Chapter 182: The Price of Rebirth

Bai Yueling could almost picture the sheer, unrelenting misery that awaited her in the future.

But even so, she would not change her decision to revive Vicky.

"So, are you ready?" Nether Butterfly’s voice broke through her grim premonitions.

"I'm ready."

Nether Butterfly carefully submerged Vicky's body into the waters of the River Styx. The profound, dark river seemed to hold endless mysteries and power within its depths. It cradled Vicky’s form, suspending her just above the surface of the slow-flowing current. Her skin, like pristine, congealed snow-fat, appeared even more flawlessly pure against the backdrop of the water. The ghostly blue river lapped gently against her simple white dress, yet not a single droplet or stain was left behind.

"Then, one last question……" Nether Butterfly turned to face Bai Yueling, and for the first time, the corner of her lips curved upwards into a meaningful, enigmatic smile. "Are you prepared to pay the 'price' for her revival?"

"Price?" Bai Yueling planted her hands on her hips, feigning offense. "And here I thought, given our intimately close friendship, you'd let me revive her for free."

Nether Butterfly gave a slight, dismissive shake of her head. "You can't fool me. Even in the future, my relationship with you never progressed to that point."

Bai Yueling sighed, her expression shifting to one of seriousness. "Alright then…… Nether Butterfly, what is the price?"

"Every gift bestowed by fate has its price, secretly marked in the shadows."

Nether Butterfly stepped forward with elegant grace, her approach casting the soft, massive shadow of her bosom across Bai Yueling's face. She leaned down slightly, the shadow on her face trembling and shifting with the movement, continuously applying a subtle 「Awe」 status.

She raised a single, pale index finger to her lips. Her smoke-gray eyes, seemingly without intent, exuded a hypnotic allure. Her full, deep purple lips parted slightly.

"I want you to unconditionally agree to one request of mine."

Bai Yueling blinked. "What request?"

"I haven't decided yet. But the 'me' from the future will likely tell you." Nether Butterfly's voice dropped to a near whisper. "In the future, I will undoubtedly have a very pressing need for this request."

Bai Yueling looked at her with narrowed, skeptical eyes. "It's not going to be asking me to kill myself on the spot, is it?"

Vicky could feel the waves of the Styx lapping against her, her consciousness growing increasingly blurry.

Just then, a small, warm hand grasped hers, pulling her back from the realm of the Goddess of Death.

"Vicky, it's not time to give up yet!" Bai Yueling held her hand tightly, her voice firm. "Are you willing to die like this?"

"I… I'm not willing……" Vicky murmured, her voice faint. "I haven't saved my kingdom yet, I haven't shared my family's burdens, I haven't apologized to my friends……"

"Then accept my power of dark corruption."

A sphere of dark, fallen black flame coalesced in Bai Yueling's hand, held out before Vicky. "If you accept the dark corruption, you can be revived from death…… Vicky, are you willing?"

"Revival……" Vicky's gaze gradually cleared. Without a moment's hesitation, she nodded. "I am willing!"

The moment the words left her lips, Vicky's entire being was instantly engulfed by the dark corruption!

She could feel her lifeless flesh regaining vitality. The spider venom within her was forcibly expelled by the power of dark corruption, pushed out through the wound in her chest, which then slowly closed and healed.

Next, the dark corruption began to reshape her body. Seductive, deep crimson patterns gradually surfaced on her lower abdomen—the symbol of life—drastically stimulating her life force and granting her the power to resist death.

Her originally pure, unblemished soul began to be tainted by the corruption, like a bowl of ink spilled into a clear pool. The dark, fallen aura materialized, drifting like ethereal smoke within her spiritual form.

With the aid of the dark corruption, Vicky gradually detached from the realm of the Goddess of Death, obtaining a brand new life.

And her soul and body were gradually branded with Bai Yueling's mark.

Vicky's life was a gift bestowed by Bai Yueling. Bai Yueling held ownership of her life.

Therefore, from this day forward, she would live for Bai Yueling.

Bai Yueling was the meaning of her life.

But she did not feel repelled. On the contrary, she drank deeply of the life essence granted by the dark corruption, like a traveler in a desert finding an oasis, finding the hope of rebirth.

Vicky, the Third Princess of the Rose Kingdom, once Bai Yueling's enemy, had now, with Bai Yueling's help, escaped death and been reborn.

Vicky was revived.

【You have successfully applied the「Dark Corruption」status to target「Vicky」.】
【Vicky's Current Corruption Value: 100%. Corruption Complete.】
【Your quest「The Blackened Rose」has been completed. NPC「Vicky」has been successfully corrupted. Quest rewards can be claimed from NPCs「Vicky」,「Anlisha」, and「Nether Butterfly」.】
【Your quest「The Wilting Rose」has been completed. NPC「Vicky」has been successfully revived.】
【Congratulations, you have obtained the new title「Resurrectionist」.】

The newly reborn Vicky opened her eyes. Deep within her beautiful eyes, now the crimson red of blood, swirled an unfading black mist.

She rose slowly from the waters of the Styx. The snowy-white jade foot encased in her high-heeled shoe lifted and took a firm, unwavering step onto the bank.

"Hu……" Vicky took a deep breath. Deep red stripes surfaced on her snow-white skin—the proof of her corruption.

She gently touched the mark of dark corruption on her lower abdomen, feeling the power of life, savoring the sensation of being reborn.

Her life was Bai Yueling's gift.

Vicky softly opened her arms and embraced Bai Yueling, her stunningly beautiful face flushed with emotion.

"Xiao Bai…… thank you."

Yet, in the face of Vicky's gratitude, Bai Yueling showed no reaction.

Because she herself was now undergoing a significant transformation.

【Your class change quest has been completed. Class change materials have been gathered. Now commencing class change to「Corrupted Succubus」.】