Chapter 56-The Manga Pariah's Guide to Self-Salvation
After politely saving the picture, Ye Zheng didn't continue browsing the forum. She put down her phone and lay on the bed to get some proper rest.
Therefore, she was unaware that the ID "Ye Zheng" had sparked a minorly popular thread on the forum. Everyone unanimously believed that someone had luckily encountered a system bug, and they all tried to claim character names, only to end in failure.
The forum readers at that time couldn't have imagined that this bug-like ID, Ye Zheng, would later become a big celebrity on the forum.
After returning from the royal palace, Ye Zheng claimed to be ill for a few days, using the time to rest and prepare some things.
Sykes was a man of action. The day after being provoked, he set off to personally lead an expedition into the Demonic Domain, vowing to bring back the person's head as a trophy for his hunting grounds.
Ye Zheng had been worried that she, a healer teammate who was supposedly sick, would be forcibly conscripted. Unexpectedly, Sykes only took a group of Royal Knights and his permanent tag-along, Yu Tianming, seeming to want a quick and decisive battle.
The entire empire was in an uproar upon hearing the news, especially the commoners in the lower district, who spontaneously lined the streets to welcome the Crown Prince's procession as if they were greeting saviors appearing out of thin air.
The scandalous incident of the insurgents sending the victim's mutilated corpse to the Crown Prince's residence had been suppressed by the Royal Family. From the perspective of the common people, the Crown Prince was venturing into danger for the safety of the citizens under his rule!
For a time, even the rumors of him being brutal and merciless were overturned. His Highness Sykes not only possessed unparalleled strength but also a loving and brave heart for his people, making him seem like a legendary savior.
Everyone believed that with His Highness Sykes, who possessed an SSS-rank talent, taking action personally, the terrifying existence known as the Crimson Demonic Domain, which the entire empire was helpless against, would soon be shattered!
—Ye Zheng guessed that Sykes thought so too. She wondered what thoughts were running through the trapped Sykes's mind in the Demonic Domain, now that three days had passed.
Compared to him, Percy was a bit calmer, at least not rushing headfirst into a place that was clearly extremely troublesome.
[The calmest one is still you... The Royal Family was running around like headless chickens, and the Sei Curia is also hinting for you to organize a team to rescue Sykes.]
The Sei Curia, or rather the Pope, also treasured Sykes dearly. When Sykes lost contact the day after entering the Demonic Domain, the Pope immediately hinted for Ye Zheng to go in and help. Currently, she was the only one who could be immune to Sykes's attacks and provide him with the most effective healing.
Sykes's [Destruction] ability was special; ordinary healers couldn't treat him and might even be harmed by his ability. The only fortunate thing was that Sykes was physically robust and almost no one could injure him, so he rarely needed a doctor.
However, the lack of news from Sykes these past few days had made this group of people, who were so confident in him, anxious to no end.
"I have my ways of dealing with the Pope. Besides, I'm already preparing to go in."
Though not as the Saintess, Ye Zheng.
[According to the original plot's timeline, Sykes wouldn't have set out this early. This means his experiences over the next few days are unpredictable.]
"In that case, since Sykes has unexpectedly deviated from the original plotline, is it possible for something like death to be triggered?"
[According to his ability stats, the possibility of death is minuscule. Besides, he's the beloved son (a term of endearment from fans for a character) of the creator and many readers; the laws of manga won't let anything happen to him easily.]
The system negated this possibility.
Ye Zheng let out a "hmm," sounding a little disappointed.
"Can he only be eliminated by the protagonist?"
The system hesitated for a moment but decided not to tell Ye Zheng the truth. Although Sykes killed "Ye Zheng" in the original story, he only ended up losing his status as the heir to the empire, still possessing immense power and great wealth.
The manga creator had stated that losing his noble status and position was the greatest punishment for Sykes, but the system suspected it was purely because Sykes was popular, and his pairing with Percy was also a hit, so the creator gave him an ending that wouldn't offend the readers. After all, the Ye Zheng who died because of Sykes in the original plot wasn't very popular anyway.
"Forget it."
Hearing Ye Zheng's sigh, the system felt a bit of sympathy for its protagonist. She was treated and used carelessly by the creator in the original plot, and now, even with the ability to act independently, she could only sigh in the face of the villain who might kill her.
[It's okay. With your current popularity, the probability of a plot-induced death has been greatly reduced. Not even Sykes can kill you easily.]
The system quickly comforted her.
Ye Zheng didn't pay close attention to the system's words. She hummed in response, thinking that it wasn't a bad thing for Sykes to remain for a while longer. He held many secrets concerning the Royal Family, the Sei Curia, and the Dragon Bone. It wouldn't be too late to take Sykes offline after she had uncovered these secrets.
Sykes had to die. Ye Zheng blinked her calm, dark eyes. His very existence was blocking her path.
"Miss, Knight Wen De has delivered a package."
The maid knocked on the door, speaking respectfully in a low voice from outside.
Ye Zheng walked to the entrance, opened the door, nodded and smiled at the young maids, and then brought the large package on the floor inside.
"Thank you for your hard work."
The young maids seemed to want to say more, but Ye Zheng had already closed the door, leaving them staring at each other in bewilderment—it had taken the two of them to barely lift such a heavy package, yet the seemingly delicate and quiet Saintess had picked it up so effortlessly?
