Chapter 75: The Awakening and the Call to War

As dawn painted the sky, a thin veil of tranquility gently enveloped the world, akin to a soft, unfolding scroll.

Outside the window, the first ray of sunlight, nimble as an ethereal sprite, carefully pierced through the wispy clouds and gracefully slipped into the room, casting a dreamlike swathe of golden light upon the dappled floor.

A gentle breeze stirred, causing the curtains to dance like agile fairies, their movements bringing with them a refreshing coolness that soothed the soul.

Ouyang Xiyue, nestled deep within his warm quilt, resembled a lazy cat, lost in the depths of a sweet slumber.

In his dream, he roamed through a vibrant sea of flowers, where blossoms of every hue competed for attention, their intoxicating fragrance filling the air.

He reached out, attempting to touch the delicate, dew-kissed petals, but just as his fingertips were about to make contact, a sharp phone ring, like a piercing sword, brutally shattered his beautiful reverie.

Ouyang Xiyue jolted, his brows knitting together, his eyelids seemingly glued shut by an invisible adhesive, refusing to open.

Hazily, he rolled over in bed, attempting to muffle the annoying ringtone with his quilt.

Yet, the insistent ringing, like a stubborn sprite, clung to him relentlessly, refusing to cease even for a moment.

Half-asleep and half-awake, Ouyang Xiyue fumbled frantically beside his pillow, seeking the culprit—his phone.

His movements were slow and clumsy, as if each joint had been filled with heavy lead.

Eventually, his hand brushed against the phone, only to accidentally knock it from the nightstand.

A crisp ‘thump’ echoed as the phone hit the floor.

The sharp sound sent a ‘buzz’ through his head, making his mind even more muddled.

With a helpless sigh, Ouyang Xiyue slowly opened his eyes.

The world before him seemed shrouded in a thin mist, blurry and illusory.

He rubbed his eyes, gazing at the phone stubbornly ringing on the floor.

Ouyang Xiyue bent down to pick up his phone, glancing at the screen.

Before he could even discern who was calling, he groggily pressed the answer button, speaking in a hoarse voice thick with sleep: “Hello… hi…”

–Xi’er! Good morning! Why are you still sound asleep? The sun’s practically on your backside already, wake up quickly!– a voice like an angelic silver bell chimed from the other end of the line.

Ouyang Xiyue rubbed his eyes vigorously, looking at the contact name on his phone screen—‘Ling’er’.

In that instant, he felt like a parched fish spotting a fresh spring, his spirits instantly revived.

“Ah… it’s Ling’er. It’s been so long since I heard your voice, I almost didn’t recognize it. Just now, in my daze, I was secretly wondering which little angel had such a beautiful, melodious voice,” Ouyang Xiyue blurted out without thinking.

He wasn’t usually one to speak like this; perhaps it was the influence of spending time with Chi Congyu and the others recently.

Luli Ling on the other end of the call was clearly stunned for a few seconds before she recovered.

–Hmm? Are you really Xi’er? Or have you been secretly swapped out by someone else? I remember Xi’er not speaking like this.– Luli Ling on the other end was half-skeptical, as she found it truly difficult to imagine Ouyang Xiyue speaking such words.

“Of course it’s me! Ling’er, how have you been all this time? Honestly, it’s been so long, and I truly miss you, reminiscing about the times we used to play together.”

As Ouyang Xiyue spoke, he couldn’t help but fall into memories of the past.

However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Luli Ling hadn’t just called to ask about his recent well-being; a subtle unease began to stir within him.

–Pfft, alright, Xi’er, guess which little angel I am?– Luli Ling’s playful voice came from the other end of the line.

Ouyang Xiyue paused, secretly wondering if he was being overly sensitive, overthinking things.

Listening to Ling’er’s voice on the phone, she seemed perfectly fine.

He steadied himself and said, “I guess it’s Uncle’s little angel.”

Several seconds later, silence hung on the other end of the phone.

Ouyang Xiyue scratched his head, thinking, ‘It seems I guessed wrong.’

“Then is it the little angel from the Sacred Spirit Continent?”

Still no response from the phone.

Ouyang Xiyue gazed at the phone, still connected, and scratched his head again, ‘Still not right, whose little angel could it be then?’

Just then, Ouyang Xiyue seemed to recall something, his expression becoming bashful and hesitant, as he softly, almost questioningly, said, “Is it my… little… angel…?”

The words had barely left Ouyang Xiyue’s lips when he regretted them, feeling as though he had overstepped.

Just as he was pondering how to explain his thoughts, Luli Ling, who had been silent on the phone, suddenly spoke: –Say it again, louder, I didn’t hear you clearly.

Whose little angel did you say? Mine? Who is ‘mine’?– Luli Ling’s voice on the phone rose a few octaves, carrying a hint of expectation and assertiveness.

“Um… it’s Ouyang Xiyue’s little angel!”

Ouyang Xiyue felt a flush of shyness after speaking, a sensation akin to an ardent confession made over the phone.

–Hehe, that’s right, next time I want to hear you say it face-to-face.

Alright, enough with the pleasantries, Xi’er, today is April 4th, and the Blood Night will last for three days, starting tonight at six o’clock.

