Chapter 31: Storage Space, Ming Xue’s Choice

A few minutes later.

Ming Shuang sat with his head lowered, Xiang Lun right in front of him.

Xuzhi had already stepped out and was standing not far from the tent, subjected to the Snow Fox’s fierce glare.

The Snow Fox had no idea what had happened. It only knew that Xiang Lun seemed angry and had told it to keep an eye on this person.

It stood guard nearby, its purple eyes brimming with vigilance.

Xuzhi, for his part, was fully cooperative. His expression betrayed nothing as he waited quietly in place.

Tomato was outside the tent as well, curled up on the grass beside the backpack. Upon seeing the scene, it let out a merciless mocking chirp: “Cheep cheep!”

Inside the tent, Ming Shuang glanced at Xiang Lun and whispered, “He is my master…”

He could sense that Xiang Lun was a little unhappy, though he didn’t quite understand why.

Ming Shuang had told Xiang Lun everything about his past with Xuzhi—for instance, how he’d grown up in the Card Pool from a young age, then slept for a very long time, only for Xuzhi to lose his memory afterward…

Xiang Lun’s head spun as he listened. He hadn’t even sorted out Ming Shuang’s origins or physical condition yet, and now things were growing more complicated by the minute.

Card Pools? Card Beasts? He’d lived for over three hundred years and never heard of such things…

But right now, his mind was consumed by one fact: Ming Shuang called Xuzhi “master”!

Only a Magical Beast that had formed a Beast Taming Contract with a Beast Tamer would regard that person as its master!

Ming Shuang was no ordinary Magical Beast—he was of the Dragon Clan. How could he casually enter into a Beast Taming Contract with a human?

Especially since, even after shapeshifting, Ming Shuang was still so young, barely of age and appearing innocent and sheltered from the world.

Xiang Lun could already picture it: Xuzhi tricking an unsuspecting little dragon into forming a contract with him.

Suppressing his anger, Xiang Lun looked at Ming Shuang and forced his tone to soften. “Let me take a look at your contract.”

As a member of the Dragon Clan—and an exceedingly rare Silver Frost Dragon at that—Ming Shuang could only form the most common type of Beast Taming Contract with someone who possessed an innate talent for Ice Magic.

Xiang Lun still harbored some doubts. He needed to confirm it for himself.

Ming Shuang obediently extended his hand, allowing Xiang Lun to probe his Magic Vein.

Xiang Lun placed his fingers on Ming Shuang’s wrist. “When we reach Central City,” he said, “I’ll take you to see a teacher who’s an expert in contract arts. He’ll dissolve the contract for you…”

Ming Shuang’s eyes widened slightly. “I don’t want to!”

“I know you’ve spent a long time with him,” Xiang Lun coaxed patiently. “But you’re Dragon Clan. How can you form a contract like some ordinary Magical Beast? Besides, once the contract is dissolved, you can still keep him by your side…”

His words cut off abruptly the next instant. He frowned. “Wait… you haven’t formed a contract with him?”

Ming Shuang looked equally puzzled. “I have. I can form a mental link with Master—and only I can.”

Coal Ball and the others couldn’t; he’d asked Xuzhi himself.

Xiang Lun’s brows knitted tightly as he probed more carefully. At last, deep within the flow of the Magic Vein, he spotted a Contract Array.

But he knew little of contract arts and couldn’t identify it. One thing was certain, though: it wasn’t a Beast Taming Contract.

He pondered for a moment, his expression easing somewhat. “We’ll discuss it when we get back to Central City… Since there’s no Beast Taming Contract, you don’t need to call him ‘master’ anymore.”

Not a Beast Taming Contract—that was a relief.

Had it been, Xiang Lun might not have been able to stop himself from taking direct action, no matter how close Ming Shuang and Xuzhi had become.

Let his great-grandson, this rare Silver Frost Dragon, become some human’s Magical Beast?

The Dragon Clan was innately powerful and proud by nature. They would never submit to another race. Once Ming Shuang matured a little more, he probably wouldn’t accept it himself.

Ming Shuang was reluctant. He pursed his lips. “Master raised me.”

He gazed at Xiang Lun, then called out softly, “Grandpa…”

That single “Grandpa” softened Xiang Lun’s heart against his will, dulling his anger toward Xuzhi in the process.

Ming Shuang’s features resembled Ming Xue’s even more closely, and his looks were exceptionally striking. That one blue eye of his matched Xiang Yuan’s perfectly—and Xiang Lun’s own, for that matter.

No matter how one looked at him, Ming Shuang seemed obedient and sensible. He was a far cry from the constant troublemakers at the Academy.

Xiang Lun’s gaze grew even gentler as he regained his composure.

Reviewing everything Ming Shuang had recounted, he at last realized one key point.

If Ming Shuang had truly been born frail, raising him to this point would not have been easy.

Ming Shuang quietly observed Xiang Lun’s expression. After a moment’s thought, he added, “Master treats me especially well. He’s good-tempered, too—he just never lets me help him with anything…”

Xiang Lun regarded Ming Shuang. Even if he couldn’t accept Ming Shuang viewing Xuzhi as “master,” he had to concede, now that he’d calmed down, that Ming Shuang had been raised exceptionally well.

