Chapter 86: Stone City Guild

'Stinky brat, surrender obediently!'

'No-'

As the mist dispersed, the campsite revealed a chaotic scene, with several bodies mutilated beyond recognition on the ground.

In the late night, figures shrouded in darkness wandered here, occasionally making sounds: 'Did they really escape? So quickly? It seems we need to investigate who left the academy these past few days.'

It wasn't until dawn that Gu Yao and Chi Changye appeared on a large tree. Gu Yao looked down at the corpses, a complex expression on his face. Despite the disrespectful remarks from yesterday, the swift demise of the other party was somewhat hard for him to accept.

'Does Xiao Yao blame me for not intervening to save them?' Chi Changye asked in a low voice, his eyes showing little emotion. The scene didn't stir much in him compared to Gu Yao's thoughts.

Gu Yao shook his head. 'Not blaming you. As you said, among those people last night were Foundation Establishment cultivators. It seems they were targeting Shi Yanyan and her group, possibly even specifically aiming for the Stone City Guild. Otherwise, the target wouldn't be so clear, and they wouldn't have deployed Foundation Establishment cultivators. Saving them would have endangered you. Let's report this.'

They stayed here for half the night, and Gu Yao sensed several groups arriving. They were likely trying to catch these two elusive individuals. Unaware that the two Qi Refining cultivators were hiding here, the cultivator controlling the misty bugs seemed highly suspicious.

This world was indeed more dangerous and cruel than the interstellar one; one's strength was fundamental for survival!

'Alright, let's report it.' Chi Changye agreed.

A firework soared into the sky, leaving enough clues for others. Gu Yao and Chi Changye quickly left the area, not wanting to expose their identities, unsure if there were collaborators within the academy.

The emergency signal attracted the attention of many in the academy. Shortly after Gu Yao and Chi Changye disappeared, several rainbow lights approached from a distance. Seeing the ravaged scene, they were shocked. What happened during the night, and who sent the distress signal?

'Look, there are words on the ground.'

Several figures landed swiftly, with Professor Fang, familiar to Gu Yao and Chi Changye, leading. Using a recording stone, he captured the scene and then examined the written content on the ground.

The words were left by Gu Yao, wiping away any traces that could reveal their identities. It explained the kidnapped person's identity, the misty bugs controlled by the cultivator, and the presence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator on the other side.

'How should we handle this? I didn't expect these thieves to come to our academy's trial grounds and target our students. Disgusting!'

'This matter is likely true. The one who sent the signal and left the words is probably a student from our academy. Handle it properly, don't act recklessly.'

'I suggest we split into two groups. One follows the clues, and the other informs the head of the Stone City Guild. This incident likely targets the Stone City Guild.'

'Right, let's split up.'

The academy reacted swiftly. After identifying the killed students, they issued an announcement within the academy.

A group of lawless villains has appeared in the Quqiu Mountain Range. Until the situation is resolved, students are advised to minimize outdoor activities. Those undergoing training in the mountains should return to the academy as soon as possible. Simultaneously, the academy has issued tasks at the mission hall.

However, these tasks are of a higher level, targeting Foundation Establishment cultivators. The academy's Foundation Establishment cultivators are mobilized to participate in apprehending the criminals.

This announcement has stirred quite a response within the academy. Inquiries reveal that the affected individuals are the group of students led by Shi Yanyan. Speculations abound, with some guessing that Shi Yanyan may have offended someone, while others suspect the criminals have a different motive. Despite the clear target, most people are not overly concerned about their own safety. The fear lies in the possibility of encountering ruthless killers, a situation that has occurred outside the academy before, making everyone hesitant to step outside.

Tian Feirong and Little Fatty were among the first to receive this news. Both of them thought to themselves that this wasn't good timing. Considering that Chi Changye and Gu Yao were reportedly near the incident location and managed to escape from the criminals, promptly reporting to the academy and leaving crucial clues behind, could it be them?

If it's them, there's no need to worry too much. As long as their identities remain undisclosed, it means they are safe. They just need to quietly return with the others.

In the afternoon, Gu Yao and Chi Changye encountered a group of students heading back to the academy upon hearing the news. The two pretended to be unaware of the situation and, after hearing the warning, decided to return to the academy along with the group.

Seeing the silent arrival of Chi Changye and Gu Yao from the inner courtyard, Tian Feirong and Little Fatty breathed a sigh of relief. "You finally emerged; something big happened in the academy!"

Seeing Tian Feirong's exaggerated tone and the relieved expression of Little Fatty, Gu Yao couldn't help but smile knowingly. They cooperatively listened to the recounting of the academy's situation from the two, ending with, "Now, all the students in the Quqiu Mountain Range are rushing back. Even those who originally planned to go out changed their plans, especially the female students. Hearing that the enemy cultivator has actually subdued mist bugs, the thought of being surrounded by those unnoticed mist bugs gives them the creeps."

