Chapter 181: Investigating the Truth
Moreover, Dai Mubai's sudden breakthrough in spirit power wasn't something even he could control.
If he'd had a choice, of course he wouldn't waste the chance—such opportunities were once-in-a-lifetime.
Tang San and Ma Hongjun exchanged looks.
No wonder the Martial Soul Fusion Skill had been so much more powerful—it was because of Dai Mubai.
At the edge of the fighting stage—
A long exhale escaped someone's lips. It was Yu Xiaogang.
After regaining his composure, he, Flender, and Liu Erlong hurried to the platform to find out what had really happened.
Just in time, they overheard Dai Mubai's explanation.
Yu Xiaogang instantly felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his chest.
So it was because of Dai Mubai, not Tang San's fault.
"Xiaogang, Erlong, this was just coincidence.
Dai Mubai had been at the peak of level forty-one for some time—it seems he just happened to break through mid-battle!"
Flender sighed with a helpless smile, trying to comfort them.
Liu Erlong's face was expressionless, but Yu Xiaogang's tension eased considerably.
As long as Tang San hadn't done it intentionally, that was enough.
As for Yu Tianxin? He wasn't as close to him as Yu Tianheng had been anyway.
The dead cannot return—an accident was an accident.
"Teacher, what happened to you!?"
Tang San jumped down from the stage, startled to see Yu Xiaogang's chest covered in blood, as if he had been gravely wounded.
"What happened? You little brats almost drove him to death!
He was so furious with you that he coughed up blood!"
Flender shouted angrily.
"Teacher, I'm sorry!"
Tang San quickly apologized.
"Master, Dean Liu, I'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry!"
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Zhu Zhuqing all bowed their heads in shame.
If it had been anyone from another academy who died, they wouldn't have felt guilty at all.
But both Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong were from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Tell me exactly what happened during the battle," Yu Xiaogang said sternly.
Seeing Tang San's worried expression gave him a small sense of warmth.
He hadn't chosen the wrong disciple after all.
The others didn't dare delay, describing the entire process from start to finish.
Liu Erlong frowned slightly. Could it truly have been coincidence?
But how could coincidence strike twice?
This time, Tang San wasn't even the main culprit—the one who'd actually caused the situation to spiral out of control was Dai Mubai.
Tang San and Ma Hongjun had simply followed the strategy they'd planned in advance.
And as for failing to hold back their attacks after Yu Tianxin was critically injured, no one could expect restraint in life-and-death combat.
Yet the more Liu Erlong thought about it, the colder her gaze became.
If it really were just coincidence, then Shrek seemed destined to be the Blue Lightning Clan's nemesis—this had happened twice already.
As she pondered, Ning Fengzhi and the Platinum Bishop, Salas, arrived.
Representing the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and Spirit Hall, they came to conduct an official investigation into Yu Tianxin's death.
Salas appeared aggressive, flanked by two red-robed archbishops and twelve silver-clad Sanctum Warriors.
Each Sanctum Warrior also brought four Sanctum Knights.
Upon entering, they immediately spread out, surrounding the entire fighting platform.
The atmosphere turned tense in an instant.
"Salas, do not frighten the empire's young geniuses," Ning Fengzhi said disapprovingly.
He knew Salas's tricks all too well—creating pressure and fear so someone would slip during questioning, providing him an excuse to exploit.
"Hmph. They are no longer young geniuses of the empire—they're murderers," Salas snapped coldly.
Backed by overwhelming forces, he radiated arrogance.
Ning Fengzhi held his dignity and chose not to argue.
But Shrek Academy had their own cunning speaker—Flender.
Smiling bitterly, he stepped forward. "Lord Platinum Bishop, please don't wrong us. I've already learned the full story.
Yu Tianxin's death was an unfortunate accident!
Dai Mubai broke through his bottleneck mid-battle, gaining sudden strength. That's what caused the tragedy.
Your Excellency knows that spirit battles are fought with full strength—especially since the strategy had been planned beforehand.
No one could have predicted this."
Flender sighed deeply, wearing a pitifully wronged expression.
Salas cast him a cold glance. "Enough talk. We will investigate now. Separate questioning begins!"
At his order, the red-robed archbishops and Sanctum Warriors stared coldly at each Shrek student.
Flender's face paled; he quickly looked toward Ning Fengzhi for support.
"When a participant dies, an investigation must follow. Otherwise, no other academy would feel safe joining future tournaments.
Only through a proper inquiry can these children's innocence be proven," Ning Fengzhi said evenly.
Yu Tianxin wasn't some unknown spirit master. Even if this was treated as formality, an explanation was necessary.
Ning Fengzhi didn't intend to block the investigation—he also wanted the truth. Was all this truly coincidence, or deliberate action by Tang Hao and his son?
Since Ning Fengzhi allowed it, Flender had no choice but to drop the act.
The interrogations began: Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing first, then Tang San and Ma Hongjun, followed by Tai Long, Jing Ling, and Oscar.
Inside a private box in the arena's rest area, Salas, Ning Fengzhi, and Prince Xue Xing questioned the Shrek members one by one.
The more they asked, the more puzzled both Salas and Ning Fengzhi became.
Could it truly be coincidence?
They questioned everything in detail—from pre-match training and tactical plans to each ability used in the fight.
With so many powerful spirit masters present, lying was impossible.
The battle had just ended—there wasn't even time to rehearse a false story.
Dai Mubai's breakthrough was real as well—his spirit power had indeed risen one level.
Salas was frustrated, but with seven separate testimonies all identical, he found not a single inconsistency.
"Lord Salas," Ning Fengzhi finally said, "it can now be confirmed that this was an accident.
I propose the tournament committee allow the Thunder Academy Team to add an extra competitor as compensation."
Salas fell silent. Thunder Academy didn't care about any compensation—they wanted Tang San dead.
Still, this could work. Ning Fengzhi had protected Tang San… yes, let Yu Yuanzhen hate him instead.
If he couldn't punish Tang San, perhaps Yu Yuanzhen would blame Ning Fengzhi even more.
"Very well. Sect Master Ning, you take responsibility for this matter," Salas replied darkly.
Without another word to Flender or the others, he led his entourage out in a flurry of robes and heavy steps.
"Do not let this burden you," Ning Fengzhi told the Shrek group before leaving. "This investigation was only to clarify the truth.
I hope you continue winning your future matches."
His parting words were warm encouragement before he, too, departed the arena.
Tang San and Flender expressed their sincere thanks repeatedly.
If Ning Fengzhi hadn't been there, Salas would have shown no restraint—perhaps even framing them outright.
(END CHAPTER)
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