Clap… Clap… Clap…
A round of applause rang out as Xia Yi slowly walked out alone, without even Leng Yaozhu by his side.
"You finally couldn't sit still any longer, but it's already too late!" Seeing Xia Yi appear, a barely noticeable cold smile surfaced at the corner of Long Yeyue's lips.
According to their plan, Chen Xinjie was supposed to incite the families of the victims to confront Xia Yi.
They hadn't expected Xia Yi to come out on his own.
But that was fine too.
It actually saved them a lot of trouble.
"Xia Yi—"
Just as Long Yeyue had predicted, the moment Xia Yi appeared, a wave of angry gazes instantly locked onto him.
Le Zhengyuan of the Angel Clan was the first to step forward, pointing at Xia Yi and loudly questioning, "Xia Yi, you're at least considered a public figure. Why didn't you use the Phoenix Heart Jade to deter the sea soul beasts? Do you really think the Phoenix Heart Jade is more important than three hundred lives?"
"Sky Phoenix Douluo is renowned in the soul master world. As her husband, how could you stand by and watch over three hundred people die without doing anything? Aren't you afraid of tarnishing Sky Phoenix Douluo's name?"
"Look at Shrek Academy—they admit their mistakes, compensate when necessary, and apologize when they should. Compare yourself to them—don't you feel ashamed?"
"If your Phoenix Heart Jade was used to save lives, I believe even Sky Phoenix Douluo wouldn't blame you for it."
"Xia Yi, I have to say, you're too selfish, too cold-blooded."
"Heh, if you ask me, the moral character of Spirit Pagoda is nothing compared to Shrek Academy."
The crowd grew more agitated as they spoke, but no one made a move.
The attack by the sea soul beasts on the Xingluo and Yuanyang ships had absolutely nothing to do with Xia Yi.
If he used the Phoenix Heart Jade to save them, it would be an act of kindness. If he didn't, it was well within his rights.
Moreover, with Leng Yaozhu also on the ship, who would dare to lay a hand on him?
At this moment, all they could do was stand on the so-called moral high ground and reprimand Xia Yi.
"Everyone, please calm down. This matter has nothing to do with Xia Yi, nor with Sky Phoenix Douluo, nor with Spirit Pagoda." Long Yeyue once again played the conciliatory role, but this time, she deliberately implicated Leng Yaozhu and Spirit Pagoda as well. "This was Shrek Academy's responsibility. Shrek Academy takes full responsibility, so please don't blame others."
"Have you finished your performance? If not, I can give you a little more time." Xia Yi looked at Long Yeyue and Chen Xinjie, a smirk on his face, as if he didn't take them seriously at all.
Even with everyone pointing fingers at him, he remained completely unbothered.
A flash of killing intent flickered in Lan Muzi's eyes as he looked at Xia Yi and said indifferently, "I don't understand what you're talking about. This incident with the sea soul beasts truly has nothing to do with you. Whether you saved people or not was your choice. Rest assured, Shrek Academy won't condemn you for it."
"You don't understand? Then let me explain." Xia Yi chuckled. "You and Chen Xinjie played good cop and bad cop—Shrek Academy was clearly the true culprit here, yet with just a few words, you've painted yourselves as the victims. Talking about compensation—when in reality, it's just preparation for your next recruitment cycle."
Xia Yi sneered and continued, "Recently, Shrek Academy's reputation has plummeted. If the next round of admissions proceeds as usual, the quality of incoming students will surely drop. Offering enrollment slots as compensation is just a ploy to recruit talented individuals from these organizations. Offering a hundred-thousand-year soul spirit? That's just to keep Ye Xinglan from leaving."
At Xia Yi's words, Chen Xinjie, Long Yeyue, and Lan Muzi were all slightly shaken.
Xia Yi had actually figured out exactly what they were thinking.
And he was right.
Just moments ago, they had indeed been discussing Shrek Academy's next admissions cycle.
Long Yeyue was certain that as long as she offered spots, these people would send their most outstanding disciples to Shrek Academy.
And as for Ye Xinglan, it was just as Xia Yi had said—
Long Yeyue was trying to keep her.
It was one thing that the Ye Clan had been wiped out, but Lan Muzi had even killed Ye Wuque.
Ye Xinglan had already begun distancing herself from Shrek Academy.
Shrek Academy had suffered too great a loss this time. If Ye Xinglan also left, it would be another heavy blow.
She had already gained early admission into the Shrek Academy Inner Court, and her talent was more than worth offering a hundred-thousand-year soul spirit to retain.
For the sake of such a treasure, even if Ye Xinglan wanted to leave, her father wouldn't allow it.
"Sigh…" Long Yeyue let out a soft sigh and said, "I know Spirit Pagoda has always been prejudiced against Shrek Academy. It's normal for you to think this way, but Shrek Academy has always followed the will of the Sea God, standing true to righteousness. Think whatever you like—as long as you can live with yourself."
