Chapter 17

“Due to major reforms in the third stage of the competition, the rules will now be announced personally by me, Crown Prince Sykes Aston of the empire.”

Pei Xi sensed something amiss. What kind of rules would require Sykes himself to announce them?

Sykes was not only the crown prince, but also a competitor in this year’s event. Such an action could hardly be called fair.

“The third stage will last one month. The content of the competition will be the elimination of Aberrant Realms.”

Pei Xi frowned. The second stage had involved collecting tokens within officially controlled Aberrant Realms, so this development was not unreasonable.

However, Aberrant Realms under official control were extremely valuable. The aberrant flora, fauna, ores, and minerals within them were precious resources. Their cores were not destroyed, but carefully preserved.

Allowing the second stage to take place in such realms had already been an extraordinary concession. Allowing their outright elimination was inconceivable.

“The venue for the third stage will naturally not be within the Aberrant Realms controlled by the empire.”

Sykes seemed to anticipate the unspoken doubts of his audience and answered them with a malicious smile. Then his tone grew solemn.

“Recently, conflicts between districts have become increasingly frequent. While certain ill-intentioned individuals have stirred unrest, the empire has reflected upon this. Have we grown complacent in our peace, forgetting the destructive danger posed by Aberrant Realms?”

“This reform of the ability competition is the message the empire wishes to send. We will never forget the suffering caused by Aberrant Realms, nor the people who fought to protect the empire.”

The arrogant youth inclined his head slightly. A faint sorrow surfaced between his brows, softening his sharp features and lending him an air of sincerity. Pei Xi felt a trace of confusion. He had seen Sykes’s cruelty and tyranny before, but did the crown prince truly possess this responsible and empathetic side as well?

“His expression is perfectly controlled. This heir is even more capable than we imagined.”

Pei Xi turned his head. Zhao Mei still wore his usual gentle expression, as though the faintly mocking remark had never left his lips.

Pei Xi was about to ask his opinion on the crown prince’s speech, which seemed designed to placate the lower district, when Sykes dropped yet another bombshell.

“Therefore, the venue for the third stage shall be the entire lower district.”

“The rules are simple. Teams will earn points based on the number and difficulty of Aberrant Realms they resolve within the lower district. Rankings will be determined by total points.”

Sykes paused briefly, then added another condition in an offhand manner.

“Additionally, the imperial family is offering an extra reward.”

“The winning team will become wielders of the dragon bones and share control of the dragon bones with the imperial family.”

“Announcement complete. I look forward to seeing you all in the competition.”

With that, the towering projection vanished.

For a brief moment, silence reigned. Then the tavern erupted into an uproar. The dragon bones. The legendary dragon bones capable of deterring Aberrant Realms.

The patrons seemed to fall into a collective dream as they turned toward the youths in the corner. If the Cloud Soarers won, the lower district would finally gain the protection of the dragon bones.

The lower district would no longer live in fear. No longer would they need to beg the upper district for aid.

“Pei Xi, the future of the lower district rests on you.”

“These children truly are our hope.”

“The empire has not forgotten us.”

Amid the roaring voices and surging crowd, even Pei Xi felt overwhelmed. He did not notice one of his companions quietly slipping away.

✧✧✧✧✧

“Saintess.”

The tall female knight ushered the boy, whose composure bordered on suppression, into the room. This was the stronghold Ye Zheng had prepared for herself in the lower district.

She removed her wig and disguise. Damp strands of long hair spilled down her back as she sat silently in the chair, unmoving like a doll.

“Saintess, everything is proceeding extremely smoothly. That person did use your gun to eliminate him. Once she takes the position, your influence in the lower district will—”

“Wende, have you heard the new competition rules?”

Ye Zheng interrupted.

“I have, but I do not understand why the imperial family would make such a decision. It does not align with their usual profit-driven nature.”

“No. This is precisely the imperial family maximizing its interests.”

Ye Zheng leaned close to the fish tank on the table. Her fingers tapped lightly against the glass, disturbing the fish inside.

