CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 37: INVESTIGATION (PART 1)

Earlier this morning, a large-scale star beast riot suddenly broke out in the Southern Forest, and the beast tide attacked the fortress of the Second Legion.

The four major legions guard the east, west, south, and north, resisting the impact of the star beasts and protecting the Federation’s 184 cities and countless satellite towns. The destruction of any legion would be a catastrophic disaster for humanity.

Today’s star beast tide was completely without warning, and even the Elder Council did not issue any forecasts, catching the Second Legion off guard.

If it hadn’t been for the chance presence of a Heaven Rank talisman master, who promptly constructed a large talisman array to block the tide’s impact, the Second Legion might no longer exist in the Federation.

Those Wolf-headed Bats took advantage of the talisman array not being fully constructed by the Heaven Rank talisman master, using their flying advantage to infiltrate, crossing the border into the rear. It just so happened that the group of examination children encountered them, leading to today’s thrilling scene.

Li Yi has been busy all day today, he didn’t have time to care for himself, and it was only when he got home in the evening that he realized he also had some injuries, though not serious.

Anna, with tears in her eyes, bandaged him, and during this time, Li Yi conveyed the information he had gathered to Li Xing.

"Uncle Li, didn’t you say that star beast tides only occur once every ten years or so? I remember there was a large tide on the northern border six years ago, how can there be another one so soon?"

Li Yi sighed and said, "In history, the longest recorded interval between star beast tides is five hundred years. As time passes, the intervals have become increasingly shorter, four hundred years, two hundred years, one hundred years, eighty years..."

"During my childhood, the Elder Council predicted the interval was forty years, but I haven’t even reached forty and have already experienced three tides."

Li Yi looked at the child he had raised for ten years, feeling a complex mix of emotions. This tide has completely spiraled out of control, and what awaits Li Xing is unknown.

"The shortening intervals of the tides are an undeniable fact, and the Elder Council’s predictions are becoming more inaccurate. In the future, there may be no pattern to follow, and no one knows how many years apart tides will occur, or how many times they will happen in a year.

Do you know why Senior Brother Yang has such strict requirements for students in the Martial Arts Department? Martial masters are the shields of the battlefield, not only needing to slaughter star beasts but also to protect talisman masters and healing masters. He fears that one day, you, the still-growing children, will have to fight for your lives on the battlefield. He doesn’t want you to be cannon fodder, so he pushes you to mature swiftly."

Li Xing nodded, after the old principal retired, Yang Zhou took over Datang Academy and imposed even stricter standards on the Martial Arts Department. This often led to complaints from parents that his educational methods put too much pressure on the children, and Yang Zhou had numerous disagreements with the education department because of this. However, a strict teacher produces fine disciples, and Li Xing never saw a problem with Yang Zhou’s approach.

"Li Xing, you did very well today, I’m proud of you!"

Li Xing chuckled, showing two small dimples.

"Don’t be too proud yet, speak practically. I killed so many Wolf-headed Bats, but before I could collect the crystal stones, the school swooped in. Uncle Li, do you think Principal Yang might be merciful and return the crystal stones to me?"

The ones she killed with Flame Saber Aura were much more than those she trapped later with the Shennong Cauldron, she didn’t expect to get them all back, but at least a part.

Li Yi glared: "You little miser, you really dare to think! Let me tell you the truth, forget about those crystal stones. This beast tide is puzzling, the star beasts are more aggressive and uncontrollable than before, and the Military Department will take back this batch of Wolf-headed Bat carcasses for research."

"What?" Li Xing was indignant: "The main battlefield is at the Second Legion Fortress, isn’t the star beast carcasses there enough for their research, why do they have to take ours?"

"You’re wrong, although the Second Legion Fortress is the center of battle, but because the talisman array set up by the Heaven Rank talisman master was too overbearing, there aren’t many star beast carcasses left to study."

"What kind of talisman array is that, so powerful?"

"Sky Wind Annihilation Array, all star beasts entering the array were shredded by Wind Blades, including the crystal stones."

Li Xing pouted, alright, that’s quite ruthless.

"Tomorrow the Military Department will send someone to take over the Wolf-headed Bat carcasses and understand the situation. Apart from the injured and hospitalized students, everyone will be interrogated, and you are a key interviewee. The principal specifically asked me to tell you, you’re assisting in the investigation, not a suspect, and you have the right to refuse to answer any questions regarding personal privacy."

"Got it."

The next day, Li Xing followed Li Yi to Datang Academy, where many parents were gathered at the school gate, bringing their children for the investigation.

Upon seeing Li Xing appear, the parents all showed grateful smiles.

The parents had already heard a lot of inside information from their own children, and if it weren’t for Li Xing’s quick thinking, who knows how many families would be grieving by now. They could say that Li Xing was their benefactor.

Li Xing followed Li Yi to the main building entrance and found that security there had been taken over by a small unit. Each member was tall, with straight waists and sharp eyes, in uniform, clearly people from the Military Department.

After a brief questioning, the team leader let Li Yi and Li Xing in. Li Xing followed Li Yi inside expressionlessly, but she felt somewhat surprised inside.

That small unit just now had twenty-five people in total, but there were eighteen spiritual powers secretly observing her. Most of the spiritual powers were similar in strength to Yang Zhou, with even two surpassing him. It seems the military has a considerable number of people with both Primordial Spirit and spiritual power.

After Li Yi and Li Xing’s figures disappeared around the corner, a baby-faced soldier gravely said to the person beside him, "Brother Zhang, that child is very strong!"

"Hmm, an A-rank Fire Elemental Spirit, even in Datang, this remote town, she would be considered a master, and the same goes for middle and upper towns."

The baby-faced soldier pursed his lips, saying nothing. When he had used his spiritual power to probe the child earlier, for a moment he felt like he was peeking at a slumbering primordial giant beast, and any carelessness would disturb the beast, getting him swallowed whole.

But that feeling disappeared in an instant, so much so that he wasn’t sure whether it was an illusion or something else, and saying it out loud would be hard for others to believe, so he remained silent.

Arriving at the door of the largest meeting room, a beautiful woman with silver hair was waiting there. Upon seeing them, she smiled and came forward, asking:

"Are you Li Xing?"

"Yes."

The woman smiled gently and said:

"Major General Ning of the First Legion and Vice Director Li from the Education Department are already waiting for you inside, please follow me."

The Second Legion suffered heavy casualties and is nearly incapacitated, so the First Legion is tasked to assist with the investigation.

After nodding to Li Yi, indicating he need not worry, Li Xing followed the woman into the meeting room.

Perhaps to ease the students’ tension, the meeting room was arranged warmly and comfortably, with soothing classical music playing. If one didn’t know, they might think it was a tea gathering.

Yang Zhou and two unfamiliar faces were sitting on the sofa; one wore a military uniform, young and valiant, and the other was an oily, overweight middle-aged man. It was obvious who was Major General Ning and who was Vice Director Li.

"Hello, Principal, hello, both leaders!"

"Hello, Li Xing, please sit down." Major General Ning casually pointed to the sofa opposite them.

Once Li Xing was seated, the silver-haired woman also sat next to her, almost touching her. Li Xing inwardly grumbled, why sit so close, the sofa is long enough.

"Li Xing, regarding yesterday’s Wolf-headed Bat attack, Major General Ning has a few questions for you. You need not be nervous, just say what you think, and if you can’t remember, it’s alright, you can choose not to answer. With me here, no one will dare to force you."

"Understood, Principal."

Ning Ze smirked slightly, thinking that this elder was as protective as always.