotionally.
“Ah, from now on I will always 'love' Your Highness the most,” Nie Qingyun replied with a smile.
"How much do you like it?"
"How much do I like it..." Nie Qingyun pondered seriously, unable to find the right words for a long time. After a long while, she finally replied:
"It's probably... like the feeling of being moved when Shinna Gojo met Kaimu Kitagawa in the classroom..."
Chapter 218: Helping Senior Sister Regain Her Memory
Compared to those delicate and pretentious words, examples are obviously more likely to resonate with people.
Cheng Yuqiu herself debuted as a school idol, so she was naturally familiar with things in the ACGN field, and she understood Nie Qingyun's feelings almost instantly.
She had read the entire story of Shinna and Kaimu. The scene of their encounter in the classroom was memorable enough, but they didn't fall in love at first sight. Instead, they exchanged their lives during those amazing moments.
If what Nie Qingyun said is true, then his feelings for her are more than just liking and possessing...
Cheng Yuqiu looked down at Nie Qingyun, who had her eyes closed and was burying her head in his waist, gently rubbing her cheek against him. Her pounding heart suddenly calmed down.
Her eyes softened with tenderness, and she raised a hand to gently stroke the back of Nie Qingyun's head.
For some reason, she felt at that moment that she was being relied upon by the other person.
This is exactly what Cheng Yuqiu has been hoping for, but it is not reflected in battle, but in this seemingly insignificant solitude.
Even so, she was already very happy.
At least in this way, she could comfortably believe that she was the "most special person" to Nie Qingyun.
Thinking of this, the girl slowly closed her eyes, as if carefully feeling the other person's warmth and the desire for comfort.
It was only after a long time that she spoke again slowly. This time, she did not pretend to be reserved as usual, and her voice was more frank than ever before.
"I don't know why, but you seem a little down..."
"Sure, you can."
"You can act cute with me anytime, as long as it's you."
"Because... you're my Darling."