Chapter 14: The Phoenix’s Dual Contract and the Nine-Five Name

One could not deny the Xuanxiao Divine Phoenix’s truly exquisite acting skills.

From the moment of its appearance, it exuded an imposing aura, yet, unbeknownst to the onlookers, it subtly cast a glance at Ye Xingchen.

This individual, while seemingly young, possessed heaven-defying abilities; how could they be merely an ordinary student? Could they be deliberately feigning youth, attending this rustic academy just to study?

Indeed, the ways of a true powerhouse were beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals.

Even more astonishing, it had actually volunteered to forge a familiar contract with this young human, a clear indication of its desire to secretly protect her.

Could it be… that it harbored intentions of ‘an old ox eating young grass’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom referring to an older person pursuing a much younger one romantically)? Tsk, the minds of such formidable beings were truly unique.

Mu Wanqing, now recovering from her shock, nervously responded, “Ah, yes… Great Phoenix…” Before she could finish speaking, her knees buckled, and she began to kneel.

The Xuanxiao Divine Phoenix’s pupils abruptly constricted. With a gentle flap of its wings, a soft force supported her, though inwardly, it was seized by a wave of lingering fear.

‘What a joke! Who knew what this girl’s relationship was to that formidable individual?

If it truly allowed her to kneel and incurred their displeasure, given the ease with which they had just torn through space, it would undoubtedly face dire consequences!’

[Since you are my master, why perform such a grand courtesy? Standing is fine.]

This brief statement left Dean Yu Qinglan utterly dumbfounded.

How could such a proud and noble Starlight Phoenix willingly acknowledge Mu Wanqing as its master? What had become of the legendary arrogance of the phoenix clan?

The Xuanxiao Divine Phoenix’s wings gracefully folded, and it slowly descended amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd.

It finally halted before Mu Wanqing, bowing its head and lowering its gaze, its posture both humble and noble, as if silently proclaiming:

‘This is my master.’

Mu Wanqing was already so flustered that she didn’t know what to do, yet thankfully, Su Liyue promptly reminded her, “Quickly, sign the familiar contract!”

“Ah? Oh, oh…” As if awakening from a dream, she quickly extended her right hand, gently touching the Xuanxiao Divine Phoenix’s forehead.

The brilliance of the contract suddenly flared, but just as the imprint was about to take shape,

An unforeseen anomaly occurred!

Buzz!

Beneath Su Liyue’s feet, where she sat on the sports field’s seating, a contract array mysteriously materialized out of thin air! In the palm of her right hand, a familiar imprint simultaneously began to coalesce!

‘What was happening?!’

Ye Xingchen’s pupils slightly contracted, his gaze fixed intently on Su Liyue’s female form.

‘Could it be the forbidden spiritual energy that had previously struck the Xuanxiao Divine Phoenix within the spatial tunnel, now wreaking havoc? After all, Su Liyue possessed half of his soul.’

Yet, upon second thought, he mused, ‘At least I won’t be the only one serving as a ‘poop scooper’, so it’s no big deal.’

At that very moment, complete contract imprints simultaneously appeared on the backs of both Mu Wanqing’s and Su Liyue’s hands.

One familiar, two masters!

The entire assembly of teachers and students once again fell into a stunned silence.

‘What kind of situation was this? Could a familiar truly acknowledge two masters at once?’ Countless perplexed gazes collectively shot towards Dean Yu Qinglan.

Meanwhile, Dean Yu Qinglan, having weathered the previous two shocks, found his composure significantly more settled.

‘Well, at least it’s only one familiar with two masters… that’s still somewhat within the realm of normalcy, and something the board of directors can be informed about.’

Heaven knew, if Mu Wanqing had summoned yet another outrageous entity, he would have already drafted the opening lines of his resignation letter…

As the contract was finalized, the terrifying chaotic aura surrounding the Xuanxiao Divine Phoenix instantly receded.

Its colossal form transformed into a palm-sized little phoenix, which lightly settled upon Mu Wanqing’s shoulder.

Its tail feathers, which had previously made space tremble, now became a few flickering wisps of flame, gleaming with a gentle luster under the sunlight.

