Starting as a Magical Girl, I Alone Shall Rule for Eternity

"Twins also said that the Witch Association's laboratory in Hulin City was actually trying to find a way to enter the Heart Image Remnant of a Full Bloom Magical Girl."

High up on the building, Winter used her ability to make snow fall around them, allowing her to walk over to Jiang Si's side and hold up an umbrella.

She naturally leaned against Jiang Si, took out a handkerchief from somewhere, and wiped the dust from his face. "The Witch Association doesn't seem to know how to enter a complete Heart Image Remnant. That seems to be a technique only the Disaster Control Bureau has mastered. And Twins also heard from over there that the Disaster Control Bureau has control over quite a few incomplete Heart Image Remnants of Full Bloom Magical Girls."

"Why haven't we seen this in East China?"

"Because East China is classified as a safe zone in the Central Bureau's assessment, so many technologies aren't deployed to this region."

Jiang Si sneered coldly. "Instead of deploying technology and expanding the combat power of branch bureaus, they hoard their treasures, only ensuring the combat power of their own Central Bureau. Truly the common failing of all major sects."

After finishing wiping the dust and neatly folding the handkerchief away, Winter thought for a moment and still helped explain. "Judging from the current strength of the Witch Association, it's not exactly a misassessment. Sending a few Blooming Magical Girls as support should indeed be enough to handle it. It's just that the Blooming Magical Girls sent as support so far... are somewhat lacking in strength."

Whether it was Qingluán or Iris, from the Azure Cloud Sect's perspective, they were still quite far from being true Blooming rank.

If they were within the Azure Cloud Sect, with this level of magical power and control precision, they probably wouldn't be allowed to attempt a breakthrough rashly.

"See, major sects hoard their secrets. When small, local branches encounter enemies they can't handle, they send out the young disciples from headquarters to resolve it, glorifying it as an external assignment mission. It both showcases the sect's authority and trains the disciples."

"The result is overconfidence and underestimation. Once they occasionally encounter a prodigy or a passerby Great Emperor, they just throw their lives away for nothing. Then the sect gets furious and even more furious, and then they send more reinforcements bit by bit, like the Calabash Brothers rescuing their grandpa. Utterly ridiculous."

Jiang Si shook his head and said disdainfully, "I've seen it plenty of times."

In web novels.

Winter smiled. "Other regions do need high combat power more urgently after all."

"No need to defend them. In the records of our Azure Cloud ancestors' deeds, it's recorded in almost every volume. Open them and look, each word is written in blood and tears. There are even cases where they nearly wiped out two generations of fourteen true disciples from the sect. If it weren't for that ancestor overcoming the strong with the weak, turning the tide, plucking the stars from the sky with a single hand in a desperate situation, and winning everything, I'm afraid all our ancestors would have been ridiculed by the whole world!"

"There is nothing new under the sun, and all crows under heaven are equally black. This flaw is hard for every major sect to avoid. Not placing the lives of all living beings under heaven in their eyes, only considering their own interests, they will inevitably be..."

"Sect Master Celestial Being."

Brushing aside the stray hair at Jiang Si's temple to tidy the somewhat messy strands, her fingernail lightly grazing his earlobe before falling, Winter interrupted him as if somewhat helpless. "The Azure Cloud Sect does it too."

Apart from Jiang Ming and Hulin City, which the Sect Master personally dealt with, for other smaller local branches of the Azure Cloud Sect, Winter only dispatched some Seedling Magical Girls to handle them.

Moreover, technologies like Polluted Magic purification, or skill development methods, wouldn't be casually deployed to branch sects in other regions either. After all, there are few people, and branch sects in other regions could disband at any time.

Deploying technology is not only a waste of time but also risks leaks.

Jiang Si was silent for a while before speaking. "Having said that, the Dao of Heaven is constant and eternal, and the torch of knowledge is passed on forever. If this method can exist for a long time, there must be a reason for it. This matter can't be generalized."