The boy must have been shielded and protected his entire life, leaving him with a pure heart. He looked as though he’d never known hardship.

And yet, that very fact proved Xuzhi was no ordinary man.

He appeared so young—not much older than Ming Shuang himself—yet he’d successfully raised the boy.

“Grandpa,” Ming Shuang said, lowering his lashes. He seemed troubled, yet proceeded cautiously. “Please don’t dislike Master…”

Xiang Lun sighed helplessly and rubbed his brow. “I don’t dislike him… You mentioned earlier that he lost his memory? What happened?”

Ming Shuang shook his head. “I don’t know.”

He’d asked Coal Ball and Tomato, but those two Magical Beasts hadn’t seen him or Xuzhi since leaving the Card Pool. They knew nothing of what had transpired.

Xiang Lun nodded thoughtfully. “Very well. I’ll take you back to Central City first.”

Once there, he could examine the exact nature of the contract within Ming Shuang’s body.

He could also look into Xuzhi’s background more thoroughly.

Xiang Lun wanted Ming Shuang to stop using that form of address, but for now, it was clear the boy felt closer to Xuzhi.

One had been by his side since childhood; the other, though bound by blood, had only been reunited today.

After weighing his options, Xiang Lun decided against pressing the issue. He didn’t want to upset Ming Shuang. Everything could wait until they reached Central City.

At that moment, Ming Shuang asked, “Grandpa, have you seen other dragons?”

His eyes shone with anticipation. He wanted to know where the rest of his kin might be.

Xiang Lun’s brow twitched. He immediately recalled the two unfamiliar Dragon Clan members who had appeared on the mountaintop just before they entered the Element River.

Ming Shuang had said he’d never met any other dragons. Did that mean the Dragon Clan was unaware of his existence…?

Perhaps those two strangers had come searching for him.

A profound sense of crisis welled up within Xiang Lun.

Ming Shuang might be closer to Xuzhi for now, but at least the boy was here with him and wouldn’t be leaving.

The Dragon Clan was another matter entirely. If they learned one of their young had been lost abroad, they would stop at nothing to retrieve him.

That would mean separation from Ming Shuang.

The Dragon Clan had vanished a century ago, and no one knew their current circumstances. What if they swept him away and disappeared once more…?

No. Xiang Lun would never allow it.

Anyone who wanted to take his great-grandson would have to do so over his dead body!

He didn’t have many years left anyway.

For now, at least, he needed to uncover the true purpose of those two Dragon Clan members who had sneaked onto the continent.

In that brief span, Xiang Lun considered many possibilities.

His expression remained unchanged as he replied, “I saw some a hundred years ago. After that, the entire clan vanished without a trace. No one knows where they went.”

Ming Shuang’s disappointment was plain. He lowered his head. “Oh…”

The sight tugged at Xiang Lun’s heartstrings once more. He sighed inwardly.

He wouldn’t keep the truth from Ming Shuang for long. If the Dragon Clan made a public reappearance, there would be no hiding it.

Xiang Lun quickly changed the subject. “Have you felt any discomfort in your body since shapeshifting?”

Xuzhi had mentioned earlier that Ming Shuang always suffered Mana Disorder after shapeshifting.

“No,” Ming Shuang replied obediently. “I don’t feel bad this time.”

Perhaps it was because he’d expended so much mana earlier, or maybe thanks to the medicines he’d taken over the past few days. Either way, he seemed fine.

“Good,” Xiang Lun said warmly. “Lunch will be ready soon. Rest a little longer. I’ll go have a private word with Xuzhi.”

Ming Shuang tensed up at once. He watched as Xiang Lun left the tent.

He hurried after him, hiding just behind the door flap.

Ming Shuang never imagined that Xiang Lun would take a dislike to Xuzhi…

One was his master, the other his grandpa. In his mind, there was no conflict at all.

Fortunately, after their conversation, Xiang Lun’s expression wasn’t as grim as before.

Peering through the narrow gap in the flap, Ming Shuang watched as Xiang Lun approached Xuzhi.

Xiang Lun sized Xuzhi up, his gaze probing.

“You’re Xuzhi?” he asked. “I don’t know—what’s your innate talent? What tier are you at now?”

He didn’t fully trust Xuzhi, even after hearing the story from Ming Shuang’s own mouth.

The Snow Fox continued to glare from nearby. Xuzhi answered calmly, “Earth Element, 7th Tier.”

Tomato, not far off, rolled its eyes but chose not to contradict him.

Xuzhi’s 7th Tier Earth Magic had been snatched from somewhere else—and since Tomato was Earth Element too, it made for perfect cover.

Xiang Lun glanced at Tomato. “But this Red Rock Bird seems to be beyond 7th Tier.”

Xuzhi remained unruffled. “It’s closer to Ming Shuang. It only contracted with me because of him.”

It was true that a Magical Beast’s strength could exceed its Beast Tamer’s tier, though such cases were exceedingly rare.

