Elemental Magnetic Star

Chapter 134 Original Intentions Questioned

"Turns out she's been quiet because she's playing the scholar? Really thought she could uncover some cause and effect?" Jadelle mocked upon hearing from Silver Tan about Raina Grace's visit to the library.

"I actually thought she'd come straight to me," Silver Tan expressed his surprise, "After all, I'm the only person she knows who has connections with the Bamboo Family."

"Who knows what that foolish Bamboo Slip told her? She hasn't sought you out for a way into the Gold and Silver Sea since arriving in the Celestial Domain. Does she not trust you?" Jadelle speculated, "Or maybe we overestimated her, and she never even thought you might know something about the Gold and Silver Sea?"

"It's hard to say," Silver Tan wasn't inclined to speculate wildly, "But now that Auric Forest is speaking with her, he wants to take advantage of Flame Wave's absence to guide her well, perhaps make her listen to us."

Speaking of Flame Wave, Jadelle looked displeased: "Why did Aurum Aspire refuse to take me to the City of Benevolence with him? If, as he says, it's just a survey of the City of Benevolence, why does he insist on having Flame Wave accompany him?"

"Between Aurum Aspire and Flame Wave, there seems to be some undisclosed secret," Silver Tan always felt an inscrutable tension between the two men, appearing as the most antagonistic of friends, yet the most harmonious of adversaries.

"According to what we know of history, the two of them, along with Jade Thistle, used to share an intimate and transparent relationship. Now, to be exclusively excluded by them? Do they still suspect me?" Jadelle was puzzled, "Yet, judging by Aurum Aspire's attitude, he always truly treated me as Jade Thistle, often reminiscing about their past."

"Don't be blinded by his smooth talk. Whether he's testing you or treating you as a substitute, you need to be clear about your own identity," Silver Tan was skeptical.

"A substitute?" Jadelle was displeased, "All these years of care and concern, just to be a substitute? I don't believe it. If there's any substitute, that Raina Grace is the substitute Flame Wave found. Otherwise, what makes this human, with neither birthright nor ability, staying at the water elemental realm, so favored by Flame Wave? Isn't Flame Wave leaving her in the Celestial Domain too? She didn't even get access to the library."

Silver Tan looked at Jadelle in surprise: "I've noticed you becoming more radical these past years. Is Aurum Aspire really that important to you? Don't forget why you're by his side. It's not to please him, but for the future of our Sky Whisper clan."

Jadelle shivered, seemingly sobered yet more irritated: "Of course, I haven't forgotten! All these years, my sole focus has been on the future of Sky Whisper. Instead, it's people like Luminous Harmony dragging us down. Yet you all side with him. Who cares about my struggles and frustrations?"

"Luminous Harmony simply has a different philosophy from you," Silver Tan sighed, "I still don't know who's right or wrong, but those of us who are buried in work just want to go with the flow. Yet, as things have developed to this day, I find we're straying further from our original intentions, both you and me. Since adopting this 'Jadelle' identity, you seem to have become more sentimental and arrogant, almost truly like a human teenage girl."

Jadelle's heart was in turmoil, unwilling to ponder those initial missions and intentions: "Let's not stray too far off topic. The current issue is whether we should give that girl the 'Finspirit' to help Azure Phoenix cleanse the power of the abyss sooner, paving the way for the people of the Bamboo Family in the Sky Domain? Hmph, the Bamboo Family seems to be doing just fine in the Sky Domain, hardly wanting to move. Why should we go out of our way for them?"

Seeing Silver Tan's disapproving look, Jadelle curbed her complaints, voicing her inner doubts: "Although we need Azure Phoenix's nirvana for a suitable fire element, the 'Finspirit' is our treasure, not to be lightly given to outsiders. Besides, if even you can't approach the Gold and Silver Sea, how do you know she can reach it with the 'Finspirit's' power?"

As she spoke, she refined her thoughts: "Yet, after all these years, none of us have made progress with the Gold and Silver Sea. Now that Azure Phoenix has emerged, this could be an important breakthrough. Maybe we should test the girl to see if she's worth it. If she knows we have a way to remove the power of the abyss from Azure Phoenix, she might willingly hand Azure Phoenix over to us."

Jadelle thought: If they could directly obtain Azure Phoenix, that would be ideal. Otherwise, with Raina Grace's low realm, how could she possibly help Azure Phoenix? Moreover, this could be an opportunity to breach the tight protective layer Flame Wave set up, to see what's so special about this girl.

Jadelle initially planned to approach Raina Grace herself, deciding what to do next based on their conversation. However, Raina Grace hadn't been in her usual spots like the library lately.

"According to the guards, she went with Auric Forest to the Gold Department," Jadelle told Silver Tan, "Auric Forest interacts with you often and is willing to cooperate. With him around, maybe we can extract more information from the girl."

"That's fine. I'll make a trip to the Gold Department," Silver Tan agreed, "And you? Didn't you want to test her face to face?"

"I'll need an excuse," Jadelle didn't want to miss this opportunity, not just out of great interest but also because the girl held many key breakthroughs.

"You frequent the Scholar's Pavilion; going to the Gold Department won't be conspicuous. What excuse do you need?" Silver Tan was puzzled.

"Now that Aurum Aspire is away, I don't want his spies to misinterpret my actions as if I have a great desire for power."

Jadelle's explanation almost made Silver Tan roll his eyes, but he realized arguing with her over anything related to Aurum Aspire was futile, so he gave up trying to change her mind.

"Just say you're inquiring about Aurelia Leaf," he suggested, "Auric Forest is technically her direct superior."

"Right, using Aurelia Leaf's name," Jadelle brightened up. "She's always been sucking up to me; showing concern for her now is only appropriate."

In truth, Jadelle also wanted to roll her eyes. Aurelia Leaf and Auric Forest's relationship was more than just superior and subordinate; they were lovers and partners for many years. Only Auric Forest's flirtations made Aurelia Leaf feel embarrassed, which is why she didn't widely broadcast her relationship with him.

But these matters were not for Silver Tan, a clueless fool about human emotions. This was why Bamboo Slip and Luminous Harmony could keep each other company, while he remained alone. Pitiful, indeed.