Yaha Airport, the already cleared runway, a few people standing on the outskirts.
“Principal, why did the higher-ups have us invite a student team from Center City to come instruct us?”
Present were two leaders from Zhenling Academy, one Principal, and one Grade Director.
Unlike Luo Kangsheng’s situation at Shengling Academy, Director Kang at Zhenling Academy was involved in many school affairs and had always been of one mind with Principal Qiu.
“Because our operation at Yaha Tower was a disastrous failure, and the higher-ups are dissatisfied—especially so after comparisons were made.”
“So they want to investigate us? But they’re sending a bunch of students?” Director Kang was baffled.
What could a few students do? Maybe they’d be useful in a fight, but when it came to investigating something, wasn’t that a bit overconfident?
“There’s a student named Xu Chuyao among them,” Principal Qiu said in a low voice. “She’s made remarkable contributions in decision-making and judgment before.”
Director Kang hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked:
“Will they investigate the Tower battle?”
Principal Qiu didn’t answer, just silently watched as the plane descended from the sky.
“They’re here.”
The previously expressionless face instantly broke into a broad smile. Once the plane came to a complete stop, everyone went up together to greet them.
“Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome to the team from Center City’s Shengling Academy, thank you all for coming to instruct us!”
One by one, the Crisis Response Group members walked off the plane, and Principal Qiu’s enthusiastic smile never faded.
“I’ve long heard of your achievements in Center City. Seeing you today, you’re even more impressive than the rumors say—truly, heroes emerge from among the youth!”
When no one else came out, his smile froze slightly.
Big-chested pretty girl, big-chested pretty girl… There’s no girl here who looks particularly well-endowed.
In the end, Principal Qiu had no choice but to look at You Jia: “May I ask, is this young lady the legendary Chief Strategist of the Crisis Response Agency, Miss Xu Chuyao from Shengling Academy?”
“I’m not, my sister—ah no, I’m not Xu Chuyao.” You Jia replied honestly.
“Then, where is Miss Xu Chuyao?”
“Leader messaged in the group and said we should follow the people picking us up back to base ourselves. She took Shen Ning to check something out first,” Shi Lei glanced at his phone, scratching his head with one hand, “and told us not to tell anyone… oops.”
Because he read the message too quickly, by the time he realized what the last sentence meant, it was already too late.
Actually, there was no need for him to say anything. When Principal Qiu realized Xu Chuyao wasn’t on the plane, he instantly felt that something was wrong.
“You all take care of our guests who’ve come from afar.” He instructed the others, then called over Director Kang, “Let’s… go pick up Miss Xu!”
Even before the plane had fully stopped on the runway, Xu Chuyao had already pulled Shen Ning off from the other side in secret, slipped to the edge of the airport, vaulted over the wall with a big leap, and took a taxi to near Yaha Tower.
Then she sighed:
“If we’d known earlier, we should’ve parachuted in.”
The tower’s perimeter was blocked off with long police lines, some areas covered tightly with green tarps, and the entrance completely sealed. If they wanted to get in, parachuting might actually be the easiest way.
“You were terrified just sitting on the plane.” Shen Ning quietly reminded her.
“Don’t even talk about parachuting—you’d probably faint in midair.”
“That wasn’t fear, it was just temporary discomfort.”
After getting out of the car, Xu Chuyao looked around. With the situation at Yaha Tower, there was naturally no one nearby. Only the wide sidewalks flanking the highway and the faded shop signs hinted that this used to be a bustling place.
Looking further, she spotted a few people near the fence, performing some kind of ritual along the road. Thick, white joss paper floated in the air like heavy goose-feather snow in winter.
“There are people over there.”
Xu Chuyao led Shen Ning toward the crowd, but before they got close, several uniformed people called out to stop them.
“Please leave, you’re not allowed near here.”
Judging by their uniforms, they seemed to be from the local security department.
Meanwhile, the people burning joss paper were also stopped and quickly driven away.
Xu Chuyao evaluated the situation. She could use her status to seize command of the scene, but it wasn’t meaningful. These patrol security guards probably didn’t know much anyway.
Like they say, if someone had any real status, they wouldn’t be dragged here for this kind of thankless task.
At that moment, a black business van pulled up by the roadside.
“What’s going on here? Move aside, move aside! These are Yaha City’s esteemed guests!”
Two men got out of the car and jogged over to the two girls. The older one introduced himself:
“You must be Chief Strategist Xu Chuyao of the Crisis Response Agency, I’ve heard so much about you! I’m the Principal of Zhenling Academy in Yaha City—just call me Old Qiu. Sorry for not greeting you sooner, I didn’t expect you’d come straight here.”
