Yan Shaozhe's astonishment lasted only a few seconds. Soon, he displayed the composure expected of the Martial Soul Department's dean at the Continent's Number One Academy.
He gradually regained his calm and said, "No, there must be some misunderstanding here. Yuhao, as you said, Xiaotao was brainwashed by the Holy Spirit Cult's secret technique. Killing so many people and becoming an Evil Soul Master was never her intention."
"I watched Xiaotao grow up. As her teacher, I could never stand by and watch her die."
The people from Shrek looked at Ma Xiaotao with anger in their eyes. Naturally, that anger was directed not at her, but at the Holy Spirit Cult that had brainwashed her.
If the Holy Spirit Cult hadn't broken into Shrek Academy and abducted her several years ago, how could she have become the Fire Phoenix Holy Maiden, who slaughtered people like mowing down hemp?
Huo Yuhao's tone was icy. "So Shrek intends to shelter an Evil Soul Master, is that right?"
Yan Shaozhe said solemnly, "I will bring Xiaotao back to Shrek and do everything I can to find a way to restore her to normal."
Huo Yuhao frowned slightly.
Yan Shaozhe's words didn't surprise him much. He hadn't expected Shrek to treat Ma Xiaotao as an Evil Soul Master so readily.
Covering for one's own and shielding their faults was, after all, human nature. If Du Busi or Jing Hongchen encountered the same situation, they would most likely do something similar.
If that were all, Huo Yuhao wouldn't have lost his composure. But Yan Shaozhe's next words made his already grim expression darken further.
"We at Shrek will never readily give up on any student."
Yan Shaozhe's words rang out with conviction, and his gaze toward Ma Xiaotao took on more of an elder's