All Things Are Contracts

Chapter 143: The Last Tranquility (5)

In the Azure Wind Realm, though it was a small world independent of the Myriad Spirits Realm, it was actually quite large. Many powers existed here, but the Yu family was the most dominant. The Yu family’s ancestor was a terrifying existence no weaker than Thunder Lord in the Myriad Spirits Realm. At this moment, deep within the Yu family’s territory, the atmosphere was tense.

“The poison Yu Xuanyi contracted is called ‘Ten Thousand Ghosts’ Wail’. Even Spirit God Realm experts can’t withstand it. Fortunately, he used the teleportation talisman to return to our territory in time. I’ve used a secret technique to protect his heart meridian. After taking the pills I’ve refined, he should be able to detoxify,” the Yu family ancestor personally saved Yu Xuanyi.

“Why did Xuanyi keep this mission secret from me?” The ancestor’s gaze swept over the three Spirit God Realm experts beside him, who all knelt down.

“Ancestor, the young master said your birthday was approaching, and he wanted to give you a grand gift. You also mentioned that the Nightmare calamity would happen soon, and that the Light Contractor was key to breaking the deadlock. Obtaining the Light Contractor could protect our realm’s safety, so the young master planned to infiltrate the academy and bring back the Light Holy Maiden,” one of them said.

“Nonsense! You three failed to bring back the Holy Maiden last time, missing the last opportunity. Thunder Lord and the others are now on guard. How could Xuanyi have any chance? But who poisoned Xuanyi? Was his identity exposed, or was there another reason?” the ancestor asked again.

The three shook their heads, indicating they didn’t know.

“Fine, I’ll ask him myself when he wakes up,” the ancestor said, then added, “By the way, have representatives from the other major families come over. It’s time we discuss opening up the Azure Wind Realm.”

“Opening up the Azure Wind Realm? Ancestor, do you mean… connecting our realm with the outside world?” The three were shocked.

“That’s right, I’ve made my decision. Only by weathering this calamity can we hope for longevity. Otherwise, what’s the point of talking about longevity? Since we can’t get the Holy Maiden, let’s connect the two realms into one. Then, the affairs of the Azure Wind Realm will naturally become the affairs of the Myriad Spirits Realm. They’ll have to unite with us whether they want to or not,” the Yu family ancestor said.

“So young master Xuanyi’s mission was completely unnecessary, a waste of effort?” One person’s face showed a strange expression.

“It’s because you all kept it from me. Otherwise, how would I have let him go? He’s lived in the Azure Wind Realm all his life, how would he know the treachery of the outside world? This poison should serve as a wake-up call for him. Hmph, it’s good for him to suffer a bit. He really thought he was invincible,” the Yu family ancestor said, exasperated. “However, my great-grandson’s suffering shouldn’t be in vain. The one who poisoned him won’t get off easy. Have our spies in the Academy Town investigate thoroughly. This ‘Ten Thousand Ghosts’ Wail’ isn’t something just anyone can obtain.”

“Yes, sir.”

While the Yu family in the Azure Wind Realm was in turmoil over Yu Xuanyi’s situation, Zhanyue returned to the academy. The atmosphere in the academy was also strange. When he returned to the villa, the worry on Holy Maiden Lixi’s beautiful face dispersed like clouds.

“You’re finally back,” MuMu Lixi said with a hint of complaint.

“What’s wrong?” Zhanyue asked, confused. “Did something happen outside?”

“There was a murder case in the academy. Two students died on the tree-lined path. They were both high-level students at the seventh stage of the Moon Profound Realm, and their deaths were extremely brutal,” MuMu Lixi said, gesturing for Zhanyue to sit down and pouring him a cup of tea. A Holy Maiden serving tea was unimaginable in the outside world, but it was routine for Zhanyue. He had even taught her the tea-making technique hand-in-hand.

“A murder case? In the academy? Who would be so bold?” Zhanyue was shocked. It had been a long time since such an incident occurred in the academy.

“We don’t know, but the two who died might not be innocent. According to the academy’s investigation department, they were likely ambushing someone else and were killed in retaliation. Moreover, they found a deadly poison on the thread used by the deceased, a poison feared even by Spirit God Realm experts. Ordinary people can’t obtain such a thing, which makes this case interesting,” MuMu Lixi explained.