The other briefly introduced himself as Kang-something, the school’s Grade Director, and then respectfully stood to the side.
As for the local security people, they quickly left under Principal Qiu’s signal.
“I’ve heard Yaha Tower is a landmark of Yaha City, a famous must-see check-in spot, the pride of the people here. I’ve always been interested.” Xu Chuyao looked at the distant tower. “After getting off the plane, I couldn’t contain my excitement and wanted to see it first thing. But I didn’t expect I wouldn’t be able to get in.”
Principal Qiu glanced at Director Kang, who immediately understood and stepped forward to explain: “Miss Xu, you may not know—there was a brutal battle on the tower not long ago. Our students fought bravely against the ruthless Clown Gang, but many sacrificed themselves here. This was mentioned in the report, and the higher-ups are aware of it.”
“Knowing is one thing, but I didn’t know you’d sealed off the place.” Xu Chuyao blinked innocently. “We had a battle at Commerce Plaza in Center City too, over a hundred Spirit Power Users died, but we didn’t seal the place off.”
Why is your battlefield with just a few dozen people causing such a big aftereffect?
Principal Qiu stepped forward with a smile: “The decision to seal off Yaha Tower was made by other departments and the property owners. We don’t really know why. If you’re really interested, Miss Xu, I can help you apply for access…”
“Sure,” Xu Chuyao said bluntly, “Then please go apply right away.”
Such an overbearing big-chested girl.
Principal Qiu and Director Kang had never met anyone who didn’t play by the rules like this. They stood there stunned for a few seconds before the Principal finally came back to his senses.
“Thank you for your interest, Miss Xu. But the application and approval process will take at least a few days. And since we learned you’re here to instruct us, everyone at the Academy is looking forward to it. Would you be willing to come to our school first?”
Xu Chuyao thought for a moment, then nodded: “Alright, let’s get down to business first.”
This time, the other side really did have a point.
About ten minutes later, the two girls returned to their group. Xu Chuyao rejoined her team, and everyone boarded Zhenling Academy’s bus, heading for the school.
Shi Lei hesitated for a long time, then finally stepped forward with a miserable face to admit his mistake:
“I’m sorry, leader. I didn’t notice your last sentence at first, and I accidentally spilled the beans when I saw the message.”
Xu Chuyao waved her hand: “It’s fine. I never told you where I was going. They got nervous themselves, so they immediately guessed where I was.”
Besides, it didn’t matter. When she was near the tower, she had several ways to get in—whether it was using her status to order the local security, or just forcing her way in.
But even so, after so long, it was hard to call the tower the “crime scene” anymore. With only dried-out traces left, it’d be hard to see the whole picture, and getting on the locals’ bad side would only make things harder later.
Waiting a few days was no problem. It wasn’t like the scene was the only place to investigate. Those twenty students who fought in the battle were all wiped out, it wasn’t as if their families were implicated.
Yao Yao knew—people were the key.
“We’re here. Welcome to Zhenling Academy, everyone.”
From the outside, Zhenling Academy looked very different from Shengling Academy, mostly in architectural style. The domed roofs had strong local flavor, and the all-white walls gave off a somewhat sacred vibe.
But beneath the tidy exterior, there were even more differences in atmosphere.
The school gates were tightly shut. When the Principal and others returned, a few gate guards hurriedly unlocked them, opening just enough space for a few people to enter together.
“Sorry for the inconvenience, Miss Xu. After the defeat at the tower, the Academy lost the initiative against the Clown Gang, so we’ve had to tighten student entry and exit management,” explained Principal Qiu, raising his hand. “Please, go ahead.”
Walking through the gate, that air of dejection spread throughout the campus. Xu Chuyao hardly saw any students loitering around. The few she passed looked listless, their faces full of gloom.
The all-white architecture, which should have looked sacred, now felt more like a place for mourning—like they were holding a funeral.
“Recently, the students’ spirits haven’t been great, probably affected by the defeat at the tower,” said Principal Qiu. “But now a turning point has come. With Miss Xu leading the team, I’m sure you’ll help everyone regain their confidence. Please have a meal first, and after lunch break, I’ll notify everyone—teachers and students will gather on the field to hear your guidance.”
With that, he called for arrangements to be made, asking the cafeteria chef to prepare some local specialties.
Xu Chuyao didn’t stop him. The sooner the official business was taken care of, the better—no need to waste time.
But as for “guidance”…
“Shen Ning,” she tugged on the sleeve of the white-haired girl beside her, “you go up and speak later.”
The girl froze.
“Me?”