"Master, these two are disciples of the Imperial Beast Sect. This is Senior Sister Yin Li, and this is Junior Brother Zuo You."
Before explaining the sequence of events, Xu Yi first introduced Yin Li and Zuo You to the three masters, stating their identities, and then recounted the news she had heard.
During Xu Yi's narration, Zhang Nannan remained motionless in her posture of repentance, feeling as if a thousand ants were gnawing at her heart.
She truly regretted it.
She had thought that being unsuccessful was the most painful thing, but only now did she realize that there were things a thousand times more painful than that.
When Xu Yi finished speaking, the three masters exchanged glances.
Clearly, they had not expected Zhang Nannan to be connected to the Saintess Cult, which was currently making waves outside.
"Zhang Nannan, you foolish girl!"
The one who spoke these words was Master Wang of Qiming Academy.
He extended a hand, pointing at Zhang Nannan with heartfelt pain.
Zhang Nannan trembled all over, not daring to offer any rebuttal.
Master Liu also shook his head and sighed, "You, you know what you've missed by taking this step..."
"Brother Liu," Master Qi suddenly interrupted, his eyes full of disapproval.
However, Master Liu did not stop speaking. He continued, "Junior Brother Qi, you are always like this, never speaking up about what you've done. If you had told Zhang Nannan earlier, she might not have ended up on this path."
Master Liu's words were like a thunderous rebuke, leaving Master Qi speechless.
Zhang Nannan, however, caught something from his words and looked at Master Liu in disbelief, frantically denying it in her heart, "No, it can't be what I think, it really can't be."
"Zhang Nannan, although you remained in the academy as an assistant teacher, Master Qi knew that your ambitions lay elsewhere. For years, he has been trying to find a good medicine to cure your rooted illness, hoping that after it was cured, you could travel the world again and achieve your dreams.
But to avoid disappointing you, and to temper your disposition, he never told you. Who would have thought... alas, are you not ashamed of his earnest efforts?"
Master Liu's words completely shattered Zhang Nannan's illusions.
So that's how it was?
So while she was bitterly dissatisfied with her fate, someone else was tirelessly working for her, holding up the sky for her.
And she, out of self-pity, had ignored the kindness around her, and even ended up becoming a person with ignoble intentions.
Only now did Zhang Nannan realize how foolish she had been, and how terribly wrong.
Seeing her dejected appearance, Master Qi felt a pang of sympathy and consoled her, "You don't need to blame yourself too much. It's my fault as a master for not considering things carefully. I thought it would be beneficial and harmless for you, but I overlooked your feelings. This is also a self-inflicted reprimand."
Even now, her teacher was making excuses for her, taking the blame upon himself.
Zhang Nannan crawled forward a few steps and knelt before Master Qi, embracing his leg and weeping uncontrollably, "Master, I was wrong, it's all my fault. I am willing to accept any punishment."
"It's good that you know you were wrong, it's good that you know you were wrong."
Master Qi repeated this sentence, his eyes also welling up with tears.
Xu Yi, who was observing, couldn't help but feel profound respect for Master Qi.
Although Zhang Nannan had a change of heart, the great mistake had already been made. The masters decided to first confine her to the academy's study room and await the Dean's decision for further handling.
Zhang Nannan accepted this punishment with equanimity. Before leaving, she nodded gently in Xu Yi's direction, then resolutely stepped out of the reception hall to face her own unknown destiny.
"Alas!"
After Zhang Nannan left, Master Qi could no longer conceal his emotions and let out a lonely sigh of sorrow.
He believed he was fighting for a brilliant future for Zhang Nannan, but fate did not comply with his wishes.
Masters Liu and Wang also expressed their regret at the outcome, repeatedly trying to comfort Master Qi.
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Master Qi finally mustered some spirits and looked at Xu Yi, "You must have come for more than just Zhang Nannan's matter, mustn't you?"
"I am, after all, your student. Naturally, I also came to visit you and see if you are in good health," Xu Yi said with a smile.
Master Qi snorted lightly, "Enough, you know I was your teacher, and I know your little tricks. Seeing me is secondary; your true purpose is the Saintess Cult, isn't it?"
Xu Yi did not feel embarrassed at being so directly exposed. "You are truly insightful, Master. My other purpose is indeed for this Saintess Cult. However, I would like to ask first, what are your views, Master Wang, and Master Liu, on the Saintess Cult?"
Master Qi exchanged a look with the other two masters, and finally, Master Qi spoke, "We have indeed heard of the Saintess Cult. However, it is strange that while the Saintess Cult is flourishing outside Mocheng, it has received little attention within Mocheng. Therefore, the masters in the academy have not paid much attention to it."
If Master Qi had known the nature of the Saintess Cult earlier, he should have immediately suspected it when he saw Zhang Nannan's strange expression.
But because the Saintess Cult had not caused any ripples within Mocheng, Master Qi did not connect it to anything else, assuming it was merely a change in Zhang Nannan's family circumstances.
"Indeed, in my many years in Mocheng, I have only vaguely heard of the Saintess Cult a few times. But there is no further information," Master Wang frowned and shook his head.
Master Liu said with emotion, "Yes, if not for what you just said, we wouldn't know how powerful the Saintess Cult is outside."
"It seems the Saintess Cult knew from the beginning that Qiming Academy was not to be trifled with. When they were developing their followers, they specifically instructed them to avoid Mocheng to avoid attracting your attention," Xu Yi concluded, combining the answers of the three masters.
The masters of Qiming Academy, while seemingly only responsible for educating the students within the academy, actually had the entire Mocheng under their observation.
If any individuals of unknown origin were causing trouble in Mocheng, they would surely be discovered and dealt with promptly.
The person behind the Saintess Cult must have known this, which is why they deliberately avoided Mocheng and developed elsewhere. Zhang Nannan was merely a test by that person; success or failure would not significantly impact them.
Yin Li agreed with Xu Yi's deduction, as it was similar to her own prior speculation.
"The Saintess Cult is truly well-informed, actually knowing the internal workings of Qiming Academy so clearly. This is not something an ordinary person could achieve," Xu Yi murmured, stroking his chin.
"Hiss..."
Zuo You let out a soft gasp.
He suddenly recalled the information they had obtained from interrogating the Red Thread Falcon earlier.
The people of the Saintess Cult could master the secret beast-taming techniques of the Imperial Beast Sect and also knew information about Qiming Academy. Could the other party truly be from the Imperial Beast Sect?
Yin Li's eyes narrowed, clearly having thought of this as well, and her mood grew even worse.
Xu Yi thought of something and looked at Master Qi, "May I ask if the Dean is within the academy?"
"The Dean? He is not here."