"The teachings of the State Preceptor are indeed well-deserved!"
The following events were simple yet horrifying.
The Navy found approximately 360 bodies in the mass grave, with some parts already unable to be reassembled, left to be buried haphazardly.
Counting those hung on poles, the death toll of young girls exceeded four hundred.
However, following Ning Yuchan’s strong recommendation, the Navy fleet did not rush to awaken these girls but allowed them to sleep until dawn before they began transporting them in batches.
Those who did not wake up were let to continue sleeping.
Those who woke up were to report their origins to see where they should be sent.
At this time, Xu Jin finally had the opportunity to be with his sister, Jiang’er.
Under the guise of escorting, Xu Jin and the still unconscious Jiang’er boarded a boat, and following Qi’s earlier warning, Xu Jin did not reveal his identity for Jiang’er for special care.
He merely borrowed some cloaks to cover many of the still-unconscious girls, of course, Jiang’er included.
During the return journey, Xu Jin was filled with numerous questions and thoughts about the new Divine Soul Star he had forged at the Upper Star Palace.
Xu Jin wondered, how much had his strength increased after forging the Divine Soul Star at the Upper Star Palace?
Previously, just engraving the Clearing Soul Star Pattern had greatly increased his power, but this time he had forged the Divine Soul Star, reaching the Peak of Star Casting and the Third Layer of Refining Star.
How great would the enhancement be?
Xu Jin was also worried that now he could perform Star Casting at the Upper Star Palace, could the Central Star Palace also perform Star Casting?
Unfortunately, Qi was not here to answer.
If the Central Star Palace could also perform Star Casting, could the Lower Star Palace do it as well?
Would that mean he could forge three stars?
Xu Jin now had a belly full of conjectures and doubts, only to be kept to himself.
Everything would only be clear after he returned and met Qi Shanye again.
The rescued girls, along with Xu Jin and others, made their way back. On the brightly lit Thousand Leaf Island, the only ones left were the Mountain Master Dong Zhao and the Dean of Yan State’s Taoist Institute, Lu Chenfeng.
Seeing no one around, Lu Chenfeng came over with a stern face and said, "Dong Zhao, was this really necessary?"
"What does the Dean mean?" Dong Zhao still wore a teasing smile.
"Before acting, could you have informed us? Is it that hard?
We would not have stolen your glory, but was there really a need to proceed so decisively?" Lu Chenfeng sharply inquired.
"Does the Dean mean I was wrong?" Dong Zhao asked.
"Dong Zhao, you know what I mean!"
Having hit a soft spot, Lu Chenfeng grew angrier, his face darkening, "Dong Zhao, no matter what, your Jinshan Taoist Institute belongs to Yan State, and I am your direct superior!"
"So I informed Dean Lu."
"Was that really an ’inform’? Everything was already done by the time you informed me, and you also casually informed others. What good did that do?"
"But I did inform after all." Dong Zhao replied with a faint smile.
Looking at the smile on Dong Zhao’s face, Lu Chenfeng suddenly became extremely annoyed, deeply despising that smile.
Yet, he still suppressed the urge to roar.
"Dong Zhao, I understand, know, and even support your desire to climb the ranks! But why must you step on me to ascend?
You do this over and over again, don’t blame me for being unkind!"
"Dean, I absolutely did not, I was merely doing my job!" Dong Zhao defended.
"Hmph, don’t think I don’t know your intentions, you’re only fixated on returning to the National Taoist Institute.
But don’t forget, you are the Mountain Master of the Jinshan Taoist Institute, to return to the National Taoist Institute, you need more than just Great Merit, you also need an excellent autumn review!
Since you won’t heed the advice, don’t blame me for being inhospitable!"
With that, Lu Chenfeng left with a sweep of his sleeve, stepping away instantly.
Watching Lu Chenfeng leave, Dong Zhao’s smile slightly faded, "I truly want to return to the National Taoist Institute, but I also truly want to get things done and save people.
Doing things, saving people, is that wrong?"
"I think there’s nothing wrong..."
With a sigh, Dong Zhao too stepped away on a star.