Chapter 55: Co-Renting Surprises and Ancient Secrets

The semester had finally come to an end, and Light felt a wave of relief wash over him. However, there was still a lot he had to prepare for, especially with his training and cultivation that would only intensify in the upcoming months. One of the first things on his agenda was finding a new place to live. The campus dormitory had served its purpose, but now, Light needed something more private and conducive to his rigorous routine.

Light had already set his sights on the Golden Origin apartments located west of the Azure Campus. Known for its luxury and privacy, the apartments were situated near an artificial lake with a scenic park. Though the lake wasn't enormous, the surrounding grounds were serene and perfect for someone seeking both tranquility and a place to focus on cultivation.

He arrived at the building and headed to the 12th floor, his mind set on securing the apartment. The corridors were wide, and the air carried a fresh scent, a stark contrast to the slightly cramped and noisy dormitories he was leaving behind.

Light knocked on the door, and within moments, a middle-aged woman, who exuded warmth and enthusiasm, opened it.

"You're here! Are you the one who called me earlier?" she asked, her voice friendly and welcoming.

"Yes, I saw your listing for the apartment online," Light replied, stepping forward slightly.

"Well, come on in then!" she said, beckoning him to enter the apartment.

As Light entered, his eyes widened slightly in admiration. The apartment was spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that allowed natural light to flood in. The living room boasted a modern yet comfortable design, with plush couches and a huge television mounted on the wall. A small fountain trickled softly in the corner of the room, and from the balcony, he could catch a glimpse of the lake behind the apartment complex. It was perfect.

Just as he was about to make a decision, he heard the soft ding of the elevator behind him. Turning around, Light saw two girls stepping out. One of them, dressed in a long, flowing white summer dress with a delicate landscape pattern on the front, caught his attention immediately. She was elegant, her movements graceful as if she were gliding rather than walking. The girl beside her was much smaller, though what she lacked in height, she made up for with an aura of infectious energy.

As they walked towards him, the girl in the white dress suddenly stopped and seemed to recognize him.

"Excuse me... oh, it's you?" she said, her eyes widening in surprise.

Light looked at her more closely and realized that the girl was none other than Mui Nujiao, one of the most admired students on campus. Her presence was hard to miss; she was not only beautiful but also highly talented in magic, which had earned her the admiration of many students.

"You're here to check out the apartment too?" Light asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Yes, we are," she replied, her tone neutral but polite.

Light wasn't entirely surprised to see Mui Nujiao here. Many of the students from well-off families would likely choose to move out of the campus dormitories after their first semester. The regulation had been strict for the first half of the year, but now, with the semester ending, students with means were looking for more private accommodations. The Golden Origin apartments were known for attracting the wealthier students, so it wasn't a shock that someone like Mui Nujiao would be interested in the same place.

As they exchanged pleasantries, the landlord auntie, who had been silently observing the interaction, saw an opportunity.

"Since you're all here and seem to like the apartment, why don't you consider co-renting?" she suggested with a smile. "The rent for this place is quite expensive, and it's rare for someone to rent it on their own. Splitting the cost would make things easier."

Mui Nujiao frowned slightly at the suggestion. She was clearly not keen on the idea of sharing the space with someone she barely knew. "I don't really think that's necessary," she said. "I can manage the rent on my own."

Before Mui Nujiao could say more, the petite girl beside her, whose energetic nature was hard to ignore, cut in. "Oh come on, Sister Mui! Co-renting could be fun! I've read plenty of stories where students live together and end up having all sorts of adventures. Who knows? Maybe it'll be interesting!"

The landlord auntie seized the opportunity to explain further. "It's really not a big deal! The apartment is huge, and the rooms are on separate floors. You won't even run into each other much unless you're in the common areas. Plus, the rent will be much more manageable for everyone involved."

It was clear that Mui Nujiao didn't want to co-rent with a guy. Her knitted eyebrows gave her thoughts away.

Light, on the other hand, wasn't bothered at all. In fact, he found the situation rather amusing. Cultivating while two beautiful girls fluttered around him was something he considered quite pleasant. Mui Nujiao was not only a campus goddess; her figure was beyond attractive, and her beauty matched her reputation.

Light didn't argue about sharing the rent. Initially, he had only planned to rent two rooms—one for himself and one for Su Hongxiu, who had agreed to live with him in this apartment. He had already informed her, and she was on her way.

"Ai Tutu!" Mui Nujiao called out sharply, visibly annoyed at the bouncy girl beside her.

Ai Tutu, the petite girl with the 'radiance of spring,' obediently stopped bouncing and walked back, looking a little sheepish, though her eyes were still full of energy and mischief.

"Sister Mui, what's there to dislike? This guy is clearly talented. His strength is definitely among the top at our school. He's much more interesting than those boring rich kids who rely on family influence. I think co-renting with him could be an opportunity."

Light raised an eyebrow as Ai Tutu continued, "You never know, he might even admire you, Sister Mui. It's said that Dean Xiao himself mentioned this 'great monster's' potential is limitless!"

