A Comprehensive Network: An Endless Adventure Begins as a Wanderer

Chapter 99 A Gradually Changing World and the Final Formation of the Shadow Contract

Bai Qiu leaned against the window of the high-speed train, watching the scenery flash by outside.

Qin Yu was fast asleep, leaning on her shoulder.

Bai Qiu glanced at her helplessly, but did not push her away.

Qin Yu is probably the only person in the world who can lean on her like this to sleep without making her angry.

Perhaps it's because this guy is completely immune to her charm.

This, on the contrary, gave Bai Qiu a sense of security and acceptance she had never felt before.

Bai Qiu had once asked her about it out of curiosity, and Qin Yu had thought about it seriously.

"Maybe I have face blindness, but to me you look no different from a cabbage on the roadside."

Bai Qiu was so angry that she chased her for half the playground.

The scenery outside the window changed at a slower pace as the high-speed train slowly pulled into Yunzhou Station.

Qin Yu was awakened by the station announcement and groggily looked up.

"arrive?"

"Um."

The high-speed train pulled into the station, and the two of them got off the train, dragging their suitcases.

The air in Yunzhou is much more humid than in Yancheng; as soon as I stepped off the train, I felt a thin layer of moisture on my face.

The guesthouse they booked was near the old town.

It was an old courtyard in the Bai ethnic style, with a huge bougainvillea planted in the courtyard. Its purple flowers covered the entire wall, like a waterfall cascading down from the second floor.

The owner was a Bai woman in her forties, with two dimples when she smiled and a soft, gentle voice.

She led the two through a narrow alley paved with bluestone slabs, where rows of orchids were planted on both sides, creating a beautiful sight.

"These orchids are growing so well."

Bai Qiu sighed.

The shopkeeper glanced back and chuckled, "There's been so much rain this year, everything's growing like crazy. The peach tree the old lady next door planted was only as tall as a person last year, but this year it's already reached the second floor!"

Bai Qiu nodded without giving it much thought.

After putting down their luggage, the two went out to explore the ancient city.

The streets of the ancient city were crowded with tourists, and vendors selling flower cakes, silverware, and tie-dye fabrics called out their wares one after another.

Bai Qiu wore a sun hat with the brim pulled low.

Qin Yu walked beside her, holding a roasted milk fan in her hand, making a crunching sound as she bit into it.

"Seriously," Qin Yu mumbled, stuffing the last bite into her mouth, "Ah Qiu, haven't you noticed that things seem a little different lately?"

Bai Qiu turned her head to look at her.

"What's different?"

I can't quite explain it.

Qin Yu frowned.

"It's just that something feels off. But I can't quite put my finger on it."

Bai Qiu remained silent for a moment, then looked down at his forearm.

Ever since that night when she had a fit of chuunibyou and made a wish, this mark, which only she could see, appeared on the inside of her forearm.

Connecting the beginning and end, they form a symbol that is difficult to define.

Bai Qiu was nervous for several days at first, and she was also looking forward to something extraordinary happening.

For example, she might suddenly awaken supernatural abilities, or the mark might actually be a system, or one day a white-bearded old man might appear before her—

At the very least, being transported to some infinite space would be fine too—

Bai Qiu often muttered these words to herself.

However, there was nothing there.

The sun rises as usual, and everything continues to function as normal.

But occasionally, in the dead of night, she would still feel that mark emanating an invisible coolness.

That feeling made her realize that the world wasn't so boring after all.

As evening fell, the two sat down at a small tavern by Erhai Lake.

The tavern was small, with wooden tables and chairs worn smooth by time, and several faded paintings depicting Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake hanging on the walls.

The wind blows across Erhai Lake, and the setting sun dyes the lake surface orange-red, reflecting the distant Cangshan Mountain like a dark silhouette.

"It's really beautiful," Bai Qiu said.

Qin Yu hummed in agreement and lowered her head to organize the photos she had taken during the day.

Bai Qiu ignored her and leaned on the railing, watching the shimmering spots on the lake gradually darken.

Perhaps, this is for the best?

In the dim sunset and gentle breeze, Bai Qiu's mood gradually calmed down.

I am still young and have plenty of time to explore, wondering if that extraordinary thing exists in this world.

As for now?

Why not savor the tranquility of this twilight?

However, at that moment, Qin Yu suddenly lifted her head from her phone.

She grabbed Bai Qiu's hand, her face showing confusion and wariness.

