A Secret Visit

"What kind of Star Beast could have made such a huge crater? Are the super high-tier Star Beasts really that powerful?"

Lu Xiaoxiao gazed at the crater, her thoughts mirroring most of her classmates.

Some wanted to get closer, but Lin Xu stopped them.

To preserve the integrity of the Battle Relic, they could only admire it from afar.

"It's a Di Jiang," Zhou Yi replied.

There weren't many known super high-tier Star Beasts, and the Di Jiang was one of the more common ones.

"Di Jiang? What's that? What does it look like?"

"Six legs, four wings, red as cinnabar fire."

"Wow, Zhou Zhou, you know so much!"

Lu Xiaoxiao looked at Zhou Yi with admiration.

Hu Manduo said, "Xiao Xiao, look at the wall on the right..."

On the right wall, a fiery red Star Beast with four wings and six hooves was vividly depicted, its mouth agape, filled with fangs.

Lu Xiaoxiao: ...

Okay, I'm just Zhou Zhou's mindless fan, ignore me.

Ever since Zhou Yi learned about this Battle Relic at the start of the semester, he had researched it extensively and knew a bit about the Di Jiang.

However, the lifelike depiction on the wall, exuding a fierce aura, was far more impactful than the photos on the Star Brain, which showed only a tiny red dot from a distance.

But no matter how grand the battle was in the past, all that remained in the relic now were two craters, one large and one small. There was no need to linger.

After enjoying everyone's astonished expressions, Lin Xu quickly organized their departure.

As Zhou Yi was leaving, he suddenly remembered the energy sensing matter and silently recited the Star Gathering Art in his mind.

Instantly, Zhou Yi's expression froze.

The immense energy surge slammed into him, causing his Chakras to become unstable. A massive influx of Star Power poured in.

Zhou Yi quickly adjusted the flow of Star Power within his Chakras, barely managing to withstand the powerful wave of energy.

Fortunately, it was just that one surge. If he had cultivated for a bit longer, his dantian might have exploded.

"Xiao Xiao, try circulating your Star Power. Maybe there's some residual energy left in the relic."

Lu Xiaoxiao didn't think much of it when Zhou Yi suggested it and followed suit by circulating her Star Power.

"It feels no different from outside."

Hu Manduo tried it too.

"Zhou Yi, the Di Jiang's corpse has been gone for ages. It died so long ago, even if there was a little energy left, it would have dissipated by now..."

"Yeah, probably. If not, then not."

Zhou Yi nodded thoughtfully, his gaze shifting to the two craters, one large and one small. Perhaps it was the distance, but Zhou Yi felt the smaller crater was much deeper than the larger one.

There were no more classes in the afternoon, and the group dispersed, free to return to their dorms to rest.

"Teacher Lin, wait a moment."

"What is it?"

Lin Xu didn't have a strong impression of this young girl. There were too many Mech Infantry students, and it hadn't been long since the semester began, so he wasn't very familiar with them yet.

"Teacher, I'd like to know more about the Battle Relic."

"Certainly, what would you like to know?"

It was normal for students to ask questions after visiting each year.

"Teacher, why does the Di Jiang have six legs, but only one footprint was left behind?"

Even if it was the mark of its fall, it should have left several prints of varying depths to be normal.

"And isn't that footprint much deeper than the mark left by its body after falling?"

Lin Xu looked at Zhou Yi with some surprise, not expecting the young girl to be so observant.

"That's right. Initially, there were indeed several footprints, and not just footprints and fall marks, but also traces of combat attacks. However, due to the long passage of time and the soil composition of the D72 Star Block, those traces have gradually disappeared. Even after the area was enclosed, the marks would fade without deliberate intervention.

The largest crater has already become much shallower. Perhaps in a few more years, it will completely vanish.

But for some reason, the single remaining footprint has shown no change. It was probably pressed down incredibly firmly back then."

Clearly, the school had noticed this as well, but no one could come to any conclusion about the specific reason.

After the Di Jiang was defeated, the Alliance arrived to handle the aftermath. Their Huadun had paid with so much blood, yet they didn't even get to keep the spoils of war, leaving behind only a few craters.

Perhaps for the new students, visiting the relic was meant to inspire a sense of honor.

But for the veterans who had actually participated in that battle, the existence of the relic was more like a reminder of their shame.

"Then, Teacher Lin, can I visit the relic again later?"

"Didn't you see enough just now?"

However, with only two craters left, Lin Xu himself felt there wasn't much to look at.

"I just felt that place was quite awe-inspiring. Spending some time there might give me more insights into cultivating Star Power."

The lie Zhou Yi spun was quite convincing, as that was indeed her reason.

"This... I don't have the authority to take you in again. If you want to go in alone, you'll have to apply to Principal Qi."

"Principal Qi?"

"Yes, the school's honorary principal, Qi Lan. She usually handles fewer matters; the one who typically manages school affairs is Principal Yi Mingde, who spoke to you last time."

"Principal Qi Lan, I understand. Thank you, Teacher Lin."

Zhou Yi thanked him and then ran off like a gust of wind.

"Hey, I haven't told you where to find Principal Qi yet..."

Lin Xu was left standing there alone.

"Hmm? Why are you going there yourself? Didn't your counselor already take you on a tour today?"

Qi Lan, as usual, was lounging in her chair, basking in the sun.

"Aunt Lan, to be honest, the painting of Di Jiang in that house is incredibly lifelike. I haven't seen enough of it. Besides, seeing more information about super high-tier Star Beasts can also motivate me to study harder in the future! I promise I'll be careful when I go in and won't damage the relics."

Zhou Yi held out her hand as a guarantee.

Her words unexpectedly hit the mark, as the person who painted the murals on the wall was standing right in front of her at that very moment.

"Aunt Lan..."

Seeing that Qi Lan remained silent, Zhou Yi prepared to try a little longer.

"Help me with something, and I'll lend you the key to the relic for a day."

"What is it?"

"I haven't decided yet. I'll tell you when I've thought of it."

"Deal!"

An honorary principal is still a principal. Zhou Yi believed Qi Lan wouldn't ask her to do anything like murder or arson.

Getting the key by writing an IOU, Zhou Yi felt it was a worthwhile trade.

After all, the special energy fluctuations she alone could sense today wouldn't lie.

There must be something special about that place.

Soon, Qi Lan took out a large bunch of keys and plucked one off, tossing it to Zhou Yi.

"Return the key to me when you come to work tomorrow."