"The Sect Master speaks with great wisdom."

Jiang Si nodded with a smile, not bothering to poke holes in anything.

As long as the sect can convince itself, it's fine. Jiang Si was long used to it.

The Sect Master loved to talk about grand principles and loved to casually quote classics and canons—most of which were little stories about ancestors. But sometimes the grand principle in the latter sentence might contradict the one in the former, the right brain attacking the left brain, the sect beating up Xie Ping.

Just as the Sect Master himself said, it still depends on the situation.

Clearing his throat, Jiang Si didn't plan to say much more and jumped down from the building.

Winter also floated down after him, exiting her transformation state upon landing.

However, the snowflakes didn't stop. This stretch of street was still snowing. Even without transforming, Winter could manipulate some mysterious ice using a bit of controlled magic to interfere with vision.

The two jumped down from the building quite openly. Even though there were still quite a few people on the street, no one noticed.

Compared to when she was at the Azure Cloud Sect, Winter had changed her clothes.

A haze-blue knitted dress, a white silk scarf hanging on her chest, plus a pair of pretty blue-and-white short boots—a gentle, sweet clothing style.

It formed a nice contrast with Jiang Si's stiff, cool trench coat beside her, making them look very much like a couple.

There was a thin layer of snow on the ground, but not much.

These snowflakes wouldn't melt into water and make the street dirty. Winter hated dirty streets and hated getting her own and Jiang Si's shoes dirty even more.

The temperature on the street had dropped considerably. Many pedestrians weren't dressed warmly and were hugging their arms, shivering.

Only some children were running around on the street, chasing the snowflakes and making a ruckus.

"What kind of weather is this, snowing out of nowhere..."

Winter pretended not to hear the complaints from the pedestrians nearby, just holding the umbrella and pressing close to Jiang Si. "Twins said she wants to go take a look at South China. The slightly larger Witch Association branches here have basically all been cleaned up, and she can't get more information. Twins says going to South China might yield more news, and she has acquaintances there, so collecting information would be more convenient."

"If she wants to go, let her go." After a pause, Jiang Si added a word of praise. "She has worked hard though."

If not for Twins, dealing with the Witch Association, whether in Jiang Ming, Hulin City, or even Beihai, would probably have been somewhat troublesome.

That girl's contributions were obvious to all.

"When we have time later, give her an honorary true disciple status."

In terms of strength, Twins was still a bit lacking. Promoting her to true disciple isn't quite appropriate.

But with such great contributions, an inner disciple status also isn't quite fitting. Honorary true disciple is best.

Hearing this, Winter was genuinely happy for Twins. "Mm, I'll tell Twins. She'll definitely be very happy to receive your recognition. How about you personally give her this news when the time comes?"

"Forget it. I don't know why, but she's always trembling when she sees me." Jiang Si also seemed puzzled. "Did you use me to scare her?"

"Of course not." Winter chided. "It's clearly you who are too scary yourself. Just turn into Shion. If you turn into Shion, Twins won't be afraid. Shion is easier for disciples to get close to."

"Not needed."

As Jiang Si said this, the two walked out of the street. Winter's ability was almost spent, the sky cleared, and the snow stopped. So he nudged the girl's umbrella beside him. "Put it away. No more snow."

Winter humphed. "Can't I use it to block the sun?"

Jiang Si looked up at the sky.

He didn't really see any sun.

But anyway, Winter was always doing weird, pointless things. He was used to it.

The two of them had been like this for three years, so it wasn't like they forced each other to do anything.

Halfway there, Winter asked, "By the way, the gifts I asked you to buy for Yumo and the others?"

"Forgot."

"...They'll really cry, especially Yumo. Let's buy something." As she spoke, Winter tugged Jiang Si and walked into a shop next to them. "Anyway, let's buy some small snacks for Four Leaf and Six Leaf first."

Jiang Si casually picked up a snack from the store shelf. "Then this one."

Winter took a look.

