Chapter Sixty: Waiting by the Tree for the Hare

Above, tensions were so high that a great battle could break out at any moment, yet below, life continued as if nothing were amiss. This was always the way of Summer Nation. They strove to ensure that major events did not disturb the daily lives of ordinary people. After all, telling the populace about such matters would yield no help, only unnecessary panic.

The Central Spiritual Library operated as usual, open twenty-four hours a day. The day and night shifts were about to change. Xiao Youxuan walked down the long corridor, her mind caught in a tangle. She knew that someone of Bai Yujing’s cultivation no longer needed breakfast. But surely a cup of coffee or tea was harmless? Just the thought of Bai Yujing showing satisfaction with her coffee or tea—or even a simple compliment—was enough to make her heart blossom.

But the question remained: Should she brew coffee or tea? Or perhaps steep some leaves for tea? Uncertain of Bai Yujing’s preferences, she decided to try them in turn. She would start with a cup of coffee with sugar.

With these thoughts swirling, she and her colleague exited the staff-only door, allowing the night shift receptionist to go rest. The Central Spiritual Library’s main hall was unusually quiet that morning, with only a handful of early-rising spiritual adepts coming and going. Beneath the lofty ceiling, Bai Yujing sat in a corner of the lounge area, engrossed in a “Research Report on Polluted Zones.”

Xiao Youxuan stole a glance, pondering what words she might use to bring him the coffee. Just then, the main library doors creaked open, drawing her gaze—she was immediately stunned.

Three striking figures entered the hall. Their attire was uniform: fitted, pristine white T-shirts beneath sky-blue feathered jackets, with bold “Azure Cloud” characters embroidered on their backs. Despite the matching outfits, their differing temperaments transformed the look.

The golden-haired lady leading the way walked with her head held high, regal and proud like a peacock queen. On the right, Liu Shuangling had her black hair swept up, with a single lock falling over her forehead. Her demeanor was intellectual and gentle, resembling a lush, dewy peony in full bloom. On the left, Zhu Ying’s face was adorned with soft reddish eye makeup, her expression cold and alluring, like a rose with thorns.

How beautiful! Xiao Youxuan sighed inwardly as she watched them stride directly toward Bai Yujing’s table. Suddenly, a wave of sourness washed over her, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured atop her head, extinguishing all hope and daydreams.

All the worries that had plagued her throughout the night suddenly felt meaningless. Xiao Youxuan smiled bitterly to herself—it seemed she’d been clinging to a tiny shred of hope, which was why, at this moment, her heart ached.

Eight long tables were neatly arranged in the corner lounge, each flanked by stools. Bai Yujing sat in the third row. Liu Shuangling placed a lunchbox before him, containing not only Bai Yujing’s breakfast but also theirs. She set the dishes out one by one: freshly ground, warm soy milk, steaming soup dumplings, golden crispy fried dough sticks, and several exquisite side dishes.

The three sat opposite Bai Yujing. Tiya picked up a soup dumpling with her chopsticks, took a gentle bite, and the broth burst in her mouth, filling the air with fragrance.

After swallowing, she feigned casualness: “Master, since last night, Shanghai has been under a state of upper-level lockdown. No one knows what’s happening.”

“That’s right. On my way home, I was questioned three times, and when I left this morning, I was questioned four more times. If it weren’t for being with my sisters just now, they’d have interrogated me again.” Zhu Ying, usually reserved, spoke at length, revealing how much resentment she held. She truly wished she could burn those people to ashes!

Bai Yujing considered for a moment. Dragon Bao had indeed told him to keep matters concerning the spiritual seed secret from outsiders. Yet the three before him were clearly not outsiders—they were his own. His expression was calm as he said, “Regarding this matter, I do know some inside information.”

“What inside information?” Tiya pressed, her emerald eyes full of curiosity.

Despite her connections, all her efforts to uncover the truth had met with obstacles—not because her network was ineffective, but because the three main official agencies tightly controlled the news, refusing to reveal the reason for these measures. Rumors swirled among Shanghai’s elite, but none contained the truth.

Bai Yujing answered candidly: “If I’m not mistaken, it’s related to whoever invented the spiritual seed. Once implanted, even ordinary people can possess the powers of a spiritual adept.”

At his words, Liu Shuangling’s alluring phoenix eyes narrowed sharply, astonished by the spiritual seed’s marvels. A surge of curiosity rose within her; she was eager to learn what a spiritual seed truly was.

Before Tiya could speak, she asked first: “Master, what is a spiritual seed?”

“It’s likely a scripture artifact developed by someone—a creation that forms unconscious, possessing monsters. These creatures attach themselves to the human body, absorbing emotions and gradually, imperceptibly, affecting a person’s character, making them bloodthirsty and violent.”

“So that’s how it is.” Liu Shuangling’s interest in the spiritual seed waned. The power she sought was not child’s play like this, but something that could truly transform a person.

After breakfast, the three returned to Azure Cloud Gate to continue their cultivation. Bai Yujing remained in the lounge area of the Central Spiritual Library, quietly reading materials on the polluted zones formed after the death of monsters.

The documents recorded in detail the polluted zone incidents that had occurred in Summer Nation and other countries. Strange phenomena abounded: some polluted zones measured only three hundred sixty square meters, yet upon entering, one found vast expanses. Some even lived inside, as if they had always been there, complete with memories of their stay.

Many scholars studying polluted zones had yet to summarize any precise rules; helplessly, they concluded there were no fixed laws—the lack of rules itself was the rule of polluted zones.

Bai Yujing read for a while.

Soft footsteps approached, and a steaming cup of coffee was placed before him.

“Master Bai, please enjoy,” Xiao Youxuan said, her face blooming with a sweet smile. “Consider it a token of thanks for protecting us here.”

“Miss Xiao, you’re too polite.” Bai Yujing lifted the cup and took a sip. The coffee was sweet but not cloying, smooth and rich. “It’s delicious—better than any coffee shop out there.”

“As long as you like it,” Xiao Youxuan replied, floating away as if nothing weighed on her. In truth, her heart thundered so loudly that Bai Yujing could hear it clearly.

He pretended not to notice. Since he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, there was no need to pierce the veil and make things awkward for both.

He took another sip, letting his thoughts drift from the book to another matter. If the mysterious figure seeking Liu Shuangling discovered he was in the Central Spiritual Library, would they dare attempt an assassination with the outside so tense?

He pondered and decided that after finishing the coffee, he would leave the library and return to Azure Cloud Gate. At the same time, Bai Yujing planned to lift Azure Cloud Gate’s protective barrier, hoping to catch the intruder unawares.