CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77: FALLEN STARFIRE, RETURNING TO OLD HAUNTS

If you don’t perform well, you’ll just get scolded like a skinny dog.

Director Yang was so angry he didn’t even go home. Back then, he’d cried, unable to bear it; now, he could only smile and let it go.

"Director, Director!"

An instructor burst into the office, his face alight with excitement and joy.

"What, did you eat magpie dung this morning?" Director Yang said coldly. "Not even knocking? So rude."

"Ah, sorry, Director." The instructor realized his mistake, but then, thinking of the documents in his hand, he said excitedly, "Director Yang, quick, look at this!"

These young people are so inexperienced, making a big deal out of nothing. Director Yang was speechless and couldn’t be bothered to argue. He figured he’d just brush it off and find an excuse to slack off later.

"This is... Hmm? Chu Yi’s file? That ’anomaly’ who hadn’t contracted a Pet Beast in two years?" Director Yang was stunned and carefully looked through it.

"’Three days ago, he’d contracted a Red Fox...’ PFFT!" A mouthful of tea sprayed out. Director Yang’s eyes widened. "He actually managed to contract one?!"

The instructor wiped his face and smiled bitterly. "Yes... Director, keep reading; there’s an even bigger surprise ahead."

Director Yang’s expression turned serious. As the director of the third years, it was impossible for him not to know Chu Yi. However, Chu Yi had been selected for the Starfire Sequence, only to be expelled last month. The fall of such a prodigy was truly regrettable. Coupled with his busy schedule, Director Yang hadn’t immediately known how to place him. He clearly possessed Super Talent and had the potential to become a Dawn Star, yet he lacked the ability to contract Pet Beasts. To fade into obscurity like that—what a tragedy.

It’s like possessing a treasure trove rich enough to rival a nation, but having no key to unlock it. Now, he had the key. He had opened the treasure trove.

"But... why a Red Fox?" Director Yang frowned. The Red Fox was a mid-tier Servant-rank Pet Beast. Its evolutionary path typically ended at the War General rank. Only those with the bloodline of other, rarer fox species had a brighter future.

"’Two days ago, during the Fireball Mouse expulsion mission, an unexpected Mutated Evolution was discovered... What?’"

"’Just yesterday, according to the military’s published database, the Red Fox successfully underwent Mutated Evolution and was designated Three-tailed Mo Xie, a high-level Elite-rank Pet Beast.’"

"’Its Master has already reached Red Copper Tier Four.’"

"..."

Director Yang was dumbstruck.

"Director, are you alright?" the instructor asked cautiously from the side.

"Hmph." Director Yang came back to his senses and scoffed. "Those with Super Talent are all favored by the heavens in the Beast Taming Realm. They are born with an exceptionally keen observational sense for Pet Beasts. Finding one that underwent Mutated Evolution is... to be expected." He waved his hand, appearing nonchalant. "Alright. Where is Chu Yi? Go and bring him back immediately. And be polite."

"Director, someone has already been sent."

"Good." Director Yang’s eyes flashed, as if he’d thought of something, and he looked out the window. The fallen Starfire is finally returning. I wonder what kind of waves he’ll make in this academy.

"If studied closely, the Red Fox’s Mutated Evolution was related to this high-purity energy!" Professor Liu chattered endlessly beside her, his face flushed. "Qiuyun, I even held you on your second birthday, you know."

Jiang Qiuyun’s expression darkened. Why is this Professor Liu pestering me relentlessly, insisting on finding Chu Yi’s whereabouts? However, Qin Shi had secretly told her that Chu Yi’s Star Bracelet had restored its positioning. He’d gone home without so much as a word.

That bastard! I shouldn’t have worried about him!

"Professor," Jiang Qiuyun had no choice but to invent a lie, "the Spirit Core was found by Chu Yi and me in the Nightmare Deer King’s territory. It’s a product of a Secret Realm. The one in your hand might be the very last one."

"Ah... what?" Professor Liu was taken aback. After a moment of thought, he seemed somewhat relieved. "Ah, yes. With humanity’s current transcendent technology, achieving this level of purity is impossible. Only something produced in a Secret Realm could explain it."

Immediately after, he looked utterly heartbroken because the Bloody Wilderness had been destroyed by a forbidden-level powerhouse. For a scholar and expert like Professor Liu, this was like being stabbed. Painful. So incredibly painful! King of Black Robes, damn your Immortal ancestors!

"Well, if you find Chu Yi, please tell him that I’m willing to examine his Three-tailed Mo Xie for free."

"Certainly, Professor. Please, take care on your way out."

Finally, they managed to see Professor Liu off.

Catherine, who was snickering nearby, patted Jiang Qiuyun’s shoulder. "Qiuyun, you’ve worked hard. Here’s a hug."

Jiang Qiuyun rolled her eyes. Having narrowly escaped the danger from the invasion of the two Evil Gods, she finally relaxed and reverted to her usual state of slacking off.

"By the way, contact Chu Yi. After all, we’re a small team. Let’s set a time to get together," Catherine hugged the Scumbag Female Knight’s waist, resting her lovely face on Jiang Qiuyun’s shoulder. Her slightly upturned eyelashes fluttered as she said with a smile.

"He..." Jiang Qiuyun hesitated for a moment, then sent Chu Yi a message.

[Jiang Qiuyun: Are you there?]

*The other party has enabled friend verification. You are not yet their friend. Please send a friend request first.*

A line of information popped up, and the two young women stared at each other.

He deleted me? Jiang Qiuyun realized, her beautiful eyes freezing. She clenched her fists so hard in anger that a crack appeared on her Star Bracelet.

「At the entrance of Star Dragon Academy.」

A sleek sports car was parked by the roadside, attracting the attention of many passersby.

"Student Chu Yi, we’ve arrived at the academy," the instructor, an owl perched on his shoulder, spoke softly to Chu Yi in the back seat, his tone laced with respect.

Chu Yi got out of the car. His handsome face, under the bright sunshine, resembled that of a noble scion, yet possessed a masculine aura.

"YIP!" We’re back! Bika, perched on his shoulder, scanned the familiar academy with its golden-brown fox eyes, unable to contain its excitement.

"Teacher, I’ll walk the rest of the way myself. No need to trouble you," Chu Yi said.

"Ah, alright. Remember, it’s the Guidance Center."

Chu Yi nodded. Dressed in sports shorts and a T-shirt, he looked particularly clean and fresh. Revisiting this place, a mere three days later, felt like an entirely different world.

The instructor took a deep look, also captivated by his charisma. The prodigy who had squandered two years, the fallen Starfire—he had returned!

"WHEW..." A fleshy, pinkish-purple leaf poked out from his pocket. Lulina took a breath. I’m still just a baby! It was so stuffy in there, I was suffocating!

As he walked into the academy, a fragrant breeze wafted past. The grounds boasted lush, soft lawns where groups of Pet Beasts chased and played. Tall academic buildings stood in rows, and there were numerous platforms for Beast Taming duels.

Some female students strolling by couldn’t help but fix their gazes on this uniquely charming young man.

"Who’s that? What an adorable fox! I really want to pat its little tail."

"I know, right? I’ve never seen such an adorable fox! Its fur is so beautiful."

"Hey, are you all just looking at the fox? Shouldn’t you be looking at the handsome guy next to it?"

"See through it, don’t spell it out, silly."

"Are you girls really looking at the fox? You’re clearly just thirsty for his body, you hussies!"

"..."

Soon, Chu Yi arrived before a thriving peach blossom tree. Its branches seemed to gather a pinkish haze that swirled among them, transforming into clusters of rouge-like clouds, magnificent and resplendent.