Chapter 1775: Safekeeping

"Thank you for your help, Professor Fu. I'll be staying here for a while to keep observing the condition of those affected."

Excellency Aike never did explain her concerns about a conspiracy, though it looked as if she had already gotten plenty out of this herself.

Her expression solemn, she hadn't even asked any further questions before directly outlining her next steps.

"You're welcome. If you run into any issues, feel free to drop by my Laboratory anytime."

Professor Fu didn't mind in the slightest, projecting the lofty grace of the Academy as they chatted.

"Thanks in advance. We'll take our leave now."

Aike didn't stand on ceremony. Nodding slightly, she exchanged a glance with Yuan Fang and took her leave.

Given her decisive departure, the three hosts naturally wouldn't offer empty pleasantries urging them to stay. After Chang Mo stated that the Academy would fully cooperate, the brief exchange concluded.

"Did you just get back, Professor Fu? Thanks again for your hard work."

Watching the two Night Watchers leave, Chang Mo let out a soft sigh of relief before turning to the Apocalypse professor who ran over to the Sword Comprehension Institute every day.

Though her feelings were still a bit complicated, she didn't hesitate to express her gratitude as she greeted him.

"Excellency Aike is taking this matter extremely seriously, and we can't disturb the Dean. I was worried I would mess things up again."

She even openly admitted her own previous shortcomings.

As a mentor with an excellent relationship with Classmate Liushuang, Professor Chang had a strong sense of the bigger picture.

Clearly, in her eyes, leading her beloved disciple astray was one thing, but the insight and courage Professor Fu had shown during this incident were genuinely admirable.

Especially since, right up until a moment ago, they hadn't even known about the extra dangers lurking inside.

"Not exactly. I took a trip to the Benevolent Curse Institute first."

Fu Qian's response clearly caught her off guard, however.

Uh...

Looking surprised, Chang Mo simply couldn't fathom why his very first stop upon returning to the Academy would be such an isolated, remote place.

But she had no intention of prying. A moment later, she turned toward her beloved disciple.

"Where did you put the sword?"

Even though they had been caught off guard by more than one thing today, the final outcome was still nothing short of a pleasant surprise.

Having read the final report beforehand, she could naturally sense Professor Fu's intention to push her disciple forward to claim the reward.

Yet, just like Ji Liushuang, the sheer value of the prize had far exceeded her expectations.

The legendary Sword in the Stone. As a cultivator, it was absolutely impossible for her to remain indifferent to such an item.

The fact that the two of them had walked over empty-handed just now also proved, to some extent, that Professor Fu truly had no objections regarding the prize.

"I left it in the lounge."

Seeing her mentor so excited, Ji Liushuang smiled and pointed back the way they had come.

"So, have you tried it out?"

Unsurprised by the location, Chang Mo immediately focused on its effects.

"I drew it. It really is just as the legends say—it grows heavier and heavier with each swing. In my estimation, I could probably only manage three strikes at my current level."

Seeming to understand her mentor's eagerness, Ji Liushuang concisely shared her experience with it.

"Even just holding it, I could indeed sense that my will was harder to beguile. The sword has to be unsheathed for that, though—which reminds me, I actually need Teacher Chang's help with something."

Oh?

Nodding slightly as she analyzed this feedback, Chang Mo was momentarily puzzled.

"Could I leave the sword there for now? Could I trouble you to keep it safe for me?"

Ji Liushuang offered a cheeky giggle and casually explained her reasoning.

"Carrying it around everywhere is a bit too exhausting, and it's also somewhat flashy."

...

Flashy? Don't you have that massive Laboratory to store things in?

Clearly not expecting her disciple to make such a request, Chang Mo's first reaction through her shock was to shoot a glance at Fu Qian.

She had even lent a hand during the hardware upgrades of Professor Fu's Laboratory, so how could she not know just how empty the place was?

Especially since this man was always showing the head but not the tail like a divine dragon. That lab felt like it had almost become her disciple's exclusive private lounge.

Furthermore, it possessed special prohibition wards, meaning there was absolutely no need to worry about security.

Her beloved disciple's excuse was obviously a bit far-fetched.

Yet, that glance received no response.

Maintaining his posture of seeing off their guests, Professor Fu seemed to still be immersed in the sorrow of parting, paying zero attention to the Sword in the Stone's placement.

"If any other instructors are interested, it'll also be more convenient for them to come take a look."

Ji Liushuang continued speaking with a smile.

So that was her true intention... It was just that, by doing so, it felt like the Sword Comprehension Institute would owe an even greater debt of gratitude.

With things laid out like this, Chang Mo was undoubtedly certain of Classmate Liushuang's meaning—she had no intention of hoarding the Sword in the Stone for herself. Instead, she was offering it up so that all the members of the Sword Comprehension Institute could observe and comprehend it.

A good student truly was the greatest treasure of all. The Sword Comprehension Institute's investment in nurturing her had absolutely paid off.

This transcendent item, something countless predecessors had fruitlessly sought, had actually found its way here years later in such a manner.

At the same time, just as previously noted, this entire situation had been handled almost exclusively by Professor Fu, yet the benefits had ultimately all fallen into the lap of Sword Comprehension. They owed a staggeringly massive favor for this.

But refusing it was equally impossible.

Missing out on an opportunity like this—never mind the other teachers—she herself would likely regret it for a lifetime.

Regardless, she could only slowly look for opportunities to pay it back.

At this thought, Chang Mo even felt a brief twinge of regret. When they were upgrading the hardware in his Laboratory, she really should have pushed for something a bit more extravagant.

"Alright, then I'll hold onto it for now."

She quickly made up her mind. As she nodded, she had already formulated a borrowing system in her head.

"If anyone else is interested, no matter who they are, I'll allow them to observe it on the spot. However, they absolutely won't be allowed to take it a single step out of the room. You can come retrieve it at any time."

Her tone was calm yet resolute. This was clearly a principle Chang Mo intended to uphold; she absolutely refused to let her beloved disciple be taken advantage of.

Fortunately, it was gratifying to see that Classmate Liushuang still handled things with an excellent sense of propriety.

While she wasn't monopolizing the benefits, she hadn't been so selflessly foolish as to just donate it to the Sword Pavilion or somewhere similar.

That would have made things more convenient for the instructors, but the Sword Comprehension Institute's advantage would have been far too blatant. It would even look a bit bizarre in the eyes of the Night Watchers.

So, even if she had truly intended to do so, Chang Mo would have firmly put a stop to such reckless generosity.

"Then I'll leave it in your capable hands, Professor Chang. Also, could I take a leave of absence today? I need to go handle some matters at the Laboratory."

Seeing Chang Mo accept the suggestion, Ji Liushuang looked quite pleased and took the opportunity to submit her leave request.

"...Alright."

Naturally, Chang Mo wouldn't refuse. Yet, as she nodded, she couldn't resist sneaking another look at Fu Qian beside her.

Professor Fu might be a well-deserved pillar of the Academy, but it was also a fact that every time he returned, he caused their top student to skip class.