Potatoes hung in clusters, each vine heavy with multiple bunches, brimming with weighty promise.
The sight of them filling the warehouse to the brim sparked an unparalleled sense of triumph.
Yu Yu tilted her face upward, beaming with pride. "My potatoes!"
Had it been easy to reach this point?
Hiring workers, wrangling labor, swapping for Vine Growth machinery—finally, the harvest was hers.
Yu Yu couldn't wait to share her joy!
Mine! Mine! All mine!
Behold, my empire!
Then she spotted an unexpected figure approaching. "Huh? Grand Archon, what're you doing here?"
The Duchess's little puppy hadn't even arrived yet.
Feng Ye's breath quickened, her gaze locked on the towering piles of potatoes, eyes vacant, Yu Yu's words barely registering.
Meng's voice rasped, dry with awe. "So many… If we could plant more, we wouldn't need to cap population growth…"
Yu Yu blinked. "Cap population?"
Meng was a proper Magic Circle spellcaster, trained through the full regimen, including a stint as a town Archon. She knew Silver Moon's affairs inside out, agriculture included.
After several deep breaths, Meng explained, "The Stars' protection is finite, as are our defensive arrays. The Main Continent's pollution is too severe for farming, so Silver Moon's grain output is fixed each year."
"With fixed grain, you think population can grow unchecked?"
Yu Yu tilted her head. "But potatoes aren't ideal as a staple. Tasty, sure, but eating them long-term can upset your stomach, I hear."
Meng shot her a look. "You're spoiled and don't even know it."
Yu Yu didn't catch the jab at first, then her eyes widened. "Senior, when did you learn Xia language?!"
She'd just heard perfect, accent-free Xia in the Allen Peninsula—utterly wild!
No trace of a foreign twang!
She could blend into a crowd undetected!
Meng's face stayed cool. "The forum's been open forever—learning a language is nothing."
She scolded Yu Yu. "You've been at it for ages. How's your Allen language? What about Shiva?"
Yu Yu's lips twitched. "My Allen's pretty good, isn't it? You praised me last time, Senior."
Meng: "Praised you? That was me urging you to keep studying!"
Their bickering filled the air until Wolf Wolf finally arrived. Her deep blue eyes rounded at the sight of the overflowing warehouse.
"How are there so many?" Her tone was incredulous.
She'd kept tabs on Yu Yu's farm—not just her teacher, but she'd sent people to monitor it too.
After all, it was the spendthrift sister's investment.
But she hadn't expected this…
She'd eaten potatoes before—Yu Yu often included them in meals for Felix, even frying chips for them.
The Duchess fought back tears. "If only you'd come sooner."
Ignoring the puppy's pitiful display, Feng Ye pinched her brow.
Yu Yu had been fussing over her potatoes since arriving in Silver Moon. According to Felix, she'd started planting in her backyard the moment she got a house.
Was she just aiming for self-sufficiency? Or had she sensed something deeper?
Feng Ye wasn't sure.
"Grand Archon," Yu Yu grinned, "what do you think? My potatoes—impressive, right?"
"Have I ever fed you any? They're delicious, I swear."
Meng had just briefed her on Silver Moon's dire agricultural state.
Feng Ye studied her for a moment, then said abruptly, "The Federation sent agents to probe Silver Moon's population and grain yields."
"Birth rates, diseases, marriages—all the data."
"But they weren't discreet," Feng Ye sneered. "I banned their accounts."
Yu Yu's smile froze.
…Not even a little surprised.
No wonder Magic Circle gave the Federation the cold shoulder for so long.
If they were sniffing around population and grain, they were surely poking into Magic Circle's military strength too.
Both the Federation and Magic Circle were regimes—neither could be fully righteous. Yu Yu had expected as much.
But she hadn't expected Feng Ye to bring it up today.
Have I been squeezed dry already?!
Am I out of value?!
Yu Yu's eyes gleamed with mock innocence. "I don't know anything about that."
"I can't control the Federation."
Feng Ye's face held no amusement. "Grain yield is Silver Moon's weakness. We'll take all your potatoes."
Yu Yu met her gaze, her smile fading. "…You're not trying to scam me again, are you?"
Feng Ye: "As seed stock, your yield's still short."
Her tone carried weight. "Let those people talk to me directly—save them from whining about Magic Circle's arrogance."
Yu Yu quickly messaged Yu Bai, then pressed, "Fine, them aside—what about me? Where's my reward?"
Feng Ye, looking like she'd solved everything, strolled with hands behind her back. "Hm? What do you want now?"
The Duchess, now composed, followed like a loyal shadow, eyes glinting.
