[Click to see Senior Chong flaunting online.jpg]
Thread Title: "I'm About to Leave You High-Tier Spellcasters Behind!"
Chong: Top-tier! [PandaForkWaist.jpg]
Thanks to Zong's tireless work, the emoji system is finally live! My painstakingly hoarded emojis can shine at last! One tiny nudge: when can we use emojis in the chat group? @Zong
Gui Fan: …You're about to leave my high-tier spellcaster subordinates behind for top-tier. [Sigh.jpg]
Chong: The boss is right! Aren't you thrilled for me?
Gui Fan: You've got time to show off here, spouting Yu Yu-isms, but are you top-tier yet?
Chong: Almost there, almost! Off I go, boss. Mind the front lines for me, pretty please~
Chang: @Feng Ye, Grand Archon, I'm about to leave your high-tier spellcasters behind too. [ExcitedOrSurprised.jpg]
Feng Ye: …Chang.
Qiong: @Chang Ming, boss, come congratulate your subordinate! I chugged it and hit top-tier that night. [Bandwagon.jpg]
Chang Ming: Congrats, congrats! I'm delighted. [PandaReapingLeeks.jpg]
Guang Chen: Why's no one @-ing me? Guess I'll just pop in myself.
Zong: System updating, do not ping.
The thread buzzed with activity, brimming with codenames Yu Yu didn't recognize and obscure characters that defied translation. Naturally—this forum used Allenic, laced with Hvar runes and other scripts.
Beyond Chong's post, Yu Yu spotted a discussion thread by Senior Xue:
Thread Title: "Restoration School Spell Analysis Livestream—Join the Discussion!"
Yu Yu's finger hovered, hesitant to click. Was this something she could handle?
She clicked anyway, skimming the contents—and promptly fled.
Dense spell theories, intricate spell circuits, and complex spell models…
Sorry for intruding.jpg
The thread was packed with familiar seniors, including Grand Archons, Senior Dai Dai, Senior Qiong, and more. Yu Yu hadn't realized how erudite they were in realms she'd never glimpsed. Like a struggling student gatecrashing a scholars' symposium, she slunk away, hugging the virtual walls.
Too much she couldn't grasp. Yu Yu switched to the player forum.
Ah, much better.
A noob belonged with fellow noobs.
As usual, she dove into the Duchess's thread to bask in wolf-wolf glory, kicking off a splendid day. Glancing at the homepage, she noticed her educational post had been bumped up again.
Tch, all because she'd updated her Great Purge summary?
She'd paired her analysis with excerpts from the Great Purge text, and players were predictably floored.
…The Federation was pretty shaken too, holding meeting after meeting.
After a moment's thought, Yu Yu opened her post and uploaded a few more images:
Yu: [Images] x9,
Location: Some dungeon
Event: His Majesty in a foul mood, smashing for fun.
[Images] x9, High-res, uncensored first-person aerial shots of a fifth-ring spell, Elemental Legion, unleashed by the seniors. Cool or what? I'd rename it Elemental Ocean.
Today's dose of me and the magic circle wrecking havoc.jpg
Yu Yu posted and bolted, leaving the players' reactions behind, her mood soaring. She shared editing permissions for her record post with Senior Xue as promised, then hopped up to wash up, humming happily.
"Shu Tu."
Shu Tu, mid-face-wash, mumbled, "Hm?"
Yu Yu: "Gimme your phone."
Shu Tu fished it from her pocket. "What for?"
Yu Yu unlocked it with her fingerprint, immediately blacklisting Shang Wei's contact before grinning. "Checking the time."
That noob Shang Wei was clearly trouble—best not drag Shu Tu down with her.
Shu Tu, still washing, grunted in acknowledgment. "Zi Shu's offline for a few days. Got anything you want her to grab?"
Yu Yu: "Huh? She died?"
Zi Shu's voice called from outside, "You stole the spotlight this time. The Duchess personally ordered the army to sing your praises."
Yu Yu gaped. "Has Wolf-Wolf lost her mind?"
Fuyu: "Duchess Wolf-Wolf is so stunning! How's there such a gorgeous wolf-wolf? Swoon, slurp."
Yu Yu: "How'd you die?"