Ye Zheng placed the package on the soft carpet and cut it open with scissors. Various items immediately spilled out.
Raincoats, a compass, gloves, a backpack, glow sticks, a lighter...
The system was stunned.
[Why did you suddenly buy all these things?]
Ye Zheng picked up the lighter and flicked it on. The flame flickered at her fingertips, her dark eyes shining faintly.
"They're all for that Demonic Domain. I carefully observed the manga spoilers and noticed that the environment of that Demonic Domain is very peculiar, at least I've never seen anything like it."
"Based on the current information, I estimate I'll be spending some time in that Demonic Domain, so it's always good to be prepared."
The manga spoilers seemed to only reveal the plot point of Sierra trying to kill her and Percy coming to the rescue, but Ye Zheng had carefully examined every corner of the manga panels and gathered a lot of useful information.
She discovered that the Demonic Domain was extremely rich in vegetation, with tall trees everywhere, and it looked very humid.
Such an environment should be very suitable for plants and animals to thrive, but it wouldn't be easy for humans to live in, especially since Demonic Domains are often filled with a large number of Exotic Plants and Exotic Beasts.
[That Demonic Domain has a tropical rainforest environment. So your Holy Sei Empire doesn't have this kind of climate.]
"Tropical rainforest?"
The essence of Demonic Domains was various alternate dimensions, foreign spaces that did not belong to the Holy Sei Empire. Ye Zheng had encountered many strange environments in Demonic Domains before. So, in the higher-dimensional world, there were specific names to describe these peculiar terrains and landforms?
How interesting. It would be nice to have a chance to see the world outside the manga. Ye Zheng's eyes curved slightly. Now she was even more interested in that Demonic Domain.
[Let me see... Your equipment is quite professional, essential for rainforest exploration! You should also bring some food and water. The food and water in a tropical rainforest can't be consumed recklessly.]
[Unless you're an exploration expert and are very familiar with the flora and fauna inside.]
"Is that so? I thought there would be no shortage of food and water inside."
Ye Zheng silently added new items to her checklist.
Watching Ye Zheng pack her things, the system felt like a mother preparing her daughter for a spring outing, feeling a strange sense of gratification. It searched for some tips on jungle exploration and told them to Ye Zheng, who nodded and diligently took notes.
Percy had been feeling somewhat down for the past few days. Although he always showed his companions a reassuring smile, the members of the Cloud-Soaring Squad could see the unease in his heart. It wasn't just Percy; even they found it hard to relax.
Lucy rested her chin on her hands, sitting idly in the small tavern and looking out the window. Even she was not in the mood to crack jokes and liven up the atmosphere.
Although she hated Sykes, she had to admit he was very strong. She estimated that their entire Cloud-Soaring Squad probably couldn't beat him even if they ganged up on him. And someone like that had actually lost contact in a Demonic Domain?
The Crimson Demonic Domain was still slowly expanding, devouring the normal areas around it. If this continued, that Demonic Domain would only become more and more difficult to deal with.
The residents, who had been excited because of Sykes, were gradually becoming dispirited. Rumors began to spread again that the world-ending Demonic Domain from the prophecies had arrived. Everyone was on edge, and an atmosphere of panic spread once more.
"Sigh, why isn't Zhao Mei here yet?"
Lucy was worried about the Demonic Domain, but not overly so. Although she had made new friends recently, she still missed Zhao Mei a little. She wondered if his health had recovered.
A tall, dark figure outside the window suddenly entered her sight. Lucy, holding a bulging backpack, patted it happily several times.
"Zhao Mei's here!"
Percy, who had been lost in thought, looked up upon hearing this, a trace of joy flashing across his face. With Zhao Mei around, he felt a bit more confident about the upcoming mission.
"Everyone, long time no see."
The black-haired, dark-eyed youth stepped into the crowded tavern, and all eyes immediately shifted to him. He greeted everyone calmly.
Lucy slung her backpack on, strode over to the youth's side, and gave Zhao Mei's shoulder a powerful, excited slap, nearly making him lose his footing.
The black-haired, dark-eyed youth coughed lightly, steadying himself. Everyone looked at him with a shared sense of pity. Percy and the others had moved expressions on their faces. Zhao Mei clearly hadn't fully recovered, yet here he was, dragging his frail body to accompany them through life and death...
Ye Zheng lowered her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes as she stared at the top of Lucy's head. Lucy was so small, how could she be so strong? She suspected that Lucy's own physical attack power was higher than her ability, [Butterfly Waltz].
She suddenly caught sight of Lucy's overstuffed backpack, and a faint smile crossed her fair face.
She had sent the list of necessary items to the Cloud-Soaring Squad. After all, they would be acting together for several days, and she hoped her teammates would also be well-prepared.
Ye Zheng's gaze shifted slightly as she noticed that, aside from Lucy and herself, Percy and the others had packed very lightly, their backpacks looking quite small.
The youth smiled. Lucy appeared lively and rebellious, but she was surprisingly an obedient child.
"Since everyone is ready, let's set off."
The black-haired, dark-eyed youth looked handsome and elegant. His voice, slightly hoarse yet magnetic, carried a steady and convincing power.
As the team leader, Percy listened to Zhao Mei's words and nodded in agreement, his expression turning more serious. "We'll leave now."
The young people left the tavern amidst the worried gazes and blessings of the crowd, embarking on an unpredictable new journey.
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