Chapter 52

The phone screen lit up again, stopping at the panel where the golden-haired girl leaned close to the saintess’s ear. Even through the screen, Ye Zheng could imagine the excited, teeth-gritted voice.

“Remember me?”

“I never forgot you. Not for a single moment in ten years.”

Ten years ago, Sela had known her.

Yet at that time, Ye Zheng had been only a seven-year-old chubby child. How could such hatred exist?

Scrolling further, Pei Xi had already begun fighting Sela. “Ye Zheng” had shrunk to a tiny corner of the panel, her expression so blurred it was almost unreadable.

Even so, Ye Zheng carefully searched for any useful clues. She noticed that the background appeared to be an abandoned factory, beneath a sky dyed blood-red. A vague idea about the location of this plot segment formed in her mind.

【Die, die, die!】

Sela slashed wildly. Even Pei Xi, skilled with blades, seemed barely able to parry. Inwardly, he was baffled. Such a powerful girl from the lower districts, yet he had never heard of her before.

The manga spoilers ended here. As for Sela’s past, the author clearly intended to tease it out for some time longer.

From this, it was obvious that Sela was an important mid-arc boss in the manga, tightly bound to the upcoming storyline. Compared to the protagonist Pei Xi, she showed far greater interest in Ye Zheng.

『Be careful.』

『Sela is a mid-arc boss and is closely tied to the next plot. Compared to Pei Xi, she is more interested in you. So be careful.』

The system, silent for a long time, finally spoke.

Ye Zheng still had many unanswered questions, but now was not the time to analyze the future direction of the plot. She put away her phone and gave Wende a signal.

“Let’s go. Back.”

Wende’s gaze shifted from Ye Zheng’s emotionless face to the black bag in her hand. Her expression showed hesitation, as though she wanted to speak but stopped himself.

“Saintess, are you really bringing this back? To the imperial palace?”

Ye Zheng nodded calmly.

“I promised her.”

Even if the other party was a lunatic who wanted her dead, as a saintess, she would keep her word.

Of course, she would not bring it back directly as Ye Zheng. Since Sela wanted an explosive effect, she would satisfy that wish. Let those people personally witness the fruits of their sins. She wondered what expressions of terror those lofty figures would show.

“That girl is truly insane.”

Wende sighed. Yet deep down, she knew that her saintess was not much different.

✧✧✧✧✧

About ten days had passed since the appearance of the blood-colored aberrant realm. The tournament had been suspended for a full week.

During this week, all contestants had returned home to await official notice.

From what Bai Muqing knew, several students had already withdrawn, and the number continued to rise.

Everyone was afraid to continue. If they carelessly encountered a high-danger realm, they could easily end up like the two unfortunate teams from this incident, with still no news of their fate.

These teenagers had joined with dreams of glory and youth. They never expected reality to be so cruel. This was especially true for students from the upper districts, who rarely came into contact with realms. Their understanding of their own strength had been completely shattered.

“Muqing, withdraw. You didn’t need to join in the first place.”

Her brother, dressed in the uniform of the Royal Knights, spoke with concern.

“Two of my friends entered that realm and still haven’t come out. I’ve already applied to join the rescue team.”

“I’m afraid that if you enter, and something happens to you during the tournament, I won’t be able to save you in time.”

The young man in red armor wore a grave expression, yet his presence was imposing and majestic, inspiring instinctive trust.

Bai Muqing turned her gaze away. She knew her brother meant well, but sometimes this kind of concern made her feel suffocated.

In the Sacred Citadel Empire, if the most admired idol among girls was the perfect and gentle Saintess Ye Zheng, then the person most envied was likely Bai Muqing.

The general’s daughter, born with extraordinary abilities. A powerful father, a noble mother, and an outstanding elder brother. The family was famously indulgent toward their youngest daughter.

She believed in the God of Hope. Her father, aligned with the royal faction, ignored suspicions and still maintained ties with the church for her sake.

Her brother, the legal heir under imperial law, had divided half of the family property and given it to his sister. Her mother had left most of her dowry to her daughter.

