Chapter 14: The Skull-Splitting Slayer

When the flames subsided, everyone was astonished to see that Yedou was no longer engulfed by the fire but had appeared behind the Fire Sprite. It turned out that as soon as Yedou realized it couldn’t move, it immediately activated its Evil Mist ability and escaped the fiery attack range the moment the flames surged.

With a single swipe of its claw, Yedou struck the Fire Sprite, sending it tumbling to the ground. Letting out a wail, the Fire Sprite crashed down, its flames scattering into sparks that flew in all directions.

Yedou wanted to press the advantage, but Teacher Zhao hurriedly called out, “That’s enough!”

However, as a rebellious Evil Spirit, Yedou paid no heed to Teacher Zhao’s command and charged forward recklessly once more.

Another wail echoed as the Fire Sprite was shattered directly. Yet, not long after, the dispersed flames reformed into the Fire Sprite again.

This time, the Fire Sprite had shrunk noticeably, looking very weak. Yedou was about to continue when Star interrupted just in time, “Enough!”

Hearing this, Yedou paused, slowly retracting its raised claw.

The Fire Sprite looked at Yedou with fear and instinctively moved away. Seeing this, Gu Jinling and the Flower Spirit quickly stepped forward—one to heal the Fire Sprite, the other to replenish its energy.

Teacher Zhao glanced at Yedou and said, “You’ve won.”

“Yeah, we won!” Fan Honghong jumped up with joy.

Among all the teams participating in the exercise, except for another boys’ team, only Star’s group had won.

Not far away, Lu Xiangxiang sneered, “Big deal. I’m the worst on my team. Without others’ help, I’m nothing.”

Fan Honghong seemed to guess that Lu Xiangxiang was talking behind her back. She stuck out her tongue and made a funny face at her.

Star tugged Fan Honghong away and left the field with Yedou and the Spirit Light Bandage.

Back with their team, Star noticed everyone looked even more fearful toward her. They had all witnessed the ruthless attack from the Dark Spirit Cat—Teacher Zhao’s intervention had failed.

Star merely glanced at them casually, indifferent to their attitudes. She had joined the alliance to investigate the mysterious organization, not to cultivate relationships.

Fan Honghong whispered apologetically, “Star, sorry, I almost made you lose.”

Star shook her head, “I didn’t ask clearly, and I was the one who told you to heal. It’s not your fault.”

Fan Honghong’s face softened with gratitude. “Star, you’re really kind.”

Seeing that Star didn’t blame her, tears welled up in Fan Honghong’s eyes.

After their practice battle ended, the day’s practical class was basically over.

Teacher Zhao shared some combat experience and techniques, then said, “Our school has a Spirit Species Tower. Each floor is guarded by a Spirit Species. You can go there to practice battles.

The higher the floor, the stronger the Spirit Species guarding it. Be careful when you practice.

Also, there are rewards for climbing the tower—the higher you climb, the better the rewards. I hope everyone participates actively.”

“Teacher, where is the tower?” a student raised their hand.

Teacher Zhao answered, “In the North District. Just ask the school janitor when you get there.”

The school was divided into East, South, West, and North districts.

Hearing this, the students memorized the information carefully.

Teacher Zhao continued, “That’s all for today’s practical class. Now, come with me to collect Spirit Species rations.”

Star looked puzzled and whispered to Fan Honghong, “Spirit Species rations? Are those food for the spirits?”

Fan Honghong nodded, “Exactly. Spirits possess spiritual energy and can go without food for a short time, but long-term fasting is harmful.

They can eat ordinary food, but it doesn’t help their growth. Only special rations infused with spiritual energy aid their development.”

“I see,” Star said, enlightened. She wondered if she herself could eat such rations.

Led by Teacher Zhao, they arrived at a warehouse.

Outside the warehouse stood a table behind which sat a middle-aged woman in a black uniform, with a ponytail and gold-rimmed glasses.

