Xiang Lun’s face darkened. The snow fox at his side had already assumed a battle stance, its purple eyes gleaming in the darkness.
The oppressive aura of a top-tier beast tamer spread out in an instant. And to think Xiang Lun also bore the rare gift of space magic—a special innate talent known as a rule-type ability.
The wind around them abruptly stilled, leaving the air in a terrifying silence.
Under that invisible pressure, the captain immediately fell silent, a chill running down his spine. Every beast tamer from the Miasma-Clearing Team on the scene tensed like they were facing a deadly foe.
Xiang Lun had spent many years at Lobe Academy and rarely lifted a hand against anyone. Everyone knew how formidable space magic was, but few had truly grasped its power—until tonight, when they finally had the chance.
The words had already been spoken, however. The captain had received his orders. For now, he set aside the white-haired elder’s instructions and focused on thoroughly investigating Xuzhi’s identity.
He couldn’t help taking half a step back as he forced out a response. “Tracking heavenly disasters is the Miasma-Clearing Team’s duty. We won’t overlook even the slightest potential threat. The Element River here needs to be dealt with too… I hope you can understand.”
A long moment passed before Xiang Lun let out a cold snort. “And just how do you plan to handle it?”
~~~
In the courtyard, Herl had learned of the Miasma-Clearing Team’s arrival. He took the communication device and stepped aside for a private conversation with Xiang Lun.
Ming Shuang still had no idea that Xuzhi’s identity had been completely exposed. Worry gnawed at him, though he tried to reassure himself.
The Miasma-Clearing Team was an official organization. Perhaps they had detected the Element River and come to the academy to help.
Xuzhi had been spotted by members of the team earlier that day. As long as he explained himself clearly, it would be fine—he had only been dispelling the miasma fog and done nothing wrong.
Even as he thought this, Ming Shuang’s brows furrowed slightly. Without realizing it, he clutched Xuzhi’s sleeve and gazed toward the direction of the academy grounds beyond.
Xuzhi sat down beside him and naturally took hold of Ming Shuang’s hand. “Don’t worry.”
The warmth of Xuzhi’s palm soothed Ming Shuang a little. He nodded. “Mm.”
He was still clutching the owl tightly, as if afraid it might bolt.
Its movements restricted, the owl twisted its head and pecked hard at Xuzhi’s arm.
Xuzhi appeared utterly defenseless, but in truth, the owl’s beak collided with a barrier of metal magic. It let out a sharp snap.
Ming Shuang looked down in confusion. “What happened?”
Deflated, the owl lowered its head and pretended to know nothing, suddenly behaving itself a bit more.
A little while later, it glanced at Xuzhi again—only to meet the other’s faintly amused gaze.
The owl’s heart sank. It reined itself in even further and obediently settled down.
Hadn’t Tomato said Xuzhi had lost his memories? This didn’t look like amnesia at all…
Besides, the old Xuzhi had been much the same—gentle and good-tempered with the little dragon, though he had little patience for the other magical beasts and merely put on a show for them.
If Xuzhi hadn’t lost his memories at all—or had already regained them—the owl didn’t dare provoke him.
But how had they ended up as mates? The little dragon was so cute, so kind, so innocent, so young…
The owl fumed inwardly and resolved to stay.
Coal Ball was too timid, Tomato seemed downright dim, and Taro Ball was far too honest. It had to be the one watching over the little dragon.
If Xuzhi dared bully the little dragon, it would risk its life to stop him…
As these thoughts swirled, a piece of jerky was stuffed into the owl’s mouth.
“Mochi,” Ming Shuang said softly, “have you had dinner?”
The owl hadn’t eaten. It couldn’t get food like this out in the wild. The flavor was strong, but not bad at all…
It swallowed the jerky and tilted its head to nuzzle Ming Shuang’s palm.
The night air had grown chilly, so Ming Shuang finally returned to his room.
Sleep was the furthest thing from his mind. He sat on the sofa, fiddling with the communication device as he waited for news from outside.
Yan Si poked his head out for a look, then sent a message to Wu Shao asking where he was.
Wu Shao was probably still en route and didn’t reply right away. Xing Huai remained in her room, standing guard over the dragon egg.
With Xiang Lun and Herl handling things, Yan Si had no intention of getting involved in the Element River issue. Until the other dragons of his clan returned to the continent, he wouldn’t reveal his identity unless it was absolutely necessary.
The light in Ming Shuang’s room was still on. Yan Si stood in the corridor and glanced toward the open window.
Over the past few days, Xuzhi’s strength had surged again—only to stall once more.
Even so, the god clan’s innate talent was truly extraordinary. Layering multiple types of magic and cultivating them all to the top tier… it was a terrifying prospect.
Magic tiers had been defined by the human race, after all. The Saint Domain 10th Tier was their limit, but it might not apply to the god clan. Even the dragon clan had never used such a system.
He could only hope Ming Xue’s choice hadn’t been a mistake… As long as Xuzhi always stood by Ming Shuang’s side and posed no threat, there was nothing to fear.
A long while later, Yan Si withdrew his gaze and melted back into the shadows.
~~~
Ming Shuang stayed in his room and chatted with the owl a bit longer. Half an hour later, Xiang Lun finally returned to the courtyard.
He brought troubling news: the Miasma-Clearing Team had deployed large squads to seal off the entire academy.
“Why?” Ming Shuang couldn’t help asking. “Are they worried the miasma fog will spread?”
Xiang Lun’s expression was grim. After hesitating, he came clean. “They’ve discovered Xuzhi’s god clan identity.”
