Sheng Linglong, after tending to her injuries, continued to walk with the group, her forehead beaded with sweat. "When will these damned human puppets finally be eliminated?"
Du Chang casually produced a pill and placed it in her palm. "You expended a lot of energy dealing with the human puppets just now. Take this pill to quickly recover your depleted spiritual energy and nourish your body."
Upon seeing the pill, Sheng Linglong's delicate eyebrows curved, and a few smiles appeared on her cheeks. "Thank you, Brother Du. I knew you were the best to me."
"Miss Feng, I apologize for what happened earlier."
Du Chang also turned to Feng Ninghe, his eyes holding a hint of apology. "Lin Yuran and Ji Binyu are, after all, disciples of our Shengtian Academy."
Du Chang was apologizing for what had transpired.
The two of them, wielding long swords, had attacked Feng Ninghe one after another.
"Brother Du!"
Seeing him speak to apologize, Sheng Linglong quickly interjected, her voice filled with displeasure. "It wasn't you who attacked, so even if there's an apology, it's not your place to apologize."
Du Chang's brows furrowed, and he shot her a cold glance.
His eyes were filled with warning.
Sheng Linglong, swallowing her frustration, fell silent.
Their conversation reached Feng Ninghe's ears clearly. Feng Ninghe smiled and passed it off, her cool face devoid of any extra emotion. "Miss Sheng speaks wisely. Even if there's an apology, it's not Young Master Du's place to apologize."
"Exactly!"
Sheng Linglong eagerly chimed in, grabbing Du Chang's arm. "Brother Du, Feng Ninghe said it herself, which means she agrees with me."
Feng Ninghe's eyes darkened slightly. As if thinking of something, the corner of her mouth curved upwards, and she fixed her gaze on Sheng Linglong. "Miss Sheng, while it's true it's not Young Master Du's place to apologize, you should be the one apologizing."
With those simple words, Sheng Linglong's expression immediately changed.
Her face flushed red with anger, and she stomped her feet in exasperation. "Why should I apologize? I'm not the one who did anything wrong."
Feng Ninghe slowly raised her eyes, meeting her angry gaze, and her clear voice fell. "If I remember correctly, it was you who recruited them to Shengtian Academy."
Those two had been close to Sheng Linglong.
The fact that Sheng Linglong had recruited them into the academy was no secret.
Despite the obvious truth being revealed, Sheng Linglong's expression didn't change much. She huffed, "So what?"
Du Chang couldn't help but gently rub his temples, a hint of helplessness creeping onto his face.
Feng Ninghe continued, "The people you recruited to the academy made a mistake. If I hadn't reacted quickly, I would be the one who perished without a burial place."
Her composed demeanor was unsettling.
Sheng Linglong felt her heart beating restlessly in her chest, as if something bad was about to happen. "They have already paid with their lives as an apology to you."
"Their intentions were malicious, and by recruiting such people into the academy, aren't you also condoning their actions?"
Feng Ninghe seemed to recall something, and her voice, spoken softly, continued, "If something were to happen to me, the Strongest Academy would not stand idly by. Are you trying to provoke conflict between the academies?"
These simple words easily escalated the conflict.
Sheng Linglong immediately became anxious and hurriedly exclaimed, "What are you talking about? Their actions were personal; they don't represent the academy making them do it!"
Du Chang knew that Sheng Linglong was no match for Feng Ninghe.
This woman could lead someone into a trap with just a few words.
If he didn't intervene, Sheng Linglong would surely say something more outrageous.
Du Chang stepped forward. "Linglong, regardless, you were negligent in your supervision and lacked proper guidance. An apology is warranted."
Even though Ji Binyu and Lin Yuran had paid the price for their actions, they were still disciples of Shengtian Academy.
If something happened, Shengtian Academy could not escape responsibility.
"But..."
Sheng Linglong was unwilling and was about to speak when Du Chang interrupted. "Miss Feng, regardless, our Shengtian Academy owes you an explanation. This matter is our fault."
Du Chang sincerely did not wish to provoke Feng Ninghe.
This woman's performance was outstanding; she was clearly no ordinary person.
She had the potential to become another Pu Yin.
The apology eased Feng Ninghe's stance slightly. "Young Master Du is too kind. I also believe your Shengtian Academy would not wish for such a thing to happen. I only hope that certain individuals will open their eyes and refrain from rashly doing things they shouldn't in the future. If there is a next time, I will not be as accommodating as I am now."
Her words carried a strong warning.
If someone dared to make a move against her, she would not passively accept being bullied.
The slightly warning words caused Sheng Linglong's features to knit tightly, and she muttered softly, "Is she reminding me?"
Du Chang understood her meaning and smiled apologetically. "Linglong is young and ignorant. I will definitely discipline her in the future and help her change her bad temper."
Feng Ninghe said no more, calmly withdrawing her gaze.
She was too lazy to waste more words.
Du Chang specifically moved closer to Sheng Linglong and spoke in a volume only they could hear. "Linglong, you must stay away from Feng Ninghe in the future. This woman is more difficult to deal with than we imagine."
Feng Ninghe's composed demeanor and her ability to handle situations with ease indicated her extraordinary nature.
"Brother Du!"
Sheng Linglong was displeased, her features furrowed tightly. "I listened to you obediently this time and didn't do anything. Even if someone should stay away, it should be her staying away from me."
Seeing her angry expression, Du Chang shook his head slightly and gently tapped her forehead.
The group soon arrived at the Strongest Academy.
Pu Yin paused and looked back at the cultivators. "Everyone, please rest assured at the Strongest Academy. I will have my disciples inform your respective academies of your matters."
The cultivators bowed in thanks. "Then we thank the Strongest Academy for your assistance and for providing us with a place to recuperate."
"Senior Sister Pu Yin!"
"Something terrible has happened!"
Suddenly, several disciples rushed forward, running out of the academy.
Their faces were filled with urgency.
Seeing the disciples' flustered and anxious expressions, Pu Yin's face darkened. "What has happened?"
The disciples dared not delay and quickly replied, "Human puppets have suddenly crawled out of the ground in large numbers. The academy disciples are desperately fighting them."
"There are too many human puppets, and many disciples have been injured!"
The disciples' words made everyone frown.
Pu Yin's eyes darkened. "How did human puppets crawl out from underground?"
They had never seen human puppets lurking beneath the ground.
Human puppets had never emerged from the earth like this before.