Chapter 49: Strange Stone (1/2)

Star Odyssey OMA 35780K 2022-07-22

Back in the capital, Raas had pretty much given up all hope. If even Munoor had been defeated, no one could save him now. He was fated to join the bottom end in this trial. Jeraldine looked at Lu Yin in disbelief, recalling the first time she had seen him where he was just a Seeker. Now he was an unparalleled Sentinel, just what was his background? Yatar from the Pagoda Planet, grandson of the headmaster, a top-notch powerhouse? Was that really the truth?

Munoor was famous amongst the trainees, and news of his defeat stunned all of them. Their first reaction was disbelief, but the network never lied. Gerlaine verified the news quickly, ensuring that everyone took this powerhouse guarding the capital more seriously. At the same time, the trial itself grew much more complicated. The two Melders who had shown themselves so far had already been defeated.

Not long later, a few more students were captured by Qingyu. Lu Yin updated his count, “Seventeen, he’s caught seventeen students.”

Bai Xue was puzzled, “What are you counting this for?”

“He’s fighting for numbers,” Lu Yin pouted, but seeing everyone speechless, he took a deep breath and explained, “This fellow isn’t stupid and thought of the same thing we did. He wants to use these students to reach some compromise. Pity, the natures of our sides are different; he’s a criminal on the loose, while we’re just natives. He’s fated for judgment no matter how many students he captures.”

“Then doesn’t that settle things? It’s unrelated to you,” Gerlaine batted her eyes.

Lu Yin turned to her, “Every student he captures is one fewer for us. They’re our only bargaining chips.”

Gerlaine widened her eyes, “You really want to negotiate with the Empire using students? That’s impossible.”

“Nothing is impossible. Everyone who dared to enter this trial is an elite; they’re very important to the Empire.”

She sneered, “Do you know how many students participate in these trials every year? Let me tell you; this planet is one of many running right now, and even if all of them were wiped out, there wouldn’t be any impact. You’re dreaming!”

Bai Xue, Zhou Shan, and the rest felt depressed upon hearing her words. The Great Yu Empire was simply too large, and there were too many students and academies within. The trial on Earth only involved a small portion of its students.

“That’s not for sure,” Lu Yin consoled them, pulling Raas over, “This guy’s status should be enough for us to get something.”

“Let go of me!” Raas was furious.

Lu Yin tossed him aside and smiled, “The Vice Treasurer holds a very high position in the Empire; I’ve even heard he has some influence within the Thirteen Imperial Squadrons, which is perfect for me. The greater his influence, the better our chances of a successful negotiation, no?”

……

In northern Europe, a group of students were similarly angry. Over twenty students had banded together from all over to hunt for Qingyu, led by Yan Gang who actually wasn’t from the Great Yu Empire but another power within the Frostwave Weave called the Fireforge Planet. They were just as well-known as the Empire despite their limited scope; the planet was enormous and filled with seas of fire. It was said that all creatures from there had extremely high resistance to fire, and could use powerful flame-based battle techniques.

“Qingyu, release Huo Xiaoling,” Yan Gang stared down from his towering position in the sky. He himself was a sealed Melder like Huo Xiaoling, but many believed that he was even stronger than her. His body that had a hint of dark red was radiating scorching heat even in the freezing north, melting the snow below.

“You’ve got guts, kid. Do you think you can snatch someone from my grasp?” Qingyu teased the youth, his eyes full of contempt. In fact, he was still lounging on the ground with the seventeen captured students behind him, Huo Xiaoling among them. He had once been an Explorer; he couldn’t be bothered with mere students.

“Let me warn you, Huo Xiaoling is engaged to Yan Feng, the strongest youth of the Fireforge Planet. Touch so much as a hair on her head and you’ll face my entire planet’s wrath!” Yan Gang stated coldly.

“A little planet in a savage borderland really thinks highly of itself. Whatever, I’ll give you a chance to take her away, but it will depend on your ability.”

“Speak!” Yan Gang growled.

A slight smile grew on Qingyu’s face, “Go to China’s capital and fetch my stuff in exchange for this woman.”

Yan Gang’s eyes flashed, “Release Huo Xiaoling first, and then I’ll go and get it for you.”