The disciple's cheeks flushed red. He fidgeted with his fingers, frowning, and said, "Y-yes."
"We are actually all disciples of the Holy Grail Academy. However, because the number of people coming from the Holy Grail Academy this time was already sufficient, the academy wanted to play it safe and brought many reserves. To comply with the rules, we directly bribed someone from another academy to withdraw from the competition this year, handing over all their spots to us."
In other words, the Holy Grail Academy appeared to have only sent one contingent, but in reality, two had arrived.
Yan Ruxue nodded. "Then what should we do? We can't act under the banner of the Holy Grail Academy. Are we supposed to fight for this academy we've never even heard of? We might as well not have entered if we knew this."
The disciple stammered, "Our mission is also very important."
He took something out from his sleeve.
Yan Ruxue peered at it.
It was a tiny glass vessel, within which flowed wisps of black threads, giving off an extremely ominous aura that sent shivers down one's spine.
Yan Ruxue recoiled slightly in disgust. "What is this thing?"
The disciple replied, "This is Demonic Silk."
"My senior brother gave it to me. He told me that Demonic Silk is a tool of the demon race. Once placed on a person, it will instantly drill into their meridians, consume them from the inside out, and cause them to explode."
Yan Ruxue's eyes widened in surprise.
"There's something that terrifying?"
The disciple carefully tucked the Demonic Silk back into his sleeve. "It's said to be very fearsome, but no one has ever seen it. This is also a mission assigned by the academy elders. Although people like us seem unimportant, we are actually tasked with eliminating members of the Gonan Academy without a trace."
This request perfectly suited Yan Ruxue.
"I can be considered a disciple of the Holy Grail Academy now, right? Can I join?"
The disciple hesitated, looking at Yan Ruxue.
This mission was highly confidential. To avoid attracting attention, they had deliberately kept a low profile throughout the academy competition. Their goal was to ensure that when the time came to act, others wouldn't recognize them and would let their guard down.
The disciple had been captivated by her beauty and had inadvertently revealed these details, wanting to showcase his importance within the academy. He hadn't expected Yan Ruxue to develop such an interest.
The disciple said with some difficulty, "But you are too conspicuous..."
From the moment he first saw Yan Ruxue, the disciple had been smitten. She was gentle, powerful, and beautiful. Such a woman was difficult not to fall in love with at first sight. He, with his naturally timid disposition, felt they were a perfect match. However, he knew his own limitations. He had pursued senior sisters and junior sisters in the Holy Grail Academy before, only to be thoroughly ridiculed for his presumption, told he was a toad trying to eat swan meat. After many such experiences, the disciple had given up on these women. Now, encountering someone who finally recognized his inner qualities and actively approached him, he was eager to embrace her. Yet, he was conflicted, as this matter was crucial to the Holy Grail Academy's subsequent ranking. The elders trusted him, and he absolutely could not mess this up. Otherwise, his life in the academy would become even more difficult.
"The elders said we need to find inconspicuous people to approach them. That way, they will let their guard down, and we can act without anyone noticing."
Yan Ruxue felt a surge of annoyance. How dare this person refuse her request!
Her eyes flickered, and her tone became even more alluring. "Oh, I see. Actually, I was just curious about the Demonic Silk. And I also have a grudge against Yan Jiaojiao of the Gonan Academy. You probably don't know, but Yan Jiaojiao, ever since she was little, has always bullied me, flaunting her status as the legitimate daughter and a genius..."
Next, Yan Ruxue recounted a deeply moving and infuriating story. In this narrative, Yan Ruxue was portrayed as an innocent white lotus, while Yan Jiaojiao was cast as the villain. She wept profusely, her tears flowing like rain. The disciple's face contorted with distress, clearly filled with sympathy.
"This Yan Jiaojiao is too wicked! No wonder you're no longer staying in the Gonan Academy and have come to the Holy Grail Academy!"
Yan Ruxue cried even more sorrowfully, "I really couldn't stay in the Gonan Academy any longer..."
The disciple listened with great empathy, unable to believe that such an outstanding and beautiful woman like Yan Ruxue had been driven out of the Gonan Academy.
"If you truly wish to exact your revenge personally..."
After a moment of internal struggle, the disciple took out what was in his sleeve. "Remember, the Demonic Silk is very dangerous. You must be extremely careful."
Yan Ruxue's lips curved into a slight smile, her face beaming with gratitude. "You are truly too kind. Thank you so much."
The disciple reached out, about to take Yan Ruxue's hand for a tender kiss, but to his surprise, Yan Ruxue stood up abruptly, evading his touch. The disciple froze, utterly confused by her sudden change in demeanor. Yan Ruxue, however, had already gone to find other disciples.
The disciple's face immediately turned crimson, a mixture of anger and embarrassment. He wanted to lash out, but he was ultimately too timid to confront the other disciples.
Yan Ruxue felt an immense sense of triumph. In this moment, she finally felt a semblance of her former self. She was meant to be this way, the absolute ruler at the center of attention. Everyone should revolve around her.
...
Yan Ruxue's joy lasted only for one night. The next morning, she heard her name being frequently mentioned.
"What's going on?" Yan Ruxue asked, frowning, as she pulled aside a few disciples who were discussing her.
"You don't know yet? Go and see for yourself."
Yan Ruxue followed the direction the person pointed. In the distance, a swarm of creatures, whether spirit beasts or something else, was circling in the sky. They alternately formed the words "Yan Ruxue, Most Beautiful Disciple" and "Yan Ruxue, Followers More Numerous Than Cattails." Amidst the curious gazes of the crowd, they also formed the amusing phrase "Yan Ruxue, You Are Number One in the World."
Initially, everyone assumed these displays were the work of Yan Ruxue's admirers. However, the Memory Pearl was soon revealed, and forgotten memories were transmitted throughout the Mystical Realm of the Wandering Specter. All the disciples witnessed Yan Ruxue's ferocious expression, which had greatly frightened others. The disciple who had given Yan Ruxue the Demonic Silk last night was dumbfounded. This... were the images displayed by the Memory Pearl truly Yan Ruxue? The difference between the two Yan Ruxues was immense.
Yan Ruxue sensed the murmuring within her group. Those who had harbored reservations about her now had an outlet for their discontent. Yan Ruxue turned her head and shouted angrily, "Shut up! Do you want to die?"