Volume One: Intrigue in the Imperial Capital - Huang Huo (Part 2)

Gray Starling Cup? Northern Realm Rally?

What the heck?!

"Rally racing refers to... car racing?"

"Of course! I don't know what your world is like, but on our Spirit Star, racing is a sport with a long history, and there are tens of thousands of racing teams all over the world."

Unbelievable... To be honest, as a self-proclaimed otaku, I've never been particularly interested in sports in this world, and during my time in the capital, I've never even looked into the popular sports on Spirit Star... Come to think of it, Si Nan Ying mentioned her favorite racing team to me a few times...

"But what does racing have to do with finding materials?"

"This is of great importance. The next thing we need to find is the secret treasure of the North Realm Continent — the Crystal Realm Fruit!"

"Crystal Realm Fruit... wait, according to my memory, Blood Fiend already obtained the Crystal Realm Fruit and gave it to the Leader, so why does he need it again?"

One isn't enough.

"What!?"

"According to the design, at least two Crystal Realm Fruits are needed. In the central part of the North Realm Continent grows a peculiar creature that is half crystal and half plant, which the locals call the 'Crystal Tree,' and its fruit is called the 'Crystal Fruit.' Above the ordinary Crystal Tree is the King Crystal Tree, above the King Crystal Tree is the Crystal Emperor Tree, and above the Crystal Emperor Tree is the legendary World Crystal Tree. There is only one World Crystal Tree in the world, hidden in the center of the North Realm Continent. Each time it bears fruit, it produces two Crystal Realm Fruits at the same time. One of them will be preserved, and the other will explode. When the Crystal Realm Fruit explodes, everything within a radius of a thousand miles, whether living or dead, will crystallize! Therefore, the Crystal Realm Fruit is both an unparalleled natural treasure and a terrifying time bomb. At that time, Blood Fiend only managed to save one, and she couldn't save the other one that exploded. It's a real pity."

"I see... but you still haven't said how this relates to racing."

"You don't need to know now. Just participate in the race honestly and be the first to reach the finish line, and you'll naturally know what to do then."

Should we keep you in suspense at a time like this...?

"... Your personality is really awful."

"That's what Blood Fiend said to me back then," he smiled slightly.

"But I can't drive a car from your Spirit Star, how could I possibly participate in the competition!"

"Take a closer look at the competition requirements."

I looked at the poster carefully.

Gray Starling Cup North Realm Rally

Sponsored and organized by the Gray Starling Group

Entry requirements:

This competition adopts a team participation system.

Each team consists of three to five people and is equipped with a vehicle. It must be ensured that the members can perform four roles: driver, navigator, combatant, and mechanic. Multiple roles are allowed, and multiple people can perform one role.

The race starts at Port Turltukha and ends at Crystal Island in the center of the North Realm Continent. Changing vehicles is not allowed during the race.

The Gray Starling Consortium cannot guarantee the safety of the participating teams, so the teams need to have sufficient self-defense capabilities.

First place, prize money XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Second place, prize money XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"You mean you want me to join a racing team and compete?"

"Good."

"You must be crazy..."

"I'm not crazy. By the way, now that we've finally officially started collecting materials for the World Crossing Gate, many members of the organization—especially the lower-level members—are eager to get involved. Everyone wants to claim credit, so it's not surprising that you encountered people from the organization in the competition."

"What's the point of playing then! One I-B is enough to keep me busy!"

"Don't rush. There's another reason I'm sending you to the North Realm Continent... As my collaborator, you're still too weak. Do you know how to quickly become stronger?"

"I don't know, is it through exercise?"

"Of course not! Listen carefully, Blood Fiend's ability isn't just about manipulating or sucking blood! She can 'devour' special substances to give her blood new properties! In short, she gets stronger by devouring!"

Getting stronger by devouring...?

"At her peak, Blood Fiend could do more than just crystallize blood. She once told me about something she devoured to become so powerful! When you go to the North Realm Continent, be sure to look for a rare and precious treasure—a Lycoris radiata that burns like flames. Find it, devour it! That will give your power a qualitative leap!"

Let's go back to the present.

