DD Black White [274-275] (Patreon)

Chapter 274: Songque

"Ah, I'm not blaming you. Why so serious?"

Qingque couldn't help rolling her eyes, thinking this Saint is far too earnest—but she didn't dislike Jeanne's personality.

"Then, Wu Feng, you should head back first."

Ning Tian turned to Wu Feng at her side. After all, she wasn't a Master and indeed wasn't qualified to attend this meeting.

"Okay!"

Wu Feng nodded lightly. However, as she turned to leave, her slightly hostile gaze swept over Jeanne, making Jeanne show a distressed expression at once.

"Am I being disliked?"

Watching Wu Feng's departing back, Jeanne was full of confusion and distress, unable to figure out how she had offended her.

"Don't mind it, Jeanne. Sister Feng is just—let me apologize on her behalf."

Ning Tian certainly knew what Wu Feng was thinking and felt rather helpless.

Most likely Wu Feng felt that Jeanne's arrival had stolen away the time she could spend with Ning Tian.

After all, since summoning Jeanne, Ning Tian had spent clearly more time with Jeanne than with Wu Feng.

"It's fine. Miss Wu Feng bears no real malice. Perhaps I've done something wrong as well."

Jeanne gently shook her head. Kind by nature, even if she was disliked, she first searched for the reason in herself.

"So this is a Saint! That's too healing!"

Qingque smacked her tongue in amazement. Jeanne's gentle kindness made one want to surrender to it.

For Wu Feng to dislike such a Jeanne only showed how deep her obsession with Ning Tian was.

…

At Shrek Academy, within the Sea God Pavilion, Xuan Zi, Yan Shaozhe, and many elder councilors who had reached the Title Douluo level had long been waiting.

Their expressions were somewhat grave. In their eyes mingled relief at the academy's emergence of many Masters and also worry about the unknown situation.

After all, they had already witnessed firsthand the overwhelming power of the Servants—none of them was ordinary. Even the seemingly most mediocre, Qingque, they dared not take lightly.

The reason was mainly because Qingque knew the one summoned by Bei Bei—The Divine Foresight, Jing Yuan.

Jing Yuan's strength was jaw-dropping; he easily crushed Xuan Zi.

And Qingque and Jing Yuan came from the same place. On that basis alone, no matter how low-key or mediocre Qingque acted, the academy never slackened in cultivating Xiao Xiao; all kinds of cultivation resources were still provided lavishly.

"Jing Yuan, please take the seat of honor!" Yan Shaozhe spotted Jing Yuan, who had arrived with Bei Bei.

Jing Yuan, white-haired and golden-eyed, bore a lazy air; the teardrop mole at his eye added a unique charm.

Yan Shaozhe hastened to gesture respectfully, inviting Jing Yuan to the chief seat.

"Dean Yan, there's no need to be so polite."

A faint smile touched Jing Yuan's lips. Though modest, he didn't refuse Yan Shaozhe's goodwill and sat down without hesitation.

He was accustomed to holding the initiative; even in this unfamiliar world, he wasn't willing to be passive.

Even Xuan Zi showed him sufficient respect.

After all, Jing Yuan was not only extraordinarily strong but also a Servant on Shrek Academy's side—a massive thigh to cling to; how could they not?

Once seated, Jing Yuan slowly closed his eyes to rest, quietly waiting for other Servants and Masters to arrive.

Yet his mind never stopped, rapidly parsing all known intel.

Holy Grail War, otherworld, Simulated Universe, Lady Herta, Snow Moon Douluo, Robin, Haiyuan City, and Lu Jingming—these threads wove through his thoughts; some familiar, some utterly foreign.

After sorting, Jing Yuan had broadly outlined the situation.

However, he didn't intend to share his analysis with Shrek Academy; to him, it wasn't necessary.

This wasn't the Xianzhou Luofu he knew, and he wasn't here in the flesh.

He would lend Bei Bei, the one who summoned him, his strength to contend for the Holy Grail; anything beyond that was outside his concern.

After all, this world seemed to hide many acquaintances from his memories.

If it was as he suspected—that his teacher and Lady Herta were present—then this was no ordinary matter.

And he was only a fragment of memory, far weaker than his true self.

So even if he had guessed at some unusual truths, he had no intention of voicing them.

"Teacher!"

At that moment, He Caitou entered the Pavilion with a Servant.

