High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 250: Chapter 174: Spirit Turtle Lives Long_1

The Spirit Turtle has long been regarded as a symbol of longevity.

According to ancient texts, a turtle turns white at one hundred years, grows hair on its back at one thousand years, and gains the ability to talk with humans at ten thousand years. Praying to a turtle that has reached ten thousand years would grant one a favorable response to their desires.

Lin Zhong Lake, crowned as a pearl on the Silent River, stands as a stronghold of education, offering a gateway between the inside and outside worlds.

Thanks to the abundant water vapour and ample food gathered on the lake’s banks, many spiritually enlightened animals have made it their home.

In the East Lake Mud Pond that lines the eastern bank of the lake, there lives a large family of Longevity Turtles.

According to tales passed down among the students of Jiuyou Academy, this mud pond is home to a millenary Spirit Turtle. Many veterans who had failed or retaken their exams have encountered this sacred turtle and miraculously passed their school exams after offering prayers.

As a result, many students often gather by the mud pond to pray, hoping to encounter the faithful spirit turtle, who could fulfill their deep-seated desires.

Being fond of precious jewels, these young wizards, who visited the pond often to pray, dropped silver horns and gold beans into it as a goodwill gesture.

Even the wealthier and more open-handed students would not hesitate to toss a few jade coins into the pond.

Before long, the turtles in the pond became accustomed to sunbathing during the day, just to grab the coins that the students tossed in at their earliest convenience.

Longevity Turtles, or large turtles, are usually quiet and carry positive symbolic significance, explaining why the school workers’ committee turned a blind eye to their habit of marking territory and collecting fees.

Although everyone always hoped to see the Spirit Turtle, most of the time, a majority of the turtles spotted by the mud pond were less than a hundred years old, with shells still dark in color.

Occasionally, unto the younger turtles would squeeze an elder turtle with a white shell, whose noticeable antics would take center stage, leaving observers with profound impressions.

”You may remember the Spirit Turtle that got into trouble,” Thomas, who was generally not very strict about keeping small details confidential, casually revealed to the young wizards. ”He is the one who often snatches money from the little black turtles in the group.”

”According to the records of the school workers’ committee, this Spirit Turtle is somewhere between three hundred and ten and three hundred and fifteen years old.”

”Considered young and strong among Spirit Turtles.”

”Like the Kappa, this Longevity Turtle’s flesh was withered and its shell cracked and dry... if judged merely by appearance, one would certainly presume it to be an old turtle at the end of its life.”

”However, unlike the Kappa incident, no flesh-eating beetles had gnawed at the old turtle’s flesh. Similar to a few other recent cases discovered... this further emphasizes that the Kappa’s incident was just a coincidence.”

”Only this time, the withered Spirit Turtle was sighted under broad daylight by students leaving their class... which invariably caused mass panic.”

Zheng Qing could vividly imagine the state of chaos.

Especially considering how rumors of terrifying magical creatures have been circulating among students, these only served to amplify their unease.

The culprit daring to commit his acts in broad daylight merely escalated the rate of rumor propagation.

”Did anyone spot the culprit?” Zheng Qing couldn’t help but interrupt with a question, ”Who discovered it first?”

”The supposed culprit was reportedly a ’white shadow’”, Thomas intimated cautiously, remaining deliberately vague.

”As for the identity of the individual who discovered it, you should all be familiar with her.” He paused here, adding, ”She is your classmate who recently transferred, the Gypsy Witch named Elena.”

A gasp of surprise echoed through the clearing in the forest.

”Why her?” Zheng Qing looked at the man who had once interviewed him in shock. ”Is she okay... was she injured? Where is she now?”

A string of questions poured out.

”She’s fine, totally safe.” Thomas looked at the visibly concerned young man with amusement, a faint nostalgic look crossing his face.

There was a time when he, too, had been filled with such worry and passion.

But now-

Time passes relentlessly, with the past relegated to mere memory.

Even though his love remained as deep as ever, that radiant witch had disappeared entirely into the depths of the Silent Forest, gone forever.

”You still have a chance,” he said to Zheng Qing, uttering words that held a deeper meaning. Looking at the confused youth, he broke into a smile, ”We’re just in need of some assistants at the patrol squad to handle the scene... would you have any spare time?”

”She’s still at the scene, being interrogated.” He added.

Even without elaborating further, Zheng Qing knew exactly who he was referring to.

”We’re free!” The young cost student immediately agreed, throwing a threatening look at his companions while asserting, ”We all have time!”

Laughs echoed from beneath the trees.

”Don’t act like it’s a disadvantage,” Thomas chuckled, ”Normally, only third-year students could earn these credits... it’s your luck that you’re getting them.”

”There are credits for this.” A surprising cheer burst out from the young wizards.

On their way to the East Lake Mud Pond, Thomas briefed the young wizards about the developments surrounding the incident.

Being a Wednesday and close to noon, there was a high footfall of students near the lake.

Thus, when the Spirit Turtle was found on the shore, seemingly lifeless, many students were drawn by the screams and witnessed the withered old turtle.

Thanks to the unfathomable power of magic,

in less than five minutes, before the school workers’ committee could professionally determine the cause of the turtle’s near-death state, the students across the academy were alarmed by this nefarious incident.

If not for the recent discovery by the patrol squad, and the students circulating various rumors,

A dying Spirit Turtle alone would not be enough to cause pandemonium and unease throughout the academy.

But now-

While the school workers’ committee was attempting to conceal the incident, the Student Union and Club Union of Jiuyou Academy had concurrently sent inquiry letters to the First University Professor Committee, demanding a clear explanation for the series of malicious incidents.

According to the ”First University Management Regulations,” before receiving satisfactory responses, students have the right to boycott classes to ensure their safety is prioritized.

”So,” Thomas shrugged, looking somewhat helpless, ”The academy issued an emergency notice. All afternoon classes have been cancelled today, and all students in their third year and below have been gathered by the Student Union at the First Hall for safety training.”

”That’s incredible,” Zheng Qing admired.

Reflecting on the student organization recruitment event going on this week, he made up his mind to check out the Student Union.

”To be exact, Lei Zhe is the incredible one,” Thomas corrected, ”Not every president of the Student Union has the audacity to send an inquiry letter to the Professor Union, but if there’s one who does, it’s got to be Augustus of the Alpha Academy.”

There it was again — the same name.

The others instantly recalled the invitation Zheng Qing received before the history class, and they all shot him a synchronous look.