Shrek Academy, Dean's Office.
Flender was sitting behind a large desk, the usual shrewdness and philistineness on his face had long been replaced by heaviness and a trace of hard-to-conceal fatigue, and his eyes behind his glasses were bloodshot.
Liu Erlong stood beside him, with his hands folded across his chest, his face ashen, as if suppressed lava was rolling around his body, and his already heroic eyes were burning with raging anger and anxiety at this moment.
The disappearance of Zhao Wuji was a huge blow to them. They had barely had a good night's sleep in the past six months, and they had used all the connections they could, but still found nothing.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was sitting on the sofa nearby, his brows furrowed, his fingertips tapping his knees unconsciously, and he was deep in thought. On the short table in front of him, some scattered information and maps were spread out.
The real leaders in the room at this moment are the two people sitting opposite Flender.
Ning Fengzhi, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the sect leader, is still dressed in white, as gentle as jade, with an elegant temperament. But at this moment, his eyes, which always have a gentle smile, are filled with bottomless light of dignity and wisdom. In his hand, he is gently stroking a warm jade pendant, which is one of the tokens of the sect leader Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Standing a little behind Ning Fengzhi is an old man. He is as straight as a sword, has an ancient face, and his eyes are shining brightly when he opens and closes them. He is the backbone of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Elder Bai
Huo Wu sat on a chair near the door, and Ye Lingling stood quietly beside her. Huo Wu's face was paler than when he was in the courtyard, and his lips were tightly pursed, almost bloodless.
She hugged Feng Nian tightly in her arms, as if it was her only source of support and warmth at the moment. The child's swaddling clothes covered her slightly trembling hands, but those eyes that were rekindled with fire but colder than ice were fixed on Ning Fengzhi, waiting for the "follow-up situation" that might answer her half-year nightmare.
"Miss Huo Wu, my condolences." Ning Fengzhi's voice was the first to break the silence, gentle with a hint of heavy apology, "About Zhao Wuji Vice President, Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang and several other academy elites disappeared, I, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, have never given up on the pursuit in the past six months. However... there are too few clues, and the opponent is extremely cunning, or in other words, extremely well prepared."
Huo Wu's breathing quickened for a moment, but she forced herself to calm down and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Sect Master Ning, Senior Bai, thank you both for your hard work. Today you two came, and Dean Flender said that maybe there were some... new discoveries?"
Flender sighed and continued, "Let Sect Master Ning speak. The fragmentary information we have is nothing compared to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's intelligence network."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, his gaze swept across the crowd, and finally rested on Huo Wu's eyes full of pain and hope, and said slowly, "It's not conclusive evidence, but some... deductions based on intelligence fragments and situations. It may be cruel, but for now, it is the most likely."
He paused and seemed to be considering his words: "Based on all the investigations in the past six months, including the extremely weak energy traces that were deliberately cleaned up inside Sunset Forest, the changes in personnel in the surrounding area before and after the incident, and... the current delicate political situation in the mainland, we initially judge that the disappearance of Vice President Zhao Wuji and his team was not an accident, but a carefully planned and targeted ambush."
"Ambush?!" Liu Erlong suddenly took a step forward, his voice like a suppressed volcano, "Who? Who dares to ambush my Shrek Academy people in Sunset Forest?"
Elder Bai's gaze swept over Liu Erlong like a real sword light, causing her excitement to stagnate slightly. Ning Fengzhi continued calmly, "Dean Erlong, please be patient. If the other party dares to act like this, he is naturally fully prepared and has the confidence to bear the consequences.
Looking at the mainland, there are not many forces that are motivated, capable, and can be completely wiped out in an environment like Sunset Forest, led by Vice President Zhao Wuji, including two Titled Douluos and many Soul Douluos, without leaving any conclusive traces of the battle..."
Ning Fengzhi: "At first, we pointed our greatest suspicion at the remnants of the Spirit Hall, but after in-depth investigation of the power mobilization around Sunset Forest and within the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire, no obvious abnormalities appeared.
If it was the remnants of the Wuhun Palace who took action, their style of conduct would either be a thunderous demonstration of force, or they would hide it completely and leave no consequences. But this incident is somewhere in between, the traces have been cleaned up, but some unexplainable 'blanks' have been left, which is not like the usual methods of the remnants of the Wuhun Palace."
Not Spirit Hall? Everyone is even more confused.
