Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 36

When Ying Feng and Ling Xiao appeared one after the other, the noisy classroom fell into an eerie silence. News about the two of them had spread throughout the campus the day before, but when their classmates, who had been with them day and night, witnessed the contrasting color changes in their eyes, their shock was beyond words.

Bystanders were speechless, and Ling Xiao’s friends were awkwardly at a loss for how to comfort. If Zhu Yue could be considered a friend of Ying Feng, the rage in his eyes was beyond description.

The tense situation continued until the arrival of the instructor and the Director of Discipline.

The first to speak was the Director of Discipline, who was in charge of the school’s discipline. Whenever he spoke, it was always bad news.

“During the last health and physiology class, tenth-grade students were organized to visit the base. During this, two students from this class seriously violated the rules. The public punishment is as follows—”

“Students Ying Feng and Ling Xiao, despite clearly seeing the ‘Entry Prohibited’ sign, broke into the base laboratory. Both are recorded with a major demerit.”

“Student Ling Xiao, for stealing prohibited drugs, also receives a major demerit. With a total of two demerits, he will graduate late and be on probation.”

“I object.” Zhu Yue raised his hand. “It was clearly only Ling Xiao who stole, why is Ying Feng also punished?”

“Ying Feng is Ling Xiao’s Qizhu. If the Qizi makes a mistake, it means the Qizhu’s guidance was insufficient. They share the responsibility.”

“They weren’t in that relationship when he stole!”

“The relationship is determined at the time of the offense, not before. It’s the rule. There’s no need for further discussion,” the Director of Discipline firmly overruled Zhu Yue’s objection. “The school’s punishment is just the beginning. Their actions were severe and violated the law. The final judgment will be made by the military. The academy has no right to interfere. I hope all students will take this as a warning and not make the same mistake.”

After announcing the punishment, the instructor took over.

“During this field training, some accidents occurred. Considering the unique circumstances, this year’s training results will not be included in the grade calculation.”

“Fortunately, no students were harmed. In the future, we will strengthen the safety measures for field training to ensure such incidents don’t happen again.”

Switching topics, he said, “Regarding the epic rare wild species, they have not been a significant part of our curriculum. This is partly due to the low probability of encountering them and partly due to the lack of detailed information.”

“Today, we will supplement our understanding of one characteristic of the 3S-species.” He turned and drew a few things on the board. Zhu Yue’s eyes widened uncontrollably at one of them.

“We know that every beast has a soul stone within it. What we see now are rare minerals that counteract the soul stone, called the soul binding stone.”

“On our planet, there are twelve known 3S-species, each with its corresponding soul binding stone. The biggest difference between the two is that soul binding stones don’t exist within creatures and even maintain a certain distance from them. Yet, wherever an epic creature appears, a soul binding stone is sure to be within a 500-meter radius.”

“Soul stones and soul binding stones are interdependent pairs. Epic creatures have varying dormant periods, and during these periods, their soul stones are also dormant. But once a soul binding stone is moved, the soul stone inevitably activates, and its owner awakens.”

The instructor and the Director of Discipline scanned the faces of the students, searching for any hint of guilt. Zhu Yue, feeling uneasy, lowered his head, hoping to avoid their scrutiny.

“You’ve probably heard that yesterday, a Kui appeared in the mine where you were training. Before the trip, the school scanned the entire area to ensure no active rare creatures were present.”

“After the incident, the military conducted a thorough search of the area but found no trace of the soul binding stone. Thus, we suspect a student might have inadvertently taken it.”

“It was our mistake not to educate everyone about the soul binding stone in advance. If anyone unknowingly moved it, the school will not blame them.”

“However, the soul binding stone is not the same as the soul stone. It’s a special energy mineral that can have adverse effects on a human’s soul. So, if any student has come across it, please hand it in promptly to avoid uncontrollable consequences. That’s all.”

After the two left, murmurs of discussion began to rise in the quiet classroom. Zhu Yue had just been startled, but now that the crisis had passed, he bravely lifted his head again.

“Haha,” he suddenly scoffed in a mocking tone, making an anonymous taunt that sounded particularly grating amidst the low discussions. “Those who always brag about wanting to be the Qizhu end up becoming someone else’s Qizi, even causing others to get punished and be unable to advance in their studies.”

Several of Ling Xiao’s close friends stood up in unison. “Who are you talking about?”

