Chapter 67 – Enemy

Yun Xiguang understood everything, while the others were left in a haze of confusion.

Li Zheng and Qin Shu were fine; their spirit beasts knew everything. Though they didn’t grasp the full picture, their spirit beasts transmitted a comforting sensation through the contract. They didn’t know the details, but they had no doubts, feeling inexplicably assured that they would learn the truth someday.

Ning Shan and Inspector Zhang were completely baffled, especially Inspector Zhang. His duty was to oversee Spiritbond Masters, and he valued truth above all else. Now, with Yun Xiguang and Bai Ze’s unclear conversation, Inspector Zhang felt frustrated.

He analyzed Bai Ze and Yun Xiguang’s dialogue carefully and exclaimed in surprise, “From what I gather, are you suggesting that this mysterious nine-strand spirit energy originates from a spirit beast? And it will eventually return to this spirit beast’s body? The reason why Zhulong and its backing force killed Ling Qingkong and his wife ten years ago was out of fear of this spirit beast awakening?”

“That’s correct,” Bai Ze confirmed.

Inspector Zhang was even more shocked upon receiving an answer. He said in disbelief, “Can it still be called a spirit beast then? What kind of spirit beast possesses such power? Nine strands of spirit energy — just the leakage of one strand can birth a new spirit beast surpassing divine beasts. These nine strands belong to a single spirit beast; how powerful could he be? Is he Pangu or Nuwa? Are myths being reborn in the modern era?”

Yun Xiguang and Bai Ze exchanged glances, falling silent.

Although Chi Qiong wasn’t Pangu or Nuwa, he wasn’t far off either.

Yun Xiguang’s words carried little weight, and Inspector Zhang might not believe him. Fortunately, Bai Ze had awakened, and its words held considerable weight in the Spiritbond World.

Bai Ze said, “I know the truth, but I cannot reveal the heavenly secrets. All I can tell you is that since the division of spirit energy into nine parts… No, perhaps since the first spirit beast broke the rules of the era and awakened, the world has been on a countdown to destruction. All living creatures will perish in this era, and we originally had no power to resist. However, now we have a chance at survival.”

Just as Bai Ze finished speaking, the small spirit bird on Yun Xiguang’s shoulder leaped onto Bai Ze’s head under everyone’s watchful eyes, and pecked furiously at its skull. Bai Ze covered its head, begging for mercy.

Yun Xiguang reached out to retrieve Chi Qiong, stroking his beak. Only then did Chi Qiong settle down.

Bai Ze didn’t understand why it had angered the Supreme Deity. It glanced at Golden-Winged Little Peng and decided to emulate its actions, curling up into a palm-sized creature that looked like a chibi version of a small sheep.

Qin Shu: “…”

Seeing Bai Ze at a loss, Yun Xiguang quickly intervened, “It’s not just a chance at survival; it’s certain that there won’t be destruction.”

Bai Ze finally understood what the Supreme Deity was upset about.

If Ling Qingkong hadn’t died, overcome countless obstacles, and paid a heavy price to gather the nine strands of spirit energy, the world would have had only a slim chance of survival. But now, Chi Qiong had awakened and was actively collecting Phoenix Feathers. To say that there was “only” a chance at survival would be to underestimate the power of the Supreme Deity.

“Yes,” the chibi version of Bai Ze nodded earnestly. “As long as we make efforts to find the remaining five strands of spirit energy, not only will the world not be destroyed, but it will also welcome new life!”

Bai Ze’s words carried significant weight. After hearing them, Inspector Zhang gradually believed, considering how to report to his superiors. However, he still had some questions.

“The remaining five strands of spirit energy?” Inspector Zhang asked in confusion. “Isn’t it nine strands? We haven’t obtained a single strand yet. This spirit energy has vanished into thin air! Yun Xiguang, where did you go through ‘Illusory Reality’? Did you see the spirit energy?”

Yun Xiguang didn’t know how to respond. The truth was simple, but once he spoke, it would sound like high-frequency censored noise to Inspector Zhang and the others.

He could only look to Bai Ze for help.

Bai Ze floated in front of Inspector Zhang, saying solemnly, “You don’t need to know so much. You only need to understand that due to some changes, the powerful existence has awakened and started to reclaim spirit energy. As long as we find the spirit energy and defeat the people or spirit beasts occupying it, it can automatically take back the spirit energy.”

To bolster its argument, Azure Dragon and Golden-Winged Little Peng also nodded in agreement toward Inspector Zhang.

With the few remaining divine beasts in the Spiritbond World saying so, Inspector Zhang could only somewhat reluctantly believe them.