"Ah Qiu, it looks like something's coming—"

Before the words were finished, a young man in black who looked ordinary walked into the tavern.

He was holding an ancient thread-bound book in his hand. The moment he entered the room, the young man's eyes fell on Bai Qiu and Qin Yu.

A hint of surprise immediately arose.

Just as Qin Yu was about to say something more, she suddenly realized that the faint sense of danger she had felt earlier had vanished without a trace.

She scratched her head in confusion.

The young man walked straight to the table where the two were sitting, carefully considered his form of address, and then slowly spoke to Bai Qiu.

"I wonder if you have time right now, Bai? There's something I need to discuss with you privately—"

Qin Yu subconsciously felt something was wrong, but the next moment she heard her friend's excited reply.

"Of course I have time!"

Qin Yu turned her head and saw Bai Qiu breathing rapidly, staring intently at the ancient book in the young man's hand.

The cover of the ancient book was marked with ink streaks, connected end to end, forming a subtle symbol.

Although Cheng Yi used the Shadow Realm to travel quickly, he only took half a day to get from Yan City to Yunzhou.

But he originally didn't want it to be so complicated—

His original plan was to wait for the contracted person to return to Yancheng from Yunzhou before making any further plans.

But unconsciously, Cheng Yi felt a kind of urging from the depths of his being.

Dimensional awareness.

Although it is unclear why the dimensional consciousness wanted to promote the awakening of the Shadow Contract, the dimensional consciousness did not seem to have any ill intentions towards Cheng Yi along the way.

From the nameless sword mound at the beginning, to the later guidance that led him to discover the Shadow Demon Realm and the inheritance of the Dark Path, Cheng Yi was able to reach Yunzhou through the Shadow Realm.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, he even used disguise techniques to give himself a different face.

However, he was still quite surprised when he saw Bai Qiu.

Although it was unexpected, it was also reasonable.

After all, Bai Qiu might just be the most exceptionally talented person in Yan City.

And these extraordinary individuals seem to be attracted to one another?

Cheng Yi led Bai Qiu out of the tavern, glancing back at Qin Yu, who was still confused.

Although he didn't conceal his presence much in the prime material plane, his opponent could still sense him slightly in advance.

I fear her perception attribute is also quite high—

Cheng Yi stopped in a secluded spot and turned to look at Bai Qiu.

"The remnants of the Dark Path have granted you the Covenant of Shadows."

Bai Qiu raised her hand, revealing the mark on her arm.

"This is... a shadow contract?"

"Also, what is the Upper Dark Path?"

"Sorry, I got a little too excited—"

"A transcendent sect before the end of Dharma, its lineage was severed after the end of Dharma."

Cheng Yi looked at her.

"The Shadow Pact is a contract between the Dark Path and the Shadow Realm. Once the pact is formed, you can use the power of the shadows to cultivate—"

Why did it choose me?

"Two reasons."

"First, you are very talented, with an innate extraordinary charm; second, —"

He paused.

"The Shadow Realm thinks you are very sincere."

Bai Qiu fell silent.

She recalled that sleepless night, and the childish, immature, and resentful wishes she made to the ceiling.

She thought no one heard her—

"What do I need to do?"

She asked.

"Answer me one question first."

Cheng Yi raised his hand to signal Bai Qiu to calm down.

"Once you sign the Shadow Contract, you'll no longer be an ordinary person. This world is more complex than you imagine, and the Shadow Realm isn't all friendly—are you sure you want to go down this path?"

Bai Qiu hardly hesitated.

"I've waited for this moment for far too long."

Cheng Yi looked at her for a few seconds and nodded.

He opened the list and handed it to her.

The words on the yellowed page were shrouded in a dark shadow.

"In Yan, the Bai family, the Shadow Contract remains unawakened, awaiting the one with the right destiny to activate it."

"With your blood."

Cheng Yi's voice came from the side.

Bai Qiu paused for a moment, then without hesitation, she lowered her head and bit her index finger until it bled.

The moment the blood bead gushed out, it flew into the ancient book that was waiting.

Blood seeped into the paper, slowly outlining the two characters "Bai Qiu" on it.

Bai Qiu felt a chilling aura suddenly emanating from the mark on his arm.

She looked down and saw that the mark had transformed into flowing shadows that had entered her body.

The shadow climbed up her veins, across her shoulders, over her heart, and finally into the depths of her consciousness.

A deep voice resounded from the depths of the soul, as if from ancient times.

"The contract has been formed—"

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