At a Loss

On the way back, neither Qin Muchu nor Xiao Wu stopped anywhere. Both were weighed down by worry, and they soon returned to Shrek Academy.

"Haha! Brother Qin, Sister Xiao Wu, you're finally back!" Ma Hongjun spread his arms and lunged toward Qin Muchu with an exaggerated expression. "I missed you two to death! Come on, let me see if you've gotten any thinner, Brother Qin."

Qin Muchu shoved Ma Hongjun away, disgust written all over his face. "Get away from me, you damn fatty."

"Heh, I just missed you too much, Brother Qin." Ma Hongjun scratched the back of his head and grinned.

Dai Mubai came over as well. He cast Xiao Wu an envious glance, then patted Qin Muchu on the shoulder. "Muchu, did everything go smoothly?"

It had only been a casual greeting, but he had not expected Qin Muchu's and Xiao Wu's faces to darken. His heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"We ran into some trouble," Qin Muchu said without denying it. "Where's the dean? We'll talk once we've seen him."

Seeing Qin Muchu's grim expression, Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai exchanged a glance, their own faces turning grave. "The dean and Teacher Zhao are both in the office. Come with me."

On their way to the dean's office, the four met Oscar, who had rushed over after hearing the news. He had shaved off his beard, shedding his former scruffy look, and seemed much more spirited. While still some distance away, he called out excitedly, "Brother Qin, I've learned the technique you taught me! I don't need to chant an incantation to use my Soul Skills anymore."

Before leaving, Qin Muchu had taught Oscar how to control his Soul Power precisely. He had not expected Oscar to master it so quickly. Oscar truly deserved his reputation as the first food-type Soul Master in history born with Innate Full Soul Power.

Only when Oscar drew close and saw the grave looks on everyone's faces did he realize something was wrong. He froze. "What happened? Why do you all look so grim?"

Dai Mubai said, "Muchu and Xiao Wu ran into trouble. We're going to see the dean. Come along if you want to know."

"Oh," Oscar said, hurrying after them.

In the dean's office, Flender lay on a reclining chair with his eyes closed, looking as unruffled as ever. Zhao Wuji was brewing tea nearby. The sight of his burly frame engaged in such a refined pursuit was comical no matter how one looked at it.

"I wonder how those two children are doing. You old bastard, why didn't you stop them? The Star Dou Great Forest is no place for two Soul Ancestors to go alone. What if they run into danger?" Zhao Wuji could not help complaining as he brewed the tea.

"That's enough. How many times have you said that? How can they become worthy of calling themselves strong without weathering a few storms? Besides, you know how capable they are. As long as they're careful, what danger could they run into?" Flender said, unconcerned.

Zhao Wuji set his teacup down heavily on the table and snorted. "Keep pretending you don't care, you old fool. If something really happens to them, we'll see how much you regret it."

Flender was about to answer when a knock sounded at the door. Dai Mubai's voice came from outside. "Dean, Teacher Zhao, Muchu and Xiao Wu are back. They have something to report."

Flender shot Zhao Wuji a mocking look. "See? They're back. Like I said, what could happen to them with their strength?" Then he called to Dai Mubai, "Come in."

With a creak, the wooden door opened, and the five filed in.

"Oh? You're all here." A flicker of surprise crossed Flender's face at the sight of several students arriving together. He gestured toward the cups on the table. "Come and try the tea your Teacher Zhao brewed."

Dai Mubai shook his head. "Dean, Teacher Zhao, the tea can wait. Muchu and Xiao Wu have something important to report."

"Hm?" Hearing the tone of Dai Mubai's voice, Flender turned his gaze to Qin Muchu and Xiao Wu. After looking them over, his expression suddenly changed. He appeared before Qin Muchu in an instant, caught his wrist, and carefully examined him.

"You're hurt? What happened?" Flender's face darkened. He had always assumed Qin Muchu and Xiao Wu came from some hidden family. When they had refused to let the academy's teachers accompany them on their hunt for Soul Beasts, he had thought their elders would be protecting them. That was why he had been comfortable letting them leave on their own. He had never expected Qin Muchu to return covered in injuries.

"Dean, Teacher Zhao, this time Xiao Wu and I..." Qin Muchu gave Flender a detailed account of their encounter with the Puppet. He left out Qian Renxue's identity, however, saying only that she was an expert from Spirit Hall. After all, very few people on the continent knew Bibi Dong had a daughter.

When Qin Muchu finished, Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged a glance. Neither spoke for a long time. Just as Ma Hongjun could no longer hold back his questions, Flender said slowly, "I've seen records of humanoid Soul Tools from ancient times. But those were all tools without minds of their own, made solely to serve humans. I've never heard of one that could think for itself and use skills in battle."

Qin Muchu shook his head slightly. "Dean, I'm afraid it wasn't a Soul Tool. The Puppet I split open was solid inside. It had no components or formations at all."

Flender's expression grew grim. After a moment's thought, he said, "If it wasn't a Soul Tool, then I've never heard of anything like it. Shrouded in black mist and vulnerable to sacred power... that does sound a little like the methods of the legendary Evil Soul Masters. But I've never heard of an Evil Soul Master who could create such a Puppet. Never mind. Muchu, you two should go back and get some rest. I'll search the records more thoroughly. Don't worry about Spirit Hall. If they come, I'll deal with them."

"Yes." Qin Muchu bowed and left. Flender might have been a little greedy and seldom acted like a proper dean, but no one could fault how he treated his students.

After Qin Muchu and the others left, the office fell quiet again. Flender sat down in the reclining chair. A long while later, he said, "It could move freely, had a mind of its own, and could use Soul Skills, yet it wasn't a Soul Tool. Wuji, what do you make of it?"

Zhao Wuji gave a rueful smile. "If you don't know, how would I? I say you should look for the other two members of your Golden Iron Triangle. After all, they're..."

At Zhao Wuji's words, memories flickered in Flender's eyes. He sighed. "Forget it. Those two have avoided me for years. If they were easy to find, they wouldn't be themselves. Let's leave it for now. We'll spend the next few days searching the ancient records and prepare for Spirit Hall to come poaching."

At the mention of Spirit Hall, lingering fear surfaced in Zhao Wuji's eyes. He nodded without a word.