Chapter 121: Version Update

Thud!

The Long Spear pierced Isis’s chest, bursting through her back in full impalement.

Fang Cheng froze, instantly recognizing this as suicide.

A dominant force in reality, Isis would never clown for Iyaya’s amusement like some circus act.

Her choice became clear – death on her own terms.

Though a heart stab couldn’t truly kill her, it served as her final exit from this brief existence.

While Fang Cheng hesitated between two titans, Isis seized the moment to wrap her arms around him.

“What’s your actual goal?”

He pressed for answers before her last breath.

Isis nestled her chin against his shoulder, rosy lips exhaling honeyed warmth: “To become one with you… and claim deathless royalty.”

Fang Cheng cocked his head. “This ‘becoming one’ – are we talking metaphorically?”

Unfazed by his quips, Isis simply smiled cryptically: “The defeated become meat. Victors clear the king’s path. We’re Mother’s children. You’ll understand eventually.”

“What’s that mean? Who’s your mother?”

But her voice already faded to whispers: “Take my power as parting gift. Give my true self… a proper shock… when you meet her.”

Her body crumbled into fine sand, scattering like desert winds.

Fang Cheng clutched at nothing but gritty remnants slipping through his fingers.

Familiar heat surged through his hand –

System messages flashed:

[Energy extraction…]

[Life +5]

[Shadow Dweller +1]

[Steel Blood (Training) +101]

[Crazed Blood (Training) +104]

[Tide of Blood (Training) +112]

…

Fang Cheng gaped. Five extra lives? Shadow powers? Vampire abilities skyrocketing? Since when did corpse-looting boost Proficiency?

Advanced Smell and short-distance dash stayed unchanged – likely maxed already.

After stunned moments, Fang Cheng jolted awake, arm snapping forward in sudden gesture.

Blood shot from his fingertips without any wound, forming a straight line that pierced through the air.

Streams of blood erupted from his skin, wrapping Fang Cheng entirely in a thin crimson film that clung to his body like a skintight bodysuit.

This blood layer existed in Steel Blood’s semi-hardened state—flexible yet durable, allowing free joint movement while instantly hardening locally to block attacks.

The bodysuit concept had been Fang Cheng’s earlier idea, previously impossible due to poor blood control. Now his heightened Proficiency made it effortless.

He’d joked that only a flattering outfit separated him from Spider-Man. Never imagined he’d achieve it this fast.

Storing the bodysuit, Fang Cheng yelled skyward: “Hey! Where’s Asaka Akihime? When are you letting us go?”

Isis’s sudden suicide had ruined their dramatic showdown. Hopefully Iyaya wasn’t pissed about missing the entertainment.

No reply came. The garden scenery shifted abruptly, transforming into endless flower fields stretching beyond the horizon. Countless petals fell like snowflakes from the white sky.

Fang Cheng caught a drifting petal. It vanished upon touching his palm.

An instinctive urge pulled him forward. After several steps, he found Asaka Akihime curled naked among blossoms, deep in slumber.

Her scar-riddled body formed a stark contrast against the delicate flowers. As Fang Cheng knelt to wake her, he noticed petals melting into her skin upon contact.

He froze. This was a deity’s realm. Recklessness could end him like Isis.

Petals kept merging with Asaka Akihime’s body. Soon she glowed faintly, levitating as floral clusters enveloped her.

The scene felt familiar—her fetal position within floating petals resembled a baby returning to the womb. Fang Cheng rubbed his chin. “Am I watching some evil god’s childbirth?”

A colossal “DANGER” symbol flashed through his mind, cutting short the thought.

When the petals dispersed, Asaka Akihime emerged renewed. All scars had vanished, her skin now flawless. Even minor imperfections were erased, her beauty enhanced beyond measure.

Fang Cheng’s gaze lingered on her most prominent feature. After visual confirmation, he sighed in relief.

“Full upgrades, no shortcuts. Even got a size boost.”

Asaka Akihime descended back into the flowers. Fang Cheng tapped her shoulder. “Asaka. Wake up.”

Her eyelashes fluttered open, revealing eyes like polished obsidian gems glittering with starlight. Recognition dawned as she spotted Fang Cheng.

She lunged forward, clinging to him. “Cheng-kun!” Tears welled in her luminous eyes. “I thought… I thought…”

Fang Cheng patted her back. “It’s over.” Internally, he noted:

This chest tackle packed unprecedented force. Worse, her reborn body exuded an intoxicating aroma. Thankfully, his veteran composure and lingering mental clarity held firm.

The world suddenly warped around them. They tumbled through a sewer-like vortex before crashing onto a ruined basketball court—evicted from paradise by evil god-chan.

“We’re back? Wait—” Asaka Akihime’s confused murmur became a shriek as she realized her nakedness.

Fang Cheng placed a hand on her shoulder. Blood flowed from his palm, weaving into clothing. Noticing her stare, he grinned. “Not exactly human. Scared?”

She shook her head, clasping his hand firmly. “You’ll always be Cheng-kun to me.”