Chapter 401 - Everyone’s Plot

The students heard their conversation and exchanged surprised glances. They had never imagined that Han Wu was hiding something that even Wei En coveted. Their curiosity spiked. What kind of treasure could even stir her interest? One by one, they started pressuring Han Wu to reveal it.

“Junior Han, show us that Transmutation Golem, or whatever that thing is. We want to see it. You won’t lose anything by showing it to us.”

“Yeah. We’re your seniors. We won’t take it.”

“Hey, I traded numerous treasures just to get a lesser golem. Surely it's not too much to ask for a peek, right?”

Han Wu wouldn’t succumb to their pressure. Wanting to see the Transmutation Golem was one thing, but what if their greed overtook them? He wasn’t about to make a foolish move and draw unwanted attention.

Before he could respond, Elina spoke up on her own, “The Transmutation Golem is a gift that Han Wu will offer to the God King of Light. Who among you is brave enough to touch it?”

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Her proclamation silenced everyone. Even Han Wu froze.

“Since when am I offering it to the God King of Light?” he asked in confusion.

Elina ignored him and continued, “Han Wu belongs to the God King of Light’s faction from now on. I will not tolerate anyone trying to bully him.”

Han Wu opened his mouth to rebuke her, but Wei En spoke first. “As far as I know, Han Wu stole the Transmutation Golem from the gnomes. Offering stolen goods to the God King of Light would only sully his eyes.”

Elina wanted to argue but couldn’t. Wei En was right. The God King of Light was pure and just. How could he be tainted by stolen objects or gifts?

Elina felt a surge of despair.

If Han Wu can’t offer it, how can he join the Light faction?

Wei En seized the moment and pressed Han Wu to reveal the Transmutation Golem. “Han Wu, you’ve stolen the gnomes’ greatest treasure and deserve to be punished. If you return the Transmutation Golem to them in repentance, I will try to shield you from the Gnome Lord’s wrath. I am only doing this because we both hail from Imperial College.”

Her words carried the weight of justice and sounded righteous, but Han Wu wouldn’t fall for it.

“Senior Wei, I may have offended the gnomes, but what does that have to do with you? Aren’t you a guest of the elves? Since when have you been close to the gnomes? It’s not your place to tell me what to do,” he rebuked.

“I...” His rebuttal angered her, but there was nothing that she could twist here. If not for her suspicion that the Transmutation Golem was connected to the Magic Ring, she wouldn’t have wasted so much time with Han Wu.

Huang Shengjun sat patiently, watching the scene unfold. He was still shocked that Han Wu was the mine’s true owner. Everyone had descended here in clones, and yet Han Wu had grown so fast. This was a testament to his talent.

Huang Shengjun regarded Han Wu as his enemy. He had sworn to surpass his enemies or face destruction. He also believed that the enemy of his enemy could be a friend.

He rose and confronted Han Wu, “Senior Wei is worried for you, but not only do you ignore her kindness but even rebuke her. You are a disgrace to the college’s teachings. Today, I will punish you on its behalf.”

As the second-year valedictorian, Huang Shengjun held considerable influence amongst the students. Since he intended to fight against Han Wu, the other second-year students were ready to join him in berating Han Wu. They hoped to gain some benefit in return as well.

At that moment, Xia Tian stepped forward to stand with Han Wu. “Senior Wei is deliberately making things hard for Han Wu. He has no reason to comply. Huang Shengjun, I hate how you toss away your honor for your benefit’s sake. If you touch him, the three of us will fight you to the death.”

Xiang Meng and Ye Ling joined him. The three friends acted as one. While none of them could match Huang Shengjun individually, their combined might was just enough to defeat him.

Huang Shengjun was cursing at them in his heart. The trio had been a thorn in his side for far too long.

Sensing the rising tension, the other factions’ representatives readied themselves to flee at a moment’s notice. They had secured their lesser golems and completed the tasks assigned by their kings. Now was the perfect opportunity to leave.

Yet some of them hungered for more. They didn’t aim to steal Han Wu’s lesser golems; instead, they coveted the treasures that Han Wu had obtained, should a fight break out.

Each had their own motives, and all were ready to act when the beating sound of enormous wings echoed from above. Moments later, a pair of massive golden claws shattered the stone palace’s roof and crashed into the hall.

It was the gold Great Dragon, Smog. His arrival sent waves of fear through everyone present. Great Dragons were the embodiment of violence and strength. Even if those who had never seen a Great Dragon had definitely heard of their feats.

Escaping this place became the crowd’s immediate priority, but Smog wouldn’t let them flee so easily.

“I’ve caught the scent of my brethren. Where are they?” Smog’s voice rumbled through the hall.

Everyone was stunned. A single Great Dragon like Smog had caused chaos across the Middle Realm, and now there was another?

Smog inhaled the fear thick in the air and savored it. As a gold Great Dragon, Smog relished collecting treasures and the scent of fear from the other life forms since birth.

As Smog was indulging in the fear around him, he caught the scent of a peer. He turned and saw Han Wu. Only then did he notice the illusions of his brethren surrounding him.

“How could this be? Is this human a Great Dragon?” Smog muttered, staring at Han Wu in disbelief.