Chapter 58: The Culprit

Chapter 58: The Culprit

Upon seeing the carriage, the expressions of the Shrek Academy group changed simultaneously.

That carriage was all too familiar to them!

Ferland handed Dai Mubai over to Shao Xin and then proceeded to the academy's entrance with Zhao Wuji.

"Everyone, it's been a while."

The carriage came to a halt at the academy's entrance, and a youthful noble stepped out.

Trailing behind him were a younger man with an extraordinary bearing and a mysterious woman exuding a perilous aura.

"Your Highness, what brings you to our Shrek Academy this year? Is it to continue inviting our teachers to your Tianwu Academy, or is it because of our academy's current pair of students?" Ferland stood at the forefront, his expression solemn as he warily sized up the dangerous woman behind the prince.

Xue Qinghe waved his hand dismissively.

"Principal Ferland, there's no need to be so guarded. This year's rent has already been paid, and your students haven't caused any more trouble."

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe noticed Dai Mubai, his body covered in wounds and his aura weakened.

"Hmm? What happened to our Star Luo Third Prince? Did an assassin from Star Dou come after you?"

Hearing Xue Qinghe's sarcastic tone, Ferland let out a cold hmp.

"There were no assassins targeting my student. It was merely a youthful test of strength; Your Highness is overthinking things."

Hearing Ferland repeatedly emphasize his status as the first prince, Xue Qinghe chuckled and then dropped the subject.

"Ning Rongrong, I assume you've seen her just now? Well, are you planning to keep her here at Shrek Academy?

After seeing her martial soul and knowing her surname, do you really think Shrek has the ability to protect her?"

Xue Qinghe smiled slyly at Ferland, anticipating his reaction.

Ferland had already heard Xue Qinghe's initial call and thus knew the purpose of his visit: Ning Rongrong.

If anyone else had come to take her away, Ferland would have handed her over without hesitation. But when it came to Tianwu Academy, he was reluctant to comply.

Helplessly, he took out a letter from his storage soul guide; on the envelope was an exclusive seal of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's master.

"Please don't worry yourself, Your Highness. Before I even met Ning Rongrong, I had already received instructions from the Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile."

Moreover, with our three Soul Saints at Shrek, protecting one Ning Rongrong is well within our capabilities."

Hearing that Shrek had three Soul Saints to protect Ning Rongrong, Xue Qinghe's eyes widened in surprise.

"You think that with your three Soul Saints, you can protect Rongrong? Are you not aware of the enemies the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has?"

Even disregarding the possibility of a Title Douluo intervening, what about Soul Douluos…?"

Xue Qinghe gestured to the woman behind him, Zhu Ming, and smiled gently.

"If she wanted to take action, could you stop her?"

Ferland was at a loss for words, but Zhao Wuji stepped forward, rubbing his hands together before fixing Zhu Ming with an intense gaze.

"Last time, I was caught off guard by your tricks. Since neither of us is willing to back down, let's have a proper fight. I refuse to believe that I'll lose to you again."

Hearing Zhao Wuji's provocation, Zhu Ming merely took a step forward and raised her hand.

A cloud of black mist surged towards Zhao Wuji.

Seeing the mist, Zhao Wuji's expression changed, and he nimbly dodged to the side.

The black mist made contact with the ground, and despite the absence of any flammable material, it ignited, burning with eerie black flames.

Soon, the black flames had corroded a large pit into the ground.

Ferland glanced at the charred pit, a bead of cold sweat forming at his temple.

Xue Qinghe looked at the silent Shrek teachers and students, helplessly shaking his head.

"Senior, please bring Rongrong over here."

Xue Qinghe's gaze shifted deeper into the academy.

Zhu Ming nodded slightly, and her figure flickered. Her physical body remained in place, but a shadow rushed forward.

The Shrek group dared not intervene.

Soon, they heard a girl's protesting cry.

The black mist returned, and Ning Rongrong, who hadn't fled far, was caught and brought back.

Seeing Xue Qinghe and Wang Si, Ning Rongrong pouted and hugged her knees, sitting on the ground.

"Rongrong, let's go. At Tianwu Academy, you can do whatever you want. Isn't it more comfortable there than at Shrek?"

Xue Qinghe approached Ning Rongrong and gently rubbed her head.

Ning Rongrong shook her head and pouted stubbornly.

"I just don't want to go. Your academy is probably just as boring and dull as the Star Dou one."

Xue Qinghe squatted down and continued caressing her head gently.

"If you find it dull, you can always go near our Tianwu Academy. It's a lively place, and the safety is guaranteed.

