The five elders in charge of opening the domain gate looked at the group of young cultivators and felt gratified. The performance during this period was much better than in the past based on the survival rate. This meant that the new generation was promising.
The scene was harmonious as the few elders looked at their disciples and students. Even though a few lives were lost, most of the leaders were quite satisfied with those who returned. After all, the cultivation journey was filled with countless challenges.
All cultivators couldn't reach great heights and live for hundreds and thousands of years.
Moreover, accidents were inevitable.
Everyone understood that. Well, almost everyone...
"What happened to my daughter?" One of the elders left the other four and rushed into the crowd with a shout.
The man who looked like he was in his middle age cut through the group of young cultivators with an unnatural speed. The people in his path jumped quickly out of the way because they were afraid of becoming collateral damage in the man's anger.
"Principal Feng!" Mo Heng and his fellow students bowed as the cultivator stopped before them.
Principal Feng did not spare them a glance as he looked at Feng Yie who was lying on a stretcher. She was not yet awake even after getting the restoration potion, so the juniors had built a stretcher to carry her from the domain.
"What happened to Little Yie?" The principal asked the Shademantle Academy coldly. "If I do not get a satisfactory answer, I will deal with all of you."
Principal Feng did not have the image of a school leader at all. He did not just question his students with the intention of finding the answers. He was looking for a culprit to punish. If he did not find one, he was going to punish the entire group.
But if one looked at the situation from the point of view of a parent, he was just a protective father.
"Principal Feng, Senior Feng Yie was bitten by a snake, but she is out of danger." Mo Heng stepped forward to explain the situation.
"Do you think I would just be talking to you if I did not know she is out of danger?" Principal Feng was angry at the perfunctory answer. "If you do not confess now, you should be prepared to face the consequences."
Mo Heng and the other students knew that their principal treated Feng Yie as the apple of his eye. Therefore, his threats were not empty. If he blamed any of them, the best they could hope for was an expulsion from the academy.
"Principal Feng, Senior Feng Yie was bitten by a Cobalt-bellied Mamba in the domain while harvesting an herb. It was due to my negligence that I failed to protect her." Mo Heng stepped forward and took the blame for the incident.
He was not altruistic, but he knew it was necessary to face the situation head-on. He was the most senior student after Feng Yie, so he could not expect the juniors to take the blame. If he did not step forward, he would attract contempt.
On the cultivation journey, it was inevitable for everyone to have enemies. However, if one was hated or looked down upon by everyone, it would only be a matter of time before they died. Mo Heng knew how to maintain the balance of gaining enemies and friends.
Principal Feng Yie was angry.
"I told you to make sure that she is returned safely to me. Your carelessness will cost you." Principal Feng released his power and targeted Mo Heng.
The pressure of the superior cultivation energy bore down on Mo Heng, pressing down on him like a heavy rock. He felt like he was being crushed down into dust. His instincts made him attempt to resist the pressure, but it only made the violent feeling worse.
"Principal Feng, it is not Senior Mo's fault." One of the girls in the group stepped forward. "A stranger treated Senior Feng using a strange method, and she started vomiting up some unusual materials. This must be the reason Senior Feng is still in a coma."
"We suspect he was using unorthodox methods." Another girl added.
These two female cultivators were the ones who assisted Yuan Haoran while he was treating Feng Yie. They could not allow Principal Feng to harm Mo Heng when they suspected that Yuan Haoran harmed Senior Feng more than the snake.
However, this was not the only reason they came forward.
After a hushed discussion in the tent, the two of them concluded that they were right about the man in the cloak. He was a devil cultivator. Moreover, they were sure that he would silence them as soon as he had an opportunity.
Therefore, it was in their best interest if they made sure that everyone was aware of their suspicions. If something were to happen to them, the man would be the first suspect. As long as they remained in the light, they would have the upper hand.
Principal Feng drew back his pressure, letting Mo Heng breathe again. He struggled to stand upright again despite the pain in his muscles and bones. However, he was also smirking in his heart. As expected, he did not have to do the dirty work himself.
"Speak clearly." Principal Feng ordered.
The girls were scared, but they did not hide anything from the principal. In the domain, they could not do much because they did not have backing. Outside on the open continent, they were anxious to spill the beans.
They did not spare details about the treatment method that Yuan Haoran used, including the bird excrement, the reanimated snake, and the blast of spiritual energy. They did not exaggerate because the story was already unbelievable as it was.
"Is this true?" Principal Feng turned to Mo Heng who was covered in a thin layer of sweat from the earlier attack.
"I did not feel it was appropriate for me to be near Senior Feng during the treatment, so I sent these two junior sisters to help." Mo Heng struggled, but he managed to speak.
Principal Feng became angry again. "You left my daughter in the care of a stranger? Do you know his identity?"
Mo Heng was afraid of being hurt further, so he confessed quickly. "He is a loose cultivator, but he was with Long Jingyi from the Hallowflame Academy. I was sure that I could trust Senior Long as a well-known acquittance of Senior Feng Yie."
"Long Jingyi?" Principal Feng asked sternly, but Mo Heng could feel that he was no longer as angry as he was earlier.
This realisation made Mo Heng darken with hate. Long Jingyi was indeed a thorn in his side. When Principal Feng thought he was at fault, he attacked without asking more questions. But when it came to a person from a rival school, he was willing to be accommodating.
Mo Heng swore in his heart that he would step on Long Jingyi sooner or later.
Still, he could only respond humbly for now. "Yes."
"Where is he?" Principal Feng asked.
Immediately, the huge group of young cultivators parted and revealed Long Jingyi. As usual, he was an eye-catching figure with his red hair and golden eyes. However, he was not the most conspicuous person before Principal Feng and the rest of the crowd.
Most eyes rested on the odd individual standing behind long Jingyi in a scarlet cloak that covered his body, including his head. The hood was pulled forward to conceal his face, leaving people to guess his identity. People whispered and pointed at him, but he did not seem to care.
"Long Jingyi, are my students telling the truth?" Principal Feng asked sternly.