The car sped all the way back, finally returning to Kyoto University of Science and Technology at dusk.
When the car entered the school, it immediately caused an uproar. Seeing the four blood-covered Fang Yan and the unconscious Su Wan, everyone showed shocked expressions.
The school doctor rushed over at once and sent Su Wan and the four injured students to the infirmary for treatment.
After the school doctor's emergency treatment, Su Wan's injuries temporarily stabilized. However, the meridians inside her body had suffered severe damage, and she would need a long period of rest to recover. Chu Feng, Lin Mengyao, and Li Hao's injuries were relatively minor—mostly superficial wounds and excessive depletion of internal force. After treatment, they were no longer in serious danger.
Fang Yan's condition was the most unusual. Although he had no external injuries, the internal force and blood qi in his body were nearly exhausted. His meridians had also sustained some damage from forcibly burning his blood qi. The school doctor advised him to rest for at least half a month before he could recover.
Over the next few days, Fang Yan recuperated in his dormitory. Chu Feng, Lin Mengyao, and Li Hao came to visit him every day, bringing him nutritional supplements and cultivation resources.
The school also took the attack extremely seriously. It immediately established a special investigation team to thoroughly investigate why the Dark Demon Race had appeared near Kyoto and attacked their school team.
According to news from the investigation team, the Dark Demon Race that had attacked them had emerged from a dimensional rift that had appeared only recently. The dimensional rift was located in a deep mountain on the outskirts of Kyoto and had already been sealed off by the military. However, the investigation team suspected that this might only be the beginning of the Dark Demon Race's invasion. In the future, even more members of the Devil Race might emerge from other dimensional rifts.
This news plunged all of Kyoto into a tense atmosphere. The various universities of martial science strengthened their security measures, while the military deployed troops at every important location.
Fang Yan lay on his bed, listening to the news Chu Feng had brought him, his heart heavy. He had never expected the threat of the Dark Demon Race to be so close to them.
"Looks like the national tournament may have to be postponed." Chu Feng sighed. "The school has already submitted an application to the tournament organizing committee, hoping to delay the competition until Teacher Su has recovered and our injuries have healed."
Fang Yan nodded. "That's fine. Given the situation, even if we went to compete, we wouldn't be able to perform at our best. Besides, until the threat of the Dark Demon Race is eliminated, we won't be able to compete with peace of mind."
"By the way, what about Li Hao? How has he been lately?" Fang Yan asked.
"Him? Ever since the last attack, he's become even more taciturn." Chu Feng said, "Apart from cultivating, he cultivates every day, as if he's putting all his energy into improving his strength. I feel like something is weighing on his mind."
Fang Yan frowned. He had also sensed the change in Li Hao. Ever since they had gone through life and death together, although Li Hao no longer treated him with the hostility he once had, he still kept a certain distance. There was always a trace of barely perceptible worry in his eyes.
"Maybe what happened last time hit him too hard," Fang Yan said. "After all, it was the first time he had truly faced the cruelty of the Dark Demon Race."
Just then, someone knocked on the dormitory door.
"Come in," Fang Yan said.
The door opened, and Lin Mengyao walked in with an envelope in her hand.
"Fang Yan, this is for you from the school." Lin Mengyao handed him the envelope. "Teacher Su asked me to give it to you after she woke up."
Fang Yan took the envelope and opened it. Inside was a note and a black token.
The note was written in Su Wan's handwriting. Although the writing was somewhat weak, it was still clear:
"Fang Yan, by the time you see this note, I should already be awake. This attack made me realize that your strength is still insufficient. This token belongs to the school's Special Missions Department. With it, you can accept certain special missions, obtain generous rewards, and temper your practical combat abilities. The national tournament has been postponed. You must make good use of this time to improve your strength. Remember, only by becoming stronger can you protect yourself and the people around you. —Su Wan"
Fang Yan clenched the token in his hand. It was icy cold to the touch, and two ancient-looking characters were engraved on it: "Special Order."
"Special Missions Department..." Fang Yan murmured, a glint flashing through his eyes.
He knew this was a good opportunity to improve his strength. Moreover, he wanted to accept missions to learn more about the Dark Demon Race and avenge the previous attack.
"I've decided. Once my injuries recover, I'll go to the Special Missions Department and accept a mission," Fang Yan said.
Chu Feng and Lin Mengyao exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in the other's eyes.
"Fang Yan, are you sure?" Chu Feng asked worriedly. "The missions from the Special Missions Department are extremely dangerous. Many of them are the kind where nine deaths await you for every chance of survival."
"I've thought it through." Fang Yan spoke firmly. "What happened last time made me understand that strength is the most important thing. If we keep hiding in the school, we'll never truly grow. Only by experiencing more real combat can we become stronger. Besides, I also want to find out what the Dark Demon Race's purpose was in attacking us this time."
Lin Mengyao looked at Fang Yan, admiration in her eyes. "I support you. Once I've fully recovered, I'll go with you."
Chu Feng hesitated for a moment before speaking as well. "Then I'm going too! The more people we have, the greater our strength."
Fang Yan looked at the two of them, his heart filled with emotion. "Good! Then we'll go to the Special Missions Department together, accept the challenges, and improve our strength!"
Their eyes were filled with determination. They knew the road ahead was fraught with danger, but they were already prepared.
Meanwhile, in a hidden underground chamber somewhere in Kyoto,
a man dressed in a black robe knelt on the floor, reporting something to a figure shrouded in darkness.
"My lord, our attack on the school team from Kyoto University of Science and Technology failed. That brat named Fang Yan was far stronger than we expected. He actually unleashed power approaching the level of a Great Martial Master."
The shadow in the darkness was silent for a moment before slowly speaking in a hoarse, icy voice. "Fang Yan... Interesting. I never expected the human world to still have a genius like him. But a failure is a failure. You may leave. Continue monitoring them. I'd like to see just how far this brat named Fang Yan can grow."
"Yes, my lord." The black-robed man replied respectfully before turning and disappearing into the darkness.
The figure in the darkness slowly rose to his feet, revealing a wrinkled face. A greedy glint flashed in his eyes. "To unleash such power at the Martial Master Mid-stage... If I can refine him into a blood pill, my strength will surely rise to another level..."
A dense dark aura spread through the underground chamber, heralding the arrival of an even greater storm.
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