Chapter 7 – Rules

The twenty students, with dark circles under their eyes from a sleepless night, stood before the battle arena of the Zhuzhao Spiritbond Academy, accompanied by their newly bonded spirit beasts, still unfamiliar to them. They were supposed to be attentively listening to the teachings of the luminaries of the Spiritbond World in the auditorium, eagerly awaiting the presentation of their Spiritbond Master certificates by the academy leaders, filled with hope for the future. Instead, they found themselves forced to fight, their bodies weary and exhausted.

If they performed poorly and left a bad impression on any of the important figures present, it could potentially affect their future prospects. This realization filled the students with despair, fueling their resentment toward Yun Xinglei and Yun Xiguang alike.

Of the twenty individuals, most harbored grievances, while only four — Yun Xinglei, Qi Liu, Wu Ailang, and Yun Xiguang — remained focused on their goals, their determination unwavering. They stood tall, their demeanor clearly distinguishing them from the rest.

“Those four are the true embodiment of youth,” commented Qin Shu, the dean of the Zhuzhao Academy, as he observed the quartet.

“Yes, merely staying awake through the night is nothing. In my day, I pursued a monster for three days and nights without rest, yet remained spirited. Today’s youth truly fall short of their predecessors,” lamented Vice President Fang Hongshen of the Spiritbond Master Association, seated beside Qin Shu, shaking his head.

Both men appeared to be in their late seventies, with white hair and beards, but due to their spirit beast contracts, they remained robust and physically capable, not inferior to the young in stamina. Together, they critiqued the current generation of youths, while a man dressed in uniform, seemingly around thirty years old, sitting nearby, interjected:

“You were once young yourselves, unable to tolerate the elders who claimed their age as an excuse, crying out ‘Don’t bully the poor youth.’ You too lacked energy before bonding with a spirit beast. Now, you criticize the young, when each of you slept for seven consecutive days after your own bonding, impossible to rouse. These newly bonded youths, managing to stay upright despite their exhaustion, deserve commendation. You two old farts dare to nitpick!”

Despite his youthful appearance, the man showed no deference to the dean of the Zhuzhao Academy and the vice president of the Spiritbond Master Association. After his sarcastic remark, Dean Qin Shu responded with a good-natured chuckle:

“Little Li, you were the most mischievous during your school days, frequently scolded by teachers. Yet, you were also the most stubborn and resilient student, enduring silently through adversity. Look at these students below; which one possesses your spirit?”

The man addressed as Little Li was named Li Zheng, the new director of the Special Affairs Bureau, and a former graduate of the Zhuzhao Academy, once a troublesome student who caused headaches for teachers.

Li Zheng’s sharp features revealed a defiant character, his entire being exuding the word “rebellion.” As he surveyed the students below from the stage, his gaze swept over those displaying discontent, he frowned slightly and shook his head gently.

Although Li Zheng disliked hearing the old-timers disparage the younger generation, he acknowledged that the students who were filled with resentment displayed subpar resilience.

The world of Spiritbond Masters was fraught with danger and unpredictability, where a single misstep could cost one’s life. Without sufficient adaptability, mental fortitude, and endurance even at the brink of physical limits, the path ahead would be fraught with difficulty.

Although the sudden combat was unexpected, it presented an excellent opportunity to bond with their spirit beasts and showcase their abilities before these influential figures. If it had been him back then, he would have not only lacked resentment but would have eagerly embraced the challenge.

Li Zheng’s focus shifted to the four students who maintained their fighting spirit, shaking his head at Yun Xinglei and Qi Liu:

“Narrow-minded, lacking in capacity.”

Then, he nodded approvingly at Wu Ailang:

“Optimistic nature, abundant energy, and a canine-type spirit beast. More importantly, he appears to have already achieved initial harmony with his spirit beast, demonstrating strong adaptability. Arrange for him to intern at the Special Affairs Bureau.”

Pointing at Yun Xiguang, Dean Qin asked:

“What about this one?”

Li Zheng turned his attention to Yun Xiguang, observing the handsome youth standing aloofly apart from the crowd, avoiding Wu Ailang’s enthusiastic embrace, his expression distant, and seemingly indifferent to everyone and everything around him.

Li Zheng’s brows furrowed as he gazed at Yun Xiguang.

“He wasn’t like this back then,” Li Zheng muttered softly.

Hearing this, Qin Shu paused momentarily, pondering, before recalling:

“I remember now. That tragic incident was the first case you handled after becoming squad leader. You were the first to arrive at the scene, rescuing the sole survivor from the wrecked vehicle.”

Qin Shu’s words evoked memories for Li Zheng of that fateful night.

On duty for the first time that evening, he received an emergency call with no voice on the other end, only faint breathing. Li Zheng did not dismiss it as a prank, leading his team to the location indicated by the phone’s signal. There, they encountered a partially collapsed mountain road and a car crushed beneath boulders, barely recognizable.

The bodies of a man and a woman within the vehicle were mangled beyond recognition, their genders discernible only by their clothing. Yet, beneath them lay an unscathed little boy.

Li Zheng carefully lifted the boy from the pool of blood, gently cradling him. The boy’s long eyelashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes, emitting a soft, kitten-like sound:

“My mom and dad…”

Struggling to turn his head toward the direction of the car, Li Zheng swiftly covered the child’s eyes, whispering:

“Don’t look.”

With just those words, the boy understood. He did not insist on seeing, nor did he cry; his maturity was heart-wrenching.

Li Zheng did not hear wails, only felt his palm dampening from covering the boy’s eyes.

When he moved his hand, intending to retrieve a tissue from his pocket to wipe away the boy’s tears, the tear-streaked child had ceased crying.

