On the platform, the bluestone was silent.

The mysterious phantom’s chest was pierced by a golden sword tip.

It looked down at the longsword that had run through its body.

Then, it slowly raised its head and looked at Yasuo.

Immediately after, it silently clasped its hands together.

It seemed to be an acknowledgment of Yasuo’s swordsmanship.

Having done all this, its entire form transformed into specks of light, like fireflies scattered by the wind, and dissipated into the air.

Yasuo stood with his sword sheathed, his face expressionless.

His black trench coat flapped in the mountain wind, and the golden lightning coiling around him gradually receded.

He did not linger, taking steps and continuing to ascend the winding path towards the misty mountain peak.

...

At the same time, Zhou Huai was not idle either.

He controlled Moria and Zhuge Kongming, returning once again to the entrance of the Abyss of Mist Secret Realm.

Here, just as Qin Ming had said.

The original Secret Realm entrance had been completely sealed by thick layers of earth and rock, leaving no gap.

To prevent the military from finding this place, the Zhou Family had also set up a Level 4 Illusion Formation outside.

From the outside, it looked like an unremarkable underground rock wall.

Zhou Huai smiled when he saw this scene.

This was truly a case of thinking alike.

He immediately controlled Zhuge Kongming to step forward.

Zhuge Kongming extended two fingers and made a few gestures in the air.

Several runes, invisible to the naked eye, silently merged into the rock wall ahead.

Buzz—!

The scene before them, like a shattered mirror, instantly collapsed, revealing the true hidden sight.

The Level 4 Illusion Formation, which the Zhou Family had painstakingly set up, was thus easily broken.

Having done all this, Zhuge Kongming did not stop.

He took out specialized carving knives and various Materials from his storage space.

He rearranged a Level 5 Illusion Formation.

Now, let alone others not being able to find the Secret Realm entrance.

Even the Zhou Family members probably wouldn’t be able to find it.

This wasn’t all.

Zhuge Kongming’s movements continued.

He set up various Formations at the entrance.

Illusion Formation.

Confinement Formation.

Defense Formation.

Attack Formation.

Multiple different types of Formations were perfectly merged by him in an incredible way.

Forming a composite Formation.

Zhuge Kongming couldn’t let him be idle.

He still had a challenge quest on him.

Most of the time had already passed, so he needed to quickly improve his Formation proficiency.

Just then.

A cold System notification sound suddenly rang in Zhou Huai’s mind.

【Ding! Your Clone ‘Forbidden Spell Mage Gandalf’ has received an invitation from the Principal of Imperial Capital Academy to go to the Principal’s office.】

【Do you wish to take over consciousness?】

Zhou Huai was a bit surprised.

The Principal of Imperial Capital Academy?

Since Student Gandalf enrolled, that Principal seemed to have never looked for him. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Why was he looking for him now?

With a hint of curiosity.

Zhou Huai’s consciousness quickly shifted, crossing thousands of miles, and descended into Gandalf’s body.

...

Imperial Capital Academy, on the tree-lined path leading to the Instance Tower.

Student Gandalf stood quietly.

And in front of him, the senior student named Lu Zhiyi looked at him somewhat flustered.

A nervous blush covered her fair cheeks, and her voice was timid.

“Student... Student Gandalf.”

“I didn’t mean to disturb your leveling.”

“It’s Principal Chen who said I must invite you over.”

Zhou Huai’s consciousness descended and quickly read Student Gandalf AI’s recent memories.

It turned out that today Student Gandalf was still preparing to go to the Instance Tower to grind levels as usual.

But Senior Student Lu Zhiyi actually waited for him specifically halfway.

She informed him of the Principal’s summons.

Lu Zhiyi had also come with a heavy heart this time.

Based on past experience interacting with Student Gandalf.

He would definitely say next.

“Foolish human, don’t disturb my leveling.”

Then he would turn and leave.

However, this time, Student Gandalf showed a gentle smile.

“So, Principal Chen has invited me.”

“Then, Senior Student Lu, please lead the way for me.”

“Ah?”

Lu Zhiyi was stunned.

