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"Rongrong, Jiangzhu, did you find them?"
Back at the camp, Flender hurriedly asked as he saw Ning Rongrong and Jiangzhu return. However, their response left him deeply disappointed.
Ning Rongrong shook her head gently, looking dejected. "Dean, we searched all over Heaven Dou City but couldn't find Boss Dai and the others."
"It's already been a full day and night, and they still haven't returned. It really seems like something bad has happened..." Flender said worriedly. Just then, Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke up.
"Dean, should we tell Brother Dai about this? He's Boss Dai's older brother and has connections in Heaven Dou City. Maybe he can help us find him."
"Hmm…" Flender thought for a moment. Dai Weisi was the crown prince of the Star Luo Empire. If something had really happened to Dai Mubai, the Star Luo imperial family wouldn't let it go easily.
He had considered hiding the incident from Dai Weisi, but since the prince was already in Heaven Dou City, it would be difficult to keep it secret. It was better to inform him openly. If Dai Mubai turned out to be safe, then all would be well.
"Alright, Rongrong, go tell His Highness the Crown Prince. The rest of you, keep searching."
Then Flender turned to Tang San and said, "Xiao San, you've been working hard all day and you're injured. Don't go out tonight. Stay in the camp and get some rest. We still need you for the next match. Xiao Gang, you and Xiao Wu stay behind and take care of him."
"No problem. Leave it to me," Yu Xiaogang agreed readily. He had spent all day running around Heaven Dou City, and with only Rank 29 spirit power, he was completely exhausted. The opportunity to rest in the camp was one he wouldn't pass up.
"The rest of you, continue searching for the two of them—but be careful!"
"Got it."
Everyone immediately set off, combing the city streets in search of any trace. Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong and Jiangzhu headed to Moon Pavilion.
At that moment, Dai Weisi was having dinner with Tang Yuehua when a maid suddenly came in to report, "Madam Yuehua, Miss Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is here to visit. She's currently waiting at the door."
"I understand. You may go." Tang Yuehua nodded, then turned to Dai Weisi with a smile. "Weisi, it looks like Miss Ning Rongrong is here for you!"
"I wonder what this young lady needs from me again. Yuehua-jie, you stay and eat. I'll be back shortly."
With that, Dai Weisi stepped out of the room and walked over to Ning Rongrong and Jiangzhu. Smiling, he said, "Rongrong, Jiangzhu—it's been a while. What brings you here today?"
Ning Rongrong was in no mood for pleasantries. She said anxiously, "Brother Dai, you have to help us find Boss Dai! He's been missing for an entire day and night!"
"What? Mubai's gone missing?" Dai Weisi frowned. "Rongrong, calm down. Take a deep breath and tell me everything you know."
"Alright. Last night, Boss Dai… he took Ma Hongjun to a club, and they never came back." Ning Rongrong recounted the events. "We searched all of Heaven Dou City today but still couldn't find them. It's been a full day already. What should we do?"
"They went missing last night..." Dai Weisi's brows furrowed tightly as a thought crossed his mind. Could it be that old bastard Shi Nian…?
He instantly thought of Shi Nian. Yesterday, Shi Nian had been lurking around Tang San, but with Flender and Liu Erlong nearby, he didn't have a chance to make a move. It was highly likely he had shifted his target to Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
If it really was Shi Nian… that foolish younger brother of mine might already be dead.
Despite the thought, Dai Weisi showed no emotional reaction—he remained calm and rational. He and Dai Mubai had never shared any brotherly affection. That was true for the original Dai Weisi, and even more so for him, the one who had transmigrated.
Still, if Dai Mubai was truly killed by Shi Nian, this situation has huge potential for political maneuvering.
The third prince of the Star Luo Empire killed in Heaven Dou City! That would place an undeniable burden of responsibility on the Heaven Dou Empire. If news of the incident spread, Star Luo would have a valid pretext to declare war.
If the Heaven Dou Empire wanted to avoid war, they'd have to offer compensation. That could mean a hefty sum of gold soul coins and spirit bones—perhaps even a chance to demand the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
But the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was Heaven Dou's national treasure. Emperor Xue Ye was unlikely to part with it so easily.
Still, gold soul coins and spirit bones were almost guaranteed. And if Shi Nian really did kill Dai Mubai, then he wouldn't be leaving here alive. His 10,000-year Illusion Wisdom Skull would become Dai Weisi's.
All in all, Dai Mubai's death would bring immense benefits to him and the Star Luo Empire.
But this all hinged on one thing—Dai Mubai had to actually be dead. If he was still alive, then none of it would matter.
"The most urgent thing now is to find that foolish brother of mine. I need to see him if he's alive, and his body if he's dead!"
With his decision made, Dai Weisi said calmly, "Since you've already searched within Heaven Dou City, the only place left to look is outside. If something really did happen to Mubai, the killer probably didn't act within city limits."
He then added, "It's already dark. You two are auxiliary-type spirit masters—head back to camp. I'll go search for him."
With that, Dai Weisi activated his spirit avatar and soared into the sky, flying straight out of Heaven Dou City toward the surrounding wilderness.
Watching him vanish into the night, Jiangzhu was filled with envy. Why is the gap between people so huge?
Dai Weisi was already a Spirit Emperor at such a young age—reaching the rank even earlier than Qin Ming had. Meanwhile, his brother Dai Mubai was nothing more than an irredeemable, evil-eyed pervert.
At Dai Weisi's speed, it took less than ten minutes to fly out of the city and into the desolate wilds beyond.
"Ice and Fire Evil Eyes—activate!"
His eyes instantly glowed with red and blue light. Even though the sky had turned ink-black, he could see with absolute clarity.
Eventually, in a small grove, he spotted Shi Nian laughing wickedly. Lying nearby were the fresh corpses of Jing Ling and Huang Yuan. He realized this was the exact spot where Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had died the night before; their remains, ravaged beyond recognition by scavenging beasts, were also present. Only tattered pieces of their clothing made identification possible.
Shi Nian was vengeful and a man of his word—when he said he wouldn't spare Shrek Academy, he truly meant it.
Since he had been occupied with Canghui Academy's match during the day, he couldn't act. But when night fell, he had turned his attention to Jing Ling and Huang Yuan, who had gone out searching for Dai Mubai. Using his spirit's special abilities, he lured them outside the city and killed them in the same manner.
"Heh... two more down. Next up are Tang San and Oscar. I'll kill every last member of your Shrek Academy, one by one!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Suddenly, three beams of light shot toward Shi Nian. But as a Spirit Sage, he reacted instantly to the sound of the blasts, dodging them mid-air before looking up sharply.
The attacker was none other than Dai Weisi.
(End of Chapter)