Even if they were ninety percent at fault, didn't you bear ten percent of the responsibility?

The Grandmaster and Flender had been old friends for many years, and he knew very well what kind of person his old friend was.

To put it bluntly, the Grandmaster could tell what Flender was about to say just by the way he turned his backside up.

"Don't even think about it." The Grandmaster raised his hand in a firm refusal.

"Xiao Gang, I haven't even said anything yet, why are you so quick to refuse?" Flender, somewhat helplessly.

"Heh, I know what you're going to say without you even opening your mouth," the Grandmaster sneered.

"It seems we're on the same page, Xiao Gang. You should take this Pope's Token. We both know very well that the meaning of you holding the Pope's Token Pope's Token versus me holding it is completely different," Flender earnestly advised.

"I don't see any difference. You're under a lot of pressure as the dean, so you should take it," the Grandmaster said indifferently.

"Why are you so stubborn? This is all for the children, Xiao Gang. You can't let your own selfishness ruin their future." Flender started using moral blackmail.

The Grandmaster frowned. "What does this have to do with the children's future? As long as we produce the Pope's Token, those people from the Spirit Hall won't dare to cause any more trouble. You can achieve the same effect with it."

"Yeah, Dean, what difference does it make which one of you takes it?" Xiao Wu asked, puzzled.

The same question arose in the minds of Tang San and his companions.

"Oh dear, you don't understand. If I take this Pope's Token, it's just a Pope's Token. The Spirit Hall Pope's Token even suspect where it came from. But it's different if Xiao Gang takes it. Right, Xiao Gang, if you insist on me taking this Pope's Token, what if the Spirit Hall becomes suspicious and it exposes His Highness Clear Sky's whereabouts? After all, there are only three Pope's Token that have been leaked." Flender raised an eyebrow at Grandmaster.

"When will you ever use your brain for something worthwhile?" The Grandmaster sighed, finally accepting the Pope's Token from Tang San's hand.

"How is this not being used properly? I'm thinking about the children's future. If you presented the Pope's Token, the Spirit Hall would never dare to cause us any trouble. Perhaps His Highness Clear Sky gave us the Pope's Token with this very idea in mind." The more Flender thought about it, the more reasonable his idea seemed.

"Do you think everyone is as boring as you?" The Grandmaster put away the Pope's Token with annoyance.

Although he didn't want Flender's scheme to succeed, the guy was right; among the people in the Academy, he really was the most suitable to hold this Pope's Token.

If someone else takes it, it will cause some trouble.

So, did Clear Sky Douluo have Xiao San bring the Pope's Token because he considered my situation? A thoughtful look appeared in the Grandmaster's eyes.

On a Rooftop within the Academy, Tang Hao was leisurely lying there, basking in the sun.

The reason he's not guarding Ah Yin inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is because Tang San went there a couple of days ago and told him about Chen Feng's Ambush.

Tang Hao had watched the two boys grow up together since they were little, and he knew the bond between them well, so he didn't do much. He simply gave them a Pope's Token and said five words.

Do what you feel like.

Tang San nodded and left, while Tang Hao briefly said goodbye to Ah Yin and then went into the Academy, just like he had done back in the junior Academy, to watch over his son.

Tang Hao was never one to be patient or tolerant; his motto was to seek revenge and repay kindness. Just like back in Sunset Forest, when the Holy Dragon Sect gang came to bully him, he went straight up and killed them.

Therefore, Tang Hao does not intend to interfere with his son's actions this time. No matter what choice Tang San makes, he will help him out.

Of course, the years of setbacks have also made Tang Hao temper his sharpness and understand that many things cannot be done recklessly, which is why he took out the Pope's Token.

He figured that if Tang San's troubles weren't too serious and didn't severely damage the Spirit Hall's interests, the Pope's Token should be enough to resolve the issue.

However, what Tang Hao hadn't considered was that while the Pope's Token represented status, it also inherently implied a kind of trouble.

Not everyone can use Pope's Token to solve problems.

If it weren't for the presence of Grandmaster, it's hard to say how things would have developed after the Pope's Token was brought to light.

It can only be said that Tang Hao has indeed made some progress, but not much.

After Flender had made preparations, the Joint Investigation Team arrived.

