Li Bai Takes Action

A trace of discouragement appeared on Ye Lingling's cool face, but she remained resolute. "Grandfather wouldn't deceive me. We simply haven't found the right route yet..."

Before she could finish, Ye Zhong's expression abruptly changed, and he instantly shielded Ye Lingling behind him.

The momentum of a Soul Douluo erupted with a crash as he vigilantly stared toward the treetops ahead and to the side. "Who's there?!"

The space there rippled faintly, and a green-clad girl carrying a strange instrument quietly emerged.

Her features were exquisite, and her aura ethereal, like an elf of the forest.

Cai Wenji's gaze fell upon Ye Lingling, who stood behind Ye Zhong. Sensing the unique aura of life around her, Cai Wenji smiled faintly.

Her voice was crisp. "May I ask if you are Miss Ye Lingling? By the Dean's order, I have come to invite you to join Big Dipper Academy."

Ye Lingling and Ye Zhong were both stunned at first.

Then overwhelming delight surged through their hearts!

They had finally found it!

Yet Ye Zhong did not lower his guard. He keenly sensed that the seemingly delicate green-clad girl before him possessed an unfathomable aura.

She actually gave him an extremely dangerous feeling.

She was at least a Titled Douluo!

This Big Dipper Academy truly was a place of Hidden Dragons and Crouching Tigers!

Led by Cai Wenji, the two followed her through twists and turns. After passing through a seemingly ordinary mist, the scene before them suddenly opened up.

A magnificent complex of exquisitely arranged buildings stood within a valley, completely cut off from the outside world.

No wonder they had been unable to find it before, no matter what they did.

"This... is Big Dipper Academy?"

Ye Lingling's cool eyes were filled with shock.

She had originally thought Big Dipper Academy was merely an ordinary academy hidden deep in the mountains, but she had never expected it to be such a blessed sanctuary.

Ye Zhong was even more shaken. As a Soul Douluo, his senses were sharper still.

He could clearly feel several unfathomable auras within the academy, each as deep as the Abyss.

Any one of them was far beyond his reach.

Seeing their shocked expressions, Cai Wenji smiled faintly and explained, "The academy is covered by an array that isolates it from the outside world. Without the Dean's permission, even those standing close by would find it difficult to discover it."

"Please follow me. The Dean is waiting."

Under Cai Wenji's guidance, they crossed a path paved with bluestone and arrived before an elegant courtyard.

The courtyard gate stood open. Lu Xiao stood within with his hands behind his back, while Ao Yin, who had just finished receiving guidance, stood beside him.

"Dean, Miss Ye Lingling has arrived."

Cai Wenji bowed as she reported.

Lu Xiao turned, his gentle gaze settling on Ye Lingling. He nodded. "Welcome to Big Dipper Academy, Ye Lingling."

Ye Lingling hurriedly curtsied. "Ye Lingling greets the Dean."

She secretly raised her eyes to examine the legendary Dean. He appeared quite young, with exceptionally handsome features and an aura that was even more unfathomable.

It was as though he had merged with the heavens and earth around him, inspiring instinctive reverence.

"No need for formalities."

Lu Xiao made a small gesture to help her up, then began introducing the others. "This is Teacher Cai Wenji, whom you have already met. Her music can soothe the mind, enhance cultivation, and she has unique expertise in the path of support."

Cai Wenji gave Ye Lingling a friendly smile.

Lu Xiao then pointed to the extraordinary Ao Yin beside him. "This is Ao Yin, a Student who recently joined the academy. His Martial Soul is the Elemental Dragon, and his talent is exceptional."

Ao Yin nodded slightly to Ye Lingling in greeting.

He seemed somewhat reserved by nature, but his gaze was clear.

"There are not many teachers in the academy at present, but each has their own specialties."

Lu Xiao continued, "That one is Lu Bu. He mainly teaches powerful attacks and halberd techniques."