Our people sent back news yesterday; they found an area frozen in white mist in the forest near the Necropolis Kingdom on the Sacred Spirit Continent.

Brother Yu went to investigate personally, and he said he sensed your spiritual power fluctuations, so he asked me to inquire with you.– Luli Ling’s tone shifted from playful to serious.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Xiyue knew he couldn’t escape this ordeal after all.

The place where Chi Congyu had vanished was near the Sacred Spirit Continent, and he hadn’t thought much of it until Chi Congyu told him she was the child of the Necropolis Kingdom’s lord, at which point he realized the grave mistake he had made.

“Uh… it was me… Ling’er, this matter was my doing…”

Several minutes later, he explained the entire sequence of events to Ling’er.

–So that’s it. Xi’er, you went to such a dangerous place and didn’t even mention it to me.

What if something had happened to you? How would I explain it to Uncle Ouyang Xiu? You are truly brave and fearless; your fiancée goes missing, and you are so anxious that you disregard your own safety.

It seems that during my absence, you and that fiancée of yours have grown quite close.

Could it be that you’ve been doing things you shouldn’t behind my back!– Luli Ling’s tone initially carried a hint of dissatisfaction and worry, but the latter half was filled with jealousy.

“Uh… I know I was wrong; I’ll definitely tell you about things in the future.

Ling’er, I haven’t… she and I haven’t done anything out of line… really! You have to believe me!”

As Ouyang Xiyue spoke, he felt a blush creep up, and the memory of being forcefully kissed earlier made him feel hot all over, as if a fire was burning within him.

It was then that Ouyang Xiyue suddenly realized that Chi Congyu, who should have been sleeping beside him last night, had quietly departed at some unknown time.

He mused that perhaps she had important matters to attend to, as she was, after all, the future heir of the Sacred Light Church.

–Hmph, you say you haven’t done anything, but give you more time, and I fear you’ll have done everything.

I’m telling you, Xi’er, if you lose your purity, I will never forgive you.

After this Blood Night, bring her to the capital to meet me; I’ll have a good talk with her then!

Also, regarding this matter, Brother Yu wants you to meet him in Bian Su County; the person coming to pick you up should arrive immediately.

Xi’er… be careful…– Ling’er’s voice on the phone was calm, yet it seemed to conceal underlying waves of emotion.

“Ling’er… I understand.

After this matter is resolved, I’ll arrange for her to meet you… Don’t worry, I won’t… Alright, I’ll get ready immediately.

Rest assured, I will definitely be careful, and you take care of yourself too.”

Hanging up the phone, Ouyang Xiyue immediately packed his bags, awaiting Lyu Yu’s people to pick him up.

“Lord Xiyue, are you also setting off?”

Shangguan Yun had quietly appeared not far away at some point.

“Indeed. Ling’er informed me that Brother Lyu Yu’s people are coming to pick me up to head to Bian Su County, to prepare for war with the Necropolis Kingdom.

Why do you say ‘also’? Yun’er, are you going too?”

Ouyang Xiyue looked at Shangguan Yun, his heart filled with questions.

However, he felt little fear, but rather a surging eagerness, as it had been a long time since he had hunted demons and monsters.

When undead creatures die, they drop a type of spirit pill, which can be exchanged for resources and money.

At this moment, his funds were tight, almost to the point of destitution.

Shangguan Yun shook her head, explaining, “No, Lord Xiyue, I am not going.

Many student societies at the academy have spontaneously organized to recruit students to defend against the undead at the borders of the Necropolis Kingdom.

Many academy teachers will also go.

The academy places great importance on these days each month, viewing them as an excellent opportunity for students to gain experience.

My strength is still shallow, so I don’t wish to go for now… Lord Xiyue, Yun’er awaits your triumphant return.

Have a safe journey, and please, be careful!”

Ouyang Xiyue nodded, flashing a brilliant smile: “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be safe and sound.”

Ouyang Xiyue stepped out of his dorm room and saw students continuously walking towards the various teleportation arrays of the academy.

It was then that he suddenly remembered that he had rushed off to save someone earlier and had forgotten the academy even had teleportation arrays.

Ouyang Xiyue shook his head helplessly, musing to himself that he was still too careless; this wouldn’t do.

If he encountered a tricky enemy in the future, a single oversight could endanger his life.

Ten minutes later, a person wrapped in a black robe, their face indiscernible, appeared before Ouyang Xiyue.

–Lord Xiyue, His Highness Lyu Yu requests your presence.

Please follow me to the teleportation array; we shall depart immediately.–

The newcomer was indeed Hei, a formidable dark-rank expert directly subordinate to the Emperor, princes, and princesses.

Ouyang Xiyue was quite familiar with him, having often seen him guarding Ling’er during their childhood.

“Alright, Senior Hei, it’s been a while, let’s go.”

“Indeed, Senior Hei, long time no see, let’s set off immediately.”

Without a moment’s delay, the two stepped directly into the teleportation array.

At that moment, Ouyang Xiyue noticed many other students also preparing to depart around the array, and even caught sight of a few familiar faces.

However, time was pressing, and he had no leisure to approach and exchange pleasantries.

Instead, he and Senior Hei each paid ten gold coins.

Then, amidst a wondrous, dreamlike glow, their figures slowly vanished…