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

When Jiang Si emerged from the cultivation chamber, Bingtang didn't ask about his cultivation progress—if he had succeeded, he would have mentioned it himself, and there was no need to inquire if he hadn't.

"Currently, Four Leaf is assisting Susan in investigating the whereabouts of the other two Miracle Seeds, but information from the Witch Association is quite difficult to obtain..."

While Jiang Si began his physical training, Bingtang sat at the table, reviewing various documents as she gave him a work report for the past few days. "Most of the Witch Association members previously active in Beihai have been captured, but they're all peripheral personnel—some were bribed with money, some simply wanted to vent their frustrations or seek revenge. The remaining core members probably aren't in Beihai at all."

Jiang Si, who was stretching his muscles extensively using equipment, remained silent as he had little interest in these matters.

It wasn't until Bingtang produced a transparent, fingernail-sized pebble that she explained, "This is the core that the Witch Association used to summon so many Disaster Beasts this time. They call it the Calamity Egg."

"Before being contaminated by emotions, it's a harmless egg. But once continuously polluted by negative emotions..."

As she spoke, Bingtang called over Qinghua, who was still in self-imposed confinement. "Qinghua, come here for a moment."

Qinghua jogged over with a somewhat ingratiating smile. "What is it, what is it, Lady Bingtang? I haven't done anything wrong."

Bingtang handed the Calamity Egg to her. "Vent your recent negative emotions."

Though confused, Qinghua immediately began her murmuring. "Don't want to work, don't want to go to school, don't want to wake up early, don't want to do homework, don't want to get bad pulls in gacha games..."

Wisps of black energy began to appear within the Calamity Egg, and the originally transparent egg started turning murky.

"Wow, that's amazing," Qinghua widened her eyes. "Do I really have that much resentment?"

"Newly formed Calamity Eggs are more easily affected, though your resentment isn't insignificant either."

Bingtang handed the Calamity Egg to Jiang Si. "In short, with continuous feeding of negative emotions, the Calamity Egg gradually evolves toward becoming a Grief Seed. Once it reaches a critical point, Witch Association members use certain methods to stimulate it, and Disaster Beasts are born. That's how so many Disaster Beasts suddenly appeared in the city."

Taking the Calamity Egg, Jiang Si felt its coolness. The trace of resentment from Qinghua was gradually transforming into small black dots, gathering in one corner of the eggshell. "Could this be the core of the Witch Association's technology?"

"Very likely. Unfortunately, we haven't captured their core members. Among the Witch Association in Beihai, only the captain knows their detailed methods, and he's hiding the deepest. I suspect he's not even in Beihai right now."

"Wherever he is, find him."

"Understood."

Jiang Si stopped his exercises and stretched his arms. "Also, I need more information about the Full Bloom realm."

"Currently, the Disaster Control Bureau headquarters is very strict about controlling Full Bloom-related information." Bingtang sounded somewhat helpless. "We've been trying hard to collect information, but unfortunately, we can't find anything about Full Bloom."

This didn't surprise Jiang Si much.

The Disaster Control Bureau headquarters' control over information was quite astonishing. Back when Beihai had no Disaster Beasts, almost everyone in Beihai—whether online or watching TV news—could barely see any news about Magical Girls.

It was as if the term "Magical Girl" had been blocked, making Beihai seem like an ordinary real world.

Only after Disaster Beasts became frequent and Magical Girls were "unbanned" here did they discover Magical Girl-related news everywhere.

If the Disaster Control Bureau headquarters truly wanted to conceal certain information, it would be somewhat difficult for the Azure Cloud Sect to dig it out with their current capabilities.

"It seems only university research labs have information about Full Bloom."

Although Beihai's Magical Girls were previously distorted into virtual existences, reduced to concepts like anime and manga, Beihai University's research on Magical Girls had actually never stopped. Related majors had always been open, though they used different names during the blocking period.

Even without distorting the concept of terms, Magical Girl research materials from university laboratories in any city couldn't be taken out of the labs. The Disaster Control Bureau headquarters had ways to prevent employed researchers from leaking information, and members who left the laboratories would have their related memories erased.

"For the final exams, I could help arrange for you to take the college entrance exams at another school, and we could take them together..."

"No need, I've already spoken with the principal, and he's making arrangements for me."

That meddling old man—I'll have you removed from your position sooner or later!

Though complaining internally, she merely smiled on her face.

Bingtang showed a slightly disappointed expression. "Alright then, never mind."

If only Jiang Si had agreed to take the college entrance exams with her at another school, she could have arranged for them to take the exams alone in a separate classroom. How annoying...

Just as Jiang Si put away the Calamity Egg and was about to leave, Bingtang suddenly called out to him again.

"Ah, right, Jiang Si, there's something I'd like your help with."

Jiang Si turned to look at her. "Speak."

Bingtang took a deep breath and said seriously, "Currently, the Witch Association's attacks are becoming increasingly fierce, and the Disaster Control Bureau is transferring personnel from headquarters. The Azure Cloud Sect's situation will likely become more difficult going forward, so we urgently need to enhance our disciples' strength."