"There are some students who like to keep strange bugs. They say that after this incident, they plan to form teams and go deep into the mountains to hunt down those mist bugs. I say they'd better stay put. Those bugs are not so easy to subdue. Strange hobbies indeed," Tian Feirong commented with a touch of sarcasm.

Little Fatty, with some insider information, added, "Chen Yen, who is usually quite arrogant, was unexpectedly captured. I wonder what her fate will be." Little Fatty glanced meaningfully at Chi Changye, recalling the incident when Shi Yanyan tried to forcefully purchase Chi Changye. The gossip had circulated for quite a while, and Little Fatty couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. "Now some people are saying it's all because Shi Yanyan offended someone with her usual arrogance. This has nothing to do with our academy; there are all sorts of opinions."

Gu Yao glanced at Chi Changye and said, "Let's wait for the dust to settle and then go out again."

Chi Changye nodded.

Although Gu Yao's trip this time was interrupted prematurely, there were still gains. Besides honing adaptability and using spells in battle, he collected numerous plant specimens, some familiar, some not. He filled a storage bag with them. While the commotion outside continued, with everyone awaiting the outcome, Gu Yao remained focused in his alchemy room, researching various plants, attempting to unearth valuable and uniquely effective crops.

Tian Feirong and Little Fatty kept an eye on external news. During this time, some people approached Gu Yao and Chi Changye, inquiring if they had left the academy. The two vehemently denied it, but they were secretly vigilant, wondering about the motives behind asking about their whereabouts.

However, whether it was the pursuit of the criminals or the whereabouts of the captured Shi Yanyan, no reliable results had been reported.

It was only heard that the Shi family, upon learning their beloved daughter was kidnapped, was furious. They announced a high reward, hoping someone could rescue their daughter. Many were interested, including some from their own academy. However, up to now, the clues about the criminals remained the same as the ones left by Gu Yao and his group, such as the mist bugs and the Foundation Establishment cultivator—no new leads had emerged.

"Those people outside are so useless. It's been several days, and they still haven't found Shi Yanyan's whereabouts. We don't even know if she's alive or dead." When the four gathered, Tian Feirong muttered.

"She should be alive. The other party wouldn't kill her unless they achieved their goal. But so far, these people haven't appeared outside our academy. The prevailing opinion is that the Stone City Guild has attracted its own enemies. There are even rumors suggesting that the Shi family got hold of a rare treasure, and somehow, the information leaked—possibly from an insider. Hence, the enemies are using Shi Yanyan to pressure the head of the Shi family," Little Fatty explained.

"Really? What kind of rare treasure would prompt these criminals to plot like this?" Tian Feirong asked curiously.

Gu Yao and Chi Changye exchanged a glance. Things seemed to be getting more mysterious. Unfortunately, the heavy mist at the time prevented them from even encountering the criminals, so they couldn't provide more useful clues.

Suddenly, a spiritual light "popped" appeared in front of them. Gu Yao reached out and tapped it, and Jiang Yan's voice came from inside: "Junior Brother Gu, Brother Chi, something's happened. The Shi family has been wiped out overnight, only the head of the family escaped under the protection of loyal guards. The rest of the Shi family members are all dead. It appears there might be collusion between the Stone City Guild internally and external forces. Sister Shi is still missing."

After the transmission was complete, the light cluster turned into dots and dissipated. The four of them were stunned, staring wide-eyed. If it weren't for Jiang Yan being the one who sent the message, both Tian Feirong and Little Fatty might have suspected a joke.

Tian Feirong's throat felt a bit dry, his voice strained. "The Shi family was wiped out in one night? The Stone City Guild was destroyed? So, it seems the news about the Shi family having a treasure is true."

Otherwise, there wouldn't be such a grand event, wiping out an entire family, including countless Shi clan members and affiliated cultivators. The force behind this was truly chilling, and until now, no one knew their true identity.

"Don't panic. Let's observe how others handle this, and we'll follow suit. Stay calm for now," Chi Changye's voice carried a cold metallic tone, striking the hearts of Tian Feirong and Little Fatty, calming them considerably. They glanced at each other and nodded simultaneously.

"Later, Gu Yao and I will go to the StarMoon Guild to see if there are any other developments," Chi Changye added.

"That's a good idea. Be careful, both of you." There was concern that these two might be discovered by the forces behind the scenes, fearing they wouldn't be let off easily.

Gu Yao and Chi Changye managed to conceal their departure from the academy from others, but they couldn't hide it from Jiang Yan. Entering and exiting the academy required identity cards, so they asked Jiang Yan to obtain two additional cards. In a place where spirit stones could make the millstones grind, acquiring two identity cards wasn't that difficult. Every year, some students died outside the academy for various reasons, and their identity cards weren't always canceled. They used this loophole.