The next day, the tournament organizing committee acted quickly. Two investigation teams rushed to the two academies respectively.
Initially, Lu Feng thought it was just a formality and didn't take it to heart. But when he saw that the person responsible for investigating him was Salas himself, a trace of vigilance couldn't help but rise in his heart.
Aside from Salas, the investigation team had a total of twelve people. Two were Red-robed Cardinals, dressed in magnificent red robes and radiating the majesty of superiors. The other ten were Temple Knights dressed in silver combat attire, all standing tall with sharp gazes.
In the Spirit Hall system, the soul power threshold for a Temple Knight was level 51, while a Red-robed Cardinal had to reach level 61.
In the conference room, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.
Salas and the two Red-robed Cardinals sat in the high seats, their gazes falling directly on Lu Feng opposite them, as if trying to see through him.
Lu Feng's expression was calm, and he met their gaze frankly, not at all intimidated by this powerful aura.
"Lu Feng, you should know the purpose of our visit," Salas lifted the teacup in front of him and took a small sip, seemingly casual, but secretly observing Lu Feng's reaction.
The corners of Lu Feng's mouth tilted up, revealing a confident, light smile. "If the Bishop has any questions, please feel free to ask. I have a clear conscience. Moreover, I believe the Bishop will certainly enforce the law impartially."
Salas signaled slightly to his left and right. The two Red-robed Cardinals understood and quietly left the room, leaving only him and Lu Feng.
At this moment, the air in the room seemed to freeze, quiet enough to hear each other breathing.
"Lu Feng, what was that soul skill you used on the spirit battle stage? The one where your whole body emitted golden light," Salas asked, a hint of urgency in his eyes, his tone becoming sharp.
Lu Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at Salas with a torch-like gaze, and frowned slightly. "Bishop, is this question also within the scope of the investigation?"
Salas leaned back in his chair, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips.
Before coming, he had conducted an in-depth investigation into Lu Feng's background. The result shocked him greatly: Lu Feng was not of noble birth, but a commoner.
"Lu Feng, fourteen years old, from Nuoding City, Body Martial Soul, innate soul power level five."
Behind this simple intelligence was a genius who became a Soul Ancestor at the age of only fourteen.
Such talent was rare in the entire continent.
During the investigation, Salas also obtained a top-secret piece of intelligence: "Lu Feng, at the age of seven and a half, made outstanding contributions to Spirit Hall and was exceptionally granted the title of Third-Class Knight of Honor."
Combined with the move Lu Feng used in the Spirit Arena, the suspicion in Salas's heart grew stronger.
That was clearly the [Sacred] and [Light] attributes that only an apostle of the Angel God could possibly display simultaneously.
Absolutely no mistake!
Although there were many Martial Souls with light attributes, for Salas, who had undergone the baptism of the Angel God, to feel that warmth and reverent power originating from the depths of his soul... there was no other possibility besides an apostle of the Angel God!
Moreover, sitting opposite each other now, Salas discovered an even more astonishing secret: the Soul Tool Lu Feng wore on his wrist was the highest symbol of glory of the Qian family!
This discovery gave Salas a bold and crazy conjecture: Lu Feng is a spy planted by Spirit Hall in the Heaven Dou Empire!
Thinking of this, Salas suddenly straightened his back, his expression solemn, and said loudly, "Back then, after I broke through to become a Soul Douluo, I had the honor of receiving the baptism of the Angel God."
His voice was deep, recalling that incomparably sacred experience.
Salas's gaze was like a torch, fixed tightly on Lu Feng, as he continued, "From then on, I have upheld a heart of light. Anyone who attempts to blaspheme the light or destroy the order of this world will receive the severest sanctions!"
His voice echoed in the conference room, carrying an unquestionable majesty.
It was as if he were a messenger of light, shouldering the mission of maintaining justice.
Lu Feng looked at Salas blankly, muttering inwardly, Is there something wrong with this guy's brain? A fanatical believer of the Angel God?
However, his face remained calm as he raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly. "Bishop Salas, your words are a bit baffling. What does this have to do with my match in the Spirit Arena?"
Hearing this, Salas's eyes sharpened, thinking to himself, Is my hint not obvious enough? Could it be that Lu Feng's mission is so secret that he can't even reveal it to me?
Salas quickly came to a realization. If even he, a Platinum Bishop, had to be kept in the dark, then this mission must be a shocking plan concerning the structure of the entire continent.
"Ahem." Salas coughed lightly, breaking the brief silence.
