In the team dormitory, the members had quickly gathered in the lounge. Yu Feng frowned and asked, "Xiao Hai, what happened?"
Yang Yunhai's expression was grim. "The parasitic spores I scattered outside were triggered. Since His Majesty ordered the army to tighten security around the academy, I worried someone might come probing the reason. So these past few days, I made preparations. I didn't expect they'd actually be triggered tonight."
"Then why come to our dormitory specifically?" Dugu Yan questioned, her expression turning solemn. "Xiao Hai, this person isn't just here to investigate the lockdown. I fear they came targeting you."
Everyone's face instantly shifted.
Meng Shenshou spoke in a steady voice, "Let's wait and see. The three Elders should arrive shortly. Since the intruder has already been exposed, they'll most likely retreat. Now it depends on whether the Royal Knights outside manage to catch anything."
But that possibility was slim.
Being able to bypass the knights' sight and approach so silently meant the intruder's strength was extraordinary. The others thought of the same thing, and worry deepened on their faces.
'Tall figure, black robe, and a Titled Douluo? Could it be Tang Hao?' Yang Yunhai pondered.
'Is he here to observe my evolved Martial Soul… or to avenge his son?'
The heavy atmosphere pressed down over the room.
Before long, hurried footsteps echoed outside. Meng Shenshou rushed to open the door.
Standing there was Meng Shinji, his face tight with anxiety. "Shou'er, are the children alright?"
"They're fine," Meng Shenshou replied with a shake of his head. "Because His Majesty deployed the army to secure the academy, Xiao Hai anticipated outsiders might come to investigate. He spread spores outside, and once they were triggered, he fired a signal flare. The intruder should have already fled."
Meng Shinji and the two Elders behind him visibly relaxed.
"Father, for someone to bypass the Royal Knights so easily and reach here… their strength must be considerable," Meng Shenshou added in a low tone. "Do you think it could be…"
The enemies with grudges against Yang Yunhai, with experts this strong—by his knowledge, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was the only candidate.
"Before the truth is clear, don't jump to conclusions," Meng Shinji cut him off immediately. Though in his heart, he too thought the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan the most suspicious.
Meng Shenshou nodded and said nothing further, leading the three Elders inside. Together, they reassured the students and waited.
Soon, more footsteps sounded outside. The three Elders walked with the students to the door.
"Commander Wei, how is it?" Meng Shinji asked.
The leading commander of the Royal Knights saluted, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, Elder Meng. The opponent's strength was great. My men only caught a glimpse of a shadow, and when we swept the light across, they were already gone."
Meng Shinji nodded. "Do not blame yourselves. The intruder was clearly prepared. Leave the matter to us. Return to your posts."
"Yes!" The commander saluted again and withdrew with his troops.
Meng Shinji turned back toward the students and said with a calm smile, "All of you, return to rest. I will handle this matter tomorrow."
"Yes, Elder," the students answered, bowing slightly before heading upstairs to their rooms.
Once they had gone, Elder Bai Baoshan spoke up. "Old Meng, shall I move here tomorrow? With my Martial Soul's defensive ability, even if it's a Titled Douluo, I can at least hold them off for a time."
"That's good." Meng Shinji nodded, then his expression chilled. "Tomorrow, I will also report this to His Majesty. To dare trespass into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy at night, targeting our students—this is not only an insult to the academy, but contempt for the Empire and His Majesty's authority."
The other two Elders nodded in agreement, anger flashing on their faces.
---
Later that night, in the Spirit Hall's cathedral, on the top floor—
Knock knock knock.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, who had been preparing to rest before returning to Spirit City in the morning, opened his eyes and rose. Pulling the door open, he saw Salas, looking tense.
"Elder, news just arrived—someone broke into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy," Salas reported quickly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression darkened. "Explain."
"The details are unclear. But according to our agents outside, a signal flare rose from the direction of Xiao Hai's dormitory. The Royal Knights stationed outside seemed completely unaware of the intruder until then," Salas said. "Whoever it was, their strength must be formidable."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's face turned cold. "Clearly, the target was Xiao Hai."
"Stay here a moment," he ordered. He strode to his desk, took up paper and brush, and swiftly wrote a letter. Sealing it in an envelope, he handed it to Salas. "Deliver this immediately to Her Holiness the Pope. For now, I must remain here to protect Xiao Hai in secret. Tomorrow, Dugu Bo will learn of this incident as well, and he will act. The need to reveal the Martial Soul evolution early and formally station ourselves at the academy is now very likely. According to Her Holiness's instructions, I must cooperate fully."
"Yes, Elder!" Salas accepted the letter and left swiftly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo wasted no time. He stepped onto the balcony, his figure vanishing into the night.
---
Not long after, inside Dugu Bo's mansion in Heaven Dou City.
Sensing a familiar aura approach, Dugu Bo, who had just lain down, got up with a scowl and pulled open the door.
"Old Guan, what's this? Why are you here again—"
Before him stood Chrysanthemum Douluo, face set in a grim mask. His voice was like ice. "Just now, someone infiltrated the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, targeting Xiao Hai."
"What!" Dugu Bo's face twisted, his tone sharp. "And the Royal Knights outside noticed nothing?"
"Not a thing. They only reacted after a signal flare was fired from Xiao Hai's dormitory," Chrysanthemum Douluo replied darkly.
Dugu Bo's face hardened as well. "With such strength, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is the prime suspect. But Yan'er only just broke up with Yu Tianheng. The clan wouldn't be so foolish as to act at this timing, especially with such a brazen method."
He paused, then his eyes sharpened. "It must be Tang Hao!"
'Tang San is here in Heaven Dou City—then Tang Hao must be too.'
"Tang Hao?" Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes widened, then he understood at once. "He came to investigate Xiao Hai's evolved Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul?"
"Exactly," Dugu Bo nodded grimly. "Don't forget. Qin Ming and Yu Tianheng already joined Shrek Academy, leaking every detail about Xiao Hai they knew. Not only his Martial Soul's evolution, but even the training methods he invented."
"And when Xue Ye suddenly deployed extra troops to seal off the academy, Tang Hao would suspect that Xiao Hai—or someone else—developed even more advanced training methods. Advanced enough for Xue Ye to value highly and tighten security." Chrysanthemum Douluo continued coldly, "So Tang Hao came. To probe the lockdown, and to pry into Xiao Hai's Martial Soul. The motive fits."
Dugu Bo frowned deeply. "No matter his reason, Tang Hao has the power to harm Xiao Hai. We cannot let down our guard."
"Yet with the situation as it is, we cannot confront him openly at the academy or in the city. If others saw, it would cause no end of trouble." He took a deep breath. "Old Guan, it seems I can only reveal myself early."
(End of Chapter)
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