The night was deep. On the military camp's drill ground, several huge bonfires were burning fiercely, illuminating the area as bright as day.
Several healing-type Spirit Masters in white robes were surrounding several makeshift stretchers, releasing soft glows of spirit power from their hands, doing their utmost to treat the Shrek Academy students who were severely injured.
The Duke of White Tiger, Marshal Dai Hao, stood to the side, his sharp, hawk-like eyes scanning the scene composedly.
His gaze swept over the Shrek injured one by one, and the feeling of speechlessness in his heart grew stronger.
It was akin to a max-level main account taking a group of low-level accounts with top-tier gear to a newbie village to crush the weak, only for the low-level accounts to nearly be wiped out, and the main account coming back crying for help.
It was simply the height of absurdity.
But as a seasoned commander, Marshal Dai Hao's facial control was perfect.
He not only didn't show a hint of disdain, but instead wore a look of concern and gravity, even personally directing his personal guards to deliver spirit power recovery potions to the healing Spirit Masters.
"Put your hearts into it! These are elite students of Shrek Academy, the future of the Empire! If anything goes wrong, I will hold you accountable!"
Marshal Dai Hao's majestic voice echoed across the drill ground, giving Xuan Zi plenty of Face.
Finally, about half an hour passed.
The lead elderly military doctor wiped the sweat from his forehead, hurried over to Xuan Zi and Marshal Dai Hao, and bowed respectfully.
"Reporting to the Marshal, reporting to Elder Xuan."
"I have successfully completed the task."
"The injuries of the several wounded have been stabilized."
The old military doctor reported in detail: "Although they had suffered varying degrees of injuries, under my treatment, they are now out of danger. Please rest assured, Marshal and Elder Xuan."
Hearing this, Xuan Zi, who had been pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back like an ant on a hot pan, suddenly stopped.
On that wrinkled old Face, a chrysanthemum-like smile bloomed instantly.
"Good, good, good! That's great!"
Xuan Zi let out a long sigh of relief, feeling that the heavy stone pressing on his chest had finally fallen.
"It's good they're fine! It's good they're fine!"
As long as they were fine, then this accident didn't matter at all!
By then, the members of their Shrek Team would still be able to participate in the competition at full health!
Hmph, the championship was still within their grasp!
The more Xuan Zi thought about it, the more optimistic he felt. The fear caused by his dereliction of duty had already dissipated by more than half.
He turned around, patted Marshal Dai Hao on the shoulder, and said with a grateful expression: "Many thanks for the Duke's assistance! This favor, I will remember, and Shrek will also remember!"
Marshal Dai Hao smiled slightly and bowed in return: "Elder Xuan is too polite. The Shrek Supervision Team suffered this ordeal for the safety of my Star Luo Empire, so it is only right that I do this."
After the pleasantries, Marshal Dai Hao's tone suddenly shifted. With a hint of inquiry in his eyes, he asked seemingly casually: "However, Elder Xuan, I have always had a question in my heart, and I don't know if I should ask."
Xuan Zi was in a great mood and waved his hand: "Duke, feel free to speak."
Marshal Dai Hao nodded and lowered his voice to ask: "As far as I know, although that bandit group in the Ming Dou Mountain Range is a bit strange, the strongest among them is only a Spirit King."
"With your strength, Elder Xuan, you could wipe them out in the snap of a finger."
"And with these proud children of heaven from your academy... how could they... end up in such a miserable state?"
"Could it be..." Marshal Dai Hao paused and asked tentatively, "that there were some unexpected changes? Or is it that there is someone more powerful behind that Evil Soul Master?"
This question was impeccable; it both expressed his confusion and offered Xuan Zi a way out.
But what he really wanted to ask was: You, a Level 98 Super Douluo, where the hell were you at that time?
Hearing this question, the smile on Xuan Zi's Face stiffened slightly.
But it was only for a split second.
As an old fox who had lived for over a hundred years, Xuan Zi had no other skills, but his skin was thick enough.
He had long since prepared his excuse.
Xuan Zi let out a soft sigh, his Face showing an expression that was "hard to describe in a few words" and "deeply pained."
"Sigh, the Duke does not know."
"Originally, this was indeed just a simple bandit suppression mission."
"But just as we arrived at the Ming Dou Mountain Range, my powerful mental force suddenly sensed an extremely evil and powerful aura!"
Xuan Zi frowned tightly and fabricated vividly: "That aura was extremely subtle. If not for my keen perception, I would have almost been deceived by him."
"It turned out to be an Eight-Ring Evil Soul Master at the Spirit Douluo level! He was lurking in the shadows, intending to harm my students!"
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