Zi Shu: "Lost an arm, so I offed myself to log off. No clue if those idiots are still wailing."
Her tone was calm, but a subtle pride shone through.
Fuyu huffed, "I didn't die! If I did, my squad would be heartbroken!"
Yu Yu mused, "If I died, my squad would probably laugh their heads off…"
They might even set off firecrackers to celebrate her first death.
Players were utterly unlovable.
Yu Yu: "I want duck, and…"
She rattled off a menu, and Zi Shu, in high spirits, said, "Old Town's order is restored, bronze artifacts in place."
"But the Federation's Rong City office seems to have relocated here, along with a ton of troops."
Yu Yu blinked. "Jianhe District really collapsed?"
Rong City's key Federation facilities were in Jianhe.
Zi Shu nodded. "It finally fell. The Federation moved what they could and deliberately collapsed it to minimize impact. That area's empty now."
"Production's back?" Yu Yu asked eagerly.
Zi Shu: "Barely. Anomalies kill, but so does starvation. Work's a must."
"No difference between starving and dying to an anomaly."
"The Federation's learned a lot from the Guardians. Provinces are holding centralized training, and the Anomaly Bureau's expanding. Things are looking up."
Fuyu raised her hand excitedly. "Heard the Old Town market's reopened! Wanna go shopping sometime?"
Yu Yu: "Sure, we've been cooped up long enough."
Anomalies weren't going away—time to adapt to coexisting with them. Living in constant fear wasn't sustainable.
After a brief chat, Fuyu said, "I'm leaving Silver Moon to roam. Where should I go?"
Yu Yu didn't hesitate. "Roland! But I hear Black Claw's active in Duosuo Territory. You're only mid-tier, so build experience in Roland first before heading to Duosuo."
"We'll wait for your travel tales."
Zi Shu, munching on gossip, added, "Come back a big shot and carry us."
Yu Yu, skimming Fuyu's replies, nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, rub Wolf-Wolf bald 360 degrees!"
Fuyu: "No way, that's too extreme. The dog mods will mute you. Post it yourself."
Yu Yu: "What's the big deal? I'll post it."
She grabbed her phone, logged in, and commented under the Gorgeous Wolf-Wolf thread:
Yu: [Watch me sprint a hundred meters to rub Wolf-Wolf bald!]
She checked—no mute. Beaming, she shared her wisdom. "That's not too extreme. Relax."
Her private messages pinged. Clicking, she saw… Felix.
Yu Yu glanced at her post, suddenly nervous.
No way, no way, it couldn't be that coincidental, right?
Felix: [Awake? Log on.]
Yu Yu: [Yes, Senior! QwQ]
~
Log On!
Yu Yu spotted the half-elf instantly. "Lynn."
Lynn turned. "You're up?"
Yu Yu whipped out several potion bottles with a flourish. "Got something good. Wanna try?"
Lynn's face turned wary. "You're not brewing random potions and using me as a guinea pig, are you?"
Yu Yu: "Nonsense! Since when do I brew potions?"
Lynn relaxed, her emerald eyes half-complaining. "Clan records say the magic circle used to love testing potions on people, not caring if they lived or died."
Yu Yu: "Really? I thought with all their wealth, they'd just pay testers."
One uploaded recipe netted 400,000 gold! Her savings now sat at 600,000.
What to splurge on?
Her manor was already commissioned through the Grand Archon—time to indulge!
Yu Yu rubbed her hands eagerly.
"Crimson Potion, boosts Strength. Works even for high-tiers. Try a sip."
Lynn frowned, skeptical. "Something that good? It must be insanely expensive…" She wavered.
Yu Yu waved it off. "No worries, it's a gift."
"If you feel bad, let me pinch your ears?"
Lynn's face darkened. "No way!"
She wasn't a pet!
She was destined to be a legend!
The half-elf launched into a rapid-fire lecture, correcting Yu Yu's misconceptions.
Yu Yu, charmed by her fervor, relented. "Fine, fine, you're a legend. Consider this an investment in a future legend. When you're a big shot, you've got to protect me if anyone picks a fight."
Lynn, satisfied she'd set Yu Yu straight, flicked her pointed ears primly. "Then I'll accept."
