Chapter 405 - 402: What?

Chapter 405: Chapter 402: What?

By the time Feng Hao rushed back to the Elite Academy, a great deal of time had passed. The experts responsible for holding off the Root Cutting Sect had also returned.

Judging by the looks on their faces, the situation was even more difficult than they had imagined.

"I wonder when the reinforcements from the five great sects will arrive. Given the strength the Root Cutting Sect has shown, if they launch an all-out attack, I’m afraid we won’t be able to hold out for long." An old man in the crowd asked grimly. He was the master of the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall.

At Xuchang’s invitation, he had participated in the mission to rescue Sun Yaowen, and it was during this mission that he realized the gravity of the situation.

Based on their clashes with the Root Cutting Sect’s experts, the sect’s strength far surpassed their imagination.

"Feng Hao sent the message last night. Even the War and Magic Alliance, the closest to us, won’t be able to arrive until tomorrow afternoon," Elder Yun replied with a sigh.

At his words, a silence fell over the crowd.

After a long moment, Xuchang finally broke the silence. He looked at Sun Yaowen with a furrowed brow. "Old Sun, did you overhear any useful information back at the Celestial Eagle Team’s camp?"

"I almost forgot you asked." Sun Yaowen said, as if suddenly remembering. His expression turned serious. "As far as I know, the Root Cutting Sect wasn’t after me this time. They were after that legend passed down from ancient times."

"A legend?" the Middle Elder asked, stunned. "What legend?"

"As for this legend, I only stumbled upon it by chance while researching demonic beasts..." Sun Yaowen was about to say more but was interrupted by two figures descending from the sky.

The moment they saw the pair, everyone forgot all about the ancient legend and rushed forward to greet them.

That’s right—the two who had returned were none other than Feng Hao and Zhong Yuntao.

As for why Feng Hao was with Zhong Yuntao, it was because Zhong Yuntao had been sent to rescue Feng Hao and had run into him on the way back.

Zhong Yuntao had originally intended to use this opportunity to kill Feng Qianxing. However, before he could even find the man, he ran into Feng Hao and learned that Feng Hao had already killed Feng Qianxing himself.

Zhong Yuntao hadn’t believed it when he first heard the news, but after seeing Feng Qianxing’s Spatial Ring in Feng Hao’s possession, he had no choice but to accept the truth.

In short, Zhong Yuntao had been in a complete daze for the entire journey back.

"You little brat, you’re finally back!" Sun Yaowen strode up to Feng Hao, his old eyes red-rimmed.

Feng Hao chuckled in surprise. "Look at you, all worked up. Relax, I’m hard to kill!"

"Hmph!" Sun Yaowen snorted, secretly wiping away a tear before suddenly interrogating him. "Alright, you brat, spill it. What’s this about you knowing Ninth-Level Alchemy Techniques?"

"Seriously? We’ve been researching together for so long. You must have guessed by now, right?" Feng Hao said with a knowing smile.

"A guess is one thing, but the truth is another," Sun Yaowen said irritably. "No wonder you refused to become my disciple. So you were a Ninth-level Alchemist all along! How did you even manage that? Did you start learning alchemy in the womb? And your master, the one who also taught Xiaomiaozi... he couldn’t be the legendary Divine-level Alchemist, could he?"

"Ahem... We can talk about this later." Feng Hao coughed, changing the subject as he turned and walked toward Yao Girl.

Yao Girl was looking at him with tear-filled eyes. She didn’t say a word, just stared intently, her small face etched with hurt and grievance.

His heart ached seeing her like this, and he couldn’t help but pull her into his arms, comforting her softly. "Hey, don’t cry. I’m back safe and sound, aren’t I?"

"You jerk! How dare you leave me behind! How dare you!" Xi Yueyao pounded on Feng Hao’s chest.

"Alright, alright, I won’t leave you behind again, okay?" Feng Hao said, exasperated.

"Really? Swear it!" she said, blinking.

"Fine, I swear."

"Hmph! That’s more like it." She wiped the tears from her face, her usual proud and aloof demeanor returning.

After comforting Yao Girl, Feng Hao turned his gaze to the others. "Did everyone manage to stay out of trouble after I left?"

"You lured the Hundred-level Expert away. What danger could there have been?" Xiyue Frost said, giving him a pointed look.

Xie Kuangfeng, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but chime in. "If Brother Feng hadn’t put himself on the line, none of us would have made it back alive. Say no more—I, Xie Kuangfeng, owe you my life. If you ever need anything, just say the word."

"Count me in as well," Yun Jiansong declared, standing with his sword cradled in his arms, his gaze firm.

"And us," the other Elite Academy students who had been on the rescue mission said in unison. "That’s right! If anyone in the academy dares to say a bad word about Brother Feng from now on, I, Nie the Sixth, will be the first to make them regret it!"

Feng Hao was a bit overwhelmed by all the praise. After a few brief replies, his gaze fell on Bai Yin. "I’m sorry, Bai Yin. Your Wind Spirit is a little weak."

"It’s fine," Bai Yin said with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Feng Hao.

From the moment Feng Hao had decisively lured Feng Qianxing away, Bai Yin’s heart had been completely captured. It couldn’t be helped—damsels have always loved heroes, and Bai Yin was no exception. Besides, she had already been interested in him for a long time.

Feng Hao felt a little awkward under Bai Yin’s affectionate gaze and quickly looked away, starting a conversation with his three friends.

"By the way, Fatty, what was the deal with that Secret Technique you used earlier?" Feng Hao asked curiously.

"Good question, Boss! I was just about to find you to discuss it. Let me tell you..." When it came to Demon Patterns and Secret Techniques, Zhang Meng became like a different person, launching into an endless, enthusiastic explanation.

The others were also curious about Zhang Meng’s Secret Technique, so everyone gathered around quietly to listen to his lecture.

Unfortunately, among everyone present, only Feng Hao, Li Mufeng, and Tu Xiaoshan could understand a word he was saying. After all, the Secret Technique was built upon the five great legacies of the Thief God Hall.

"What is he even saying? He’s been talking forever, and I don’t understand a single word," Xi Yueyao couldn’t help but complain.

"Don’t worry, your husband understands. I’ll explain it to you later," Feng Hao said with an amused chuckle.

"Hee hee," Xi Yueyao giggled, her beautiful eyes filled with sweetness.

Just then, a strange shout suddenly erupted from the group of elders, and everyone instinctively turned to look.

They saw Barbarian Three Punches staring at City Lord Zhong Yuntao in disbelief, his eyes wide. "What?! Feng Hao killed Feng Qianxing?"

His words sent a shockwave through the crowd.

In an instant, every eye in the place—be it elder, instructor, or student—was fixed on Zhong Yuntao and Feng Hao.

"Impossible! Feng Hao is only at the fourth rank. There’s no way he could kill a Hundred-level Mage, right?"

"Yes, Yuntao, are you certain you’re not mistaken?" the master of the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall asked, his expression strange.

Meanwhile, Feng Hao was bombarded with incredulous questions. Naturally, Zhang Meng was the first to speak up. "B-B-Boss... you really killed that old geezer?"

"Yeah, Boss, don’t scare me like that. You know I have a weak heart," Li Mufeng added, his face a mask of shocked disbelief.

Even Yao Girl, still in Feng Hao’s arms, stared up at him with wide, trembling eyes. "Is it true?"

"Ahem, well... it’s a long story." Feng Hao coughed twice, quickly shifting into full-on show-off mode.