Her large, watery eyes were filled with disbelief.

She even wondered if she had heard wrong.

The Student Gandalf in front of her, smiled?

And was so polite?

Was this still the Instance Tower fanatic who usually spoke little, exuding a cold aura of “do not approach strangers”?

Lu Zhiyi nodded blankly, still a bit unaccustomed to Student Gandalf’s 180-degree change in attitude.

The two walked in silence.

Ten minutes later, they arrived in ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ front of an ancient and elegant office building.

This was where Principal Chen worked.

Lu Zhiyi led Student Gandalf to the office door on the top floor, took a deep breath, and gently knocked on the door.

“Thump, thump, thump.”

“Come in.”

Inside the door, a gentle and magnetic voice sounded.

Lu Zhiyi pushed the door open and led Student Gandalf inside.

She respectfully bowed to the figure behind the desk.

“Principal Chen, Student Gandalf has been brought to you.”

As soon as Zhou Huai entered, his gaze quickly swept across the entire office.

He found that there was not only Principal Chen alone here.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man with white hair but a handsome face like a young man of thirty.

He wore a neat Zhongshan suit, with a warm smile on his face, giving people a feeling of being bathed in spring breeze.

Presumably, this was the current Principal of Imperial Capital Academy, Chen Xuan.

And on the guest sofa, there were two other people sitting.

Zhou Huai knew both of them.

One of them was General Zhang Donglai, the military general who had “escorted” him all the way to Imperial Capital Academy.

And the other one...

Zhou Huai’s eyelid couldn’t help but twitch.

It was a hunched old woman wearing a black robe.

She sat there quietly, leaning on a staff made of intertwined withered vines, her cloudy eyes seemingly able to see through people’s hearts.

It was none other than the eccentric Lord of Senluo, Lin Zhu.

Student Gandalf had been “living under her roof” in her “botanical garden” for a while now.

Seeing these three Big Boss gathered together, Zhou Huai instantly understood.

This time, finding him was probably not a small matter.

Principal Chen smiled gently at Lu Zhiyi.

“You’ve worked hard, Student Lu.”

“We have something to discuss privately with Student Gandalf.”

“You can go back and rest first.”

Lu Zhiyi nodded very sensibly, respectfully exited the office, and closed the door behind her.

Only then did Principal Chen turn his gaze to Student Gandalf.

He carefully examined this young man who had caused quite a stir in the Academy, his smile undiminished.

“Student Gandalf, please sit.”

His voice was gentle and full of amiability.

“You are now completely a prominent figure in our Imperial Capital Academy.”

“Everywhere, people are saying you are the ‘Instance Tower fanatic’.”

He said jokingly:

“Every day you are either running Instances or on your way to run Instances.”

“To be honest, it’s rare for us in Great Xia Country to see a young person who works harder than you.”

Principal Chen’s eyes were filled with undisguised admiration.

General Zhang Donglai, on the side, also laughed and took over the conversation, his voice hearty.

“That’s right!”

“I remember when I brought you from Jiangning City, you were just Level 20, right?”

“It’s been less than two months, and you’re already Level 34.”

He clicked his tongue and sighed:

“Your leveling speed is truly astonishing.”

Zhou Huai controlled Student Gandalf, a faint smile on his face, and sat down on the sofa opposite Lin Zhu.

He could feel that ever since he entered the room, Lin Zhu’s cloudy eyes had been subtly observing him.

“Thank you, Principal Chen and General Zhang, for your compliments.”

Student Gandalf’s voice was calm, showing no emotion.

“However, for three Big Boss to specially call me here.”

“It shouldn’t just be to praise me a few words, right?”

Upon hearing this, General Zhang Donglai burst into laughter.

“You, kid, are still so direct.”

He reined in his smile, his expression becoming a bit more serious.

“Since that’s the case, let’s get straight to the point.”

General Zhang Donglai and Principal Chen exchanged glances, and ultimately, it was he who spoke.

He looked at Student Gandalf, asking in a deep voice, word by word.

“Student Gandalf...”

“Have you heard of ‘Relics’?”