Bonus Chapter. Enjoy!
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Would Leng Yaozhu believe Yun Ming?
In truth, even Leng Yaozhu herself didn't know the answer right now.
Based on her understanding of Yun Ming, he should be someone worthy of trust. She knew the character and the sense of responsibility of the man who once stood side by side with her.
But her instincts would not allow her to place her hopes on someone else. She had lived for so many years and had seen too many betrayals and too many unexpected changes.
Just as Leng Yaozhu was about to speak, a voice came from behind her.
"Teacher, you should go back first. I will stay by His Excellency Atlas's side for the next few days."
The speaker was, naturally, Huo Yuhao. He could not simply stand by and watch Aunt Leng go to war with Shrek Academy, especially since it was a battle she was bound to lose.
If these Elders united, Aunt Leng would be no match for them at all. Huo Yuhao could not let her fall into danger for his sake.
Hearing this, Leng Yaozhu finally calmed down.
The tacit understanding between her and her disciple allowed her to instantly grasp his meaning. Huo Yuhao had said he would "stay by Yun Ming's side for a few days."
By saying "a few days," he meant he was unwilling to stay at Shrek forever; these few days were a temporary measure to give Leng Yaozhu time to find a solution.
Moreover, he said "stay by Yun Ming's side" instead of "stay at Shrek," indicating that he would not be in danger during this time.
Leng Yaozhu fell silent for a moment. She wasn't sure if Yun Ming could handle the matter properly, but ensuring Huo Yuhao's safety for a few days should be no problem at all.
Having understood this, Leng Yaozhu turned to look at Huo Yuhao.
Her expression was firm, but her tone softened: "Alright, then Teacher will come to pick you up in a few days!"
After saying that, Leng Yaozhu looked at the Shrek group once more and said coldly, "If anything happens to Yuhao in these few days, don't blame me for disregarding all consequences!"
Leaving behind those words, Leng Yaozhu turned and left the Sea God Pavilion. Facing her final threat, the people in the Sea God Pavilion reacted with various expressions.
Long Yeyue snorted, indifferent: "Quite the big talker."
Yun Ming glanced indifferently at his mentor's wife, then said: "We will discuss this matter again tomorrow. The previous phenomenon has already attracted the attention of the Students and Shrek City. Everyone, perform your respective duties, stabilize the academy, and calm public opinion."
"Yes!" The Elders responded in unison and then left the Sea God Pavilion one after another.
At this moment, only Yun Ming, Ya Li, and Huo Yuhao remained in the Sea God Pavilion.
Sunlight spilled in through the window and fell upon them, but it could not dispel the heaviness in the air.
Yun Ming sighed, a sigh filled with exhaustion and helplessness. He knew there was a problem with the academy's atmosphere, but only now did he realize it was so severe. The title of the continent's number one academy had already caused these Elders to lose themselves.
Yun Ming knew that such a mindset was not formed in a day, and naturally, it would not be changed in a short time.
A deep sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart. A trace of heartache flashed in Ya Li's eyes as she looked at Yun Ming, and then she turned her gaze toward Huo Yuhao, a hint of apology flashing in her gentle eyes.
"Yuhao, this matter is not something Brother Ming can decide alone. You've been wronged."
Huo Yuhao was not an unreasonable person; he had heard everyone's conversation earlier.
His face remained calm as he smiled and said, "I understand. Thank you for your hard work, Pavilion Master."
Yun Ming nodded: "Don't worry, no one will make things difficult for you for the next few days."
The phenomenon on Sea God Island had caused many Shrek Academy Students to talk amongst themselves, with various speculations circulating through the crowd.
Many Students gathered by the shore of Sea God Lake, craning their necks to look at Sea God Island in the center of the lake.
Everyone saw a fiery-red figure flying from the direction of Sea God Island. Her speed was startling, like a ball of burning flame streaking across the sky.
In the blink of an eye, she landed on the shore, her figure exceptionally striking in the sunlight.
Many people did not recognize this figure, but feeling the aura emanating from her, they knew she was a powerhouse at the Titled Douluo level.
Some people recognized her identity and whispered to those beside them: "Heavenly Phoenix Douluo."
Gu Yue saw that only her teacher, Leng Yaozhu, appeared before her, but Huo Yuhao was nowhere to be seen.
Moreover, Leng Yaozhu's face was cold, and her emotions were clearly off.
Gu Yue had some guesses in her mind and asked, "Teacher, where is Yuhao?"
Leng Yaozhu glanced at Sea God Island, a trace of coldness flashing in her phoenix-like eyes.
She said coldly, "He was detained by Shrek. Follow me back to the Spirit Pagoda first."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yue's gaze narrowed.
She nodded and followed behind Leng Yaozhu, leaving Shrek Academy.
...
Spirit Pagoda, 123rd floor.
This was the core of power for the Spirit Pagoda, the exclusive floor of the Tower Master, Qiangu Dongfeng.
"The Tower Master is meeting a guest, please wait a moment!"
"Vice Tower Master, you cannot go in right now!"
Two cries of surprise drifted into the room, causing a middle-aged man sitting on the sofa to furrow his brows, a trace of anger flashing in his eyes.
He looked to be in his forties, with long silver hair tied behind his head. His face was lean and angular, with well-defined features that carried the unique majesty of a high-ranking official. Above his high aquiline nose were a pair of narrow eyes, and together with his sharp sword-like eyebrows, he gave off an aura of natural authority even without being angry.
And this person was the current Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda—Qiangu Dongfeng!
He was currently receiving the master of a subordinate Branch Pagoda and had specifically ordered that no one be allowed to disturb them.
But now, someone actually dared to barge straight in; this was truly showing a lack of respect for him.
A surge of anger rose in his heart. His expression was solemn, his narrow eyes squinted slightly as he glanced toward the door. The coldness emanating from him was like a winter wind, causing the Titled Douluo powerhouse sitting across from him to tremble in his heart.
With a "clatter," the door to the drawing room was pushed open from the outside. When Qiangu Dongfeng saw the fiery-red figure walking in, the anger on his face vanished instantly, the change as quick as flipping a page in a book.
His brows smoothed out, the anger in his eyes faded, replaced by a complex emotion.
He stood up and said in a gentle voice, "Yaozhu, why are you here?"
Leng Yaozhu glanced at the restless Branch Pagoda Master, then fixed her gaze on Qiangu Dongfeng.
Without any beating around the bush, she said directly, "Someone from our Spirit Pagoda is being bullied right now. Are you, the Tower Master, going to back him up?"
Didn't Long Yeyue say she couldn't make the decision? Then she would find the person who truly could.
The Branch Pagoda Master standing beside Qiangu Dongfeng naturally recognized Leng Yaozhu.
Who didn't know the fame of the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo?
And for such a matter to require finding Tower Master Qiangu Dongfeng, it was clear that it wasn't simple.
He was not someone without discernment; seeing this, he hurriedly said, "Since the two Tower Masters are discussing important matters, I will take my leave first."
Having said that, his figure flashed with startling speed, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared from the room.
In passing, he even closed the drawing room door, the movement light and skillful, without making a sound.
He opened his mouth and asked, "What exactly happened?"
He was also full of doubt—what could possibly happen that even Leng Yaozhu couldn't handle and required him to step in?
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.