Eldritch Horror Theatre

"Professor Fu."

As one of the Academy's most popular branches, the Sword Comprehension Institute wasn't quite as aloof as Linghui, but it had always maintained an imposing atmosphere. No idlers allowed.

But everything is relative. Considering this was the very Professor Fu who had sparred with the dean for just a moment before the man went straight into seclusion, no one dared put on airs in front of him.

Fu Qian strolled through unimpeded, and it didn't take him long to reach the spot where he had discussed swordsmanship with Li Weixuan.

Ji Liushuang, who had asked the Veil Sisters to confirm this meeting with him earlier, was already waiting inside. She immediately came out to greet him.

Veil wasn't present; she had likely noticed Ji Liushuang had urgent business to discuss. Her younger sister, Lotte, had taken her leave the moment she stepped out of the laboratory to resume her aimless wandering.

It clearly wasn't just talk. The youngster had truly matured and learned to let things go, no longer harboring pointless curiosity about such matters.

"You've worked hard these past two days."

Faced with his research assistant's warm welcome, Fu Qian fully displayed the demeanor of an academic leader, offering his immediate appreciation.

People had already noticed Ji Liushuang waiting around, so the exchange between the two naturally drew quite an audience.

Seeing that Professor Fu was as distinguished as ever—and even dressed a bit more formally—Classmate Liushuang offered a rare, playful smile that left the onlookers amazed.

"As for the laboratory, Dean Li specifically ordered his people to fast-track its processing before he went into seclusion. Aside from offering a little advice, I barely had to do a thing."

Ji Liushuang turned naturally to lead the way, explaining casually.

It sounded like Brother Weixuan was indeed a man of principle. Even with the opportunity to reach the Demigod Realm right in front of him, he hadn't neglected the minor details.

"I've already seen it. It was well done."

Fu Qian did not skimp on his praise for the final results.

It really was well done.

Classmate Liushuang didn't say anything out loud, but she silently agreed.

Although the requirements hadn't been strict, and she hadn't deliberately tried to copy anything, the new decorations subtly transformed the laboratory's original style. It actually bore a faint resemblance to Silver Mist Manor, giving her a unique feeling when she walked through it.

...

"Earlier today, Chief Yuan of the Night Watchers came over with Excellency Aike to discuss the report from last time."

She kept those trivial feelings to herself. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ji Liushuang led Fu Qian deep into the building until they reached a door. She knocked twice, then pushed it open.

The room wasn't too large, and it lacked excessive decoration, but it carried a natural air of tranquility.

Shutting the door behind her, Classmate Liushuang went straight to explaining why she had called Fu Qian over.

"Because you weren't here, Professor Fu, and the dean had given orders not to be disturbed, I explained a few details to them before leaving Professor Chang Mo to handle the conversation."

"Also, this is Professor Chang's lounge. It's a bit more private for talking."

"I see."

Fu Qian found a place to sit, listening carefully with a slight nod.

She was still just a student, after all. He could tell from her knocking earlier that this wasn't her personal lounge.

But as Professor Chang Mo's beloved disciple, she obviously used the place quite often.

As for "Chief Yuan," although the title initially made it sound as if Yuan Shan had also rushed over, it undoubtedly referred to Yuan Fang, whom he had spoken with more than once.

"As for the report itself, neither Chief Yuan nor Excellency Aike gave a clear opinion on it. The main reason I asked Lotte to pass on a message was because they brought a reward from the Night Watchers..."

As she spoke, Ji Liushuang walked over to the side, picked up a rather large, long wooden box, and placed it down in front of Fu Qian.

As she lifted the lid, a peculiar object was revealed.

...

There was no doubt that it was a weapon.

A perfectly straight crossguard and an exquisite yet luxurious hilt made it look very much like a sword.

But the part extending past the crossguard was a bit bizarre.

Strictly speaking, it was a scabbard, but the design was far too unorthodox.

Made of neither metal nor wood, it was completely pitch-black. It was much thicker than the hilt and covered in jagged protrusions, making it look incredibly heavy.

"Chief Yuan expressed his sincere gratitude for our contributions during the previous incident. When he handed over this reward, he specifically emphasized that it was meant for me."

As she earnestly explained the item's origins, Classmate Liushuang's brow furrowed in a rare display of uncertainty.

Fu Qian wasn't in a hurry to say anything.

Given their previous conspiracy in the laboratory, they already had a tacit understanding that any rewards would go to Ji Liushuang to maximize their overall gains.

So him receiving mere verbal praise while his research assistant got a substantial physical reward shouldn't have provoked this kind of reaction from her.

Unless the reward was just too substantial.

"I didn't refuse it, but this is the nearly legendary Sword in the Stone."

Sure enough, Ji Liushuang took a deep breath the very next moment.

While the name she gave it sounded rather bizarre, he had to admit it fit the weapon's appearance perfectly.

"It is incredibly famous, but it's more than just a weapon. You could say it's a sealed artifact controlled by the Night Watchers."

"Legend has it that it originally belonged to a human king from the Mythological Era. He underwent the Deity's trial and drew out this Sword of the King, a blade that can only be wielded by someone possessing a heart of justice and mercy."

"Though at the end of the story, that king still couldn't escape its curse, dying upon this very weapon because he lost his original noble intentions."

As Ji Liushuang spoke, she slowly lifted the sword out of the box, visibly straining from the effort.

"Of course, that's just a story about its origins. The real reason the Night Watchers keep it strictly sealed is because every recorded owner of this sword has shared the exact same fate: curling up into the shape of a stone while desperately trying to plunge the blade back into their own bodies."

"And if the corpse isn't dealt with in time, it literally turns into a stone-like material that constantly spreads outward... It's said that this once caused the death of an entire city."

"But that isn't what I'm worried about... Quite the opposite, actually. This item is too valuable. The fact that it still had a long line of owners despite being so dangerous proves its worth."

Sighing softly, Ji Liushuang slowly shook her head and actually managed to draw the blade out a fraction of an inch.

"The wielder doesn't need to be a demigod to unleash an attack capable of killing a High-Tier Transcendent with this sword. At the same time, the one holding it becomes immune to most corrupting mutations and even mental influences."

"Rumor has it that when the Sword Comprehension Institute was first founded, they applied to the Night Watchers hoping to hold this item in their custody, but they were rejected without hesitation."

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