Crystal Palace from Infinite Anime

"Brother~!"

As soon as she saw Lin Zhiyu, little Theresa broke free from her "sister" Bayonetta's hand, ran to the dining chair where Lin Zhiyu was sitting, raised one of her little hands and placed it on Lin Zhiyu's thigh, then tilted her head back and looked at Lin Zhiyu with light in her eyes.

Lin Zhiyu understood what he meant and immediately picked up the little girl. Then he gave her pink and chubby face a hard kiss, which made the little girl giggle.

"Does Theresa miss her brother? Huh?" After kissing the little girl's cheek, Lin Zhiyu lowered his head again and looked into the little girl's eyes deeply with his forehead against hers.

"I want to~!" Theresa answered Lin Zhiyu's question with a smile.

Then, as if she had thought of something, the little girl suddenly stopped smiling and looked at Bayonetta with a pout and a look of resentment.

"Last night before going to bed, Theresa asked mom... asked her sister to tell her the story of the great hero Latarn. She didn't even know the story!"

Having said that, the little girl hummed softly at Bayonetta, then hugged Lin Zhiyu's head and kissed Lin Zhiyu on the cheek.

It was as if he was saying to Bayonetta:

"Theresa likes her brother more! Her brother is ten thousand times better than her sister!"

Bayonetta was amused by her younger self's childish behavior. She deliberately spoke to her younger self in a defiant tone:

"Who said I don't know Latan's story? Isn't it because you've already heard all of Latan's stories, so there's no need for me to tell them again!"

"Eh? Is, is that so..." Theresa was confused by Bayonetta.

Sentences like "Isn't it because?" are still too difficult for Theresa, who has never learned Chinese since kindergarten.

She just subconsciously felt that what "sister" said was true based on the firm tone of her voice.

Yes, maybe I was wrong.

Then the little girl looked at Lin Zhiyu again.

Lin Zhiyu raised his hand and gently scratched her nose, whispering:

"Yes, didn't my brother tell you the whole story of General Latarn, the Starbreaker?"

In fact, not all of it was told. At least, Lin Zhiyu had never told Theresa the story of how Latan had his hair "bloom" on his head by a "first generation Valkyrie" because it was too tragic.

"Well, then brother will tell Theresa other stories!" The little girl said, snuggling in Lin Zhiyu's arms again.

"Well, what should I say? Let me think about it..." Lin Zhiyu pondered and turned to look at Bayonetta.

Bayonetta immediately spoke calmly:

"You can tell her the story of 'Wick and the Witch.'

Vic and the Witch - In the story of the Elden Circle, Vic, a Faded One, must sacrifice his witch as a kindling to become king, releasing the fire of destruction that will burn down the old order. However, Vic did not want to do this, so he chose another extremely dangerous path and encountered the insane fire that was said to turn everything into chaos.

As a result, Vic failed and was imprisoned.

And Wick's witch waited for Wick's return in a church until she died.

This is a story about a man and a woman who are loyal to their feelings, but it is also full of tragedy.

"Uh, is this story not appropriate?" Lin Zhiyu felt that the ending of this story was too sad, so he wanted to reject it.

"Also, how do you know this story?" Lin Zhiyu immediately stared at Bayonetta with a strange look on his face.

Bayonetta folded her arms and said meaningfully:

"Because someone told me this story when I was a kid!"

“…” Lin Zhiyu was suddenly speechless.

"If you want your child to grow up to be someone who is emotionally loyal, you have to start from a young age~!" Bayonetta said slowly to Lin Zhiyu again.

Theresa snuggled in Lin Zhiyu's warm embrace, looking at her brother to the left and sister to the right, but her face was full of innocence and ignorance, and she had no idea what her brother and sister were talking about.

At this moment, the sound of water running in the kitchen stopped.

It seemed that the dishes had been washed. Shizuka Marikawa came out of the kitchen first, and when she saw Bayonetta and Theresa, she immediately came over with a smile and greeted them.

Saeko Busujima then appeared. Compared to Shizuka Marikawa, Theresa was more familiar with Saeko Busujima. Upon seeing Saeko Busujima, she immediately called her "Sister Saeko" and even opened her arms in Lin Zhiyu's arms, asking for a hug.

But when Busujima Saeko came to Lin Zhiyu with a smile and wanted to take the little girl away from Lin Zhiyu's arms, the little girl mischievously withdrew her hands, and curled up further in Lin Zhiyu's arms with a giggle.

"Hmm... Theresa is so naughty, I'm going to be angry!" Busujima Saeko said in a feigned anger. However, her acting wasn't convincing; her expression didn't look like anger, but more like she was trying to suppress a laugh.

