The atmosphere in Sea God Pavilion was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
The tea before the elders on either side of the long conference table had gone cold ages ago, but no one so much as reached for a cup.
Mu En wasn't reclining in his wicker chair as he usually did.
He sat upright in the seat of honor. Though he still had his usual stooped appearance, the imposing pressure he radiated without even raising his voice was so overwhelming that not a single breath in the hall dared grow loud.
It had been almost a week since the holiday ended.
Huo Yuhao still hadn't returned to the academy.
No one had seen him alive, and no one had found his body.
In all the years since Shrek Academy was founded, it had seen countless talented students. It was common for them to return a few days late from their excursions.
But for Huo Yuhao, this was definitely not normal.
Mu En understood better than anyone how much potential Huo Yuhao had and how important he was.
As long as the boy grew up safely, he would become a pillar of Sea God Pavilion, one capable of safeguarding Shrek's prosperity and peace for centuries to come.
Now, that future pillar was missing.
Yan Shaozhe stood beside Mu En, his expression grim.
He glanced around at the elders, then finally turned to the two young women standing at the end of the conference table.
Ma Xiaotao and Wang Dong.
They were the last people at the academy known to have seen Huo Yuhao.
"Wang Dong, you go first."
Yan Shaozhe softened his tone. "On the day the holiday started, what exactly did Yuhao tell you?"
Wang Dong's eyes were red-rimmed. She had barely slept over the past