Without another word, everyone turned around and headed to search for Mr. Maisi's body.
The woods were overgrown with weeds and littered with pebbles.
The surrounding environment made everyone's hearts tighten once again.
Before they had gone far, Qin Ming was the first to see Maisi's body.
His clothes were tattered and his body was covered with wounds from being bitten and struck by Soul Beasts.
Even in death, he still maintains the posture of fighting back with all his might.
Everyone could almost see that, even in his dying moments, he was desperately resisting the Soul Beast, not wanting the beast to harm his students.
Upon witnessing this scene, everyone subconsciously lowered their breathing, feeling a suffocating sense of oppression.
Dugu Yan turned her head slightly, her eyes instantly reddening.
Just a few days ago, when they first entered the Star Dou Great Forest, Teacher Maisi kept warning them to be careful in the Star Dou Great Forest and never let them out of his sight.
But now, he lies all alone in this desolate wilderness.
"She was perfectly fine just a few days ago..." Dugu Yan's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, and she began to sob softly.
Yu Tianheng clenched his fists tightly, his heart pounding with anxiety.
It was clearly because he killed the baby Earth Dragon that the Earth Dragon came to hunt him down.
However, it was Mr. Maisi who covered their retreat, bringing them hope for survival.
This guilt and helplessness always weighed on his heart; he felt he owed Mr. Maisi a life.
"Our teacher dedicated his entire life to the college, to us, without ever striving or competing."
Yu Tianheng's voice was hoarse and full of bitterness.
"He should have lived a peaceful life to the end, but instead he was buried in a desolate mountain, without even a dignified farewell. It's all my fault. If I had been stronger, things wouldn't have happened..."
Qin Ming stood to one side, his eyes filled with sorrow.
The world of Soul Masters has always been like this: people only see the boundless glory of the top experts, but they cannot see the silent sacrifices of countless ordinary Soul Masters.
Too many people dedicate their lives to their duties and make silent contributions, only to pass away quietly, forgotten by all.
However, some people deserve to be remembered. The world of Soul Masters is cruel, but there are always those who are willing to sacrifice themselves for others.
And these kinds of people have one common name: heroes.
Qin Ming took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions, and said in a low, solemn voice, "Pack up, take Professor Maisi back. The academy is his life's home; he should go home."
The group moved very gently, carefully brushing the dust off the teacher and tidying up his torn clothes.
The entire mountain forest was completely silent.
Yu Tianheng bent down and steadily carried Mr. Maisi's body on his back, his back straight, but his steps were unusually heavy.
This is the last thing I, as a student, can do for my beloved teacher.
The desolate mountains and wilderness were not worthy of him; his true home was always the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, which he had guarded his entire life.
The group returned to the main road and headed towards Heaven Dou City again.
Throughout the journey, no one chatted or laughed; the entire group remained silent and solemn.
Su Zui walked on the side of the group, looking at Yu Tianheng carrying a heavy load ahead, and felt a mix of emotions.
The Douluo Continent has never lacked powerful individuals who pursue the pinnacle and vie for supremacy, but it is even more filled with ordinary people who are both humble and extraordinary.
They sought neither fame nor fortune, nor did they strive for the pinnacle; they dedicated their lives to quietly upholding their posts and protecting future generations.
They gave their all, quietly sacrificing themselves, leaving behind only their unyielding spirit.
It is precisely these countless unsung heroes who have upheld the most genuine gentleness of this continent.
After traveling for a while, the majestic outline of Heaven Dou City finally came into clear view.
Towering walls stand in rows, banners flutter on the city towers, and carriages and horses come and go in an endless stream below, exuding a rich sense of human life and prosperity.
After three months away, seeing the familiar human city again warmed Su Zui's heart. His wandering heart finally found peace.
"Ahead lies Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is located in the northern part of the city."
Yu Tianheng said in a low voice.
Su Zui nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the surging crowd at the city gate, his heart filled with anticipation.
At this very moment, in a quiet pavilion courtyard of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
A petite, pink-haired figure stood quietly by the railing; however, her once lively and charming eyes were now filled with listlessness and loneliness.
Ning Rongrong leaned against the railing with one hand, gazing at the drifting clouds in the sky, her lips tightly pursed, her mind filled with the image of Su Zui.
For three whole months, there was no news at all.
From initial unwavering belief, to later anxiety and unease, and now to sleepless nights, she is almost at her breaking point.
The Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect exhausted their manpower and searched most of the continent, but ultimately failed to find even a trace of Su Zui.
During this period, countless rumors spread wildly. Some said he perished in the Star Dou Great Forest, while others said he was intercepted and killed by hostile forces and his remains were never found.
Every time Ning Rongrong heard this news, she would secretly feel sad for a long time, and the unease in her heart would grow stronger.
"Su Zui, where are you...?" she murmured softly, her eyes filled with grievance.
They had clearly made a promise to be together for life, but Su Zui broke her word.
Outside the courtyard, two sets of footsteps slowly approached.
Flender watched the girl's lonely figure as she walked away, and sighed helplessly.
"Rongrong, don't overthink it. Good people are always protected by heaven. Su Zui is a clever and strong child; he'll be fine."
Zhao Wuji echoed in a gruff voice, "That's right! That kid is incredibly strong and has many ways to protect himself. He's definitely lying low somewhere; he'll be back sooner or later!"
Ning Rongrong forced a faint smile and nodded gently, but the emptiness in her heart did not diminish in the slightest.
Just then, a student from the academy rushed over, his expression a mixture of panic and excitement. "Teacher Flender! Teacher Zhao! Boss Yu and the others are back! And... they brought someone back!"
Flender paused slightly, "Yu Feng, tell me slowly, who did they bring back?"
Yu Feng swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly. "His exact identity is unclear, but Senior Brother Yu said that this person is very likely the one the entire continent is searching for!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the three people in the courtyard froze on the spot.
Who else could be the person being searched for so frantically across the entire continent besides Su Zui?
Ning Rongrong shuddered violently, and her previously dim eyes suddenly burst forth with extreme brightness.
She could no longer contain herself and turned to run wildly out of the courtyard.
Her skirt fluttered as she hurried along.
Her eyes were already brimming with tears. She rushed through the corridors and across the courtyards, disregarding everything, toward the academy gates.
Ning Rongrong's heart was pounding wildly in her chest.
Anticipation, trepidation, elation, and nervousness—countless emotions intertwined and filled my heart.
Is it him? Is it really him who's back?
At this moment, the main gate of the Heaven Dou Academy is bustling with people, and students come and go in an endless stream.
Su Zui followed Yu Tianheng and his group as they slowly entered the school gate.
The moment he stepped into the school gate, a graceful pink-haired figure suddenly appeared at the edge of his vision.
Their eyes met.
Everything in the world seemed to freeze completely at that moment.