This Servant had white hair and red eyes, clad in golden armor, tall and lean, radiating divine brilliance like a descended deity.

He Caitou saluted his teacher, Fan Yu—who had recently broken through to Title Douluo and joined the Pavilion.

"You're here. Sit first." Fan Yu smiled at his favored disciple, but the thought of his other disciple made the smile fade.

Ordinarily, given the status of He Caitou and the others in the academy, they weren't qualified to sit in the Sea God Pavilion.

But the situation was special. As Masters with extremely powerful Servants, the once lofty Title Douluo elders were, in front of these Servants, insignificant—small characters who could be killed with a flick.

Take He Caitou's Servant—Karna.

Son of the Sun God, with the Unfading Armor and the God-Slaying Spear—both offense and defense at their pinnacle.

His flames, as hot as the sun, made it hard for ordinary Title Douluo even to get close.

Before such a Karna, even Xuan Zi would be courting death.

In today's Shrek Academy, the elders' say carried much less weight before these powerful Servants.

Bei Bei and the others were still relatively obedient, but Servants varied.

Karna was loyal and upright, willing to follow He Caitou's orders. But someone like Jing Yuan—so strong—was entirely beyond Bei Bei's control; rather, Bei Bei was under Jing Yuan's thumb.

Shrek Academy's current policies—forming a soul master army, fully developing soul tools—were actually spearheaded by Jing Yuan behind the scenes.

Otherwise, given the elders' historically conservative style, they wouldn't act drastically unless absolutely necessary.

After He Caitou, Xiao Xiao and Ning Tian arrived with Qingque and Jeanne, respectively.

Soon after, Jiang Nannan hurried back from Shrek City's Jade Chamber, bringing her Servant into the Sea God Pavilion.

"Whoa, such a grand lineup. Let's be clear: I'm just a merchant. If you want me to fight, that'll cost extra!"

Jiang Nannan's Servant, seeing the setup, immediately put on a mercenary face.

She had dazzling blonde hair, wore a dark-green formal dress, and black sunglasses, exuding a swindler-fortune-teller vibe that made the elders' cheeks twitch.

"Of course, Miss Songque won't be left out—right, Dean Yan?"

Jing Yuan slowly opened his eyes, looking at the girl who introduced herself as Songque.

"Indeed. As long as Shrek Academy has it, Miss Songque can have it."

Yan Shaozhe smiled confidently.

Shrek's foundation was deep and its coffers vast. Meeting Songque's demands wouldn't be difficult.

Other Servants weren't like Songque—self-styled merchants with an eye for money.

"Great. I'm a woman of principle—take the money, dispel the disaster!"

Songque struck a righteous pose. Jiang Nannan, who knew her, couldn't help a twitch at the corner of her mouth.

When the real fighting started, Songque would likely run the fastest—what principle?

And who here couldn't see through her?

At least the seasoned elders of the Pavilion wore blank faces; clearly, no one believed her spiel.

"I'm not late, am I?"

As people nursed their thoughts, Xu Sanshi sauntered in with a folding fan.

Beside him was a blue-haired youth in a blue bodysuit, a blood-red spear on his shoulder—his Servant, Ireland's Child of Light, Cu Chulainn.

"Yo, this lineup—finally time to throw down. Fishing is chill and all, but without fights my hands get rusty."

Cu Chulainn shouted excitedly as he entered.

For him, fishing was pleasant, but battle was essential. He was itching to fight.

"Rest assured, Mr. Cu Chulainn. There will be ample chances for you to shine."

Yan Shaozhe, who usually handled the Servants' needs, knew them best besides the Masters.

He knew Cu Chulainn was easy to get along with—provided you weren't his enemy.

As an ally, the self-styled Lancer was very reliable.

Be it fighting, charging, scouting, or wit and capability—Cu Chulainn excelled.

He also had wondrous magecraft—an extremely dependable Servant.

"That's exciting! Crossing spears with heroes from different worlds—gets the blood pumping!"

A slightly feral grin curled Cu Chulainn's lips—his fighting spirit at its peak.

Though this Holy Grail War differed greatly from the usual, and he sensed a certain déjà vu—as if the mastermind didn't even bother to hide—he didn't care.

The benefits of the Grail didn't interest him. What he craved were fights against heroes from many worlds.

Within their own camp alone, there were three he particularly valued.