The elders said she was the next legend.
Coincidentally, Lynn thought so too.
In all of Silver Moon, only the Duchess rivaled her warrior talent.
That wolf, hmph.
Lynn's eyes darted, plotting a challenge. She'd improved lately—time to repay that beating the Duchess had given her.
Glancing at the potion, her confidence grew.
Felix: [Where are you?]
Yu Yu, about to chat more with Lynn, was interrupted by her wristband.
Oops, almost forgot.
She blurted, "Senior's calling. I'll tell you about my epic deeds later. Drink the potion!"
Lynn pouted. "Are you spellcasters always this busy? You're never free."
Yu Yu agreed but sighed, "Not this time. I'm stuck in Silver Moon for a while."
Ugh, the Night Sovereign had specifically tasked the seniors to keep her grounded
With the magic circle's obedience to legends, she was grounded.
No chance to hunt for Senior Meng's cure.
Heart breaking.
Yu Yu hopped onto her ghostly steed, pinging Senior Meng. "Senior? Up yet? Rise and shine!"
Meng had a peculiar talent: she always woke later than Yu Yu. Whenever Yu Yu visited, Meng would let her in, nap for another half-hour, then groggily lounge in her armchair before teaching. So Meng's lessons were relatively chill.
But Senior Xue… ugh.
Sighing, Yu Yu dashed to the Academy and knocked. After a moment, she smacked her forehead. Senior was on break, not in her office—probably at the castle.
"Senior! Oh? Duchess!"
Senior Felix, clad in her spellcaster's black robes, stood beside the Duchess, who, for once, had ditched her sword and silver armor for casual loungewear. They were mid-argument.
"Why didn't you reply to my messages?" the Duchess demanded, her tone regal as she eyed Yu Yu.
Yu Yu: "Huh?"
The Duchess's deep blue eyes flashed with displeasure. "Why. Didn't. You. Reply?"
Yu Yu remembered—Felix's single comment had triggered a 99+ meltdown.
"Your Grace, I was tied up with Senior on a big mission, so I missed your messages."
The Duchess leaned in, intrigued. "Felix said you were perfunctory. Tell me what happened."
Yu Yu glanced at Felix, who'd settled down, saying calmly, "Don't look at me. I told her Soul Moon succeeded thanks to you."
Yu Yu coughed awkwardly. "Your Grace, allow me to regale you with Senior and my heroic exploits."
The Duchess's lips twitched.
Half a day later, Yu Yu's animated storytelling painted a vivid picture of their adventure, complete with juicy secrets. The Duchess's silver hair practically glowed with barely contained excitement. "Can you share all this?"
Yu Yu blinked, confused. "What's off-limits? Senior turning into a wolf?"
Felix, previously stoic, flinched. "Yu Yu?"
Yu Yu clammed up, pivoting stiffly. "Anyway, since Soul Moon was partly my doing, Your Grace, any rewards? A raise, maybe?"
Senior was Senior, but the Duchess was the Duchess—even a wolf had to pay wages!
Unless she let Yu Yu pet her.
The Duchess, thrilled to finally understand the magic circle's motives and secrets—knowledge even her sister withheld due to magic circle rules—was floored. Only Yu Yu, blissfully ignorant, spilled everything.
Then came Yu Yu's question. The Duchess smiled. "What do you want?"
Yu Yu: "?"
Had someone swapped her core?
Wasn't she the stingiest wolf's disciple?
Why so generous now?
Yu Yu glanced at Felix, her eyes screaming: Did Wolf-Wolf hit her head last night?
Felix, propping her chin, said coolly, "Don't look at me. She wants Soul Moon."
The Duchess, unusually cooperative, nodded. "Soul Moon is vital to me. Though I inherited Silver Moon's title, my youth makes them call me 'Little Duchess.' My forebears were legendary warriors, but I'm still just a high-tier warrior."
She looked at Yu Yu earnestly. "Can you understand my struggle?"
Yu Yu scratched her head. "The young lord faces doubt? Easy to get."
The Duchess blinked, processing, then laughed. "Your language is concise. Yes, that's it."
Her Allenic was flawless, each sentence ending with a precise lilt.
