Chapter 122: The Transformation of Xu Bing

Redeeming the magic-suppressing shackles once again took a significant toll on Lin Qiu’s points. This was precisely why his expression turned one of resignation the moment the shackles appeared; at the current rate of point expenditure, his goal of attaining enough power before the monarch-tier races in the deep sea awakened was nothing short of a fantasy.

However, Lin Qiu did not dwell on this for long. For him, the most urgent task was to keep Bai Jingjing suppressed. Otherwise, her awakening would surely bring more trouble. After all, Bai Jingjing was a seventh-tier creature, and any being reaching the seventh tier would undergo a formidable transformation. Without further hesitation, Lin Qiu clamped the magic-suppressing shackles onto her wrists.

"By the way, system, now that the contract between Xu Bing and me has been dissolved, what about the energy I transferred to her?" Lin Qiu asked, suddenly remembering. Thanks to the intervention of Bai Jingjing’s ancestor, the contract had been broken, and Lin Qiu was curious if the energy he had funneled into her could be reclaimed. During that period, he had transferred a considerable amount; if he could get it back, he would easily reach the fifth or even sixth tier in no time.

"That energy has already been fully assimilated by Xu Bing," the system replied, crushing his hopes. "If the host wishes to reclaim it, the only way is to kill her."

The system’s answer put an end to his expectations. He certainly hadn't wanted the contract, but that didn't mean he would kill Xu Bing for the sake of energy. While that amount was a fortune to him, now that the contract was gone, he would find other ways to gather evolutionary energy.

"New Mission: Investigate Xu Bing’s origins."

Just as Lin Qiu was about to return to the Exotic Beast Management Bureau with Bai Jingjing, the system issued a new task. The lack of stated rewards, penalties, or even detailed instructions made this mission unusual. It seemed as though it were optional, something he could choose to do or ignore.

"Could it be that her constitution wasn't innate?" Lin Qiu wondered. That was the only logical reason for the system to issue such a task.

"You devil!"

As Lin Qiu pondered, the unconscious Bai Jingjing stirred. She instinctively tried to channel her inner mana to strike him, only to find herself completely sealed.

"Miss Bai, didn't see that coming, did you? Even your ancestor couldn't save you." Lin Qiu sneered. He had almost died at her hands; had that mysterious figure not intervened, he would likely be nothing but a puddle of blood by now.

Bai Jingjing was seething with rage, but having witnessed her ancestor being sealed underground by that mysterious entity, she knew her current predicament and dared not act too recklessly. "I am of the Primordial White Swan clan. Your actions are tantamount to declaring war on the Primordial Realm. Even your superiors will punish you for this."

Lin Qiu remained unmoved. "If I were you, I wouldn't waste my breath."

Without another word, he took her back to the Bureau. The members there, having heard of the ancestor's appearance, were just preparing a rescue mission when they saw Lin Qiu return with Bai Jingjing in tow.

"Lin Qiu, this is..."

Liu Changfeng, the deputy director, turned serious as he saw the shackles. Everyone knew Bai Jingjing was the princess of the Primordial White Swan clan.

"I’ll explain later. I need to get her into containment first."

Lin Qiu understood Liu Changfeng’s concerns, and the deputy director, despite his confusion, deferred to him. As they walked toward the detention area, they crossed paths with Xu Bing.

"Xu—"

Lin Qiu started to greet her, but Xu Bing’s cold, distant demeanor caught him off guard, forcing him to swallow his words. He felt a pang of confusion. *Is this girl still angry about the contract being dissolved?*

He guessed that perhaps she felt he had orchestrated the dissolution himself, which would explain her sudden coldness. Or perhaps it was something else—after all, a woman’s heart is as deep as the sea.

"Lin Qiu, you had better think clearly! I am the princess of the White Swan clan! What do you think you’re doing?"