74: Undercurrent

Rushing out of the Star Realm, Xiao Chen and Zi Yan dared not linger for a moment, transforming into two streaks of light and heading straight for the Inner Academy's core council hall. Their breathing was still ragged, especially Zi Yan's; the after-effects of forcefully maintaining her true form in battle left her face pale, but the anxiety in her eyes was clearly visible.

Inside the council hall, Elder Su Qian was discussing important matters with several Inner Academy elders. Feeling two urgent yet familiar auras approaching, his brows furrowed slightly. When Xiao Chen and Zi Yan, their clothes slightly disheveled and auras unstable, burst in, all the elders were startled.

"Xiao Chen? Zi Yan? Shouldn't you two be cultivating in the Star Realm? Why such a hurry?" Su Qian asked in a deep voice, a premonition of ill omen rising in his heart.

"Great Elder! Something happened in the Star Realm!" Xiao Chen concisely and quickly recounted the attack by a Soul Hall Elder within the realm, Zi Yan being forced to reveal her true form to fend off the enemy, and the exit being interfered with and almost closing. He omitted the details of his contact with the Star Realm Core and his comprehension of the Power of Space, only emphasizing that the Hall of Souls' target was clear, their methods ruthless, and that they seemed extremely familiar with the Star Realm.

"A Soul Hall Elder? An Eight-star Dou Zong?!" An elder with a fiery temper suddenly stood up, his hair and beard bristling, "They dare to infiltrate our Canaan Secret Realm and assassinate our Inner Academy disciples! This is simply going too far!"

Su Qian's face was so grim it looked like it could drip water. He waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet, and looked sharply at Xiao Chen: "Are you sure they were from the Soul Hall? How did they infiltrate? The Star Realm entrance has a spatial restriction personally set by this elder; it cannot be opened without a specific token."

Xiao Chen said gravely, "This disciple is certain. Their cultivation method is sinister, dark, and specializes in countering souls, exactly like the Soul Hall's methods described in records. As for how they infiltrated..." He paused, glanced at Zi Yan, "This disciple suspects that there might be their informants within the academy, or... the entrance restriction has been breached by some unknown means."

At these words, the atmosphere in the hall instantly solidified. An internal traitor? This was even more alarming than an external invasion!

Zi Yan also pouted and added, "Old man Su! Those bastards were clearly after Xiao Chen! And they wanted to snatch something! If I hadn't woken up in time, the trouble would have been huge! You must investigate thoroughly!"

Su Qian took a deep breath, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "This matter is of great importance. This elder will immediately conduct a thorough investigation of the elders on duty at the Star Realm entrance and all those who have recently had contact with the entrance token! At the same time, strengthen the Inner Academy's alert, activate part of the protective array's power, and strictly investigate all suspicious personnel!" He looked at Xiao Chen and Zi Yan, his tone softening slightly, "You two have been startled; go back and rest well. The academy will definitely give you an explanation for this matter."

Leaving the council hall, Xiao Chen's mood did not lighten. The Soul Hall's infiltration capability was beyond imagination, and this failure would certainly not be the end.

Returning to his small courtyard, Xiao Chen set up a simple warning barrier and began to review his trip to the Star Realm. Although dangerous, the gains were also immense. His Three-Star Dou Zong cultivation was completely stabilized, his Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul touched the threshold of the Heavenly Realm, and more importantly, he had initially comprehended the Power of Space! This greatly enhanced his means of self-preservation and combat.

He tried to circulate his Dou Qi, and with a thought, the space beside him rippled slightly. Although he still couldn't perform long-distance spatial travel, he could already distort space in a small area, accelerating his own movement or deflecting attack trajectories.

"The Power of Space is indeed profound," Xiao Chen thought, pleased. Immediately, he recalled the wisp of information containing the birth and death of stars and spatial changes fed back by the Star Realm Core, as well as the anomaly of the Origin Qi seed in his body. "Origin Qi... laws... It seems that to truly reach the peak, I must understand and control these two forces at a deeper level."

A few days later, news spread from the Inner Academy: after a thorough investigation personally conducted by Great Elder Su Qian, it was confirmed that the Star Realm entrance restriction had been briefly interfered with by an extremely sophisticated spatial method, and it was not an internal leak of information, but how it was done was still under investigation. At the same time, the academy announced that the Star Realm would be temporarily closed for reinforcement and maintenance.

This news caused a flurry of discussion among the Inner Academy students, with various speculations arising. Although the news of Xiao Chen and Zi Yan's attack by the Soul Hall was suppressed, vague rumors still made some sensitive individuals aware of the undercurrents.

Sure enough, after only a few days of peace, trouble came knocking.

On this day, Xiao Chen was practicing the application of the newly comprehended Power of Space in his courtyard when the courtyard gate was unceremoniously pushed open. Several students from the top of the strong ranking list, led by Liu Qing, walked in with unfriendly expressions. Liu Qing's gaze swept over Xiao Chen, and feeling the aura that was even deeper and more restrained than before, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by cold severity.

"Xiao Chen," Liu Qing said directly, his tone accusatory, "I heard you and Zi Yan encountered trouble in the Star Realm? And it even caused the Star Realm to be temporarily closed? Do you know how many students' cultivation this has affected?"

A follower behind him chimed in sarcastically, "Exactly, some people cause trouble themselves, but the whole academy has to suffer for it. Who knows what they did inside to attract such powerful enemies."

Clearly, Liu Qing and the others had learned some of the news from somewhere and were using it to make trouble, intending to suppress Xiao Chen's rising prestige.

Xiao Chen's expression was calm. He stopped his practice and looked at Liu Qing: "Senior Brother Liu Qing, your words are mistaken. Encountering an external enemy attack was not my wish. The academy closing the Star Realm is for the safety of all students. As for what exactly happened, the Great Elder has his own judgment, and it seems there's no need for me to report to Senior Brother in detail, is there?" He neither humble nor arrogant, directly brought up Su Qian.

Liu Qing's eyes turned cold: "Sharp-tongued! Don't think that just because you have some talent you can do whatever you want in the Inner Academy! On the strong ranking list, what counts is genuine strength!" His powerful Five-Star Dou Zong aura subtly pressed down.

If it were before, Xiao Chen might have felt pressure, but now with his Three-Star Dou Zong cultivation stabilized, his soul power greatly increased, and his comprehension of the Power of Space, he was completely unafraid of Liu Qing's aura suppression. The space around him subtly twisted, silently dissolving the oppressive force into nothingness.

"As for strength, it will be clear in the strong ranking list competition," Xiao Chen said with a faint smile, "If Senior Brother has no other business, I won't see you out."

Seeing Xiao Chen so composed, especially with that strange method of dissolving his aura, Liu Qing's surprise grew even stronger. He snorted coldly and turned to leave with his people, but the apprehension and competitive intent in his eyes intensified.

Xiao Chen watched their retreating figures, his eyes slightly narrowed. Liu Qing's provocation was a minor matter; the real threat was always the Soul Hall. After the Star Realm incident, he was even more convinced that he had to improve his strength as quickly as possible.

"It seems I can't just cultivate in seclusion," Xiao Chen mused, "I need more actual combat and opportunities. The Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower's deep-level effects in the Inner Academy have begun to weaken. Perhaps... I should go to the Mission Hall to see if there are any suitable missions for outdoor training. The Central Plains are vast, with countless opportunities; I can't always be confined to one corner."

He cast his gaze towards the direction of the Inner Academy's Mission Hall. A new journey, perhaps, was about to begin. And the shadow of the Soul Hall would surely follow him like a shadow.