It's past 9 PM at night, and the closed east gate of the school has been reopened.

Headmaster Cha and his companions are sitting in front of the gate, drinking tea around a temporarily set-up table.

There are not many participants on this trip, besides his assistant Zhu Li, there are also a few department heads from various grades.

One of them is Lan Feng, the head of the first-grade cultivation department.

"At this hour, they should have already started."

Headmaster Cha holds his teacup and checks the time.

"Are things sorted out with the students?"

The head of the third-grade combat department, a middle-aged man, looks at Zhu Li.

"During the day, we mobilized all the third and fourth-year members of the student council, along with some teachers skilled in searching, to comb through the East Wilderness Ridge."

Zhu Li nods and provides an update on the situation.

"We even inspected the illusion fog."

"It has been confirmed that no students are within the East Wilderness Ridge area."

"Moreover, notifications were sent to all students' wristwatches, forbidding them from entering the East Wilderness Ridge area today."

"At the same time, I also had the tech department verify the wristwatch locators, and there are no markers inside the East Wilderness Ridge."

Having conducted a manual search and system confirmation, she believes there is nothing left to chance.

"Headmaster, do we really not need to go there in person?"

The head of the second-grade lifestyle department, a young woman, asks Headmaster Cha again.

"Since it's confirmed that the students won't be in danger, there's no need to go."

"It's just a fight between two groups of low-level magical beasts, nothing worth seeing."

Headmaster Cha waves his hand dismissively.

"It's better if we don't interfere with the affairs of the guardian beasts."

The head of the fourth-grade cultivation department, an old gentleman, speaks up.

In fact, there was no reason for him to be here; he purely came to enjoy the headmaster's good tea.

If he really had to set out, he wouldn't be pleased.

"If it really gets too noisy, it won't be too late to go then."

Headmaster Cha agrees.

"Alright."

The head of the second-grade lifestyle department nods.

The energy carryover of their group is too large; mobilizing them collectively might indeed provoke the guardian beasts.

Especially the Climbing Wall Vine, whose roots cover a wide area.

Any of their actions would be quickly detected by it.

"Nonetheless, after the fight concludes, we'll still need to clean up the battlefield."

"So many magical beast materials could be of great help to our students."

The head of the third-grade combat department offers his opinion.

A large number of magical beast corpses can be used to create runic tools and summoner equipment.

It's likely that many Cloud Wolves and golden aphids will lie dead across the land; if we allow other beasts in the East Wilderness Ridge to consume them, it would be a waste.

"No need to worry, don't we have Teacher Lan Feng?"

Headmaster Cha sips his tea.

Though Lan Feng is a teacher of the cultivation department, his skills are more akin to the lifestyle department's collection expertise.

Not only does he possess the largest storage space among all the faculty and students, but his summoned beasts are also adept at collecting materials and cleaning up the battlefield — handling the aftermath task smoothly.

"Once things are settled over there, we'll have Teacher Lan Feng make a trip."

The head of the third-grade combat department agrees with the headmaster's suggestion.

"Don't rush; everyone, have some tea."

"Little Lan, set out after daybreak."

"The battle at that site likely won't end anytime soon, and in the dark, it would be hard for him to work."

The head of the fourth-grade cultivation department, relying on his seniority, practically commandeers the situation, signaling everyone to drink more tea as Headmaster Cha rolls his eyes.

Upon hearing this, everyone picks up their cups.

Only Lan Feng has remained silent the entire time.

Everyone's already accustomed to his aloof nature.

Yet unbeknownst to them, Lan Feng's silence is due to an inexplicable feeling of something amiss.

...

Back to the battlefield at the entrance of the Passage Valley.

At this moment, a golden aphid is single-handedly challenging dozens of Cloud Wolves.

Li Pu, along with Scarecrow and Bo Bo, hide within the aphid's ranks, observing.

"This golden creature is stronger than I imagined."

Li Pu remarks in awe as he watches.

Originally, he thought a max-leveled first-turn golden aphid would struggle greatly against so many large wolves.

Turns out, the golden aphid's displayed combat power surpasses expectations.

Though its exoskeleton is riddled with scars, with the care of Lightbulb Aphid, they can heal over time.

In terms of the battle's progress, it is fully dominant.

The injuries among the large wolves are more severe compared to those of the golden aphid, and they're starting to lose members.

"At this rate, in ten or so minutes, these large wolves will likely be obliterated."

Squatting on the ground, Li Pu rests his chin on his hand.

Once the wolf pack's numbers dwindle sufficiently, the golden aphid will prevail effortlessly.

Being magical beasts with some intelligence, the wolves seem to realize that prolonging the fight would be disadvantageous.

[Argh!]

Then one wolf discreetly retreats a few steps from the battle ring and lets out a howl.

This unusual action immediately catches Li Pu's attention.

If one looks closely, they'll find this wolf slightly different from its comrades.

Although covered in cloudy fur, it appears more gaunt, as if it hasn't eaten properly.

Additionally, even among wolves, there's a difference in appearance.

This wolf's expression... appears more cunning than the others.

The Cunning Wolf stands there, staring at the golden aphid without moving.

In that fleeting moment, Li Pu seems to notice a strange glimmer in the wolf's eyes.

It wouldn't be very accurate to say the glimmer is multi-colored because it constantly shifts its hues.

But its duration is so brief, Li Pu wonders if he imagined it.

Then an peculiar event unfolds.

[Roar?]

The Tiger-headed Golden Aphid suddenly ceases its movements, the whole insect dazed as if bewildered.

[Argh!]xN

Such an opportunity won't be missed by the wolves, who simultaneously pounce towards it.

They surround the golden aphid and begin ripping into it.

[Roar!]

Though the golden aphid senses the piercing pain of being torn apart, it still doesn't react in defense.

"Damn!"

Scarecrow: Summoner, you're nursing a jinx!

Li Pu had just announced the golden aphid would win, and now it's suddenly in danger—if that's not a jinx, what is?

"Hang in there, we've come to aid you (in your demise)!"

At this point, Li Pu stands up immediately, regardless of whether the golden aphid understands him.

[Damn?]

Scarecrow: Summoner, are you sure this is helping?

With the telepathic message, Scarecrow shows a puzzled expression.

Fireballs have no discrimination, and Ben Cao's fireball shooting past would bother not if it hits a wolf or insect.

In Ben Cao's view, the one first blasted to death might actually be the insect.

Facing Scarecrow's skepticism, Li Pu urges him on.

"Quickly, or it'll be torn to pieces first!"

"Time is of the essence!"

["Eat groove!"]

Confused yet compliant, Scarecrow conjures a fireball.

After Tai Chi ball-holding practices, now Scarecrow can produce fireballs quickly.

With a roll of its hands, a blue fireball, sporting a scarecrow face, forms instantly.

["Craziness!"]

Accompanied by strange sound effects, the blue fireball arcs through the night sky and slams down.

Boom!!

Golden Aphid: ???

Dude, that's not fair.

...

...

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