Overlord Spicy Strips, and the triple explosive spicy version at that. "...You really want to see those two girls cry, don't you."

Sighing, Winter pulled Jiang Si to the neighboring cake shop, which had a 'Everything 30% Off' sign and was extremely deserted. "Buy some small cakes and bread. Four Leaf and Six Leaf love these."

Jiang Si casually picked one. Winter covered her forehead. "Marmite toast. That's not for normal people to eat."

"Swallowing the Starry Sky Pie, just looking at it you know it's not for human consumption, right?"

"Blue cheese soda bread. Sticky fermented bean milk... Do you have a grudge against Four Leaf and Six Leaf?"

In the end, Winter had to put back the few things Jiang Si had chosen. "I'll do it myself."

While picking out the egg tarts and small cakes that Four Leaf and Six Leaf loved, Winter turned her head and said, "Girls generally like these kinds of pastries that are both pretty and delicious. Like these egg tarts, remember to buy these next time."

She had said it many times, but he never remembered once.

After packing the cakes for Four Leaf and Six Leaf, Winter handed the bag to Jiang Si. Jiang Si looked puzzled. "Why don't you just take them back and give them yourself?"

"Gifts have to be given personally! You can't have someone else deliver them!"

"So troublesome..." Jiang Si took the plastic bag.

"Be careful, don't ruin them. Four Leaf likes to take pictures before eating cake. If they don't look good, she'll be sad."

......

Then they found a jewelry store that wasn't particularly high-end.

"Buy a hairpin for Yumo, something nice-looking..." Winter said as she went to browse the counters.

Jiang Si stood at the entrance and looked around. It was mostly hair accessories and earrings for girls, and the customers were mostly couples.

He hadn't been standing there long before a free salesperson immediately came over, all smiles. "What are you looking for, sir?"

"A hairpin, for a girl to wear."

"Oh oh." The salesperson glanced at Winter, who was still browsing, her eyes lighting up. She then said in a low voice, "I'll pick one for you. She'll definitely be pleasantly surprised!"

"Okay." Jiang Si nodded. "The faster, the better."

"Right away, right away." The salesperson trotted over to the side and then came back holding a small box.

The small box was heart-shaped. Opening it, the hairpin inside was almost like a ring, with a shiny little heart-shaped stone embedded in it, the whole thing pink.

"It matches that elegant, gentle temperament. Girls absolutely love it! And the price isn't expensive..."

Jiang Si took it, looked at it, and immediately called out loudly, "Winter, the salesperson picked one out."

The salesperson was stunned.

You're saying it now?! The surprise is ruined! How can there be such a clueless guy?!

That girl must be blind to fall for this kind of guy...

Winter, who was still browsing, was taken aback and looked back.

She saw the glaringly obvious heart in Jiang Si's hand. "Giving this to Yumo..."

"Absolutely not!"

In the end, they picked a cute bow hairpin, very suitable for Yumo.

The heart one was definitely not okay; it would make Yumo misunderstand.

Coming out of the shop, Winter let out a long sigh of relief.

Picking gifts for the disciples with Jiang Si was more tiring than fighting...

Looking at the snacks in Jiang Si's hand and the accessories in his pocket, Winter asked, "Will you give them to them when you return to the sect later?"

"I'm going back home first. I'll go to the sect in the afternoon."

"Okay..."

Winter waited a bit more, took a breath, knowing she probably wouldn't get an answer, so she asked, "Do you have any money left?"

"Yeah."

Swaying her little umbrella, Winter then leaned over and peeked at the shop next to them.

"I want ice cream, Jiang Si."

Holding Jiang Si's wrist with one hand, Winter pointed her umbrella at a shop next to them. "That ice cream is really good."

"Just buy it yourself."

"Didn't bring money."

Jiang Si looked at her like she was an idiot. "Mobile payment."

"Treat me to one, please? I'm begging you, okay?"

