"It's nothing."
"Just feeling a little uneasy."
"Hmm... Today's academy activity is canceled. Everyone, return immediately."
Wu Zhangkong calmly withdrew his arm, which had been almost trapped between two pairs of "dangerous weapons."
The Ye sisters, Ye Yingluo and Ye Yingrong, had long been conquered by their cold and aloof male god Wu Zhangkong, thanks to his repeated displays of Observation Haki. Naturally, they agreed without hesitation.
As for whether the decision was reasonable or what consequences it might bring?
Did that even matter?
To them, everything about Wu Zhangkong—his decisions, his actions—was absolutely correct.
Of course, not everyone felt the same way. Even federal coins couldn't win over everyone, let alone a handsome young man with poor social skills who was inexplicably popular with beautiful women—his looks alone were enough to make others jealous.
A male teacher, who secretly admired the Ye sisters, immediately stood up and protested:"This activity is a reward from the academy for outstanding teachers and students! What right do you have to send everyone back?!"
To Wu Zhangkong, a stranger unworthy of remembering, he didn't even spare a glance. Instead, he coldly stated:"I am the leader of this activity. I will take full responsibility for any consequences."
"You? Take responsibility?!"
However, before the teacher could escalate the challenge, Wu Zhangkong's icy gaze swept over him. Instantly, the man felt as though his very soul had been frozen. His legs trembled, and he dared not speak another word.
"If I can defeat you, I can take responsibility."
With that, Wu Zhangkong quickly organized the students. Despite their grumbles and complaints, they all boarded the train for the return journey.
Once they got off the soul train, they immediately transferred to another one heading back to Eastsea Academy.
Relatively speaking, the academy was still a safer place.
Not because there were many experts stationed there, but because soul master academies were generally built near the Spirit Pagoda and various soul master-related industries.
Since many powerful factions profited from soul master students, if an academy faced danger—within their capacity—they would often step in to help as an unspoken rule.
And so, the journey remained peaceful… until nightfall.
—
Night had fallen.
The dark night and cold winds made it the perfect time for murder and robbery!
Under the faint, unclear glow of the moon and stars, several black-clad figures flashed through the shadows at high speed.
Following a pre-planned route, they stealthily entered the dormitory area of Eastsea Academy.
They swiftly reached a particular dormitory building, where they saw an open window.
This window had been left open for Tang Wulin after careful coordination between Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin. Since it wasn't convenient for a boy to enter their dorm through the main door, he had long since developed a habit of sneaking in through the window instead.
"Why is the window already open? Did someone else get here first?"
"Nah, it's probably just some girl secretly meeting her boyfriend."
"Heh heh~"
"Works out perfectly for us."
With their strength, these evil soul masters easily avoided the dormitory supervisor and infiltrated the room.
The leading evil soul master pulled out a transparent needle and plunged it into the sleeping Mu Xi's body. Instantly, her even breathing stopped, and her life signs nearly disappeared.
No, she wasn't dead—this was a special state of suspended animation, mimicking death. By erasing all signs of life, they could smuggle her out undetected.
When it came to kidnapping, murder, and robbery, the Holy Spirit Cult was, without a doubt, professional.
"Elder Yuwen, her roommate—Ouyang Zixin—is missing." one of the evil soul masters reported upon noticing the empty bed.
"She's not our target. Our only objective is Mu Xi. Don't complicate things."
"Carry her. We're leaving."
But just as Yuwen Dali finished issuing his command, his spiritual senses suddenly flared in alarm.
"Hmm?!"
With his exceptional control over soul power, he immediately sent a thread of soul energy shooting out, precisely sealing off the unexpected intruder—Ouyang Zixin. Not a single trace of soul power leaked out.
For an ordinary three-ringed Soul Elder, even if Ouyang Zixin had appeared suddenly, she posed no threat to Yuwen Dali's plan.
All five of her senses were sealed, and her consciousness fell into a void-like state. Her beautiful eyes were filled with terror, but she could do nothing but think.
She had stayed up late not out of habit, but because earlier that day, her crush, Xu Xiaoyu, had asked her why Teacher Wu Zhangkong had suddenly canceled the academy activity.
Wanting to impress him, she had sought out Tang Wulin, Wu Zhangkong's student, hoping to get some insider information.
Girls mature early—she had long noticed Tang Wulin's admiration for her.
Since Wu Zhangkong rarely spoke, her best chance at getting information was through Tang Wulin.
And just as she had expected, Tang Wulin had assured her with full confidence that he would find out.
They had made a promise—no matter how late it got, he would give her an answer. He even asked her to leave the dormitory window open for him.
Yet now, instead of seeing Tang Wulin, she had stumbled upon a kidnapping!
"Elder Yuwen, what should we do with Ouyang Zixin?"
"Tch, annoying. Just take her along."
The moment those words fell, a subordinate swiftly pulled Ouyang Zixin into the room.
Unfortunately, this scene happened to be witnessed by Tang Wulin, who had arrived as promised.
Using Blue Silver Grass to latch onto the window frame, he pulled himself up and leaped inside.
The moment he entered, he saw his beloved senior sister, Ouyang Zixin, standing stiffly at the doorway.
Then, as if under an unseen force, she was abruptly dragged inside.
Her usually bright and charming eyes were filled with a fear he had never seen before.
Geniuses always had a fundamental quality—the greater the danger, the more they could maintain their composure and make the best possible decision.
Tang Wulin's ability in this regard was exceptional.
Without hesitation, he raised his voice to its absolute limit and shouted:"Teacher Wu, save me!!!"
His voice echoed throughout Eastsea Academy, carrying a faint dragon roar.
This resounding dragon cry not only awakened Wu Zhangkong from his meditation but also startled Gu Yue, who was in the middle of healing herself—along with the lurking soul beasts.
She immediately stepped off her bed, her black hair flowing behind her."Xiong Jun, if someone tries to take Tang Wulin, stop them!"
In the shadows, a bronze-skinned muscular man knelt on one knee and respectfully answered:
"Understood."
With that, he vanished from sight.
Bi Ji, who had been assisting Gu Yue with her recovery, opened her mouth as if to protest but remained silent.
It wasn't that she had given up—she simply changed her approach.
She couldn't persuade her mistress, so she would target Tang Wulin instead.
If someone tried to take him, she would ensure that Xiong Jun didn't get in their way.
Meanwhile, outside, chaos had erupted.
At the teachers' dormitory, several lights flickered to life—most belonged to mid-level soul masters with four to six rings.
Among them, one figure stood out, shining the brightest—a streak of dazzling blue, adorned with eleven glowing nodes, summoning an awe-inspiring piece of two-word battle armor: Heavenly Ice!
(End of Chapter)