A few days later, Gu Yue, having just learned the news, muttered in shock, "Shrek Academy was struck by a Level Twelve Soul Guidance Shell?"
She had been occupied with matters concerning the Spirit Pagoda all along, and it was only today that Qiangu Qingfeng informed her about the attack on Shrek Academy by the Soul Guidance Shell!
Qiangu Qingfeng nodded slightly, "Yes. Although Shrek Academy has publicly stated that it didn't suffer any major damage, in reality, the cost they might have paid could be enormous!"
If a real Level Twelve Soul Guidance Shell exploded in the skies above Shrek Academy, defending against it wouldn't have been simple at all!
Gu Yue pondered for a moment, then spoke decisively, "Vice Pagoda Master, I'd like to request permission to return to Shrek Academy for a visit!"
She needed to confirm Tang Wulin and the others' condition!
A Level Twelve Soul Guidance Shell—its destructive power was enough to annihilate an entire city!
Qiangu Qingfeng didn't show a hint of annoyance at her words and agreed readily, "The Pagoda Master already anticipated your request and informed me beforehand. If you wish to return to Shrek Academy, you can go anytime."
Gu Yue quickly packed up the essentials and headed to Shrek Academy...
With her Shrek Academy Medal in hand, she smoothly gained access to the Outer Court...
The sight before her was a familiar one, with no apparent differences compared to usual...
Her heart finally eased a little...
Though she was truly the Silver Dragon King, she had cultivated here for so long that a deep bond had formed...
Naturally, she didn't want to witness any casualties in this grand academy!
Just then, a voice, tinged with curiosity, rang out, "Gu Yue? Is that you?"
As she turned towards the speaker, Gu Yue respectfully greeted, "Turbid World Elder!"
Turbid World gazed into her beautiful eyes and questioned, "Gu Yue, aren't you occupied with your duties at the Spirit Pagoda? Why did you suddenly decide to return to the academy today?"
Gu Yue dropped her gaze and replied with guilt, "I only learned today about Shrek Academy being struck by a Soul Guidance Shell, so I hurried here immediately."
Turbid World saw through her thoughts and chuckled lightly, "You're worried about your companions, right? Relax, they haven't suffered any harm! However…"
Gu Yue sensed something was amiss and pressed further, "However? Turbid World Elder, please elaborate!"
She couldn't shake the feeling that hidden within Turbid World's smiling face was a faint sadness...
Turbid World initially intended to decline but, seeing the yearning for answers in her eyes, sighed and said, "Forget it. I did promise to keep this a secret, but let's assume I slipped up this time!"
After a pause, he continued, "Actually, the Level Twelve Soul Guidance Shell that struck Shrek Academy a few days ago was halted only because the Pavilion Master sacrificed himself!"
"Otherwise, the entire Shrek City would have been obliterated!"
Gu Yue's pupils constricted sharply, "The Pavilion Master sacrificed himself??"
She finally understood why Shrek Academy publicly claimed that they hadn't suffered substantial damage!
Because if the death of the Sea God Pavilion Master was revealed, it wouldn't just disrupt the academy's order—it might even instill fear and panic among Shrek City's Soul Masters!
Gu Yue took a deep breath, "But… isn't the Saint Soul Douluo here? Shouldn't…"
As long as there was still a sliver of life, the Saint Soul Douluo's terrifying healing abilities should have been able to save him!
Turbid World shook his head, clearly unwilling to continue discussing the topic...
"It's enough that you know about this. Make sure you don't tell anyone else! Go ahead; those little ones should all still be in the Inner Court!"
Gu Yue unexpectedly declined, saying, "Thank you, Turbid World Elder, for sharing this, but since I know they're alright and the academy remains unharmed, I'll head back to the Spirit Pagoda now!"
With that, she turned and prepared to leave...
Turbid World watched her retreating figure and spoke each word with weighty meaning, "Gu Yue, remember this well—you're not just a Spirit Transmission Tower disciple. You're also a student of Shrek Academy. You… were supposed to be one of the Shrek Seven Monsters!"
Gu Yue paused briefly before leaving the academy...
As she walked away, Yue Zhengyu, watching from afar, urged impatiently, "It's driving me crazy, Wulin! Aren't you going to chase after her?"
Ye Xinglan also reminded him, "Wulin, if you chase her now, there's still time. Otherwise, who knows how long it'll be before you see Gu Yue again?"
Xie Xie raised an eyebrow, "Wulin, back when we went to Demon Island, you couldn't stop thinking about Gu Yue. Now that she's right here, why are you just standing there?"
Xu Xiaoyan clenched her fist and encouraged, "Wulin, don't hesitate! Go after her!"
Tang Wulin gave a bitter smile, "Forget it. The Gu Yue from now on… chasing her would be pointless."
...
War God Hall!
Yueguan looked at Chen Xinjie ahead of him and reported, "Hall Master, we've currently identified several high-ranking members in the federation secretly colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult, and they've already been detained!"
Chen Xinjie's eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "Have they revealed the terms of their collusion with the Holy Spirit Cult?"
Yueguan shook his head, his tone laced with anger, "No, they seem aware we don't have evidence, so no matter what, they refuse to confess to any association with the Holy Spirit Cult!"
After all, admitting their guilt would allow the War God Hall to execute them all without facing backlash from the federation!
However, without their confession, and lacking evidence, the War God Hall could only imprison them and couldn't make any further moves!
Chen Xinjie scoffed coldly, "Hmph! These people are so stubborn! Do they really think keeping their mouths shut will hide their vile actions forever?"
Yueguan, seeing his reaction, voiced his concerns again, "Hall Master, what's our next step? Even if we manage to identify all the federation high officials colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult, it seems impossible to convict them!"
Chen Xinjie's face darkened, "No rush… there's no way colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult won't leave traces! It's only a matter of time before we gather the evidence!"
Yueguan nodded to express his understanding and then seemed to recall something...
"By the way, Hall Master, there's something very peculiar—over my many visits to Shrek Academy, I've never once seen the Sea God Pavilion Master!"
Chen Xinjie's expression turned slightly surprised, "Oh? Perhaps Yun Ming didn't intend to meet you!"
Months had passed since Shrek Academy's attack, and yet Yueguan brought up the matter proactively!
Yueguan narrowed his eyes, "No… in the past, when I visited Shrek Academy, Yun Ming was always present!"
After pausing, he shared his speculation, "Therefore, I suspect that the Sea God Pavilion Master sacrificed himself to defend against the Level Twelve Soul Guidance Shell—just like the Tang Sect Master did back then!"
Chen Xinjie frowned and retorted, "That can't be. As terrifying as the Level Twelve Soul Guidance Shell is, Yun Ming's strength surpasses mine; he absolutely had the chance to escape!"
Yueguan pressed his lips together and added, "But Hall Master, have you considered one thing? If Yun Ming fled, Shrek City would've been decimated…"
Chen Xinjie fell silent...
He realized Yueguan's words carried considerable plausibility!
...