Plug-in Delivery System [Quick Transmigration] - v2c12

 

Chapter 27 (Part 12)

The shock had not subsided even when the two of them met Fu Yunci.

As soon as Fu Yunci saw Cheng Xuyuan emerge, he immediately ran over, asking eagerly, "How are you? Have you been treated well? You look like you've lost a lot of weight..."

Cheng Xuyuan's lips twitched, "I only spent one night there."

Yun Yi said indifferently, "If it weren't for Fu Yunci here, I wouldn't have come to save you."

Yin Qingcheng sincerely thanked Fu and his brother, then asked, "So, what happened here? Has the investigation been concluded?"

"The case is still under further investigation," Yun Yi said as he walked. "The Tribunal will not disclose any information until everything is clear."

After leaving the Tribunal building, Yun Yi turned back suddenly and said to Yin Qingcheng, "When the Soul Devouring Snake King attacked Shen Wu Academy, you and the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox saved everyone. In recognition of your actions, the academy decided to reinstate your school status."

Yin Qingcheng stopped in surprise and looked at him with a tremor in his voice, "Is that... true?"

The corner of Yun Yi's lips curved slightly upwards. "As the Dean of the Fire Division, when have I ever lied?"

Being reinstated was undoubtedly a cause for celebration for Yin Qingcheng. He hugged the little ball of fur in his arms tightly and kissed it, joyously whispering in its ear, "All credit goes to you."

Cheng Xuyuan, on the other hand, didn't share the same enthusiasm. Instead, he was perplexed by the sudden piece of good news — how was it that one could be expelled and reinstated so abruptly, and coincide perfectly with the timing of the vessel's gate opening?

Yin Qingcheng, blissful and oblivious to these details, was awarded a certificate after returning to school. The Principal's assistant presented him with a certificate, recognizing him as an excellent student of Shen Wu Academy and announcing his promotion to a senior magician.

Everything happened so suddenly that joy overwhelmed Yin Qingcheng.

Many classmates came to congratulate him upon hearing the news— except for Mondea.

He grumbled quietly in the corner, "He's just basking in the glory of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Anyone else could do better."

Hanazaki Saki, who was passing by, looked at him indifferently and said neutrally, "If it were you, I'm guessing Lord Celestial Fox might 'accidentally' kill you with his tail. After all, you're just a mid-level mage."

Mondea, hurt by her remarks, glared at her before turning away.

"According to custom, there is something you need to do next," Yun Yi smiled at Yin Qingcheng. "We would like to invite you to the Holy Temple."

Cheng Xuyuan and Yin Qingcheng instantly turned wary. They stared at Yun Yi's eyes anxiously, unable to determine whether this was indeed a friendly invitation.

Yin Qingcheng suddenly said, "Thanks for the invitation from the school, I will definitely attend."

"Why wait for another day, let's go today."

The smile on Yun Yi's face didn't reach his eyes, his expression inscrutable.

Cheng Xuyuan nervously tugged at Yin Qingcheng's hand, whispering, "We should..."

"Why not?" Yin Qingcheng confidently gripped his slender fingers, smiling confidently. "The Holy Temple is the holiest place in the whole Shen Huan Continent. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Fu Yunci looked at them, puzzled, and asked, "What is the Holy Temple...?"

"You stay at school."

Yun Yi commanded Fu Yunci, and then proceeded to lead the two towards the gate of Shen Wu Academy.

After they got on the special vehicle heading to the Holy Temple, the unicorn raised its rainbow-colored mane, carrying the trio with varied anticipations through the sky.

Cheng Xuyuan nervously asked the system, "Will anything happen? If something happens, is it considered a work-related injury? Is there insurance?"

The system negated in three words: "Won't, not, none."

Just as Cheng Xuyuan was about to express condemnation towards the indifferent system, the special vehicle arrived at the entrance of the Holy Temple. Two tall pillars came into view, with a diameter so large that perhaps five people holding hands couldn't wrap around them.

The Holy Temple was constructed with great grandeur, and a huge fountain was located at the entrance. The surging waters released a continuous stream of water magic. In the center of the fountain was a burning flame.

Yin Qingcheng felt that the flame looked familiar, so he pointed at it and asked Yun Yi, "What is this?"

"The Flame of the Phantom God," Yun Yi replied, "It symbolizes the supreme source of energy of the Phantom God."

Yin Qingcheng suddenly remembered the flame he had seen in his dream—it had the same color, appearing brilliant but totally void of heat. He couldn't help but take a few more glances at the flame, confirming he hadn't seen it before, and wondered why the Flame of the Phantom God had appeared in his dream.

Upon entering the Holy Temple, several guards verified the trio's identities, directing them to the Phantom God's main hall at the rear.

The magnificent hall was nigh incomparable to any palace on earth. Gold, jade, pearls, and gemstones counted as mere mundane decorations, and dazzling magic aura filled the domed ceiling.

"So beautiful..." Cheng Xuyuan muttered, "How much does all this cost?"

Yun Yi coldly glanced at him and pointed to the room ahead, "This is where the Phantom God is sleeping."