In a calm demeanor, the boy told Li Zheng:

“My name is Yun Xiguang. I am from the Yun family. My mother is the deputy dean of the Zhuzhao Spiritbond Academy, and my father is a member of the Yun family’s council. Their deaths were not accidental; there was a powerful divine beast involved… No, not a spirit beast, but a divine beast manipulating events from behind the scenes.

“Moreover, I can sense that a Spiritbond Master must have aided this divine beast, specifically a Heaven-grade Spiritbond Master.

“Please send someone to contact the Yun family, the Zhuzhao Academy, and the Spiritbond Master Association, urging them to immediately investigate the scene. They might still be able to capture traces of the divine beast’s lingering aura.

“And…”

At this point, young Yun Xiguang could no longer hold back, his eyes blinking, and he shed crystalline tears.

The droplets fell to the ground, leaving faint water stains.

He gritted his teeth:

“And, do not linger here. Do not concern yourselves with these corpses for now. Leave as soon as possible; it’s dangerous here. Hurry!”

Li Zheng sensed the peril looming and swiftly descended the mountain with Yun Xiguang in his arms. Just as they reached safety, the entire mountain collapsed, burying the remains of the Yun couple deep beneath its weight.

Had it not been for Yun Xiguang’s warning, Li Zheng’s team would have certainly begun clearing the debris, securing the scene, and waiting for reinforcements, putting their lives at risk.

It was Yun Xiguang who saved them.

These were the remains of his parents, yet he managed to remain composed, suppressing his pain and urging them to flee, forsaking his parents’ bodies.

He was just an eight-year-old child.

Li Zheng had never encountered such a strong yet gentle soul. At that moment, he vowed silently in his heart that he would excavate the entire mountain if necessary, determined to recover the remains of the child’s parents and uncover the truth behind the tragedy!

However, his position at the time was too lowly. Once representatives from major factions arrived, the frontline squad members, including himself, were excluded from further involvement, as experts from these factions took charge of the investigation.

The Yun family took Yun Xiguang away from Li Zheng’s care, leaving him with no chance to assist the child in reclaiming his parents’ remains.

Li Zheng had attempted to visit Yun Xiguang, but the Yun family prevented him.

His senior officer at the time informed him that Yun Xiguang was the Yun family’s designated heir, a prodigy, and the family would not neglect him. Reluctantly, Li Zheng found some solace in this reassurance.

After a period, Li Zheng was reassigned to another region, separated from Yun Xiguang for several years, never crossing paths again.

A decade later, the once kind, compassionate, and resilient boy had transformed into a solitary beast, devoid of his former tenderness.

“Did the Yun family mistreat him?” Li Zheng wondered aloud.

Vice President Fang Hongshen replied:

“His spirit root was destroyed in that incident. With the Yun family brimming with talents, how could they possibly care about this orphaned child?”

“This combat was also instigated by him. Attempting to become a Spiritbond Master, he brought in a mere chick to fill the ranks; how could he possibly earn respect?

“Young people should not cling too tightly to the past. They must learn to let go and face the future. Surviving well is paramount.”

Li Zheng’s frown deepened.

Among the attendees of the graduation ceremony were elders from the Yun family. They did not intentionally lower their voices during their conversation, allowing the Yun family members to overhear.

Li Zheng glanced sidelong at the elder from the Yun family seated not far away, noticing his indifferent expression, as if he had not heard their exchange.

Over the years, Li Zheng had interacted extensively with descendants of noble families, including young talents within the Special Affairs Bureau. He firmly believed that the blood of these families ran cold.

These scions, having received an abundance of resources since childhood, considered themselves superior, never viewing grassroots Spiritbond Masters as equals.

Yun Xiguang had been an exception, but now, he too had grown cold.

Li Zheng looked at Yun Xiguang, who carried a sleeping chick on his shoulder, and inquired:

“Dean Qin, what are the rules for the combat?”

“White Ze established pairs, but the rest is undecided. After all, the event was unplanned, and we are still deliberating on how to proceed. The Special Affairs Bureau holds annual internal competitions, so Director Li is more experienced than us. Do you have any suggestions?” Qin Shu queried.

Li Zheng observed Yun Xiguang’s isolated stance, realizing the student’s strained relationship with the others. Especially since the combat was triggered by him, the collective resentment of the other students was undoubtedly directed at him.

From the stage, he extended his hand, blocking Yun Xiguang from his view, and clenched it lightly.

“We’ve taken time out of our schedules to attend this graduation ceremony, with no time to watch these students engage in individual leveling matches. Seeing that the students are tired, why not conclude matters swiftly with a free-for-all? The last team standing shall be declared the victors,” Li Zheng proposed.

Qin Shu remarked:

“It’s indeed an efficient approach, but it will be arduous for Yun Xiguang. Since this situation arose due to him, in a free-for-all, he and his teammate will likely face a concerted attack, being the first to be eliminated.”

“The weak deserve to be eliminated,” Li Zheng stated seemingly heartlessly.

Even if he felt sympathy for the youth, Li Zheng had to acknowledge one truth: Yun Xiguang, having lost his spirit root, should not remain within the Yun family or the Spiritbond World.

Throughout the years, he had encountered countless individuals consumed by hatred, understanding that letting go brought greater happiness than stubborn persistence.

The case involving the Yun couple had long been a source of distress for Li Zheng. Now, as the director of the Special Affairs Bureau, he intended to reopen the investigation, seeking the truth.

As for Yun Xiguang, since he could no longer become a Spiritbond Master, finding peace in letting go would bring him greater happiness.

Li Zheng did not wish to see the once wise and tender-hearted youth hardened by fate into a heartless figure.

Let him be eliminated, then. This was Li Zheng’s silent wish.