Time off!

The moment those words reached his ears, Xing Yao froze in place as though struck by a thunderbolt, the blood throughout his body seemingly congealing in an instant!

His heart felt as though an invisible hand had seized it in a vicious grip. The next second, it began pounding madly, its thudding so loud that even he could hear it clearly!

Abyss Suppression Academy!

He had searched for so long and asked so many people-in streets and alleys, among all the major factions, everyone he could reach. Every last person had looked blank, never having even heard the name!

He had thought it was nothing but a nebulous name, a legend that existed only in memory, an illusion forever beyond his reach!

Yet now, the captain of the Cloud-Soaring Squad before him, a top powerhouse of the authorities, had spoken it clearly, plainly, and with absolute certainty!

It was no hallucination!

No guess!

No idle fantasy!

It was real!

Abyss Suppression Academy truly existed!

An irrepressible surge of excitement exploded from the depths of his heart, shooting straight to his head like an erupting volcano!

Even his fingertips trembled slightly beyond his control, but he forcibly suppressed it with extraordinary willpower, letting no one notice a thing.

For the first time, his eyes were no longer a still, unruffled pool. They surged with incredulous joy, shock, excitement, and hope!

Countless days and nights of searching, countless disappointments, countless moments of uncertainty-all vanished like smoke and clouds at this moment!

At last...

At last, he had news of Abyss Suppression Academy!

At last, he had found a path to his goal!

Seeing the sudden change in Xing Yao's eyes, Qin Lie merely assumed that the academy's prestigious reputation had stunned him. His tone softened somewhat, carrying a trace of earnest guidance from someone who had walked that road:

"This news wasn't supposed to be announced until a week after Azure Dragon Academy officially began classes. It's top-secret information secured internally by the authorities ahead of time. Even in our Cloud-Soaring Squad, only core members are allowed to know!"

"I'm telling you early because I hope you'll know what to expect, prepare sooner, and work hard. Don't waste this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity!"

He raised a hand and gently patted Xing Yao's shoulder, his gaze utterly sincere, his voice carrying a barely perceptible trace of pride and anticipation:

"Give it your all and charge straight into Abyss Suppression Academy. It's a top institution that countless awakened can't get into even if they fight until their heads split!"

"When that happens, I'll be your senior!"

With that, Qin Lie withdrew his hand and resumed his former air as a steady, reliable captain with an imposing, intimidating presence. Yet he made no attempt to hide the intense expectations for Xing Yao in his eyes. He firmly believed this young man could absolutely do it!

Xing Yao stood there without speaking for a long time, but within him, terrifying waves had already risen, threatening to destroy heaven and earth!

Abyss Suppression Academy.

It truly existed.

There was a definite route to gaining admission.

At this moment, the first true ray of light had finally appeared among the clues in his search for his family and pursuit of the truth!

That light illuminated the entire road ahead of him!

Watching the light Xing Yao could not suppress in his eyes, Qin Lie nodded in satisfaction. Without another word, he waved to the members behind him, turned, and led his squad away in long strides. Their steps were light yet steady, and they soon disappeared into the deep alley entrance.

Along the way, Li Wan, the squad's youngest female member, finally could no longer contain the questions churning in his heart. He hurried to catch up with Captain Qin Lie and asked in a lowered voice, his face full of bewilderment, "Captain, why did you attach so much importance to that kid just now? You even told him top-secret information like Heavenly Flame Academy's secret realm test outright. That's completely against our rules! Even children from great families might not get that kind of information in advance!"

Another member, a burly man, hurried over too, his face equally curious. "Yeah, Captain! That kid looked perfectly ordinary. Just what's his background? For you to come out personally and even reveal top-secret information-it's just unbelievable!"

At their words, a meaningful, inscrutable smile curved Qin Lie's lips. He turned his head, sweeping his gaze over the two curious members, his voice mild yet carrying immense weight:

"Do you remember who called me personally this morning?"

Li Wan blurted out almost without thinking, his eyes instantly filling with boundless admiration and reverence. "Of course! It was our Dragon Nation's legendary figure, the man who single-handedly established a top ace squad at such a young age, who holds enormous authority and possesses unfathomable strength-Mr. Xing Hui! He's my idol! The goal of every awakened!"

At this point, Li Wan abruptly stopped. As though struck by lightning, he froze in place, his eyes instantly widening and his mouth falling open, his face filled with utter shock!

"Wait... Mr. Xing Hui? Xing Yao?!"

Qin Lie glanced at him and instructed calmly, "All right, stop standing there. Go coordinate with Xu Weiwei. Have him take responsibility for the follow-up and keep an eye on things over at Eyes."

The squad member immediately answered, "Understood!"

The Cloud-Soaring Squad marched in step and soon disappeared at the end of the street.

Xing Yao remained where he was, watching their retreating figures with a heavy gaze, lost in deep thought. Qin Lie's unusual consideration just now, the inside information revealed ahead of time, and the way he had inadvertently let something slip before hurriedly covering it up-everything had an indescribably strange air. Why exactly had this man sought him out?

Countless thoughts raced through Xing Yao's mind. The more he thought, the more he felt that his recent experiences had long since gone beyond the scope of an ordinary awakened.

While he was immersed in thought, the atmosphere around him gradually began to feel off. The square, which had fallen into tension and reverence at the Cloud-Soaring Squad's appearance, now saw gaze after gaze silently converge on him. Curious, probing, envious, reverent... Everyone had seen it clearly: that commanding captain of the Cloud-Soaring Squad had actually approached this inconspicuous young man himself and spoken quietly with him for so long. Not a single new student present could match that treatment!

Just then, up on the platform, the academy's dean slowly lifted the microphone at his chest.

"Bzz-humm-"

After a faint burst of electrical static, an aged yet highly penetrating voice instantly spread across the entire square, drowning out every hushed conversation.

"Students, quiet down."

The crowd instantly fell silent, everyone raising their heads in unison to look at the dean on the platform.

The dean swept his gaze over the young faces below. His expression was gentle yet held a measure of solemnity as he slowly began:

"We have just experienced the magical beast disturbance and the spatial rift incident. The city districts have suffered severe damage. Many civilians have had their houses destroyed and have no homes left."

"Now, I announce-"

"You will have three days off."

The moment his words fell, an irrepressible stir swept through the students below.

The dean raised his hand and pressed it downward, continuing in a steady, forceful voice:

"Over these three days, you may freely adjust your condition and recover from your exertions. But I hope every awakened here will remember their identity and responsibilities."

"Those with strength to spare should do their best to go to the damaged districts, help civilians clear away rubble and rebuild their houses, and fulfill their duties as awakened."

"We cultivate not only to grow stronger, but also to protect those around us and protect this city."

His words rang with righteousness. Many students grew solemn and nodded.

Xing Yao also fully emerged from his thoughts and listened quietly to the dean's speech.

The dean paused, then stressed his words once more, emphasizing each one:

"Three days from now, return to the academy on time to assemble and collect your official student identification."

All the students below responded in unison:

"Understood!"

The dean nodded in satisfaction and declared:

"Now-dismissed!"

"Dismissed!!"