Chapter 306: The Mark of the Wolf and the Snake

This time, the Divine Hall Illusion Realm was just like before: pitch-black all around. On the round table sat a strange runic Array and a candelabra with only two burning candles.

The flames flickered.

The young man opposite her seemed to be embedded in the darkness. Only his minimalist white mask was visible.

He watched with great interest as the young Rabbit Clan woman arrived, just as promised, on the night of the full moon. He seemed to be waiting for her questions.

Yu Zhizhi was still wearing the magnificent court gown from her visit to the Royal Palace earlier that day. She sat bolt upright, her rabbit ears standing attentively. "I want to know about the Bright Moon Divine Position. The more, the better."

"The Bright Moon Divine Position..." The temple messenger’s voice was like a clear spring. "Records regarding Evolution Talent are extremely rare, but I know of something that can satisfy your curiosity."

"What is it?"

"The *Bright Moon Diary*, which old Mr. Peru spent a lifetime recording. It details the evolution process of 160 Beastmen."

’The evolution process!’

’One hundred and sixty Beastmen!’

Yu Zhizhi’s eyes lit up. ’This is exactly what I need!’

"How can I obtain this diary?"

’It seems the young Rabbit Clan female is truly interested in this.’ The temple messenger propped his chin on one hand, his index finger lightly tapping his white mask. There was a hint of a smile in his tone. "As a show of good faith, I can find this diary for Ms. Zhi Zhi."

The young Rabbit Clan woman didn’t trust the Divine Hall Alliance, nor did she trust him.

That was only natural.

’Last time, my partner mentioned that Number Two was needed to communicate with her. Unfortunately, the willful Number Two hasn’t been to the Divine Hall Alliance for a long time, and I can’t contact him.’

’I should first help the Rabbit Clan Lady find what she needs. That way, I can slowly break down her defenses.’

"That... wouldn’t that be too much trouble...?"

Yu Zhizhi was conflicted.

’She desperately wanted this *Bright Moon Diary*. If she could find a "condition" inside it similar to Tang Luo Ke’s, she would know what to do next.’

’How can I completely heal Tang?’

’According to Doctor Cha Li, Tang Luo Ke’s Golden Beast Bone is cracking because his Strength is too immense. At his current rate of growth, he might face an unimaginable fate...’

’Evolution Talent was different from Healing Talent.’

’When she first started practicing her Healing Talent, she had help from Noel of the Rabbit Clan. Plus, the system for Healers was open and transparent, so Yu Zhizhi had progressed quickly without making any major missteps.’

’But Evolution Talent was so rare, and for strategic reasons, she couldn’t find any records about it.’

"It’s no trouble," the temple messenger said in a gentle tone. "The last place old Mr. Peru went to was Sun Ridge. The Divine Hall Alliance has messengers there as well. I’ll ask them to look for the diary."

Guessing that the Rabbit Clan Lady was anxious, the young man added, "We will be as quick as possible. Please rest assured, Ms. Zhi Zhi."

’Sun Ridge...’

’That place really is far away.’

Yu Zhizhi nodded lightly. "Thank you."

"Should I still come on the night of the full moon next time?" she asked.

The temple messenger, who was toying with a silver coin, paused for a moment when he heard her question.

He slid the silver coin across the table toward her.

"With this, you can come whenever you like."

’This was against the rules of the Divine Hall Alliance.’

’The young Rabbit Clan woman hadn’t joined them yet, but... this was a small privilege he was granting her.’

Yu Zhizhi picked up the silver coin. The back was engraved with the Divine Hall Alliance’s insignia, with several numbers beneath it. The front bore a Beast Clan totem. The coin still held the faint warmth of the young man’s palm.

She clutched the silver coin tightly. "Thank you, Mr. Ling."

’The temple messenger is actually very easygoing.’

’He’s thought of everything.’

Yu Zhizhi left the Illusion Realm.

She returned to the Duke Mansion, and from the courtyard, she heard Teacher Dai Li’s voice. "Have you found Ms. Zhi Zhi?"

In the afternoon, after returning from the Royal Palace, Ms. Zhi Zhi went to the Book Collection Pavilion. Then she came back—and promptly disappeared.

The servants of the study were on edge. Yu Zhizhi pushed open the door of a vacant room. "Teacher Dai Li, I’m here."

Dai Li was slightly astonished to see her emerge from the small room—

’Just a moment ago, I didn’t see Ms. Zhi Zhi in this vacant room.’

She didn’t press the matter, simply stepping forward and bowing. "Ms. Zhi Zhi, the Duke has returned. He’s waiting for you in the study."

"Mhm~"

As Yu Zhizhi walked toward the study, she passed the Youlian Pond and noticed that the Little Octopus, which loved to soak in the water, was gone.

Teacher Dai Li smiled. "It swam out of the pond and is now running all over the Duke Mansion. I believe it ran into Miss Yu Xiang’s courtyard this afternoon and gave her a scare. Then, this evening, it went to the back kitchen and started a little tiff."

’Miss Yu Xiang?’

’Yu Zhizhi remembered the name. She was the Jinshe Clan female she had seen at the study’s entrance last time.’

She nodded lightly. "The Little Octopus might go around—"

Yu Zhizhi stopped herself from saying the words "picking fights." Instead, she rephrased, "It runs all over the place, but it doesn’t mean any harm..."

"Don’t worry," Dai Li said with a smile. "I’ve already informed everyone that it is an honored guest of the Duke Mansion. No one will bully it."

’That Little Octopus had come from the Deep Sea Empire with Ms. Zhi Zhi.’

’The Duke had tacitly approved of her keeping it as a pet.’

’After all, its spiritual power seemed very weak—far weaker than an ordinary Beast Clan male’s. It didn’t even have a human form.’

’The Duke must have seen that it wasn’t aggressive and, since Ms. Zhi Zhi seemed quite fond of it, allowed it to stay.’

Yu Zhizhi entered the study. Just as she closed the door, she saw a dark figure leaning against the door to the back courtyard.

The Duke held a long, slender silver pipe. He stood leaning against the door, his deep purple robe gilded by the moonlight. "You’re back?"

Yu Zhizhi gave a soft "mhm."

A cool spring breeze drifted in. Yu Zhizhi was about to go behind the screen to change out of her clothes when she heard the Duke speak—

"Come here."

She slowly walked over.

As she looked at the man before her, she noticed the long, slender pipe he held. The blue Luck Bag hanging from it was very familiar.

She couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it. ’It’s the one I gave him...’

Wisps of smoke curled around her as she felt the Duke’s fingers gently caressing her neck.

"It’s red." The Duke’s dark lashes lowered slightly, concealing the eerie glow in his golden, slitted pupils.

’The wolf had deliberately left it.’

’A mark.’

Yu Zhizhi’s neck grew warm where the Duke’s fingertips brushed against it. She turned her head aside, feeling a little unsteady on her feet.

The Duke gazed down at the small female in his arms. Her intricate court dress enveloped her petite frame. A hint of skin was visible at her neckline, and the crushed hem of her skirt was in disarray. He bent down slightly and left a bite mark on the other side of her neck.

"Ngh—" Yu Zhizhi frowned slightly. A sharp pain pricked her neck. ’The snake’s teeth... they feel like they’ve pierced my flesh.’

A moment later, he gently licked the bite mark.