164: Chapter 164 Xia Bingning's Dilemma

Han Bingxin stood at the guest room window of the villa, her gaze sweeping over the courtyard, her inner shock unable to subside for a long time.

This woman was twenty-five years old and possessed an aggressively beautiful, mature face.

With a high bridge of the nose and long, narrow phoenix eyes that tilted slightly at the corners, she exuded a natural charm and sharpness.

Her lips were full, painted with dark red lip gloss, and every time they parted, they radiated the charm of a mature woman.

Her wine-red long hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

She wore a red tight-fitting combat suit that perfectly outlined her explosive figure—full breasts, a slender waist, rounded hips, and long, straight legs; every curve was just right, as if it were a work of art meticulously carved by the heavens.

As an A-rank fire-attribute Ability User, Han Bingxin was a famous strong woman in Jiangcheng before the Apocalypse. She was confident, proud, powerful, and never needed to rely on any man.

But now...

Looking at those stunning goddesses in the yard, an unprecedented shock surged within her.

Su Yuyan's cold elegance, Ye Qingxue's aloof beauty, Ye Qingyue's lively charm, Xia Bingli's cold killer aura...

Every one of them was a peerless beauty, one in a million!

"Who exactly is this Lin Yuan?" Han Bingxin muttered to herself.

She walked to the mirror and carefully examined her appearance.

Wine-red long hair, charming phoenix eyes, high nose bridge, full lips...

Han Bingxin had always been confident in her appearance.

Before the Apocalypse, she was a famous beauty in Jiangcheng with countless pursuers.

And after the Apocalypse, she became a goddess in the hearts of many men due to her A-rank Superpower and outstanding looks.

"My appearance... shouldn't be much worse than theirs, right?"

Han Bingxin looked at herself in the mirror, a confident light flashing in her eyes.

Although those goddesses were stunningly beautiful, she believed she also had enough charm!

Han Bingxin walked out of the room full of anticipation, wanting to find Lin Yuan and show him her value.

But in the following days, she was disappointed.

Lin Yuan's attitude toward her was... chillingly cold.

He was clearly gentle and considerate toward the other goddesses, even offering head pats, showing concern, and asking about their situations.

But toward her...

The way Lin Yuan looked at her was as if he were looking at an ordinary subordinate, with nothing special about it.

Han Bingxin sat on the edge of the training ground, watching Lin Yuan laughing and chatting with Ye Qingyue, a strong sense of loss surging within her.

"Why... why doesn't he like me?"

She had looked in the mirror countless times, confirming that her appearance was definitely not bad.

Her strength was also A-rank, which could be considered a top-tier powerhouse in all of Jiangcheng!

But why...

Lin Yuan wouldn't even glance at her?

Just as Han Bingxin fell into self-doubt, in the villa's living room, Lin Yuan gathered all the core goddesses.

"Everyone."

Lin Yuan sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over every goddess present:

"The second stage of the Apocalypse has fully erupted; it is time to expand our forces."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone perked up.

Su Yuyan stood up gracefully, walked to the map, and traced her slender fingers across it:

"Lin Yuan, I suggest we first occupy the East District of Jiangcheng."

Her voice was cold and rational:

"According to my investigation, there are currently three medium-sized forces in the East District, the strongest of which is a B-rank Esper, with hundreds of subordinates. Compared to other areas, the East District has a better strategic position and richer resources."

Su Yuyan said, a shrewd light flashing in her eyes:

"Moreover, the East District is close to the Jiangcheng port; once controlled, we can master water transportation and lay the foundation for subsequent expansion."

As expected of a business queen, her strategic vision was indeed sharp.

Luo Qinghan also spoke up:

"My intelligence network has already infiltrated the East District. The three forces there are the 'Blazing Flame Gang,' the 'Iron Fist Society,' and the 'Shadow Hall.' Among them, the Blazing Flame Gang is the strongest; the leader, Zhao Liefeng, is a B-rank fire-attribute Esper, with over two hundred Ability Users under him."

She paused:

"These three forces check and balance each other; if we can defeat the Blazing Flame Gang, the other two forces will collapse without a fight."

Lin Yuan listened and nodded with satisfaction:

"Very good. Then for this operation, I will not take action."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

A smile curled at the corners of Lin Yuan's mouth:

"Your strength is already powerful enough; it is time to show it to the entire Jiangcheng. Treat this operation as a test for you."

Ye Qingxue said coldly:

"A mere B-rank, it will be easy to capture."

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Ye Qingyue rushed in, pouting, and hugged Lin Yuan's arm:

"Brother Lin Yuan! I discovered that the new woman is always peeking at you!"

She was naturally referring to Han Bingxin.

Ye Qingyue's yandere attribute fully erupted; she hugged Lin Yuan tightly, a dangerous light flashing in her eyes:

"Brother Lin Yuan, you can only belong to me! Those vixens all want to snatch you away, I won't allow it!"