At the top sat the The Divine Foresight, Jing Yuan. At first glance, a scholar-general—but his warrior's intuition insisted Jing Yuan was far more than he seemed—likely very good at fighting.

Then there was the demigod hero like himself—the Sun God's son, Karna.

In Cu Chulainn's eyes, Karna was a thrillingly strong opponent—just the thought of fighting him excited him.

And then the yet-to-arrive dragonslayer. The others were extraordinary as well—rare heroes and champions.

But he most wanted to face those three.

Unfortunately, as comrades, he wouldn't provoke his own, no matter how itchy his hands got.

Even if he joined the War not for the Grail but for a good brawl, he had rules; he was Lawful.

Speak of the devil…

No sooner had Cu Chulainn thought of the dragonslayer than the man arrived with his Master.

Dai Huabin entered with a tall warrior—silver hair, green eyes, clad in pitch-black heavy armor, brown skin, and a powerful aura—the dragonslayer Siegfried.

"Elder Xuan, Dean Yan." Dai Huabin saluted the elders and then took a seat in a secluded corner with his Servant.

Clearly, Dai Huabin didn't get along with Bei Bei and the others. Though in the same camp, he had no intention of mingling.

Siegfried was taciturn, following silently as if nothing concerned him.

"Infuriating. How did he become a Master—let alone draw such a strong Servant?"

Xiao Xiao pouted, grumbling under her breath as she watched Dai Huabin.

He was notoriously obnoxious at the academy. Since becoming a Master, he'd grown arrogant in the inner court; not only did inner court disciples avoid him, even many teachers were wary.

Siegfried wasn't someone to provoke, and he followed Dai Huabin's orders closely, rarely refusing.

"Xiao Xiao, let it go. He's our companion after all, and he hasn't done anything truly heinous."

Ning Tian hushed her softly.

She knew Dai Huabin, though brash, hadn't crossed the academy's bottom line.

Xiao Xiao knew infighting was bad—but thinking of his past antics still riled her.

"Has anyone seen my Servant? That brat ambushed me and knocked me out—then ran off who knows where!"

Just then, Ma Xiaotao, in bright red, rushed into the Pavilion.

She was clutching her forehead, face pained and furious.

"Xiaotao, calm down—this is the Sea God Pavilion!"

Yan Shaozhe, seeing his disciple about to blow up, quickly soothed her.

"Teacher, that damn brat—I've had it with her. Is she really my Servant?"

Ma Xiaotao was aggrieved. Since summoning that mischievous, sadistic Servant, she hadn't had a day of peace.

Chapter 275: The Masked Fool, Sparkle

"Sis Xiaotao, don't fret. She shouldn't leave the academy. Can you sense her position with your Command Seals?"

Bei Bei quickly tried to comfort her.

That Servant was truly a headache. Not only Ma Xiaotao—many had suffered at her hands.

Last time, Elder Xuan's treasured liquor was swapped with some animal's urine—he picked it up to drink, and exploded on the spot.

Afterwards, Elder Xuan insisted he'd smelled something off and hadn't drunk it, but his near-insane outburst then made that hard to believe.

Still, to preserve his dignity, everyone tacitly chose to believe he hadn't drunk it.

Another victim was Zhou Yi, an outer court teacher.

Disguised as a young, beautiful Zhou Yi, that mischievous Servant kissed a male outer court student on the street. The story exploded across Shrek's rumor mill.

Fan Yu had to step in—thinking he'd been cuckolded, he nearly pulled out an eighth-grade fixed soul tool shell to obliterate the pair.

In the end, with Han Ruoruo and her Servant's help—and Ma Xiaotao's explanation—the truth was cleared.

The culprit had a cloning ability. Both the real Zhou Yi and the male student were her—one-man show from start to finish.

The farce nearly ruined Zhou Yi and Fan Yu's relationship and almost got Shrek bombed by an eighth-grade shell.

Her behavior was atrocious; she treated most of Shrek as playthings.

Unfortunately, though many suffered, no one could retaliate—she was too powerful.

What's more, despite the chaos, the damage was temporary—bear it and it passed.

And she never targeted the same person twice—always seeking new victims, impossible to guard against.

"There's nothing I can do—her ability's too bizarre. I can't find a trace!"

Ma Xiaotao grimaced, glancing at her Command Seals with disdain—useless.

Normally, the Master-Servant bond would let her lock onto her Servant via the Seals.

