Although everyone involved were long-time acquaintances, Li Chang'an still reminded Ning Rongrong not to reveal her connection to Ning Fengzhi. "Let everything proceed through normal channels," he instructed.
Thus, under Liu Erlong's lead as the academy dean, Li Chang'an, Miao Ling, and Ning Rongrong went to the front gates to welcome the investigation team. After all, as contestants, they still had to show proper respect to the officials from the tournament committee.
Li Chang'an had already guessed who the visitors would be, but Liu Erlong was still taken aback when she saw them. She knew both men, yet she never expected the committee to treat the matter with such gravity.
The committee for the Heaven Dou City qualifiers was jointly run by the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Accordingly, the two representatives were from those powers: representing the Spirit Hall was none other than Salas, the Platinum Bishop and Hall Master of the Heaven Dou Spirit Temple; representing the Empire was none other than Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
"Dean Liu, forgive our sudden intrusion," Ning Fengzhi greeted her with a smile, not even glancing at Li Chang'an.
Although their soul power levels were similar, the gap in status within the Spirit Master world was vast. Liu Erlong hurriedly returned the courtesy:
"Sect Master Ning, you honor us with your presence. Having you visit our academy is a blessing to Crimson Rose."
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, stepping aside to introduce:
"This is Lord Salas, Platinum Bishop of the Heaven Dou Spirit Temple."
Liu Erlong's expression remained composed as she bowed again.
"So it is Bishop Salas himself. I, Liu Erlong, offer my respects. Please, both of you, come inside."
Salas gave a polite nod and smile before following the group into the academy's main building.
The place was familiar to him — after all, it was he who had originally given this property to Li Chang'an. Returning now as a guest made him sigh inwardly. How things change…
Then he noticed Liu Erlong's occasional glances toward Li Chang'an. Those looks were far from the usual between teacher and student.
'By the Heavens… even the dean? How many women does the Holy Son still have hidden away?'
Ning Fengzhi had only brought Bone Douluo, Gu Rong, with him. In contrast, Salas arrived with a full entourage of twelve: two red-robed Cardinals and ten Spirit Hall knights clad in silver.
The Spirit Hall had its own military order — the temple knights. Aside from the Pope's personal Saint Emperor Knights and the Douluo Hall's Douluo Knights, the temple knights ranked among the highest. Every one of them was a formidable Spirit Master.
Rumor had it that the entry requirement for a temple knight was at least rank 51, Spirit King. For the Saint Emperor Knights and Douluo Knights, the bar was even higher — rank 61, Spirit Emperor.
In other words, every one of these silver-clad knights was a Spirit King or stronger. Their commanders, the leaders of the Saint Emperor and Douluo Knight orders, were said to be Title Douluo. The strength of the Spirit Hall was truly immense.
Once inside, Liu Erlong led them to the academy's largest meeting hall. She offered the main seats to Ning Fengzhi and Salas, while preparing to sit with Li Chang'an and the others on the side.
But to her surprise, both Salas and Ning Fengzhi deliberately sat opposite Li Chang'an and his companions, leaving the head seats empty. Neither dared sit above him — not when considering Li Chang'an's hidden identity. Salas, especially, was known for his strict adherence to rules.
"Sect Master Ning, Bishop Salas…?" Liu Erlong looked at them, confused.
"It's fine, Dean Liu. We prefer to sit here — it makes for more equal discussion. Let's begin," Salas said with a wave, eager to get this over with. He wanted nothing more than to finish quickly and then slip away for another dose of his heart pills. After all, seeing yet another of the Holy Son's women here was exhausting.
He summarized the matter simply:
"In the previous match, your academy's students struck too hard, crippling all seven competitors from Blue Sunshine Academy. As a result, Blue Sunshine has lodged a formal protest, and the tournament committee was compelled to form a special investigation team."
'Let's keep this brief,' Salas thought. 'I'll hear five words from you, then I'm done.'
Li Chang'an casually dug at his ear and said, "Ah, apologies. Yes, we were at fault. We went a bit overboard in that match."
Liu Erlong's eyes widened.
'Are you trying to get yourself condemned?'
As expected, Salas immediately pressed, "Do you realize that your actions directly violated the rules of this tournament?"
Li Chang'an nodded solemnly. "We understand. We admit our mistake. From now on, we'll study the tournament rules more carefully, embrace the core values of fairness and harmony, and strive to compete with equality, justice, and love—"
Salas: …
Ning Fengzhi: …
"Enough. As long as you acknowledge it." Salas cut him off before he could spout more nonsense. Li Chang'an was, after all, one of their own. Even if Blue Sunshine's seven had died outright, he would still have had to protect him.
But Liu Erlong didn't know this. Thinking Salas was about to deliver judgment, she nearly stood to plead on Li Chang'an's behalf. Before she could, she felt Li Chang'an's hand firmly press hers down. He gave a small shake of his head.
Salas cleared his throat and declared:
"After three hours of careful joint investigation between myself and Sect Master Ning, we reached a unanimous conclusion: the condition of Blue Sunshine's team was caused by spirit skill backlash. It has nothing to do with the Crimson Rose team."
He added formally, "In future, I will continue to uphold the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency for this tournament. This concludes the inquiry. Meeting adjourned."
With that, he gave a parting nod to the bewildered Liu Erlong, shot Li Chang'an a weary glance, and departed first. His Spirit Hall entourage quickly followed.
Ning Fengzhi, who had anticipated this outcome all along, said nothing during the entire exchange. He simply patted Ning Rongrong's head with a smile before leaving with Gu Rong.
Only after a full minute did Liu Erlong finally recover, staring blankly at Li Chang'an.
"Changsheng… since when has the Spirit Hall been so easy to reason with?"
Li Chang'an gently squeezed her hand and smiled.
"I don't know either. But I believe you'll understand someday."
'Someday,' he thought, 'when I reveal both my ties to the Spirit Hall and… other matters between us.'
After all, barriers must be broken down eventually.
As for today — Salas had played his role in this farce perfectly.