The Secret Plot

Night.

The starry sky was dazzling, with the moon hanging high, casting a silvery glow that rendered the world hazy and dreamlike.

Tonight’s celestial phenomenon, however, had drawn countless gazes upward. Those who looked upon it all reacted the same way—their pupils shrank in shock, their faces filled with awe, their lips trembling as if unable to speak for a long while.

"Grandpa, look at the sky!"

On a mountain, in front of a small house, a young girl stood beside an old fortune-teller. She had glanced at the celestial display and now wore an expression of astonishment.

Hearing his granddaughter’s voice, the old man turned his gaze from the sky to her, his tone tinged with excitement. "Indeed."

"Really?!" The girl was stunned, then quickly followed up, "But why would such a figure emerge now?"

How could someone like this appear in today’s world?

The fortune-teller pinched his fingers in calculation, then looked up again at the radiant new star. With his profound insight and precise foresight, he sighed softly. "The world is descending into ever-greater calamity, nearing a point beyond human salvation. Only a power surpassing humanity can save it. Thus, the Sage is born in response to fate."

"I see…"

The girl nodded reluctantly at her grandfather’s explanation, but the shock in her heart refused to fade. Her mind swirled with endless imaginings of the future.

What kind of transformation—what kind of upheaval—would this bring to the world?

But before they could fully digest this staggering revelation, the new star in the sky, once so bright, began to dim. Then, in the blink of an eye, it turned dark.

The old fortune-teller’s face twisted in horror. "What the hell?!"

Just moments ago, he had divined that this figure possessed power beyond humanity. Yet now, it had faded into obscurity. He was caught completely off guard—unable to accept it.

"I told you not to spend so much time online."

The girl’s expression was almost too pained to look at, but curiosity quickly overtook her. "What happened?"

The old man shook his head frantically, saying nothing. He pinched his fingers again, but this time, the result sent him staggering backward, coughing up blood before collapsing to the ground.

"How can this be?!"

He stared at his granddaughter in disbelief. His calculations had revealed that the Sage had willingly abandoned his destiny—choosing silence, refusing to emerge.

A tidal wave of shock crashed through his heart.

"Grandpa, you’re bleeding!"

The girl panicked, rushing to support him.

The old man coughed violently, blood staining his lips. "Impossible… How could this happen?! This isn’t scientific!"

The girl was speechless.

……………………………………

Special Compound.

Beneath a towering tree in the grove stood a young woman, gazing motionlessly at the sky. Under the moonlight, her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, her skin as fair and flawless as polished jade. Her aura was cool and ethereal, like an immortal descended from the heavens.

Crack—

The sound of a twig snapping underfoot broke the silence.

The young woman turned her head slowly.

There stood another girl—long, straight black hair, holding a book in her arms. Her expression was blank, but a hint of guilt flickered in her eyes for disturbing the tranquility.

"What are you doing here?" Gu Ruoxue spoke first.

Her tone carried a trace of displeasure at Li Guanqi’s sudden appearance.

Li Guanqi, hearing the faint coldness in Gu Ruoxue’s voice, explained, "Yaya suddenly disappeared. I got separated from him."

At this, Gu Ruoxue understood. She lifted her head again, staring at the night sky, and said flatly, "You should stay with him."

Li Guanqi knew exactly what she meant—keep a close eye on Su Cheng to prevent any further mishaps.

After a pause, Li Guanqi stepped forward, standing beside Gu Ruoxue, and turned her own gaze to the stars. "Tonight’s sky is unusually significant. Could you tell me what it means?"

"The North Star is dim, the moon obscured. The southern sky is unclear, while the northern constellations shine brightly. A new star has risen—a Sage has emerged in the north."

Gu Ruoxue pointed to a specific spot in the sky. "According to ancient divination texts, this signifies the birth of a Sage in response to fate. But these books are full of contradictions and forced interpretations. Their reliability is questionable."

"Is this the new star you’re referring to?" Li Guanqi’s eyes burned with intensity as she followed Gu Ruoxue’s gesture.

Gu Ruoxue nodded.

