"Hmph, initially your Academy's Martial God Douluo ambushed our Sun and Moon Royal Team on their way back, and now you have the audacity to inquire about a missing person?"
"It wasn't an ambush, she was merely responsible for..."
"Responsible for what? For monitoring our return to the country?"
Qian Duoduo was at a loss for words.
He controlled his temper, avoiding a confrontation with Mirror Hongchen.
This visit was primarily for academic exchange, and asking about the details of that battle was just a personal side task.
After moving past that topic, Qian Duoduo expressed his desire to have an academic exchange with Mingde Hall.
Su Yu was still puzzled as to why Qian Duoduo came in person just for this?
But now it was clear that it was just a personal side task.
The main purpose of this visit was still as an exchange student, but Qian Duoduo had his own personal agenda—to continue investigating his wife's whereabouts.
This, however, suited him perfectly.
He was only worried that Qian Duoduo would completely forget about it.
"Oh? Academic exchange?"
Mirror Hongchen was very interested in Shrek Academy's proposal.
To be honest, he had considered this idea before, to let Su Yu go over there to learn their Extreme Martial Soul cultivation methods, while they could come and learn about Soul-guiding Devices.
But thanks to Su Yu's efforts, he had long given up on this plan.
Now, Qian Duoduo, a representative of Shrek, was volunteering to propose an academic exchange?
He found it all very interesting.
In just a month, the situation had completely changed.
At the same time, he also felt a sense of urgency.
Shrek was also trying to catch up with the development pace of Mingde Hall's Soul-guiding Devices.
"Sorry, but Mingde Hall has no need for Shrek's Secret Techniques."
After Qian Duoduo said a lot, Mirror Hongchen still refused Qian Duoduo's exchange student plan.
Qian Duoduo's chubby face turned red as he glared at Mirror Hongchen, gritting his teeth, "Is the Hall Master certain about such a direct rejection?"
Seeing that Mirror Hongchen was unmoved, he suppressed his anger and turned to leave.
"Hmph, Fan Yu, let's go."
"By the way, Vice Dean Qian, no, it should be Dean Qian, I should remind you, there's no need to try contacting Not Much Money."
Mirror Hongchen leisurely sat in his seat sipping tea, making sarcastic remarks.
Qian Duoduo's heart skipped a beat.
As he expected, Not Much Money had also been discovered?
He hadn't received a safety message from Not Much Money in several months, and Qian Duoduo had already had a premonition in his heart.
This time, he personally visited, not only to carry out a side mission to try to inquire about the details of Xian Lin'er's battle, but also to confirm Not Much Money's situation.
Although he had already speculated, actually hearing the news, especially when he was already filled with fury, and being personally informed by the gloating Mirror Hongchen, left Qian Duoduo deeply tormented.
He could not act impulsively.
This was Mingde Hall's headquarters.
There were an unknown number of Soul-guiding Devices aimed at this place, and even as a Level 94 Titled Douluo, he didn't dare say he could withstand them.
Qian Duoduo couldn't even guarantee that he would be able to kill Su Yu before being struck down if he erupted with all his strength.
Su Yu: ???
With his back to Mirror Hongchen, Qian Duoduo took a few deep breaths, his voice low as he inquired, "Is Not Much Money doing well?"
"That little chubby is still fairly decent. If you want to meet him, it's not impossible."
Mirror Hongchen rubbed his thumb over his index and middle fingers.
Meeting him is possible.
Add money.
Qian Duoduo looked displeased.
Just getting into this place and being received by Mirror Hongchen had already cost him money.
And a hefty sum at that.
The rare metals he had prepared had also been completely extorted by Mirror Hongchen, and now this scoundrel wanted treasures again?
No wonder he had voluntarily revealed Not Much Money's whereabouts.
Meeting him wasn't such a great loss, and it could turn into an extra gain, why wouldn't he?
Would Qian Duoduo spend money to see him?
Yes.
That was his nephew.
Sending the thirteen-year-old chubby to an enemy country as a spy already filled him with guilt.
If he chose to give up an opportunity to visit him, he would never forgive himself.
Especially having just lost his wife, Qian Duoduo couldn't afford to miss what might be his last chance to see his nephew.
"Not Much Money is only thirteen. If I want to take him away, what conditions do I need to meet?"
Mirror Hongchen shook his head without a word.
There's no way he would let you take him away.
A spy wanting to walk out of prison alive?
Qian Duoduo sighed, inwardly guilty, he thought, "Not Much Money, Uncle can only try to make your life here a little better."
From his Storage Soul-guiding Device, he took out a tree branch as thick as an arm and two meters long.
The branch emitted a faint golden glow.
"A branch from the Golden Ancient Tree?" Mirror Hongchen said uncertainly.
The Golden Ancient Tree in Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard is said to be the core of the entire Douluo Continent, with various wondrous functions.
These rumors outside haven't been confirmed.
But there's no smoke without fire.
If such claims exist, the Golden Ancient Tree must be extraordinary.
Moreover, aside from various other effects, one ability of the Golden Ancient Tree that's been proven is widely known.
It gathers Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi.
The concentration of primordial energy in the entire Shrek's Inner Courtyard is more than five times that of the outside world!
The concentration of primordial Qi in the cultivation areas prepared for the students is even higher.
And the Sea God Pavilion is beyond comparison.
The Golden Ancient Tree has been instrumental in Shrek's ability to nurture many strong individuals.
At this moment, Qian Duoduo took out a branch glowing with golden light, exuding abundant life energy, drawing primordial Qi unconsciously, causing Mirror Hongchen to make such a judgment.
Qian Duoduo nodded.
"Correct, this branch is cut from the main trunk of the Golden Ancient Tree.
I want to see Not Much Money. Also, after I leave, Mingde Hall must not mistreat him.
He's just a child who doesn't know much and hasn't been here long; he hasn't stolen any of your secrets; this condition shouldn't be too much, right?"
"Agreed."
Mirror Hongchen beamed, capturing the branch with his spiritual power and storing it away.
Seeing him once and getting such a branch from the Golden Ancient Tree was well worth it.
As for what Qian Duoduo asked regarding Not Much Money's treatment being slightly better.
In Mirror Hongchen's view, Not Much Money's current treatment was already standard.
Not being pampered with good food and drink, but at least the little chubby hadn't turned into a boy, which in itself indicated Not Much Money's situation wasn't all that bad.
"Su Yu, take Dean Qian to see his nephew."
...
Qian Duoduo followed Su Yu as they headed to the deep prison of Mingde Hall where the spy was held.
He scrutinized Su Yu, then spoke.
"You must be Su Yu?"
Qian Duoduo had already heard of Su Yu's name.
After all, Not Much Money's intelligence report a year ago had mentioned this Sun and Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy's most talented student, who broke the Second-level Soul Guide record, Su Yu.
This year's Soul Fighting Competition, the individual elimination match in Shrek Academy's final, was also ended by Su Yu alone.
Plus, Xian Lin'er's incident was indirectly caused by Su Yu.
Qian Duoduo and Su Yu certainly had strong ties to one another.