Chapter 99

After Su Ruoxue patiently explained everything, Jiang Yi finally understood what had happened, but he was also startled by the story.

On that day, he had triggered the taboo on the divine stele, and he seemed to have sensed something, though it was all vague. He never expected that he would actually comprehend the true meaning of slaughter and use it at the most critical moment to kill the ice beast.

According to Su Ruoxue, when his true meaning of slaughter emerged, the ice beast didn't dare to move, and he easily killed it. Jiang Yi listened with a mix of belief and doubt. At that time, he had fallen into a berserk state and didn't know anything. Could the ice beast, so powerful, really be intimidated by his killing aura?

He thought that Su Ruoxue had no reason to lie to him. He had nothing worth deceiving. Combining the vague insights he had, Jiang Yi confirmed that he had comprehended the true meaning of slaughter. However, he didn't know how to release it.

"Jiang Yi!"

Su Ruoxue's call brought Jiang Yi back to his senses. He turned his gaze to her and saw her serious face as she said, "The reason I told outsiders that I killed the ice beast is not to steal your credit, but to protect you. You should have guessed some of it. If others knew that you had comprehended the true meaning of slaughter, you would be in even greater danger. So... before you have enough strength to protect yourself, it's better to keep this a secret. Don't tell anyone, understand?"

"I understand!"

Jiang Yi nodded gratefully. Su Ruoxue was protecting him. It seemed that his desperate charge had won her favor. He pondered for a moment and then, with a thick face, said, "Mentor Su, can I ask you for a favor?"

Su Ruoxue was taken aback but quickly nodded. "Go ahead, as long as it's not too much."

"Okay!"

Jiang Yi was overjoyed and quickly said, "In Tianyu City, you must have heard that I withdrew from the competition because one of my maids was kidnapped. On West Mountain, she was poisoned and is still unconscious. I came to the Spirit Beast Academy to seek help from the Heaven-rank healer in the academy. Can you introduce me to him?"

"Hmm..."

Su Ruoxue's beautiful eyes flickered. In Tianyu City, she had guided Jiang Yunhai because she admired Jiang Yi's loyalty and righteousness. He was willing to give up his future for his maid. She didn't expect that he came to the academy for the same reason.

"You want to ask Master Liao for help? That might be quite difficult."

Su Ruoxue's expression turned serious. After a moment's thought, she explained, "Master Liao is not currently in the academy. He has gone to the imperial city, Tianxing City, and won't return for at least half a year. Most importantly, Master Liao has a very peculiar personality. He only gives face to Chancellor Zhuge. Last time, a clan leader from the Divine Martial Kingdom asked him for help, even with a vice-chancellor's intervention, but he still refused."

Jiang Yi was anxious and looked at Su Ruoxue pleadingly. "Is there no way?"

"There's always a way."

Su Ruoxue bit her lip and said, "Don't worry. Focus on your cultivation and strive to become an elite student. When Master Liao returns, I'll ask Chancellor Qi for help. Master Liao has very high standards. If you're not an elite student, you might not even be able to enter his courtyard..."

"Elite student, okay!"

Jiang Yi nodded firmly. For Jiang Xiaonu, he would risk his life, let alone just working hard at cultivation.

...

In the following days, Jiang Yi resumed his previous life. He went out to hunt beasts with Su Ruoxue every day. Apart from hunting, eating, and sleeping, he spent the rest of his time cultivating, earning him the nickname of "cultivation madman" from Qian Wanguan.

Jiang Niliu was quiet, and Jiang Qilin no longer caused trouble. Strangely, Changsun Feihu was also very quiet, as if they had all forgotten about Jiang Yi and the unpleasantness between them.

With no one causing trouble, Jiang Yi was happy to have a peaceful life. He either stayed in the academy or went hunting with Su Ruoxue. Even if those people wanted to cause trouble, they had no chance. They couldn't find another ice beast, or Chancellor Zhuge would definitely kill them.

Time slipped away with Qian Wanguan's snoring and Jiang Yi's relentless cultivation. Two months passed in the blink of an eye, and the academy was eerily calm.

The only major event was that Zhan Wushuang successfully challenged five elite students and became an elite student himself.

Another noteworthy event was the return of the academy's top-ranked genius student, causing a stir among the students. This student was a woman, the princess of the Southern Tianxuan Kingdom, with a transcendent status. Not only was she the top-ranked in combat, but she was also the second most beautiful student in the academy, only behind Su Ruoxue.

Jiang Yi wasn't interested in these things. To him, those princesses and noble ladies were from a different world. He wasn't interested in them and didn't want to enter their world.

What did interest Jiang Yi was that Ji Tingyu had successfully entered the top ten beauties of the academy, ranking fifth. She had countless admirers. Ji Tingyu was very skilled, and while many young masters were captivated by her, no one had ever succeeded in winning her favor.

Jiang Yi was increasingly certain that Ji Tingyu's target was either the young master of the Changsun family, Changsun Wujie, or Jiang Niliu. This woman not only had exceptional beauty and talent but also possessed a demonic intelligence. Ordinary young masters wouldn't be enough for her.

However, no matter who Ji Tingyu ultimately chose, she would be on the opposite side of Jiang Yi. Jiang Yi sighed inwardly. He didn't have many friends, and now he was about to lose one...

Two months!

Jiang Yi had tried countless times to release the true meaning of slaughter, but he had never succeeded. Su Ruoxue had told him to fully grasp it, but he couldn't even find the door. The only thing that comforted Jiang Yi was that his cultivation realm had improved rapidly. In two months, his yuan energy had accumulated quickly, and he was about to break through to the seventh level of the Cauldron Casting Realm.

...

It was another sunny day with clear skies.

Jiang Yi got up early and opened the door to see Qian Wanguan's round face, which was unusually serious today.

"Two things!"

Qian Wanguan didn't waste words and said solemnly, "First, someone approached Jiang Yunhai last night, confirmed to be from the Western Town Prince's Mansion. Jiang Yunhai's identity has been exposed, and your identity is likely exposed as well. According to Jiang Yunhai's guess, it was Jiang Niliu investigating you. Jiang Bie doesn't know about this yet, so don't worry; Jiang Yunhai and your maid are safe, and my people are protecting them nearby..."

Jiang Yi's face darkened. If Jiang Niliu knew his identity, he would do everything to kill him! The Western Town Prince didn't need a second heir, and he would be in even greater danger. Jiang Niliu might even take desperate measures and attack him within the academy.

Jiang Yi's eyes flickered. To resolve this crisis, he would have to reveal his identity to the world. That way, Jiang Niliu wouldn't dare to assassinate him and would have to protect him, or everyone would suspect that Jiang Niliu was behind his death.

But would he reveal his identity?

Obviously not. He wouldn't only refuse to reveal it but would even be ashamed of his illegitimate status. He didn't want to recognize his father and was determined to make Jiang Bie kneel and repent at his mother's grave...

"Shit!"

Jiang Yi cursed inwardly. What he needed most was time. If he had enough time, he wouldn't fear Jiang Niliu, let alone Jiang Bie. Unfortunately, Jiang Niliu clearly wouldn't give him much time!