In a small side room of the detached courtyard, the Si Nan Family's Four Siblings began their meeting.

"Ahem," Si Nan Xing throat, "The most important thing now is to decide on our future development strategy, and at the same time, we need to elect a new Patriarch..."

"You should take care of the matter of the Patriarch, elder brother," Si Nan Ganming suddenly said.

"I agree. Right now, you're the only one with the ability to detect supernatural abilities, and your overall qualities are better than all of ours," Si Nan Xiao added.

"I have no objection," Si Nan Ying said in agreement.

"You... well, then I shall respectfully accept your offer."

Si Nan Xing shook his head with a bitter smile. The goal he had strived for since childhood had been achieved in this way after the destruction of his family. It was truly ironic.

"So, the question now is how to move forward. Now that the main branch of the Si Nan Main Family is dead, it's inevitable that those who split up will harbor resentment... Third brother, how are things going with what I asked you to do?"

"I have already sent my men to observe the situation in various branch families in other cities. According to the feedback they have received, the vast majority of these branch families, seeing that the main family is gone, have broken away and become independent. Only two families have expressed their loyalty."

"Is that so...? That's to be expected. We don't need to, nor are we capable of, dealing with those independent factions. In short, we should first unite the remaining loyal factions and gather the remaining strength. Then... we must relocate abroad, go into hiding, and wait for the storm to pass before discussing revival."

"..."

The other three, upon hearing this, all wore solemn expressions and remained silent.

Over the past millennium, the Si Nan Family has made too many enemies. Now, facing dire straits, their former enemies will surely retaliate. Their priority now is self-preservation. They must leave the capital and forge a path to survival in unfamiliar surroundings.

"Therefore, we must unite all our forces. From now on, I will serve as the Patriarch and preside over important family affairs; my third brother will serve as the Great Elder, assisting me in managing internal affairs; as for my two sisters..."

Si Nan Zheng pondered for a moment before speaking, "Right now, reliable combat power within the family is unprecedentedly scarce. We must use every means possible to enhance our combat strength, therefore—"

"I am willing to be a vanguard and fight for the safety of my family!" Si Nan Xiao said, her eyes shining brightly.

"No! You're not mature enough yet. I hope you can stay at the Central United Academy and improve your skills as soon as possible! This will be more beneficial for your long-term development! As for my younger sister, although the Si Nan Family has declined, we still have connections with the higher-ups at the Central United Academy. I will try to secure a spot for you, and you can go to the Central United Academy with your sister in the future—"

"I'm sorry, elder brother... but I want to stay in the family!"

"Don't be willful--"

"It's not being willful!"

Si Nan Ying suddenly stood up, and her face, which had been ashen these past few days, regained its radiance.

"Big brother, I'm the youngest, but I'm not stupid! You're sending my sister and me to the Central United Academy because you want to use their power to protect us, right? I can figure that out!"

"Little sister..."

Si Nan Xing was slightly surprised that his thoughts had been exposed.

"Thank you for your kindness, brother! I'm truly, truly grateful! But... I'm not the useless person I used to be! In the past, I always lived under everyone's protection. Grandpa Hong and Sister Yuan were always worried about me! But now they're all dead! Since then, I've thought a lot about responsibility, about my identity—now that my family is destroyed and my loved ones are gone, I can't go on like this anymore! I want to truly do my part! To shoulder my responsibilities and contribute to the family! In fighting against external enemies, my special ability is a powerful weapon, so—please, brother, please let me stay in the family and do my part!"

"..."

The Si Nan Xing silently.

I said, let's say yes.

Surprisingly, it was Si Nan Ganming who spoke.

"My sister is right. We are indeed short-handed right now. One more person like her is one more source of strength—that's the first point. Secondly, as my sister said, she is no longer the useless person she used to be, and we must acknowledge that!"

"...Alright then." Si Nan Xing finally nodded, as if he had made up his mind.

"Si Nan Ying, you will be appointed as an elder, responsible for the family's defense and external battles! From now on, you will have to face all kinds of dangers, bear all kinds of burdens, and risk your life at any time—but since you have chosen this path, don't regret it, just obediently walk to the end!"

"Yes, sir!"