Ming Shuang froze, saying nothing.
Xuzhi’s face remained impassive, as if he couldn’t care less.
“Relax,” Xiang Lun said. “With me here, they won’t dare try anything. Besides, they don’t seem entirely certain he’s god clan. Grandpa Kaiyin from last time is still at the academy—he’ll help us too.”
Thanks to the tip from Herl, Xiang Lun had been prepared. It was just that tonight’s sudden developments had given the Miasma-Clearing Team an opening.
A flight team had appeared first, followed swiftly by two more squads. They had clearly come prepared.
Xiang Lun’s unique status and rare space magic meant these people wouldn’t dare lay a hand on him, though.
The Miasma-Clearing Team had sealed the academy but promised to let the students leave first thing in the morning. They would also help guard the Element River.
The beast tamers in their ranks were among Central City’s elite. Going up against them outright would be a headache.
Once the students and irrelevant instructors were sent away, Xiang Lun could figure out the next step.
Having Xuzhi disguise himself and slip out probably wouldn’t work—they’d check every student one by one before releasing anyone. Ming Shuang might be able to try it, though…
Xiang Lun laid out his plan, but Ming Shuang shook his head. “I’m not leaving.”
“So what if they know?” he said, puzzled. “Brother’s been helping clear the miasma fog, hasn’t he? If they don’t believe it, they can watch him do it right in front of them.”
If he left, Yan Si and Xing Huai would surely follow. That would leave Xiang Lun and Xuzhi alone in the academy to face the Miasma-Clearing Team.
Ming Shuang couldn’t bear the thought. He had to stay. Besides, if more miasma fog appeared, the magic stones he’d given Xuzhi might not be enough.
Xiang Lun seemed about to say more but held back. In the end, he warned, “Heavenly disasters are tied to the god clan. They won’t let him go easily…”
Even if they believed Xuzhi was helping, they’d force him to keep bearing that burden—by imprisonment, control, or blackmail, whatever it took.
In many eyes, it made perfect sense: the god clan caused the heavenly disasters, so the god clan should clean them up.
Xuzhi didn’t have ice magic, though. The one actually dispelling the miasma fog was Ming Shuang.
Their relationship was already unusual enough. What Xiang Lun feared most was that the outsiders’ fear and hatred of the god clan would spill over onto Ming Shuang.
Unaware of Xuzhi’s recent surge in strength, Xiang Lun glanced around. Spotting no sign of Yan Si, he planned to send him a message and test the dragon clan’s stance.
The dragon clan had always kept to Dragon Island. Were they truly so afraid of the miasma fog?
It would be ideal if the other dragons were willing to protect Ming Shuang too…
Ming Shuang wasn’t thinking that far ahead, but he could vaguely sense the danger closing in.
He pursed his lips and sat down on the sofa. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying with all of you.”
At that moment, Xuzhi spoke up. “They’re after me. Let me go handle it…”
Ming Shuang’s head snapped up. “No! If you go, I’m going with you!”
“No!” Xiang Lun said sternly. “Both of you, stay put!”
He rubbed his brow and continued. “It’s late. Everyone get some rest. We’ll talk more in the morning.”
Space magic wards had been set up outside the academy, backed by patrol teams. At least tonight, they were safe.
“Alright… You rest too, Grandpa,” Ming Shuang said, reverting to his obedient tone. He didn’t forget to add, “If any miasma fog shows up, I can protect you all.”
Xiang Lun’s expression softened. “I know.”
In the current situation, the miasma fog seemed like the least of their worries. Ming Shuang’s health had improved greatly lately, and his magic power reserves had expanded dramatically.
Finally, Herl settled down in the courtyard as well, heading over to Xiang Lun’s side.
Still uneasy, Ming Shuang released all the fluffy plushies. They sprawled out in a big circle across the yard, incidentally keeping watch over the gate.
When the time came, Ming Shuang shifted back into his little dragon hatchling form. Xuzhi scooped him up and carried him back to the room to sleep.
The owl tagged along shamelessly, slipping inside too.
No sooner had it arrived than Tomato, Coal Ball, and Taro Ball showed up as well. The four magical beasts crammed onto the sofa.
The lights in the room went out. Sleepiness overtook Ming Shuang, and he drifted off in short order.
The three beasts on the sofa fell asleep too, Tomato softly snoring with its legs kicked up.
Only the owl stayed awake, its eyes glowing in the darkness as it stared intently at Xuzhi.
Ming Shuang lay sprawled across Xuzhi’s chest, sleeping soundly. Xuzhi was awake too, gently stroking the little dragon hatchling’s back and horns.
Meanwhile, outside the academy…
The Miasma-Clearing Team had erected barriers everywhere to prevent anyone or any magical beast from leaving without their permission.
Two elders arrived overnight to inquire about the situation.
“Hold the fort for now. The Element River is another problem,” one of the elders said. “If the Miasma Fog is connected to the person inside, he’ll definitely expose himself.”
These two elders both favored taking Xuzhi into custody directly. However, his strength was unknown, and Xiang Lun was protecting him.
The captain acknowledged the order, then couldn’t help asking, “What exactly is the relationship between Dean Xiang and that person?”
How could he protect someone suspected of being from the God Clan? Judging by Xiang Lun’s reaction tonight, he most likely knew who Xuzhi was.
Even though the academy had been sealed off, the vast majority of people in the Miasma-Clearing Team still held Dean Xiang in high regard deep down. Not to mention how many Beast Tamers had graduated from Lobe Academy.
The elder shook his head. “I can’t figure it out either… It’s truly strange.”
~~~
