101 Mei Xues' Sacrifice

The next day, Mei Xue was the first to enter the Store of Fates. She was timely greeted by Shou, who had awaited her already. The youth asked her, "Have you decided what you wish to do?"

Mei Xue nodded. "If I die in the illusory world, I will be able to return without any problems, right?"

"Of course, many others can attest to that," he said reassuringly. "Actually, if you ask Li Yinyi, she could tell you the same. That girl is an expert in that genre."

"Your word is enough," Mei Xue shook her head and spoke. She looked at her hands; they were slightly shaking. How long has it been that she felt this way? Maybe not once, ever since she left the slums and became the lady of the Wang family. She couldn't even tell if this was excitement or nervousness anymore.

"It's just a game," Shou said suddenly. "It's okay to relax and have fun."

Mei Xue closed her fist and smiled. "Thank you for your consideration." She paused. "You know, when I first entered this place I thought that the prices were astronomical and designed by a madman, but now, I feel you are charging too little." Even to her, who had many unique experiences, this store was something else entirely. To call it lifechanging would not be an exaggeration—and it had been less than a month since she found this place.

But unlike other life-changing events, which were full of emotional turmoil and uncertainty, she felt only calm, as if enveloped by a sea of tranquility. It was a feeling that had no possible price tag.

"Money is of no essence to me," Shou told her. "But if you wish to, I can raise them."

"Please don't," the young lady waved her hands, "You are already taking most of my earnings, I'd have to take a loan if I visit you if the costs take a hike."

"Then let's just keep our relationship the way it is," Shou replied.

Not long after, other customers started to flock to the gates, naturally, they were all regulars. They were earlier than usual today, and they'd already come quite early in the first place. Shou feared that one day they'd camp outside his store just to wait for his doors to open. If he were to be late, would they break into the shop?

Li Yinyis's loud voice was the first to enter, instantly livening the atmosphere in the reception hall. "Good morning!"

"Can you please not be so loud at such an early time," Li Yangyi complained, yawning. He was a person who'd usually sleep in, but these days he forced himself to wake up earlier, so he could monitor Lan Jiu, who incidentally stood right behind those two.

The former sect-member glanced at Mei Xue, who quickly tossed her head in disdain as if the whole conversation they had yesterday was a complete lie. However, he did not mind as he was more used to being hated and scorned.

"Miss Mei, miss Mei!" Li Yinyi launched forward, grabbing Mei Xues' hands with eyes that sparkled. "Will you finally complete the storyline and face off against the witch?"

"Unless the apothecary stops me again, that is the plan." She had mulled over that old lady's words, but decided in the end that she'd not go down the same road as her. She was determined to prove her wrong, and that the choices she made did not lead to ruin. "But I am unsure if that will really be the end of it."

"I am sure it will be," Li Yinyi assured her, "After all, you are so close to reaching 80% already. What else is there for you to do?"

"There are still many mysteries unanswered," Mei Xue replied. "We have yet to find out about the beasts for example."

"To complete one's fate and become a protagonist is not to understand everything that exists," a new voice entered the fray, and the people turned to see the burly Zhang Yong entering. "This story is about you, not the people that surround you. There is no need to find out things that are unrelated. I am sure, the questions about the witch, the wizard, and the family will be answered by you just fine, and that is enough. Just focus on what you can do for now."

"Thank you for the heads up, Sir Yong," Mei Xue spoke and bowed. "I will take that to mind."

Lin Zhuyue popped her head through the window outside and said, "I am sure you will be great! You are the beautiful Mei Xue after all, the heavens have blessed you!" She had a radiant smile, while Ran Wei pulled her away. "That's also why you've reached the highest completion rate out of all of us."

"I would not have been able to do that without the help of you guys. This is, in a way, what we accomplished together as a team."

"If you really do finish the story today," Ah Liang, following right behind them with rugged breaths (clearly he had a hard time keeping up with the bubbly Lin Zhuyue), "I will invite you all to a lavish dinner in the Flying Swan restaurant. Well, that is if she still lets me in..." After all, they were in different factions currently. He didn't even attend the Golden Dragon Circle meetings anymore, even though he was officially still a member.

"Who cares? It's a totally separate business. If she has any ounce of professionalism, then she won't cause too much trouble," the straight-forward An Bai spoke. That man still attended the meetings with a bold face, not caring about their opinions at all. "But Boss Shou, I hope this time that maybe you could join us?"

"Hmm." Shou muttered. Naturally, his best friend Si was against it, but he was not one to listen to that girl. It was time to take a break again after all. "Sure."

An Bai pumped his fists. "Nice!" He glanced at his bodyguard whose name he forgot. "Get a reservation for us, brother."

"But I have just arrived," the bodyguard spoke in a hurtful tone. This was the first time in a while since he was able to show his face, but now he had to be gone again. Do they forget that he is part of this team too?

Mei Xue sighed in relief. The shaking had long disappeared as she watched over the other guests talking and interacting. She could not have wished for better companions to support her—well, maybe if there was no Lan Jiu. "Let's start then, shall we?"

The other guest stopped talking. They all paid attention to today's protagonist. She made her way toward the artifacts and interjected her Spiritual Qi. Promptly, she appeared in front of the old lady again.

The apothecary gave her a long stare, until speaking with a tired voice, "It seems you have made your choice."

Mei Xue touched her cheek. Was she that easily read? Truly, she had become dull—a far cry from the cold and emotionless woman she strived to be. However, for some reason, she did not hate that feeling. "Worry not. I will not die."

"Bah, who'd worry about you," the apothecary spat out and shooed her away. "Just remember one thing, even love is not worth it if you aren't in this world to enjoy it."

"Thank you for your advice, grandma," Mei Xue said and stood up. As she left, she felt the apothecary stare holes into her back.

She knew the way to the statue by hand, and as this wasn't a huge village, it took only a few minutes to reach the wizard. Once more, she was awed by its realism. Though it had a stony texture, the thing still felt as if it could move at any time just like a real human.

Mei Xue took out a small knife. She spoke to no one, "Will this satisfy the wizard? I understand that he is to be a savior, but the ritual reminds me more of the demons in the nether realm."

"Don't judge a book by its cover," Zhang Yong spoke. "We can't see the world with our notions."

"It will be fine," Lin Zhuyue harped on, "I've read the books about him and he seems like a nice guy."

Mei Xue's eye twitched. "These were all fairytales."

"I wonder who is going to win, the wizard or the witch," Ah Liang muttered.

Li Yangyi replied, "It has to be the wizard right? That's the whole point of the story."

"But the witch is the best," his sister replied, "How could anyone beat her domineering magic? I couldn't even imagine."

"That is true."

Mei Xue shook her head. They were drifting off-topic. She took the knife and drew a long line down her arm. Fresh red blood dripped down her hands and fingers. "Take whatever you want," she said to the statue.

The others watched on with bated breaths. Yet, even after time passed, nothing happened, except for Mei Xue growing slightly pale from the continuous loss of blood.

"Was it a failure," she asked, disappointed. Her breathing grew ragged and her eyelids heavier. As time went by, she felt her body heavier and she slumped down. Her mind told her to take a rest, to just lie down. She understood, this was the feeling of death. How terrifying.

As she took her last breath, her body quickly necrotized, starting from her open wound, turning black, just like the injuries of the villagers. A single flower bloomed next to her, and unbeknownst to anyone, small cracks, akin to spiderwebs appeared on the wizard statue.