Aha, Wolf-Wolf's voice was lovely, her silver hair shimmering as she spoke—gorgeous!
Why worry about doubts when you're this pretty?
We'll back every decision Wolf-Wolf makes!
Yu Yu thumped her chest. "Rest assured, Your Grace! I'm fiercely loyal to you!"
Especially if I can see Wolf-Wolf more!
The Duchess, rarely able to share her heart except with Felix, seized the chance. "I want to advance," she said. "I want to be a legend. Then my teacher can't dismiss me."
"Captain Yu, will you help me?"
Yu Yu glanced at Felix.
Senior, still plotting a coup? Give me a sign!
Felix frowned. "Why look at me?"
The Duchess followed her gaze.
They were in the Duchess's bedroom.
Yes, bedroom.
Yu Yu could see wolf fur strewn across the furniture.
"I'm checking if Senior still wants to be Duchess," Yu Yu said earnestly. "I'd absolutely back Senior for the title!"
Felix's lips twitched as the Duchess's face darkened.
"…Sure, when she's dead, it's my turn."
Yu Yu got it.
No dead Duchess, no Senior as Duchess.
Seeing Yu Yu's disappointed look, the Duchess growled, "What's wrong with me that you're so eager for Felix to take over?"
Yu Yu's reply was one word: "Stingy."
The Duchess: "?"
She roared, "Is Felix generous? She's stingier than me!"
"No way, Senior's super generous," Yu Yu shot back. "You've been corrupted by the Grand Archon. Senior's different."
Their bickering escalated, Yu Yu fearlessly facing off with the Duchess.
Felix rubbed her temples. "Enough. Fufu's about to reward you…"
Yu Yu stopped instantly. "Really? Really? Your Grace, is it true?"
The Duchess snapped, "False! No such thing!"
Yu Yu's smile vanished. "Still stingy."
"I am stingy," the Duchess huffed. "You don't even send me snacks, yet you expect rewards? Dream on!"
Yu Yu pondered.
The Duchess, realizing her phrasing, clarified, "I mean, you haven't earned merits for me to reward you."
Yu Yu: "I fixed your statue?"
The Duchess bristled. "You already got a reward from Felix, don't think I don't know! And you fleeced Lynn twice!"
Yu Yu tried again. "Senior and I retrieved Soul Moon. No reward for that?"
Sheepishly, she couldn't think of a third deed.
Maybe the Duchess's stinginess wasn't so odd.
The Duchess puffed up proudly. "So I'm preparing a reward. Call me stingy again, and it's gone."
Yu Yu: "What's the reward?"
She was all ears.
The Duchess: "You're nearing high-tier, right?"
Yu Yu nodded eagerly. "A congratulatory gift?"
The Duchess paced. "High-tier spellcasters are granted viscount titles with nominal stipends."
Yu Yu: "Tenfold increase?"
The Duchess's eye twitched, but she maintained her dignity. "Want a fief?"
Yu Yu gasped. "You're not making me a countess, are you?"
The Duchess cracked. "Impossible! That's Silver Moon's third-in-line heir! Want to change your surname to Silver Moon?"
Yu Yu looked at Felix, instantly switching sides. "Sure, I'll be Yu Felix Silver Moon today!"
The Duchess: "…"
Felix: "…"
Classic Yu Yu.
Felix pushed her head back, deadpan. "No way. Don't even think it."
Yu Yu sighed, disappointed. "You won't be my half-sister and claim to love me?"
The Duchess nearly shattered. "Yu Yu!!!"
Felix, still holding Yu Yu's head, warned, "Keep derailing, and no fief."
Yu Yu froze. "Fief?"
The Duchess fumed, "Now I don't want to give it!!!"
Who wants to be your half-sister?!
Huh?!
Yu Yu, innocent, whined, "Senior, she's bullying me."
Felix: "…"
The Duchess, seeing Yu Yu's doe eyes, exploded, "Felix!!!"
This is your so-called pure and gentle soul?!
How misunderstood are those words?!
Does Yu Yu have anything to do with them?!
Felix silenced the Duchess with a mute spell.
The Duchess: "?!?!?!"
Finally, peace.
Felix sighed heavily. "That's the deal. You'll need to explain it to the magic circle. If the teacher objects, Fufu can't force the title. Understand?"
