"Little Li, help me fasten it."
"Ah? Fasten, fasten, fasten what?!"
"The clasp."
"Oh, oh, oh, the clasp. No, no problem."
So it's just the clasp.
Scared me to death...
Li Wu thought Mei had unlocked some new fetish. It seemed he was overthinking things again; he needed to fix that habit.
Just as he turned around, the tender white skin, stripped of its shell, was presented to Li Wu without reservation. Only the skirt covered below, and the curtains blocked the outside view. The room was dim, but Mei's smooth, white, naked back stood out in the shadows like a work of art, becoming a simple yet beautiful landscape.
Mei had her back to Li Wu, leaning forward slightly. Her hands held the two ends of the bra, struggling to reach behind her. The movement was incredibly ambiguous.
Li Wu didn't even dare to take a step forward.
One more step, and the "Supreme Bone" would poke right into her.
Wait...
This is...
Li Wu's gaze quickly sank, focusing on Mei's flawless white back.
A blood-red pattern was exceptionally dazzling.
It was a natural Stigmata. At this moment, it was glowing red, its meaning unclear.
Li Wu reached out and gently stroked it.
"Mmh—!!"
A tiny, delicate sound escaped Mei's lips, then was bitten back hard. She bit her lip so deeply it left a mark, making no further sound.
She remained motionless, her wrists as if handcuffed by chains, allowing Li Wu to caress her back freely.
"Don't move."
Li Wu's voice was clear.
Mei tensed her body and offered no resistance.
Heat radiated from around the natural Stigmata. The nearby skin was much hotter than the rest of her body, and this was even with the Gem of Conquest neutralizing it.
For Mei, the natural Stigmata was like a parasitic worm, using her bloodline as a medium to constantly devour her life force.
Although implanting the Gem of Conquest could check the natural Stigmata, in the end, it was just putting another parasitic worm into her body, letting the two worms fight over the vessel. It treated the symptoms, not the root cause.
If Mei couldn't complete her final Emergence, if either the Gem of Conquest or the natural Stigmata lost control, it would cost her life.
"..."
Truly an ill-fated life. Another potential crisis beyond the manga plot.
World Serpent had conducted extensive research on Stigmata. However, the deal had just been concluded. If he proposed another trade now, Gray Serpent might very well see through him and realize he wasn't the person they were looking for.
He could only wait for a future opportunity, using Project Stigma and Dr. MEI's wish as hooks to gamble and negotiate with Kevin.
I hope Kevin won't just cleave me in two with Judgment of Shamash...
Just as Li Wu formulated a plan in his mind and pulled his hand away from the natural Stigmata on Mei's back, an accident happened—
"Wu!"
The natural Stigmata firmly "bit" onto his fingertip, refusing to let him leave.
It wasn't until his fingertip was bitten open, and a drop of bright red, vitality-filled blood fell onto it, that the powerful suction finally disappeared.
The natural Stigmata seemed satiated. Resonating with Li Wu's blood, it stopped burning. The bright red light on the pattern faded as well, looking more like a tattoo now, quietly adhering to Mei's back.
"Little Li, what did you do? The burning sensation of the Stigmata... seems to have disappeared?"
Mei turned around in surprise, her eyes lighting up.
"Burning sensation? So you've been living with that burning sensation all this time?"
"Yeah. It's a bit better when I release the Herrscher authority, but other times, my back feels like it's being roasted by fire... I've gotten used to it."
So that's how it is.
Li Wu understood Mei a little better. But before that...
"Um, Mei, can you turn back around first? The bra Raven bought is too small for you..." Li Wu turned his head, trying hard not to look down.
See no evil, see no evil, see no evil.
Like chanting a mantra, Li Wu recited frantically in his heart.
But suddenly, Mei took two steps forward, crashing straight into his embrace. She deliberately swayed her body a few times. The massive softness rose and fell with her movements, "rolling" against Li Wu's chest.
"Hehe..."
"Does my big hero have such a timid side too?"
Mei looked up, her eyes curving into crescents with her smile, like two playful moons. Her purple eyes flickered with a cunning glint, staring straight into Li Wu's evasive gaze.
"I have nothing to give you... so, don't refuse my offering..."
Mei continued, her emotions surging like tides.
She stood on her tiptoes and gently bit Li Wu's neck, breathing in deeply, committing Li Wu's scent to memory.
Just as she was about to take things further, a knock came from the door—
"Hey, hey, are you two done yet? Does changing clothes take this long? Don't start—fucking—in here! This is a home for me and the kids! Get your asses out here!"
Hearing Raven shouting from outside the door, Li Wu looked down at Mei. They looked at each other and both burst out laughing.
"Stop fooling around. Wait until the crisis is over, let's talk when we get home."
"Okay!"
Mei turned her back again. Li Wu adjusted his breathing and quickly helped Mei fasten the bra clasp.
The two of them turned their backs to each other in tacit understanding. Mei changed into the brand-new clothes, while Li Wu kept his slightly wrinkled school uniform on without changing.