But somehow the other side had completely blocked the sense, as if vanishing.

"Don't panic. This isn't the first time. Once she's had her fun, she'll show herself."

Yan Shaozhe's headache worsened.

As the one managing Servant affairs, he'd cleaned up after this troublemaker countless times.

It couldn't be helped—he was responsible, and she was Ma Xiaotao's Servant, which made it closer to home.

"Has anyone seen my Servant? She ambushed me—the little brat! I won't forgive her!"

A familiar voice sounded from outside.

Another Ma Xiaotao in red strode in, also holding her forehead, equally vexed and angry.

Behind this Ma Xiaotao were Han Ruoruo and a figure exuding nobility, grace, and divinity.

A woman with golden hair like strands of sunlight.

She wore white-and-gold finery whose fabric seemed to glow softly; every cut and ornament radiated luxury.

Her skin was like flawless marble, delicate and warm.

Her cyan pupils had no highlights, as if blind, yet they carried a mysterious aura.

On her head was a circlet woven from olive leaves and blossoms—an emblem of an ancient goddess.

A metallic necklace at her throat combined geometric patterns and nature's motifs.

Fine patterned bracelets adorned her wrists; gold threads and petals wound her arms—elegant and splendid.

A loose draping gown, cinched with a metal belt and white sash, flattered her waistline.

Black leather and laurel leaves formed her leg rings.

She wore heeled sandals; straps on either side wound with shells and olive leaves up ankle and calf—melding sea and forest.

Rings adorned her fingers; even her toenails gleamed gold—she was the very image of a sacred, luxurious goddess.

Aglaea, the Weaver of Gold—Han Ruoruo's summoned Servant.

Aglaea also had outstanding leadership, but Jing Yuan shone too brightly, and she herself had no desire to vie for control, so the mantle of leadership at Shrek fell to Jing Yuan.

The newly arrived Ma Xiaotao angrily complained, then noticed everyone staring oddly.

Following their gaze, she saw the other Ma Xiaotao staring back in shock.

Han Ruoruo twitched at the sight of two identical Ma Xiaotaos and looked helplessly at Aglaea. "Aglaea, can you tell which is real?"

"No. Her ability is quite similar to a friend of mine's—bizarre and mercurial—very hard to judge truth from falsehood."

Aglaea gently shook her head, serene as ever—untouched by worldly clamor.

"Sorry, Xiaotao—I can't help," Han Ruoruo said, stepping back from both Ma Xiaotaos.

She knew Ma Xiaotao too well—this wouldn't end with words. Best to keep distance.

"You little brat, I've put up with you long enough. Today I'll burn your feathers!"

"You little brat, I've put up with you long enough. Today I'll burn your feathers!"

Both Ma Xiaotaos barked in unison, phoenix fire erupting around them.

The extreme heat twisted the air; even space seemed to groan.

The two Ma Xiaotaos not only had the same Phoenix martial soul, the same ultimate fire; their Stigmatas and soul rings were identical.

From personality to appearance to abilities—they were cast from the same mold.

Seeing the identical pair, Yan Shaozhe was dumbfounded.

He'd watched Ma Xiaotao grow up—knew her best—yet even he couldn't tell.

Xuan Zi was so shocked he spat out his wine.

He knew the mischievous Servant could change appearances, but never imagined she could mimic abilities so perfectly—practically broken.

If she could mimic martial souls and soul rings—and with masterful acting—she could become anyone at will.

Like now, her Ma Xiaotao was flawless—the hot temper, the reactions—copy-paste, without a flaw.

"Xiaotao, calm down. Don't fight!" Cai Meier urged anxiously.

This was the Sea God Pavilion—if they fought, the Golden Tree could be affected; consequences unthinkable.

Cai Meier had raised Ma Xiaotao like her own; she mattered like a daughter.

So even furious, Ma Xiaotao forced herself to hold back at Cai Meier's plea.

She also knew she wasn't a match for that hateful Servant.

"Miss Jeanne!"

Cai Meier looked to Jeanne, full of hope—hoping her Revelation could distinguish the real Ma Xiaotao and end the farce.

"Sorry." After struggling, Jeanne helplessly shook her head.

Revelation did not answer at will; at least now, it gave no response.

It might also be that the opponent's bizarre transformation was too powerful—even Jeanne's Revelation was deceived.