Shaking Jiang Si's hand like she was acting spoiled, Winter looked at him with pleading eyes. "Anyway, the leftover money is useless. Buy it for me, and I'll buy you something later."

The richer people are, the stingier they get. Jiang Si was deeply aware of this.

Winter's family could be said to be super wealthy, but for so many years, she loved taking advantage of him.

Although after taking advantage, she would still give sufficiently generous returns.

But anyway, it was all gift money Winter gave him, so he didn't really care.

It had just snowed, so Jiang Si wasn't really in the mood for ice cream.

So he only bought one ice cream.

When he handed the ice cream over, the girl revealed a somewhat sweet smile. "Thank you for your generous sponsorship, Lord Jiang Si!"

"You have your own money, don't you?"

"Ah, isn't it that treats from others taste better?" Winter took the ice cream, stuck out her tongue, and took a small lick. "It really is delicious."

Saying that, she then shoved the ice cream in front of Jiang Si's mouth. "You try some too."

It was bought with his own money anyway.

Jiang Si directly took a huge bite, eating more than half.

"Eating such a big mouthful at once is really wasteful... Whatever, you're just like that." Winter humphed and continued licking the ice cream inside a few times. "Oh, I almost forgot. Twins also said that Hulin City actually found a way to enter the Heart Image Remnant."

"What?"

"It's to find some girls with Magical Girl potential, then use experiments to find a Magical Girl whose frequency matches the Heart Image Remnant. Then they can use these Magical Girls to open the Heart Image Remnant and find a way to get in."

Winter, like a little hamster, crunched away at the cake cone around the ice cream, eating it bit by bit, then took small licks of the ice cream inside, showing a somewhat blissful expression. "Apparently, they finally found one. But just after finding her, the Witch Association was completely wiped out by you, so they don't know where that girl who can open the Heart Image Remnant passage went now."

"Is that so? That's a bit of a shame."

"But Twins has already found out the name. That girl who can enter the Heart Image Remnant is called An Shiyu."

Jiang Si was taken aback and asked in return, "An Shiyu?"

"Yes, Twins said her ability can synchronize with the Heart Image Remnant..." Seeing Jiang Si's expression change, Winter tilted her head. "What's wrong?"

"I think I've met her."

Winter's face lit up with joy. "Where?"

"I ditched her. Don't know where she is now." Jiang Si thought for a moment. "It was over in Hulin City. But it was in the forest at the time. She probably went somewhere else afterward."

"Ah, Sect Master, why didn't you bring her back?"

"Too weak."

Winter stomped her foot. "You could have trained her! She's the key to entering the Heart Image Remnant!"

"Mainly," Jiang Si thought about it, "she said something about wanting to be with me at the time. I found it a bit suspicious."

Winter, who was originally a bit anxious, immediately calmed down upon hearing this and nodded repeatedly. "That is indeed very suspicious. As expected of the Sect Master, recognizing someone with ulterior motives at a glance! This must be a Witch Association plot!"

"Pity we lost a key. Maybe I should go look for her again later."

"No, no, no. Leave this kind of thing to us. You should just rest properly." Winter immediately rejected Jiang Si's proposal. "If you have to handle everything personally, then there was no point in us establishing the Azure Cloud Sect in the first place!"

Jiang Si also nodded. "Makes sense."

Is the Forbidden Zone of Life such an inconvenient thing? If Jiang Si wants to go, he can go even without a key!

If it's lost, it's lost. Nothing to regret.

Thinking this, Jiang Si didn't take it to heart. Instead, his gaze fell on Winter's umbrella.

He subconsciously asked, "Why do you like carrying an umbrella when you go out so much?"

Winter, who had just finished her ice cream, was still thinking about how to tell everyone in the sect, how to have Four Leaf and Six Leaf search for An Shiyu.

And how to deal with this girl who actually dared to confess to Jiang Si.

The young man's sudden question made her freeze for a moment.

