EX-Curry Stick

“Luo Qingyin! Come out! Stop hiding in the shadows!”

The person who entered was Luo Jinghong—the Prophet. Of course, only Yang Yuan recognized her.

The moment Luo Jinghong stepped in, Luo Qingyin—who had just been burping—immediately shrank back into Yang Yuan’s shadow, refusing to show herself.

The sudden turn of events left the three people in the office stunned.

Li Yu’an quickly recovered, but remained lost in sorrow and didn’t pay much attention.

Bai Zhu, on the other hand, shrank backward, hiding behind the sofa cushion.

“S-such terrifying pressure!”

Yang Yuan, caught in the middle, felt a massive headache coming on.

Seeing her younger sister still refusing to come out, Luo Jinghong suppressed her anger and turned to the three with an apologetic expression.

“I’m very sorry for the trouble.”

“I was too busy today to prepare lunch for Xiao Yin. I didn’t expect her to come here and steal yours.”

She gestured toward the empty lunchbox on the table.

“I’ll have more meals sent over shortly.”

“No problem, no problem!” Yang Yuan quickly waved his hands with a smile, trying to excuse Luo Qingyin.

“She’s still just a kid. Probably just hungry.”

“She’ll be twenty next month. She’s not a child anymore.”

“Twenty?!”

Yang Yuan was shocked. Luo Qingyin’s petite frame and childish behavior made her look like a high schooler.

“I have urgent matters to attend to and can’t wait here any longer.”

Luo Jinghong checked the time—she truly seemed in a hurry.

“If Xiao Yin finally comes out of your shadow, please let me know.”

Yang Yuan nodded, and she left without another word.

Only after Luo Jinghong’s departure did the tense, oppressive atmosphere in the office finally dissipate.

Yang Yuan had just begun to relax when he felt something poking his back.

“Lord Yang Yuan,” Bai Zhu peeked out, asking with solemn seriousness.

“This afternoon, I shall train my sword techniques at the trial grounds. Will you accompany me?”

“I still have work to do.”

“No matter. I shall reserve your entire afternoon.”

That excuse was so powerful it was impossible to refuse—perfect for Yang Yuan to slack off.

“I guess I can go, but what do you want me there for?”

“This is a test for you—and a trial for me. Your presence alone is sufficient, Lord Yang Yuan.”

Yang Yuan wanted to say more, but seeing the look on her face—one that clearly said refusal is heresy—he could only nod obediently.

Just as he agreed, Li Yu’an, who had been silent and withdrawn, finally snapped out of her gloom.

“I’m coming too.”

“You don’t have work?”

“My schedule is flexible. I can adjust it anytime.”

Her gaze settled on Bai Zhu. Though she still smiled, her eyes were ice-cold.

“Besides, the training grounds carry certain risks. It’s safer with a healing-type hero present.”

Of course, she wasn’t actually concerned about safety.

She just couldn’t trust Yang Yuan alone with this clearly unhinged, delusional girl.

Even if she saw Bai Zhu as harmless, Li Yu’an believed in preventing trouble before it started.

So, after eating the lunch delivered by Luo Jinghong’s staff, the three of them headed to the massive underground training facility.

And, of course, Luo Qingyin—still hiding in Yang Yuan’s shadow—came along too, with no sign of when she’d emerge.

The moment they entered the vast training hall, Bai Zhu excitedly grabbed Yang Yuan’s arm and pulled him toward the center.

“Behold, Lord Yang Yuan! I shall now reveal the true form of the Sacred Blade!”

“Miss Bai Zhu, please be careful,” Li Yu’an said, not to be outdone, grabbing Yang Yuan’s other arm.

“Yang Yuan is an ordinary person. He must not stand too close to the core release zone.”

Yang Yuan was tugged from both sides until he was firmly planted in the safest observation seat.

In the center of the arena, Bai Zhu’s expression turned solemn.

She removed the long sword wrapped in cloth from her back. After unwrapping it layer by layer, a plain-looking steel longsword was revealed.

After steadying her breath, she assumed a standard defensive stance, both hands gripping the hilt.

Yang Yuan was curious—was Bai Zhu’s ability tied to this seemingly ordinary ancient sword?

Almost instantly, his [Insight] ability activated, revealing the truth: the sword was just a prop.

[Ability Name: Invisible Blade]
[Ability User: Bai Zhu]
[Description: Forged by will, shaped by thought. The user materializes an invisible divine blade—undetectable to ordinary eyes, yet capable of cutting through anything.]
[Potential Risk: Full release requires a three-minute charge. During this time, the user must maintain a fixed starting posture—no movement or interruption allowed.]
[Evolution Status: Upon successful charge, a single slash can level the land. When belief reaches its peak, charge time may be further reduced. This is the shortcut to victory—and the ultimate proof of loyalty.]

Yang Yuan read each line carefully, his face showing deep focus and fascination.

This ability was far more powerful and complex than he’d imagined.

But to Li Yu’an standing beside him, his expression meant something entirely different.

Li Yu’an’s full attention was on Yang Yuan.

When she saw him staring intently at Bai Zhu—his eyes filled with a seriousness she’d never seen before—a cold, bitter emotion surged from the depths of her heart.

“Why?”

“Why does this noisy, delusional girl—good for nothing but shouting nonsense—deserve Yang Yuan’s gaze?”

She had prepared lunch with such care, planned every move to win his favor, while this chuunibyou girl had done nothing but strike a few poses—and stolen all his attention.

“It’s not fair… this is so unfair.”

Li Yu’an took a small step forward, subtly blocking part of Yang Yuan’s view of Bai Zhu.

“Miss Bai Zhu’s stance is very standard.”

“But ability demonstrations can cause energy leakage. You should step back a bit.”

As she spoke, she gently pulled Yang Yuan’s arm, drawing him closer to her side—away from the focus of her jealousy.

Soon, Bai Zhu in the center completed her charge.

“EX-calibur!”

In front of her slashing trajectory, the test dummy was obliterated, launching into the air and leaving behind a crater in the ground.

The sheer power left both Yang Yuan and Li Yu’an speechless.

“Well? Well?! Isn’t my Sacred Blade amazing?!”

Bai Zhu ran over, her face screaming praise me.

“Definitely impressive. Truly worthy of the title, White Heroine,” Yang Yuan praised, playing along.

Satisfied, Bai Zhu skipped off to retrieve her sword.

Yang Yuan remained dazed by the impact of that slash—completely unaware that Li Yu’an beside him had gone eerily blank-eyed.

“Then… I’ll have to show myself properly too.”