The statement was half-truth, half-fabrication—intended to assure Xiang Lun that even Xuzhi’s own beasts placed Ming Shuang first.

Sure enough, Xiang Lun’s expression softened further. “And the other one?”

Coal Ball went rigid inside the backpack. Realizing it could no longer hide, it slowly wriggled out and stood beside Tomato, glancing over shyly.

Xiang Lun studied them both. “These two are the Card Beasts Ming Shuang mentioned, aren’t they?”

They both seemed clever enough. Even without others of his own kind around since childhood, Ming Shuang hadn’t been entirely alone with a few Magical Beasts for company.

Xiang Lun withdrew his gaze and stared at Xuzhi for a moment longer.

“Speaking of which, you’ve raised Ming Shuang all these years, so I really ought to thank you,” he sighed. “Ming Shuang mentioned that you’ve lost your memories and can’t recall anything from before… I’ll do what I can to look into your situation as well. I’m taking Ming Shuang back to the Academy—why don’t you come along?”

Xuzhi had no objections. “Sure.”

At that moment, Ivan spoke up at just the right time. “Dean, lunch is ready.”

Ming Shuang, who had been quietly observing from nearby, immediately emerged from the tent and hurried over. “Grandpa!”

Seeing him, Ivan took a deep, steadying breath.

The Dean had suddenly gained a grandson—a young dragon with blue-gold heterochromia eyes who had now transformed into a silver-haired boy…

The shocks he’d endured that day had been too many; at this point, nothing that happened would surprise him.

Xiang Lun turned around and approached with a gentle smile. “Are you hungry? Come on over.”

He led Ming Shuang to the table that had already been set, with the snow fox trotting along beside them. It gazed in astonishment at Ming Shuang in his shapeshifted form before he scooped it up into his arms.

“Nuomi,” Ming Shuang said, stroking the snow fox’s ears. “Is that your name?”

The snow fox nuzzled affectionately against his palm and let out a soft “woo.”

Even out in the wilderness, everything Ivan had prepared was no worse than what one might find in the city.

The folding table and chairs stood steady and secure, laden with three meat dishes, three vegetable dishes, soup, and desserts.

Ming Shuang reached the table, then turned back to pull Xuzhi over, seating him right beside himself.

Xiang Lun watched this without intervening.

Once everything was cleared away, Ivan sat down as well.

Ming Shuang accepted the bowl of soup that Ivan had ladled for him. “Thank you, Uncle,” he said before taking a small sip and trying a piece of dessert.

“See if it suits your taste,” Xiang Lun said, picking up some food for him with his chopsticks. “From now on, just tell Grandpa whatever you feel like eating.”

The magical beasts had their own prepared meals as well—both meat and vegetables. Because there were so many fluffy plushies, Ivan had nearly emptied his storage bracelet of its stock.

The fluffy plushies showed no reserve, digging in alongside Tomato and Coal Ball.

One of the plushies even diligently offered its food to Ming Shuang.

Ming Shuang took it and fed it back to the creature. “You don’t need to give it to me.”

Xiang Lun eyed the large group of magical beasts and pondered for a moment. “These guardian beasts are far too conspicuous to let them appear freely. If you want to keep them with you at all times, you could make a living creature storage space for them.”

Ming Shuang looked curious. “What’s that?”

“It’s a form of space magic,” Xiang Lun explained patiently, “combined with alchemy to circulate vital energy within a sealed space…”

Halfway through, he suddenly remembered that Ming Xue had once asked him to help her create something similar.

Ming Shuang had said earlier that he had grown up in a place called the Card Pool…

Xiang Lun’s brows furrowed tightly as his gaze swept past Ming Shuang and settled on Xuzhi.

He stood up at once and said to Xuzhi, “Come with me for a moment.”

Ming Shuang watched in bewilderment as Xuzhi followed Xiang Lun to a spot farther away.

Xiang Lun circled around Xuzhi once before abruptly channeling his magic power, enveloping him completely.

Xuzhi grew wary, but under the suppression of top tier space magic, he had no means to resist.

In the next instant, he saw a wisp of purple mist seeping out from his own body.

The purple mist coalesced into a mass that transformed into a mirror-like image, reflecting an unfamiliar forest.

The forest basked in bright sunlight, and in the distance stood a small castle topped with gemstone roofs…

But just as quickly, the purple mist dissipated, vanishing into the air.

Xuzhi frowned slightly and took half a step back, turning his eyes toward Xiang Lun.

“Indeed…” Xiang Lun murmured, suppressing the shock in his heart. “My space magic… it’s inside you.”

To be precise, it was fused into Xuzhi’s very blood and bones.

Yet that space appeared to have lost the energy needed to operate; it could no longer be opened.

Xuzhi had already guessed what Xiang Lun meant and remained silent.

He had long suspected something about the Card Pool that Ming Shuang had mentioned.

Xiang Lun’s emotions were complicated as he reappraised the young man before him. In a low voice, he said, “I may not understand it fully, but this was Ming Xue’s choice… She left Ming Shuang in your care.”

~~~