Chapter 231 - 230: The Speculation Is Invalid

Zhao Jiangyou was guileless. He’d answer whatever anyone asked, which made him seem a little foolish.

From just a few sentences of small talk, the image of a young, naive, and pitiful boy—duped by Admiral Yan—leapt to everyone’s mind.

To avoid hurting Zhao Jiangyou’s feelings, no one poked at the sore spot.

But Zhao Jiangyou didn’t dwell on things. His attention had already shifted to the special enrollment spot from Sheng Yue.

He soothed the rabbit Soul Beast in his arms and said expectantly, "That’s all in the past. Once I get the special enrollment spot for Weis Lan, I won’t be any worse off than I was five years ago."

His face still held a look of deep-seated insecurity, as if shadowed by his past, and he didn’t dare speak too loudly. Yet, for some reason, he gave off a sense of hope.

It was like a patch of grass burned down to its roots, yet still full of hope, knowing it wouldn’t be long before tender green tips would sprout once more.

Jian Yu didn’t have time to marvel at Zhao Jiangyou’s resilience; her mind was completely focused on her search for answers.

Since no one else was asking, she had to ask herself.

Jian Yu thought for a moment, deciding that time was the most important angle of approach. "When did you all arrive at the Ultimate Eye?"

Zhao Jiangyou stroked the long ears of his blue rabbit and looked up at Jian Yu. "A day before you."

Initially, Yan Ying had come to capture Jian Yu and take her back.

But, unexpectedly, she got lost.

It wasn’t because it was her first time and she lacked experience; it was purely because Yan Ying had a severe spiritual power rampage midway through their journey, threw a tantrum, and demanded to rest.

The young miss’s resting spot couldn’t be shabby, so in the process of searching for a suitable place, they deviated from their route.

By the time they found Jian Yu’s group, they discovered that she was with a lot of people.

Sheng Yue and his group even prioritized protecting Jian Yu while fighting Mutant Beasts.

Unable to find an opportunity to make a move, Yan Ying decided to first enrage the Mutant Beasts to scatter Jian Yu’s team.

But she accidentally stumbled into a Mutant Worm nest, triggering a swarm rampage.

Zhao Jiangyou didn’t dare reveal too much, only summarizing, "Every time Miss Yan Ying went into a rampage, her temper would get very bad. She often lost control, cursing and hitting people."

Admiral Yan couldn’t bear to scold Yan Ying, so he would compensate the people who were beaten afterward.

Jian Yu’s brow relaxed. "Oh, I see."

Zhao Jiangyou couldn’t decipher Jian Yu’s emotions.

He said instinctively, "But, Yan Ying was usually very vicious, too. A lot of people said the spiritual power rampages were just an excuse for her to abuse people."

Jian Yu’s gaze lowered as she thought.

’The timeline doesn’t add up. Pei Yin is probably fine.’

Hearing Zhao Jiangyou’s comforting tone, Jian Yu looked up at him with a blank face, and it took her a moment to process his words.

Clearly, Zhao Jiangyou was worried she would feel guilty.

’Why should I feel guilty?’

’Just because I killed Yan Ying while she was having a spiritual power rampage? Because she might have lost control and didn’t mean it?’

Jian Yu would never feel guilty.

Yan Ying’s inability to endure pain was no excuse for her to take it out on others.

Ji Shiyin, Pei Yin, and the others also had spiritual power rampages. Why weren’t they like that?

To put it bluntly, it was a matter of character.

"Mm," Jian Yu pursed her lips, offering no further explanation.

After the incident with Yan Yu, she and the Yan Family were never going to be on good terms.

Knowing that Pei Yin was okay, the tension coiling inside Jian Yu finally loosened.

After feeding his Soul Beast, Zhao Jiangyou retracted it into his body.

He couldn’t read Jian Yu’s expression.

Her gaze seemed to hold a sense of relief.

Zhao Jiangyou couldn’t understand. After being targeted, insulted, and having her life threatened by Yan Ying, how could there not be a single trace of anger in Jian Yu’s eyes?

He couldn’t figure it out, so he decided not to dwell on it.

Zhao Jiangyou lowered his head and walked, keeping close to the group.

Jian Yu stared at the cowlick on his head for a moment. "Can I ask you one more question?"

