Chapter 148: Snow‑Clear River

"Boliya is a bishop of the main hall, and we still can't find his trace?" Ma Kai Si frowned.

"Our investigation shows he vanished near Tiandou City; we haven't yet determined the cause, but in Thunder City's WuHunZhuDian all Six-ring Soul Emperors are missing, possibly taken by Bishop Boliya."

Listening to his subordinate's report, Ma Kai Si's brow furrowed even deeper.

This matter must be investigated thoroughly; regardless of which side, anyone who dares to act against the Spirit Hall must pay the price.

When Ma Kai Si learned of Boliya's disappearance, a long time had already passed; yet the Spirit Halls in all major cities remained orderly, and no force dared to easily cause trouble in the Spirit Hall, so under normal operation the matter stayed hidden.

Until now, the higher‑ups had given a mission to the WuHunZhuDian in Thunder City but had not received a reply for a long time; only then did they send Ma Kai Si here, leading to the discovery.

"Investigate immediately."

"Yes."

Ma Kai Si sat inside the hall, took out an envelope from his hand; it had been found in a secret room of Boliya's chamber.

"Heavy Thunder Sect?"

……

Ning Rongrong returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, happened to meet Ning Fengzhi, and casually told him about what happened at the academy.

Ning Fengzhi had just returned from the Tian Dou Imperial House, had already learned of the Fenglei Sect matter from the Imperial House, and specifically asked him how he viewed the Fenglei Sect issue.

According to Du Gu Bo, this Fenglei Sect inheritor disciple is a genius; if he grows normally, his future is bright, but he needs time.

In the Fenglei Sect ruins held by the Imperial House, it is undoubtedly his target, but the "meat" spoken of by the Imperial House is not so easily spat out.

"Huh? He's a disciple of the Fenglei Sect!" Ning Rongrong was surprised; she hadn't expected Tie Li to have a hidden identity.

"After becoming a student of the Tian Dou Royal Academy, he leveraged the academy's position, returned to the Fenglei Sect ruins, obtained the hidden inheritance there, and his martial soul thus completed a metamorphosis;

Now, not even Dai Mubai, whose Soul Power Level is lower than his, nor even Soul Masters of the same Soul Power Level, have many who could match him."

Following Ning Fengzhi was Gu Douluo; today, after seeing Du Gu Bo, a hint of doubt appeared in his eyes.

In the past, he never regarded Du Gu Bo highly; although both were titled Douluo, there was a clear gap in strength.

Seeing Du Gu Bo today, however, gave him a completely different feeling.

Could he actually feel danger emanating from Du Gu Bo?

"Then if he returns to the Tian Dou Royal Academy, won't we be unable to defeat their Second Team in the future?"

Previously, Shilake Academy had won First Team in a Team Soul Battle of seven people, which greatly boosted morale.

"He currently dares not reveal his identity; he should be quietly cultivating inside the Tian Dou Royal Academy and won't leave easily." Ning Fengzhi patted Ning Rongrong's head, but from his gaze it was clear his thoughts were elsewhere.

When the Fenglei Sect was destroyed by the Spirit Hall, several core disciples of the Fenglei Sect fled; the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect secretly sheltered two core disciples, but according to them, none of the Fenglei Sect inheritor disciples escaped unscathed; even their core disciples only barely escaped thanks to the Elders' utmost effort.

This suddenly appearing inheritor disciple naturally raised Ning Fengzhi's suspicion, but the Fenglei Sect's inheritance seal cannot be forged; therefore, Ning Fengzhi speculated whether the Fenglei Sect left hidden means, awaiting the sect's revival?

Thus, this inheritor disciple could be the key.

"By the way, Rongrong, is Shilake Academy still recruiting?"

"Dad, what's up?"

"I think Shilake Academy's educational standard is good, planning to send a few clan members to study there."

"Alright!"

Ning Fengzhi's purpose wasn't simply to send clan members into Shilake Academy, but to place two Fenglei Sect core disciples into Shilake Academy; the ensuing clash between the two academies' students would let him test

As for why not enter the Tian Dou Royal Academy?

Because it would easily trace back to Ning Fengzhi: the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect sending two Fenglei Sect core disciples into the academy, and coincidentally within the academy there happens to be a Fenglei Sect inheritor disciple present, which is hard not to draw connections elsewhere.

Ning Rongrong didn't think much; under Ning Fengzhi's arrangement, she took the prepared clan members back to Shilake Academy.

Given the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect's wealth, support in Gold Soul Coins was inevitable.

This made Fulangde grin broadly, vowing to properly nurture the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect's disciples.

……

Tie Li, over the following period, trained inside the academy, hastening his grasp of the Chaos Cloak Hammer Method's essence; each new insight gave him

new understanding of his self‑created soul skill.

The simulated training environment atop the mountain became Tie Li's site for researching his self‑created soul skill and practicing the Chaos Cloak Hammer Method.

Without needing to join team training, his time was naturally much freer.

Zhao Tianhe usually trained with Second Team's students, but today he suddenly approached him, his complexion slightly odd.

"Teacher Zhao, what's wrong?" Tie Li couldn't help but ask.

Tie Li was startled; he had thought that staying at the Tian Dou Royal Academy would keep him safe, completely forgetting the Qian Renxue hidden in the shadows, who, by their own power alone, has corroded the Tian Dou Imperial House to a thousand holes.

Tie Li was startled; he had thought staying in the Tian Dou Royal Academy would keep him very safe, completely forgetting the hidden Qian Renxue, who by herself has pierced the Tian Dou Imperial House with countless holes.

He, bearing the identity of a Fenglei Sect inheritor disciple, is a hidden threat; if they want to deal with him, it should be a very simple matter.

"The Crown Prince may be representing the Imperial House to talk to you," Zhao Tianhe added.

"Mm." Tie Li nodded.

Zhao Tianhe thought Tie Li understood, and led him to the Education Committee.

At this moment, Xue Qinghe was sitting in the Education Committee, drinking tea with three Committee Members.

"Alas, the Prince is so muddle‑headed, forcibly driving Shilake Academy away."

Even though so much time has passed, the three Committee Members still cannot let go of that incident.

Because only they know how prodigious a talent Tang San is.

Xue Qinghe's expression feigned helplessness, as if truly powerless regarding his younger brother and imperial uncle.

"Committee Members, since the Father Emperor is willing to entrust the academy to you, you need not have reservations; as for the Shilake Academy matter, it can only be…"

Zhao Tianhe led Tie Li into the Education Committee, instantly drawing the attention of the four.

Tie Li's gaze fell on the only unfamiliar face present; her disguise was flawless, even surpassing the real Xue Qinghe.

From the three Committee Members' attitude toward her, one could see how successful her infiltration was.

(End of chapter)