Just as he had predicted, the representative from the Heaven Dou Empire was Ning Fengzhi, while the representative from the Spirit Hall was somewhat unexpected for Flender, as it was Salas himself who came.

Was it because he was worried that Sect Master Ning would use his position to smooth things over that this guy came personally? Flender thought to himself as he went out to greet him with Grandmaster and Liu Erlong.

"Dean Flanders, I apologize for disturbing you." Ning Fengzhi smiled and greeted Flender.

The two of them were acquaintances.

Because of Flender's long-distance raid and warning, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin arrived at the Nuoding Academy in time. In the famous "The First Appearance of the Foundation Building Method" event in the Soul Master World, they worked together to keep Chen Feng's identity unknown to outsiders, allowing Chen Feng to spend a peaceful childhood.

And now, they are going to collaborate again.

"Sect Master Ning, you are too kind. Your arrival and that of Sword Douluo have truly brought honor to our humble academy." Flender returned the greeting with a smile, exchanging a glance with Ning Fengzhi along the way, everything understood without words.

"By the way, I haven't yet asked who this gentleman is..." Flender looked at Salas, feigning a puzzled expression.

During the opening ceremony of the Spirit Master Tournament, the emcee invited Salas to draw lots, so Flender should have known Salas.

Even if he didn't know him, he should wait for Ning Fengzhi to introduce him.

But Flender pretended not to recognize him and even said it to his face, which made Salas's face twitch slightly.

Ning Fengzhi's next words made Salas's expression even more unpleasant:

"Dean Flanders, have you forgotten? This is the Temple Master of our Heaven Dou City Spirit Sacred Hall, His Platinum Bishop Salas. It was he who drew the lots during the opening ceremony, allowing your academy to be the first to display its amazing prowess on the Tournament Stage."

Ning Fengzhi's words sounded normal, just a simple introduction, but as the saying goes, "a stone thrown at a dog will make it bark," and Salas had been secretly making predictions all along, so Ning Fengzhi's words sounded like a direct attack on him.

Flender slapped his forehead, looking annoyed. "Oh, right, right! Look at my brain! I'm always so preoccupied with too many things, I really couldn't think of anything for a moment. I have to thank Bishop Salas for your brilliant hand. Out of so many Academy, you picked Academy out at once. This shows that you and our Academy are very destined. Please come in quickly, Sect Master Ning, please come in as well."

Salas did not respond to Flender; he didn't know how to respond to what seemed like flattery but sounded sarcastic to him.

So Salas simply nodded slightly and led his men into the Academy.

Ning Fengzhi only brought Chen Xin with him this time, while Salas brought twelve people.

Among them were not only two Cardinal dressed in red robes, but also ten Sacred Hall warriors dressed in red outfits, making quite a grand spectacle.

Flender led his group to the Conference Room in the teaching building. The two sides took their seats according to their status as host and guest. Flender gave the first seat to Salas and Ning Fengzhi, while he, Liu Erlong, and the Grandmaster sat at the end of the table.

Salas's gaze swept over Flender and the other two, lingering briefly on the Grandmaster before he asked:

"Dean Flanders, you should know the purpose of our visit, right?"

"Of course I know."

"Oh?"

"The reason why Platinum Bishop came with Sect Master Ning this time is because most of our Academy's contestants were seriously injured, so he came to offer his condolences and support, right?"

"I get angry just thinking about it. It's just a competition, but Canghui Academy went to such lengths. It must be because our Academy members are too outstanding, which has aroused the jealousy of some bastards. So these scoundrels who have fathers but no mothers tried to use Underhanded Tactics to prevent our Academy from continuing to participate in the competition."

"Your Excellency, Platinum Bishop, Sect Master Ning, you must stand up for the children of my Academy!" Flender asked angrily.

Ning Fengzhi almost burst out laughing, and quickly interjected:

"Yes, Dean Flanders, the tournament organizing committee has investigated and found out that Canghui Academy used a powerful Mental Soul Skill with unknown lethality. However, because the fused Mental Power was too strong and difficult to control, it caused Spirit Skill Backlash. This means that your guess, Dean, is very likely. Canghui Academy may have intended to severely injure or even kill you contestants from the very beginning."

"Huh? That's too much!" Flender slammed his hand on the table, making a loud bang.