Lin Yuan helplessly patted her head:

"Qingyue, don't make a scene."

"I'm not making a scene!"

Ye Qingyue puffed out her cheeks:

"I'm serious! Brother Lin Yuan, can you belong only to me? Just me alone, okay?"

Her voice carried a coaxing tone, but her eyes revealed paranoia.

Beside her, Ye Qingxue watched coldly, appearing indifferent on the surface, but her clenched fists betrayed her mood.

This younger sister... was getting more and more excessive.

Was she actually starting to get jealous of her own sister?

Lin Yuan sighed:

"Qingyue, you know that's impossible."

"Why is it impossible?!"

Ye Qingyue's eyes turned red:

"Where am I not good enough? I can change! I can become the type that Brother Lin Yuan likes!"

Looking at the increasingly yandere girl, Lin Yuan felt a headache.

This girl's possessiveness had already reached a pathological level.

Just as the atmosphere in the living room was subtle, in the corner, Xia Bingning was silently watching all of this.

Her body had fully recovered, and under the nourishment of the resources provided by Lin Yuan, her Primal Body was even healthier than before the injury.

But...

She discovered a fact that made her despair.

As long as she got within three meters of Lin Yuan, the ice-sealing curse in her body would react violently!

Piercing coldness surged from within her body, making her feel icy and painful all over, to the point where she couldn't even stand still!

Xia Bingning had tried countless times, and every time the result was the same.

She could only watch Lin Yuan from afar, unable to get close.

"Brother-in-law..."

Xia Bingning whispered, painful emotions welling up in her eyes.

She didn't know when she started to develop feelings for this man that went beyond gratitude.

It might have been when he disregarded everything to save her and her sister.

It might have been when he displayed his powerful strength that crushed everything.

Or it might have been whenever he looked at her with that gentle yet deep gaze...

Xia Bingning bit her lip, struggling inwardly.

She knew this feeling was forbidden.

After all... Lin Yuan was her brother-in-law.

But she just couldn't control her own heart.

"Bingning."

Xia Bingli walked to her sister's side at some point, her expression complex:

"Did you... fall in love with him?"

Xia Bingning's body stiffened, and she shook her head in a panic:

"No! I didn't!"

Xia Bingli sighed:

"I am your sister; your thoughts can't be hidden from me."

She looked at Lin Yuan in the distance, her voice soft:

"Actually... with his power, it's normal to have one more like you. I won't oppose it."

"But sister..."

Xia Bingning's tears fell:

"I can't get close to him... my constitution... mother's curse..."

Xia Bingli held her sister tightly:

"I will find a way; I will definitely help you break the curse!"

Just then—

Rumble!!!

The entire villa shook violently!

Lin Yuan stood up abruptly, his eyes sharp:

"There is an Evolved Beast attack!"

Everyone rushed to the window, only to see dense swarms of Evolved Beasts howling outside the villa's perimeter!

The number... exceeded fifty!

And the aura of every single one had reached C-rank!

"So many C-rank Evolved Beasts?"

Luo Qinghan's expression was grave: "This isn't normal... they seem organized!"

A fighting spirit flashed in Su Yuyan's eyes:

"Lin Yuan, let me go."

She began to flicker with lightning, and her peak E-rank lightning Superpower erupted instantly!

Boom!

Su Yuyan descended like a thunder god, transforming into a bolt of lightning and rushing toward the swarm of Evolved Beasts!

"Thunder... Ten Thousand Jun!"

Zzzzzzz!!!

Terrifying lightning struck down like divine punishment, instantly turning a dozen C-rank Evolved Beasts into charred remains!

But the number of Evolved Beasts was too great, rushing toward the villa one after another!

Just then—

Ye Qingxue slowly walked out of the villa.

Her originally cold eyes were now pitch black.

SS-rank Death Abyss Superpower...

Expand!

Rumble!!!

A terrifying black domain instantly expanded with her at the center!

All the Evolved Beasts trembled under this aura of death, unable to even move!

That was fear from the depths of the soul!

Ye Qingxue raised her hand and gripped it gently.

The next second—

The life force of all the C-rank Evolved Beasts was completely extracted!

Their bodies turned into dried corpses and fell to the ground!

From start to finish...

Less than ten seconds!

Han Bingxin stood by the window, completely stunned.

This... is this the strength of the goddesses of the Lin Yuan Shelter?

C-rank Evolved Beasts were like ants in front of them!

Especially that woman named Ye Qingxue...

That aura of death was simply terrifying to the point of suffocation!

Han Bingxin looked toward the center of the villa at the man calmly drinking tea.

The man who could make these terrifying goddesses submit...

Just how powerful was he?

Her heartbeat grew faster and faster, and the worship in her eyes grew stronger.

Even if Lin Yuan didn't like her and didn't take her in...

She was still willing to follow by his side forever!