“So, the next task is to find the other five strands of spirit energy,” Inspector Zhang looked at Bai Ze. “Can you provide some clues?”

As he said this, Inspector Zhang felt a bit embarrassed.

The reason for Bai Ze’s severe injuries was predicting the whereabouts of the first strand of spirit energy. Now that it had just recovered, forcing it to make another prediction was practically asking for its life.

So, Inspector Zhang hurriedly added, “No need to reveal heavenly secrets. Just giving us a little direction or a clue is enough. Prioritize your safety.”

Bai Ze glanced at Hai Ruobo under Yun Xiguang’s feet and said, “He should have leads on three strands of spirit energy.”

“Three strands?” Even Yun Xiguang was surprised this time. He knew that the Youying Spiritbond Academy must be related to the nine strands of spirit energy, but he never expected that the Youying Spiritbond Academy had so many strands.

Four Phoenix Feathers alone allowed Chi Qiong to briefly regain his human form. If they could recover three more Phoenix Feathers, Chi Qiong would surely be able to merge with the Phoenix Feathers and unleash his true power!

Upon hearing that there were three Phoenix Feathers, Chi Qiong couldn’t maintain the demeanor of the Supreme Deity. His claws excitedly stomped around on Yun Xiguang’s hand, acting like a mammal instinctively kneading for milk despite being a little yellow chick.

There were priorities, and after such a long time, everyone finally had a moment to pay attention to Hai Ruobo.

“What’s the deal with these three strands of spirit energy?” Li Zheng looked at Hai Ruobo and then at Yun Xiguang.

Yun Xiguang avoided mentioning the Sun Zhuzhao and the Moon Youying, simply recounting his previous analysis. He then pulled out the deceased weaver ant Spiritbond Master who perished in the fire from his phone, asking Inspector Zhang to investigate his identity.

Upon seeing the photo, Inspector Zhang immediately identified him. “This is a student from the Youying Spiritbond Academy who became a Spiritbond Master this year. His name is Xing Yue. His reported spirit beast was a blood glowworm, we never expected that it would become a weaver ant colony.”

Ruan Shu, the Spiritbond Master of the bookworm, was also from the Youying Spiritbond Academy and was Yun Xiguang’s peer. This year, he formed a contract with his spirit beast, just like Yun Xiguang.

Hai Ruobo was also a graduate of the Youying Spiritbond Academy.

With so many coincidences, it was impossible to say that the Youying Spiritbond Academy wasn’t involved with the nine strands of spirit energy.

In reality, evidence was still needed. But in the Spiritbond World, just having suspicions was enough to take action.

Once Hai Ruobo woke up and provided evidence, Li Zheng and Inspector Zhang would have grounds to request reinforcements from their superiors, bringing along skilled experts to investigate the Youying Spiritbond Academy.

However, how to proceed was the most troublesome issue.

Graduates of the Youying Spiritbond Academy were everywhere. At least a quarter of the Spiritbond Masters in the Spiritbond World were graduates of the Youying Spiritbond Academy. A portion of the people in the Special Affairs Bureau alone were alumni of the academy.

Most intimidating of all, the current president of the Spiritbond Master Association, Gu Shoulu, one of the two remaining Heaven-grade Spiritbond Masters, was also a graduate of the Youying Spiritbond Academy.

Hai Ruobo was a senior figure in the Spiritbond World, a respected Earth-grade Spiritbond Master. Even he participated in this operation, making it hard for everyone to guarantee that President Gu wasn’t involved.

Most frighteningly, Inspector Zhang himself was a graduate of the Youying Spiritbond Academy.

Realizing this, Qin Shu, Li Zheng, Ning Shan, Yun Xiguang, and others from the Zhuzhao Academy faction all turned to look at Inspector Zhang.

Inspector Zhang: “…”

As a member of the Lingxi Division, responsible for overseeing all Spiritbond Masters, he never imagined that one day he would face such suspicious gazes.

“I’m not, I didn’t,” Inspector Zhang struggled to explain. “If I were involved, I wouldn’t have brought Li Zheng here today to visit Qin Shu. Wouldn’t it have been better for Bai Ze to die like that?”

Bai Ze also said, “Even within the Youying Spiritbond Academy, this matter is confidential. I think that Spiritbond Masters below the Earth level don’t have the qualifications to participate. Inspector Zhang really doesn’t know anything.”

Only then did everyone believe Inspector Zhang’s words.

Having experienced this, they finally understood why the enemy was determined to kill Bai Ze.

