Chapter 75: Shadows

By the Shaoshuizhou River.

The river water was cold, never seeing sunlight all year round.

The vegetation along both banks was thick, appearing in a strange black-yellow hue.

Hundreds of meters above, floating lantern wheels hung, casting pale, sickly light.

“The bulbs in the Shadow Zone are truly unbearable.”

The aerial shuttle glowed blue as it landed on the ground.

The hatch opened, and Shi Xuan leapt out first, his face pale. “I feel like throwing up.”

He leaned on his Yueyue Dao, hunched over, gagging several times.

Jiang Jian descended the gangway, gazing up at the lantern wheels, silent.

This place was the Shadow Zone of Dayan City.

No different from the Shadow Zone of Guangling City.

“Jiang Jian.”

Liu Tiezhu landed lightly, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t seem to mind the Shadow Zone’s environment.”

A city was divided into two zones.

The Shenzhao Zone floated in the sky, its vast city-ring spreading outward, blocking out the sun.

The Shadow Zone’s illumination relied entirely on floating lantern wheels, with no distinction between day and night.

Many who came to the Shadow Zone suffered nausea and discomfort from the lantern wheels’ radiation.

“I’m used to it.”

Jiang Jian said softly.

Liu Tiezhu’s eyes widened. “Do you often come to the Shadow Zone?”

Normally,

students admitted to the Divine Bestowal University were assumed to come from the Shenzhao Zone.

Not to mention the First Academy of Linjiang Academy.

Shi Xuan clutched his chest, raised his head, and explained: “Jiang Jian is a resident of the Shadow Zone in Guangling City.”

These words fell.

Not only did Liu Tiezhu’s gaze tremble.

Even Shan Ye and Yin Yin showed surprise.

“A Level 3 talent from the Shadow Zone still has such good grades?”

Shan Ye looked at Jiang Jian; after shock, his expression turned to admiration. “As far as I know, even Level 2 talents are rare in the Shadow Zone.”

“No wonder.”

Liu Tiezhu snapped back to himself, opened his identity device. “Let’s go check the pasture first—something here is unusual.”

Regarding Jiang Jian’s identity as a Shadow Zone resident,

none of them showed any discrimination.

Shi Xuan stepped forward, fearing Jiang Jian might harbor resentment, his face apologetic: “I just vomited because it was truly unbearable—not because I look down on the Shadow Zone.”

Jiang Jian smiled. “I know.”

As they spoke,

the pasture gate thirty meters away opened.

“Are you students from Linjiang Academy?”

A delighted voice rang out.

A man in sportswear strode out, his tone urgent: “The White Jade Sheep are almost all stolen!”

Liu Tiezhu stepped forward, his voice grave. “You’re the owner of the Dayan Pasture?”

The man in sportswear nodded. “I’m Zhao Lei, responsible for this pasture.”

Over a dozen soldiers stood in two rows, rifles in hand.

“The Academy entrusted this task to your pasture, and in just one week, you’ve lost over twenty White Jade Sheep!”

Liu Tiezhu stepped through the gate, comparing the information on his identity device, his expression dark.

Jiang Jian walked beside him, approaching the fence to gaze at the herd.

Over a hundred White Jade Sheep were scattered sparsely across the vast pasture.

The pasture was filled with black-yellow vegetation.

The surrounding fence was tall; armed soldiers stood guard every few dozen meters.

“At this rate, even a mosquito couldn’t fly in.”

Shan Ye walked up beside Jiang Jian and whispered.

Jiang Jian nodded. “This is a Non-Citizen Incident.”

Non-Citizen Incident.

It referred to non-citizens within the Shadow Zone violating laws, destroying property, disturbing the peace, or causing harm.

If reported, such incidents were typically handled by the Inspection Court.

But this pasture was entrusted by Linjiang Academy.

The Dayan City Inspection Court had come to investigate but dared not take it on themselves, instead reporting it upward.

“I’ve reviewed all the surveillance—I can’t find any cause!”

Zhao Lei’s plaintive voice came. “You don’t believe me? Go check the footage!”

Surveillance room.

A massive holographic screen split into hundreds of small panels.

It monitored every detail of the pasture, twenty-four hours a day.

“Here!”

Liu Tiezhu suddenly spoke, his finger swiping.

One screen replayed the footage.

Dozens of White Jade Sheep were grazing by the riverbank.

A few seconds later, they returned to the pasture’s interior—but several were missing.

“Have you gone down to this river?”

Liu Tiezhu asked.

Zhao Lei replied: “I sent people to check multiple times. There’s nothing in the river.”

Liu Tiezhu frowned for several seconds, then looked at Jiang Jian. “This river is definitely suspicious. Let’s go take a look.”

Jiang Jian nodded. “Agreed.”

The fence opened.

Dozens of armed soldiers followed behind.

“Tell them to go back.”

Jiang Jian glanced at them and spoke softly.

Zhao Lei waved his hand; the soldiers immediately turned and walked away.

Jiang Jian sensed these men were poorly cultivated; their Shenque Spiritual Resonance ranged from 1% to 3%.

Most adults, without passing the Divine Bestowal University entrance exam,

never surpassed 3% Shenque Spiritual Resonance in their entire lives.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything unusual here.”

At the riverbank where the White Jade Sheep vanished, Liu Tiezhu sensed the area, his frown deepening.

The river water was icy cold, the chill almost striking the face.

Yet looking down from the bank, the river was crystal clear, with barely any aquatic plants.

Jiang Jian turned his head, glancing at the riverbank’s end. “Let’s split up and search.”

“Alright.”

Liu Tiezhu walked left.

Yin Yin’s expression shifted slightly as she walked beside Jiang Jian. “Jiang Jian, have you noticed anything?”

Jiang Jian followed the riverbank to the fence’s end. “This is a forbidden array set by the Academy’s staff.”

“The river’s source is Shaoshuizhou.”

“This array was likely meant to prevent something from sneaking in from the river.”

Beneath the fence, faint light pulsed.

Jiang Jian bent down, examining the array closely.

“The array is intact.”

Yin Yin said. “But the White Jade Sheep did vanish right here by the river.”

Meanwhile,

his identity device buzzed with a communication.

Liu Tiezhu’s voice came through: “My section of the river’s forbidden array is undamaged.”

“Mine too.”

After replying, Jiang Jian shut off the communication, staring at the clear river water, his brow slightly furrowed.

Yin Yin whispered, “The white jade sheep is very valuable—could the ranch owner have stolen it himself and used fake surveillance to deceive us?”

Jiang Jian pondered for a moment, then shook his head. “The surveillance here has backups at the academy; he shouldn’t dare do this.”

“But you just said he stole it himself.”

Jiang Jian’s gaze sharpened. “I’ve thought of another possibility.”

(End of Chapter)