69: Undercurrents

Lin Xi left Su Ze alone in the underground space and returned to his lounge chair, drinking wine while watching the underground entrance as usual.

After telling Su Ze everything, he seemed much more relaxed than usual.

After taking a swig of wine, he suddenly remembered something and took out his phone to dial a number.

Before long, the call was connected. Hearing the greeting from the other end, he immediately barked, "Cut the crap. Fusang has been acting up lately, making moves twice right under my nose. What on earth are you doing?!"

"Seclusion?" Lin Xi said irritably, "You're already at max level, so why the hell are you in seclusion?"

The person on the other end tried to speak, but Lin Xi interrupted, "Go give Fusang a warning. I know you can't just attack, so just intimidating them will suffice."

"Has it been so long since you've acted that they've forgotten the shadow we teacher and disciple cast over them? This time, make sure to pull off something big!"

After finishing his instructions, Lin Xi hung up the phone.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xu and Yu Shenghuo, who had been sent away earlier, returned after completing their respective tasks, happening to meet halfway.

From the air, they had a full view of the devastation below. The original location of the Great Xia Spirit Guards' camp had been completely razed to the ground, leaving a shocking circular crater spanning several kilometers.

The two exchanged a glance, then flew toward their respective areas of responsibility with solemn expressions.

Just as Xiao Xu was about to arrive at Qinglong Beast Tamer University, his expression suddenly changed, and he flew toward the shade of a massive tree nearby.

As the shadows writhed rapidly, he was quickly swallowed by the tree's darkness.

Within the shadows, Ishinari Meiko of the Fusang Dark Guards had been waiting for a long time.

Xiao Xu said with displeasure, "You've grown bold, haven't you?! Contacting me so openly—don't forget that the former principal is still in the university!"

"He has dealt with you so many times; are you really that confident he won't see through your little hiding tricks?!"

Ishinari Meiko bowed to Xiao Xu in apology and said, "I'm sorry, Lord Xiao. We didn't intend for this, but the situation is urgent and we had no choice!"

"What exactly is so urgent?" Xiao Xu asked, frowning.

Ishinari Meiko hurriedly told Xiao Xu everything that had happened in detail.

To her surprise, Xiao Xu nodded after listening and said, "Isn't this quite well done? What's the problem?"

Ishinari Meiko said anxiously, "Lord Xiao, the Golden Feather Phoenix Bird is dead! This means that path is no longer viable, and we must proceed with the original plan to obtain the Divine Blood!"

Xiao Xu reached out to interrupt her, saying, "Setting aside whether the so-called Divine Beast Essence Blood still exists or if it has all been used on Xiao Sheng's Biyun Flood Dragon, as for Su Ze's Golden Feather Phoenix Bird... isn't your Fusang's knowledge of demonic beasts a bit lacking?"

Ishinari Meiko said in confusion, "I don't understand. I hope Lord Xiao can enlighten me!" She then gave another deep bow.

Xiao Xu had to explain, "Perhaps your side in Fusang doesn't understand the legendary Divine Beast of the Xia Kingdom, the Phoenix. Nirvana and rebirth from the flames mean that a demonic beast like a Phoenix is not easily killed. The same goes for the Golden Feather Phoenix Bird, which possesses the Phoenix bloodline."

"Furthermore, this is a good thing for you. A Phoenix reborn from the flames will become even stronger than before, with a more refined bloodline power."

Xiao Xu then continued, "I told you to aim for heavy injury to prevent you from going too far and accidentally killing Su Ze as well. If he died, the Golden Feather Phoenix Bird would likely be obliterated due to the contract effect, losing even the chance for Nirvana."

Ishinari Meiko breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

She then bowed to Xiao Xu again and said, "Lord Xiao, the reason I came to see you so recklessly is that my identity cannot be hidden much longer."

"In this operation, we deployed almost all the forces we've had hidden within Great Xia for years. It must have caught the attention of the Great Xia Spirit Guards, and the remaining people will be rooted out before long."

"Next will be a great escape. How many people can make it back will depend on their own fate. I don't know when we'll meet again, and I'm afraid our plan will be shelved for a while..."

But Xiao Xu smiled and said, "That's not necessarily true. Although I was intentionally sent away by the Jiang Family this time, I managed to secure some good news while discussing the Beast Taming Grand Competition with the principals of several other universities!"

"Now, as long as we nurture Su Ze into the champion of the grand competition, we can harvest the fruits of our labor!"

Ishinari Meiko's bright eyes widened at his words. After discussing some more details with Xiao Xu, she left satisfied.

If she didn't leave now, she might never be able to step onto Fusang soil again in her lifetime.

After she left, Xiao Xu resumed his hurried expression and rushed back to the Beast Taming University.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the campus, Lin Xi, who was basking in the sun, had just hung up the phone. He watched Xiao Xu fly back through the air and revealed a slight smile... At the same time, Jiang Chen also rushed back to the Jiang Family in the Imperial Capital as fast as he could.

Without much effort, he met the Jiang Family Ancestor, who was tending to flowers and plants. No one knew how old he was; they only knew that everyone currently in the Jiang Family was his junior.

The Jiang Family Ancestor had snow-white short hair and a hunched back as he carried a watering can, watering the flowers and plants. The vegetation grew exceptionally lush, suggesting they were carefully tended to daily.

Behind him, a group of half-grown children were swaying their heads as they recited the Three Character Classic.

"Ancestor..."

Jiang Chen stepped forward and was about to speak when the Jiang Family Ancestor raised a hand to stop him, saying, "Wait a moment. Wait until these children finish reciting."

Jiang Chen then pulled back his extended foot and waited quietly.

There were many children he hadn't seen before. Although their clothes were clean, their faces felt dirty, completely unlike the pampered children of the Jiang Family. It seemed they were orphans the Ancestor had adopted out of the kindness of his heart.

"...Diligence yields results, play brings no benefit. Be warned, and strive with effort."

After reciting the last few lines, the children excitedly raised their hands and reached forward.

The Ancestor finished watering and straightened up, cheerfully taking candies from his pocket and placing them in their hands.

The children immediately cheered and jumped for joy.

"Children are so full of energy. Unlike me—I'm old, I'm fading..." the Jiang Family Ancestor lamented.

Jiang Chen flattered him, saying, "Ancestor, you have white hair but a youthful face; you don't look old at all."

He was indeed correct. Although the Jiang Family Ancestor had a head full of white hair, there wasn't a single wrinkle on his face. Looking at his features, he appeared to be a handsome young man in his twenties or thirties.

The Jiang Family Ancestor patted Jiang Chen's shoulder and said, "Haha, well said, kid. Tell me, what's the matter?"

He then waved his hand for others to take the children away.

Jiang Chen then said somewhat uneasily, "Ancestor... Jiang Tianlong is dead..."