Teacher Zhao approached and said, “Teacher Gao, the new students have come to collect rations.”

Without looking up, Teacher Gao asked, “How many?”

“Thirty-two,” Teacher Zhao replied.

Teacher Gao noted this down and then gently clapped her hands.

Suddenly, the heavy warehouse door swung open, and a towering Spirit Species emerged—at least three meters tall.

Even in its disguised form, it was imposing.

This humanoid spirit was entirely composed of chunks of blue stone of varying sizes, and thundered with each step.

Instinctively, everyone aimed their identification functions at the Blue Stone Giant Spirit, only to shy away embarrassedly—they couldn’t check spirits that belonged to others.

But Fan Honghong had already explained the Blue Stone Giant to Star.

Species: Blue Steel Stone Giant, a variant of the Stone Giant

Classification: Transformed Spirit Species

Attributes: Earth, Metal

Its abilities should have awakened, though Fan Honghong didn’t know precisely, as awakened traits can vary even within the same species.

Its rating was at least B.

Stone Giants are evolved from Stone Imps and have undergone further mutations, making them formidable.

Generally defensive or offensive types, Blue Steel Stone Giants are similar but stronger due to their additional metal attribute.

Teacher Gao called to the Blue Steel Stone Giant, “Jingang, go bring out the rations.”

“Auwoo~” the giant nodded and turned back into the warehouse.

When it reemerged, its sturdy arms were laden with bags of rations.

It lined the rations on the table, and Teacher Gao said, “Line up.”

The students quickly formed a queue.

Teacher Gao asked the first student, “Name? Spirit species attributes?”

The student replied, “Wu Linlin, water and wind.”

Teacher Gao recorded this and directed the stone giant to hand over a blue bag and a green bag, then waved for the next.

Wu Linlin took the bags, inserted them into his spiritual emblem wristband, and hurried away.

Teacher Zhao said, “Once you get your rations, you may leave.”

Wu Linlin released his flying mount and took off from school.

Watching the queue dwindle, Star tapped Fan Honghong’s shoulder, “Is the alliance’s welfare really this good? They gave us flying mounts and free Spirit Species rations.”

Fan Honghong answered, “Free? What are you thinking? Those rations are part of our future salaries.”

Star understood then—nothing could be truly free, even from the alliance.

Soon it was Fan Honghong’s turn. Teacher Gao still didn’t look up. “Name? Spirit species attributes?”

“Fan Honghong, Yang and Wind,” she answered.

Different attributes require corresponding types of rations. Fan Honghong’s Spirit Light Bandage was Yang attribute, and her Bat-winged Dragon was Wind attribute.

Hearing her name, Teacher Gao was surprised. “You’re the daughter of Doctor Fan and Doctor Luo?”

Fan Honghong nodded. “You know my parents?”

Teacher Gao smiled—a rare expression. “Doctor Fan and Doctor Luo have saved many lives, including mine.”

Fan Honghong said quietly, “I see…”

From her words, it was clear her parents were highly esteemed doctors.

After receiving her rations, Fan Honghong turned to Star to say goodbye. “Star, I’m heading home. See you tomorrow.”

Star nodded, “See you tomorrow.”

When it was Star’s turn, Teacher Gao resumed her routine tone, “Name? Spirit species attributes?”

“Yu Fanxing, Evil and Yin,” Star replied.

Teacher Gao looked up, surprised. “Your species is an Evil Spirit?”

Star nodded.

“You’re Yu Fanxing?” Teacher Gao studied her intently.

“Yes,” Star confirmed.

Teacher Gao said no more, noted down her information, and instructed the Blue Steel Stone Giant to fetch two bags of rations.

She hadn’t expected a newcomer to possess an Evil Spirit Species and thus hadn’t prepared matching rations.

“Here,” Teacher Gao handed Star a dark purple bag and a black bag.

After collecting the rations, Star noticed the time was late. She summoned Princess, mounted it, and headed home.

