Chapter 445: Setting Off

Li Luo had not expected that what was meant to be a joyful send-off would suddenly turn so heavy the moment Principal Pang appeared.

However, he understood that Principal Pang was not exaggerating; he was simply laying out all the facts. Even if many people were already aware of these facts, there were times when, before the critical moment arrived, many would choose to ignore them—after all, humans naturally tend to avoid things that are cruel.

On the silent plaza, a breeze blew past, but it could not disperse the heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

In the crystal mirror, Pang Qianyuan gazed at the silent plaza and said slowly, "I originally did not want to say these things at such a time, because it will place pressure on our students participating in the Holy Grail Meet. However, I have no choice; I need you to carry the future of the Astral Sage College on your shoulders as you embark on this expedition."

"This is not a competition, but a war filled with cruelty."

Li Luo stared at Pang Qianyuan's figure, vaguely sensing that Principal Pang now carried a hint of urgency. Why was this? Was the situation deep within the Dark Cave constantly worsening? If they could not bring back the Dragon Bone Holy Grail, what would become of the future of the Astral Sage College?

He sighed softly in his heart, but the competition for the Dragon Bone Holy Grail was no easy task; they could only do their utmost to fight for it.

"I will not say much else; I have only one requirement, or perhaps, a request..."

His gaze shifted, landing on the high platform where Li Luo and the others were located. They would be the ones representing the Astral Sage College in battle.

Pang Qianyuan's expression turned solemn. He bowed slightly toward them and lowered his head.

"Use all your abilities to bring back the Dragon Bone Holy Grail. You will be the heroes of the college!"

"Your names will be permanently engraved on the college's monument."

"Of course, most importantly... I will thank you on behalf of those students who may be buried within the Dark Cave in the future."

When that final sentence fell, the crystal mirror suddenly fluctuated violently before fading into darkness. Principal Pang's figure disappeared completely, leaving only his voice echoing in the plaza.

In the plaza, there was still no sound.

Everyone had fallen silent, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

Vice Principal Suxin raised her hand, and the crystal bead fell back into her palm. Looking at the atmosphere in the arena, she felt a bit helpless. As expected, it was impossible to rely on the principal to lighten the mood.

His style had always been simple and crude; he had directly tossed this immense pressure onto the students who would be representing the Astral Sage College.

Fortunately, these students were the most elite in the college; they should be able to withstand this kind of pressure.

Vice Principal Suxin said slowly, "I will not say any extra words, only one thing."

Her gaze turned toward the direction where Li Luo and the others were.

"I wish you all a triumphant return."

On the plaza, emotions gradually gathered on the faces of countless students. Their eyes unknowingly turned a bit red, and the next moment, deafening cheers resounded throughout the entire college.

"Triumphant return!"

"Triumphant return!"

Vice Principal Suxin formed a seal with her fingertips, and a pillar of resonant power erupted, merging into the massive Resonant Power Tree behind her. Then, everyone saw a thick branch, like a giant python, hang down, shimmering with strange light and wriggling rapidly.

In just a few moments, it transformed into a green wooden portal.

Accompanied by a creaking sound, the portal slowly opened, light surging within, leading to an unknown destination.

"Enter from here, and you will arrive at the venue of the Holy Grail Meet. Of course, I will accompany you throughout the entire process." Vice Principal Suxin pointed to the opened green wooden portal and then smiled. She waved her hand gently, and emerald leaves about ten-plus zhang in size on the Resonant Power Tree slowly unfolded, crystal light surging on them as if forming green light mirrors.

"Do not worry that everyone at the college won't be able to see your brilliant performance. These Spirit Leaf Mirrors will project your every move in the Holy Grail Meet. So, display all your skills and let our college remain in cheers from this moment on."

Listening to Vice Principal Suxin's bewitching voice, everyone in the delegation could not help but smile.

"If you are all ready, then let us set off."

Vice Principal Suxin did not say more; she stepped out first and walked straight into the green wooden portal. Energy light surged, swallowing her figure.

Following her was the team from the Four-Star Hall, led by Gong Shenjun and the Princess.

Then came Jiang Qing'e, Duze Honglian, and the others from the Three-Star Hall.

Then Zhu Xuan, Ye Qiuding, and the others from the Two-Star Hall.

And finally, Li Luo, Qin Zhulu, and the others at the rear.

The moment he stepped into the portal, Li Luo turned his head to look back. On the exceptionally spacious plaza, the eyes of countless students were filled with deep hope, while the deafening sounds of "triumphant return" continued to echo for a long time.

"Principal, you really know how to put pressure on people."

He muttered to himself and walked into the green wooden portal.

And as the Astral Sage College delegation set off.

Deepest part of the Dark Cave.

In the void, violent energy formed by earth, wind, water, and fire surged restlessly. Pang Qianyuan sat cross-legged in the void, and those riotous heaven and earth energies would automatically dissolve when they were still a zhang away from his body.

Here, countless eerie, low whispers came from every direction. These whispers emitted an extremely powerful polluting force; even a Marquis-level expert would find it difficult to endure for long here.

But Pang Qianyuan's expression remained as calm as an ancient well.

His deep eyes gazed at the distant space, where the space appeared severely distorted, as if two worlds were colliding.

A crack was torn open from that spot.

Behind the spatial crack, one could see a black river flowing. The black river emitted an indescribable evil and eeriness, as if it had condensed all the ominousness and negative emotions in the world.

As the black waves rolled, a massive shadow with no visible end suddenly appeared in the black river.

It seemed to be a giant black fish, and on every one of its scales, a ferocious and painful human face seemed to emerge, looking hair-raising.

The black fish swam in the black river, its pupils a ghostly white. Its gaze pierced through the obstruction of space, locking onto Pang Qianyuan.

"Pang Qianyuan, have you really been reduced to pinning your hopes on those little things?"

In the void, a damp, cold, and dark voice came from an unknown source.

Pang Qianyuan stared indifferently at the black fish in the black river, having no intention of conversing with it. Because Otherkind were naturally adept at stirring up the darkness in human hearts, he had dealt with this Fish Demon King too many times over the years and knew how eerie and difficult it was.

"Pang Qianyuan, the black river is constantly growing; you cannot stop it. When the black river pours into the Dark Cave, your college and this land you stand upon will all become our food."

The giant black fish slapped its tail, splashing up ten thousand zhang of black waves.

It let out a soft laugh and then gradually sank into the depths of the black river.

Pang Qianyuan watched the disappearing black fish, his brows furrowing slightly as he sighed in his heart.

A young face flashed through his mind—that was... Li Luo.

Among the Astral Sage College delegation, elites were numerous, and there was even a monster like Jiang Qing'e, who could almost be considered the undisputed strongest student of the Three-Star Hall. Yet, he held high hopes for this Li Luo, who was only in the One-Star Hall.

Perhaps this would be an unexpected, brilliant move.

After all, he was the son of Li Taixuan and Tantai Lan.

And, he was from that Li Tianwang lineage.

I hope you will not disappoint me.