“Do you even have to ask? Who once shamelessly said they’d take someone’s heart’s blood but, even after stealing medicine, still failed? Such a disgrace, why not just jump off a building like your best friend?”

Before Ling Xiao’s friends could react, Zhu Yue was yanked from his seat and punched so hard that he knocked over several desks. The students involved wisely moved aside.

“You can insult me however you want, but I won’t let you speak of Lan Sheng like that,” Ling Xiao warned with a grim face.

Sitting on the ground, clutching half of his face, Zhu Yue defiantly retorted, “What’s the difference between you and him? All of you think too highly of yourselves, assuming you’d become the Qizhu, but end up losing miserably. It’s a pity he didn’t succeed in dying. Why don’t you fulfill that wish for him?”

Ling Xiao, in rage, lifted Zhu Yue from the ground by his collar. His clenched fist, raised high, suddenly froze mid-air. Not just his fist, but his entire body seemed paralyzed.

Struggling to turn his head, he looked in disbelief at the person sitting at the back of the class.

How could he forget? When Lan Sheng was on the brink of death, Ping Zong couldn’t bear to invade his mental barrier. Yet, a day after confirming his relationship with Ying Feng, the latter could easily control his actions.

“Behave yourself,” Ying Feng said coldly.

Only after he spoke did he release his mental control. Ling Xiao, feeling drained, weakly let go of Zhu Yue’s collar.

Upon witnessing this, Zhu Yue grew even more resentful of their special relationship. “So mighty, yet now so obedient? This isn’t like you…” His words were cut short as a paper ball shot into his open mouth, hitting his tongue with enough force to draw blood.

“Shut up.”

Most of the classmates were already somewhat fearful of Ying Feng. His aura seemed even more intense after becoming a Qizhu. His black eyes were too intimidating to meet, and no one dared to challenge his commands.

Spitting out the bloodied paper ball, Zhu Yue angrily set the overturned furniture right, deliberately making a loud noise to vent his frustration.

Ling Xiao was half-supported, half-coaxed back to his seat by friends who patted his shoulder in comfort.

Ting Lei, perhaps Ling Xiao’s closest friend besides Ping Zong and Lan Sheng, gave him a comforting half-hug. But when he turned and met Ying Feng’s gaze, he shuddered at the hostility it held. Even after returning to his seat, he felt Ying Feng’s eyes on him, making the following classes uncomfortable.

Because of the commotion, the class was on edge all morning. It wasn’t until the afternoon, when the two were absent, that the atmosphere began to relax.

Meanwhile, Ying Feng and Ling Xiao were at the closest spouse registration office to Bikong. The glaring sign overhead was painfully bright. Ling Xiao had once dreamt of coming here hand in hand with his beloved, solemnly writing their names on the document. But when the moment arrived, both sides were cold to each other.

Filling out the form was Ying Feng. Ling Xiao, standing beside him, clearly watched him write:

Qizhu: Ying Feng; Adult Age: 10 years in fledgling state; Awakening Date: New Year 4016, August 12th

Qizi: Ling Xiao; Adult Age: 10 years in fledgling state; Awakening Date: New Year 4016, August 12th

Coming-of-age Ceremony Date: New Year 4026, September 7th

After filling out the form, the staff quickly checked it over. “Awakened on the same day and coming of age on the same day. You and your Qizi truly have a deep connection. Congratulations.”

“My name is Ling Xiao,” Ling Xiao suddenly interjected.

The staff smiled and nodded. “Congratulations to you as well.”

He collected the form. “After reaching adulthood, you will get a new personal terminal. Please hand over your original ones.”

“It’s damaged,” Ying Feng replied succinctly.

The staff was taken aback. “Damaged during the coming-of-age ceremony?”

Ying Feng didn’t wish to explain, so the staff assumed that was the case.

“In that case, please sign this document—both you and your Qizi.”

“My name is Ling Xiao. I have a name.”

“I’m sorry, Ling Xiao. Please sign as well. Thank you.”

After both signed the document, the staff transferred their data to the new terminals. Ying Feng’s looked much the same, but Ling Xiao’s was a size smaller.

“All your data has been imported. The adult personal terminal has many new features compared to the fledgling version. There’s a user manual stored inside, so I won’t go into details.”

He continued, “With the new terminal’s identity verification, you can access all public areas of the Tianyuan Network. Currently, many higher education institutions have set up virtual campuses online. I suggest you explore them when you have time to prepare for future studies. Here’s the college preference form. Once filled out, submit it to the school’s admissions office.”