Li Zheng sighed. “Even if Bai Ze cannot reveal heavenly secrets, as long as it exists, those lurking in the shadows have nowhere to hide.”

Bai Ze’s presence made many things simpler.

Inspector Zhang also sighed in relief. “If it’s just Earth-grade Spiritbond Masters, the scope of investigation becomes much smaller, greatly reducing our workload. However, to avoid suspicion, I won’t participate in this operation. After reporting, I’ll withdraw from the operation.”

Bai Ze said, “While the scope of investigation has narrowed, the trouble hasn’t diminished.”

Qin Shu and Bai Ze shared a perfect understanding. He instantly guessed what Bai Ze couldn’t say and exclaimed in surprise, “Do you mean that President Gu was also involved in this matter?”

With the protection of Chi Qiong, Bai Ze could make more accurate predictions. Even if someone was stronger than it, it could still glimpse something.

Bai Ze nodded lightly.

Everyone’s hearts sank.

President Gu was a Heaven-grade Spiritbond Master. His spirit beast was the offspring of a divine dragon and a turtle, named the Black Tortoise, which possessed the power to put all living beings within its domain into a deep sleep. Even Azure Dragon would have to sleep for a few minutes before him.

If he got involved, their chances of victory would be very low.

At this moment, Li Zheng said full of anticipation, “It’s alright. We still have the third Heaven-grade Spiritbond Master, Kong Haoming, the former director of the Special Affairs Bureau. He is from the Special Affairs Bureau. Although he has retired, we can ask him for help.”

Hope shone in everyone’s eyes.

Kong Haoming was a graduate of the Zhuzhao Spiritbond Academy and the former director of the Special Affairs Bureau. His divine beast was the auspicious beast Lu Wu, which was said to guard the Kunlun Immortal Realm. It possessed the ability to control seasons and climate, and in myths, it helped Yu the Great control floods, wielding the power to summon wind and rain.

With his assistance, combined with Azure Dragon’s strength, they would certainly be able to overcome Gu Shoulu.

“Director Kong has already retired, but as long as ordered by his superiors, he will come when summoned. Once we obtain Hai Ruobo’s testimony, we can invite him to assist us,” Li Zheng said.

Inspector Zhang sighed. “But according to the intelligence I have, the reason why Kong Haoming retired was that his body couldn’t withstand the power of his divine beast, resulting in ALS. I’ve heard that he can indeed still exert his strength, but after this intense battle, Director Kong may lose his life.”

Thinking about asking a seriously ill senior to take action, everyone’s moods dipped. As the current director of the Special Affairs Bureau, Li Zheng was even more distressed, realizing that he had to call upon the former director due to his own weakness.

Ning Shan said, “I will do my utmost to protect Director Kong’s body and prevent his condition from worsening.”

“It can only be that way,” Inspector Zhang said.

At this moment, the chibi version Bai Ze, who had been silently gazing at the sky, suddenly exclaimed, “Ah.”

“What happened? What did you see?” Qin Shu asked.

Bai Ze anxiously pawed at the ground and said, “Lu Wu is as famous as I am, both auspicious beasts. It also has some predictive abilities, but it isn’t good at them, only capable of predicting its own future. However, because it has this ability, it also has the ability to counter predictions. I can’t see its future, and it can’t see mine.

“All along, I only knew of Kong Haoming as a person but never understood him. When you mentioned him earlier, I casually took a look at his future.”

“Aren’t you unable to see Lu Wu’s situation?” Inspector Zhang asked.

Bai Ze anxiously pawed at the ground again. “Originally, I couldn’t see it, but now that I have the Crimson Chi protecting me, I can see many things that I couldn’t see before. I saw that this Kong Haoming’s body is much better than you imagine. Moreover, I saw countless threads in the depths of his soul, tethering countless spirit beasts.

“I came up with a conjecture and took another look at the Crimson Chi’s past. Considering both perspectives, there was a thread controlling the Crimson Chi in its past. This thread seems similar to the threads in the depths of Kong Haoming’s soul.”

Bai Ze’s words were quite subtle, leaving everyone momentarily confused.

Yun Xiguang, however, immediately understood. He bluntly asked, “Do you mean that the Spirit Beast Codex is in Kong Haoming’s hands?”

Bai Ze nodded with difficulty.

Yun Xiguang: “…”

Yun Boquan, Gu Shoulu, and Kong Haoming — the three strongest Heaven-grade Spiritbond Masters in the Spiritbond World were all enemies.

No wonder the enemy was determined to kill Bai Ze. There were simply too many things that Bai Ze could see!