"I don't know," Yan Jiaojiao shook her head. Everyone understood that Xuan Chen was undoubtedly linked to the demon race, but without concrete proof, the sect leader of Ge Nan Academy remained silent, and the disciples were unwilling to believe it. Thus, the matter was not brought up repeatedly.
However, everyone knew one thing for sure: without Xuan Chen's presence, it was uncertain whether Ge Nan Academy would remain the number one academy on the Boundless Continent.
"Now, we can only hope the news hasn't spread. Otherwise, given Ge Nan Academy's reputation, many people will likely seize the opportunity to strike while you're down."
On the Boundless Continent, reputation was paramount.
Yan Jiaojiao had already experienced this firsthand through Yan Zhengfeng.
Yan Zhengfeng's unsavory deeds had been exposed by Yan Jiaojiao, and he should have been universally condemned. However, because Yan Zhengfeng had performed many acts of demon-slaying and righteousness over the years, many followers still believed in him. Consequently, although the Yan family had fallen on hard times, they were not yet at their wits' end.
On the Boundless Continent, strength reigned supreme, but reputation could also provide assistance.
It was no wonder that the concubine daughters of the Yan family had scrambled to secure a place at Ge Nan Academy. Ge Nan Academy was the foremost academy of its time, and successfully graduating from here guaranteed respect wherever one went in the future.
Even if Ge Nan Academy had students with lower cultivation levels, once they graduated, their cultivation would be secondary. Merely by displaying their status as a graduate of Ge Nan Academy, they could become honored guests in many places.
It was precisely because of this understanding that Yan Jiaojiao could comprehend the sect leaders' passive stance.
At this juncture, the more they investigated, the more inextricable Ge Nan Academy's connection to the demon race appeared. Xuan Chen's departure was seen by everyone as his final act of mercy.
If the news were to spread, outsiders would only know that the esteemed master of Ge Nan Academy had mysteriously vanished. If everyone worked together, they could even claim he was in seclusion, which would resolve all issues.
However, the sect leaders evidently had a moral bottom line; they could not conceal this matter, nor could they reveal the truth.
Wei Congling clasped Yan Jiaojiao's hand.
Yan Jiaojiao withdrew her thoughts and looked up at her, only to notice Wei Congling trembling all over.
"What's wrong?"
Tears welled up in Wei Congling's eyes: "I'm scared, Jiaojiao. What if Ge Nan Academy ceases to exist in the future... what will become of us? If this matter is exposed and the news that Master Xuan Chen is a demon spreads, will we be labeled as demons and hunted by everyone, unable to survive on the continent?"
Yan Jiaojiao frowned. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Even if this matter comes to light, Xuan Chen is Xuan Chen; the disciples of Ge Nan Academy are not inherently connected to him."
"The disciples of Ge Nan Academy have not committed murder or arson; they were even cruelly killed by A Ruoxi. The disciples of Ge Nan Academy are unequivocally victims. There is no reason in this world to attack the perpetrators while blaming the victims."
Yan Jiaojiao's words were forceful, and Wei Congling's fear was finally dispelled.
She had been at the academy for several years and had long considered it her home. She found it difficult to imagine what life would be like if she lost her home.
When she was bullied by Tang Xiye at the academy, she could hide in her dormitory. But if Ge Nan Academy were to vanish, she would truly have nowhere to turn.
"I'll listen to you," Wei Congling was actually quite brave, but her character had become somewhat dejected during the period she hid while being bullied by Tang Xiye. Yan Jiaojiao knew that her life must have been difficult during her six-month absence. With concern, she patted her hand. "Don't be afraid. If you truly have nowhere to go, you can come to me in the future. I have family, and they will be your family too."
Wei Congling blinked in surprise.
Just as she was about to offer Yan Jiaojiao a smile, the door was knocked upon urgently. The person seemed to have important news and knocked with great haste. After a few knocks, hearing no response, they called out, "Jiaojiao? Congling, are you in there?"
Yan Jiaojiao gave Wei Congling a look, signaling her to open the door.
Wei Congling nodded and walked over. The moment she opened the door, the person outside nearly barged in due to the momentum.
Fortunately, Wei Congling blocked her with her hand, and the person stopped.
"It's good that you're here. Senior Brother Jiang wants all of us to go to the high platform; he has something to say."
Yan Jiaojiao and Wei Congling exchanged glances.
Wei Congling asked, "Did something happen? You seem very anxious."
"They say it's important," the female disciple was also injured. As she came over, it seemed to have aggravated her pain, and she leaned against the door, gasping for air. "You'll know when you get there."
"Someone has already notified the others. Let's go together."
Yan Jiaojiao was unable to move. Wei Congling directly used her sword-riding technique to carry Yan Jiaojiao out of the Water Sect towards the high platform.
As the female disciple had said, everyone had been summoned. Many disciples from various sects were injured; few appeared to be unharmed.
The Wood Element disciples did not miss this opportunity to treat the injured. While they usually helped disciples, the distances between sects were too great, and they couldn't see everyone at once. Now that so many people were gathered, some were distributing pills, and others were healing, keeping them all very busy.
Yan Jiaojiao had just found a place to sit when a figure appeared before her.
Yan Jiaojiao looked up and smiled at him. "Do you no longer need to look after others?"
Xu Changzong pursed his lips, his tone unusually cold. "Don't you know your own condition?"
Yan Jiaojiao painstakingly moved her limbs. "I won't die."
She had endured more severe injuries, so this amount of pain was not serious for Yan Jiaojiao.
Moreover, for Yan Jiaojiao, this was a fortunate development. She could already feel that the spiritual power belonging to her original self within her body was no longer as volatile; it seemed to be flowing in an orderly manner. It was only a matter of time before she could fully control it. Once she obtained the spiritual artifact, she might be able to wield the power of the thousand-year-old ancestor with complete mastery.
Thinking of regaining her former ability to command the elements, Yan Jiaojiao felt like laughing out loud, and the pain in her body was naturally ignored.
Xu Changzong saw Yan Jiaojiao, who was almost paralyzed, still smiling happily, her eyes as bright and moving as ever, warming others like a small sun at all times. He sighed. Although he was still somewhat annoyed, his expression softened considerably.
"Don't be so reckless next time."
Xu Changzong's voice was very soft, and Yan Jiaojiao, lost in her thoughts, only caught the tail end. She immediately narrowed her eyes and said, "How can you call that being reckless?"
"I had no choice but to do it that way. I cherish my own life, you can rest assured."
Her words were worse than saying nothing. Xu Changzong's lips turned pale, and in the end, he said nothing, silently tending to her external wounds.