novelraw Chapter 376: I’ll Take Full Responsibility
Chapter 376: I’ll Take Full Responsibility
Su Zhan remained silent, knowing that Mo Yuan was speaking the truth.
His actions at the time must have seemed like the deeds of a madman to outsiders, inevitably causing an uproar and countless speculations.
The higher-ups of Daxia, especially the Aberrant Purge Division, would never let this clue go easily.
Su Zhan set down his teacup, his voice low. "I owe him a favor."
He didn't specify what kind of favor it was, nor did he explain where this debt came from.
The reason sounded feeble, even somewhat perfunctory, especially given that "Chen Qing" and "Wang Mingyuan" should have had no connection whatsoever.
Mo Yuan looked deeply at Su Zhan for a moment, not pressing further about the "origin of the favor."
He leaned back into his chair, pondering. "This gift is far too shocking.
Now, I'm afraid it's not just the Purge Division; even those few at the highest levels will begin to re-examine you.
Chen Qing, you are a Guest Advisor of my Black City, someone I, Mo Yuan, value.I don't care where this favor truly stems from, nor how many more secrets you are hiding.
As long as you are a member of my Black City for even one day, I will do my utmost to protect you.
However, you must also understand that your actions this time have undoubtedly thrust you into the eye of the storm.
The matter of Qin Bai might be settled because of this, but it could also invite greater trouble.
You need to be prepared."
Su Zhan met Mo Yuan's gaze, seeing the understanding in the other man's eyes.
Mo Yuan clearly harbored strong suspicions, perhaps having vaguely guessed part of the truth, but he chose not to expose it, choosing instead to continue standing by Su Zhan's side.
"I understand."
Su Zhan said slowly, "Any consequences, I will bear alone."
He would not explain the secret of his dual identity; that was his final bottom line.
But he also made his stance clear to Mo Yuan.
He would not implicate Black City; his choices were his own responsibility.
Mo Yuan nodded, no longer dwelling on the matter.
He picked up his teacup again. "Since you are aware, that's good. Black City will always be your fallback. What do you plan to do next? Regarding Qin Bai..."
The conversation returned to the initial plotting.
But both men in the study knew that the delivered Reforge Fruit would make the future situation even more complex and unpredictable.
After concluding his conversation with Mo Yuan.
Su Zhan returned to the independent small building allocated to him within the core area of the City Lord's Residence.
The courtyard remained serene and secluded, the meditation room spotlessly clean.
Clearly, someone had been meticulously maintaining it during his six-month absence.
This was his nominal residence and one of the few places in Black City where he could truly relax.
After dismissing the attendants.
Su Zhan sat alone on the soft couch in the meditation room and picked up a tablet.
He needed to understand the changes that had occurred in the outside world over the past six months, especially... those related to the people and events connected to him.
The device lit up. Without him needing to search hard, overwhelming promotional information and live-stream notifications dominated the headlines of the mainstream media.
[Daxia's Grand Event! The Joint Grand Competition of the Five Great Academies Officially Opens!]
[Global Spotlight! The Strongest Young Talents of the Generation Gather in Kirin City!]
[Live on the Scene! Who Will Claim the Crown of This Grand Competition, Ascending as the Young Monarch?]
Massive headlines paired with blood-pumping promotional videos, real-time battle highlights...
All heralded that this grand event capturing the attention of all Daxia was currently underway.
The Grand Competition consisted of individual matches, aimed at determining the strongest individual talent.
A flicker passed through Su Zhan's eyes. He lightly swiped his finger and entered the official live stream.
The screen displayed an immensely grand and colossal arena, its style ancient and majestic. It was the main arena of the Kirin Academy located in the central region of Daxia.
The Celestial Arena.
The spectator stands were packed with a sea of people.
A massive light screen suspended high above clearly displayed the schedule and match-up list for the individual competition.
The Grand Competition had already been underway for a day.
Su Zhan's gaze quickly scanned the list of participating contestants. Soon, within the Vermilion Bird Academy's list, he spotted three familiar names:
Feng Jue, Liu Ziming, Xu Hao.
As expected, the three of them were representing Vermilion Bird Academy in the Grand Competition.
The footage timely switched to a replay of a recently concluded individual match.
It was Feng Jue versus a defense-specialized contestant from the northern Black Tortoise Academy.
On the arena, Feng Jue stood tall and straight. When he activated his Life Soul, a longsword resembling a startling swan materialized in his hand.
Sword light flickered, its speed so fast it only left afterimages in the air. His attacks were sharp and relentless, dismantling his opponent's sturdy defenses layer by layer. Finally, seizing an opening, he secured victory with a single decisive sword strike.
The footage then switched to Xu Hao's battle.
His opponent was a long-range Elemental Type Awakened individual.
Right as the match began, the opponent started chanting, attempting to create distance and unleash a large-scale spell.
Xu Hao's figure blurred on the spot. The next instant, he appeared beside his opponent, a dagger gleaming coldly in his hand, pressed precisely and swiftly against the opponent's vital throat, forcing immediate surrender.
Finally, a replay of Liu Ziming's battle.
His opponent was a strength-type Awakened individual.
Facing the opponent's fierce and domineering frontal assault, Liu Ziming remained utterly unruffled. Clenching his fists, dazzling purple electric light suddenly erupted around his body.
Violent purple thunder roared forth, not only astonishingly fast but also carrying a powerful paralyzing effect. He met force with force, blasting his opponent until they were charred black all over, staggering and collapsing to the ground, winning a round of cheers from the entire arena.
The commentator's impassioned voice rang out, "Spectacular! These three contestants from Vermilion Bird Academy have each displayed extremely distinct combat styles and formidable personal strength!
All three have successfully advanced to the next round!"
The live stream's bullet comments were also scrolling rapidly:
"Feng Jue's sword is too fast! Can't even see it clearly!"
"Xu Hao's teleportation is so cheesy! How do you fight that?"
"Liu Ziming's Purple Thunder is the real deal! Unbeatable in a head-on clash!"
However... these comments were in the minority. The majority of bullet comments did not hold a favorable view of Vermilion Bird Academy.
"Heard those three were teammates of the late Su Zhan... Sigh, what a pity. If Su Zhan were still here, Vermilion Bird Academy might have swept the top spots in the individual competition."
"Rational analysis: The power gap between the Five Great Academies this year is too severe. Or rather, Vermilion Bird Academy's personnel configuration is still too weak. The other four academies each have two SSS-grades, and all these SSS-grades are at least Abyss Realm second stage."
"Comment above hits the nail on the head. Now look at Vermilion Bird Academy? Their only noteworthy SSS-grade, Time Abyss Pupil, died in the Mist long ago. The rest of them? How are they supposed to compete?"
"It's not that Feng Jue and the others aren't trying hard; the hardware gap is just too big! The control over Spiritual Energy and affinity for laws granted by an SSS-grade Life Soul is something SS-grades simply can't compare to."
"Is Vermilion Bird Academy just here to make up the numbers this year? The other academies have a total of eight SSS-grades. Going by that, Vermilion Bird Academy would be lucky to get one into the top ten. Top five? Don't even think about it."
"Still dreaming about top ten? You can dream about anything! Look at those SSS-grade monsters from the other four academies. Which one isn't crushing their peers?"
"I miss Su Zhan... If he were still here, Vermilion Bird Academy would at least have someone who could go toe-to-toe with those monsters. Now? Heh."