Chapter Fifty-One: Searching for Something Again

I smirked, tilting my lips, as I continued listening to Li Zijian spout his awkward classical prose, boasting away. Tonight, the two of them both suggested I take the bed, since I’d burned up too much energy in the nighttime skirmish. I didn’t stand on ceremony; the moment I lay down, I was asleep within seconds.

...

That sleep was satisfying—I didn’t want to get up even when eight o’clock rolled around the next morning. When I finally did, Chen Chen and Li Zijian were chatting idly. I glanced at my phone, saw there weren’t any new tasks, and flopped right back into bed. Unfortunately, after all that stirring about, I couldn’t fall back asleep. So, I took three pieces of chocolate from my ring and handed them to Chen Chen and Li Zijian.

Breakfast was still essential. As we ate, the three of us discussed today’s game, but none of us could make heads or tails of it.

“Yao, why don’t I have any spiritual energy?” Li Zijian suddenly asked, stumping me for a moment. I thought for a bit, then said, “Hmm... figure it out yourself.” Li Zijian snorted and muttered, “Might as well not have asked...” I gave his shoulder a hearty slap, thinking to myself that once these seven days were over, I’d be diving back into the Tanza Chronicle for further study. I’d also realized that the Tanza Chronicle seemed to be structured in levels, each more advanced than the last.

The three of us—three grown men—quickly finished off the chocolate, each taking a sip of water. After all, who knew when the Ghost King would throw another task our way? It was wise to ration our supplies.

Just as I wiped my mouth, my phone rang.

“Did everyone get a good rest? Today’s game is simple: find the spiritual pearl hidden somewhere on campus. Each team gets one. The deadline is 3 p.m.”

I pondered a moment. This was no different from searching for the Red Stone Leaf last time—shouldn’t be dangerous.

But would reality really be so kind...?

“Let’s go. First come, first served,” Chen Chen said, brushing off his clothes.

I nodded and left with the two of them. Since there was no lock on our room, we made sure to bring all our belongings with us—no telling if there’d be thieves about.

At this hour, most of our classmates seemed to be holed up in their rooms, observing the situation, rather than searching for the spiritual pearl. We were the so-called trailblazers. The morning air was fresh, the metallic scent of blood from yesterday gone, though dried stains still marked the ground.

My spiritual energy had mostly recovered, and the wounds on my body had long since healed. Only my arm ached faintly, but it didn’t hinder my movements.

“Those idiots—still hiding inside. There must be plenty of spiritual pearls on the field,” Chen Chen muttered as he walked, glancing around.

Since we had no idea what the thing looked like, we could only search blindly. Many classmates, seeing that it was safe outside, finally came out, moving cautiously across the field. After yesterday’s chaos, there were only a little over forty people left in our group chat. Yet now, they all poured out, and the field bustled with activity. Still, everyone’s face was shadowed and wary; they kept as much distance from others as possible.

I shook my head helplessly, and another thought crossed my mind: if there were spiritual pearls on the field, might there also be some in the teaching buildings?

Just then, Chen Chen pointed at the exercise equipment up ahead. “Lin Yao, look over there.”

Following his gaze, I saw a small black bag tucked beneath the equipment.

Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, I strode over to the black bag, picked it up, and found a secluded spot to open it.

Inside was a bottle of water and a small wooden box.

I handed the water to Chen Chen, then carefully examined the wooden box. It was exquisitely crafted, inlaid with gold along the edges, with a polished surface that felt smooth to the touch. Clearly, something valuable was inside.

I slowly opened the box. Just as I suspected, within was a small yellow bead.

There was nothing remarkable about the bead; I couldn’t detect any spiritual energy from it, but it was surely the spiritual pearl the Ghost King mentioned.

I placed the box and bead into my ring and, pretending nothing had happened, let out an easy breath.

“Great, now we can go relax for a bit,” Li Zijian said as we walked across the field, visibly relieved. Even Chen Chen’s tense posture eased considerably.

“But what’s this little thing actually for?” Chen Chen tilted his head, asking me. I had no idea either, so I simply shook my head.

Through my earlier observations, I’d noticed that the group chat had coalesced into two main factions: Hua Ling and Jiang Yuan. The rest, like us, moved in small groups of three.

After some discussion, we decided to wander a bit more, to see if we could find another spiritual pearl—there was still plenty of time, after all.

Along the way, I noticed someone carrying a sword on his back. I didn’t know him personally, but I’d heard of him.

His name was Fan Debang, a poor student from Class Two. He kept a low profile, never causing trouble despite his grades. His family was said to be martial arts masters, and it seemed their specialty was the sword. What’s more, he’d already quietly reached the Spirit Leaf Realm.

Another formidable opponent...

I nodded to him in greeting, and he nodded back.

...

We searched for a good while, even combed through the grass, but found no second spiritual pearl.

Many teams got into conflicts over a single pearl, but I didn’t get involved.

Then, I saw someone running toward me, and my brows furrowed.

It was Chu Yao. She was in a sorry state, clutching a black bag as she ran toward me.

“Hey, Yao’s old flame is here. Let’s just stay out of it, haha,” Li Zijian joked, though he still reached for his weapon.

I glanced past Chu Yao at the people chasing her. It was Jiang Yuan.

Talk about a narrow escape...

Seeing Chu Yao nearly upon me, I hurried forward, dodged around her, and put myself between her and the pursuers.

Jiang Yuan’s entire team had come—thirteen people in all, a formidable group.

“Lin Yao, playing the hero? Trying to save the damsel in distress? You’re courting death,” Jiang Yuan sneered as he stepped out, holding a blue-green saber that was clearly no ordinary blade.

I looked him up and down with interest, quirking a smile.

“You’re not afraid to die, are you?” Jiang Yuan’s expression darkened instantly, a heavy pressure radiating from him.

“I am. But facing a pack of dogs like you? Not so much.”

I replied coolly, already having slipped the Snow Blade from my ring, hiding it behind my back.

“Hahaha! You’re bold, aren’t you? When I kill you, I’ll take that girl behind you—and your two buddies—for a little fun. Maybe I’ll sell their organs while I’m at it. Hahaha...”

Jiang Yuan flashed that disgusting grin, leering at Chu Yao.

Eyes brimming with tears, Chu Yao cursed him furiously. “You’re shameless!”

By now, my own smile had faded, my face turning to ice.