Little Pink Starfish

Yes, even as a ghost (a zombie), Gu Bai would never forget that the reason he had been so cautious in the previous world—always trying so hard to level up, to build Tiandu City into a model three-good city—was all because of that damn pervert! Ahhh! To avoid getting caught by him, he had worked so hard! He thought that even though he had died the moment he transmigrated into this world, at least he had escaped the pervert, which wasn’t a bad outcome.

But why! Why did he suddenly find out that not only had the pervert not disappeared, that bastard had followed him into this world! Ahhh!

He knew the protagonist he wrote all too well—that guy named Qiguan Rui was honestly the most infuriating, terrifying, twisted… ultimate boss protagonist he’d ever written!

And what’s more…

Why the hell did that damn pervert call himself “Gu Shan”? There was a Gu Shan in the previous world too! That Gu Shan and this Gu Shan—why were they both Gu Shan?!

The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became.

Gu Bai was not okay at all.

Inside, he was nearly crumbling.

Why did this vast world already seem like it was on the verge of collapse… in his eyes?

However, because Gu Bai was radiating an icy aura, and his face had long been trained into the elite of expressionless masks, even with his worldview being shattered over and over again and all basic trust between him and the world destroyed, his face remained calm.

This made many people who’d been sneaking glances at his expression instantly fall into deep admiration.

The queen of the mutant beasts—truly extraordinary.

Aside from this Zhang Youqing—

Who else could stay this calm after learning their lover was the huang of the mutant beasts?

Who else could face a lover who shifted between snake and human without peeing themselves?

Who else could treat becoming a diplomatic bride with such nonchalance?!

No one else could.

So if Zhang Tuan was previously admired as the beautiful, powerful ice-type ability user, now he had leveled up again.

He had become the apocalypse’s ultimate male god. Maybe soon he’d earn the title of “Ambassador of Peace.” Just imagining it—what a boss move!

On the other side.

After Qiguan Rui revealed his identity, the human leaders hesitated for only a second before making their decision. Regretfully brushing away their first bold thoughts, they started official diplomacy with the mutant beasts.

First, of course, was to express their gratitude.

The leader spoke with utmost friendliness: “Many thanks to the beast huang for your righteous assistance. Our S City survivor base is truly grateful! If the huang doesn’t mind, would you be willing to visit our base? We would provide a lavish feast in your honor as a show of gratitude for saving us!”

His words stunned everyone present.

Holy crap, leader, aren’t you being too bold? You’re actually inviting tens of thousands of mutant beasts into the city?! That’s just not scientific! What if they go berserk in the city?! We’d be food on a platter!

But the leadership stood firm.

The general kept a stern face, surprisingly in full agreement: “If you suspect them, don’t work with them. If you work with them, don’t suspect them.”

The leader nodded gravely.

This was a crucial opportunity for a potential alliance with the mutant beasts! No matter what—so long as Zhang Youqing had his own faction within the base, that beast huang wouldn’t dare act out. If the huang stayed in check, so would the beasts. This base had to seize this chance!

At the same time, many generals’ trusted ability users raced off to spread word to all corners, signaling that every group had to show maximum enthusiasm in welcoming the mutant beasts, and strive to bring them into the base as a powerful new force.

The leaders of these factions all instantly got it. Anyone with half a brain smiled broadly and eagerly welcomed the beasts’ entrance.

Meanwhile, what were our long-forgotten main couple doing?

Yin Jiu: “Never would’ve thought.”

Meng Qiao: “It’s honestly hard to believe, hahaha…”

What bugged them more was—so much of their romantic progress had been thanks to that person’s help. And now it turned out he was… a different species!

Formerly-pure-but-now-heh-heh main character shou Meng Qiao had a subtle expression drift… he didn’t know if there had been any ahem with Zhang Youqing and that guy. And if there had been, then… uh… &%￥&#%￥@#

Emotionally scrambled. Hard to explain.

·

Since Qiguan Rui had decided to reveal his identity, he figured he might as well take this opportunity to bring his power into the open.

In his view, this was the perfect time. If things went smoothly, he had every right to claim gege. And if anyone dared compete with him—they’d meet an inevitable fate.