Not only that—her True Name appraisal failed as well—clearly the other side had prepared.

Seeing even Jeanne stymied, Yan Shaozhe and the others grew more distressed.

Finally, Yan Shaozhe could only plead, "Miss Sparkle, please stop. We're begging you."

"Beg her? I'll fight her!"

"Beg her? I'll fight her!"

Both Ma Xiaotaos roared again in unison, eyes blazing, glaring murderously—about to pounce.

"Pfft." Qingque almost laughed aloud at the theatrical scene.

She then stole a glance at the first Ma Xiaotao who had entered.

"Yo, little Qingque—did you figure something out?" Sunglasses-toting Songque sidled up to her.

Perhaps because their names were similar, they got along well.

One was a swindler who loved fortune-telling; the other a genuine diviner—pairing them wasn't odd.

"I didn't—I haven't—don't talk nonsense!" Qingque was startled into a triple denial.

Joking aside—whether she had figured it out or not—she would never say it.

With the Masked Fool's personality, if she took notice of you, your leisurely days were over.

Qingque kept her distance from such trouble.

Even if she'd spotted some clue, she wouldn't admit it—no need to invite the Fool's attention and become a plaything.

"What a grand farce."

Cu Chulainn scratched his head, helpless. He couldn't understand those who lived for mischief; their minds ran on a different track.

"Miss Sparkle, please, enough. We're all comrades; this is rude."

Jeanne couldn't bear it anymore and stepped in to advise.

Clearly, Sparkle had no intention of listening—still immersed in her performance, having a blast.

She was savoring the farce; Ma Xiaotao's every reaction lay in her palm—tremendously fun.

"Jing Yuan!"

Bei Bei looked to Jing Yuan.

In his heart, if anyone could pierce Sparkle's disguise, it was Jing Yuan.

Jing Yuan still sat with eyes closed, as if the outside world didn't exist.

In truth, he could see through it—but he knew the Masked Fool was trouble.

He didn't want to interrupt her fun—too much hassle.

He'd rather wait until she'd had enough; then it would end naturally.

In his view, these were harmless pranks—within his tolerance.

"Karna!"

Seeing Jing Yuan unresponsive, He Caitou couldn't hold back.

Though he feared being pranked by Sparkle, thinking of how she'd toyed with his teacher Fan Yu and Zhou Yi made him want to vent their grievance.

"Fool, your mischief should end here."

At his Master's request, Karna raised his golden spear, its tip pointing at the first Ma Xiaotao who had come in.

"Discernment of the Poor"—one of Karna's abilities—let him pierce appearances, seeing one's essence and the lies behind words.

Sparkle's disguise was superb—seamless, indistinguishable from the real Ma Xiaotao—but before Karna's essence-sight, it was nowhere to hide.

Karna had already seen the dangerous traces in Sparkle's nature—but also that she wasn't truly evil.

So though he'd seen through her earlier, he'd kept silent.

But now that his Master asked, he wouldn't refuse.

As his spear indicated, all eyes turned to the first Ma Xiaotao.

Previously, most had assumed the second was fake—no one expected the first.

"Oh my, you saw through it. Little Sun, your ability is really annoying!"

With a dreamy shimmer, the first Ma Xiaotao's figure dissolved, revealing a petite, cute girl.

She wore lively black twin-tails and a bright red kimono whose fine patterns swayed with her movements.

Her light pink eyes were like spring cherry blossoms; the fox-shaped mask on her forehead lent mystery—the emblem of her identity: the Masked Fool, Sparkle.

"Little Hot-Chicken, don't be so mad—I was just teasing!"

Sparkle tilted her head playfully, nimbly dodging a meteor-like fireball, then smiled at Ma Xiaotao, who was wreathed in flames—mischief in her grin.

"Damn it! How many times have I said it—I'm a Phoenix, not a chicken!"

Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth. Other Masters and Servants got along well; she and her Servant were at daggers drawn—short of mutual destruction.

"It's all the same. Don't be so hung up."

Sparkle waved it off, as if Phoenix and chicken were no different.

She then turned to Karna and He Caitou, smiling with a tinge of malice. "Little Sun, and you, Charcoal-Head—remember this: Lady Sparkle holds grudges."

"Oh, and Little Saint!"

With that, Sparkle skipped over to Jeanne like a happy bunny, the bells on her chiming a bright, pleasant tune—as if playing her own melody.