Just then, a voice rang out beside his ear. Shi Yongheng was crouching beside him, speaking softly.
"Kid, come back to the Academy with me."
Ning Que turned his gaze toward Shi Yongheng. His eyes were still hollow and lifeless as he said hoarsely,
"Teacher, you knew Sang Sang's identity all along, didn't you? You all knew. Why did you keep it from me?"
Shi Yongheng did not deny it, tacitly admitting the question. He had indeed known, but he had no power to change any of it. He said softly,
"Ning Que, fate may not favor everyone, but remember this: even if you find yourself in the most hopeless abyss, you must never give up hope.
"Besides, this is far from the moment for despair. Fuzi is still fighting in the heavens to help you keep Sang Sang here. You must trust him, trust Sang Sang, and trust that the bond between you can overcome everything!"
A trace of life returned to Ning Que's eyes. He said in astonishment,
"You mean Sang Sang is still in the human world?"
"Fuzi's battle is not over yet. Right now, the Academy needs you. Come, return to the Tang Kingdom with me."
When the two appeared again, they had already arrived at the Academy's Back Mountain.
On the Back Mountain, aside from Chen Pipi, who had already returned to Zhishou Abbey, the thirteen Academy disciples sat around an enormous table.
After that, Li Manman began assigning their tasks. He spoke unhurriedly.
"This time, there are three battlefields that require our intervention.
"The first is the army led by Xuankong Temple. We do not know whether the Scripture Lecturer will act this time, but we can be certain that several of their chief seats and their Tianxia Walkers will.
"The second is