The sky had cleared, the sunlight wasn't harsh, and the warm rays refracted through the umbrella, falling on both of them.

Winter stepped on Jiang Si's elongated shadow behind him, spinning the umbrella, making their shadows merge together, looking as if they were holding hands.

Why does she like carrying an umbrella?

That has to do with why someone brought an umbrella that day when transforming.

That scene of him walking against the flow of the crowd, taking out the Miracle Seed under the umbrella.

Even today, she could still clearly recall every detail.

Whether it was the young man holding the Miracle Seed or the flame-like Magical Girl.

For the little girl lying helpless in the rain, they were like the sun. One glance was enough to never forget.

However, now that the person himself suddenly asked this, it still made Winter feel a bit like sighing.

Perhaps for him, there was nothing particularly worth remembering.

"You're actually interested in this?"

"Because sometimes the weather is perfectly fine, and you're still carrying an umbrella. Isn't it tiring?"

Spinning the umbrella in her hand, Winter turned to face Jiang Si, leaning forward slightly, walking backward with light, brisk steps. She smiled somewhat slyly.

"This is a girl's little secret, you know."

Jiang Si nodded, understanding in his heart.

It must be some kind of cultivation secret.

The secret techniques of others' cultivation methods are indeed not good to speculate about.

I spoke out of turn.

.....

After parting with Winter, Jiang Si returned home.

He bathed, changed clothes, quietly returned to his bedroom, pressed the play button on the tape recorder. The crisp, tinkling sound of wind chimes slowly rang out. Then he prepared three sticks of mountain incense.

Today, he planned to properly undertake grain abstention.

For a cultivator, the most important thing is grain abstention.

Grain abstention is the greatest watershed between cultivators and mortals. Only by truly succeeding in grain abstention can one call themselves an immortal cultivator.

Otherwise, if one still needs the five grains to enter the body, how can they be called an immortal!

Although he failed the previous few times, Jiang Si had also found the problem.

One was his own insufficient strength. Although his Magical Girl form was already at the Nascent Soul realm, his main body was still merely at the Foundation Building stage, and the Foundation Building wasn't even stable yet. Naturally, grain abstention was prone to failure.

The other aspect was not using the most crucial item.

The Grain Abstention Pill!

Jiang Si took out the Grief Seed and the Calamity Egg.

He planned to use these two materials to refine a Grain Abstention Pill.

Although he wasn't very knowledgeable about artifact forging, he knew a little about the Dao of alchemy.

He had once followed the Flame Emperor to participate in various alchemy competitions, crushing countless alchemy geniuses and making a name for himself in the Alchemy Tower!

This matter was a piece of cake for him.

The most important things in alchemy are, first, exotic flames; second, equipment; and third, materials.

And what alchemists value most is actually soul strength. The Flame Emperor back then had high soul strength because he was a transmigrator, which gave him the aptitude to become an alchemist.

Coincidentally, Jiang Si was the same.

Retreading the Flame Emperor's path of alchemy was right before his eyes!

Just as he took out his prepared cauldron, planning to summon his Nascent Soul True Fire to refine the Calamity Egg and Grief Seed into a Grain Abstention Pill,

He suddenly heard the door downstairs open.

Thinking it was just Keke returning, he didn't pay it much mind. But four different sets of footsteps and somewhat chaotic conversation quickly made him realize something was wrong.

Alchemy is most afraid of disturbance.

No wonder alchemists always seclude themselves, finding a place with no one around.

He temporarily gave up on alchemy, putting away the small cauldron—a small bowl he bought by the roadside—and also put away the Calamity Egg and Grief Seed.

He went downstairs to see exactly who had come and why there were so many.

However, just as he went downstairs, looking at Keke, Li Yi, Susan, and An Shiyu...

An Shiyu?

He glanced at the girl, and the girl was also staring blankly at him.

"Brother..."

Before Keke could finish speaking, Jiang Si abruptly turned around, went back to his bedroom, and immediately called Winter.

"The key came over."