Chapter 13: The Genius Summoner's Beloved

“Don’t speak yet, listen to me first.”

Lu Ningshi lowered her finger weakly and asked, “A Xuan, there is only one way to save me now. Are you willing to try for me?”

Yu Xuan nodded solemnly but asked uneasily, “Will you leave me?”

“No.”

Lu Ningshi answered without hesitation, firmly raising three fingers.

“There is a pact of loyalty between us. I will not leave you. I will stay with you forever—I swear it.”

“Xiao Man.”

Yu Xuan held her tightly, moved, but in the unseen corners of his eyes, a profound darkness lingered, and an uncontrollable smile curved his lips.

Lu Ningshi was his only cure.

In truth, he had awakened the moment she broke into the illusion. Everything afterward had been an act.

He knew threatening with his life was harsh, but to keep her and win her vow without harming her was the best solution.

Lu Ningshi leaned on his shoulder dependently, a smile blooming in her eyes.

All the time she had spent acting alongside him was not in vain; now at last, the clouds parted and the moon shone bright.

Their goals were both achieved; the illusion was no longer an invincible enemy.

“Master, Poison Vine, you’re finally awake, boohoo…”

The blazing phoenix, having guarded them both, now flapped its fiery feathers, which had dulled from worry.

Their awakening was like rain on parched earth; the black despair met the dazzling dawn, filling all with wild joy.

The phoenix flung itself upon its master, crying out loudly.

“Master, I’m sorry, I failed to protect you.”

The white jade spider also stirred, weakly lying nearby, afraid to come close.

Yu Xuan reached out to stroke it gently, soothing with a soft voice, “It’s not your fault. I was careless.”

“How are all the beasts awake?”

Hearing restless murmurs around her, Lu Ningshi turned and found all the beasts had awakened, circling their master.

Yu Xuan bent down, reached out, and she silently took his hand.

Once steady, their hands intertwined, and he calmly explained, “Beasts have simple minds; the effect of the illusion vine on them doesn’t last long.”

“Blazing Phoenix.”

“Present.”

The phoenix responded excitedly and loudly.

Yu Xuan’s gaze swept the area as he pointed, “Flame Meteor Shower.”

The phoenix spread its wings, soared, and howled at the sky.

Flames like shooting stars poured from its mouth, burning the inner walls and releasing a faint fragrance.

“Continue, Flame Strike.”

Yu Xuan focused on one spot, and in moments, a cave wide enough for two appeared in the inner wall.

“Jade, web bind.”

The white jade spider trembled, suddenly alert.

It rapidly spun silk into a dense sphere, wrapping everyone tightly in iron-hard webs. Its eight legs quickly dragged them out of the encirclement.

Lu Ningshi was stunned.

At that moment, she had to admit her abilities paled in comparison.

“Let’s go.”

Yu Xuan protected her, walking calmly through the flying sparks.

Seeing him lead her outward, she turned in puzzlement, “Aren’t you going to deal with it?”

“The illusion vine doesn’t grow in Red Flame City. It was brought in by a summoner.”

“You mean it’s the summoner’s contracted beast?”

Lu Ningshi was astonished.

This illusion vine was formidable—more troublesome than she was; she felt inadequate.

Yu Xuan smiled appreciatively, “Smart.”

Lu Ningshi’s face twitched; black lines crept across her forehead.

The answer was obvious, yet she repeated it. What was so praiseworthy?

“Jade, release them.”

The webs loosened, revealing those inside.

“You rest for a while.”

Yu Xuan placed Lu Ningshi safely aside, frowned, and stepped into the encirclement, directing Jade to pull out his teammates.

Without the vine’s effect, Sun Le, Song Siyen, and He Cheng soon woke from their slumber.

“Yu Xuan, what happened to us?” Sun Le rubbed his head, still groggy.

“Ambushed by the illusion vine. You were caught.”

“Illusion vine?”

Song Siyen was surprised, “Since when did it have such strong attacks? It almost wiped us out.”

“Normally it wouldn’t,” He Cheng realized, “You mean it was enraged?”

“Exactly.”

Yu Xuan nodded.

“Damn, which summoner can’t even control their beast’s emotions? Just causing trouble,” Sun Le muttered.

Yu Xuan glanced sideways as more woke and calmly asked, “Can we move?”

They looked around and nodded fervently, “We can, we can.”

Where there were many people, it was a battlefield; they didn’t want to waste strength here.

Yu Xuan returned to Lu Ningshi’s side, holding her hand tightly as they walked side by side.

Sun Le and the others exchanged glances at their entwined hands and silently followed behind without a word.

Yu Xuan’s team seized the initiative and won the competition without contest.

Afterward, everyone was teleported to the hall.

“Hahaha, we won! We won!”

Sun Le happily high-fived Song Siyen and He Cheng.

This year’s championship belonged to their Blazing Flame team.

First place—how many summoners would now flock to join their guild?

They chuckled foolishly, reveling in the bright future.

“Yu Xuan.”

Members of the Phantom Guild stood behind them, their expressions complicated.

Yu Xuan glanced sideways, expressionless.

“What do you want?”

Sun Le quickly stepped in front to protect Yu Xuan, cracking his knuckles with a sneer, “What? Lost the match and not accepting it? Want to fight?”

He Cheng and Song Siyen were not to be outdone, raising their chins and standing firm.

Lu Ningshi lifted an eyebrow, spotting the perfect vantage point, eager to watch the show.

Yu Xuan glanced at her, patted Sun Le’s shoulder to signal him to step back.

“What do you want to say to me?”

He faced the Phantom Guild members directly.

“About what happened five years ago…”

They bowed in unison, “We’re sorry!”

Standing upright, the captain continued, “Back then, out of jealousy, we slandered you, ruined your reputation, and forced you out of the guild. We owe you an apology.”

Their conflict had long existed; in their eyes, the feud was deadly, believing Yu Xuan wished them all dead.

But they never expected that in a life-or-death moment, he would forgive and save them—it was a slap to their faces.

He had always been an honorable gentleman; they had only harbored petty hearts.

Yu Xuan neither confirmed nor denied, calmly saying, “That’s all in the past.”

Betrayal made him grow, surpassing everyone to reach the sixth tier first, and in doing so, he met...

Yu Xuan looked back at Lu Ningshi; the coldness in his eyes softened with a touch of warmth.