On the library rooftop stood a little demon alongside a young man and two young women.

Ling Luo watched Shi Wuyou trapped within the barrier. No smugness crossed her face. Instead, with each knock against the barrier, her brows furrowed slightly, unnaturally.

“Her magic immunity is still such a nuisance… Thank goodness it’s not as monstrous as Mom’s,” Ling Luo muttered inwardly, enduring the steadily worsening hunger pangs.

To stop Shi Wuyou from interfering again, Ling Luo had inscribed a barrier spell onto the amber—trapping her exactly as planned.

Magic immunity only nullified spells targeting her directly; it didn’t erase magic itself. So altering physical matter with magic to indirectly restrict her worked. That’s why Ling Luo used an air wall barrier, not a pure mana one. Otherwise, it might not have held at all.

It worked—but wherever Shi Wuyou touched the barrier, its strength weakened unavoidably. The air wall required mana to sustain. Contact with her magic-immune body caused localized failure, demanding constant reinforcement from outside.

Unfortunately, the casting material released mana at a fixed rate. The extra mana had to come from Ling Luo herself. Each tap drained her already dwindling reserves—a true case of making a bad situation worse.

Uncomfortable? Absolutely. But no time to complain. Finish handling the seniors’ matter, then step away.

*Please don’t press your whole body against it…* Ling Luo prayed silently.

“What is this?” Hao Lin asked, glancing at the magic circle beneath him and Jing Hua.

“A magic circle. Never seen one?” Ling Luo turned casually. “Oh, and it’s a soul-extraction array. Step outside, and both your souls vanish instantly.”

All three pairs of eyes widened. Even Shi Wuyou paused her knocking.

Of course—it was a bluff. The array was still the original “Scrying Eye,” merely made visible by removing its transparency.

“Lady Lilim, this isn’t what we agreed on!” Jing Hua exclaimed.

“Not at all. Your souls intertwining—doesn’t that fulfill your wish?”

Jing Hua saw an ominous smile on the little demon’s face. In that moment, she understood exactly what she was dealing with.

“Jing Hua, did you sign a contract with her?!” Hao Lin gripped her shoulders, shock etched on his face.

“Uh… I…” Jing Hua faltered.

“Enough.” The little demon cut in coldly. “You’ll have plenty of time to talk later. Right now, it’s this princess’s turn.”

“What do you want?” Hao Lin asked.

“Didn’t this princess say? This is your punishment. But ending it fast is boring. How about a game?” Ling Luo flashed a dangerous smile.

Late summer heat still clung to the southern air—yet Hao Lin and Jing Hua felt a sudden chill.

“This circle has a little twist: liars lose their souls instantly. Truth-tellers walk free. You know the game now, don’t you?”

Most would recognize it—a truth game. But a deadly one.

“Lovely expressions. Too scared to speak?” The little demon rested her chin on her palm, watching them with amusement. “This princess isn’t cruel. Answer all my questions truthfully, and you leave unharmed. Simple enough, right?”

“You’re just playing with us,” Hao Lin said flatly.

“Think what you will. Or step out of the circle—be together forever. A poetic ending, no?”

“If we answer… you’ll keep your word?”

“Maybe. But do you have a choice? This princess doesn’t waste words on mortals over trifles. So—will you play?”

“We’ll play!” Jing Hua answered firmly.

“Jing Hua, you—”

“Survive first. We’ll talk later.” Jing Hua stepped beside Hao Lin, standing shoulder to shoulder.

“Alright.” Seeing her resolve, Hao Lin nodded.

“Good. Begin.” Ling Luo pointed at Hao Lin. “First question: Big Brother, who do you love most? Name her.”

“Zhang Jing Hua.” Hao Lin answered without hesitation.

Jing Hua turned to him in surprise—but nothing happened.

“Predictable.” Ling Luo nodded. “Big Sister, your turn. Who do you love most? Name him.”

“Chen Hao Lin.” Jing Hua replied without flinching.

“Big Sister Jing Hua—have you ever wanted to keep Big Brother Hao Lin all to yourself?”

“Uh… Yes. I have…” she stammered.

“And Big Brother Hao Lin—have you ever felt the same about Big Sister Jing Hua?”

“Yes…” Hao Lin answered quickly, gaze shifting away with a trace of embarrassment.

“Truly in sync,” Ling Luo teased. “Now—a spicier question. For Big Brother.”

Hao Lin swallowed hard, tension tightening his shoulders.

“What’s your relationship with that girl over there?” Ling Luo pointed toward Shi Wuyou in the barrier.

“So you already know everything?” Hao Lin said.

“Big Brother—*I’m* asking the questions.”

Hao Lin closed his eyes, surrendering. “A schoolmate…”

“Just that? This princess suspects there’s more.” The little demon leaned in, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Jing Hua turned to Hao Lin, heart pounding.