Xia Yi burst into laughter. "Hah! Always followed the will of the Sea God, huh? So manipulating talented individuals from other organizations and spreading plagues among ordinary civilians is also part of the 'Sea God's will'?"
"I don't understand what you're saying." Long Yeyue's eyes narrowed, and a glint of killing intent flashed through them again.
"Yali was right after all. He really is clever—he's already noticed some things. But so what? What can he do even if he's figured it out? He'll never find any evidence." Long Yeyue sneered inwardly with disdain. If she made a move, not even Leng Yaozhu would be able to uncover a single trace.
"You don't understand? Then let me make it clearer." Xia Yi snapped his fingers.
The next moment, loudspeakers across the Xingluo and Yuanyang ships simultaneously played a recorded conversation:
"Xia Yi is truly outstanding. At his age, I was nowhere near his level in any aspect. But he shines too brightly. Now that he's far from the Douluo Continent, there will surely be people plotting against him."
"Lan-ge, what do you mean by that?"
…
The moment the recording started playing, Long Yeyue and Lan Muzi's faces turned deathly pale.
But they didn't try to stop the playback.
Attempting to stop it would only expose their guilt.
Right now, their only option was complete denial.
When the recording ended, the entire crowd fell into stunned silence, all eyes filled with shock as they stared at Long Yeyue and Lan Muzi.
Even Chen Xinjie's expression was filled with disbelief as he looked at Long Yeyue.
He had never expected Long Yeyue to go so far—
To actually spread plagues among civilians.
"Go on, explain yourselves!" Xia Yi looked at Lan Muzi with disdain. "Don't tell me you're not going to deny that the voice in the recording is yours?"
"The voices do sound very much like mine and Meng'er's, but it's not us. I have no idea what's going on." Lan Muzi gritted his teeth.
"I knew you'd say that." Xia Yi smiled again and took out a wooden box.
The moment Long Yeyue and Lan Muzi saw the box, their faces completely drained of color.
The last time a wooden box like this had appeared, it was in Shrek City—used by Leng Yaozhu to store Thought Projection.
As Xia Yi opened the box, sure enough, projections of Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng appeared, perfectly reproducing their previous conversation.
Without hesitation, Long Yeyue grabbed Lan Muzi and vanished from the deck of the Star Luo.
Thought Projection—she had no way to refute it.
Even though Lan Muzi hadn't directly stated anything in the Thought Projection, everyone present wasn't stupid. Anyone with a bit of intelligence could infer what had really happened.
Long Yeyue knew that this matter couldn't be covered up. There were too many witnesses aboard the Star Luo and Far Ocean ships. Unless she killed every last one of them, the moment they returned to the Xingluo and Douluo Continents, this matter would inevitably be exposed.
Her only option now was to rely on her Ultimate Douluo-level speed to return to Shrek Academy ahead of everyone else and consult Yun Ming and Ya Li on how to handle the situation.
Whether it was scheming against Xia Yi or spreading a plague among ordinary civilians—Shrek Academy would have to provide an explanation.
The Federation, too, would have to give an explanation.
If the Federation continued to shield Shrek Academy over such a matter, it would undoubtedly ignite public outrage.
At this moment, Long Yeyue was filled with the urge to slap Lan Muzi to death. You idiot! Why the hell did you discuss something like this with Tang Yinmeng?!
Xia Yi glanced at the still-dazed Chen Xinjie and spoke in a calm tone, "Sea God's Pavilion Master, esteemed Lord of the Battle God Hall, this is not the time to stand around in a daze. Shouldn't you be pursuing and apprehending the criminals responsible for spreading a plague among civilians?"
"No need for you to remind me!" Chen Xinjie snorted coldly before vanishing on the spot.
Yeyue, how could you do something like this? How am I supposed to help you now? Chen Xinjie pushed his speed to the limit, intent on catching up to Long Yeyue so they could strategize together.
Back on the Star Luo, Xia Yi turned his gaze toward the grieving families of the victims, took a deep breath, and stated, "Yes, I do have Zhu'er's Phoenix Heart Jade in my possession. However, I was being targeted by Shrek Academy's Ultimate Douluo. I needed to keep my Phoenix Heart Jade for self-preservation. Call me selfish, call me cold-blooded—I'll accept all of it. But I'll put it simply: until I can guarantee my own safety, I will never use the Phoenix Heart Jade to save people who have nothing to do with me."
After saying his piece, Xia Yi turned and left.
In truth, he could have come up with plenty of noble and righteous justifications for his decision—but there was no need.
Compared to some high-and-mighty saint, it was actually easier for people to accept him as he was.
Moreover, this way, he could redirect all the fury onto Shrek Academy.
If he didn't strike back, they might actually start thinking he was an easy target to bully.
(End of Chapter)