To avoid further chaos, she pried Yu Yu from the Duchess's grip and headed out. "I'm taking her to the teacher. You absorb Soul Moon."
No Wolf-Wolf to tease—Yu Yu deflated.
"Senior, why suddenly give me a fief? Was this your plan all along?"
Felix, composed, said, "I need your help, so I'm paying you upfront."
Yu Yu, touched, fretted, "But isn't that too much? What if I'm not worth it?"
If she recalled, Senior Meng had said Silver Moon's viscount titles for high-tier spellcasters were stipend-based, not actual fiefs—more like estates.
Felix: "Fufu agreed, but you still need to convince the teacher. Even in my Roland territory, the Roland High Steward calls the shots. Without her support, you won't get it. So it's not too much—I'm only covering half."
Yu Yu mulled it over. "That's tricky."
No one knew better than her how stingy the Grand Archon was.
Miser!
"But Senior's still the best. Let me hug you!"
Felix blocked her head, hesitating before sighing. "I can't tell if you're genuinely clueless or playing dumb."
Sometimes Yu Yu was razor-sharp, other times hopelessly obtuse… or faking it.
Yu Yu blinked innocently, then volunteered, "I know Senior cares for the Duchess. I'll help her."
How could she not help Wolf-Wolf?
So adorable!
Becoming a legend just to earn her teacher's respect!
Yu Yu, steeped in history, had first suspected the Duchess planned to poison the Grand Archon.
Ahem.
Wolf-Wolf was far cuter.
No wonder the magic circle partnered with the Silver Moon family over human duchesses.
The Grand Archon looked up as Felix dragged Yu Yu in.
Feng Ye: "This early? Legs broken, can't walk?"
Yu Yu: "Grand Archon, why so snarky? This is Senior's way of showing love!"
Felix: "…It's not."
Feng Ye smirked. "Is it?"
Yu Yu caught her look—Feng Ye had overheard everything.
This woman was shamelessly shameless.
Yu Yu: "Grand Archon, eavesdropping is wrong!"
Feng Ye: "Eavesdropping? What'd you say I shouldn't hear? Spill."
Yu Yu, dead serious, said, "We discussed your estate's inheritance."
Feng Ye: "?"
Estate?!
Felix: "…" You really went there.
Yu Yu: "We decided Senior and the Duchess get 90%, I get 10%."
Feng Ye: "…Nice. All divvied up."
"Ever consider asking the estate's owner first?"
Yu Yu pondered. "Do you agree?"
Felix facepalmed. "Teacher, she's nearing high-tier. We can start some Constitution enhancement rituals early."
Feng Ye waved her off. "Quiet. Let her talk."
Feng Ye: "If I don't agree, does your 10% come from offing me?"
"No!"
Feng Ye leaned back, arms crossed, waiting for Yu Yu's yarn.
Meng, summoned earlier, had been napping in the corner. Stirring, she recalled their banter and shot Yu Yu a look of awe.
Estate, my foot…
Yu Yu declared, "Because I'm now Yu Felix Silver Moon! Rounding up, I get a share!"
Feng Ye nearly choked, turning to Felix. "This true?"
Felix: "…Yu Yu, Teacher, can you be serious?"
She was done.
Meng: "…"
She pitied Felix.
Clearly, she wasn't used to Yu Yu and the Grand Archon's banter.
One human sentence in ten was a miracle.
Feng Ye: "No other business?"
Yu Yu plopped beside Meng. "No rush. I'll bring it up next time I leave."
Why?
Because Feng Ye would eventually be at her mercy. Why rush?
Raising it now would just let Feng Ye toy with her—no chance.
Yu Yu's eyes gleamed. "Grand Archon, haven't bought my manor yet, right?"
Feng Ye: "Hm?"
Yu Yu, earnest, said, "I think the Duchess wants to gift me one too, so don't spend my money. Freebies are the best."
Feng Ye: "Too late."
Yu Yu: "?!?!"
One night! I don't believe it!
Feng Ye produced a miniature building. "Dug this from inventory—a legend's former residence. Top-notch defenses, complete magic circles, every function you'd want. Just needs some spirit. For your merits, 400,000 gold, 2 million points. Satisfied?"