"Theresa is mine, mine! No one can take her away from me!" Lin Zhiyu hurriedly hugged the little girl tightly and shouted in an exaggerated, sharp tone like a goblin, making everyone else smile.

Especially Theresa, who was in Lin Zhiyu's arms, smiled so hard that her mouth was completely wide open.

"It's great! Being loved by my brother since I was young, I will definitely be more blessed when I grow up." Busujima Saeko sighed and glanced at Bayonetta seemingly unintentionally.

"..." Bayonetta pursed her lips and said nothing, but gave Busujima Saeko a kind smile.

Lin Zhiyu hugged Theresa and wanted to say something to tease the little girl.

But the infinite system's notification sound suddenly rang in Lin Zhiyu's mind again, reminding Lin Zhiyu that there was new information to be checked...

Chapter 8: Choosing teammates × Choosing concubines √

The new message was sent by Lani.

This was her first time using the infinite system's friend chat function, and the content of the messages she sent was very cute and new.

Lani: [Is this chat feature like two people writing letters to each other, but in real time?]

Lin Zhiyu: [Yes, we are communicating in real time via text right now. Not only that, I can also invite you to visit my world!]

After sending this reply, Lin Zhiyu immediately invited Lani to come to his world. Unlike Bayonetta just now, Lani immediately accepted the invitation and showed up at Lin Zhiyu's house.

So Lin Zhiyu first told Bayonetta and others next to him that Lani would be here soon.

"Lani? Oh, that's the sister with blue skin who can't smile, right?" Theresa, who was still curled up in Lin Zhiyu's arms, thought for a moment and remembered who Lani was.

Bayonetta and Busujima Saeko also knew of Lani, but Marikawa Shizuka was the only one who didn't know Lani. When Theresa said that the person who was coming was blue-skinned, Marikawa Shizuka couldn't help but blink, curious.

Not long after, Lani's tall figure suddenly appeared in the room.

"Are you here? Come and sit down." Lin Zhiyu freed the hand that was under Theresa's knee and patted a dining chair next to him.

Lani stood there and did not respond to Lin Zhiyu immediately. Instead, she looked at Lin Zhiyu, Theresa in Lin Zhiyu's arms, and the other three women in the room.

He took another look at the layout and decoration of the room.

Finally, he said to Lin Zhiyu in a concise and concise manner:

"Is there any way to get the others over here? For example, get my mother over here."

Lin Zhiyu didn't mind living with his mother-in-law, but he still shook his head and denied Lani's question.

"You accepted my invitation to come to my side because, like me, you are a trial-taker chosen by the Infinite Space. In your world, you are the only one who possesses this trait. Therefore, others on your side cannot be drawn to my side like you."

After explaining this, Lin Zhiyu added, "But if I have time, I can go to your world, which is the borderland, to see our mother. She should be in good condition now, right?"

Lani nodded and said, "Yes, mother is doing well now. She has awakened from her deep sleep and has returned to the dazzling Queen Kalia she once was."

After hearing what Lani said, Lin Zhiyu also made a "hmm" sound and nodded slowly.

"By the way, this is..." Lani looked at Shizuka Marikawa, who was also looking at Lani with curiosity.

Lin Zhiyu thought for a moment, then said to Lani cleverly:

"This is Shizuka Marikawa. She was Saeko's medical teacher at the academy when she was still a student. She's also now a member of our... um... our big family."

"Really?" Lani didn't comment on Lin Zhiyu's words, and glanced at Shizuka Marikawa with a calm expression.

Then after a few seconds, Shizuka Marikawa finally realized what was happening and greeted Lani, saying that she was happy to meet her. She also exclaimed in admiration for Lani's tall stature, calling her "Sri Lankan No. 1" all the time.

But Lani just ignored Shizuka Marikawa.

It's not that I deliberately exclude it.

But her temperament is so cold.

At this point, the small talk session was almost over. With the arrival of Lani, Lin Zhiyu remembered something important, so he put down Theresa, who had been curled up in his arms, and asked Juchuan Shizuka to help take care of Theresa.

"Huh? Taking care of the child? Me?" Shizuka Marikawa was surprised.

Thinking that Lin Zhiyu had something to do and was about to leave, Theresa caught Lin Zhiyu crying and pouted, asking Lin Zhiyu to stay with her for a while longer. She also said, Lin Zhiyu, didn’t you promise to tell her a story?

Lin Zhiyu touched the little girl's head and said gently:

"Brother won't leave. He just has something to discuss with Bayonetta and Saeko. Seriously! We'll be in the living room next door for a bit! And then, later on, Theresa can go to brother's bedroom to play on the computer or watch videos, or have Shizuka take Theresa downstairs to play."