Look at this place; it's so remote. What if something unexpected happens? How would we explain it to the Sect Master of Ning?"

Hearing Xue Qinghe's words, Ning Rongrong pouted again and then turned her head, her eyes darting around before she smiled sweetly.

"Since you want to protect me, you can just leave this bodyguard here with me. I don't have to go to your Tianwu Academy."

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe's expression turned serious.

"Rongrong, if you refuse to listen, then I'll have no choice but to take you to Tianwu Academy by force.

"I'd rather face criticism from the Sect Master of Ning than let something happen to you and incur her wrath."

But Ning Rongrong wasn't intimidated. She proudly lifted her head.

"Go ahead and try if you have the guts. I'll just complain to my father about you!"

Xue Qinghe wanted to persuade her further, but Ning Rongrong stood up and pushed him away.

"Alright, Brother Xue. This is the territory of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and the safety measures here are sufficient. There won't be any unexpected incidents!"

Within the Tianwu Duchy, there were three major cities: Tianwu City, Hanhai City, and the temporarily leased Sotos City.

Tianwu City was the former capital of the Star Luo Empire, ceded to Wang Si by the Star Luo royalty. It was Wang Si's stronghold, or in other words, the base of the Star Dou royalty.

This was because the best location for the Star Luo Empire to infiltrate the Tianwu Duchy was there.

Hanhai City was a coastal city and the most important border between the two empires. The Star Dou Empire believed that it would be safer for the Spirit Hall to be stationed there, making it more difficult for the Star Luo Empire to invade.

Initially, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had also wanted to develop fisheries in Hanhai City, but after acquiring Sotos City, they shifted their focus there.

Back then, to get the first prince to leave Tianwu City, the Star Dou nobility had made significant concessions, ultimately convincing the king of the Baluo Kingdom to lend Sotos City to the Tianwu Duchy for thirty years.

Chapter 58: Unveiling the Culprit

Sotos City, as the breadbasket of the Baluo Kingdom, held immense economic value, and it was this very factor that the Tianwu Duchy sought to leverage during its formative years, requiring economic impetus for its development.

Thus, the Star Dou nobility persuaded the King of Baluo Kingdom to lend Sotos City to the Tianwu Duchy for a period of thirty years.

During these three decades, the Tianwu Duchy was granted only the right to use Sotos City, devoid of any managerial or decision-making authority. Furthermore, a significant portion of the city's generated assets would flow back into the coffers of the Baluo Kingdom.

All the Baluo Kingdom had to do during this time was to sit back and reap the financial benefits.

As for the concern of whether Sotos City would be returned? Well, the Baluo Kingdom served as the breadbasket of the Star Dou Empire, and it was unthinkable for the fledgling Tianwu Duchy, which relied on Sotos City for its own development, to dare challenge the Baluo Kingdom in a show of strength.

The location of the Tianwu Academy, built in an area closer to Sotos City, was also an unspoken understanding between the Baluo Kingdom and the Tianwu Duchy: the talent nurtured by the academy would favor the Baluo Kingdom.

"Snow brother, if Rongrong doesn't want to go to the Tianwu Academy, then let's just leave her be. We can come and check on her regularly to ensure her safety."

Wang Si approached Xue Qinghe and patted his shoulder, suggesting that they shouldn't pressure Ning Rongrong too much.

Hearing Wang Si speak up for her, Ning Rongrong shot him a grateful glance before turning to Xue Qinghe with a pitiful look in her eyes.

Xue Qinghe sighed and reached out to ruffle Ning Rongrong's hair, indicating that she could stay.

"However, you must be cautious for your own safety. Stay away from places like the Battle Soul Arena, which can be quite dangerous."

Ning Rongrong's face lit up at Xue Qinghe's concession, and after giving him a tight hug, she dashed off in the direction of Shrek Academy.

"Rest assured, Snow brother. I promise to be a good girl and stay away from dangerous places."

Xue Qinghe shook his head in resignation.

"I'm talking about places like the Battle Soul Arena, where all sorts of people gather and it can get risky."

Ning Rongrong merely smiled and waved as she backed away.

"I know, I won't go to dangerous places!"

Xue Qinghe exchanged a glance with the Shrek group, then climbed into the carriage with Wang Si and Zhu Ming.

The carriage soon departed from Shrek Academy, leaving Ning Rongrong to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She turned to face the Shrek group, her expression curious as she asked, "So, what about you three Soul Saints and the two talented students? The Tianwu Academy is newly established, right? They must be in dire need of your talents."