Bai Muqing grew up in such an environment. When she was young, she thought it was only natural. But as she came to understand the world more deeply, especially after meeting Ye Zheng and deliberately learning about her background, Bai Muqing gradually realized just how fortunate she was.

Her father had no mistresses and never forced her mother. Her brother, as the eldest son, never suppressed her. She seemed able to do anything she wanted. And yet, at times, Bai Muqing felt an inexplicable emptiness, just like now.

“Brother, you don’t need to worry about me. I’m an S-Class ability user too.”

In terms of talent alone, she was even stronger than her brother.

“I’m not looking down on you,” he replied, “but I’m already an imperial Royal Knight. You’re still a student. There’s no need for you to bear such heavy responsibilities.”

Bai Muqing pressed her lips together tightly. After a long pause, she finally spoke.

“But among the contestants, there are people who carry responsibilities just as heavy as yours.”

The young man was startled.

“The Crown Prince, Your Highness? He is not only the heir to the empire but also perhaps the prophesied savior. Of course his burden is immense.”

“It’s Ye Zheng.”

Bai Muqing spoke the name she had held in her heart for a long time. They were the same age, yet Ye Zheng had already matured enough to calmly arrange everything around her. Though her ability was not strong, Bai Muqing felt that as a complete individual, Ye Zheng was far stronger than herself, this so-called genius.

Unconsciously, Bai Muqing clenched the hem of her skirt. Her vacant white pupils grew colder. Everyone told her that 【Divine Domain】 was extremely powerful. Her family praised her endlessly for it.

But only Bai Muqing knew the truth. So far, she had not even used one-tenth of 【Divine Domain】’s power. Or rather, she could not.

She was not a saintess like Ye Zheng, nor did she have reason to go on lower-district missions. Her family forbade her from protecting others. At most, she engaged in playful sparring with peers, always carefully restraining her power to avoid hurting anyone.

When the young man heard his sister mention that familiar name, he did not seem surprised. This was not the first time.

“Oh, I’ve heard of her. Your good friend, right? A remarkable girl. As a healer with limited power, she turned the tide and stopped the shelter disaster.”

“So brother must work even harder. Letting such cute and kind girls face this kind of danger is our failure.”

Watching her brother sigh in self-reproach, Bai Muqing said nothing more.

Sometimes, she truly envied Ye Zheng.

A crude, heavy birdcage, with a chick inside who realized how vast the outside world was. Even burdened, it could struggle freely and desperately fly out.

A beautiful, spacious golden birdcage, where even the slightest dissatisfaction seemed ungrateful in the eyes of others. Bai Muqing did not care about others’ opinions, but she could not stop caring about her family.

She gradually understood why she had lost to Ye Zheng. From the very beginning, Ye Zheng had already flown out of the cage. She was still circling inside her gorgeous prison.

“Bai Mulin, I don’t like you saying that.”

Hearing his sister suddenly call him by his full name, Bai Mulin was shocked. His sister was usually cold and proud on the surface, but gentle and affectionate toward family. She rarely used such a stiff tone.

“You go carry out your mission. If you’re not out in three days, I’ll enter the realm and save you.”

Bai Muqing dropped those words and returned to her room.

✧✧✧✧✧

Meanwhile, in a certain pub in the lower district.

“Pei Xi, you’re close to the Crown Prince, right? Have you heard how the upper district plans to handle that realm?”

Pei Xi looked awkward and shook his head.

“Sorry. We’re just contestants too. We don’t even know when the tournament will resume.”

The middle-aged man listening frowned in disapproval.

“No need to apologize. You kids are everyone’s little heroes. I heard your tournament points are second, about to take first place. Then even the Crown Prince will have to bow.”

“Hey, hey, hey. Don’t mention the Crown Prince so casually. His Highness is so noble. He’s eliminated so many realms for us. We should be grateful.”

“The Crown Prince is strong and righteous. Cloud Soarers deserve the win. With the dragon bone, there’ll be no more realm threats.”

“Everyone says the Crown Prince is the prophesied savior. Maybe he’ll save us.”

