“Do as he says.” Yun Wanli gave his answer.
Since the Principal had confirmed it, Han Yuxiang had no other choice but to follow.
After the latter went to gather the students, Yun Wanli said to Su Ping, “Fate Challenger Su, your sister disappeared here and I can hardly absolve myself from the blame. I will try my best to help you find her. Please forgive
me.”
“It’s okay. This has nothing to do with you. I told Han Yuxiang to look after my sister. If I’m going to blame anyone, he would be the first,” Su Ping replied.
Yun Wanli forced a smile. “Fate Challenger Su, please come with me to the training field. I will have Yuxiang gather the students there.”
“Okay.”
Half an hour later
At an open field by the side of the hill, right at the center of the academy, thousands of people had gathered, all of them students of the academy.
“What is going on?”
“Why are we here?”
“I heard from the guys in the Fei Club that some VIPs are here. Even the Principal has come back.”
“Really? I heard that the Principal is at the legendary rank. I’ve only met him three times and all of them were during the orientations.”
“The information from the Fei Club must be real. I don’t think anyone would dare to pretend to be the Principal.”
“There’s something else. A new record was set at the Dragon Tower. Someone reached the 33rd level!”
“Have you been drinking adulterated wine? The 33rd level? Why didn’t you say the 333rd level?”
“Right. Even Senior Fei has merely reached the 17th level and the best of all of us in history has only reached the 22nd level. The 33rd level? Why would you believe such a rumor?”
The students discussed heatedly. Some were staying with their own social groups.
“I wonder who can be so important that all of us have to be here.”
In an unassuming corner, there was a group of students with Qin Shaotian standing in the middle. His face looked cloudy; the look in his eyes was less sharp but more solemn.
Standing next to him were Liu Qingfeng, Ye Longtian, and Zhou Yun.
“I don’t care. It has nothing to do with us. Why the heck do we have to stay here? This is a waste of my time that I can spend on cultivation. Err!” Ye Longtian complained grumpily.
Liu Qingfeng could not understand why the Ye family would choose that impulsive guy as their future family head. The Ye family could suffer a grave catastrophe if that VIP heard that complaint and was angered.
“Look, there. Isn’t that Xu Kuang?”
Zhou Yun suddenly pointed at the podium.
Those people were surprised.
It was Xu Kuang!
They had met him at the Elite League. That big, black dog Xu Kuang had summoned left a deep impression on them; they were all pretty afraid of it.
However, once they arrived at the academy, they came to know that Xu Kuang had rented that pet. The tests in the academy revealed the fact that Xu Kuang’s scores were not ideal. Soon, he became one of the worst students and he lived a miserable student life. What was he doing up there on the podium?
“Why is he here?” Liu Qingfeng voiced his confusion.
Ye Longtian raised his eyebrows. “Who did he anger this time? Are they punishing him in public?”
Zhou Yun nodded. “Look at the blood stains. I suppose you’re right. That is one unlucky dude. So, don’t you ever pretend to be who you’re not. You’ll have to return the rented pets sooner or later, while we all have to rely on ourselves.”
Liu Qingfeng shook his head.
They were all from the Longjiang Base City but Xu Kuang was not one of them because he didn’t belong to the five major families. Xu Kuang didn’t try to interact with them and they weren’t interested in being friends with him, either. Therefore, they had drifted apart.
While they were talking, they heard some students screaming. Soon, all the discussions quieted down. A few people were shouting, “He’s here!”
People turned in that direction.
Several men were coming down from the sky.
“Is that him?!”
Disbelief climbed over Qin Shaotian’s face when he saw one of the men.
It’s that guy!
“Yes, it is him!” Ye Longtian stared in disbelief.
Liu Qingfeng shared their astonishment.
“What is he doing here?” asked Zhou Yun.
Not far from them, another young man was also staring as if he had seen a ghost in plain daylight. He was Mu Chen.
Of the men who were descending from the sky, Mu Chen recognized two of the men first: Han Yuxiang, the Vice Principal, and Yun Wanli, the most mysterious man on campus.
Then, he also recognized Su Ping who was standing between Han Yuxiang and Yun Wanli!
Su Ping, whom he had met in the Longjiang Base City!
Why is he here and standing right next to the Principal?!
“Mu Chen, do you know him?” asked a girl with a slim figure and a breathtaking face. Mu Chen was lost in that stare, so he didn’t hear the question.