Yu Yu muttered, "You didn't use it up? You have a conscience? But why not more?"
Felix, stunned by the offer, fell silent at Yu Yu's words.
Wasn't this a legendary artifact? Incredibly generous.
Money couldn't buy this.
Meng: "…"
She swore listening to Yu Yu sass the Grand Archon was becoming muscle memory.
She could predict Yu Yu's next line.
Feng Ye: "Not happy? 600,000 gold, 2.5 million points."
Yu Yu: "You're working hard to curb magic circle inflation, still leaving me some."
Feng Ye: "…Glad you get it."
Yu Yu was sharp when she wanted to be.
Yu Yu mused, "Got it. The 200,000 gold's for building my fief, right? Otherwise, you'd leave me 20,000 tops."
With 200,000 gold and nearly 500,000 points, she could sweep the magic circle shop.
She wouldn't, but Feng Ye likely accounted for it.
Feng Ye didn't flinch. "Hm? What fief?"
Yu Yu was floored.
This woman was unreal.
Yu Yu pondered again. "The Duchess said when she's a legend, she'll tie you up and beat you. Grand Archon, thoughts?"
Felix shot Yu Yu a weird look.
This is helping Fufu?!
Trying to get her pummeled?
Feng Ye: "…She'd need the guts first."
Yu Yu snatched the manor. "Gimme!"
Feng Ye rolled her eyes.
"How's it work?"
"Ask Meng later."
Yu Yu griped, "Senior Meng was sleeping soundly at home, and you dragged her here. She's not even sleeping well now."
Feng Ye turned, drawling, "Oh, she slept fine—steady breathing. Woke when you showed up."
Meng coughed, standing. "The Grand Archon doesn't mind if we nap when there's nothing urgent."
Don't hold such a grudge.
Silver Moon's Grand Archon was pretty laid-back—far milder than Senior Xue back in the day.
Yu Yu mused.
Could she sneak naps here too?
Brain gears turning.jpg
Yu Yu: "Got it. Senior, you taking me for Constitution enhancement next?"
Meng smiled. "You know it."
Felix blinked. "Teacher arranged it already?"
That was fast.
Feng Ye snorted. "This Grand Archon's busting her hump running errands for someone, and they're plotting to split my estate."
Yu Yu couldn't resist. "Is your estate big?"
Feng Ye chucked a pen at her. "None! Scram!"
Meng, fearing escalation, dragged her out. "Let's go."
Felix tilted her head. "I'm heading to the Academy. Bye, Teacher."
Feng Ye eyed them like suckers. What, no staying to chat with your teacher?
The process was straightforward.
Yu Yu completed the magic circle's three Constitution enhancement rituals, pushing her base stats to 12.
It took nearly half a month.
Her starting stats were low, and intense enhancements risked her real-world body lagging.
Even with careful pacing, she visibly slimmed down.
"Sure you want to activate it now?" Meng asked. "Why not wait a couple days?"
Yu Yu: "Strike while the iron's hot! Second try weakens, third's a bust!"
Meng frowned. "I'd play it safe. Out there, we can't help you."
Chang, delivering Yu Yu's custom Vine Growth mini-automat, nodded. "Exactly. You waited half a month—what's a few more days?"
Yu Yu reconsidered. "Two days?"
Meng: "Five."
Yu Yu: "Three!"
After haggling, they settled on three days and eight hours.
Don't ask—it was Yu Yu's stubborn streak.
Three days and eight hours later, Yu Yu logged on punctually.
Under Meng and the others' watchful eyes, she activated her spirit.
Her form flickered, and she dropped offline.
Meng jolted, immediately messaging her.
No reply—radio silence.
Chang: "Zi Shu says she fainted."
Meng fumed, "Told her to wait, but no, she had to rush!"
Meanwhile, Yu Yu lay unconscious on her bed, adrift in dreams.
She saw bizarre, kaleidoscopic scenes and countless towering presences.
They gazed at her—some benevolent, some malevolent.
Veiled in black mist yet vibrantly multicolored, like a five-hued darkness.
The dream seemed endless, and Yu Yu wandered, lost and unaware, unable to find her way.