As the captain of Cloud Soarers, Pei Xi maintained his smile, but the warmth in his eyes gradually faded. A firm yet confused emotion rose in his heart. He knew Sykes’ nature too well. A crown prince raised in cruelty would never help them. So he had to lead Cloud Soarers to win the championship. For that, he would go all out.

“Roy, Kyle, Lu Qi.”

Pei Xi turned solemnly and called the names of his teammates. The three teenagers looked at him in confusion.

“We’re going to eliminate that blood-colored aberrant realm.”

An A-plus realm would yield enough points to surpass the Royal team.

✧✧✧✧✧

“When will the tournament resume?”

Inside the imperial palace, Sykes stood arrogantly, looking down at the bowed Yu Tianming, his expression dark.

“Since the matter has not yet been resolved, everyone is uneasy. Please wait a little longer.”

Yu Tianming was deeply troubled. The tournament was mainly managed by his family. More than anyone else, he hoped it would end quickly so those useless contestants could return safely.

But now he could only stop Sykes. If something happened to other contestants, it could still be managed. If Sykes were injured in a realm, the Yu family might survive, but Yu Tianming himself would be finished.

“Wait?”

Sykes spat out the word coldly and said nothing more. Yu Tianming felt the pressure intensify.

“Have the inner court transported in more powerful beasts? I heard there are new breeds.”

Yu Tianming probed cautiously, trying to use fresh stimulation to soothe the crown prince’s irritability. But after experiencing real slaughter in realms, Sykes’ threshold had risen dramatically. The carefully cultivated hunting grounds no longer satisfied him.

Just as Sykes’ brow twitched, as though he were about to lose control, a gentle voice interrupted.

“Forgive the unannounced visit, Your Highness.”

“What are you here for?”

Sykes glanced at the approaching girl, clearly in a foul mood.

“I originally came to ask when the tournament would resume.”

Yu Tianming pushed up his glasses sharply.

“Originally?”

“And now,” she continued, “I want to ask you how you plan to deal with the thug who provoked that realm.”

Sykes looked at Ye Zheng in confusion. His golden pupils shifted, then he noticed the trembling male attendant behind her.

Meeting the crown prince’s sharp gaze, the man’s legs gave out and he knelt on the floor, his voice shaking.

“I was just cleaning your room. I found a head, and some other things.”

Watching the terrified attendant, Ye Zheng kindly added,

“That head belongs to Olin, one of the missing students from this incident.”

Yu Tianming’s pupils contracted sharply. Realizing something, he stepped back and then turned to look at Sykes.

“A missing student’s corpse. From that realm. In my room?”

The crown prince’s beautiful, dark voice spoke slowly, each word chilling.

Beside Sykes, the gorgeous long table had already been reduced to ashes. A cold smile curved his lips as rage surged in his golden eyes. He kicked a chair, shattering it.

“Very good. It seems I must take a trip.”

“It's corpse will soon become my toy.”

Yu Tianming wanted to dissuade him, but he knew it was useless. Sykes would never tolerate such provocation.

The situation was too coincidental, and the mastermind gained no obvious benefit. Who would provoke Sykes if they wanted to live? Unless the one behind the realm was an utterly mad lunatic with overwhelming strength.

If there was any benefit at all, it would be for those trapped inside the realm. Yu Tianming’s gaze suddenly shifted to Ye Zheng. The girl seemed to sense his stare and met it with puzzled eyes.

Even if Ye Zheng was the kindest person alive, the salvation angel of the lower district, she could not be such a lunatic.

Besides, she lacked the ability. Aside from healing, at most she could fiddle with small guns or props.

Yu Tianming withdrew his gaze. Now was not the time for idle speculation. Ensuring Sykes’ safety and preserving the family’s position were the top priorities.

He pushed up his glasses, his gaze sharpening.

“Your Highness, shouldn’t we first investigate how those things entered your room?”

Being able to place items in the crown prince’s chamber without detection was a massive threat to the entire upper district.

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Authors Note

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A quietly mischievous baby.