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Si nodded. "That makes sense."

Ultimately, whether it was searching for Witch Association members, dealing with the Disaster Control Bureau, collecting information, or even investigating the source of Grief Seeds, he needed the Azure Cloud Sect's assistance. As the Sect Master, enhancing the disciples' strength was his undeniable responsibility.

"Yes, the main focus is on improving practical combat abilities, since we haven't found a sufficiently stable method for realm advancement yet..."

Although Jiang Si naturally advanced to Blooming by absorbing the contaminated magic from Grief Seeds, this method clearly wasn't suitable for other disciples. Not to mention that the contaminated magic would shrink after purification, but with many disciples in the Azure Cloud Sect, each would receive very little.

Even someone like Bingtang, who had absorbed plenty of magic, still couldn't advance to Blooming.

In Jiang Si's view, this was due to insufficient mental state.

In the path of cultivation, mental state is most crucial. Without a resilient enough heart for seeking the Dao, natural progression becomes impossible.

Dao Heart, Dao attainment, golden nature, the convergence of essence, energy, and spirit at the crown, or the dual cultivation of nature and life force, and so on.

Advancement in the cultivation world was inherently strict and complicated—having only mental state requirements was actually quite simple.

The Azure Cloud Sect's inner disciples were all geniuses with good aptitudes, but unfortunately, their mental states were insufficient, which Jiang Si found extremely regrettable.

They couldn't bear to deal fatal blows even when fighting the Witch Association, which was truly headache-inducing to watch.

Improving mental state was often the most difficult aspect in the cultivation world, and something others couldn't interfere with.

If this were those cultivation paths that relied solely on pills and techniques to advance realms without considering mental state, it would be easier.

Unfortunately, Magical Girls didn't follow that path—they belonged to more traditional cultivation methods where, beyond basic magic accumulation, advancement depended on mental state improvement through sudden enlightenment.

The crucial mental state improvement could only await their own comprehension and breakthroughs.

If these disciples had even half the motivation to become stronger as he did, they wouldn't be in this state.

"So we hope the Sect Master can provide some magic power to let Qinghua create a Shion puppet. This way we can spar to improve..."

Hearing Bingtang's request, Jiang Si fell into deep thought.

His original plan was for each to use their own puppet for sparring practice, which would allow them to discover their weaknesses more quickly.

But Bingtang's suggestion also made sense.

The improvement from sparring with oneself was actually far less effective than sparring with stronger opponents.

Just as he was considering how much magic power would be appropriate, Bingtang quickly added, "We'll absolutely only use it for sparring practice! We absolutely, absolutely won't use it for anything else!"

Jiang Si was momentarily stunned by this and casually asked, "What else can puppets be used for?"

Six Leaf, who had been catching up on homework in the conference room, immediately shouted, "For dating, for dating! I want to go on a date with Lady Shion..."

But before she could shout twice, her older sister restrained her.

"If you want delicious food, ask Lady Bingtang to buy it for you. Don't cause trouble at a time like this!"

"Oh..."

Bingtang coughed and immediately said seriously, "We would absolutely never do such things—that would waste the puppet."

Qinghua beside her nodded repeatedly. "Using it for dating is a bit wasteful. You could directly play dress-up instead..."

Only after Bingtang knocked her on the head did Qinghua settle down.

Sighing, Bingtang felt she shouldn't discuss matters with Jiang Si in front of these inner disciples who only caused trouble for her...

"Is half my magic power enough for you?"

Jiang Si didn't particularly care what they wanted to do. Since they wanted to improve themselves, he had no reason to refuse.

He hoped the pressure from the Shion puppet would help improve their mental states as well, allowing them to reach Blooming sooner.

Bingtang, who hadn't expected him to agree, was momentarily stunned before quickly nodding repeatedly. "Enough, enough, enough! Absolutely enough!"

After straightforwardly giving half his magic power to Qinghua, Jiang Si left the Azure Cloud Sect.

Tomorrow he needed to go to school to discuss college entrance exam arrangements with the principal, so he had to return home early today to rest.

After Jiang Si left, the Azure Cloud Sect suddenly fell into complete silence.

Everyone's gaze converged on the half of Shion's magic power in Qinghua's hands.

Bingtang was the first to clear her throat, assuming her usual vice-sect master authoritative posture. "As you all heard, this Shion puppet is for sparring to improve our strength and to continue our research on magic fusion. Therefore, I will take full control..."

"Lady Bingtang, that's a bit too much," Qinghua immediately protested. "How can you monopolize it alone?"

"Who said I'm monopolizing it? I'll be controlling the Shion puppet to spar with all of you."

"With this much magic power, we could make two puppets."

Yumo, wearing a light green windbreaker, suddenly emerged between Qinghua and Bingtang. Gone was her usual timidity and shyness, replaced by extreme seriousness and determination. "Making just one is wasteful. Make two. I, I also want to control the Sect Master's puppet."

Bingtang was startled by Yumo, then glared at her. "Weren't you sleeping just now?"

