LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 17: Chapter 17
**Chapter 17: Damage Transfer**
Late at night, Zhao Ling and Ah Yin had just left the Great Soul Fighting Arena. Their stomachs growled with hunger, so they quickly headed to a nearby restaurant to grab dinner.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered, Bibi Dong and Ju Douluo, accompanied by a group of Spirit Hall masters, walked in and sat at the table next to them.
Ah Yin stiffened immediately, her body tense as she sensed Ju Douluo's terrifying aura. Her mind raced, filled with fear that he might discover her identity. She knew what fate awaited her if a Titled Douluo uncovered who she truly was.
Noticing her discomfort, Zhao Ling gently patted her hand, his voice calm and reassuring. "Don't worry. I've cast a secret spell on you. Even a Titled Douluo wouldn't be able to see through it."
Though skeptical of Zhao Ling's confidence, Ah Yin recalled the many mysterious things he had done in the past. Choosing to trust him, she relaxed slightly.
---
Over an hour passed before their food was served, and Zhao Ling and Ah Yin immediately started eating with gusto. This sight, however, annoyed Bibi Dong.
'Why is that woman eating at the same table as Zhao Ling?' she thought irritably. "Why didn't Zhao Ling invite me instead? Am I not just as beautiful as she is?"
Of course, she only voiced these complaints in her mind. She wouldn't actually join them, not with her Spirit Hall companions surrounding her. No, what she truly wanted was to find out from Zhao Ling what tragic experiences awaited her in the future—experiences she was determined to prevent.
But how could she approach him? She couldn't just ask outright; doing so would reveal that she possessed a "Diary Copy." Bibi Dong scowled at the thought, her gaze lingering on Zhao Ling and Ah Yin.
Her intense focus did not go unnoticed by Ju Douluo, who frowned at her unusual behavior. "Miss... please, calm down. This isn't Spirit City," he said cautiously.
"Calm down? What are you talking about?" Bibi Dong blinked, genuinely confused.
"You've been staring at the two people at the next table. Don't tell me you're planning to cause trouble for them?" Ju Douluo asked, his voice low with concern.
"Trouble them? What nonsense is this?" Bibi Dong gave him a perplexed look.
The Spirit Hall members around her exchanged glances but nodded in agreement with Ju Douluo's assessment. They were all puzzled by Bibi Dong's recent behavior. To them, she had always been gentle, kind, and approachable—an embodiment of grace. Yet, earlier that day, she had ruthlessly attacked and severely injured someone, a shocking departure from her usual demeanor.
Realizing they had misunderstood her, Bibi Dong rolled her eyes. 'Fine. Let them think whatever they want. It's not worth explaining.'
What did matter, however, was Yu Xiaogang. She had resolved to beat him every time she encountered him in the future. Killing him outright would be too easy—and far too boring. Instead, she intended to leave him alive, ensuring he suffered constantly.
Memories of her diary entries filled her mind: how he had initially pursued her with infatuation, only to betray her later by falling for his cousin. A flash of vindictive pleasure lit up her eyes.
'Let him fall for me again. Let him taste the bitterness of unrequited love. I'll make him suffer endlessly.' Her thoughts grew darker, her gaze briefly flickering with madness.
---
Zhao Ling, seated at the neighboring table, noticed the change in her expression. His thoughts raced, and he instinctively called up his diary panel, mentally venting his confusion.
[Hey, what's up with Bibi Dong? She's acting completely out of character compared to the original story.]
[Will she and Yu Xiaogang even fall in love anymore? If they don't, does that mean she won't clash with Qianxunji in the future?]
[If she doesn't, she'll stay in the Spirit Hall as the saint—or even become the pope—without any of the trauma from the original story.]
[That's probably better for her, right? A kinder, unbroken Bibi Dong would make a better pope. Isn't that hundreds of times better than her falling for Yu Xiaogang, that waste?]
[The only downside is... without Qianxunji's vile actions, Bibi Dong won't have Qian Renxue. That means one less beauty in the Spirit Hall.]
[Losing one of the three Spirit Hall beauties is a bit of a shame, though...]
Zhao Ling closed the panel after uploading the new entry. Moments later, a notification appeared, granting him a new ability: "Damage Transfer."
According to the system's explanation, this ability allowed him to transfer all damage inflicted on him—whether by others or himself—to a designated target within 100 meters. The effect lasted for up to three minutes per use and could be activated three times per day.
A mischievous grin spread across Zhao Ling's face as he considered the possibilities. "This ability is quite... interesting. Imagine provoking someone like Qianxunji or Tang Chen and transferring their own attacks back to them. Would they end up killing themselves?"
The thought made him chuckle darkly, and his face twisted into an unsettlingly wicked smile.
Ah Yin and Bibi Dong, both watching him, shuddered. The look in his eyes sent chills down their spines.
'What's wrong with him?' they thought simultaneously. 'Why does he look so... sinister?'
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