’Without a Star Brain, I can’t look up a lot of this information online.’

’If I don’t get this sorted out, I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight.’

Zhao Jiangyou felt this might be a chance to prove himself.

’I have to give a good answer. I need to be careful, think it through, and reply properly.’

Zhao Jiangyou’s expression was as serious as if he were about to take an exam. "Go ahead."

Jian Yu blinked. "How old is Yan Ying?"

Zhao Jiangyou: "?"

Uh.

Zhao Jiangyou was stunned, not expecting such a simple question.

"Sixteen."

Jian Yu was surprised. "Sixteen?"

It was no wonder she was shocked. Yan Ying dressed very maturely and didn’t look sixteen.

She had thought Yan Ying was at least around Pei Yin’s age.

Pei Yin is 18.

Yan Ying was 16.

A two-year difference.

When Yan Ying was born, Pei Yin was only two years old.

Yan Ying was identified as Level 3S right after she was born.

But at that time, Pei Yin hadn’t even Awakened yet.

’If that’s the case, my theory doesn’t hold up.’

It’s easy to trip when you’re lost in thought.

Jian Yu moved back to Sheng Yue’s side, holding Yin Jiu in one arm and grabbing Sheng Yue’s hand with the other.

Yin Jiu was afraid of bothering Jian Yu and also afraid of tiring her out.

It shyly curled its tail, its pink ear tips twitching as it shrank down to the size of two cupped hands.

Jian Yu lowered her gaze and held it tighter.

She could easily rub its two white, pink-tinged ears with one hand.

While rubbing its belly, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Sheng Yue’s body stiffened for a moment.

Jian Yu thought, ’Hasn’t he shielded it yet?’

Zhao Jiangyou looked at Sheng Yue, his eyes shining. "Chief, what do I need to do now? How can I get the special enrollment spot?"

Sheng Yue tore his gaze away from their clasped hands.

The corners of his eyes drooped slightly, and his gaze on Zhao Jiangyou was as if through a layer of fog, cold and devoid of warmth.

Zhao Jiangyou timidly shut his mouth.

Sheng Yue’s tone was flat. "You already have the spot."

Zhao Jiangyou’s head shot up, afraid of the opportunity slipping away. "Thank you, Chief."

’When did I get the spot?’

’Aren’t they going to test my abilities? I haven’t even had a chance to show what I can do yet.’

’I wanted to show everyone my abilities through the assessment, but I was also worried it would be too hard and no one would see my strong points.’

’And now, I don’t even know what the assessment is.’

Zhao Jiangyou was overcome by a strange and complicated feeling.

Lu Yi slowed her pace. "I know how you feel."

Zhao Jiangyou looked at her in confusion. "But I don’t."

Lu Yi’s eyes held a melancholic look. "When I write novels, I’m both worried that Biquge has my book, and afraid that they don’t."

Zhao Jiangyou was a bit baffled. "I still don’t get it."

Lu Yi raised her hand, as if to pat his shoulder.

’He’s a guy. Better not.’

Lu Yi lowered her hand, reaching behind her head to scratch the end of her high ponytail. "It’s... a pirate website."

If they pirate your book, it means it’s good. If even Biquge doesn’t bother, that means it’s really bad.

Zhang Qin squeezed over, draping an arm over Zhao Jiangyou’s shoulder. "Don’t overthink it. Your Soul Beast is pretty special. There are plenty of interstellar schools that would want to recruit you."

Zhao Jiangyou knew that, but he was still uneasy. "Including Weis Lan?"

Zhang Qin drew out a long "Mm-hmm." "Including Weis Lan."

Yan Yi sighed. "Once you leave the Yan Family, you’ll find it’s not even raining outside."

Zhao Jiangyou: "..."

They walked in silence for a dozen or so minutes.

Zhao Jiangyou saw a patch of Low-level Beast Plants.

He really wanted them, but could only look on with longing.

As a thought crossed his mind, his gaze dimmed and he lowered his head.

Over the past two days, he had seen many Beast Plants, but Yan Ying wouldn’t let them pick any.

Low-level Beast Plants were completely beneath Yan Ying’s notice.

Weis Lan Noble Academy is the largest noble Awakener school in the interstellar. Their standards are probably just as high, maybe even pickier than Miss Yan Ying.