Yu Yu: "Senior said I'd get a fief?"
Feng Ye mused, "Silver Moon, beyond the Silver Moon family, has no precedent for true fiefs."
"Not even if the Duchess agrees?"
Feng Ye: "Not even then."
The Duchess's head drooped, a dejected puppy, utterly forlorn. She'd known her teacher wouldn't care for her opinion, but it still stung. A word of explanation, a hint of consideration—would that have killed her? She'd have agreed!
Yu Yu shot the puppy a sympathetic glance. "Fine, forget it. With all these potatoes, what's my reward?"
"Ten or eight arrays, maybe?! Custom-designed, Magic Circle footing the bill!"
"I want a four-seasons system for my manor," Yu Yu rambled, "oh, and a teleportation array—I mentioned it to Senior Xue…"
Feng Ye's brow twitched. "Dream on. No way, not a chance."
"Custom-designed? Why don't you ask a Legendary to build it?"
Yu Yu's eyes lit up. "Can I?"
"Can you my foot!"
Yu Yu deflated. "Then what? You're gonna stiff me again?"
Feng Ye: "…"
She thought she'd been clear.
Are you really clueless or playing dumb?
After a moment, Feng Ye sighed. "No arrays. Pick something else."
"A fief?"
"No fiefs either."
Yu Yu's smile vanished. "What do you have?"
Poor excuse for a Grand Archon!
Feng Ye pondered, then offered, "How about I get Fufu to turn wolf for you to hug?"
Duchess: "???"
Duchess: "!!!!"
Her silver hair practically glowed with fury. "No way! I forbid it!!!"
Yu Yu, temptingly, wavered.
Feng Ye coaxed, "Look, if potatoes spread, the noose on Silver Moon's neck loosens. As Silver Moon's Duchess, can't you make a tiny sacrifice?"
Had she said this earlier, the Duchess might've listened.
But she'd just shot down the Duchess's fief proposal without a shred of tact.
The Duchess snapped, "That's Magic Circle's Silver Moon! Why don't you turn wolf for her to hug?!"
Yu Yu tsked quietly. Look at Wolf Wolf, pushed to the edge. Magic Circle's heartless!
Feng Ye raised a brow, mildly surprised. "But I can't turn wolf."
"Teacher!!!"
Feng Ye sighed regretfully. "Bunch of debt collectors."
[Gained Experience +100,000, Magic Circle Points +100,000, Gold Coins +100,000]
[Gained 'Feng Ye's Summon Shadow Servant,' 'Feng Ye's Shadow Pact,' 'Feng Ye's Shadow Locator']
Hands behind her back, Feng Ye's expression turned wistful. "These are spells Her Majesty taught me. They're beyond your current grasp—don't use them unless you're desperate."
Yu Yu, mollified, flipped through them curiously. "What school are shadow spells?"
"They don't belong to any. They're not fully developed, just auxiliary to the Legendary Path. Hard to learn, harder to master, prone to backfiring."
Feng Ye added, "Their only merit is strength."
Yu Yu: "! That's not a merit?!"
Meng's face shifted. "Shadow spells?"
Feng Ye, recalling something, reassured her, "I didn't teach her to open the Shadow Realm. She can't court death yet."
Yu Yu: "???"
What else are you hiding?
Meng exhaled. "Shadow spell summons are prone to rebellion. Wait a decade before trying."
Yu Yu: "…"
A decade's too long!
Feng Ye, ever the busybody, left, dragging the Duchess along.
The Duchess had wanted to linger and inspect the warehouse, but Feng Ye clamped her shoulder and Teleported her away.
Compared to Feng Ye, the Duchess was still so green.
Yu Bai had sent a flurry of excited messages. Yu Yu turned. "Senior, are you handling the Federation talks?"
Meng raised a brow. "Not me."
"Who then?"
Meng, casual: "Chang, probably. Want to meet her?"
Yu Yu relaxed. "Nah."
She messaged Yu Bai: "Tell them to find Senior Chang at the city guard camp."
The potatoes had truly hit Magic Circle's sore spot.
Otherwise, Feng Ye wouldn't have reacted so strongly.
As for negotiations…
What did that have to do with Yu Yu?
Was she representing Magic Circle or the Federation?
A thankless role, caught in the middle—she wasn't that dumb.
She'd just make the connection. The outcome? Not her problem.
It was beyond her level when it came to Federation-Magic Circle affairs.
A small spellcaster should know her place.
She'd done her part.
And she'd strong-armed a sweet deal, heh.
This was clearly Feng Ye's personal authority—even the spells were hers.
Sometimes, she could be a tad generous.
But only a tad.
