Homecoming, Shifting Tides

That afternoon, after their usual sparring session at the Training Ground, Yu Tianheng unexpectedly spoke up in praise.

"I've always felt that your Thunderbolt is different from ordinary Thunder Attribute."

Gu Ci smiled but said nothing more.

Of course, he would not tell Yu Tianheng that it was Ultimate Thunder.

Yu Feng leaned closer with a grin. "Tianheng, are you admitting defeat? Now that's rare."

Yu Tianheng glanced at him and replied calmly, "I'm only stating the facts."

As they laughed and joked, a sharp bell suddenly rang throughout the entire Academy.

Dong—dong—dong—

Three heavy, oppressive chimes echoed out.

Everyone's expressions changed.

"This is..." Shi Mo's eyes widened. "The Academy's emergency assembly bell?"

"Something big has happened," Osler said gravely.

Without another word, they hurried toward the Teaching Building.

By the time they reached the classroom, it was already full.

Teacher Qin stood at the podium, his expression graver than ever.

Even Meng Shenji, the usually composed chief, had come. He stood by the window with his hands behind his back, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Everyone is here."

Teacher Qin swept his gaze across the classroom and took a deep breath. "There is some news I need to tell you."

The classroom fell deathly silent.

Teacher Qin slowly said, "Spirit Hall has sent word that Pope Qian Xunji succumbed to his severe injuries and died last night."

Boom—

The classroom instantly erupted.

"The Pope is dead?"

"Spirit Hall's Pope?"

"How is that possible? He was a Titled Douluo!"

Gu Ci's pupils contracted as shock surged through him.

Qian Xunji was dead.

The Pope of Spirit Hall who had pursued Tang Hao and Ah Yin, only to be critically wounded by Tang Hao in the end, had ultimately failed to hold on.

He had been devoured by Bibi Dong.

He instinctively looked toward Dugu Yan. The little girl wore the same stunned expression.

Teacher Qin raised a hand to suppress the discussion and continued, "This has been confirmed.

"Spirit Hall is preparing the funeral rites. At the same time, they have revealed the culprit's whereabouts. The one who severely wounded and killed Qian Xunji was Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect."

"Tang Hao? One of the Clear Sky Twin Stars?"

"Has he gone mad? He actually dared to kill Spirit Hall's Pope?"

"I heard it was because of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast..."

"Spirit Hall returned in crushing defeat. Who would have thought even their Pope would succumb to his wounds?"

The chatter rose again, but this time it carried far more fear.

Clear Sky Sect. Spirit Hall.

These two colossal powers were likely about to clash.

Meng Shenji finally spoke, his voice low. "This matter has far-reaching implications. The Academy has decided to begin a one-month break effective immediately."

"You will all return home. During this time, do not wander around or involve yourselves in anything related to this matter."

His gaze swept over everyone, lingering for an extra moment on Yu Tianheng, Gu Ci, Dugu Yan, and the others.

"You few, your families are more or less connected to this matter. After returning home, behave yourselves and do not cause trouble for your families."

Yu Tianheng's expression shifted slightly.

Gu Ci, meanwhile, began calculating in his mind.

Though Thunder Tiger Marquis Manor was not directly involved, Dugu Bo was a Titled Douluo and an honored guest of the Heaven Dou Empire. His position was delicate.

The expressions of Lu Ming, Wang Lin, and the other children of court officials also darkened.

With Spirit Hall's Pope dead, the entire continent's balance of power could change as a result. Their fathers' positions at court would be affected as well.

"Alright, go pack your things."

Teacher Qin waved a hand. "Remember to return to the Academy on time in one month. Until then, keep yourselves in line."

The students gradually left the classroom, discussing the matter in small groups.

Yu Tianheng walked over to Gu Ci and asked quietly, "What do you think about this?"

Gu Ci shook his head. "It's hard to say."

"Spirit Hall will not let this go, and Clear Sky Sect will not sit around waiting to die. The days ahead may bring great changes."

Yu Tianheng fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Take care."

"You too."

The two exchanged a glance and said nothing further.

After leaving the classroom, Dugu Yan tugged on Gu Ci's sleeve and asked softly.

"Brother Gu Ci, will Grandpa be alright?"

Gu Ci rubbed her head. "Don't worry. Grandpa Dugu is a Titled Douluo. No one would dare touch him lightly. Besides, this matter has nothing to do with him."

Only then did Dugu Yan relax a little.

Zi Dian lay on his shoulder and gave a low whimper.

Gu Ci gently patted it as he looked into the distance.

Qian Xunji was dead.

That meant Spirit Hall's next Pope would be Bibi Dong.

The continent's power structure was about to undergo a tremendous upheaval, and that was also Gu Ci's opportunity.

"Let's go." He took Dugu Yan's hand. "We're going home."

In the classroom, everyone was still talking heatedly, but no one had the heart to remain any longer.

Just then, a commotion broke out outside the classroom.

"What's happening out there?" Someone leaned toward the window to look outside.

At the Academy gates, carriage after carriage and groups of guards were filing in.

The carriages were luxuriously decorated and bore the crests of various noble families. The guards radiated powerful auras, and even the weakest among them were Soul King level.

"They're here to pick people up!" someone cried out.

Teacher Qin walked to the window, took a look, then turned back. "Your families have come. Go on."

The students surged outside.

Gu Ci led Dugu Yan out of the classroom and immediately spotted that familiar figure in the distance.

Gu Xiao stood in black robes with his hands behind his back, a squad of Marquis Manor personal guards behind him.

Although his face was calm, a trace of gravity lingered between his brows.

The moment he saw Gu Ci emerge, he strode forward.

"Father," Gu Ci called.

Gu Xiao nodded, examining his son from head to toe. Only after confirming that he was unharmed did he let out a breath of relief.

"As long as you're alright. Come, we're going home."

"Where's Grandpa Dugu?" Gu Ci asked.

Gu Xiao replied, "Your Foster Father is waiting at the manor. This matter is too serious for him to show himself personally, so he sent me to pick you up."

Gu Ci nodded. Just as he took Dugu Yan's hand to leave, something in the distance caught his eye.

A pitch-black carriage slowly approached, surrounded by more than a dozen figures. Faint Thunder Light flickered around each of them.

Carved into the side of the carriage was a ferocious dragon-head crest—

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

The carriage stopped before Yu Tianheng. The door opened, and a middle-aged man stepped down.

The man bore some resemblance to Yu Tianheng. His aura was deep and imposing, at least at the Soul Douluo level.

"Third Uncle." Yu Tianheng lowered his head slightly.

The middle-aged man patted his shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Let's go. Your father is waiting for you. There are many matters the clan needs to discuss when we return this time."

Yu Tianheng nodded. Before getting into the carriage, he looked back at Gu Ci. Their gazes met, and they gave each other a slight nod.

The carriage door closed, and it slowly drove away.

On the other side, several smaller carriages arrived in succession.

A carriage from the Minister of Revenue Mansion picked up Lu Ming. Before boarding, Lu Ming deliberately glanced toward Gu Ci, his expression complicated, but he ultimately said nothing.

The Shi Mo brothers were picked up by a burly middle-aged woman. Her aura was solid and powerful; at a glance, she was clearly a formidable defense-type Soul Master.

The two brothers obediently followed behind her. They waved to Gu Ci before hurrying away.

Yu Feng was picked up by a tall, thin old man. A wing-like Soul Power phantom extended from the old man's back, making it clear that he was an agility-attack-type Soul Master.

Osler left with a man in black, around whom the faint shadow of a leopard flickered.

The last to leave was Ye Lingling.