"He was called Zu Xingyi, from the Zu Clan of the Three Great Clans. He was originally the captain of the National Government Team, but his personality was too blunt. During the World Academy Competition, he beat up an important figure from the Holy City."
"So his family sent him to Bocheng as punishment."
Qin Yuer explained.
Looks like Zhan Kong was still demoted to Bocheng, Qin Yuan thought.
Qin Yuan did not dislike Zhan Kong much. If anything, he rather admired him.
Defending Bocheng, slaying the Wing Slaying Azure Wolf, jumping into the Sha Abyss, saving the Ancient Capital... all those deeds proved that he was a true hero.
As for the controversial matter of "going to the Holy City" in the end...
Perhaps it was truly as Zhan Kong had said: the Ancient King's Armor Robe was consuming his consciousness. If it was not stopped, the Ancient King would revive and bring calamity upon the world.
But perhaps that was not the case.
In any event, Qin Yuan was in no position to judge, nor was he qualified to.
Qin Yuan drew back his wandering thoughts and asked curiously, "Sister Yuer, you said he owed you a favor. What happened?"
"Actually, it wasn't just him. The entire National Government Team owes me a favor." Qin Yuer smiled gently. "During one of our training expeditions, I revealed a little of my strength and saved the National Government Team."
"So rather than a favor, it would be more accurate to call it their lives."
"You revealed your strength?!"
Qin Yuan immediately sat upright in shock.
Seeing his reaction, Qin Yuer naturally knew what he was thinking.
Warmth filled her heart as she explained, "It's fine. Most of them were knocked unconscious by the sea waves at the time. Only three people remained awake, and I had a decent relationship with them. They won't tell anyone."
"I see..."
Qin Yuan nodded, and the furrow between his brows gradually relaxed.
Yet a lingering worry remained in his heart, because entrusting one's secret to others never felt good.
There was no helping it. If those people from the Holy City found out, Qin Yuer would definitely be branded with the title of "Calamity."
He did not want anything to happen to Qin Yuer because of that.
Seeing Qin Yuan fall silent, Qin Yuer gently ruffled his hair. "All right, it's fine. I'll be more careful from now on."
"Mm."
After responding, Qin Yuan seemed to recall something and asked, "Sister Yuer, where are you planning to go into seclusion and break through to Archmage?"
"Pearl Academy, the Azure Sky Hunter Agency, or the Spirit Hidden Tribunal?"
Qin Yuer had not entered the Imperial Capital Academy as she had in the original course of events. Instead, at Qin Yuan's suggestion, she had gone to Pearl Academy in Modu.
After all, in terms of cultivation, strength, and reliability, Dean Xiao was leagues beyond Song He.
As for why she had become involved with the Azure Sky Hunter Agency and the Judgment Association, that was part of Qin Yuer's own development.
After arriving in Modu and enrolling at Pearl Academy, she had joined a private Hunter Station to ensure she had funds to support her cultivation.
By coincidence, it had been the Azure Sky Hunter Agency.
There, Qin Yuer had met Leng Qing and the others. Through their recommendation, she joined the Spirit Hidden Tribunal and became an official judge after the Academy Competition ended.
Qin Yuer's cultivation was more than enough for her to serve as Chief Judge, but she still lacked some seniority.
Still, that was not much of an issue. Becoming Chief Judge was only a matter of time.
Honestly, Qin Yuer was far better off now than she had been in the original novel. She was no longer isolated in lonely ice, and could experience all facets of life like an ordinary person.
Seeing Qin Yuer so free, Qin Yuan was sincerely happy for her.
"The Azure Sky Hunter Agency."
Qin Yuer did not hide it and answered with a smile.
Pearl Academy and the Spirit Hidden Tribunal were ultimately public settings. Only the Azure Sky Hunter Agency, a private setting, was more suitable.
Moreover, she had an excellent relationship with the Azure Sky Hunter Agency, and Leng Qing was the first true friend she had made in many years.
Calling the two of them best friends would not be an exaggeration.
"Oh, right."
"Little Yuan, there are some cultivation resources in the Space Ring. I got them all during the Treasure Hunting Competition of the World Academy Competition..."
Before Qin Yuer could finish, Qin Yuan interrupted her. "How could that be okay?!"
"Sister Yuer, you're about to break through to Archmage. Sell those things for money. It would be even better if you could buy a Star Sea Heavenly Meridian."
As Qin Yuan spoke, he prepared to return the cultivation resources in the Space Ring to Qin Yuer.
"Puchi!"
Qin Yuer chuckled and pressed down on Qin Yuan's hand. "Leaving aside the price of a Star Sea Heavenly Meridian, even finding a way to buy one is a problem."
"Things related to Archmages are basically priceless and unavailable. Without connections, forget buying one—you wouldn't even get to see one."
From Beginner Mage to High-level Mage, the three realms had cultivation resources that were not especially rare. As long as one had money, most of them could be bought.
As for precious resources for Archmages and above, money alone was not enough. One needed power as well.
"Then you can buy some magic tools to protect yourself," Qin Yuan said.
"All right."
Qin Yuer smiled gently. "The resources from the Treasure Hunting Competition of the World Academy Competition were far more abundant than you imagine. I got quite a lot too."
"I know you're worried about me, but I'm not poor."
"Not poor?"
"Sister Yuer, how many resources did you get from the Treasure Hunting Competition?"
Qin Yuan asked.
He only knew that Qin Yuer had not teamed up with her National Government Team teammates during the Treasure Hunting Competition, instead acting alone.
With high-level third rank Ice Element cultivation, exceptional ice control, and the Ice Domain...
Even without revealing her calamity talent, no team would willingly provoke her. It would be a waste of time, and if they were carelessly eliminated, the losses would outweigh the gains.
Therefore, Qin Yuer had harvested many resources during the Treasure Hunting Competition, but Qin Yuan had no idea how much exactly.
Seeing the curiosity on Qin Yuan's face, Qin Yuer did not hide it and answered honestly, "Converted into money, probably around one billion."
Qin Yuan: "..."
One billion... damn, impressive.
Shocking! I started out with a rich, beautiful girlfriend!
For some reason, such a title suddenly popped into Qin Yuan's mind.
However, Qin Yuan was not shocked for long, because he knew that in the world of magic, one billion really was not much.
After all, a Star River Vein cost around one hundred million. An ordinary Soul Seed cost around three to four hundred million. A top-tier Great Soul Seed with its own domain, like Tyrant Desolate Thunder, started at eight hundred million—and it was still priceless and unavailable!
So one billion really was not much.
"Little Yuan, there are several Spirit-level Magic Tools in the Space Ring, as well as Stardust Magic Artifacts for assisting meditation and cultivation..."
(PS: The original novel's classifications for magic tools and magic artifacts were vague, so this is a secondary setting: mortal, spirit, soul, heaven.)
Qin Yuer listed a whole series of cultivation resources.
By estimate, they were worth nearly five hundred million.
"Sister Yuer, the rice is quite soft today, and it smells nice too."
Qin Yuan grinned.
He appeared to be shoveling rice into his mouth, but his words carried another meaning.
Qin Yuer rolled her eyes at Qin Yuan and continued, "There is a Soulless Vessel in the Space Ring too. I also got it during the Treasure Hunting Competition."
"At the time, two members of the Egyptian National Government Team tried to steal my resources, but I robbed them instead. To continue searching for resources in the Treasure Hunting Competition, they 'voluntarily' left behind the Soulless Vessel as an 'apology.' There are several Demon Spirit Essences inside."
Before you continue