The villains are redeemed, and the heroines cry and beg for forgiveness.

It's shaped like a triangular crystal pyramid, about the size of a fist, and has a futuristic feel to it.

Ark Core!

Gu Ran recognized the item at a glance.

"Oh, you have this here too?" Xue Xiling said in surprise.

"Oh? Researcher Xue has seen similar triangular crystal pyramids elsewhere?" Cheng Caimeng immediately asked.

“I’ve seen this quite a few times. Gu Ran and I recently explored the ruins outside Canglong City, and there was a similar device inside. It looked very beautiful. My dad also sometimes stares at such devices in a daze, I don’t know what he’s thinking. He doesn’t even respond when I call him.”

Xue Xiling didn't hide anything and directly told everyone she knew.

Does Xue Yingsong often stare blankly at such a device?

Did he originally also have an "Ark Core"?

I've never heard him mention it.

It seems I haven't seen him take it out to study it.

Gu Ran carefully recalled the days she spent with Xue Yingsong and felt somewhat puzzled.

“Principal Xue? If it is him, although it is somewhat unexpected, it is reasonable for him to obtain an ‘Ark Core’ given his status.”

Cheng Caimeng shook her head, seemingly quite regretful.

“Gu Ran, although I want to give you that sword, you must also pass a test.” Cheng Caimeng turned to look at Gu Ran.

"A test? What kind of test?" Gu Ran's interest was piqued.

264. The reason for Cheng Youmeng and Gu Ran's falling out! Test complete! 4k

"Yes, a test, but the test is actually quite simple."

"However, this is not a test I set for you, but a test that comes with the ruins themselves. If you are truly the one that the sword is waiting for, then passing the test should be very easy."

Cheng Caimeng said earnestly.

Then, she glanced at Xue Xiling and apologized to her: "What follows is confidential information belonging to our Ni Yuan Martial Arts Academy that Researcher Xue cannot see. So I will separate you into a small, private space."

Gu Ran felt a sudden unease; he had a feeling that Cheng Caimeng had other intentions in separating him and Xue Xiling.

Moreover, he thought Cheng Caimeng was very smart. He knew Xue Xiling's position in his heart and it was impossible for him to abandon Xue Xiling's safety and spend time alone with her.

Therefore, I did not previously request to spend time alone with him, thus separating Xue Xiling to one side.

Once inside the ruins, where the danger from the alien species was temporarily eliminated and she had a greater control over the environment, she made this request.

Cheng Caimeng was decisive. After speaking, she immediately waved her hand, separating Xue Xiling into another independent space.

Looking at Cheng Caimeng's expression, Gu Ran changed his mind. He knew that Cheng Caimeng must have something important to tell him, and it wasn't about romantic feelings.

Based on his understanding of her, he could tell.

As expected, after Cheng Caimeng impatiently separated Xue Xiling, she didn't talk about anything related to herself.

Gu Ran was stunned when he heard what Cheng Caimeng said. His pupils contracted and a look of doubt and disbelief flashed in his eyes as he looked at her.

Because what Cheng Caimeng said was...

"Beware of the snow-covered pine!"

"Why do you say that? What happened to Principal Xue?" Gu Ran asked, frowning.

......

Outside the light screen.

Cheng Caimeng's words surprised everyone.

Xue Xiling, in particular, stared at the screen in disbelief.

Beware of snow-covered pines?

If it's not just a coincidence of names, it must refer to her father, right?

Why should we be wary of her father?

"Beware of the old headmaster? What happened to the old headmaster?"

Everyone else was also incredibly surprised.

"Could there really be a hidden story behind Gu Ran killing the old principal?"

"That can't be, how could the old headmaster..."

The powerful figures of Canglong City found it even more hard to believe.

“How could the old principal be a bad person? He has always worked diligently and devoted all his efforts to Canglong City and Lanxin University, and everyone can see that. How can you have such negative suspicions about the old principal based on just one side of the story?”

Someone stood up and rebuked them.

Xue Yingsong's prestige in Canglong City is unparalleled. Even after so many years, people still remember his kindness.

The words of the strongman who stepped forward quickly gained the approval of the others.

Yes, how could they develop negative suspicions about the old principal based on only one side of the story, and assume that he had done something wrong?