On the way, Star stopped at a supermarket to buy some groceries.

At home, she released Yedou and Princess from their cards, letting them explore while she went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

She first simmered ribs soup, then cooked rice, and finally stir-fried tomato and eggs.

When she brought the dishes to the dining room, she saw Yedou curled up, sleeping soundly on the sofa.

Princess, meanwhile, had somehow found Star’s makeup mirror and was admiring herself in it.

After setting the meal, Star called to the two spirits, “Dinner’s ready!”

At the sound of her voice, Yedou’s ears perked up. It leapt from the sofa and eagerly ran over.

Princess was less enthusiastic, holding the mirror with its wings and moving slowly, savoring its reflection.

Taking out two plates, Star poured the rations from the bags into them.

The dark purple bag contained rations for Yin attribute spirits; the black bag was for Evil attribute spirits.

Yedou pounced on its food, eating heartily. As a wild spirit, it had never tried these rations before and found them especially delicious.

Princess, having been domesticated for a long time, was accustomed to tastier rations and was indifferent to this meal.

It ate slowly and gracefully, maintaining its elegance even while dining.

Spirit rations vary in quality—the higher the grade, the better the taste.

As a rookie spirit user, Star naturally received the lowest grade.

After they had eaten their fill, Yedou was in high spirits, its steps lighter and skipping as if dancing.

Star took the two spirits back to her room and lay on her bed. With nothing to do, she turned on the TV, which she hadn’t watched in a long time.

Flipping through channels, a news report from Rainbow Light City’s local station caught her attention.

“Breaking news: This afternoon, another victim’s body was found, with the same condition as previous cases—head severed, heart removed.

Recently, Rainbow Light City has seen multiple murders; victims have mysteriously disappeared and, when found, have had their hearts extracted and heads severed.

Rumors suggest these cases may be the work of fugitive Lin Zaize, now called the Skull-Splitting Butcher.

The police are investigating and ask citizens to report any sightings of Lin Zaize immediately…”

Star’s face filled with confusion.

Wasn’t Lin Zaize dead? She had killed him herself. How could he be committing these crimes?

The latest murder seemed to have happened just this afternoon, with the time of death less than three hours before the body was found.

It was understandable if earlier cases were his doing, but what about this one?

Unable to make sense of it, Star dropped the thought—it wasn’t her concern anyway.

Her gaze then fell on the basket by her bedside, where she had placed the Rose Flower Spirit at noon. It was now empty.

It seemed it had left.

After playing with her spirits a while longer, Star fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, she opened the window to breathe fresh air.

On the windowsill lay a bunch of vibrant red roses, petals glistening with dew.

Where had these come from? Star wondered. Could it be the Rose Flower Spirit?

She craned her neck and looked outside but saw no sign of the spirit.

Since she had to go to school, she didn’t spend time searching.

After freshening up, she packed the disguised Yedou and Princess into her bag and hurried out, skipping breakfast.

She placed the roses in a vase on the living room table.

Just as she left, a small head peeked out from her garden bed—who else but the Rose Flower Spirit?

It fluttered joyfully above the flowerbed, its wings shimmering with tiny green lights that fell onto the flowers below.

Absorbing the light, the flowers bloomed even more brilliantly.

Unaware of this at home, Star rushed to school, nearly late.

Sitting at her desk, she thought to herself: maybe I should buy a car?

She had a license but hadn’t needed a car before since her workplace was close. Now she had to travel between the Inner World and the Outer World, and the flower base in the Inner World was in the suburbs, making travel inconvenient.

In the Inner World, she could ride Princess, but not in the Outer World.

At that moment, Teacher Hu entered to start class, lecturing on various theories about Spirit Species and spirit users. He shared many anecdotes, making the lesson engaging.

Before she knew it, it was noon break. Star had planned to go home, but Fan Honghong approached and asked, “Star, everyone’s going to challenge the Spirit Species Tower. Are you going?”