Chapter 98
AGM 0098 – Who’s the Inscriptionist?
A total of four figures arrived from the Star River Association. The one in the lead was about 50 years of age, and the moment he entered, his gaze was fixated on the painting being displayed.
The person on his left was Murin. Behind Murin was none other than the student of the Royal Academy, Gretchen. After she knew that the Vice President of Star River Association wanted to come here personally today, she specially rushed over to lead the way.
“Vice President Zuo.” The various elders of the Royal Academy clasped their hands together in respect. Apparently, this group of visitors had an extraordinary background.
The Vice President of the Star River Association, Zuo Yin, was responsible for the weaponsmith division of the Star River Association. He wielded tremendous authority and was a 3rd level Divine Inscriptionist himself. Such a person had actually chosen to come here to view the painting in person?
Zuo Yin slightly nodded in response to the Elders, as he directed his gaze over at Xue Ying. “Young lady, how about selling this painting to me? I’m willing to use a 3rd level Divine Weapon to exchange for it.”
Xue Ying’s heart trembled with desire. She wanted to say that it was hers, but the price of embezzling merchandise delivered by the Sky Transport Network wasn’t something she could bear.
“No.” A huge conflict rose in Xue Ying’s heart as she forced out the word.
“Young lady, what do you want in exchange? You can tell me directly. But remember, such opportunities don’t come often.” Zuo Yin continued. Xue Ying didn’t dare to match his gaze.
“Zuo Yin, forcing a little lass like this doesn’t seems to appropriate for someone of your status, right?” At this moment, a voice drifted over. After Zuo Yin shifted his gaze over, his pupils involuntarily narrowed.
The person was clad in simple clothings and was an extremely ordinary-looking old man. He usually wouldn’t have stood out in a crowd of spectators, but the moment this old man appeared, Zuo Yin’s heart involuntarily shudder. With the appearance of this old fellow, it wouldn’t be easy for him to obtain that painting.
“Seem’s like I must handle this in a low-profile way.” Zuo Yin silently thought. Soon after, he whispered to Murin, “We must obtain the painting. Also, use all our resources to find the Inscriptionist who drew this. If this person hails from Chu, spare no expenses to invite him over to our Star River Association.”
Murin nodded in agreement. If this lass still refused their offer, he would directly seek the informant network of their Star River Association for assistance.
The waves of commotions caused by the painting grew increasingly larger and large. Panic started to arise in Xue Ying’s heart, as a struggle could be visibly seen on her face. She decided that as of tomorrow, she would request for the painting to be returned to her before returning it to Mu Rou.
This piece of news naturally spread to all the Martial Academies. Even the Emperor Star Academy was also in a uproar with regards to this painting..
Currently, the Royal Academy temporarily opened up their gallery to the public, inviting outsiders to visit their academy to view the painting.
Mu Rou was feeling much better today when compared to before. Once again, she entered the Dreamsky Forest. Ever since she had been ostracised by others, the City of Illusions had became a place of refuge for her. She would often temper herself in it, relentlessly seeking to improve her combat ability.
Out of force of habit, Mu Rou revisited the place that was the most familiar to her, but this time around, Qin Wentian was actually there! Involuntarily breaking into a smile, she asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Yesterday we were supposed to meet here for your birthday, but because I was late, I didn’t manage to meet you. So I’m just trying my luck today.” Qin Wentian shrugged as Mu Rou assumed a slightly abashed expression, “You really came here yesterday? Sorry I’ve only waited for a short while before I left.”
“So that’s the reason, I thought that you encountered something that caused you to be unhappy.” Qin Wentian smiled. Since he had already regarded Mu Rou as his friend, naturally, he would care about her feelings.
“You are over-thinking things.” Mu Rou gently smiled as she continued, “Oh yea, Qin Wentian, you are a 3rd level Divine Inscriptionist. Currently, my Royal Academy is exhibiting a mystical Divine Inscription painting, open for all to view. Rumor has it that a grandmaster evaluated its grade to be comparable to a 3rd-level Divine Imprint. Do you want to come over here to take a look?”
“Divine Inscription painting?” Qin Wentian furrowed his brows. Although the news had spread to the Emperor Star Academy, he didn’t know of this.
“Yup, it’s a human-shaped figure wielding an ancient halberd. Now that I think of it, it look really alike to the weapon you’re wielding.” Mu Rou remarked.
Qin Wentian frowned. Human-shaped figure wielding an ancient halberd, Divine Inscription Painting? Wasn’t this the gift he prepared for Mu Rou?
“Mu Rou, the gift i prepared for you yesterday, did you received it?” Qin Wentian casually asked.
“Gift?” Mu Rou froze for a moment before revealing a joyful expression on her face. “I didn’t think that you would prepare a gift for me. I’ve haven’t receive it though. Did you ask a friend to deliver it? What’s the gift you have for me?” Mu Rou smiled.
Mu Rou’s words confirmed Qin Wentian’s guess. It Seemed like he needed to have a talk with people from the Sky Transport Network.
“Wait for me in the Royal Academy, I’m coming right now.” Qin Wentian spoke. He promptly turned around and departed.
“Hmm why is he in such a rush?” Mu Rou was somewhat puzzled, as she shouted to the back of Qin Wentian. “Then I will wait for you at the entrance of the Royal Academy.”