At Ning Rongrong's question, Zhao Wuji let out a cold hmph and strode off toward the depths of the academy.

Shaoxin, carrying the badly wounded Dai Mubai, headed toward the dormitory area, while Flander informed Oscar before going to check on Dai Mubai's condition.

Oscar looked at Ning Rongrong, intending to introduce himself, but the memory of seeing her in an embrace with the First Prince of Star Dou made him feel a bit queasy.

"Well? Do you Shrek people have some sort of grudge against the Tianwu Academy?"

Seeing Oscar hesitate, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but prompt him.

"Ah? Oh!"

Oscar was startled by Ning Rongrong's sudden rebuke and then proceeded to explain the history between the Tianwu Academy and Shrek Academy.

Three years ago, when the Tianwu Academy was first established, they sent invitations to the surrounding soul master academies and teachers.

At that time, Shrek Academy felt that the Tianwu Academy was a new institution, and they weren't sure about its background, so they declined the invitation.

Later, they learned that the Tianwu Academy was founded by the First Prince of Star Dou, Xue Qinghe, and the master of the Tianwu Duchy.

The master of the Tianwu Duchy gave the academy its official name, and the technology and resources were all brought over from Star Dou City by the First Prince himself. They even had a Mimic Training Ground, just like the one in Star Dou City!

That was when the faculty and students of Shrek Academy became interested. After all, it was a Mimic Training Ground, and it was personally managed by the First Prince of Star Dou, Xue Qinghe!

In the second year, the Tianwu Academy reached out to Shrek Academy, intending to absorb them into their fold, as Shrek Academy was the strongest academy in the region in terms of faculty.

Initially, the negotiations went smoothly, but everything changed when a Shrek student appeared on the scene: Ma Hongjun.

The moment they laid eyes on Ma Hongjun, the Tianwu representatives didn't hesitate to attack, killing him on the spot.

The reason was simple: they did not tolerate the presence of Fallen Soul Masters in the Tianwu Duchy.

Ning Rongrong nodded in understanding, but then furrowed her brows in confusion. "So, the Tianwu Academy wronged you? Ma Hongjun wasn't actually a Fallen Soul Master?"

Oscar, far from being embarrassed by the interruption, explained, "Ma Hongjun's soul ring did have some issues, and according to the definition of a Fallen Soul Master, he technically qualified as one."

Ning Rongrong was speechless. So, it turned out that the problem lay with this Shrek Academy!

"However, our dean has been trying to find a solution to Ma Hongjun's soul ring issue. But the people from the Tianwu Academy didn't give him a chance. That woman, Zhu Ming, burned Ma Hongjun to a crisp."

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong grew even more curious. If there was a way to suppress the powers of a Fallen Soul Master, surely the Tianwu Academy wouldn't have resorted to murder?

"What solution did your dean propose?"

Oscar, mistaking Ning Rongrong's curiosity for admiration of the dean's wisdom, proudly explained, "There are many young girls in the village, and they all admire Ma Hongjun's soul master status. So, the dean suggested that Ma Hongjun find solace with them to release his desires."

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened at the mention of "releasing desires."

"Wait, what type of Fallen Soul Master is Ma Hongjun?"

Oscar hesitated a bit, finding it hard to verbalize, but seeing Ning Rongrong's expectant gaze, he steeled himself and revealed the truth about Ma Hongjun's condition.

Ning Rongrong was stunned to learn that Ma Hongjun possessed a Corrupt Fire-type soul ring.

A Corrupt Fire soul ring, and they wanted him to indulge his desires?

This wasn't a solution for a Fallen Soul Master; it was blatant encouragement for his corruption to fester and grow!

It was unimaginable how many women would suffer if a Fallen Soul Master with a Corrupt Fire soul ring were allowed to grow stronger.

In his current weak state, he might only need ordinary women, but what about when he became more powerful? How many helpless soul masters would fall prey to his desires?

The thought filled Ning Rongrong, a support-type soul master herself, with disgust. The fact that Shrek Academy would foster such a Fallen Soul Master made her feel nauseous, and she doubled over, dry heaving.

As Oscar moved to check on her, Ning Rongrong pushed him away.

Her soul ring reacted, and she simultaneously unleashed her first and second soul skills.

With all the strength she could muster, Ning Rongrong sprinted away, shouting at the top of her lungs.

"Snow brother, take me away from here! I can't stay at Shrek for another moment! Ahhhhhh!!!!"

Fearing that Xue Qinghe might not hear her, Ning Rongrong screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice tearing through the air...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end