“Greetings, I am the Xuanxiao Divine Phoenix.” The little phoenix tilted its head, its voice crisp and melodious. “How should I address my masters?”

“Ah?” Mu Wanqing blinked. “Aren’t you a Starlight Phoenix?”

The little phoenix haughtily raised its head, its tail feathers unconsciously twitching upwards.

“Starlight Phoenix? I am far superior to those mere ground-dwelling chickens.” As it spoke, it subtly glanced at Ye Xingchen, who was not far away.

“Nevertheless, your misconception is understandable, for in this vast world, what you have witnessed is but a drop in the ocean.”

“Oh, I see. Then, how about I call you ‘Nine-Five’?” Mu Wanqing’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.

“Nine-Five?” The little phoenix tilted its head, its expression one of confusion.

“Yueyue once said that ‘Nine-Five Sovereign’ is a title for emperors! Nine is the ultimate number, and five is at the center, symbolizing a supreme and unmatched status.”

“Hmm…” The little phoenix feigned contemplation, but its peripheral vision caught sight of Ye Xingchen and Su Liyue simultaneously choking on water, and its interest was instantly piqued.

“A fine name. Then you may call me Nine-Five.”

Not far away, Ye Xingchen and Su Liyue were frantically wiping away the tea they had just spat out. A single thought simultaneously flashed through both their minds:

‘Nine-Five?!’

Ye Xingchen and Su Liyue’s mouths twitched in unison.

‘Was this girl planning to assemble a “Type 95-1 semi-automatic assault rifle”? Or did she intend to combine it with his “Qizai” to form a 5-6-7-8-9 straight for a game of ‘Fight the Landlord’ (TL Note: A popular Chinese card game)?’

At this moment, Su Liyue’s female form lowered her gaze to her hands. On her left wrist was the contract imprint with Mu Wanqing’s Xuanxiao Divine Phoenix, while her right hand bore the familiar contract with Ye Xingchen.

She couldn’t help but smile wryly. ‘What was this? Embracing a genius with one hand and a madman with the other?’

As the familiar summoning ritual concluded, Dean Yu Qinglan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, lightly tapping his magic staff against the ground.

“Today, we have collectively witnessed the most astonishing scene in Starcross Academy’s eight-hundred-year history.

Not only have the legendary Starlight Phoenix and the epic Blazing Winged Lion appeared, but it has also proven the diversity of familiar contracts—humans, weapons, and even multiple contracts are all possible!”

As he spoke, he cast a meaningful glance at Su Liyue and Ye Xingchen.

“After careful consideration, I hereby announce that Su Liyue, Mu Wanqing, and Chixiao will receive exclusive mentorship.

Should their performance be exceptional, they may even have the opportunity to participate in the election for the next dean.”

The dean’s words ignited a flurry of commotion.

The students on the field gasped in collective awe. ‘Dean of Starcross Academy?

What an immense honor! It’s said that Starcross Academy is the cradle of mages in the Aetherland Empire, and the dean is an individual who even has the opportunity to interact with the Aetherland Emperor.’

For these students, this represented a chance for many to truly turn their fortunes around.

While becoming a mage certainly made them far stronger than most ordinary people, if they were to truly step onto a battlefield, the majority would likely become mere cannon fodder.

To truly rise and become masters of their own destiny, one either had to enhance their strength or improve their luck.

And this, indeed, was a genuine opportunity to alter one’s fate!

As the crystal clock chimed noon,

“Furthermore, after classes this evening, Su Liyue, Ye Xingchen, and Mu Wanqing are to come to my office for a detailed discussion.

Should there be no other matters, all teachers and students are to arrange an orderly departure and prepare for their meal.”

As the students departed in small groups, their discussions filled the air:

“I heard that after the previous dean retired, they became the Empire’s Chief Advisor…”

“Really? That’s incredible; I truly envy them.”

“Did you see the little phoenix on Mu Wanqing’s shoulder? It’s absolutely adorable!”

“What kind of incredible luck did that guy Ye Xingchen stumble into? He actually ended up bound by a ‘lover’s contract’ with Su Liyue!”