The girl was surprised by this reaction, or more like the lack thereof. Mu Chen had been a lamb ever since he had chosen to join her party. That was the first time for Mu Chen to forget his manners when he was with her.
But this made her all the more curious.
“Is everyone here?” Su Ping asked Han Yuxiang. There had to be over a thousand people on the plaza right then.
Han Yuxiang answered at once, “Yes.”
Su Ping nodded. “You are the Principal, so you will do the asking for me. The students respect you. They would not lie to you.”
Yun Wanli thought about it and nodded. “Sure.”
Those students didn’t know Su Ping; they wouldn’t answer honestly if he were to ask them. He could understand why Su Ping requested for him to take the lead.
Su Ping whispered something to Yun Wanli and the latter agreed.
Then, Yun Wanli took a step forward. His deep and gentle voice reached everyone’s ears. “I have gathered you all because one of our students is missing. I believe many of you know of this. She is Su Lingyue, a student who joined us this year.
“She went missing a week ago and was last seen at the Dragon Tower. I wonder who else saw her on the day of her disappearance.”
The students looked at each other in surprise. They could not believe that was the reason they had been gathered. “Su Lingyue, the eye-catching new girl?” “Yes, the new girl that reached the 10th level on her first try and soon got to the 14th level!”
“Ah, her. I heard that she might be able to compare to Senior Fei.”
“She’s missing? I didn’t know that.”
“Why are they asking us when she’s been missing for so long? Anyway, who is that guy standing beside the Principal? Is he from our academy? I don’t think I’ve seen him before.”
The students raised a clamor of comments.
Qin Shaotian and his friends understood better.
“Ah, he’s here to find his sister.” “I can’t believe Su Lingyue is missing.”
“What I cannot believe is that this guy is asking the Principal to help him. The Principal is a legendary battle pet warrior from what I heard.”
Liu Qingfeng and Ye Longtian were still in disbelief. They were at the Valiant Academy. Even them-a bunch of future family headswould have to behave, but Su Ping had turned to the Principal for help. How stunning.
“Him…” Qin Shaotian narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. He went to the academy just so that he could catch up with Su Ping.
It never occurred to him that they would meet like in such a fashion.
One was standing on the podium and the other in the audience.
One was accompanied by the Principal and one was bullied by another student and had to eat humble pie!
Soon after, some students began to respond to Yun Wanli’s question.
Yun Wanli heard the students’ answers along with Su Ping, one by one.
Someone said that they had seen Su Lingyue outside the Dragon Tower and some claimed that it was somewhere else on campus.
Some said that they had met Su Lingyue by the Beasts’ Dungeon, a forbidden area on campus.
Dozens of students responded.
“Did you say that she went off with Senior Nan and Ji Feng?”
“Yes.”
The student answering the question was quite nervous.
Su Ping had never left Yun Wanli for a moment. That answer got his attention.
Yun Wanli asked, “Where are Nan Fengtian and Ji Feng?”
The students looked at each other but no one answered.
Half a minute later, someone said in a low voice, “Sir, I, I’m here.”
Su Ping and Yun Wanli turned to the source of the voice.
Whoosh!
Su Ping dashed over to the young man in an instant.
The sudden appearance of Su Ping took the young man off guard. The latter was so nervous that he was a bit pale.
Feeling how angry Su Ping was, Yun Wanli hurried over. “Fate Challenger Su, please calm down and allow me to ask him.”
“My sister left with you. Where did you go?” Su Ping stared at the young man with blades in his eyes.
The young man turned to the Principal and answered timidly, “Sir, I don’t know. I never met her. That student must have said my name by mistake. I was cultivating. I never left campus that day.” Yun Wanli looked at that student and motioned Han Yuxiang to take care of that student.
Han Yuxiang carried that student and flew over to Su Ping
“Did you see the wrong person or say the wrong name?” Yun Wanli asked.
That student was tense. He looked at Yun Wanli and Ji Feng. “I, I think I remembered it wrong,” answered the student, visibly scared. “You are lying,” Su Ping pointed out. He was not saying that the student was lying, but the other young man named Ji Feng. “Your heart rate is racing and you’re sweating. You’re lying and you’re nervous, and not in a good way. Let me ask you one more time. Where did you see her for the last time? Or, are you the one related to her disappearance?”
That young man had just felt relief when that student said he had made a mistake when Su Ping’s words made him fearful again. Even though Su Ping was aggressive, the young man mustered up the courage. “Why are you insulting me? Are you Su Lingyue’s brother? I said that I was cultivating that day. I never saw her. Who could prove that I saw her?”
