Chapter 2 The Dawn
The next day, sunlight streamed through the clouds, illuminating the earth as dawn slowly drew back the curtain.
Another vibrant morning descended upon the world with a refreshing coolness.
A flicker of anger crossed Bai Ran's face as she looked at the person before her and spoke coldly, "Why are you here again?"
Qian Qiu, with a joyful smile, blinked his eyes and asked, "Can't I come?"
Bai Ran turned to leave, and the person behind her followed at an unhurried pace.
After walking for a long time, and Qian Qiu following just as long, Bai Ran finally stopped. "What exactly do you want?"
Qian Qiu circled to face her, his eyes twinkling with a smile. "Would you believe me if I said I was just bored?"
Bai Ran's temples twitched. She turned to look at Jing Feng. "Kill him."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I was just kidding!" Qian Qiu quickly waved his hands. "Actually, I came to find Zhong Zi."
Bai Ran raised an eyebrow, seemingly finding something amusing. "You came to find Zhong Zi, why are you following me?"
At that moment, Xuan Qinghong walked into the courtyard. "Little one, the academy has arranged a trial today. Would you like to go?"
Bai Ran glanced at Qian Qiu and walked towards Xuan Qinghong. "Of course, I want to go."
Zhong Zi stood in place, raising his eyebrows as he watched the two of them leave.
Zhong Zi walked out with a stern face and stared at him. "What exactly are you up to?"
Approaching the Queen so deliberately, even for a subordinate, seemed excessive.
Qian Qiu tilted his head, a smile curling his lips. "Naturally, I want to gain her trust. Is there something wrong with that?"
Dong Ling appeared from behind, throwing an arm around Zhong Zi's shoulders and smiling. "Gain the Queen's trust?"
Dong Ling snorted. "She won't trust you. I think you'll meet your end if you try again."
Qian Qiu merely smiled, offering no reply.
"But I have to confirm."
Dong Ling's dark eyes fixed on him, his voice deep. "You won't harm the Queen, will you—"
Zhong Zi blinked and also looked at the person before him. Qian Qiu's smile vanished instantly.
His face turned terrifyingly dark. "The Queen's position is unquestionable and will not tolerate any defiance."
Dong Ling, having received his answer, smiled innocently. "That's good. If you truly harbored intentions against the Queen, then I would have no choice but to kill you."
A glint of killing intent flashed in Dong Ling's eyes. "No matter who you are."
Zhong Zi glanced at him. Although his own strength surpassed Dong Ling's, if Dong Ling became serious, he was indeed quite formidable.
"Lord Zhong, don't mind him. Let's go," he said, pulling Zhong Zi away.
Qian Qiu, standing alone, his face a terrifying shade of black, clenched his fist as he watched Dong Ling's receding back.
Such a troublesome individual...
Meanwhile, Bai Ran followed Xuan Qinghong to the academy's main square.
By then, the square was already filled with students participating in the trial.
"It's the Alchemy Master! He actually came to Roaring Dragon Academy!"
"Huh? Is someone following him? Who is that?"
"It's a new student. I saw her once on enrollment day. It's her."
Xuan Qinghong led Bai Ran to the front of the crowd and stopped.
"That brat (Long Jinhan) told me about the seal within you. The third layer of the seal is very likely to be unsealed soon. Be careful."
Bai Ran nodded. "Your disciple will be careful."
Xuan Qinghong stroked his beard, his eyes full of worry. He couldn't help but wonder why such a powerful seal had been placed within such a young child.
Furthermore, if it was solely to seal her memories, had she experienced some immense disaster?
At that moment, a massive teleportation array suddenly appeared in the square.
The teleportation portal for the trial had arrived, and the students in the square were visibly excited.
"This trial only involves fighting spirit beasts, there's no great danger," Xuan Qinghong cautioned the little one. "But still, do not let your guard down."
The students entered the teleportation array one by one. After acknowledging Xuan Qinghong's words, Bai Ran also stepped into the array.
With a flash of light, the students' figures vanished from their original positions.
A wave of dizziness washed over Bai Ran. She opened her eyes and suddenly, a surge of spiritual energy grazed her cheek.
Blood trickled down her face. Bai Ran narrowed her eyes.
Not far away, an identical Bai Ran stood there, looking at her with a smile.
"Little imp, it's a phantom beast," Xiao Zi, residing in her spatial realm, exclaimed. He hadn't expected them to encounter a high-level spirit beast right after teleporting in.
Phantom beasts can acquire human memories, learn prophecies, and transform into anyone's likeness. Therefore, they are extremely difficult to detect even when mixed within a crowd.
Bai Ran summoned her Feng Yin Sword and attacked the phantom beast before her.
But at that moment, the phantom beast's appearance changed. It transformed into Jing Feng's likeness!
Bai Ran froze, her sword stopping abruptly before him.
'Jing Feng' smirked eerily and reached out, pressing against the Feng Yin Sword. "Can't go through with it?"
"Why?" His voice was identical to Jing Feng's.
Bai Ran frowned, her hand moving to press the blade against 'Jing Feng's' throat. "You talk too much."
Upon hearing this, 'Jing Feng' let out a scoff. He grabbed the sword and forcefully plunged it three inches into his own neck.
Crimson blood flowed out. 'Jing Feng's' eyes welled up with tears. "Miss Bai..."
Bai Ran's eyes widened in shock, and she immediately withdrew the Feng Yin Sword.
Looking again, there were no signs of tears in 'Jing Feng's' eyes. "You've changed."
"Your heart has softened," 'Jing Feng' said with a triumphant smile. "You are now trapped by your emotions, no longer as sharp as before."
"You've started to trust the people around you, and you've developed attachments and affections."
Xiao Zi clenched his fists, staring intently at Bai Ran. Little imp...
Although he had also noticed the little imp's change, Xiao Zi considered it a good thing.
'Jing Feng' continued speaking and altered his features again, this time taking on the appearance of Long Jinhan.
"These are weaknesses you shouldn't have, girl."
Bai Ran tightened her grip on her sword, her eyes filled with fury. "Don't use your filthy mouth to imitate him."
The next moment, the phantom beast transformed into Qian Qiu's likeness and was about to say more.
But Bai Ran let out a light laugh, her sword swift and decisive as she severed its head. "My apologies, but this is one person I truly can kill."
Xiao Zi breathed a sigh of relief. "Little imp, don't take what he said just now to heart."
Bai Ran put away the Feng Yin Sword and walked straight into the depths of the forest. "Naturally, I won't."
However, at this moment, a large group of cultivators stormed into Black Crow City.
"Where is the crystal ore vein!" a man burst into a house, grabbing a woman.
The man moved his hand, holding his sword against her neck. "Quickly take us to the ore vein!"
"M-master... I really don't know anything about that ore vein..."
The woman trembled like a sieve, tears of fear welling up.
A little girl lunged at the man's thigh and bit him fiercely. "Don't bully my mommy!"
The veins on the man's hand bulged, his face contorted with rage. He grabbed the little girl, intending to throw her to the ground.