Yin Qingcheng swallowed nervously, asking him, "Can we go inside directly?"

Yun Yi nodded, as if it was nothing more than a regular room.

Cheng Xuyuan opened the door, and a refreshing fragrance rushed over them. The magic aura was quiet and steady, not at all like what one would expect from the resting place of the Phantom God.

"Click..."

The door fully opened, the heavy sound seemed to come from afar in the surrounding silence. The only sight was a soft green fluorescent glow enveloping the room.

The trio walked into the room together. A familiar scent hit them — Cheng Xuyuan immediately associated it with the smell he detected in the spirit core of the magical beast, causing him to frown.

"The Phantom God symbolizes the pinnacle of power on this continent," Yun Yi said slowly, standing behind the two, "So, please maintain reverence."

Yin Qingcheng stared at the sleeping array in front of him, momentarily speechless.

The entire array floated in mid-air, with eight corners, and purple, gold, red, and blue gems embedded in the cardinal directions, emitting pulsating energy. Intricate patterns were carved into the eight corners of the array, with different colors, yet equally pure and beautiful.

Cheng Xuyuan fell into deep thought observing the array.

Yin Qingcheng couldn't resist approaching the array, drawn towards its enigmatic and powerful aura. Yun Yi watched his actions, his eyes faintly moving, but he did not stop him.

"For thousands of years, the Phantom God falls into a cyclical slumber, growing stronger each time he awakens," Yun Yi continued, "No one has seen his visage, but everyone knows he is the Divine One, he is our savior..."

If Cheng Xuyuan were to turn around at this moment, he would see a look of adoration and obsession on Yun Yi's face — a stark contrast to his usual composed and cold demeanor.

"Master Yun Yi," Yin Qingcheng suddenly spoke, "Why have you brought us here?"

Yun Yi replied with a smile, "Clearly it's to let you appreciate the strength of the Phantom God and further encourage your resolve to become stronger."

However, Cheng Xuyuan felt that there was more to this than what was being said. He looked at Yun Yi warily and asked, "Could you tell us why all eight of the excellent students who entered this room died, before we begin our veneration?"

"It was the Principal's orders," Yun Yi replied solemnly, "You probably think I killed them. But the truth is, Shen Wu Academy has always wanted to awaken the Phantom God, and use his power to unify the Shen Huan Continent and human world."

"What?!"

Both Cheng Xuyuan and Yin Qingcheng were shocked upon hearing this.

Yun Yi continued, "For thousands of years, the Phantom God has always awoken naturally. To forcibly awaken him, eight young mages must be sacrificed to light the eight corners of the array. At the same time, four powerful spirit beasts must also be sacrificed to illuminate the four gems anchoring the array."

Cheng Xuyuan's fingers slightly quivered. He was just thinking, the numbers eight and four — the number of corners and gems — were too much of a coincidence. Moreover, the colors of the gems even corresponded to the energies of the dark, thunder, fire, and water realms of the four magical beasts...

"So, not just the eight students, were the four magical beasts also victims?" Cheng Xuyuan asked incredulously.

Yun Yi nodded painfully, whispering, "Expelling students was just an excuse for the school. They simply wanted the students to be sacrificed on their way home, so as no one could suspect the school authorities."

Yin Qingcheng fell into a prolonged silence, his eyes filled with indescribable thoughts.

Suddenly, Yin Qingcheng started talking, "While looking for an exit in the warehouse that day, I accidentally saw a book."

Yun Yi's gaze jolted, and after a moment he said, "Really? There are indeed many books in the warehouse."

"You should know what I am talking about, Master Yun Yi."

Yun Yi calmly responded, "I don't know. Could it be some forbidden technique manual?"

"Not quite," Yin Qingcheng suddenly curled his lips, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, "The name of the book is 'Roster of individuals with vessel bodies at Shen Wu Academy'."

Not understanding, Cheng Xuyuan looked at him and asked, "What was written in the roster?"

Yun Yi looked at him without changing his expression.

"Out of curiosity, I flipped it open, and saw my name on it," Yin Qingcheng said slowly.

Yun Yi just hummed and replied, "You indeed have a vessel body. There's nothing surprising about that."

Yin Qingcheng stared intently into his eyes, pronouncing each word, "But why did I also see your name on it, Lord Yun Yi?"

There was a slight tremble in Yun Yi's shoulder.

Taking a steady stride towards him, Yin Qingcheng said coldly, "When the Judgement Office told me that the murderer of the top students was of vessel body, can you guess who I initially thought of?"

Raising his chin slightly, Yun Yi said indifferently, "I have been in school for the past few days. How could I have the opportunity to assassinate?"

"I always wondered why you happened to be in the warehouse that day," Yin Qingcheng's eyes were full of scrutiny, "Now that I think about it, you were behind us all the time, returning from the Door of Abyss, weren't you?"

Yun Yi remained silent as he looked at him.

In the next second, to Cheng Xuyuan's utmost shock, a blade made of cold, shining ice appeared in Yun Yi's hand, quickly pressed against Yin Qingcheng's neck.

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