This time, she'd hinted she'd already given what Yu Yu wanted—prepaid defensive arrays and a seat at the negotiation table.
Yet Yu Yu still squeezed out more. She was thrilled.
Then she got a message from Shang Wei.
Yu Yu squinted. "Senior, what's your next move?"
Meng, lounging, said, "Nothing much. What're you up to?"
"I'm warning you, until His Majesty returns, you're not going anywhere."
Yu Yu's eyes sparkled with pure innocence. "I want to take leave."
"Oh? For what?"
"To log off and see Senior!"
Meng's lips twitched. "Slacking off, huh? I doubt Felix will show you."
Yu Yu's gaze brimmed with clear, boundless idiocy. "Doesn't matter. I wanna see."
Meng nearly refused, then smirked for some reason. "Fine, go."
"Come back tomorrow to catch up." With that, she Teleported away.
Soon after, Yu Yu sneaked back online.
This time, someone joined her.
Shang Wei.
Compared to last time, Shang Wei had changed.
She used to taunt, showing flickers of emotion.
Now, her eyes were a still, ancient well.
Yu Yu grabbed her shoulder. Teleport!
First teleport: they landed on a branch, leaves smacking their faces, a twig whacking Shang Wei's cheek.
Second teleport: they appeared beside a sleeping monster, nearly tumbling into its maw. Shang Wei twisted her ankle on a rock.
Third teleport: they barely stopped short of a cliff wall.
A hair's breadth more, and they'd have been embedded in the mountain, dead.
This time, neither escaped unscathed. Too rushed, they crashed down.
Yu Yu lost half her health; Shang Wei's bar flashed red, her arm broken.
Even Shang Wei's stoic calm cracked.
She sneered, "Can't teleport? Don't mimic NPCs. Look at this mess!"
Yu Yu scanned their surroundings. Perfect—she had no clue where they were.
No one's finding us here!
Before this, Felix had vetted Shang Wei's contract. With her approval, Yu Yu went online to sign with Shang Wei.
Just couldn't get caught.
Yu Yu's schedule was packed, especially with Senior Meng, who, even when slacking, often tagged along to lecture.
So, she'd resorted to this.
Taking leave was less likely to raise flags—she did it often (not really).
Unlike Chang Yu, who'd clung to them crying, Shang Wei, fresh from the hospital, had processed her emotions.
Beyond being quieter, she showed no special issues or need for comfort.
Yu Yu had thought she'd need to remind her of her unavenged grudge.
After her jab, Shang Wei shut up.
Yu Yu cast Healing on her, then herself.
"No time to waste—contract, now!"
Shang Wei could be ruthlessly efficient, not even pausing to consider backing out.
Right before signing, she asked abruptly, "You won't interfere with my revenge, right?"
Yu Yu: "Nope. Though you might want to sync with Shu Tu on your general plans?"
Shang Wei: "Good enough."
They began the ritual, mana fluctuations rippling outward.
They were far—three times Yu Yu's teleportation limit, in some nameless forest.
Theoretically, no issues.
Meng, meanwhile, had gone to check the potatoes, wanting to taste a couple for mutations. She hadn't left yet.
Then she noticed Yu Yu log back on, with Shang Wei in tow.
Meng was surprised. She'd assumed Yu Yu was upset by the Grand Archon's words, logging off to seek Felix's comfort. Apparently not…
Her teleportation? Pathetic didn't cover it. Enemies wouldn't need to act—she'd injure herself first.
On a battlefield, Meng could intercept her teleports with ease.
And then…
Guess what she saw?
Meng had followed out of curiosity, only to catch her little troublemaker breaking rules and laws.
And she'd hidden herself, meaning she knew it was wrong.
Feeling the mana, Meng's gaze deepened.
A Nightingale Contract? Where'd they get that?
Shang Wei?
Right—Magic Circle had different expectations for Shang Wei than Yu Yu.
They'd likely given her the Nightingale Contract early, planning to bind her.
Yet she'd signed with Yu Yu?!
The Purifiers' plans were toast.
Still… if Meng hadn't seen, fine. But she had, and that was tricky.
What to do?
Meng sank into thought.
The Nightingale Contract's mana pulsed deep purple, ominous and heavy.
Yu Yu marked the master clause, urging Shang Wei to hurry.
Felix had said she'd log on to supervise, but Yu Yu, fearing delays, pushed forward.
Shang Wei glanced at her, self-mocking. "I'm pathetic, swearing fealty to you."
Yu Yu, distracted: "Yup, yup, pathetic, pathetic. You're not backing out, are you?"
Shang Wei, lost in thought, said nothing, then decisively etched her mental seal.