He pointed toward a broad, powerfully built man with a domineering aura on the distant training grounds.

"That is Sikong Zhen. He commands Thunder and is responsible for the students' combat training and physical conditioning."

Elsewhere, a middle-aged man surrounded by fine arcs of lightning sat cross-legged in meditation, possessing an imposing presence even in silence.

"And that one..."

Lu Xiao's gaze shifted to the Cyan-robed man leaning beneath the corridor, still holding a wine gourd and appearing languid. "Li Bai. You should have heard of him. His Sword path is unmatched in this age."

Ye Lingling followed Lu Xiao's introductions one by one, while stormy waves had already risen in her heart.

Lu Bu, Sikong Zhen, Li Bai...

As well as the unfathomable Cai Wenji and the new Student, Ao Yin...

The strength of Big Dipper Academy was simply terrifying beyond imagination.

"At present, aside from Ao Yin, the academy also has Zhu Zhuqing, who is in seclusion as she attempts to break through a bottleneck."

Lu Xiao added.

"Her Martial Soul is the Hell Spirit Cat. She belongs to the Agility Attack System, and both her talent and determination are outstanding. As for Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan, they have taken leave and have yet to return. You will meet them in time."

Hearing those names, Ye Lingling was even more shaken.

Ning Rongrong of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and Dugu Yan of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor were both geniuses who had appeared on the Martial Soul Ranking.

Zhu Zhuqing was surely no ordinary person either.

Being able to join such an academy and stand alongside such geniuses was an immense stroke of fortune.

Just then.

Ye Zhong recalled the old family head's instructions before their departure and hesitated inwardly.

He did not know whether he should immediately tell the young lady about the drastic change that had befallen the Ye Family.

The observant Ye Lingling noticed Ye Zhong's unusual behavior and softly asked, "Uncle Zhong, what's wrong? Did something happen at home?"

Ye Zhong looked into the young lady's clear, worried eyes. Thinking of the old family head's sacrifice and the Ye Family's current predicament, he gritted his teeth.

He told her what the family head had instructed him to say.

He quickly recounted how the old family head had remained behind alone to contend with Spirit Hall in order to cover the young lady's escape, and how Spirit Hall had most likely already acted against the Ye Family after they left.

"How could this be?"

After hearing this, Ye Lingling was struck as if by lightning, and her pretty face instantly turned deathly pale.

Lu Xiao had long anticipated this upon hearing their account.

His expression remained calm as he turned toward Li Bai, who was lazily leaning against the doorframe with a wine gourd in hand. He said evenly, "Li Bai, go with Ye Lingling to Spirit Hall and bring the Ye Family members back."

Li Bai let out a wine-scented burp. With bleary eyes, he Glanced at the two of them and nodded casually. "Oh, got it."

Ye Lingling and Ye Zhong both froze.

Just... just him alone?

Their opponent was Spirit Hall!

A perilous den guarded by Ghost Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and perhaps even more Titled Douluo!

Ye Lingling could not help worrying. "Dean, Spirit Hall is filled with experts. Teacher Li Bai alone..."

Lu Xiao smiled faintly, his tone filled with absolute confidence. "It's fine. If he says he can bring them back, then he certainly will."

Looking at Lu Xiao's calm yet unquestionable expression, as well as Li Bai's aura, which seemed lazy yet unfathomable.

Though Ye Lingling and Ye Zhong remained shocked and uneasy, a flicker of hope inexplicably rose within their hearts.

Perhaps...

This mysterious Big Dipper Academy truly possessed the power to shake Spirit Hall?

Li Bai tipped back his head and drained the last mouthful of wine. He casually tossed aside the wine gourd and spoke to Ye Zhong and Ye Lingling.

"Let's go. Point me in the right direction."

With that, an invisible Sword Qi enveloped Ye Zhong and Ye Lingling.

The three figures flashed, vanishing from the Dean's courtyard in an instant as they sped toward Spirit Hall!