The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

Mei wasn't surprised by [Lee]'s villainous world domination scheme. She wasn't from the Previous Era like Elysia, nor did she share a deep bond with Lihua like Otto.

[Lee]'s face and identity held no special meaning for her.

To Mei, Lihua and [Lee], despite their identical appearance, were like two sides of the same coin, a classic good vs. evil trope.

And in such stories, the evil personality often caused trouble driven by selfish desires… so when Lihua called and explained [Lee]'s plan, Mei's reaction was simply—ah, here we go again.

Surprise? None whatsoever.

Though Lihua and Lee should be unrelated aside from their bloodline, Mei had always suspected Lihua was the true inheritor of Lee's soul, while [Lee] was an imposter…

and now, events seemed to confirm her suspicions. After all, the true successor inheriting power to defeat the fake was another timeless trope.

But even Kallen and Eleanor are here? Their connection to Lihua was incredibly strong. It was a shame Lihua was stuck at home due to [Lee]'s mental influence. She'd be so happy to see her old friends.

It's my fault. I don't know how to use this Divine Key properly. Otherwise, I could have lifted her mental block… Even with just the Ark of Dawn's basic mental defense, this "guest account" was enough to temporarily shield them from [Lee]'s direct mind control.

"Miss Kallen, Miss Eleanor, this Divine Key's protection won't last long. We need to act fast—"

"Lihua?! Did you just say Lihua?!"

Despite the imminent danger, the moment Mei mentioned that name, Kallen and Eleanor's gazes locked onto her. "You've seen Lihua? She's in this world?! Is she okay?! How do you know her?!"

Is this really the time? Though exasperated, Mei felt a strange satisfaction—hah, serves those Schicksal schemers right. To see them so flustered, like their beloved had been taken hostage… they were human after all.

The old Mei would have spilled everything she knew about Lihua. But the current Mei, a seasoned landmine-stepper from the Elysian Realm, would only say—

"The answers you seek are beyond your reach for now. Focus on the present; that is the only correct path."

In short, deal with [Lee] first, questions later!

"Mei became… cryptic?"

Kiana, Bronya, and Theresa exchanged confused looks. Theresa's expression was the most bewildered—St. Freya students were taught to be direct; cryptic nonsense was unacceptable.

But now, even Mei was…

It's all World Serpent's fault! Corrupting our youth!

"Kiana, Theresa… I know you. You both carry the Kaslana bloodline." Perhaps from excessive anger, [Lee]'s eyes lost their manic glint, becoming coldly sharp. "Will you defy me too? Defy me, [Lee], who has the power to save the world, who granted you your bloodline's power?!"

"The Kaslanas are the shield of the people, not their rulers! If your actions go against the people, then even as the source of our bloodline, all we can offer you is our blades!" Gone was Kiana's usual playfulness, replaced by steely resolve.

"Me too!" Theresa nodded, impressed by her niece's newfound wisdom. Looks like going to World Serpent was more educational than I thought.

"...Heh, humans."

[Lee] no longer felt anger, only disappointment.

Hoping for anything from humans was a mistake. Even her own bloodline, even… Lihua, had chosen to betray her.

Three betrayals she'd suffered: betrayed by the survivors after sacrificing everything for civilization; betrayed by humanity after trying to save them through control; betrayed by her own descendants after treating them with kindness…

Humanity was truly hopeless.

They should be erased—then she would create a world free of their filth!

Thinking they could challenge her with a single Divine Key… foolish humans, I'll show you what true power is!

"I'll deal with you, then the rest of the world…" [Lee] clenched her fists, a chilling smile spreading across her face.

Her eyes glowed red. "From now on, this world will become what I want it to be!"

—Now!

The moment the battle was about to begin, Li Bei, miles away, focused.

System, activate!!!

An invisible force rippled outwards. [Lee]'s power clashed with Mei's purple lightning. Despite the others' attempts to contain it, energy leaked out, expanding in all directions.

Even the stray shockwaves were powerful enough to level buildings, and with many still inside the hall, the potential for casualties was immense.

But nothing happened.

The clashing powers did create shockwaves, but they harmed neither people nor buildings. Like a harmless hologram, all bark and no bite.

This was Li Bei's newly acquired, expensive system item—the Space-Time Isolation Field!

It banished everything within a designated area to a separate dimension, observable but unable to interact with the real world. Even if they destroyed everything inside, the real world would remain unharmed.

Unfortunately, it was an active skill, so he had to gather everyone in a known location before activating it.

Watching the now-intense battle, knowing it wouldn't harm the civilians, and seeing the icons of a certain blonde and a certain Empyrea rapidly approaching on his map, Li Bei knew the most dangerous moment was at hand.

If they overcame this crisis, all would be well.

But if they failed…

Impossible! Losing is not an option!