"Finally out. If you didn't come out, I was going to... Hmm? Why didn't you change?" Seeing Li Wu hadn't changed, Raven couldn't help asking.
Li Wu replied calmly, "Your taste is terrible, Natasha. You bought girl's clothes for Mei, but children's clothes for me?"
"Tch, no taste. It would clearly fit you."
Just as Raven finished complaining, she felt a tingle down her spine. She coughed lightly and changed the subject with an awkward expression. "Since everything is over, hurry up and leave my house. I won't say anything to World Serpent. Anyway, Gray Serpent didn't ask me anything, so I won't take the blame. Consider Mei's clothes a gift from me being nosy; they're free."
Two little plagues, hurry up and leave!
Raven screamed internally.
"I know you think we're trouble. We're definitely leaving, but before that, I want to ask you, what is this thing, and how do I use it?"
Li Wu took out the "Flame-Chaser Feather" Gray Serpent had given him.
Seeing this, Raven took a very similar "Flame-Chaser Feather" from her bag. The only difference was that the color was lighter than the one in his hand.
"Important members of World Serpent all have one. You just need to stick the nerve patch on your forehead, and your consciousness can enter a special 'virtual space.' World Serpent calls it the 'Flame-Chaser Past Life Society'."
"Important members? Do you mean World Serpent cadres?"
"There are only a few World Serpent cadres, and they basically all have one. The 'Flame-Chaser Feather' is said to have been created by a Flame-Chaser from the Previous Era using the 'corpse of a god,' but the truth seems to be a bit different; I'm not clear on it either. I only know the quantity is limited. Once bound, it can't be used again unless the host dies. Besides World Serpent cadres, there are at most twenty-something people in the whole world who can enter..."
After listening to Raven's explanation, Li Wu roughly understood the use of this "Flame-Chaser Feather."
Ignore distance, ignore conditions, transmit important information.
But here came the question: whether in the Previous Era or the Current Era, didn't they both have electronic communication devices?
Unless they were in different dimensions and couldn't communicate, in most cases, electronic communication would be faster, safer, and more comprehensive.
Holding to the principle that only a bastard wouldn't take advantage of a freebie, Li Wu voiced his doubt: "Then why not use electronic communication? The 'Flame-Chaser Feather' is essentially just a means of communication, right?"
Raven rolled her eyes at Li Wu. Her back suddenly felt tingly again, and her eyes instantly became clear. "Hehe, actually no. World Serpent members are everywhere. Some are even in cryo-pods, waiting for the trigger to wake up. Only with the help of the 'Flame-Chaser Feather' can we contact them; otherwise, their consciousness remains dormant."
"Anyway, even if I explain this much, you'll understand completely once you use it yourself."
Raven smiled mischievously.
Li Wu didn't mind the implication in her words.
Being able to contact all World Serpent cadres was a massive help to him right now. As long as he utilized the information gap, there was a high probability he could exchange it for a lot of assistance.
Top-tier combat power, hackers, mercenaries...
Used well, he would no longer be fighting alone.
Even if he couldn't confront Schicksal head-on, at least he could maneuver with them and not be treated like a roadside bug to be stepped on at will.
Most importantly, it could only be changed if the host died.
Gray Serpent had sent him quite a nice gift.
If he could use it, did that prove the original owner was already dead?
It seems I absolutely cannot reveal my identity in the future. If they find out I'm a cuckoo occupying the nest and World Serpent becomes an enemy, the consequences will be unimaginable.
I need to think of a good alias...
After saying goodbye to Raven, Li Wu took Mei away from Raven's Nest and headed toward the center of Nagazora City.
Raiden Ryoma shouldn't arrange any new crises; otherwise, there would have been no need to let him leave back then.
It meant he was gambling—gambling on whether Li Wu could persuade World Serpent. It seemed he had won the bet.
Plus, Gray Serpent went to communicate with Kallen. The result shouldn't be too bad. The crisis of the first act was pretty much over here.
Thinking of this, a relaxed and happy smile finally appeared on Li Wu's face.
"Little Li, did you think of something happy?"
"Yeah. Starting today, you can probably stand in the sunlight openly and honestly. I've already persuaded your father, and Schicksal and World Serpent will likely reach a tacit agreement. Mei, you don't have to live in fear anymore."
Li Wu looked up. The excessively bright sunlight pierced through the clouds, spilling down from the sky like the goddess of harvest scattering seeds. The mountains and rivers became lingering and soft, and Li Wu's mood soared with it.
The outskirts didn't have the high-rise technological feel of the city. On the way back, there were gurgling streams, mountain winds, and shade everywhere.
"Little Li..."
The chaotic wind blew past her ears, scraping over the mountain tops.
The asphalt road and the grasslands were distinct. Mei stood on the boundary line between the highway and the grassland. Bursts of wind hit her, her hair flying freely, floating messily in the air like dandelions leaving home, accompanying the wind with no fixed return date.
Now, she had finally found where she belonged. No need to worry about the wind and rain anymore...