“I said that you’re lying.” Su Ping kept his stare on him.
“Why do you think you can accuse me of that? I am Ji Feng. I never care about lying!” the young man claimed angrily.
Han Yuxiang told himself that Ji Feng had gone too far. He wanted to warn the student but was one step too late.
Slap. Ji Feng’s head tilted to the side. There was a red mark on his face.
That slap was heard by everyone and stunned them all.
Ji Feng was a popular senior student about to graduate. He had an ability close to the titled rank and he was from one of the ancient families. That day, someone had publicly slapped him in the face! “I am going to ask you again. Where did you take her?!”
Su Ping pierced him with his glare.
That young man took a few seconds to come back to his senses. Blood was rushing to his head with so many stares falling on him.
“How dare you slap me! “Do you know who I am?!”
Ji Feng was losing his mind. All the students and teachers were present. He was crazy with anger.
While standing in the distance, Qin Shaotian and his friends were dumbstruck. They could not believe how that guy was as ruthless as before, even at the Valiant Academy, not to mention that the Principal was present. How bold of him!
Bang!
There came a muffled sound. Su Ping smacked the shouting Ji Feng on his head. The ground around the young man caved in and the cracks were spread out like a spider web. Ji Feng’s clothes were turned into rags. He was covered in blood streaks.
Ji Feng had a dull look on his face.
Yun Wanli narrowed his eyes in surprise.
He could tell how intricate that move had been. Su Ping didn’t kill Ji Feng but made sure the latter was on the verge of dying.
That move should have killed him directly but he survived. Su Ping’s mastery of his own strength was perfect!
Yun Wanli, being a legendary battle pet warrior, knew more than anyone how hard it was to have that perfect mastery!
“There is also someone called Nan Fengtian, right? Get him over here.” Su Ping looked sullen.
Yun Wanli first looked at Ji Feng who had passed out and was barely breathing.
He felt sorry and wanted to persuade Su Ping to give up but the killing intent on Su Ping’s face made him think otherwise. “Where is Nan Fengtian?” he asked.
The students present stared at Su Ping, completely dumbfounded.
Everyone was able to tell that the young man was definitely not an average person.
They had thought at first that he was merely the Principal’s new student.
However, he had injured a student in public and the Principal didn’t blame him for it. That was terrifying in itself.
To be able to hurt Ji Feng so badly with one blow was also intimidating. “That man seems to be a big deal.”
While standing next to Mu Chen, that delicate girl squinted her eyes which resembled crescent moons. Everything that was happening seemed to be amusing her.
Mu Chen had been transfixed by it.
It was unexpected to see how that guy was still able to be that irritable while being at the Valiant Academy!
Ever since Mu Chen got there, after the many lessons he had been taught, he had learned to embrace one fact
The Longjiang Base City was a small place.
The overlord of a pond was merely a shrimp; it was bound to meet the true overlord in the ocean.
And yet, Su Ping still… seemed to be the overlord there.
Inconceivable!
A minute or two had passed but still, there was no answer.
Yun Wanli frowned. Right then, someone found the courage to answer, “Sir, I think Senior Nan is cultivating in the Graveyard Forest. He’s not here.”
Su Ping frowned. “The Graveyard Forest?”
Yun Wanli explained right away, “The Graveyard Forest is a training field where many ancient beasts’ corpses lie. The past aura lingers on the corpses and its violent nature can strengthen one’s spirit. Staying there for long enough is helpful to not be easily terrorized by beasts.”
“I see. Take me there,” Su Ping said. Yun Wanli nodded. “The Graveyard Forest is not far away from here. Come with me.” He led the way. Su Ping followed him.
Han Yuxiang went after them. After all, Su Lingyue had not been found yet. That had only brought him disasters.
The students looked at each other speechlessly. Should they keep on standing there?
Soon, some students dashed away after Su Ping.
The girl standing next to Mu Chen did so as well. She had abandoned the student’s rules of conduct.
Fei Tianyi went after the crowd as well. Su Ping turned out to be more aggressive than he thought; he could not believe that anyone would dare to publicly resort to violence, right there in the academy.
Fei Tianyi had met Ji Feng several times when the latter had gone to challenge him. Ji Feng had failed every time but he knew that he wasn’t a weak student; it was someone worth training with
