Betrayal

"The class monitor has gone missing."

"Missing?" Huo Yuhao's voice was devoid of emotion. "Yan Hao, Han Yue, and Xiao Yi Xian have all disappeared?"

Yes, they're all gone.

"When did you go missing?" Huo Yuhao asked.

I don't know.

Huo Yuhao's brows finally furrowed a little, but there was little panic in the depths of his eyes; instead, there was a barely perceptible sigh of relief. Then, his gaze, as if it were a physical object, slowly swept over every silent face in the classroom.

Huo Yuhao walked past each student. A moment later, he turned and left, the door slamming shut behind him with a loud bang, leaving the classroom silent.

Class 7 of freshmen is in session. Instructor Ruolin's gentle voice rang out continuously, and the students listened attentively.

Knock, knock, knock! The knocking interrupted her.

"Please come in." Instructor Ruolin stopped her explanation and turned to look at the doorway.

Huo Yuhao pushed open the door and entered, bowing slightly to the podium. "Excuse me, Professor Ruolin. Is Xiao Yu from your class here? I have something to discuss and would like to ask them to come out for a moment."

Instructor Ruolin frowned slightly, glanced around at her students, and replied, "Xiao Yu? She—she didn't come to class, we don't know where she went, the academy is looking for her—"

"Is the academy looking for her?" Huo Yuhao asked casually, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the freshmen in Class 7 before finally settling on Instructor Ruolin's eyes.

"Yes, the academy is looking for her." The worry in Instructor Ruolin's eyes was clearly visible.

"Understood. Sorry to interrupt your lesson." Huo Yuhao nodded slightly, left the classroom, and gently closed the door behind him.

He didn't linger, returning once more to the eerily tranquil Central Lake. This time, he didn't sit down, but simply stood on the shore, his gaze fixed intently on the depths of the lake, as if the answer lay hidden there. His silent figure was reflected in the still water.

"Not bad talent! Some ability!" Huo Yuhao muttered to himself, his voice suppressed and gloomy.

"He noticed?"

"I'm afraid so."

"It's a pity we still don't know where the Library Pavilion is."

"It might be in this lake!"

"Now that you mention it—indeed, the energy concentration of this lake water is abnormal."

"I still really want to recruit him!"

The silence by the lake lasted for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. Huo Yuhao slowly raised his head, his gaze like a poisoned blade, shooting straight towards the direction of the dean's office.

The last trace of peace on his face vanished completely, replaced by a cold, almost tangible, gloom.

"Elder Huo! The medicinal herbs are all ready! Hurry, hurry, we've been waiting for you!" Elder Huo rushed over, his face flushed with urgency.

Huo Yuhao's voice was calm and composed. "Elder Huo, please wait a moment. I have another matter that requires my immediate attention from the Vice Dean."

Elder Huo was taken aback, then waved his hand impatiently. "Why didn't you do it all at once? Never mind, hurry back! Those medicinal herbs are delicate; it would be a huge loss if their medicinal properties were lost!"

"Okay." Huo Yuhao responded, and his figure shot off like an arrow, heading towards that familiar building once again.

This time, he didn't knock. Instead, he kicked the door hard.

Bang!

The entire door shattered into a pile of wood dust. Many bricks also broke off at the junction of the door and the wall.

The scene inside came into Huo Yuhao's view: Hu Gan still lazily slumped in his chair, but his legs, which were propped up on the table, seemed to have been pulled back a little. Wu Tian, on the other hand, had his arms crossed and was leaning against the shadows by the window, like a silent sculpture.

Huo Yuhao rushed into the stone chamber and stood in front of the desk.

A sudden change has occurred!

Not a trace of murderous intent leaked out! The nonchalant smile on Hu Gan's face seemed to have been erased, replaced by a sharpness like that of an eagle!

He suddenly exerted force with his legs, which were resting on the edge of the table, and his whole body sprang out like a spring compressed to its limit! His pale hand was so fast that it left only a blur, and with a shrill whistling sound that tore through the air, it went straight for Huo Yuhao's throat!

Almost simultaneously, the shadow by the window moved! Wu Tian made no sound, his battle Dou Qi erupting instantly, leaving a trail of afterimages in his wake. His iron fist, enveloped in dense crimson Dou Qi, whistled through the air, silently and fatally slammed into Huo Yuhao's back!

The two attacks were too fast and too sudden, arriving at Huo Yuhao's body almost simultaneously.

Huo Yuhao's pupils suddenly contracted! He had no choice but to slightly twist his body to avoid a vital spot, turning the attack to one side. His internal energy instinctively surged out for defense.

Bang! Crack!

Two overwhelming and terrifying forces struck Huo Yuhao almost simultaneously! His protective energy shattered like fragile glass! His body flew backward uncontrollably, crashing violently through the thick stone wall of the office!

Amidst the swirling dust and debris, Huo Yuhao felt as if his internal organs had shifted. A large mouthful of pale golden blood with a twisted luster gushed out uncontrollably, drawing a blinding golden line in the air!

Before the dust settled, two figures burst forth like shadows! Crimson sword energy tore through the sky, and countless giant hands covered in barbs of dark green vines materialized out of thin air, carrying an aura of annihilation, and slammed down from the left and right towards Huo Yuhao, who had just managed to stabilize himself a little!

In mid-air, Huo Yuhao forcefully suppressed his surging aura, activating both his Qi Control Art and Explosive Step simultaneously, his body narrowly rising upwards just before the attacks converged!

Boom! The attack, having lost its target, struck the large plaza. In an instant, the entire plaza vanished, turning into a massive crater. Some unoccupied buildings also collapsed instantly.

However, such a commotion did not attract any Canaan Academy teachers or students to come and investigate.

"Stop! Are you all insane?!" Elder Huo's furious roar exploded! He had just arrived and witnessed this unbelievable scene; his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!

Upon seeing Elder Huo appear, Hu Gan and Wu Tian paused what they were holding, giving Huo Yuhao a moment to catch his breath.

Huo Yuhao stopped in mid-air, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He glanced back at Elder Huo, a smile appearing on his lips, then turned to Hu Gan and Wu Tian, his eyes burning with icy anger, and shouted sharply, "Elder Huo!"

They betrayed the academy—"

The words abruptly stopped!

An old hand, burning with bright red flames that scorched and distorted the surrounding air, suddenly pierced his chest from behind and seized his heart!

Time seemed to stand still.

Huo Yuhao's body stiffened abruptly, and he twisted his neck with incredible difficulty, little by little.

He saw it.

Elder Huo Huo's face was so close. That familiar face, always carrying an anxious or eager expression, was now twisted into a sinister grin he had never seen before, a mixture of coldness, greed, and cruelty. Flames danced in his palm, scorching Huo Yuhao's body.

"You--"

"Didn't expect that? How naive!" Elder Huo Huo's sinister laughter rang out.