But Qiguan Rui’s mood was still a little complicated.

He remembered when he thought gege would run away and chained him up… now that gege knew who he was, would he run again?

He licked his lips.

If he did—

Every time he thought about this, he felt… so very satisfied.

But now wasn’t the time to think about that.

Qiguan Rui stood on the city wall and looked up at the icy youth standing atop the ice dragon, eyes filled with greedy possessiveness.

That person, whether he remembered or not, whether he had power or not—was always so different. Always… his beloved.

Then, Qiguan Rui spoke gently, but his voice echoed into everyone’s ears:

“Since you’ve all been so welcoming, I, Qiguan Rui, will enter the city with my followers and accept your hospitality.”

The leader was overjoyed and immediately ordered the base’s ability users to open the main gates and let the outsiders in. Although some survivors were still a little scared of the beasts, the smarter ones found their majestic forms kind of attractive.

So just like that, the gates were joyfully opened.

At the same time, a dark shadow loomed behind Gu Bai—the noble, aloof, icy flower perched high above.

Damn it…

It really is Qiguan Rui…

That damn pervert…

He’d been at my side all along…

What the hell was his plan?!

Some mild flirtation, and Gu Bai had been on the verge of accepting his new orientation—but now his little heart had completely collapsed.

Frozen solid. Like falling into an abyss.

Heh.

He’d actually fallen for a… super-stud… the kind who had three thousand lovers in the original novel!

Could such a stud’s previous affections have been genuine?

Or did he have… a plan?

But.

Gu Bai didn’t dare resist.

As a reclusive otaku, a miserable cannon fodder struggling to escape the whirlpool of fate, he just really wanted to survive, okay?!

·

Once the gates opened, Qiguan Rui led his followers straight in.

The survivors stepped back in unison, casting complex gazes at the line of mutant beasts.

These were the beasts who had just saved their lives…

They used to be animals…

Animals could talk now—weren’t they basically monsters?

So what? We’ve got zombies already—what’s a few monsters?!

Survivors: This feels like we’re headed for a cultivation fantasy. What a wild ride.

Of course, Qiguan Rui’s identity also caused quite a stir.

This kind of human-beast, beast-human gossip—people at the bottom loved this stuff.

They had always thought he was just a powerful, handsome ability user pursuing Zhang Youqing. But now? It turned out his species could be dug into too! These juicy secrets—so exciting!

They all wanted to know what would happen next!

Right then, Qiguan Rui and the beast horde followed the base’s generals and leaders to the city’s largest plaza.

No choice—there were too many of them to squeeze into a normal dining hall.

The most powerful ability users and faction leaders were also invited, with their top subordinates in tow.

Gu Bai was one of them.

This time, he walked with Meng Qiao and Yin Jiu.

No helping it—this was their world, they were the protagonists. Even if Gu Bai didn’t think they could top his pervert in terms of scheming or seduction, they were still protagonists! Their luck might offer him some protection?

Especially when Gu Bai realized that pervert could fully transform—and might have all the terrifying powers of the Swallowing Sky Black Python from Demon Emperor Wu Zun—he just about lost it.

Seriously!

The power levels from that kind of world and this one weren’t even on the same scale!

And now, every word he said carried this ominous growl of doom.

Clearly, deep down… he had already…

Yeah, already given up.

Gu Bai really wanted to shout:
“Hey! I can still be saved!”

Too bad… even he didn’t believe it.

Gu Overthinker Bai, every time he caught Qiguan Rui’s gaze, felt like the guy was evaluating which part of him tasted best. That look had serious carnivore vibes, okay?

So, instinctively, Gu Bai inched closer to Meng Qiao. Then a bit more. Then even more…

Yin Jiu: Not happy.
Meng Qiao: Pressure mountain-sized.
Qiguan Rui: Gege looking so skittish… is kind of adorable.

But no matter how much he liked watching gege’s different expressions and moods, Qiguan Rui still preferred the indulgent look in gege’s eyes.

So, without hesitation, he spoke:

“I’d like to sit with the commander.”

Then he turned a gentle gaze toward Gu Bai.

Gu Bai: Liar! I won’t let you get your way!