Chapter 254 – 「Blue Demon Ceasefire Ring」

The Academy processed Su Ming’s application with remarkable speed.

To put it another way, at a time like this, Su Ming was the only one applying for early graduation—how could they not handle it quickly?

Moreover, the industry was perpetually short-handed. The Academy’s purpose was to continuously supply fresh blood to the professional circle. Now that someone wanted to join the professional circle early and actively participate as a certified Professional, the Academy’s response to Su Ming’s application was: Approved.

If Su Ming had been among the top ten elite students in the Academy, they might have carefully considered letting him continue his advanced studies there.

But Su Ming’s ranking was only ninety-ninth—almost at the bottom among the elite students. He had earned this position largely due to his various achievements during the Huaming Campaign. Apart from his vast Spirit Power, he hadn’t shown any exceptional talent, having previously been quite ordinary and inconspicuous. Therefore, the Academy was only too eager to send such manpower out to supplement the industry’s talent pool.

Thus, less than an hour after submitting his application, Su Ming received notification from the Academy.

“This weekend, we will arrange a graduation assessment for you. Based on the results, we will assign you a corresponding star rating. We hope you will astonish everyone and achieve excellent results.”

And so, Su Ming prepared to take the Academy’s graduation assessment that weekend.

The assessment results would affect his star rating, as well as the outside world’s evaluation of him and his own privileges.

For example, Xu Yanyan had graduated as the top student of the Hunter Department, debuting as a two-star Professional and earning the evaluation of a Genius.

If Su Ming could also achieve outstanding results in this assessment, then, if nothing else, his bonuses and the records on his Professional Certificate would surely be very impressive.

“Should I try to astonish everyone?”

Su Ming held his phone in the Academy’s Training Room, idly considering such thoughts.

“Mi-ling!”

Little Hai’er swam over to Su Ming, nuzzled his cheek, and pointed at the phone in his hand, as if reminding him of something.

There was no helping it—Su Ming’s phone had been ringing incessantly since a while ago.

But Su Ming showed no intention of answering it. Little Hai’er thought he might be too absorbed in his thoughts and kindly reminded him.

In truth, Su Ming had heard it all along.

“It’s fine, let it ring.” Su Ming patted Little Hai’er’s head and said, “Just go play as you like.”

Hearing this, Little Hai’er still looked a bit puzzled, but since Su Ming said so, she naturally stopped worrying unnecessarily.

With a flick of her fishtail, Little Hai’er leaped into the Training Room’s swimming pool and began swimming around happily.

The scene was no different from before the little girl had evolved.

“Thought she’d really grown up, but she’s still just a kid after all.”

Watching this, Su Ming shook his head with a wry smile.

Even though she had developed into a young maiden with the appearance of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old, Little Hai’er still seemed to have a very playful heart.The only difference is that the former Little Hai’er was very shy and easily frightened, whereas the current Little Hai’er is no longer so easily timid or fearful, instead exuding an open and cheerful demeanor.

Moreover, this mermaid girl’s attitude toward Su Ming is entirely different from before. Not only is she much more enthusiastic, but she also shows an extremely close affinity toward Su Ming.

This closeness is something even Xu Qianqian, who had always been kind to her and taken care of her, subtly couldn’t match.

It’s strange.

“Shouldn’t this girl like Young Miss Xu more?”

Su Ming scratched his head.

Compared to Su Ming, who occasionally intimidated her, the former Little Hai’er clearly preferred Xu Qianqian and had shown affection toward her.

On the contrary, toward Su Ming, the former Little Hai’er was mostly timid and fearful.

But now, Little Hai’er’s attitude toward Su Ming is completely different.

Why is that?

“Is it because of that mysterious and elusive feeling?”

Su Ming muttered to himself.

Even now, Su Ming still feels a Bloodline connection with Little Hai’er, as if they are inseparable, making him sometimes feel inexplicably at ease just knowing Little Hai’er is nearby.

This feeling didn’t exist with the former Little Hai’er.

Su Ming was utterly perplexed by this, to the point where he later considered taking Little Hai’er to the Yun Family Estate to have Yun Langyue and Professor Ying examine her.

But upon second thought, Su Ming gave up on this plan.

“If that professor who wants to amputate my limbs finds out about Little Hai’er’s existence, wouldn’t he drag her away for dissection?”

Thinking of this, Su Ming decisively abandoned the idea.

However, he did inform Xu Qianqian about the matter, asking her, as someone in the know, to investigate on his behalf and consult some professionals.

Coincidentally, many important figures had recently gathered in Longyao City, with quite a few being hosted by the Xu Family and temporarily staying there. Given Xu Qianqian’s status as the Young Miss of the Xu Family, she could easily consult them for useful information that wasn’t widely known in Longyao City.

“Well, I hope the Young Miss is clever enough not to be too obvious and raise suspicions.”

