Moreover, Dai Mubai acknowledged that he couldn't control the sudden breakthrough in his Soul Power Level.
If given the choice, he still wouldn't pass up such a rare opportunity for advancement, as breakthroughs like this were hard to come by.
Tang San and Ma Hongjun exchanged glances.
No wonder their Martial Soul Fusion Skill had become so much more powerful—it was because of Dai Mubai.
At the edge of the Soul Duel Stage.
"Whew!"
Yu Xiaogang let out a long sigh of relief.
After recovering his composure, he, Flender, and Liu Erlong hurried over to the Soul Duel Stage to uncover the truth behind what had happened.
They happened to hear Dai Mubai's explanation.
Yu Xiaogang immediately felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
So it was because of Dai Mubai—not Xiao San's fault.
"Xiao Gang, Erlong, this really was just a coincidence.
Dai Mubai had been stuck at level 41 as a Soul Ancestor for some time. Who would've thought he'd break through during the duel?"
Flender said with a bitter smile, trying to console Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong.
Liu Erlong remained expressionless, while Yu Xiaogang visibly relaxed.
As long as Xiao San hadn't done it on purpose, that was all that mattered.
As for Yu Tianxin? He wasn't even as close to Yu Xiaogang as Yu Tianheng was.
The dead couldn't be brought back to life. This was an accident, and no one could have prevented it.
"Teacher, what happened to you!"
Tang San immediately leaped off the Soul Duel Stage, startled to see Yu Xiaogang's chest covered in blood, as if he had suffered a severe injury.
"What do you think happened? You little brats have disappointed us so much.
Xiao Gang even coughed up blood because of you!"
Flender scolded angrily.
"Teacher, I'm sorry!"
Tang San apologized again.
"Grandmaster, Dean Liu, we're sorry!"
"We're sorry!"
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Zhu Zhuqing all bowed their heads in apology.
If the deceased had been from another academy, they wouldn't have felt the slightest remorse.
But the problem was that Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong were both members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
"Describe the entire battle to me in detail!" Yu Xiaogang said sternly.
Tang San's genuine concern warmed his heart.
He hadn't misjudged this disciple.
Dai Mubai and the others didn't dare delay and recounted the entire sequence of events truthfully.
Beside them, Liu Erlong felt puzzled. Could it really have been a coincidence?
But how could such a coincidence happen twice?
This time, Tang San wasn't even the main culprit—the one who had truly caused the situation to spiral out of control was Dai Mubai.
Tang San and Ma Hongjun had simply executed the tactics they had rehearsed before the match, using their Soul Skills as planned.
As for failing to hold back after Yu Tianxin was injured—on the Soul Duel Stage, everyone fought with full strength. Who could pull their punches at will?
But the more she thought about it, the colder Liu Erlong's gaze became.
If this really was a coincidence, it would mean that Shrek Academy had unwittingly become the nemesis of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family—twice now.
As she pondered this, Ning Fengzhi and Platinum Bishop Salas arrived.
Representing the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Spirit Hall respectively, they had come as the organizing committee of the Soul Master Competition to investigate Yu Tianxin's death.
Salas stormed in with an imposing demeanor, followed by two Cardinals in red robes and twelve Temple Knights in silver uniforms.
Each Temple Knight was accompanied by four Temple Knights.
Upon arrival, they immediately fanned out, surrounding the entire Soul Duel Stage.
Their actions instantly heightened the tension in the arena.
"Salas, don't frighten the empire's geniuses!"
Ning Fengzhi said disapprovingly.
Salas's petty tricks were all too familiar to him—creating a tense atmosphere so that if anyone misspoke during the investigation, it would become leverage.
"Hmph, they are murderers now, not the empire's geniuses!" Salas snorted coldly.
Salas, holding a high position and backed by so many powerful figures, exuded an imposing aura for the moment.
Ning Fengzhi, mindful of his status, had no intention of arguing with him.
But Shrek Academy also had its share of cunning individuals, and Flender was one of them.
With a bitter smile, Flender said, "Your Excellency Platinum Bishop, you mustn't wrong us. I've already learned the cause of the incident. Yu Tianxin's death was truly an accident! Dai Mubai, who was performing the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, broke through mid-battle, his power surging unexpectedly, which led to Yu Tianxin's demise. Surely, Your Excellency knows that Soul Duels require one to go all out, and tactics are planned before stepping onto the stage. No one could have foreseen such a sudden turn of events!"
Flender sighed, putting on a pitiful and wronged expression.
Salas gave him a cold glance. "Enough nonsense. We will now conduct an investigation and question each of you separately!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Cardinals and Temple Knights behind him fixed their icy gazes on every student.
Flender's expression changed, and he quickly looked toward Ning Fengzhi.
"With a participating team member dead, an investigation is necessary. Otherwise, other academies will worry about future tournaments. Only after the investigation can the children's innocence be proven!" Ning Fengzhi said impartially.
Yu Tianxin was no small fry—even if it was just a formality, an explanation had to be given. Ning Fengzhi had no intention of obstructing the investigation process.
Most importantly, he also wanted to know the truth—was this a deliberate act by Tang Hao and his son?
Since Ning Fengzhi had agreed, Flender had no choice but to reluctantly drop his act.
First, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were questioned.
Then Tang San and Ma Hongjun.
Finally, Tai Long, Jing Ling, and Oscar.
In a private room within the Great Soul Arena's rest area, Salas, Ning Fengzhi, and Prince Xue Xing began interrogating the students one by one.
The more they questioned, the more puzzled Salas and Ning Fengzhi became.
Was it really just a coincidence?
They inquired in great detail, from pre-battle drills and coordination to every Soul Skill used on stage.
With so many powerful figures present, the students of Shrek Academy had no chance to lie.
Moreover, the Soul Duel had just ended—there was no time to coordinate false testimonies.
And Dai Mubai's Soul Power had indeed broken through by one level.
Salas was extremely unwilling, but the seven students had been questioned separately, and the results were identical.
He couldn't find a single flaw.
"Your Excellency Salas, it's already confirmed—this was an accident. I propose that the tournament committee offer Thunder Academy's team some compensation, allowing them to add an extra member to their roster!" Ning Fengzhi concluded.
Salas was speechless. Did Thunder Academy need this?
What Thunder Academy wanted was Tang San dead.
But this was fine too. Ning Fengzhi was shielding Tang San—yes, exactly.
Yu Yuanzhen, don't blame me. The reason Tang San can't be punished lies entirely with Ning Fengzhi?
Hate Ning Fengzhi instead!
Salas's mind once again stirred with thoughts of further provocation.
"This matter shall be left to Sect Master Ning's discretion!" Salas said.
Without another word to Flender or the others, Salas stormed off with his entourage.
"Don't let this weigh on your minds. The investigation was only to uncover the truth."
"I look forward to your continued victories in the upcoming Soul Duels!"
After encouraging the Shrek team one last time, Ning Fengzhi left the Great Soul Arena.
Tang San and Flender repeatedly expressed their gratitude.
If Ning Fengzhi hadn't been present, Salas wouldn't have been so polite—he might even have framed them.
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