In that instant, Yu Yu felt a strange sensation.
As if a single thought could dictate Shang Wei's life or death.
A shiver ran through her.
Security! Unmatched security!
Yu Yu's face bloomed with a grin. "Don't worry, I won't boss you around. I'm not some mega-capitalist."
She beamed. "I'll even pay you, give you a house. Look on the bright side—you've got a no-996 dream job!"
If she hadn't stepped in, Shang Wei would've been done for.
Rounded up, Shang Wei's life was hers. Flawless logic.
Shang Wei's eyes were icy, not deigning to respond.
Though she'd agreed, there was little joy in her fall.
Yu Yu: "Alright, remember what I said—don't let it slip, got it?"
She patted Shang Wei's shoulder. "Keep it in your heart."
Shang Wei coldly swatted her hand. "Get lost."
Yu Yu didn't mind her attitude, humming as she grabbed her shoulder. "Off we go!"
The return wasn't smooth, but since they weren't rushed, no major mishaps.
Checking their bearings, Yu Yu said, "No need to wander. Pick a house by the river."
"I'll brief you on your next steps later."
"Oh, you sure about sticking with curse and negative energy?"
Shang Wei, without hesitation: "I'm sure."
Yu Yu mused, "Fair enough."
She walked summoning and elements; Shang Wei's path complemented hers.
Yu Yu: "First order: learn Allen's language and script."
Shang Wei: "?"
Yu Yu pulled up her prep. "Here's Senior's booklist, all in the academy library."
"Oh, study hard—there's a test. Fail, and you're back to square one."
Shang Wei: "????"
She'd skip leveling to read? And take exams?
Insane!
Yu Yu: "Leveling's pointless if you can't fight."
Thanks to the contract, Yu Yu could sense Shang Wei's thoughts, even unspoken.
Shang Wei frowned, taking the dense booklist, her scowl deepening. "This'll take forever."
"One book at a time. Go."
"Gotta raid the academy library myself before Senior Xue catches on."
Shooing Shang Wei off, Yu Yu hummed her way home.
Next up: keep attending classes, crack the defensive array, and she was set.
Once Her Majesty returned, heh, time to roam again and scout mental recovery methods for Senior~~~
Circling to the western suburbs, Yu Yu gleefully practiced her Windriding, soaring toward the manor.
Suddenly, something felt off. She turned—
"AH!"
Yu Yu plummeted, crash-landing.jpg.
Meng hummed. "Why'd you fall?"
"Senior! When'd you get here?!" Yu Yu scrambled up, brushing off dirt.
"Scaring people to death!!!"
"Didn't you go home to sleep?!"
Meng landed, arms crossed, coolly. "Hm?"
Magic Circle's black robes and hoods could be eerily atmospheric.
Shadows hid her eyes, masking her mood, revealing only half her chin.
Yu Yu's heart raced. "Senior, when did you show up?"
Meng took her time, drawling, "Just now."
"Oh, you scared me silly." Yu Yu exhaled heavily.
Meng stayed silent.
Yu Yu's relief twisted back into dread. "Just now as in…?"
Meng sighed lightly.
Yu Yu: "!!!!"
Don't do this!!!
If you've got something to say, say it!!!
Scaring me's no skill!!!
The walk back was silent, Yu Yu's nerves fraying with each step.
At the manor, only the fugitive Legendary Majesty was absent—even the half-elf was out.
Meng: "Breaking the law knowingly?"
Yu Yu: "…You followed me, Senior?"
Meng lifted her head. "Call it that."
Yu Yu started sulking.
She knew it—Senior was the Grand Archon's little spy, teaching and surveilling her!
Wolf Wolf's the best.
Silver Moon wolves don't trick Blue Star folks!
Meng: "You asked Felix?"
Yu Yu: "…Yeah."
Sulking.jpg
Meng: "And she didn't tell you… the issues?"
Yu Yu: "…She did."
Meng's voice chilled. "Then why'd you go through with it?!"
Yu Yu mumbled, "It's signed. Can't undo it."
She'd checked with Felix—this contract was unbreakable unless Nightingale herself revived.
Meng laughed, exasperated. "You're a dead pig, fearless of boiling water, huh?"
Though still sulking, Yu Yu couldn't help retorting, "You're the one who followed me!"
Meng studied her, seeming to want to say something, but held back.
"Come on, to the Enforcement Office."
She strode ahead.
Yu Yu trudged behind, head down.
They walked far past the manor before Yu Yu's sulk began to clear.
Looking up, she saw the black-robed spellcaster had led her a long way.
Wait—since when did spellcasters walk?
They'd teleport or fly, no?