After speaking, she smiled as she, too, departed. There was actually someone else that still remembered her birthday. Warmth blossomed in Mu Rou’s heart. During this period of time in which she was being outcast, she had clearly seen the full scope of human emotions.
A true friend would never treat her like how the others were treating her.
After Qin Wentian found the Sky Transport Network representative who was stationed in the Emperor Star Academy, they immediately launched an investigation upon receiving Qin Wentian’s report, showing a very good attitude that was willing to cooperate with Qin Wentian.
And as for Qin Wentian himself, he departed for the Royal Academy soon after. Indeed, Mu Rou was waiting for him outside the gates of the Royal Academy.
“That was fast.” Mu Rou exclaimed somewhat in shock. As she observed Little Rascal rapidly transforming into a smaller version of itself, a brilliant light could be seen flickering in her eyes.
“The speed of this fellow is even faster than a dragon horse.” Qin Wentian smiled. “Let’s go and take a look at the Divine Inscription painting you mentioned.”
“It seems like you are very interested in this painting.” Mu Rou laughed as she led the way. Although their interactions in reality was very limited, they had grown familiar with each other during their spars in the dreamscape and had already treated each other as good friends.
There were many people crowding about in the Gallery Hall. Several weaponsmiths of great renown had all rushed over to the Royal Academy, and were awed by what they saw. Such a heaven-defying creation…The Human-type Divine Inscription wielding the halberd was actually made up of a godly combination of many other incredibly intricate, completed Divine Imprints that synergized extremely well together. In fact, they were so well-synergised that the end product seemed to be an entity of its own.
Greed and impulse appeared in many spectators’ hearts, wanting to take the painting for their own sakes. But within the Royal Academy, no one dared to be too audacious.
Even before Qin Wentian arrived in the Gallery Hall, he already met some familiar faces – Ye Zhan and Liu Yan
Ye Zhan halted his steps. Lips curling into a shallow smile, a cold light radiated from his eyes. Looking at Mu Rou, he stated, “Mu Rou, so your relationship with Qin Wentian was this good. I wonder what will happen if news about this was leaked to your Mu Clan.”
“It’s none of your business.” Mu Rou swept Ye Zhen a glance as she coldly replied.
Qin Wentian cast a sidelong glance at Liu Yan, his countenance incomparably calm. Previously, he had mistaken Liu Yan for his savior and had always went all the way out for her. Now that the misunderstanding was resolved, he had no more worries. Although Ye Zhan was dating Liu Yan, if Ye Zhan were to somehow fall in his hands, he wouldn’t be polite.
“Is that so?” Ye Zhan coldly laughed. As he was about to continue, however, Qin Wentian interjected, “You best shut your mouth.”
As the sound of his voice faded, an extremely cold aura emanated forth from his body, gushing towards Ye Zhan. Ye Zhan paled as he froze before glaring at Qin Wentian. He coldly laughed. “If not for the Emperor Star Academy’s support, did you think you could have survived until today?”
“If not for the fact that we are in the grounds of the Royal Academy, you would already be a dead man.” Qin Wentian took a step forwards, and a surge of immense pressure blasted out, causing Ye Zhan’s countenance to turn extremely unsightly. He immediately retreated two steps back.
“Let’s go.” Qin Wentian stated to Mu Rou, only to see Mu Rou’s cold eyes looking at Ye Zhan. “If not? If not for the fact you are born in the Ye Clan, do you dare to be so arrogant? Everything he achieved was achieved by his own hands. What qualifications do you have to speak of these two words, ‘if not’?”
After saying this, Mu Rou cast a glance at Liu Yan by Ye Zhan’s side as she added. “Your judgement really stinks.”
She then led Qin Wentian and entered the Gallery Hall together, causing the expression on Ye Zhan’s face to turn grim. Traces of malevolence flickered in his eyes.
The moment Qin Wentian saw the painting, a sharp light radiated from his eyes. This was the gift he had prepared for Mu Rou, but Mu Rou herself didn’t even know about it. This gift of his was actually displayed in the Royal Academy without obtaining his permission. No matter who it was, anyone would surely explode in anger.
However, when Qin Wentian neared the painting, he was actually blocked by someone. That person exclaimed, “Keep a distance away.”
Qin Wentian coldly snorted. He actually wasn’t able to get close to his own creation?
“He is Qin Wentian from the Emperor Star Academy.” Ye Zhan’s voice drifted over, as several gazes landed onto Qin Wentian.
Some one coldly laughed, “Qin Wentian of the Emperor Star Academy. What are you doing in my Royal Academy?”
“I heard that he’s a 3rd level Divine Inscriptionist. I wonder if it’s true, he must have came here in hopes of gaining some insights from the painting.”
The Elders of the Royal Academy also shifted their gaze onto Qin Wentian. One of them spoke. “Since you are from the Emperor Star Academy, stand back.”
The Royal Academy was always in direct competition with the Emperor Star Academy, especially for the position of the number one martial academy in the Chu Country. Naturally, the Royal Academy would always try to make things difficult for students of the Emperor Star Academy. Not only that, this particular student was actually the infamous Qin Wentian. Why would they even be polite about it?