After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

Lin Zhixu: [That's all? Aren't there any other more powerful cheat abilities?]

System: [I am your cheat code.]

Lin Zhixu: 【…What use are you?】

System: [Please allow me to introduce myself. I am the latest generation of Tiandao Group's AI intelligent system, powerful and versatile.]

System: [You can think of me as an encyclopedia. The system knows everything and can answer all your questions.]

Lin Zhixu knew that he had actually made a profit, and he was quite satisfied with the system.

He tentatively asked, "You said this is the world of a novel, could you give me a copy of the original work?"

System: [Okay, please wait, sending...]

Wow, they really are generous!

Then, a long plot was forcefully crammed into his mind.

Lin Zhixu finally figured out his identity and the whole plot.

In the original novel, he was Luo Yiyan's childhood friend.

Just like what happened today, he was a good-for-nothing with no talent. It was only through Luo Yiyan's plea for him using the tokens he had given to Yan Lingcang that he was able to join Yan Lingcang's sect.

Afterwards, the original owner watched Luo Yiyan grow step by step, becoming respected and enjoying great success. He also developed a possessive desire because of Luo Yiyan's unique favoritism towards him.

Later, he gradually turned to the dark side because of unrequited love.

As everyone knows, there's no good ending to trying to steal a man from the protagonist.

So in the end, he was pierced through the heart by the protagonist's sword and died cleanly.

It's quite obvious that the main character is the dominant one; it's none other than Yan Lingcang.

The number one sword cultivator of the Ruthless Path, the most unattainable beauty in the cultivation world.

Ten years ago, while chasing a monster that was about to become a divine beast, he fell into a trap and paid a great price to kill the monster.

He was later seriously injured and fell into a coma, but was saved by Luo Yiyan when he was a child, thus avoiding the danger of being devoured by monsters in the wild.

After Yan Lingcang woke up, to express his gratitude, he gave the tassel from his sword to Luo Yiyan and promised to grant him one wish if he came to find him when he grew up.

At first, his feelings for Luo Yiyan were indeed those of a pure master and disciple.

But master-disciple stories are rarely serious. As expected, the protagonist later proves the other wrong, is moved by the protagonist's actions, and develops worldly desires. After a series of trials and tribulations, the two eventually get together and are happily married.

In addition, there is another important role.

Yu Linzhou.

Lin Zhixu's eyes widened slightly when he saw the name.

I wasn't wrong about him; he really wasn't a good person.

He is the villainous boss in the original book.

He is Yan Lingcang's mortal enemy and is determined to take everything from Yan Lingcang.

It is not limited to things or people.

Judging from his perception, this person had always been using the protagonist.

Even if I was unexpectedly tempted later on, it wasn't much.

Even when he failed to seize it by force, he turned into a demon and was ultimately defeated by the combined efforts of the main characters.

Lin Zhixu continued reading and came across Yu Linzhou's character profile.

Oh, this villainous boss isn't an ordinary person either.

He is a descendant of the ancient mythical beast, the Bashe.

According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, the Bashe snake eats elephants, and it takes three years for it to produce their bones. A virtuous person who consumes it will be free from heart and abdominal ailments. This snake is described as blue, yellow, red, or black. Another description is that it is a black snake with a blue head.

However, by the time it came to Yu Linzhou's lineage, the genes had declined and the bloodline was thin.

At most, he's a black snake of divine beast level.

Moreover, this secret is unknown to everyone.

It was only revealed in the finale of the original work.

Lin Zhixu: "..."

Oh no, it seems I've stumbled upon some incredible secret.

I wish I hadn't watched it.

He remarked that Yu Linzhou's eyes were much darker than normal people's.

Once you make eye contact, even the black has a terrifying quality.

Oh no, his acting isn't very good. What if he gives himself away when he sees Yu Linzhou later?

After all, that person seemed cunning and not easily fooled.

Lin Zhixu: [System, can you help me extract a portion of my memories?]

System: [Sorry, this feature is not available at the moment.]

Lin Zhixu sighed, "Just as I thought."

Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he asked, "You just said that if the plot deviates from its course, the world will collapse, and I will be eliminated. So, if I hadn't entered the Tianheng Sect today, I would have been eliminated?"

System: [That's how it should be, logically.]

[If I hadn't joined the same sect as Luo Yiyan, would I still have died?]

System: [In theory, yes. Because many plot points take place within the Tianheng Sect. If the host joins another sect and cannot reach the protagonist's side in time to advance the story, it's uncertain whether this will be considered a deviation from the plot, leading to their elimination.]

Lin Zhixu felt a chill run down his spine.

In that case, he really should thank Luo Yiyan.

If it weren't for him, he might have really refused to join the sect, which would have led to his inexplicable death.

But who could have imagined this? To be eliminated without joining a sect.

This was your mistake, wasn't it? Why were you so late? I almost died!

System: [...I'm so sorry, it was my mistake that almost caused the host's death. I'll be more careful next time!]

Lin Zhixu: [...That's it?]

System: [Are you dissatisfied, host? I have other apologies to make. I'm sorry, it was my fault for not handling things properly and neglecting your feelings...]

Lin Zhixu: […? Tell me the truth, do you know an AI idiot surnamed Dou?]

System: [Sorry, we're not familiar with each other~]

Lin Zhixu: I don't believe you!

……

Yu Linzhou returned to his residence and set up a barrier that enveloped the entire courtyard.

Then, the charming and seductive smile that was usually on his face gradually disappeared.

When he's not smiling, his features are actually quite sharp.

His brow bones were high and prominent, his jawline was sharp, and his deep black eyes were devoid of any warmth, like two pieces of black jade immersed in a cold pool.

He sat cross-legged in the center of the quiet room and took out a black scale.

Its scales are only the size of a palm, completely black, with edges that gleam coldly.

Yu Linzhou squeezed out a drop of blood that landed on the scale.

The blood droplet was silently absorbed as soon as it touched the scales.

A moment later, a faint aura emerged from the scales, drifting erratically.

The wisp of energy swirled in the air a few times before finally pointing faintly southward.

Yu Linzhou followed that direction with his gaze, his lips tightening little by little.

The South. That's Yan Lingcang's main peak.

That person was indeed the one he was looking for, but unfortunately, Yan Lingcang snatched him away.

"Yan Lingcang, you really are... always trying to take everything from me."

Yu Linzhou looked down at the scales on his knee and remained silent for a long time.

Then, at a certain moment, his pupils suddenly contracted, turning into the vertical pupils characteristic of cold-blooded animals.

Those eyes gleamed faintly in the dim, quiet room, like a giant python hidden deep in the grass, finally shedding all its disguise.

He gently stroked the scales with his fingertips a couple of times, then flipped his hand and put it away.

His vertical pupils gradually returned to normal.

Yu Linzhou's lips curved into a slight smile again, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Well, there's plenty of time in the future."