An Earth-Shattering Scoop

But in the end, Yun Ming merely let out a soft sigh.

"Let bygones be bygones."

The same old saying applied.

The dead were dead.

And the living still had to move forward.

So they could not possibly turn against the Tang Sect over a dead Cai Yue'er.

After all, Shrek Academy could no longer afford the cost of breaking with a second major power.

They had already experienced the bitterness...

Of breaking with the Spirit Pagoda.

Back then, Shrek Academy students received the same treatment as Spirit Pagoda disciples at the Spirit Pagoda. Soul Spirits and Spirit Ascension services came at discounts.

Shrek Academy could even directly use Soul Spirits and Spirit Ascension as rewards.

They had practically been fleecing the Spirit Pagoda for free.

Naturally, that was no longer the case.

There was nothing left.

The original prices were the original prices.

Once those conveniences that had once been within easy reach were completely taken away, the academy's resource expenditures increased enormously out of nowhere. Over the years, every elder and high-ranking member had personally felt the weight of those consequences.

Fortunately, time had passed.

With their deliberate neglect...

The students who had joined the academy in recent years no longer knew those benefits had ever existed. Within the academy, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning that period of history.

Afterward, Cao Dezhi directly teleported away with Zang Xin and Cao Xin.

The captain of the Shrek Inspection Corps on the ground was left where he was.

He lay facedown on the ground, his body still trembling.

At that moment, terror and despair rose within him as he prepared to face the academy elders' judgment.

He knew that, as the one who had carried out the incident, he could not escape responsibility no matter what.

He could only hope the academy would show him leniency.

However, the elders paid him no attention.

Instead, they came before Yun Ming one after another and surrounded him.

Every pair of eyes gleamed with light, filled with longing for a shocking secret and the fervor of gossip.

Seeing this, Yun Ming took a deep breath.

Then he organized his words in his mind before speaking.

"Everyone."

"I am also deeply saddened by Elder Cai's death."

"But under these circumstances..."

"There was nothing I could do."

An elder asked in surprise.

"Pavilion Master, we weren't talking about Cai Yue'er."

"So what if she died?"

"What is there to make such a fuss about?"

The elder waved a hand.

Then he stared at Yun Ming with shining eyes.

"By the way, Pavilion Master."

"What exactly is going on with that boy?"

"Why does he possess both the Ruthless Sword and Sentimental Sword Martial Souls?"

The other elders had completely forgotten any sadness over Cai Yue'er's life or death. They all stared at Yun Ming with glowing eyes, impatient to hear this earth-shattering piece of gossip.

Their bodies leaned forward slightly, and they even held their breaths, afraid of missing a single word Yun Ming said.

"This..."

Yun Ming hesitated somewhat.

Cao Xin's birth involved far too many things.

The abnormal change in Qiankun Wenqing Valley, the mighty power of gods, the mingling of the bloodlines of two Martial Soul mutants...

These matters were both complicated and sensitive.

For a moment, he did not know how to begin.

But then he remembered that everyone would learn about it sooner or later.

Rather than conceal it and spark even more speculation, it was better for him to state it openly.

Thus, Yun Ming took a deep breath and said,

"Cao Xin is the captain's and Zang Xin's child."

Boom!

The elders all widened their eyes.

Their expressions were as though they had been struck by lightning. Their mouths hung slightly open, their eyes filled with unbelievable shock.

The gossip-fueled excitement from before erupted completely in that instant. Several elders even unconsciously drew in sharp breaths.

An elder asked in confusion.

His face was blank with the bewilderment of having his entire worldview overturned.

"H-How was that even possible?"

And his question was the shared doubt of every elder present.

Cao Dezhi and Zang Xin...

Had given birth to a child?

Yun Ming sighed as well.

"It has to do with Qiankun Wenqing Valley."

"Qiankun Wenqing Valley?"

An elder repeated.

The elders all revealed surprised expressions.

That name was not unfamiliar among Shrek Academy's upper ranks.

But very few people truly understood its secrets.

"Isn't that the place where the Love God fell?"

Another elder chimed in.

"I remember that the generation of Shrek Seven Monsters from ten thousand years ago seemed to have entered it as well."

"They seemed to have gained quite a few benefits."

Another elder added.

"I never expected the Love God's power to be so great."

The elders marveled.

Although they could not make sense of the principles involved, since it concerned gods, they felt there was no need to investigate further. It was enough to accept the result.

At that moment, an elder in black suddenly spoke, his tone carrying eager interest.

"Speaking of which..."

"Why don't we make a trip to Qiankun Wenqing Valley too?"

The entire area instantly fell silent.

The previously boisterous discussion abruptly cooled, and every elder turned to look at the black-clothed elder, their expressions varied.

After a moment, another elder asked doubtfully, his tone carrying a subtle hint of probing.

"You want a child too?"

The black-clothed elder hurriedly waved his hands and explained in a flustered manner.

"No, no."

"This old man already has great-great-grandchildren."

"Another child..."

"Wouldn't that just cause trouble for the younger generation?"

He cleared his throat and resumed a serious expression.

"I mean improving cultivation."

"I remember that the generation of Shrek Seven Monsters who accidentally entered Qiankun Wenqing Valley ten thousand years ago gained quite a few benefits."

An elder shook his head.

"I have read the records."

"To receive a reward in Qiankun Wenqing Valley, you at least have to be young and have experienced romantic entanglements."

"Otherwise, there will be no rewards when you enter."

At those words, all the elders looked toward Long Yeyue in unspoken agreement.

Their gazes carried an ambiguous, hesitant meaning, as though silently asking something.

Long Yeyue froze.

She had been standing quietly to the side, intending to leave on her own after everyone finished discussing things, but countless gazes suddenly fixed her in place.

Why had this somehow turned to her?

Then her brows furrowed, and her expression quickly turned cold. She snorted.

"This old woman has no romantic entanglements!"

"Everyone, disperse."

As she spoke, she lifted a foot.

Without looking back, she headed toward the Sea God Pavilion.

Yet there was a trace of discomposure in her retreating figure.

At the same time, her steps were a little faster than usual.

It formed a subtle contrast with her haughty attitude, as though some deeply buried secret would catch up to her if she left even a moment later.

Afterward, the elders departed with this shocking secret in their hearts.

They left in twos and threes.

But every one of them wore satisfied, excited expressions, as though the trip tonight had truly been worthwhile.

Not only had they personally witnessed a Titled Douluo being slain by a seven-year-old boy.

They had also gotten the gossip on the two Tang Sect leaders.

As for Cai Yue'er...

Who was that?

Forget it. She was not important.