"I woke up when the Sect Master was dividing his magic power."

Yumo said firmly, "Lady Bingtang, no monopolizing. I want it too."

Four Leaf peeked out from the conference room door, watching curiously, while Six Leaf also peeked from below her sister.

This time she didn't shout about wanting to control the puppet to play, since Four Leaf had just scolded her not to cause trouble.

With the tension so high now, Six Leaf was also afraid and didn't dare speak.

Looking at Yumo who showed no signs of backing down, Bingtang couldn't help feeling somewhat relieved.

Although Yumo usually appeared weak, when it came time to fight for what she wanted, she never retreated.

Just like when facing Witch Association members—Yumo never showed mercy.

According to the Sect Master's description, inner excellence? She has great potential in the future.

However, competing against her was something that couldn't be allowed.

Narrowing her eyes, Bingtang laughed coldly. "After being taught a lesson by me last time, you still haven't given up?"

"Last time Yumo was just one move short of victory! This time I will definitely win!"

Qinghua timidly raised her hand. "But the fish in the Fortune Pond have all been fished out by you two. We said we'd replenish them last time but haven't yet."

"No need for the Fortune Pond."

Bingtang also became serious, taking out two boxes from under the table. "The Hundred Cultivation Arts offer plenty of methods for competition. Myriad Laws Card Formation, Four Symbols Eight Trigrams Diagram, Path of Fate Walking, Secret Realm Trial—choose one."

Yumo very tacitly pulled out another box from under the table, taking out a game board and spreading it directly on the table.

"Heaven and Earth Board, first to five wins." As she spoke, she put down the rabbit she was holding. "Bingtang, Lady Bingtang, please!"

"Please!"

Watching the two with tension rising between them, Qinghua scratched her head and cautiously asked, "Can I have one share too? I can make three puppets..."

"No!"

Both rejected her simultaneously. "Dividing the magic power into three portions would make the duration too short."

Qinghua lamented.

Even though she was the one doing the work, she couldn't gain any benefits. She had wanted to keep one for herself, then earn some extra money from Lady Bingtang or exchange for some vacation time...

Using her as free labor was just too despicable.

But watching the two with murderous intent over the game board, Qinghua didn't dare say more.

...

Jiang Si spent the entire journey back studying the Calamity Egg. Pure magic power had no reaction when entering it.

Even the contaminated magic from Grief Seeds couldn't affect this Calamity Egg much.

The Calamity Egg only responded to negative emotions, and only sufficiently strong negative reactions would leave dark marks within it, gradually spreading to cover the transparent Calamity Egg.

Thus, throughout his journey back, it had only grown slightly.

However, when he approached his home, the dark magic inside the Calamity Egg actually began boiling!

Massive negative emotions poured in, transforming the originally gaseous, even liquid dark magic into solid form.

The entire Calamity Egg became somewhat heavy, completely disproportionate to its small size, like a large iron ball.

This truly exceeded Jiang Si's expectations. He looked at the Calamity Egg in his hand, then at his home's door.

Does Keke have this much resentment?

He hadn't seen her suffer any grievances in daily life. Are teenage children really this sensitive?

He found it somewhat hard to understand.

But it could also be other reasons—perhaps influenced by resentment from people nearby.

Thinking this, Jiang Si pushed open the door and saw the person standing in the room, pausing momentarily.

A petite girl wore a bathrobe with no other clothes, large areas of skin exposed. While the upper body was wrapped relatively securely, the lower part of the bathrobe had opened, revealing cartoon bear panties that looked somewhat childish. Her bare feet stood on the floor, with water stains behind her.

She had apparently just bathed, her hair still damp. Her pretty face showed no expression now, and those usually lively eyes were empty like dead objects, staring straight at him without any reaction to her own state.

Li Yi didn't speak, and Jiang Si didn't ask.

He simply turned to close the door, change shoes, and prepare to go upstairs without looking at her.

Soon, Keke heard the noise and ran out from the kitchen. Seeing Jiang Si, then noticing Li Yi standing exposed in the middle of the room, she quickly took off her own jacket to cover Li Yi and pushed her back to her bedroom. "I told you to go back to the bedroom first! Why are you standing motionless in the living room, Yiyi..."

"Sorry."

The apology sounded wooden before she was pushed into the bedroom. Jiang Si noticed that the Calamity Egg he had stored seemed to have grown heavier again.

Just as he was about to go upstairs, Keke came out from the bedroom and quickly said to him, "Yiyi will be staying with us for a few days. She won't disturb you—her family situation is really bad right now..."

"Mm, as you wish."

All the prepared explanations she had ready were immediately rendered unnecessary. Sighing, Keke didn't know whether to be happy about his easygoing attitude or upset about his indifference.

Couldn't he at least show some concern for Yiyi?

But remembering that Yiyi had said Shion was the one who killed her sister Yinluo, Keke momentarily felt this attitude might be better...

Looking at her friend who still lacked spirit, like a walking corpse, Keke hugged her and helped her lie down on the bed.

"Rest for now, Yiyi. We'll eat something later."