Yu Yu paused, then noticed Meng hadn't stopped. She hurried after her.
"Senior, can I skip it?"
Meng: "Hm?"
"Senior, can I not go to the Enforcement Office?"
"No."
"Huh?!" Had she misread her?
Yu Yu tried harder, grabbing her arm. "Senior, only heaven, earth, you, me, and Wolf Wolf know! I'm not doing anything bad!"
"I'm insecure," Yu Yu whined, "Shang Wei's stabbed before—she might again!"
Meng studied her. "Is that so?"
"Totally!" Yu Yu swore, hand raised. "I promise no bad stuff! Keep it secret, please, Senior!"
Meng didn't speak, then finally looked up. "Do you know you were wrong?"
Yu Yu: "Wrong about what?"
What's wrong with protecting myself?!
Meng narrowed her eyes.
Yu Yu rushed, "I know, I know! I won't act on my own again! I'll report to Senior and the Grand Archon!"
Meng watched her, then relented. "Fine, we'll say you know."
Yu Yu scurried after her. "So, you won't report me, Senior?"
Meng hummed.
Yu Yu exhaled, then couldn't resist settling scores.
"Senior, you followed me!"
Meng didn't explain, just glanced at her. "And?"
Yu Yu: "…"
So mad!
Just you wait!
Stupid Grand Archon!
Trash!
Sending spies to tail me!
Meng saw her resentment, her words circling before settling. Maybe this was fine.
Yu Yu's position was unique—she needed to stay sharp, not get lost in the moment.
Who knew what the Grand Archon might decide later?
Meng fell silent, then asked casually, "What's next for you?"
Yu Yu: "Keep cracking arrays, learn sealing spells, then wait for Her Majesty."
Mentioning Her Majesty, she sneaked a glance at Meng.
Meng said offhand, "Don't take it too seriously. Bring him back if you find him; if not, don't force it."
Yu Yu: "Will you still help with arrays?"
Meng: "The Grand Archon hasn't forbidden it."
Yu Yu got it. "I'll keep at it."
Meng said no more.
Logging off, Yu Yu recounted everything to Felix, face drooping with grievance.
"I thought Senior Meng was nice, but she followed me."
Felix wasn't surprised, not even looking up. "Meng's the teacher's steward. I asked around—after her mental injury, she was down and out. The teacher personally brought her under her wing, giving her big responsibilities. She's deeply loyal."
"She agreed to cover for you—that's already generous." Felix finally looked up. "If the teacher asks, she won't hide it."
"You need to be more cautious about your situation."
Yu Yu sighed deeply. "Why's living so hard?"
Couldn't she just head to the Main Continent, repay Magic Circle and the Federation, and everyone gets rich?
Felix: "Then get stronger. If you hit Legendary, the teacher can't restrain you."
Yu Yu griped, "Even at Legendary, there's Legendaries above! When's it end?"
Felix mused, "Then beat all the other Legendaries."
Yu Yu gasped. "Senior, is that what you're aiming for?"
Why else would Wolf Wolf be a spellcaster?!
Felix denied it instantly. "What aim? I don't know what you mean."
"Fine, we'll work together, topple the Legendaries, and I'll be Speaker, you'll be Vice-Speaker. We'll boss the Grand Archon around, spinning her like a top!"
Felix stared. "Vice?"
Yu Yu backtracked smoothly. "You be Speaker, I'll be Vice-Speaker!"
Felix, humble: "I don't have the skill."
Yu Yu: "No worries, I do!"
Felix stared again.
Yu Yu corrected, "Senior's too modest—you've totally got it!"
Just then, the door opened, and a black cat sauntered in with elegant steps.
"When that traitor's back, I'm hitting the Main Continent to roam! Make that scum Feng Ye beg me to take a fief!"
Yu Yu scooped up the passing cat, giggling. "Wuwu, your master's gonna be the Speaker's woman!"
"Meow once to celebrate!"
She hoisted the cat, stretching it into a noodle.
The black cat's emerald eyes fixed on her. "?"
Felix buried her head in a pillow.
Damn it, Yu Yu dragged me into her nonsense again.
How'd I forget…
Yu Yu shook the cat. "Meow, huh?! Why aren't you meowing?"
====
[Notes]
Hi, maybe this novel will go on 'Semi-hiastus' period. Usually I am update 2 chapters a day, but because this novel have low exposure, I am thinking about put it on hold and only update it again if I am on the mood, many readers who demand me to continue, or there's someone giving me 'donation' via Ko-fi and ask me to continue.
I'm sorry for this announcement. Thank you for reading this novel.
My [Ko-fi]! ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/rikhi