Currently, Su Ming didn’t want anyone to know that he was raising a Phantom Demon, especially a high-ranking one with Nightmare Species Bloodline.

If the news leaked, while it might not cause a worldwide sensation like the Demon Emperor Sword, it would still attract many with malicious intentions.

A direct pass to the Seven-Star level, a foundation capable of establishing a Super Family—such things are coveted by many.

Su Ming didn’t want to engage in any more scheming with various factions.

“Speaking of the Demon Emperor Sword, I wonder if Yun Langyue has finished dealing with that matter.”

Remembering this, Su Ming felt another headache coming on.

The news that the Demon Emperor Sword had been obtained by “Ming Wang” could no longer be concealed. Not only had it been learned by various Family forces in Longyao City, but even the important figures from the Major Base Cities who had come to Longyao City were aware of it.

As a result, the Yun Family Estate had become lively again during this period.

Many important figures, upon learning that “Ming Wang” was once a member of the Yun Family, had more or less placed the Yun Family under surveillance and investigation. Some even went directly to their doorstep, demanding by name that the Yun Family hand over “Ming Wang.”They had no fear of a commerce guild from a rural base city.

Even if Cloudflow Commerce had considerable capabilities, these individuals backed by major base cities and powerful factions weren’t the least bit intimidated.

Moreover, with many people collectively pressuring the Yun Family Estate under this prevailing momentum, the Yun family had indeed encountered numerous troubles recently.

Fortunately, Yun Langyue seemed to have anticipated this long ago and made preparations in advance.

Although Su Ming didn’t know exactly what Yun Langyue had done, even after a full month had passed, no matter how powerful the forces that came knocking, they all ended up returning empty-handed, leaving the Yun Family Estate in frustration, completely unable to do anything about it.

This made Su Ming sigh with admiration more than once.

“As expected of her. Even when facing forces and influential figures from those major base cities in the continent’s heartland, she can handle them with ease.”

For Yun Langyue, dealing with opponents more troublesome than her own family was something she was quite adept at.

After all, she had once been in a state where she couldn’t even afford a piece of bread, with nothing to her name and no one to rely on, yet she managed to topple several major families through sheer determination, bringing the Yun family back to its peak and reclaiming Cloudflow Commerce.

Others might not fear her Yun family, but Yun Langyue similarly held no fear for these so-called major forces and influential figures from the large base cities.

However, Su Ming still felt quite guilty that Yun Langyue had become so entangled in his affairs because of him.

“It’s all because of this stubborn thing. I can’t even use it properly, yet it’s caused so much trouble.”

Su Ming raised his right hand and glared at it.

Suddenly, Su Ming clenched his right fist.

“Boom!”

Sapphire-blue light, flickering like flames, immediately burst forth, swirling around Su Ming’s tightly clenched right fist as if slowly burning.

“Buzz!”

At that moment, the Demon Emperor Sword residing in his right hand reacted, trembling slightly as it released a subtle wave of power.

It was this subtle power fluctuation that would amplify Su Ming’s strength and accelerate his growth rate, but it would also erode his spirit and body, gradually dragging him into the abyss.

However, just as this subtle power fluctuation was about to seep into Su Ming’s body, something incredible happened.

As if an invisible wall of power had suddenly appeared, the invading power fluctuation was abruptly blocked and suppressed, forced to retreat.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz!”

The Demon Emperor Sword immediately began vibrating frequently, seemingly furious and unwilling.

But under the obstruction of this power, no matter what it tried, it couldn’t force its energy to penetrate Su Ming’s body.

In the end, the Demon Emperor Sword could only withdraw its power, retracting the energy fluctuations.

Feeling all this, Su Ming curled the corner of his mouth into a smile.

Upon closer inspection, a rather conspicuous bracelet could be seen on Su Ming’s right wrist, though it was unclear when it had appeared there.

It was a bracelet engraved with mysterious symbols on the inside, its surface covered in enigmatic characters. While it appeared simple and unadorned at first glance, it somehow captured one’s attention, making it difficult to look away, almost as if it had a hypnotic pull.

“This treasure I spent nearly all my crystal savings to obtain really does work to suppress the Demon Emperor Sword’s power.”

Su Ming gently touched the bracelet, murmuring softly to himself.

Then, Su Ming focused his gaze on the bracelet, and information about it appeared in his eyes.Blue Demon Cessation Ring: A special item crafted from thirty-three types of rare Ore sourced from the depths of the Spirit Demon Abyss. It combines the skills and power of thirty-three highly accomplished Alchemists, forged, refined, and tempered through thirty-three distinct methods. Born only through exceptionally low odds of success, it functions both as an alchemical weapon and an alchemical tool. It can Seal, suppress, subdue, expel, guide, or even absorb forces of any nature according to the user’s will, applicable to oneself or others.

(End of Chapter)