Chapter Thirty-One: The Manifestation of the Magical Artifact! (Fifth Update) A bonus chapter for readers who have supported this book!

"Jiang Yu, what exactly has happened to you?"

Zheng Xuan pressed her lips together, her expression complex.

Why did she now feel, deep inside, that the so-called useless outcast of the Jiang family standing before her had undergone a profound and earth-shaking transformation?

It was as if he had broken from his cocoon, emerging as a butterfly. This dramatic change, she had sensed fleetingly ever since Jiang Yu had taken first place in the recent exams with nearly perfect marks.

Zheng Xuan felt her heart tremble.

She was afraid that one day, Jiang Yu would achieve something so extraordinary that he would stand above everyone else—even Jiang Shaoqi, whom she had always idolized, would pale in comparison to such brilliance.

The conversation outside the KTV suite at Bihai Yuntian that night replayed vividly in her mind.

She could recall every word Jiang Yu had spoken, the pride and arrogance etched on his face.

Just as now, his expression mirrored that night’s—filled with a disdainful arrogance that held nothing in esteem.

With a single remark, he had left Xia Shenghui speechless, the entire crowd at a loss for words.

Zheng Xuan sensed that Jiang Shaoqi, standing beside her, had gone rigid. His sharp nails dug into his palm, yet he seemed unaware. That once-proud, handsome face had taken on a faintly twisted cast.

"Why is it that even Xia Ning, whom I must go out of my way to please, now stands so intimately beside Jiang Yu, calling him a friend? In what way is he better than me? In terms of talent or achievement, he cannot compare to anyone else here. Xia Ning, I am the true genius of the Jiang family—why would you lower yourself to befriend a failure?"

"Have your eyes never seen in me the qualities that far surpass Jiang Yu?"

The scene before him was the hardest blow of all to Jiang Shaoqi.

That overwhelming sense of superiority had, in an instant, been slashed apart by Jiang Yu, leaving him gasping for air.

Yet Jiang Yu’s face still bore that look of ‘so what?’—as if, to him, befriending Xia Ning was nothing remarkable.

Blood rushed to his head; Jiang Shaoqi, always proud of his excellence, bit down hard on his lip.

After a long pause, he let out a slow breath, forcing a humble smile as he turned to Xia Ning. "Miss Xia, this is my gift to you."

He could hardly be bothered to introduce the origin of the hairpin, tossing the jade ornament carelessly onto the pile of presents.

Then there was Jiang Ziyue.

She stood silently, her gaze fixed on Jiang Yu as if trying to strip away every secret he carried.

So—knowing Xia Ning, is that your real source of confidence?

Thinking back to Jiang Yu’s calm and dignified bearing when facing Xia Shenghui moments ago, Jiang Ziyue let slip a wry smile.

They had come to Xia Ning’s birthday banquet with the elders’ instructions, hoping to curry favor with her and strengthen ties with the Xia family for future connections.

Yet all of this, Jiang Yu had accomplished effortlessly.

No wonder he had said earlier that when he left, everyone would regret it.

It turned out he wasn’t boasting, but relying on his relationship with Xia Ning.

"Jiang Yu, I must look at you differently now. To make even the aloof Xia Ning lower her guard for your sake—that is a skill in itself."

A tumult of emotions churned within Jiang Ziyue—sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy all at once.

"Xia Ning, I hope you’ll investigate thoroughly before befriending Jiang Yu. Otherwise, I’m certain you’ll regret it," Zheng Xuan blurted out, her tone increasingly frantic and aggrieved.

Xia Ning gave a bemused smile. "Oh? And why is that?"

Zheng Xuan pointed at Jiang Yu. "He’s nothing more than an idle and unambitious scoundrel. In every competition, he is inferior to Jiang Shaoqi. Especially after the Jiang family abandoned him, even that status as a playboy was stripped away."

"Why should he be worthy of standing as your friend?"

"I refuse to accept it!"

Zheng Xuan, overcome with emotion, her eyes brimming with tears, stared stubbornly at Xia Ning.

Jiang Yu spoke, looking at Zheng Xuan. "So you’ve abandoned all pretense now? I told you more than once that if you married me, not only could I elevate your Zheng family in Jincheng, I could make you the next Li Hao of Jincheng with ease."

"I know you always claimed the Zheng family wronged me, but that was just a façade. In your hearts, you’ve looked down on my status, my lack of achievement and fame. But now, do you still think my accomplishments are any less than Jiang Shaoqi’s?"

A faint smile played on Jiang Yu’s lips; his tone was calm, without a hint of pride or emotion.

Accomplishments—a word heavy enough to crush his peers.

Xia Ning shook her head, suddenly feeling these scions of prominent families were like frogs at the bottom of a well.

It seemed they understood only a fraction of Jiang Yu.

What would their reaction be if they knew he was a master of formations, an alchemist, and a true luminary of his time?