Moreover, this one-sided account is based on Gu Ran's memory.

Xue Xiling's expression changed slightly.

Memories from that time came flooding back.

Gu Ran's memory of this part was not much different from the memories in her mind. The only difference was that she did not know about the conversation between Cheng Caimeng and Gu Ran after she was separated from Cheng Caimeng.

Her eyes were fixed on the screen, not wanting to miss a single thing.

......

In the light screen.

Gu Ran now understood why Cheng Caimeng had sent Xue Xiling away, and also why Cheng Caimeng's expression had changed slightly when she saw Xue Xiling.

"Reason?" Gu Ran's gaze remained fixed on Cheng Caimeng, his tone indifferent, making it impossible to tell whether he believed her or not.

He certainly couldn't just listen to Cheng Caimeng's side of the story and believe everything she said.

Moreover, he carefully recalled all the moments he had spent with Xue Yingsong, but could not find any reason why he needed to be careful or wary of Xue Yingsong.

Cheng Caimeng's expression remained serious and earnest: "You know I have the ability to foresee the future. The reason I reminded you to be careful of Xue Yingsong is because I foresaw you fighting him covered in blood, and Xue Yingsong has countless huge tentacles behind him."

"When I foresaw this scene, I found it hard to believe, and even thought that my ability was wrong. But the scene was so shocking, so unforgettable, and so real that I finally believed in this 'foresight'. And... I'd rather believe it than not."

"Gu Ran... I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Cough cough..."

Suddenly, Cheng Caimeng coughed, and she quickly turned her head away so that Gu Ran wouldn't see her.

Gu Ran grasped Cheng Caimeng's wrist, feeling her pulse.

At the same time, a wisp of mental energy mixed with spiritual energy entered her body.

If he still had spiritual energy in his body, there would be no need for such trouble. He could simply infuse a trace of spiritual energy into her body to conduct the examination—provided, of course, that she does not resist and does not dissipate that trace of spiritual energy within her body.

However, it's a bit more troublesome now, as it requires the resonance of mental power and spiritual energy to manipulate the spiritual energy and enter Cheng Caimeng's body as one's own spiritual power.

The advantage is that even if Cheng Caimeng resists and dissolves the trace of spiritual energy in her body, his mental power still enters her body and can still probe her. And mental power is a power that Cheng Caimeng cannot dissolve.

Sure enough, after Cheng Caimeng sensed the trace of spiritual energy from Gu Ran within her body, she seemed to want Gu Ran to explore the secrets of her body and immediately dissipated.

But once Gu Ran's mental power entered her body, it was too late no matter what she did.

"Why is your body so weak? All your internal organs are failing, as if you're rapidly aging and weakening..."

Gu Ran asked, frowning.

"Why are you still able to examine my body?" Cheng Caimeng was somewhat surprised, and at the same time, a little embarrassed and annoyed.

Although this kind of exploration was different from that kind of exploration, she still felt as if Gu Ran had seen her body naked.

Gu Ran did not answer the question.

He hadn't thought much about it at first, but when he sensed Cheng Caimeng's embarrassment, he couldn't help but feel a little awkward himself.

"Ahem, answer my question," Gu Ran said seriously, without revealing his embarrassment.

"Then answer my question first." Cheng Caimeng had regained her composure by now. Since things had come to this, so be it. She wasn't the kind of girl who was only shy.

Looking at the calm Cheng Caimeng, Gu Ran felt that she didn't actually want to know the answer that much; she just wanted to avoid asking questions and not answer his questions.

“This is my special power, just like your ability to ‘foresee’—this must be a side effect of your ability.”

Gu Ran suddenly thought of Cheng Caimeng's "predictive" ability.

If Cheng Caimeng truly foresaw the future, it would be tantamount to "peeping into the secrets of heaven," and it would be quite normal for her lifespan to be shortened.

Moreover, Cheng Caimeng's most serious physical condition is indeed aging.

A hint of panic flashed across Cheng Caimeng's face, but she quickly concealed it.

However, Gu Ran, who had been watching Cheng Caimeng closely, still noticed the change in Cheng Caimeng's expression.

It seems to be a consequence of "predicting the future".