Chapter 306
According to the usual expectations, the Imperial Academy’s flying beast shouldn’t be able to catch up with the white crane. However, when the Great Priest saw that it was the Imperial Academy’s flying beast pursuing them at top speed, he thought they might be looking for him about something. Therefore, he asked the white crane to slow down. To his surprise, the Imperial Academy’s flying beast caught up, and before he could inquire about the matter, three people descended from the beast onto the white crane’s back.
The three arrived so quickly that he didn’t have a chance to refuse them, and after they got on, the Imperial Academy’s flying beast flew away.
He couldn’t even force them back.
“Great Priest, we’re all heading to the same place,” Feng Jiu Yuan said, “and we’re going for the same reason, so don’t hold it against us.”
The Great Priest looked at them with a cold expression: “How did you know about the situation in Xiangyun City?”
Huang Quan and Jing Chen simultaneously raised their hands and pointed at Feng Jiu Yuan.
Feng Jiu Yuan: “…” There was no need to throw him under the bus so quickly.
The Great Priest’s gaze on Feng Jiu Yuan grew even darker.
Feng Jiu Yuan appeared completely innocent.
After a glance at Feng Jiu Yuan, the Great Priest withdrew his gaze and said calmly: “There have indeed been some issues in Xiangyun City. I’m going there to handle that matter. As for you…”
The Great Priest looked at the three of them and suddenly sneered: “You’re overreacting. It’s true that Xiangyun City is where the training will take place, but do you think the teachers from the Imperial Academy would actually take them into the city for training?”
The three, who had been mocked: “…”
The image they had of the Great Priest shattered into pieces.
Is this really the same Great Priest who was rumored to be as serene as the moon in the sky?
The three sat together in silence; since they were already here, they couldn’t possibly just go back now.
The white crane’s speed was faster than that of the Imperial Academy’s flying beast. Just how fast was it?
They caught up with the students from the Imperial Academy’s Eighth Academy who hadn’t yet reached Xiangyun City.
When Nangong Mian saw the Great Priest and the others on the back of the white crane, his eyes widened in shock.
What’s going on?
Didn’t Huang Quan say they wouldn’t come?
Why not only did Huang Quan come, but even the Great Priest is here?
“Great Priest?”
While Nangong Mian was still puzzled, the teacher in charge of the group had already greeted the Great Priest and started a conversation.
The Great Priest didn’t say much, only stating: “We’ll talk more once we arrive at the designated training site.”
The teacher from the Imperial Academy, upon hearing this, also said no more.
By evening, the team stopped at the foot of a mountain outside Xiangyun City.
They were still within the territory of Xiangyun City but some distance away from the city itself. Their training here wouldn’t involve any risks from the city.
Since their training location was separated from the city’s dangers, Huang Quan and the others didn’t inform Nangong Mian about the situation in the city to avoid causing unnecessary worry.
“Third Brother, the Great Priest is here to handle some matters in Xiangyun City. We’re just tagging along to gain some experience. Other than that, there’s nothing else. Focus on your training and don’t worry about us,” Huang Quan said.
Upon hearing this, Nangong Mian indeed didn’t think much of it.
On the other hand, the Great Priest informed the teacher in charge about the situation in the city, instructing them to keep a close watch on the students and not let them enter the city. He also reminded the teacher not to inform the students about this matter to avoid distracting them or arousing their curiosity to explore the city.
The teacher, understanding the seriousness of the situation, assured the Great Priest that he would not disclose anything to the students.
Chapter 307
After speaking with the teacher, the Great Priest turned to Huang Quan and the others, “We should go.”
“Third Brother, we’re leaving,” Huang Quan said. “Focus on your training.”
“Mm,” Nangong Mian nodded.
Huang Quan didn’t say more, and with Jing Chen and Feng Jiu Yuan, she joined the Great Priest.
Once the four were together, the Great Priest glanced at Nangong Mian in the distance before leading the group away.
Leaving the base of the mountain, the four traveled into the city on Bai Luan and headed straight for the City Lord’s Mansion.
At the City Lord’s Mansion.
Bai Luan stopped above the City Lord’s Mansion, and the Great Priest and the others disembarked. As soon as they landed, the City Lord and his officials gathered around.
The City Lord of Xiangyun City stepped forward and greeted the Great Priest with respect, “Great Priest.”
“No need for formalities,” the Great Priest replied calmly. “I’m here to handle the situation. Please take us to the affected area.”
The City Lord responded, “Great Priest, it is already late. By the time we get there, it will be nearly dark. It might be better to wait until tomorrow morning to investigate.”
“There’s no need,” the Great Priest said. “We should go now.”
The City Lord had no choice but to lead them to the affected area.
The area in question was a remote part of the western city, where the residents lived in poor conditions. Initially, the incidents didn’t attract much attention, but as the situation grew increasingly suspicious, it was reported to the City Lord, who then sent people to investigate.
Despite the City Lord’s efforts, no matter how many people were sent, they couldn’t find any clues, and the deaths continued.
As the City Lord led the Great Priest and the others to the site, he briefly shared the investigation results of the past few days.
In summary, the results could be boiled down to one phrase: there were no clues.
The Great Priest didn’t comment on this until they arrived at the location. Looking at the tightly shut doors of each house, the Great Priest finally spoke, “Huang Quan, you three go check the surroundings and regroup here in half an hour.”
Huang Quan?
Hearing the Great Priest call out this name, everyone showed a look of surprise.
Huang Quan was beautiful but had no spiritual power. However, she followed the Great Priest and had attracted a lot of attention when she appeared. Because she was with the Great Priest, no one dared to approach her.
But now… after hearing Huang Quan’s name, everyone was even more reluctant to approach.
The future Crown Princess, who would dare to provoke her?
Unless they were looking for trouble!
This shows that Feng Jiu Yuan’s earlier comment, “In time, the whole world will know that the Crown Prince loves you,” was indeed not wrong.
“Alright.” Huang Quan and the others responded and then went off.
After they left, the Great Priest continued to examine the area.
On the other side…
After separating from the Great Priest, the three began their own investigation in the area, but…
It was pitch black—how were they supposed to investigate?
Even though cultivators’ vision isn’t affected at night, it’s still not as clear as during the day.
“I don’t understand why the Great Priest is in such a hurry,” Feng Jiu Yuan said. “We could have come during the day; it would be easier to see.”
Jing Chen replied, “We’re here now. Complaining won’t help. We should investigate.”
Investigate?
What were they supposed to investigate?
They hadn’t even seen the bodies of the deceased, let alone figured out how they had died. What were they supposed to look for?
Huang Quan didn’t join in the discussion. After taking a few steps, she stopped and remained in place, staring intently ahead as if she was focused on something.
However, there was nothing ahead.
Seeing her like this, Jing Chen and Feng Jiu Yuan recalled their experiences at the ruins.
End of chapter!