Nangong Weilai, sitting nearby, unceremoniously took the tea in front of Zhanyue and took a sip herself. Then she said, “Now the academy is investigating if there are any other victims, and they don’t know who the person was that those two were trying to ambush, or if that person was poisoned. In any case, Grandfather Wind Lord is overwhelmed. Many students in the academy are either rich or noble. If they can’t investigate thoroughly and provide a reasonable explanation, it will be hard to account for. I heard that Princess Mi has also returned to help with the investigation.”

“Sister MuMu Lixi was really worried about you earlier. She was pacing anxiously when you didn’t return after going out. She feared you might have been their target,” Nangong Weilai teased, causing the Holy Maiden to blush angrily.

“You’re right, their target was Zhanyue,” a cool female voice said. It was Eastern Kingdom Princess Mi Hongchen.

“What?” All three, including Zhanyue, were shocked.

“We found this in the storage rings of the corpses,” Mi Hongchen took out a portrait, which depicted Zhanyue. “We’ve kept this hidden. We can be certain their target was you, and the poison was prepared for you too. So, did you kill them?” Mi Hongchen stared at Zhanyue.

Zhanyue shook his head, “It wasn’t me.”

Mi Hongchen nodded, “I believe you. But this complicates matters. If it were you, we’d know someone targeted you and you killed them in self-defense. It could be because your talent was exposed or for other reasons. But now that it wasn’t you who killed them, who did? Do you have any clues?”

Zhanyue thought for a moment. There were only a few people in the academy who might help him. MuMu Lixi and Nangong Weilai were immediately ruled out; they didn’t have that level of strength. Those two were at the seventh stage of the Moon Profound Realm, and even Zhanyue would need to wear the Silver Moon Armor to have a chance. Gong Xiaoyu had no reason to conceal this, and it couldn’t be Mi Hongchen. Zhanyue couldn’t think of who would help him. As for the Illumination Goddess, it was even more impossible; she had been by his side protecting him the whole time.

“It seems you don’t know either,” Mi Hongchen sighed. “I’ve already had people check if any other students in the academy are missing. If that person really was poisoned, I’m afraid they won’t survive.”

Zhanyue suddenly felt worried. Who would stand up for him? He didn’t even know who his benefactor was, but that person might die. This made Zhanyue feel guilty. Ironically, Yu Xuanyi, lying unconscious in bed, could never have imagined that Zhanyue and the others were worried about his safety.

“In any case, your situation is dangerous. To deal with you, someone even used a rare poison like ‘Ten Thousand Ghosts’ Wail’. This attempt failed, but you might face danger again. What do you plan to do?” Mi Hongchen asked, while the two girls beside her also looked concerned.

Zhanyue smiled slightly, “Don’t worry, I have my own ways to stay alive. No one in the world is safer than me, and poisoning is meaningless against me.”

“So confident? What’s your trump card?” Mi Hongchen couldn’t understand how Zhanyue, who wasn’t even a Profound Being, could be so confident.

Zhanyue’s trump cards were naturally the Illumination Goddess and state reversal, but he couldn’t reveal either. After reassuring everyone, Zhanyue returned to his quarters.

“Sister, who do you think is after me?” Zhanyue asked, puzzled.

“I don’t know, but there have indeed been some malicious gazes on you lately. You’ve probably been targeted for a while,” the Illumination Goddess said.

“Last time, Mad Blade wanted to capture me alive. This time, the poison was clearly meant to take my life. They’re probably not the same group,” Zhanyue felt frustrated. Someone wanted to capture him alive, someone wanted him dead, yet he didn’t know who they were or how he had offended them.

“As long as they keep targeting you, they’ll eventually slip up. Don’t worry,” the Illumination Goddess comforted him.

As night fell, the Illumination Tower continued to guard the city as usual.

There was a knock on Zhanyue’s door. He opened it to find a graceful figure standing there – it was MuMu Lixi, but this time her shadow, Nangong Weilai, wasn’t with her.