Magic Court, inside the lounge.

After returning to the Imperial Capital, Zhou Haoyu immediately contacted his teacher and handed over both the recording and the Blood Calamity Seed.

As the Dean of the Imperial Capital Academy, Song He held an extremely high status—very few people in the capital had the authority to deal with him.

But Chief Pang Lai was one of them!

Holding the crimson, droplet-like glass bead in his hand, Pang Lai furrowed his brows, his expression more solemn and grave than ever before.

He had heard about the research and development of the Demon Element—it was a project personally approved by the Commander-in-Chief of Hua Nation's military.

But it had been terminated long ago. He never expected that someone was still researching it in secret, and even more so, that Dean Song He was involved!

Others could be overlooked for now, but Song He, as the Dean of the Imperial Capital Academy, not only kept silent despite knowing, but even went so far as to actively place students in danger.

This was simply unforgivable!

"This matter is deeply entangled. I need to consult with others on how to proceed," Pang Lai said.

Zhou Haoyu wasn't surprised. This matter involved more than just Song He—many people were likely implicated, and it was even connected to the Military Commander. It definitely couldn't be handled lightly.

"I have one question that I need you to answer honestly."

Pang Lai's tone was particularly serious, sounding less like a conversation between master and disciple and more like a superior interrogating a subordinate.

Zhou Haoyu had already anticipated this and remained calm as he replied, "What would you like to ask, Teacher?"

"Lu Nian was among the elite of High-Tier Mages. How did you kill him? And those more than twenty Mid-Tier Mages as well?"

Pang Lai gave Zhou Haoyu a deep look. His disciple's performance had completely exceeded his expectations.

In fact, Pang Lai had always known that Zhou Haoyu's talent in the Space Element was exceptional, but this level of power was entirely abnormal!

If Zhou Haoyu were a Calamity-bearer, that might explain it—but Zhou Haoyu was a naturally born Dual Element Mage. There was no way he could be a Space Calamity Mage.

"Teacher, why don't you examine my Spiritual Energy?" Zhou Haoyu offered.

Pang Lai's face revealed a hint of surprise. His own spiritual sense had already reached the ninth realm, allowing him to instantly discern the strength of others' spiritual force.

The first time he met Zhou Haoyu, he had already noticed that his spiritual strength far exceeded that of ordinary mages.

However, one year ago, Pang Lai had observed that Zhou Haoyu's spiritual sense had stalled at the fourth realm. At the time, he thought it was merely a bottleneck.

But now…

A spark of light burst from Pang Lai's cloudy eyes as he immediately used his spiritual sense to examine Zhou Haoyu.

"Sixth realm!!!"

Pang Lai's eyes widened round as saucers, his face filled with disbelief.

What shocked him wasn't just Zhou Haoyu's current spiritual strength, but the fact that Zhou Haoyu had been able to conceal it from his perception.

"How did you do this?" Pang Lai grabbed Zhou Haoyu's arm tightly.

"I'm not quite sure. After my Space Element broke through to High-Tier, it just happened naturally," Zhou Haoyu replied vaguely.

Pang Lai's brows were almost tied in knots, but after a moment, he let go of Zhou Haoyu's arm.

It made sense—a greenhorn mage inventing a brand-new cultivation method was unrealistic.

If it wasn't a brand-new technique… then could it be a second innate talent?

Just thinking about it made Pang Lai's pupils contract. A person being born with one innate talent was already one-in-million. Zhou Haoyu might actually possess two?

Though it wasn't yet certain, whether it was or wasn't, this matter had to remain top secret.

"Remember, from now on, no matter who asks, just say it's a special magic artifact," Pang Lai warned seriously.

Zhou Haoyu nodded repeatedly.

"For the time being, don't leave the capital. Best if you stay home and cultivate."

After receiving repeated instructions from his teacher, Zhou Haoyu finally left the Magic Court.

Back at his clan estate, Zhou Haoyu was once again pulled aside by his grandfather for a private conversation.

To put it briefly, he was forbidden from leaving the clan for now.

Zhou Haoyu didn't object. He simply went back to his room to begin closed-door cultivation.

Coincidentally, his Lightning Element had already reached the peak of the Mid-Tier, and he had a Galaxy Vein in his possession—it was the perfect time to attempt a breakthrough to the High-Tier.

Once the Lightning Element reached High-Tier, Zhou Haoyu could advance his Devour Seed.

One month later.

Looking at the golden lightning in his hand, Zhou Haoyu's lips curved upward slightly, "After advancing, it's no longer suitable to call it Purple Firmament, might as well rename it Profound Yang Golden Lightning."

After devouring the Profound Golden Lightning, the Devouring Seed successfully evolved, leaping straight into the Supreme Soul Seed — sixfold amplification, with two bonus effects and one Domain!

The Purple Firmament Lightning Mark was successfully retained.

Meanwhile, the bonus effect of Profound Yang Golden Lightning was Golden Blade, which greatly increased lightning's penetration; the exact results would need testing to confirm.

Aside from these two bonus effects, Profound Yang Golden Lightning also massively strengthened Zhou Haoyu's elemental resistance.

Over this month, aside from cultivating, Zhou Haoyu also remained constantly attentive to outside news.

Two days ago, there was explosive news — Headmaster Songhe had stepped down from his position at Imperial Capital Academy, though his specific outcome was still unknown.

But as far as Zhou Haoyu was concerned, so long as Songhe was removed, his goal was achieved.

What surprised Zhou Haoyu most was that the newly appointed headmaster turned out to be Feng Li.

Feng Li was the next National Team coach.

In terms of rank, Feng Li should be similar to Songhe, but judging from the National Team's authority, Feng Li was even faintly superior.

Actually, it didn't matter who succeeded the position — as long as it wasn't an old fossil like Songhe, who struck internally with a heavy hand.

"Judging by the time, that vampire should be making a move on Liu Xian soon, I need to find time to head to Magic City."

Zhou Haoyu calculated inwardly. That vampire Nie Dong was tied to the treasure chest on Liu Ru's body.

Since he was going to kill that vampire anyway, Zhou Haoyu naturally intended to rescue Liu Xian in passing.

Before heading to Magic City, Zhou Haoyu first stopped by the Zhao Auction House and spent two hundred million purchasing two Star Galaxy Veins.

One was prepared for the Summoning Element, the other pre-purchased for Mu Ningxue to break into High-Tier.

Once the Ancient Capital Calamity erupted, Mu He's identity would surely be exposed — after all, he was the Big Deacon Hu Jin not a little pawn like Mu Yu'ang.

Once Mu He was exposed, both the Mu Family and the Zhou Family would be implicated.

There was little worry for the Zhou Family, as Zhou Haoyu already intended to participate in the Ancient Capital Calamity and fight for the Ancient Capital Hero title.

But the Mu Family would definitely be thrown into a public storm, and Mu Clan would certainly transfer the resources on Mu Ningxue to Mu Tingying, including the National Team nomination vote.

To secure her official slot, the simplest and most direct method was to break through to High-Tier.

A High-Tier Mage with a Domain — Feng Li would never refuse.

—Mu Family Villa.—

Zhou Haoyu familiarly arrived at the second floor and pushed open the door to Mu Ningxue's room, only to see Mu Ningxue in the middle of changing her clothes.

Hearing the creak, Mu Ningxue immediately turned around.

They hadn't seen each other for an entire month. Mu Ningxue had been feeling a little disappointed — but she never expected their reunion to be in this situation.

Looking at the half-covered Mu Ningxue before him, Zhou Haoyu only felt his mouth go dry.