Chapter 367

Chapter 367: Is the Purpose Not So Simple?

The Goblin Wizard carried out Lin Yu’s commands with canine-like loyalty.

Yet throughout this process, its grotesque face twisted in visible anguish – particularly when ordered to perform humiliating acts like “slapping its own face” or self-harming actions such as “biting off a finger.”

*Slap!*

Though visibly conflicted, the creature couldn’t resist obeying, delivering a resounding slap that echoed through the chamber. As it bared jagged teeth to sever its own digit…

“Cease. That’s unnecessary.”

Lin Yu’s crisp command froze the action mid-motion.

Since being transformed into a Dead Spirit, this creature had become half an ally. Making it self-mutilate… Well, I’m not that cruel, right? The girl noted how the Goblin Wizard’s conversion hadn’t healed its wounds – flesh hung in ragged strips, bones protruding gruesomely through torn tissue. A pitiful sight, though presumably painless.

Dead Spirits don’t feel agony, do they? Lin Yu’s thoughts drifted. Three years prior during her battle with Miyoshi Mitsui, those skeletal Dead Spirits… Would this one still function if completely stripped of flesh?

Ah. Focus.

“Commit suicide.”

Her frosty command triggered fresh terror. The goblin – unaware of its new “Undying” skill – trembled violently as clawed fingers pressed against its own throat…

“GYAAAAHHHHH!!!”

The scream died abruptly as Lin Yu snapped: “Enough. Stand down.” Cold sweat glistened on the goblin’s neck as it froze mid-strike.

After conferring with her daughters, Lin Yu issued a series of commands confirming absolute control and loyalty. Subsequent tests proved Ji Qiao could similarly command the Goblin Wizard, who now addressed both as “Master.”

Uncertain whether Miyoshi Mitsui’s Unique Skill – King of Dead Spirits would persist post-parasitism, Lin Yu instructed Ji Qiao to withdraw. The ant familiar nodded eagerly, detaching from its skeletal host with a skittering leap into Lin Yu’s arms. Six tiny legs immediately latched onto the girl’s chest like living clasps.

“…What happened?”

“My daughter isn’t Mitsui! Mom’s bullying me.”

Perhaps due to the creature residing within the skeleton, Lin Yu had been hesitant to approach Ji Qiao these days, who was attached to the skeletal frame. Several times, Mitsui’s replicated voice had even startled her when this particular daughter spoke.

But… removing the parasitic state would resolve everything.

Upon sensing the little ant’s distress, Lin Yu swiftly offered comforting words. Rather than peeling Ji Qiao off, she tenderly stroked the tiny creature’s back with her fingertip.

While soothing her companion, she observed the Goblin Wizard.

After Ji Qiao withdrew from the parasitic state, the Goblin Wizard displayed no abnormal changes, and their established connection remained intact.

Lin Yu issued several experimental commands, each promptly obeyed.

She then questioned the little ant nestled in her arms.

Like herself, the tiny being retained control over the Goblin Wizard despite no longer inhabiting the skeleton. This revelation eased much of Lin Yu’s apprehension.

It appeared safe to transform those Earth Dragon skeletons into Dead Spirits using Mitsui’s Unique Skill.

…

Having addressed the testing phase of the Unique Skill – King of Dead Spirits, the remaining tasks involved converting approximately a hundred Earth Dragon skeletons into Dead Spirit Puppets and awaiting their revival.

Though parasitic skeletons could gradually restore Magic Value through leveling, resurrecting such a quantity of Earth Dragons as Dead Spirits still demanded considerable time.

During these days of skill experimentation, Lin Yu also deciphered her daughters’ recent secretive behavior through their… peculiar actions.

Since Red Pupil’s nocturnal visit, a different daughter arrived nightly to share her bed, each departure followed by a new arrival the subsequent evening.

They must have coordinated this…

While similar occurrences happened before, it never involved daily visits. Red Pupil and Little Liquor used to frequent her chambers most, being the closest to her.

Back then, refusal remained an option!

Not that refusal’s impossible now – but whenever mentioning solitary sleep plans, the nightly visitor would pout pitifully, murmuring phrases like “If I leave tonight, tomorrow brings another” or “Had I known Mother’s displeasure, I’d have stayed away.”

Such dramatics alone hardly qualified as “strange”…

The true surprise lay in their… less than innocent intentions.

Other ants behaving thus might be expected, but even timid Weak Sound abandoned her customary shyness to approach proactively.

That particular daughter nearly retreated mid-knock, yet somehow steeled herself – crimson-cheeked, gaze lowered, small hands fidgeting with her garments.

Ultimately, Lin Yu herself guided the flustered girl inside, noting Little Sound’s unusual lack of resistance.

Not that anything improper occurred that night!

Still, Weak Sound’s uncharacteristic courage proved astonishing enough.

As for other daughters…

Must you paw at your Mother so!

While not unpleasant, the sheer embarrassment compelled repeated rejections.

As for Little Shadow’s earlier abduction… that constituted unavoidable circumstances! Doesn’t count!

Besides, her waist still ached faintly from…

Ah, another thing!

Daughters aside, what’s with the yellow-furred one…

That massive frame could never share a bed with this maiden!

Though interactions with Yellow-hair feel… less burdened? No peculiar guilt or moral conflict like with daughters.

After all, she was my bitch in past life.

Hmm… perhaps worse in certain aspects?

Yellow-hair always differed from regular canines – clever, fastidious, a distinguished bitch. And I’m no longer human now.

Still, any meaningful interaction must await her humanoid transformation.

Sleep together? Humph. Return when you’ve become a proper catgirl.