"Hmm… It’s suddenly dimming?"

Li Guanqi’s gaze remained fixed on the celestial body, but now she noticed the star flickering, its light fading rapidly. Her brow furrowed.

Gu Ruoxue, however, watched the dimming star with a shift in her thoughts. Many divination texts considered this an omen of misfortune.

Yet she paid it little mind. Closing her eyes, she spoke softly, "You hadn’t finished speaking earlier. You may continue now."

Li Guanqi nodded. "The situation is deteriorating. I don’t think we can afford to remain passive. We need to take action."

Her words and eyes alike radiated concern.

"What do you propose?"

Gu Ruoxue opened her eyes, fixing them on Li Guanqi.

"Perhaps… we could seek him out…"

Li Guanqi’s voice was strained. She knew this was far from ideal, but at this point, it might be their only option.

Before she could finish, Gu Ruoxue cut her off.

"Once the arrow leaves the bow, it does not return. Since we’ve chosen this path, we must move forward—not look back."

Li Guanqi’s heart clenched. Though she had expected this response, she couldn’t suppress a sigh. She knew there was no room for negotiation, yet a stubborn reluctance lingered. "Then do you plan to just sit and wait for disaster?"

"You may explain what you intend to do."

Gu Ruoxue met Li Guanqi’s eyes, but then, abruptly, she added, "Depending on the circumstances, I may offer some assistance. That’s all."

Her words were deliberately vague.

Li Guanqi fell silent.

Because she understood.

The plan was to seek help from Ji Qingyi.

Previously, Ji Qingyi had obtained photos of Su Cheng as a cat in advance, which allowed her to take him from the student council.

And the information Ji Qingyi possessed was exactly what they needed—after all, Liu Qingyue was living in Su Cheng’s home.

Ji Qingyi undoubtedly had complete surveillance over his every move. Thus, they had no choice but to approach her.

Alternatively, there was one other option: gather everyone to discuss strategies and formulate a plan tailored to Su Cheng’s situation.

This would bring much-needed clarity.

Moreover, if they could discern Su Cheng’s intentions, surely they would all unite to stop him?

This time, Gu Ruoxue did not speak, merely watching Li Guanqi in silence, waiting for her to continue.

After a long pause, Li Guanqi finally said, "We’ll go to his… to the Ji Family Mansion."

"If that’s your decision, then proceed."

The two stood in wordless stillness, the night stretching on around them.

"Time is of the essence. Should I contact her directly?"

Li Guanqi pulled out her phone, glancing at Gu Ruoxue for confirmation.

"Go ahead."

Gu Ruoxue gave a slight nod of approval.

……………………………………

Ji Family Mansion.

A young woman stood by the window, holding a book bent into a circular shape, her hands clasped behind her back as she gazed at the sky. An icy, enigmatic aura radiated from her, her eyes as still as stagnant water—neither sorrowful nor joyful, only revealing an unfathomable coldness.

This was Ji Qingyi.

Lost in thought, she studied the celestial phenomena until the vibration of her phone on the bedside table drew her attention. She turned away, her steps precise and rigid yet unnervingly light as she approached.

Having stood for so long, her legs had gone slightly numb.

She walked straight to the desk, picked up the phone, and frowned at the message on the screen.

Because it wasn’t from Su Cheng or Liu Qingyue.

Well, those were her only two friends.

[President Ji, this is Li Guanqi. Are you free right now?]

Seeing the message, Ji Qingyi tapped the voice message button.

"What is it?"

Her tone was flat, yet it sent chills down the spine, as if plunging the listener into an icy abyss.

“What is it?”

But she didn’t send it immediately. Instead, she listened to her own voice once, ensuring it was flawless, before finally hitting send.

“We need your help with something!"

Li Guanqi’s voice message came through quickly.

We?

At that word, her slightly furrowed brows lifted faintly.

She didn’t rush to reply.

Only after a moment of contemplation did she send two words: "I’m free."

Before long, another voice message from Li Guanqi arrived.

Li Guanqi: "This matter requires an in-person discussion. Would it be possible for you to spare some time to come over?"