"As his family, you know nothing of Jiang Yu. With such narrow vision, it’s only natural you missed out on him. In the future, the Jiang family will regret losing him for the rest of their days."

With that, Xia Ning fell silent.

The relationship between Jiang Yu and his kin was strained to the breaking point.

"Jiang Yu, I admit I underestimated you. I didn’t expect you to know Miss Xia Ning. I see now that your arrogance comes from having her as your trump card. But in this world, one must rely on oneself—connections are only an embellishment. Miss Xia Ning might help you once, but she won’t help you a second or third time."

"In the end, achievement depends on your own strength. Without this trump card of Miss Xia Ning, you’re still just a failure."

"In time, you’ll understand. She might help you a little, but it won’t change your fate."

With that, humiliation darkening his face, Jiang Shaoqi turned and left.

Jiang Ziyue and the others hurried after him.

Inside the private room, Jiang Yu turned away, saying nothing more.

Xia Ning, gazing at his back, sensed a hint of loneliness—no one, not even those closest to him, truly understood him.

The actions of his family had surely wounded this young prodigy deeply.

If there had been no hurt, Xia Ning knew, Jiang Yu would never have spoken so harshly to them.

Moments later, another group entered.

This entourage represented the pinnacle of Yun City’s elite.

Headed by Xia Qinghan, seven or eight people entered the suite.

Although the two branches of the Xia family competed openly and in secret, they had not yet come to open conflict. Xia Qinghan had accepted Xia Ning’s invitation.

On the surface, the sisters were cordial, but every word between them crackled with hidden tension.

As Xia Qinghan, cold and aloof, entered the room, her gaze immediately fell upon Jiang Yu, and she was momentarily taken aback.

So, her guess had been right—Jiang Yu, who had left, had now returned.

"It seems I was correct. For Jiang Yu to appear at such an occasion, he must have some trump card. And now I see, it’s his connection to Xia Ning."

Xia Qinghan took Xia Ning’s hand. "Happy birthday."

With that, she offered a thumb-sized sky pearl.

"This was given to my father years ago, when he traveled in Tibet and helped a living Buddha. In gratitude, the Buddha presented him with this sky pearl. My father said it’s a semi-artifact; wearing it over time calms the spirit, wards off evil, and can even make one feel more energetic."

Xia Ning, usually unmoved by even the most precious gifts, found her breath quickening at the sight of the luminous pearl.

A magical artifact!

She had heard from Young Master Shen Rong that such treasures were truly rare. A magical artifact could not only protect a home and bring fortune but also ward off illness and strengthen the body.

But magical artifacts were so scarce that even the greatest figures of the era coveted them.

Such items were usually beyond price.

At the Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, a single magical artifact had fetched over a billion.

"Thank you, Qinghan."

Clasping it, Xia Ning immediately felt a cool sensation.

Curious, Xia Qinghan addressed Jiang Yu for the first time. "You must be the dark horse who pushed me from first to second place in the recent exams?"

Jiang Yu had long heard her name. He nodded slightly. "Yes, that was me."

Xia Qinghan laughed lightly. "It seems you are Xia Ning’s friend. I’m rather curious—what kind of birthday gift have you prepared?"

At this, Xia Ning held her breath, her eyes fixed expectantly on Jiang Yu.

Knowing his true identity, she was all the more eager to see what a true master of the era would give.

The next instant, Jiang Yu smiled faintly. "I almost forgot."

He produced a string of ordinary-looking jade beads, simply threaded together—six in total, each a different color.

Anyone knowledgeable in jade would see that the string was worth, at most, a few hundred yuan.

Xia Qinghan shook her head, deeply disappointed.

It seemed the rumors were true; abandoned by the Jiang family, Jiang Yu was strapped for cash and could only afford such a modest gift.

He was just good at exams—after all, anyone could excel with effort.

"This strand is called the Six Auspicious Blessings. As for its effects, you’ll have to discover them yourself over time."

To everyone’s surprise, Xia Ning was overjoyed. Without a care for appearances, she snatched the beads from Jiang Yu and immediately wore them on her wrist, in the most prominent position. "I love it, thank you, Brother Jiang Yu…"

The last two words were drawn out tenderly.

They were peers in age; to call him Master Jiang would have sounded too formal. Seeing Jiang Yu unconcerned with titles, she changed it to Brother Jiang Yu instead, making their relationship feel closer.

Xia Qinghan smiled slightly, said nothing, and turned to leave.

A string of jade beads worth a few hundred yuan—if she wished, she could bring in a truckload.

But as soon as Xia Ning put them on, her body trembled.

In that instant, a surge of wild energy shot from the beads, flooding her limbs and organs.

It was like bathing in the spring breeze—her whole body felt indescribably refreshed.

"Brother Jiang Yu, these beads you gave me…"

Xia Ning asked softly.

Jiang Yu replied calmly, "This is a wearable magical artifact."