"They actually dared to openly attempt an attack! Canghui Academy is competing normally with other Academy, yet they specifically prepared a powerful, lethal Mental Soul Skill for our Academy. What are they trying to do? Is there no justice or law left?"

Ning Fengzhi was taken aback. He had clearly said "a powerful Mental Soul Skill with unknown destructive power," so how did it become "a powerful destructive Mental Soul Skill" in Flender's mouth?

If you change just a few words, the nature of the matter will be completely different.

However, Ning Fengzhi did not point out Flender's "slip of the tongue," but continued speaking:

"Dean Flanders, please don't be too angry. Justice and the law still exist. That's why I came here with Bishop Salas to seek justice for your institution."

Yes, one side represents natural justice, and the other side represents the law; it's perfectly reasonable.

"Thank you so much." Flender was about to squeeze out tears and put on a show of overwhelming gratitude when Salas interrupted his spellcasting.

Salas had to speak up. Although he had only come to test the Grandmaster and had no intention of destroying Nine-Headed Serpent Academy, he couldn't let these two continue their coordinated attack.

Otherwise, Salas might not only fail to hold Nine-Headed Serpent accountable, but might even turn around and seek justice for the Nine-Headed Serpent Academy.

What do you mean by "reversing the Heavenly Gang"?

Therefore, he said in a deep voice, "Dean Flanders, while the Spirit Skill Backlash of the Canghui Academy students is indeed a case of Spirit Skill Backlash, we cannot rule out the possibility that your students may have fueled it. I strongly suspect that the fact that the Canghui Academy students have become idiots was intentional on your part. Therefore, you must hand over all the students who participated today and cooperate with our investigation and questioning."

Flender was somewhat disappointed that Salas hadn't gotten into his and Ning Fengzhi's rhythm, but he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he revealed a wronged and angry expression.

"Your Excellency, what you're saying is utterly unreasonable. What do you mean by 'we can't rule out the possibility that our students might have instigated this'? And you even suspect that we did it on purpose? Their Spirit Skill Backlash was their own doing, what does it have to do with us? Our students were clearly also seriously injured."

"If that's how it is, sir, does that mean we'll have to consider the health of every Academy we compete against from now on? And if our opponents have even the slightest problem, we'll be held responsible? What's the point of competing then? We might as well just withdraw!"

"Dean Flanders, you don't just say things like that lightly," Salas said expressionlessly.

"Please don't be offended, sir. I was just angry for a moment." Flender's anger remained undiminished.

Ning Fengzhi then began to take sides, saying, "Lord Salas, the law is no exception to human sentiment. Since the students of the Nine-Headed Serpent Academy are also seriously injured and it is inconvenient for them to be investigated right now, then we don't need to rush. Moreover, your arbitrary questioning of the Nine-Headed Serpent Academy without investigation is really inappropriate and will damage the reputation of Dean Flanders and his students."

Salas scoffed. "I was merely raising reasonable suspicions. As for their reputation, isn't the right time to investigate them and clear their names?"

He's now trying to apply pressure step by step. If the Grandmaster really has something going on with the Pope, he'll definitely be forced to reveal something.

Conversely, if the Grandmaster cannot produce anything, Salas would not mind kicking the Academy out of the competition, thus removing a powerful opponent from the Main Hall's team.

Even if Ci Xie asks him about it later, he'll have something to say because he's acting according to the Rules.

With this in mind, Salas began to press the issue further.

"Even if the Canghui Academy students are 90% responsible for turning into idiots, don't you Nine-Headed Serpent Academy people bear even 10% of the responsibility? Without handing over the contestants for investigation, I'll have a hard time explaining to the competition organizing committee and the other participating Academy."

Upon hearing this, Flender and Ning Fengzhi both widened their eyes, and Liu Erlong gave Salas a thorough once-over.

Even she had never acted so unreasonably; this Platinum Bishop is truly a scoundrel.

If Chen Feng weren't here right now, he would definitely have let out a gasp:

"Holy crap, what a fairy-like statement!"

Faced with such blatant targeting, Ning Fengzhi wanted Flender to back down a bit, at least to show someone as a gesture, so that he could continue to exert his strength.

At that moment, the Grandmaster took out something.