“Tell me. If you stopped feeding these fish for several days, what would they do?”

Wende replied, “If I were one of them, I would want to smash the tank, even if it meant suffocating on the floor. It would be better than waiting to die.”

“And if, just as you were about to break free, the owner suddenly dropped in food?”

Wende hesitated. “I would probably remain in the tank for the time being.”

Ye Zheng smiled, her eyes cold. “That is exactly what the imperial family is doing. Rather than conceding real benefits, offering illusory hope is far easier.”

“They only added the promise of dragon bone control, and everything I have done has been effortlessly neutralized.”

“Wende, I—”

The woman in soft armor stepped forward and gently pulled the bewildered girl into her embrace.

White bone thorns burst forth from the woman’s back, spreading like a dense steel web that sealed the room. Within that oppressive enclosure, Ye Zheng felt an unexpected sense of safety.

“Everyone calls you Saintess, but forgive my bluntness. You are still a child.”

Despite her fearsome ability, the woman’s expression was tender.

“You are young. You have time.”

Ye Zheng’s face was pressed awkwardly against the armor. She wanted to protest, but upon hearing those words, she fell into silence once more.

✧✧✧✧✧

Pei Xi finally escaped the crowd. He and his companions scattered in different directions. He wandered aimlessly until he found himself standing before a place both familiar and distant.

“In memory of those who perished in the Blood Flower incident. The Sacred Citadel Empire will forever remember you.”

A gentle female voice reached his ears. Pei Xi turned, as if in a dream. The girl held flowers and gently traced the memorial stone. Her black hair fell like a waterfall, as though a goddess had descended to console the departed.

“Ye Zheng?”

She turned, blinking her dark eyes.

“Ah. Sorry. Saintess. I am Pei Xi.”

He had never been so awkward before.

“This cemetery holds the lower-district victims of the Blood Flower incident. As someone who came later, I should pay my respects.”

Her smile was flawless.

“I came to visit my parents.”

Ye Zheng tilted her head, sensing the restrained grief beneath his calm voice.

“I am sorry. It seems I disturbed you.”

Pei Xi shook his head. “It comforts me that someone else still remembers them. Thank you, Saintess.”

“No one should ever forget something like that.”

Her voice was as light as the mist drifting through the cemetery.

“Also, there is no need to be so formal. We will soon be opponents, Pei Xi.”

She smiled with unexpected youthful warmth.

“Very well, Miss Ye Zheng. I look forward to meeting you in the third stage.”

“For the sake of the lower district, I will give everything I have.”

“Do you not feel the pressure?”

Pei Xi paused. “That is why I cannot lose.”

“Only with the dragon bones does the lower district have a future.”

Ye Zheng only smiled. After she left, Pei Xi realized she had carried white flowers. Who had she meant to honor?

✧✧✧✧✧

『This scene does not exist in the original plot.』

『Yet the pull between the male and female leads has brought you together.』

『You share ideals, even the same past.』

『You would have been perfect soulmates. So stop making unnecessary moves.』

The system’s voice was almost coaxing.

Ye Zheng walked through the gray, silent cemetery. She stopped before a gravestone, holding a bouquet of flowers, and did not respond to the system.

Her fingers traced the name engraved on the stone as memories surfaced of her grandmother holding her in her arms and reading aloud. One particular sentence had left an especially deep impression on her.

“The bird, struggling to break free from its shell, believes the egg to be its entire world. Whoever wishes to be born must destroy a world.”

The system was mistaken. Pei Xi was mistaken as well. Her ideals were different from Pei Xi’s, and even more different from those of this manga world.

Because of that, she and Pei Xi were destined never to walk the same path. After placing the bouquet down, Ye Zheng straightened and revealed a calm, tranquil smile.

“You’re right, system. There’s really no need for me to make any extra moves.”

The manga had already provided a main storyline. The appearance of the dragon bones had disrupted her original plan, but was that not also a new opportunity?