Ling Xiao watched as the staff handed a form to Ying Feng but none to him.

“Where’s my preference form?” he asked.

The staff pointed to Ying Feng’s form. “The supplementary form is right below the main one. The primary Qizhu fills it out.”

“Why can’t I fill out my own preference?”

The staff chuckled and explained, “Both partners are admitted together. If you choose institutions in separate places, it won’t be good for you.”

“It’s my decision, whether it’s good or bad.”

The staff turned to Ying Feng. “Try to persuade your… Ling Xiao.”

He remembered the name this time, but his correction in mid-sentence sounded awkward.

“Ah,” Ling Xiao’s hand suddenly jerked back. Just now, an electric current passed through his fingertips, causing a brief moment of pain. Although it lasted for only a short time, it served as a clear warning.

Seeing this, the staff sighed. “It’s about persuading, not controlling. Youngsters these days can be so impulsive.”

Seeing Ling Xiao upset, the staff handed him a business card from under the table. “Here, take this. My Qizi runs a jewelry store nearby. Present this card and get a 98% discount on rings. Pick an expensive one and let your Qizhu pay.”

Ling Xiao, with a cold expression, refused to take it. The staff’s hand hovered awkwardly in midair. Eventually, Ying Feng took the card.

“Anything else?” he asked.

“No,” the staff replied with relief, rarely encountering such a mismatched pair of newlyweds. “Congratulations on becoming official partners. Would you like to make a vow?”

“No need,” they both said in unison.

The staff shrugged. “Alright then, wishing you a happy union.”

By the time the two returned to the academy, it was dinner time. Ying Feng knew Ling Xiao was following a few meters behind, but soon after entering the school gate, he disappeared.

Not wanting to wonder where he went, Ying Feng, perhaps due to the growth after reaching adulthood, felt hungrier than usual.

The cafeteria worker served him a single portion, which wasn’t enough, so they added more, but it was still not enough.

“Can I have some more?”

The worker finally looked up and noticed Ying Feng’s eyes, which clearly indicated his status.

“Oh, you’ve come of age. Congratulations.” She not only gave Ying Feng extra rice but also fetched a can of milk from the storage cabinet. “Make sure to nourish yourself during the growth period.”

Ying Feng took a tray that seemed to hold portions for almost two and a half people and found a quiet spot. However, it wasn’t long before an unwelcome person took the seat opposite him.

Zhu Yue took a seat opposite Ying Feng, uninvited. “Back then, you rejected my heartfelt affection. Now, you’re forced to be with someone who dislikes you. If you had known, it might have been better to choose someone who actually liked you.”

Ying Feng kept his head down, focusing on his meal, but Zhu Yue continued to speak indignantly. “He even dared to steal from the base. It must have been to target you. Knowing he couldn’t beat you, he resorted to such despicable means to outdo you…”

Finally, Ying Feng put down his utensils. The noise interrupted Zhu Yue mid-sentence. Being closely stared at by Ying Feng’s black eyes for the first time, Zhu Yue realized that Ying Feng had become colder than before.

“This is my personal matter. What does it have to do with you?”

Those mere words left Zhu Yue speechless. He had assumed that even if Ying Feng treated him coldly like before, he would at least recognize the truth in his words, given the evident strained relationship from this morning’s events. Seeing Zhu Yue still frozen there and unwilling to leave, Ying Feng issued a clear directive. “I don’t want my appetite ruined by unrelated people. There are many empty seats here. Please leave.”

Zhu Yue stood up; his face darkened with embarrassment. Yet, before he could take a step, he heard Ying Feng’s voice from behind, steady but filled with undeniable authority. “Regardless of how Ling Xiao and I are related, he is now my Qizi. I don’t wish to hear words like this morning again.”

Over time, Zhu Yue’s one-sided admiration finally twisted into a distorted determination on this very day, when all hope was lost. Ying Feng would never know how those few words had laid the groundwork for significant future dangers in Tianxiu. Many would pay the price for it, and all of this stemmed from casually defending someone.

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The author has something to say:

Ling Xiao is currently going through the most tumultuous period of his life. He is strong, and I believe he will persevere. I will steadfastly stand by him and accompany him through it.

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Kinky Thoughts:

Author… you literally wrote him in this predicament.

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