229 The Least of Two Evils (2/2)

”Hey, Junior!” Beside the leopard was Elsa, the leader of the School of Summoning. She studied him, her eyes filled with anticipation. ”Where’s your dog? It sounds really impressive and Bi’er was unhappy when she heard. You’ve been getting the limelight recently, so why don’t we find some time to have fun together?” She rubbed her hands together excitedly as she spoke. Her eyes flashed too, like a beast that had found something interesting and wanted to try it out!

Sensing this girl’s serious challenge and pricking pain, Ye Qingxuan stepped back and shook his head. ”Sorry, I can’t fight now.”

”Ah, so not fun!” Elsa’s face fell instantly. She tossed a giant satchel into Ye Qingxuan’s arms. ”This is for you.”

Ye Qingxuan almost stumbled back from the impact of the satchel. He felt his hands being weighed down and almost missed. Before he could ask, Elsa and the black leopard shadow were already far away.

Her voice traveled back, ”These are some old books that the school wants to get rid of. Professor wanted me to throw them away but I didn’t feel like walking. Please take them to a suitable landfill.”

Ye Qingxuan chuckled wryly and called, ”Thanks!”

In the distance, Elsa waved to him without looking back and disappeared in the mist. Looking at the satchel and case, Ye Qingxuan sighed. He pulled them up with difficulty and continued on. After a few steps, a familiar figure appeared.

”Cullen?”

Seeing Ye Qingxuan’s state, Cullen was shocked. He looked down at his small suitcase and could not help but chuckle dryly. ”Seems like someone got here before me?” With that, he handed the suitcase over to Ye Qingxuan. ”The School of Royalty’s resources have aged badly these days and need to be copied. Since you’re coincidentally a copyist…”

Ye Qingxuan opened his mouth to speak, but Cullen stopped him with a hand. ”Don’t thank me. To be honest, I really want to expel you. Your white hair is too blinding. Can’t you dye it?”

Ye Qingxuan shrugged. ”Can’t help you with that.”

Cullen shook his head and waved, motioning for him to leave, but Ye Qingxuan did not move. He just looked at Cullen and asked, ”Why are you helping me?”

”To be honest, I really won’t if I have the choice.” Cullen sighed. ”But if I think about it, compared to you annoying Easterner, someone who stole research results and disgraced all musicians is worse.” He patted Ye Qingxuan’s shoulder. Without saying more, he turned and left.

Ye Qingxuan stood in his spot for a long while before hoisting up the satchel, suitcase, and case. These things were heavy and annoying but for some reason, he was in a much better mood now. He smiled involuntarily.

He continued on in the still academy. When he walked past students, they would stand in place and see him off until he disappeared in the mist.

Unclear humming traveled from the thin mist; it was hoarse yet drawn out.

-

When Ye Qingxuan finally set down all the stuff before the library’s entrance in the Jianlan Underground Palace, it felt as if his entire body was going to fall apart. He could not help it; physical labor was always his worse subject. He would be out of breath from just running a few thousand meters, let alone transporting things. Bai Xi had judged him for this too many times to count.

A slight earthly breeze blew through the deserted library. There was an upset huff in the wind.

”Help me look over this stuff. I’ll take it back when I come out at night.” The youth smiled apologetically at the air. ”Sorry for not coming for so long. I’ll play marbles with you all when I have time.”

The huffing in wind seemed to be a bit more pleased. An invisible power pulled the suitcases and satchels, moving them into the shadows until they disappeared.

”You’re a bit later than I had expected.” Dominic, the guard Ye Qingxuan had not seen in a while, pointed to the stairs behind him. ”The alchemist the principal hired is getting impatient. Hopefully you have a good excuse.”

”Uh, sorry. I ran into some problems.” Ye Qingxuan chuckled apologetically and hurried away.

There seemed to be a path waiting for him in the darkness. The stairs came alive slightly. After being in the darkness for who knew how long, Ye Qingxuan’s steps halted before an ancient door.

He felt his skin pulling taught. In his perception, he seemed to see a burning sea of light behind the door. The blinding brightness practically crushed one’s perception. It was like a giant vortex. The sea of aether revolved, sleeping peacefully. A gentle melody caressed it, creating faint ripples.

This was the source of the entire Requiem enchantment, the location where the music score of benevolence was performed—the Cave of Sleep.

A blonde youth sitting cross-legged in the dazzling silver light behind the door smiled at the shocked Ye Qingxuan, ”Hey, kid, I’ve been waiting for a long time.”