Suspect: Zi Qingyang

Hearing this, everyone could only leave.

"Lu Leng, you should leave too," Sols said, looking at the few people who remained.

Lu Leng clenched his fists, preparing to leave.

But at that moment, Xiong Rige suddenly rushed out from the crowd. Pointing at Zi Qingyang, his eyes filled with rage, he said, "So that's why you harmed Teacher Mimis! You were waiting for this moment, Teacher Zi. Don't you feel ashamed for doing something like this?"

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying Teacher Mimis was harmed by him?" Hearing Xiong Rige's words, Lu Leng immediately exploded like lit dynamite and demanded an answer.

At the same time, the students who had not yet left the infirmary all turned to look at Zi Qingyang.

Sols and the other teachers also looked at Zi Qingyang with suspicion.

"This student, you need evidence when you speak. Empty accusations and slandering a teacher—behavior like yours won't be tolerated at Spirit Academy," Zi Qingyang said calmly despite being questioned.

"Since I dared to say it, I naturally have evidence." Xiong Rige looked at everyone. "A few days ago, when Teacher Mimis left the academy, I happened to see Zi Qingyang leaving too, and he was heading in the same direction as Teacher Mimis. I know about your relationship with Teacher Mimis, so I found it strange and followed you."

"Later, you followed Teacher Mimis all the way into Star Dou Forest. It was too dangerous inside, and I couldn't enter alone, so I came back. But I never expected you to actually harm Teacher Mimis!"

Seeing Xiong Rige's indignant expression, no one felt that he was lying. They all looked toward Zi Qingyang, waiting for his response.

Sols also asked, "Teacher Zi, did this happen?"

Sols's face had turned livid. If this was true, he would definitely teach Zi Qingyang a lesson he would never forget.

"It did..."

Just as Sols was about to flare up, Zi Qingyang continued, "But I went there to hunt soul beasts."

"Hunt soul beasts?" Sols clearly did not believe him. "You went alone. What soul beast could you possibly hunt?"

"What? Teacher Mi can hunt soul beasts alone, but I can't?" Zi Qingyang retorted before letting out a cold laugh. "As it happens, I also broke through to level seventy a few days ago. Since I had the time, I went to Star Dou Forest to hunt for a Soul Ring. Is that not allowed?"

The moment those words came out, shock appeared on Sols's face. "You broke through to level seventy too?"

"You don't believe me?" As if to prove his innocence, Zi Qingyang directly released his Soul Rings. Seven shining Soul Rings immediately floated around him.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black! His seventh Soul Ring was clearly a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring! "He really did break through to Soul Sage." At once, suspicion toward Zi Qingyang dropped to nearly nothing.

Zi Qingyang gave a cold laugh, then looked at Xiong Rige. "Since you were only concerned about Teacher Mimis, I won't hold it against you. But I hope you'll use your brain before speaking next time."

Zi Qingyang acted magnanimous toward Xiong Rige, but Xiong Rige did not appreciate it. Still filled with fury, he said, "Even if you did become a Soul Sage, why were you sneaking around behind Teacher Mi? No one would care if you acted alone, but why did you have to follow Teacher Mi? If that isn't suspicious, what is? You must be the real culprit behind Teacher Mi's injuries!"

"What do you mean, followed?" Zi Qingyang countered. "Spirit Academy is only an hour away from Star Dou Forest, and there are only a few roads there. Isn't it normal for Teacher Mi and me to take the same road?"

"You're clearly just making excuses!"

"Enough!" Sols suddenly shouted, his expression stern. He said to Xiong Rige, "Teacher Zi has already proven his innocence. If you continue spouting nonsense, don't blame me for being harsh. Without sufficient evidence, what makes you think Teacher Zi is the culprit?"

"It's him! It has to be him...!" Xiong Rige's eyes were bloodshot as he ground his teeth in hatred.

"Get out!"

Zi Qingyang watched the scene with composed ease, wanting only to laugh. He loved seeing people know the truth yet remain powerless to do anything against him.

Seeing his smug expression, Xiong Rige became even more convinced. "It was you, Zi Qingyang! Fuck your ancestors—"

Slap! At that moment, a loud and discordant slap suddenly rang out.

Everyone was startled. Looking over, they discovered that a blond-haired man had appeared in front of Xiong Rige at some point.

He was the one who had just slapped Xiong Rige.

Xiong Rige could hardly believe it. He had not expected anyone to slap him, but when he saw who it was, he instantly flew into a rage and activated his Martial Soul. "Jin Zhengyang, you dare hit me? You're just Zi Qingyang's loyal dog. Like master, like dog—you're fucking devoted to your duty!"

Slap! Jin Zhengyang remained expressionless and slapped him again.

Lu Leng's pupils contracted slightly. He had not even seen how Jin Zhengyang made his move.

"Roar!"

Xiong Rige was furious beyond endurance. Soul Power surged from his body as he threw a punch. "You're courting death!"

"Stop!"

But at that instant, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from within the infirmary, forcibly halting Xiong Rige's movement.

"Xiong Rige, get out immediately!" Sols shouted.

"Director, he's the culprit. I can say with absolute certainty—"

"I said get out!" Sols said again in a deep voice, radiating an authority that could not be defied.

"I..."

Xiong Rige's expression twisted with conflict. He wanted to say more, but seeing Sols's anger, he did not dare continue. After all, he truly had no conclusive evidence, so he could only turn and leave silently.

"Fine. You should leave as well." Sols withdrew his Soul Power and addressed everyone with a dark expression.

Lu Leng did not want to leave just like that, but the moment he stepped forward, Hu Liena grabbed him. She shook her head at him, then pulled Lu Leng away.

After returning to their dormitory, Lu Leng said unhappily, "Why did you stop me?"

"If I hadn't stopped you, what were you planning to do?" Hu Liena asked.

"Zi Qingyang harmed Teacher Mimis. Xiong Rige didn't look like he was lying," Lu Leng said.

"Where's the evidence?"

"There isn't any." Saying that, Lu Leng deflated somewhat.

"So are we just going to let it go?" He still could not swallow his anger.

Hu Liena raised an eyebrow. "Let it go? How could we? Zi Qingyang and Teacher Mimis have never gotten along. He pursued Teacher Mimis before, but she rejected him every time. He has also always wanted the position of homeroom teacher for the Sacred Class, but he could never win the competition and has held a grudge ever since. If what happened to Teacher Mi wasn't an accident, then Zi Qingyang had a motive."