"Lu Feng, I have understood the situation clearly. Shrek Academy seriously disrupted the order of the competition. After investigation by the tournament expert group, it is decided to disqualify Shrek Academy from the competition."
His tone became relaxed, and a fawning smile even appeared on his face, as if trying to curry favor with Lu Feng.
"Ah?" Lu Feng was momentarily stunned.
He hadn't expected Salas to suddenly give such a verdict. This result completely exceeded his expectations.
He stared at Salas. At this moment, the other party's face was piled with smiles, making his thoughts unreadable.
Although he didn't know what medicine Salas was selling in his gourd, since the other party ruled him blameless, Lu Feng didn't want to pursue it too much.
However, if Shrek was directly eliminated, his subsequent plans couldn't be carried out.
"Isn't that a bit too heavy?" Lu Feng frowned slightly and spoke.
"Heavy?" Salas frowned slightly, pretending to be in a difficult position.
"After careful consideration by the expert group, it is decided to disqualify Shrek Academy from three matches. Is this heavy?" A trace of cunning flashed in his eyes, seemingly testing Lu Feng's attitude.
Lu Feng stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "Alright then, let's go with that."
In the office of the Great Spirit Arena, the atmosphere was tense.
"I protest!" Veins bulged on Yu Xiaogang's neck as he roared at the top of his lungs.
"You are clearly shielding them! Shrek Academy absolutely does not accept this verdict!"
His eyes were bloodshot as he glared angrily at Salas, looking as if he wanted to swallow him whole.
Salas's face darkened, his tone icy. "Hmph, Yu Xiaogang, you should know the rules of the tournament. The organizing committee will never be lenient towards any behavior that disrupts the rules!"
He tilted his head back slightly, a trace of arrogance of a superior on his face, dismissive of Yu Xiaogang's protest.
"Salas, you'd better think clearly before making a decision!" Yu Xiaogang's face was flushed red with anger, his hands clenched into fists.
"Impudence! Is the name of the Lord Platinum Bishop something you can call directly?" A Red-robed Cardinal saw this and immediately stepped forward, reprimanding sternly.
"Hmph!" Yu Xiaogang laughed in extreme anger. With a flick of his wrist, an ancient token instantly appeared in his hand.
The token shimmered with a mysterious luster under the dim light. Six exquisite patterns were carved lifelike upon it, exuding a majestic aura.
Salas looked closely, his pupils shrinking violently. A look of disbelief appeared on his face as he blurted out, "The Pope's Decree!"
He never expected that Yu Xiaogang would hold the highest token issued by Spirit Hall to non-Spirit Hall personnel.
One must know, anyone holding this token possessed the authority of a Spirit Hall Elder, equivalent to the presence of the Pope herself.
"Salas, seeing the Pope's Decree, why do you not kneel!" Yu Xiaogang shouted sternly.
Salas's face instantly became extremely ugly, turning green and white.
Although he vaguely knew of some unknown relationship between Yu Xiaogang and the Papacy, seeing the Pope's Decree with his own eyes still shocked him greatly.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant: The Qian family token comes from the Elder Hall, while Yu Xiaogang possesses the Pope's Decree...
His heart sank, realizing that he had probably fallen into a desperate dilemma today.
After a long time, Salas took a deep breath and said indifferently, "The tournament organizing committee upholds the principles of fairness and justice and will never let go of any criminal behavior. Grandmaster Yu, please return."
Although his voice was steady, his eyes revealed a trace of determination.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang exploded like a lit powder keg.
He jumped up in agitation, pointing at Salas and cursing loudly, "Salas, have you really thought this through! You are openly defying the Pope's will! You will pay the price for this!"
"Salas, your future is finished!"
"I will report this to the Pope! Wait to be sanctioned!"
Yu Xiaogang cursed more and more excitedly, spittle flying.
"Bang!"
Two Red-robed Cardinals picked Yu Xiaogang up and threw him out the door like garbage.
"Xiaogang, how did it go?" Flender quickly moved closer, his face full of worry.
Yu Xiaogang climbed up from the ground, covered in dust. He shook his head and sighed deeply.
"No good. The verdict remains unchanged."
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang had lost the arrogant appearance he had in the office, reverting to his usual stoic face, only with an added trace of dejection in his eyes.
Seeing this, Flender's heart sank, and his expression became grave. "Then what do we do? This is equivalent to Shrek losing four matches at once. Can we still make it to the ranking competition?"
He rubbed his hands anxiously, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and said in a deep voice, "As long as we don't lose a single match from now on, we still have a chance. By the way, which academy is our next opponent?"
"I just checked the match schedule. It's Blazing Academy," Flender replied.