“The league...?” Luo Yang even wondered if he was hallucinating.
The Shenzhou Academy League was the highest-specification competition for the younger generation of Punishers in the entire Republic of Shenzhou. It brought together the monstrous geniuses of the country's top academies. It wasn't just about academy rankings and honor; it was the most important stage for the military, the Ability Bureau, and even those hidden clans to scout core talent.
But the problem was...
“Is your memory failing you in your old age?” Luo Yang couldn't help but ask. “The Shenzhou Academy League is supposed to be held every three years, and it's always in the autumn. It's only been a bit over two years since the last one ended, and isn't it just summer now?”
Qiu Shubai didn't speak, but she clearly had the same question as Luo Yang.
The timing was completely wrong!
The preparation for the league involved the interests and resource allocation of all levels of the Shenzhou high-ranking officials. It was absolutely impossible to change the time so haphazardly.
Unless... some major incident had occurred that was significant enough to subvert existing rules, forcing the Shenzhou leadership to immediately select, or even 'force-ripen,' top combat power through the league.
Looking at their shocked expressions, Zhang Xian sighed deeply, the wrinkles on his face seeming to deepen at that moment.
“You remembered correctly. But this time is a special case. The higher-ups have issued a top-level emergency mobilization order, and the start time of the league has been moved forward unprecedentedly.”
Zhang Xian's gaze moved past them, looking at the clouds on the horizon that were stained blood-red by the setting sun.
“Not only is it earlier, but the rules, the format, and even the venues for this session will completely subvert the past. That's why the higher-ups required all academies to immediately recall all core students who were away.”
He withdrew his gaze and stared at Qiu Shubai like a hawk.
“I'll tell you the details once we're back at the academy. I've already notified the city bureau. From now on, put aside everything you have on hand—work, private grudges, all of it!”
“Now, immediately, follow me back to the academy!”
“As for you—”
Zhang Xian gave Luo Yang a deep look.
“I know.”
Luo Yang naturally understood what Zhang Xian meant.
He still held firmly in his heart the words Luo Xingbang had left behind: don't leave Jiangnan Province.
If he participated in the league and was scouted by some organization or agency, he would likely find himself in a situation where he had to leave Jiangnan Province.
Furthermore, the league was a national event, broadcast live on the internet at all times. He was certain that people from the Luo family would be watching.
If he really attracted the attention of the Luo family, many things would be hard to explain. After all, even he didn't know the truth behind many things right now.
“Some things are between us. So, don't participate in this league.”
Zhang Xian's tone was casual, but Luo Yang could sense a faint trace of heaviness in it.
He was feeling regret for him.
Regret that he was losing a chance to make a name for himself, and regret that he couldn't obtain the resources and rewards that Zhang Xian felt he deserved.
But Luo Yang didn't lack those. Or rather, if he wanted them, he could get them at any time with his background.
So, he didn't care.
“Then I'll be heading off.”
“Alright.”
Luo Yang nodded, gave Qiu Shubai an encouraging look, and took Yan Zhi into a taxi.
Qiu Shubai stood silently in place, her gaze following the yellow taxi as it merged into the crowded evening rush hour traffic until it completely blended into a sea of flickering taillights, leaving no trace.
“No need to keep watching. That kid's world is different from most people's.” Zhang Xian's voice rang out from behind, interrupting Qiu Shubai's thoughts. This old principal, who was usually somewhat casual and sly, now spoke with a trace of fatigue and solemnity that was hard to hide.
“Let's go, girl.” Zhang Xian turned and led the group toward the airport's underground garage, where a black military SUV had long been waiting.
Qiu Shubai followed without a word.
The car door closed with a heavy thud, completely cutting off the outside noise.
The vehicle sped through the streets of Yuanxing City, yet the interior of the cabin was deathly silent.
Qiu Shubai didn't ask Zhang Xian why he let Luo Yang leave at this critical juncture. Her intuition told her that it was likely a massive whirlpool deeper than even her own family's internal strife.
In less than forty minutes, the SUV stopped in front of the administration building of the Yuanxing City Punisher Academy.
When Qiu Shubai pushed open the car door, even with her usual coldness and composure, she couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly at the sight before her.
The academy, which was usually peaceful and even carried a trace of youthful idleness, had completely changed its appearance.
Everywhere in the academy were students in a hurry, each of them wearing an expression of seriousness and earnestness, completely different from their usual postures.
With a single glance, Qiu Shubai saw several familiar faces.
Those elite students ranked in the top hundred or even top ten on the Ladder Rankings—many of them had been out on high-risk missions just a few days ago, but now they were all here, covered in the dust of travel.
The air was filled with a suffocating atmosphere of mingled killing intent and fanaticism.
“Go directly to the strategic meeting room on the third basement level.” Zhang Xian ignored the startled gazes around them and walked ahead with long strides, his dark gray Zhongshan suit fluttering in the night wind.
Chu Zimo and Tang Xuan followed first, while Qiu Shubai walked behind them. After passing through three extremely strict dual identity verifications of iris and blood energy, the four of them stepped into a giant, semi-circular meeting room as solid as an underground fortress.
The meeting room was already full of people. The core students in the top hundred of the Yuanxing City Punisher Academy's Ladder Rankings and all instructors with a strength of Clear Heart rank or above were all present.
The expressions on everyone's faces were strangely consistent—a complex mix of bewilderment, shock, and extreme excitement.
As the Top Ranker of the Ladder Rankings, Qiu Shubai took her reserved seat in the center of the front row.
Zhang Xian strode onto the podium. Without any pleasantries or preamble, he directly pressed the red button on the console with a heavy thud.
Hum—
A giant circular holographic screen roared to life above everyone's heads. The first thing to emerge on the screen was a massive emblem formed by an intersection of a sword and an ear of wheat, but in the center of the emblem, there was an additional cold pattern of a gear and an eye.
That was the highest encryption mark of the SPACO, the central Shenzhou “Special Power and Affairs Coordination Office.”
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