"What is a computer?" Theresa asked with a puzzled look on her face.

Lin Zhiyu turned and looked at Shizuka Marukawa.

Shizuka Marikawa still had some common sense, so she told Theresa that computers were amazing things that could be used to play games and watch videos!

"Then, what is the video?" Theresa continued to ask.

"The video, well, in short, this video is something very nice, interesting and wonderful!" Shizuka Marikawa said in a slightly exaggerated tone.

But children only have one set.

Especially a country bumpkin like Theresa, who grew up in seclusion and is even more country-savvy than a country bumpkin, was really excited by what Marikawa Shizuka said and became very interested in the so-called computers and videos.

Lin Zhiyu simply took the two children, one big and one small, into his bedroom, then turned on the computer and searched for the classic animation Sailor Moon to show them.

"I hope that Infinity will not enter the world of Sailor Moon in the future, or be matched with teammates from Sailor Moon..." Lin Zhiyu thought.

In short, Sailor Moon is still a classic. It not only attracted Theresa, but also attracted Shizuka Marikawa, who was obviously no longer a "girl".

Adults with children can immerse themselves in watching animations with their children...

That's pretty good.

In this way, Lin Zhiyu can concentrate on discussing important matters with Saeko and the others.

For this reason, Lin Zhiyu also temporarily pulled Jin Meiting over.

Just like the previous situation with Shizuka Marikawa, when Lin Zhiyu introduced Jin Meiting to Lani, Lani behaved a little indifferent, which made Jin Meiting a little unhappy. After all, in her opinion, this woman named Lani was a latecomer.

It's normal. Women are always jealous.

The good thing about Jin Meiting is that although she was dissatisfied, she did not express it directly, and even treated Lani with a smile.

Apparently, she now clearly understood her position. Knowing that she wasn't as capable as the others, she decided to be more measured and not cause trouble for Lin Zhiyu.

After all, she's a mature woman in her thirties! Her intelligence is beyond reproach.

…Back to the topic.

The several women gathered in the living room with Lin Zhiyu now all have one thing in common, that is, they have all teamed up with Lin Zhiyu to enter the Taimanin universe, the only difference is the batches.

Among them, Saeko and Kim Mi-cho were the first group, and experienced the story of "Iron Witch Anneloz" with Lin Zhiyu.

Bayonetta and Lani are the second batch, and they experience the story of "Demon Knight Ingrid" together with Lin Zhiyu.

Lin Zhiyu mainly wanted to ask for their opinions, and wanted to know which character in the Taimanin universe would be more appropriate to send a "trial invitation" to.

Lin Zhiyu thought it was a good deal to get a teammate from the Taimanin universe who was both powerful and beautiful by using a trial invitation that cost 300 redemption coupons in the Infinite Mall, and he could also return to the Taimanin universe through this teammate in the future. However, he just hadn't decided who to choose.

Anne Loz? Akiyama Rinko? Shuicheng Shiranui? Ingrid? Astaru?

Even the strongest Taimanin, Asaki, who he has not yet become close to?

Honestly, this is a really hard choice!

That's why Lin Zhiyu needs to listen to Saeko and the others' opinions...

Chapter 9: Two Concubines?

"Trial invitation?"

"Invite a character from a cleared world to become a trial participant in the Infinite Space?"

"Why do you have this kind of stuff for sale in your Infinite Mall?"

...After Lin Zhiyu expressed his inner struggle, Jin Meiting was the first to respond. However, she did not tell Lin Zhiyu who the right candidate was, but was surprised by the existence of the "trial invitation letter".

Lin Zhiyu glanced at Jin Meiting, Bayonetta, and Lani, and explained:

"Starting from your second clear of the game, the Infinite Mall seems to have a special item added to it. For example, Meiting, you and Bayonetta both have two clears, so now your Infinite Mall should have a special item called a Follower Recruitment Post available for purchase, right?"

"That's true." Jin Meiting frowned and immediately told Lin Zhiyu, "But this follower recruitment post is too expensive! The price per unit is as high as 400 redemption coupons!"

Hearing this, Lin Zhiyu raised his eyebrows and was about to say to Jin Meiting, isn't the follower recruitment post worth 200 redemption coupons?

Then Lin Zhiyu remembered that the original price of this toy was actually 1000 redemption coupons, but the price would be discounted based on the evaluation the player received when completing the game. For example, if Lin Zhiyu had completed the game several times with an A+ evaluation, an A+ rating would get a -80% discount.