Mui Nujiao's expression shifted to one of contemplation. If even Dean Xiao recognized Light's abilities, there had to be more than what met the eye. Was Light truly hiding immense power?

"For the sake of the Mui Family, maybe it wouldn't be so bad…" Mui Nujiao murmured, though she still seemed reluctant.

"Besides, I don't think he's a bad person. We could learn a lot from him," Ai Tutu added, her voice firm and excited.

However, Mui Nujiao remained cautious. "We still need to be careful. He seems close to someone from the Zhao Family. We don't want to get entangled in any of their affairs."

Light, overhearing their conversation, couldn't help but smirk. Trying to unveil his secrets? They were in for a surprise. Two scheming women against him? He was more than ready to turn the tables.

---

Outside the elevator, two men walked in, carrying a large bunny plushie that almost blocked the entrance.

"You can leave it in the living room," Ai Tutu directed the men, her hands on her hips.

The man wearing glasses looked up and noticed Light lounging on the couch. "Oh? Someone got here before us."

Light, half-asleep, rubbed his eyes and noticed the giant bunny next to him on the couch. Startled, he nearly jumped up. "What the hell is this?"

Ai Tutu puffed her chest proudly. "That's my bunny! Half the couch is mine!"

Light blinked, glancing from the bunny to Ai Tutu. "Who said I was sharing the couch? Get that thing out of here."

The glasses-wearing man seemed taken aback. "What do you mean? We're moving Ai Tutu in!"

Light narrowed his eyes. "This is my apartment. I live here. So, unless you're planning on moving out that oversized stuffed animal, I suggest you take it with you."

The two men froze, their jaws dropping in disbelief. Living with Ai Tutu meant living with Mui Nujiao, which seemed like an impossible dream for most of the guys at school.

Before they could react, Mui Nujiao's calm voice came from upstairs, "He does live here. You two should leave now. We don't want any trouble."

Light gave a final glance at Ai Tutu and her bunny before standing up. "Co-renting is fine, but there are two rules," he said firmly.

Ai Tutu crossed her arms. "Oh yeah? What rules?"

"First, no one enters my room, under any circumstances," Light said, raising a finger.

Ai Tutu shot back, "That's exactly what I was going to say!"

"Second," Light continued, ignoring her, "don't forget Rule No. 1."

Ai Tutu blinked, then chuckled. "Well, I guess we can agree on that."

---

Later that day, Su Hongxiu arrived with her luggage, and Light helped her settle into her room. Ai Tutu's eyes went wide when she saw Su Hongxiu—tall, elegant, and exuding a mature, alluring beauty that outshone even Mui Nujiao. Ai Tutu's mouth formed a perfect 'O' in disbelief.

Light introduced Su Hongxiu to Mui Nujiao and Ai Tutu, though Ai Tutu remained speechless, clearly overwhelmed by Su Hongxiu's presence.

---

Time passed, and winter descended upon the city. Though there were no signs of snow, the air grew crisp and cold. Light took some time off to visit Xinxia, who was sitting quietly in her wheelchair when he arrived.

"Brother Light, did you know?" Xinxia began softly, changing the subject. "One of my history teachers said that people from our Bo City are very special."

"Oh? What did he say?" Light asked, intrigued.

"Do you remember the Underground Holy Spring? It has a history that dates back over 2000 years," Xinxia explained.

Light's eyes narrowed as he thought back to his own research. "Yes, I've read about it. It goes back to the Qin Emperor era."

Xinxia nodded, her tone growing more serious. "My teacher believes that the people from Bo City were protected by the Underground Holy Spring. He says that Bo City was just a small village in ancient times, tasked by an ancient Sovereign King to guard the spring for generations."

Light's suspicions about the destruction of Bo City at the hands of the Black Vatican began to solidify. Could the Underground Holy Spring truly have been the reason?

"What else did your teacher say?" Light pressed.

"He speculated that the truth lies in an ancient tomb. But no magician has ever successfully entered it because of the dreadful creatures within," Xinxia said, her voice tinged with concern.

"The tomb of the Ancient Capital?" Light mused aloud.

"Yes," Xinxia confirmed. "The teacher said there were many attempts to find the entrance, but none succeeded. It's now classified as a forbidden area due to the high number of deaths."

Light's mind raced. The Ancient Capital—Xi'an—was known for its rich history and numerous tombs. The Imperial Mausoleum alone had countless secrets buried within its mountains.

Xinxia continued, "The tomb of the Ancient King who tasked our ancestors with guarding the spring is also there. If you want to uncover the truth, you'll have to go there and find the clues."

Light's determination hardened. He had already planned to visit the Ancient Capital to seek answers about the Underground Holy Spring, and now, the tomb seemed like the next logical step.

---

Packing his belongings, Light made his way to the Ancient Capital. Upon arriving at the airport, he was stopped by a man in uniform at the entrance.

"Sorry, every passenger is required to prove their identity," the officer said sternly.

Light handed over his identification with a calm smile. "I'm here for travel."