"That would be..." Flender hesitated.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes became sharp, and he slowly spit out four words: "Star Luo Empire."
"Star Luo Empire?!" Liu Erlong and Flender lost their voices at the same time. Grandmaster's brows also frowned more tightly. Huo Wu's body shook suddenly, and the arms holding the child tightened a little more.
"How is this possible?" Flender retorted subconsciously, "Although Star Luo Empire and I, Heaven Dou, have always had friction, is it true that Dai Tianfeng is crazy for hunting down teachers and students of our college?"
Ning Fengzhi did not answer directly, but looked at Elder Bai. Elder Bai understood, and said with his unique voice that sounded like gold and iron, "About half a year ago, in Shortly after Zhao Wuji and others set out for Sunset Forest, the hidden line planted by our sect in the territory of the Star Luo Empire sent back a piece of vague information that was not fully confirmed, but was of a high level.
Intelligence showed that Star Luo Emperor Dai Tianfeng had shown unusual concern for a team sent by the Shrek Academy that was suspected of going to Sunset Forest to hunt for high-level Soul Ring. He ordered to closely monitor the movements of this team."
Elder Bai's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up Surging Waves waves in the dean's room. The expressions of Flender, Liu Erlong, and Grandmaster changed instantly. In Huo Wu's eyes, the cold flame burned even more intensely, almost erupting out.
"This is just attention, it doesn't prove anything!" Liu Erlong gritted her teeth, but she could hear the weakness in her words. The emperor of one country personally ordered to pay attention to the movements of the Soul Hunting team from a college in another country, which is extremely unusual in itself.
"Yes, there is no conclusion based on this alone." On the Ning Fengzhi interface, he tapped his fingers lightly on the desktop, making clear logic and advancing step by step, "But please think about it carefully, Star Luo Empire, does it have enough motivation?"
He glanced at the crowd and asked himself, "Yes, and it is sufficient. First, weakening potential opponents will undoubtedly be a heavy blow to the Heaven Dou Empire Soul Master World's future. And attacking Heaven Dou is in line with the Star Luo Empire's fundamental interests."
"Second, although Shrek Academy is located in Heaven Dou, due to its particularity, it has become a palace in the hearts of mainland Soul Master, and its influence transcends national boundaries. If Shrek An important figure in E died 'accidentally' in Soul Hunting, which was a huge blow to the reputation of the college and could also indirectly weaken the sect's power that was closely connected with the Shrek Academy."
"Third, this is something we have only recently noticed in combination with other intelligence." Ning Fengzhi's voice was a little deeper. "You may still remember that about a year ago, in the 'Forgotten Gobi' zone bordering Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire reacted fiercely and blocked the relevant area for a long time."
Grandmaster nodded. "It is true that this happened. There were some rumors among high-end Soul Master circles in mainland China, but the specific reason was unknown, and it was later ignored."
Ning Fengzhi said slowly, "Our sect has spent a lot of money to find out recently that there may be an ancient relic that has not been fully discovered under the Gobi. Star Luo Empire attaches great importance to this and has been secretly exploring it."
He looked at Huo Wu with a hint of unbearability in his eyes, but he still said it, "We suspect that Star Luo Empire may have encountered trouble during his exploration in the Gobi.
The 'accidental' disappearance of a team led by the Shrek Academy to a dangerous area to hunt for high-level Soul Ring is undoubtedly an excellent 'smoke bomb' that can attract the attention of all parties and conceal its true actions in the Gobi.
After all, the value of a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse, or a genius Soul Master who has the potential to become Titled Douluo, is far more interesting than an unexplored ruins."
Ning Fengzhi's deduction has strict logic and interlocking links, connecting motives, timing, and details to outline a cold and cruel truth.
"So," Huo Wu's voice was as dry as sandpaper. She raised her head, the fire in her eyes had turned into cold, solidified magma, and stared at Ning Fengzhi, "What you mean is, Feng Xiaotian, my brother, Teacher Zhao and the others... were the ones Star Luo Empire Emperor Dai Tianfeng ordered... to kill in order to weaken Heaven Dou, attack Shrek, and divert attention from the Gobi ruins?"
This is not a question, but a confirmation with overwhelming hatred.
Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment and nodded slowly. "This is the most reasonable deduction based on the existing information. Although there is still a lack of decisive evidence, all signs point to the Star Luo Empire. Dai Tianfeng is a man of great talent and strategy, ruthless and ruthless, and will use any means to achieve his goals. It is not surprising that he would do such a thing."
"Bang!"
Liu Erlong punched the wall next to her hard, causing the hard stone wall to crack instantly and gravel falling down. Her eyes were red, her chest was heaving violently, and Soul Power was so furious that she could hardly control it.
Flender's face was ashen, and his eyes behind the lenses shone with anger and calculation.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang closed his eyes, with a look of pain on his face. If Ning Fengzhi's deduction is true, it means that Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, and Zhao Wuji have become victims of the game and conspiracy between great powers. They died worthless, and may even have no bones left.
"Evidence... we need evidence!" Flender squeezed out this sentence through his teeth. Without evidence, everything is empty talk. Shrek Academy cannot attack Star Luo Empire, and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect cannot intervene openly.
"The lack of evidence is precisely the reason for the opponent's brilliance and sophistication." Bai Sang said coldly, "Sunset Forest The terrain is complex, there are many Soul Beast, and the energy is chaotic. It is an excellent place to destroy corpses and cover up traces. The opponent is obviously well-prepared, and those who do it must be top experts who are proficient in concealment and cleanup. Our people, even how they did it and how many people they used, are difficult to find out."
The dean's room fell into a deathly silence. Only Feng Nian, in Huo Wu's arms, seemed to feel her mother's violent fluctuations in emotions and the extremely oppressive atmosphere in the room. She twisted uneasily and let out a weak cry.
Huo Wu lowered her head and pressed her cheek tightly against her son's young face, as if absorbing the last trace of warmth and strength. When she raised her head again, the tears in her eyes had completely disappeared, leaving only a chilling calm and determination just like Ten Thousand Year Profound Ice.
"Sect Master Ning, Senior Bai, Dean Flender, Teacher Erlong, Grandmaster." Huo Wu's voice was unusually calm, and he spoke clearly, word by word, "Thank you for telling me this. I understand."
She hugged Feng Nian, stood up slowly, bowed slightly to Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, and then nodded to Flender.
"Xiao Wu, you..." Liu Erlong looked at her like this, her heart ached even more, and she wanted to step forward to comfort her.
Huo Wu took half a step back, avoiding the hand extended by Liu Erlong. She looked at her sleeping son in her arms, and seemed to see through her son the young man with a hearty smile and fiery eyes, and the brother who always stood in front of her with a silly grin.
"Nian'er is still young and needs me." Huo Wu's voice was very soft, but with an unquestionable firmness. "I will take him away from Shrek to a quiet place and raise him. Teach him Soul Power, teach him how to be a man, and tell him that his father is an upright man, and his uncle is the brother who loves him the most."
She paused and raised her eyes. Deep in those Ice Seal eyes, it seemed as if the flames of hell were burning quietly.
"Then, when he grows up and can protect himself..."
She did not finish her words, but everyone understood the unfinished oath. It was the deepest and most decisive blood oath made by a mother, a widow, and a sister in the midst of extreme grief and hatred.
Ning Fengzhi sighed in his heart. He knew that today's words may have pointed out the direction of potential enemies for Shrek and Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but they also completely ignited the flame of revenge in Huo Wu's heart. He didn't know where this flame would eventually lead this poor and strong woman, whether it would be destruction or nirvana.
"Miss Huo Wu," Ning Fengzhi said solemnly, "This matter concerns both countries, and it affects the whole body. Until there is no conclusive evidence, please... be patient for the time being. Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will not give up the pursuit, and neither will Shrek Academy. The truth will eventually come out. By then, there will be no less justice."
Huo Wu did not speak, but bowed slightly again, then hugged Feng Nian, turned around, and walked step by step towards the door of the dean's office. Ye Lingling followed silently, supporting her by her side.
Her back was straight, but seemed to be carrying the weight of Qian Jun. It was no longer just a weak woman who had lost her lover and brother, but more like a sharp blade slowly unsheathed, drinking hatred and hiding its edge, silently waiting for the day of revenge in the darkness.
The hearts of other people in the room were also shrouded by heavy clouds and cold murderous intent. Star Luo Empire, Dai Tianfeng... If all this was really his doing, then this blood debt, Shrek Academy, and the people who share weal and woe with Shrek, have been recorded.