The Mighty Mage
Chapter 221: 90% Probability

Chapter 221: Chapter 221: 90% Probability

Nan Bei seeing that her words were having some effect was excited and continued,

"If you help them, you’re not just helping to save Gu Jin. You’re helping to disrespect and undermine Gu Aihan!

And mark my words, the Gu family doesn’t forget betrayal. If you cross them now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your lives."

The students, who had been on the brink of stepping forward, began to retreat.

Even the girl who had been ready to join earlier now looked down, her hands trembling slightly as she reconsidered.

"I... I can’t do it," she whispered to herself before stepping back into the crowd.

Another student, a boy with a nervous expression, shook his head.

"It’s not worth it. No plant, no matter how rare, is worth making enemies with the Gu family. I’m out."

Similar sentiments echoed through the group as more and more students backed away.

Lu Siyao, who had been watching in silent fury, couldn’t hold back any longer,

"You’re all just going to let her manipulate you like this? Three human lives are at stake! I am sure that you will know the truth as long as you investigate!

The Gu family of the capital are reasonable people, they won’t hold it against you all."

Nan Bei’s lips curled into a smirk.

"It’s called understanding your place. Something you clearly don’t understand. You can go ahead and risk your life if you want, but don’t drag the rest of us down with you."

Liang Bao’s expression hardened, and she stepped forward, trying one last time to appeal to the group.

"This isn’t about the Gu family or who has more power. This is about saving lives! If you let fear stop you from doing what’s right, then what kind of people are you?"

Her words, though passionate, fell on deaf ears. The group had already made up their minds. The risk of angering the Gu family far outweighed any potential gain from helping reopen the portal.

A student with a regretful expression spoke up, "I’m sorry, but we can’t afford to take that kind of risk."

Liang Bao and Lu Siyao’s eyes moistened.

For the first time, they felt helpless and understood how much background matters.

If only they belonged to some wealthy family...they could have helped Gu Jin to get out.

"Let’s leave guys." Nan Bei said.

"Wait." The old man in a purple robe stopped them. He stared at Gu Aihan and asked, "Student Gu aren’t you going to interfere? "

Gu Aihan calmly shook her head, "Professor Jiang, though I don’t want to use my family’s name, I was truly angered this time."

"You were? Currently, you are acting too childishly Student Gu." The old man in the purple robe said. He turned towards the rest of the students,

"I don’t know about the Gu Family, but I will never conclude anything before knowing the full situation. All those who stepped down last minute will get a D grade for their practical exam."

"What? Professor, you can’t do that! We only wanted to protect ourselves!"

"Yes! Professor, please give us another chance!"

"I am sorry!"

The old man in the blue robe looked at the sky and calculated something on his finger,

"Since it is night, we can’t perform the ritual. We need solar energy to open the portal again. For now, let’s camp here."

All the students could only nod.

Gu Aihan clenched her fist.

There was a 90% probability, that the girl named Gu Jin was the real daughter of the Gu family.

She was an orphan, she was able to enter the portal and somehow, her surname was Gu too...

In the past three years, she had killed nearly 80 girls. Just because they look just a bit like other Gu Family members.

Those girls only had a 2% resemblance but she killed them.

Now she knows a girl who has a 90% chance of being the real daughter of the Gu family, who could she let...such a girl live?

No! She must die!

As long as she doesn’t open the portal for the next 10 days, that girl named Gu Jin will die anyway.

The tents were set up. Lu Siyao and Liang Bao closely guarded the tents to ensure no one ran away.

As long as 3 people run away, they won’t be able to open the portal.

The professor of whatsoever academy looked righteous. They(Lu Siyao and Liang Bao) just need to ensure that no one runs away.

"Hey, do you think that girl named Gu Aihan was overreacting? She...just wants to trap our Jin’er." Lu Siyao frowned.

"I think so too." Liang Bao sensed Gu Aihan’s hostility even though she tried her best to cover it.

First, she called Gu Jin an illegitimate child of a wealthy family to create a negative impression of Gu Jin on others.

Then she accused Gu Jin of manipulating the portal’s energy...

She even went as far as using her family background.

It was clear...she wanted to either kill Gu Jin or suppress her.

"But why? I don’t think I have ever seen her around Jin’er." Lu Siyao frowned.

"I too don’t know. But our first priority should be to open the portal! I will use the psychomindris plant to cultivate and in case others don’t help, you and I could participate." Liang Bao proposed.

"Good idea."

The two friends kept a watch for the entire night.

In Gu Aihan’s tents.

Gu Aihan looked at the black-cloaked figure standing before her in the dim light of her tent. The figure’s presence was unsettling, yet familiar.

She had called upon this person for one reason and one reason only—to ensure that Gu Jin would not survive the next ten days.

"How should we proceed?" Gu Aihan asked, her voice low and cold.

The black-cloaked figure, whose face was hidden in the shadows, spoke in a whisper that sent shivers down her spine.

"I will disrupt the energy."

Gu Aihan frowned,

"You said the same thing. You said you would disrupt the energy in such a way that a portal would open in front of me, even though I am not a member of the Gu family."

The black-cloaked figure chuckled, the chuckle sounded very eerie,

"Did you forget your manner?"

Gu Aihan instantly lowered her head and said softly,

"Sorry, I was panicked."

The black-cloaked figure didn’t accept her apology, instead said,

"The portal will remain closed, and the energy surrounding it will be disrupted further. Gu Jin and the others trapped inside will be left without any means of escape. Their spirits will weaken with each passing day until their life force is completely drained."

Gu Aihan’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Good. I want to make sure she suffers. She doesn’t deserve to live, especially if she’s the real daughter of the Gu family."

The figure nodded.

"Your desires will be fulfilled. But you must also ensure that no one else tries to interfere. The professors are the only ones who pose a threat to this plan."

Gu Aihan clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

"Those professors are too righteous for their own good. But they won’t be able to do much without the help of the students, and I’ve already made sure most of them are too scared to act."

The figure tilted its head slightly as if considering something.

"Fear is a powerful weapon, but it’s not foolproof. If the professors manage to rally even a small group, they might be able to open the portal."

It was true...as long as the professor calls more students, she won’t be able to oppose much.

Gu Aihan lifted her head and stared at the black-cloaked figure,

"Didn’t you say you will..."

"Nothing is sure. I can disrupt the flow, but...if a variable arises, it could counteract my disruption.

There are always unforeseen elements in such a delicate operation. That’s why you must be prepared for anything.

If the professors or students manage to gather enough courage or resources, they could open the portal despite my efforts."

Gu Aihan’s expression darkened. The thought of Gu Jin escaping was intolerable. She had to make sure that everything went according to plan.

"How about this..."

Gu Aihan told the black-cloaked figure her plan.

"You are clever." The figure was impressed by Gu Aihan’s smartness.

Gu Aihan smiled.

........

The next day.

Lu Siyao and Liang Bao waited for the professor and students to wake up and started to prepare for the ritual.

Once they were finished with the preparation, the professor asked the students to step up.

A magic circle was drawn from white ashes.

It had 10 open spots, with an empty spot in the middle.

The professor handpicked the 10 students and didn’t let Gu Aihan and Nan Bei step inside the circle.

As the professor of the capital’s most famous university, they had many more concerns. Hence they were ready to help Gu Jin.

Not to mention they were truly curious about the girl named Gu Jin.