2814 Dealt with
Qiao Mu maintained her icy demeanor as she glanced down at Jin Chaoyang, who lay sprawled on the ground. Her gaze bore into his face for the sake of someone else. "Do you all believe that a jade talisman can serve only one purpose, either as a first-stage attack or for defensive support?"
/Such a colossal misconception!/
Ever since the activation of the ninth jade talisman in the Golden Talisman Jade Tome, her proficiency in crafting talismans had elevated from a black-level perfected practitioner to an earth-level entry-rank.
/Was a mere yellow-level talisman practitioner foolishly standing in her way, only to be put in his place like a misbehaving child?/
Qiao Mu had no inclination to continue this discussion, so she turned away and strolled over to Mo Lian.
The crowd hastened to retreat, with Chao Yang Jin not daring to meet anyone's gaze again.
A flicker of anger briefly passed through Jin Chaoyang's eyes. He struggled to prop himself up, eager to continue his argument with Qiao Mu and the others.
Dean Yun, however, had already sighed and gestured to dismiss him.
Jin Chaoyang's defense was utterly preposterous.
No one present was blind; they had all witnessed that it was undeniably an attack jade talisman that had targeted Jin Chaoyang from start to finish.
/Where did these five jade talismans come from?/
Even as he was escorted away, Jin Chaoyang continued to vent his indignation.
It wasn't until he was forcibly removed from the training ground that his piercing voice finally faded into the distance.
Mo Lian's cold eyes calmly followed the path Jin Chaoyang had taken. His intense gaze was exceptionally sharp as he swiftly brushed his fingertip beneath his sleeve.
The jade messenger talisman left behind the word "Capture."
Simultaneously, a group of concealed guards stationed outside the Imperial Academy received an order from His Highness the Crown Prince.
As Jin Chaoyang was forcefully expelled from the Imperial Academy, the reception awaiting him outside was a dazzling exhibition of unsheathed blades.
"It appears that Heavenly Fate's influence has extended even within the very walls of the Imperial Academy," Qiao Mu remarked with a furrowed brow as they made their way back to Winterwood Court.
It seemed that, unbeknownst to many, Heavenly Fate had already infiltrated various prominent clans across the Three Provinces.
She couldn't help but connect this with the appearance of the zombie in the Mu Clan's rear courtyard.
Qiao Mu's brow furrowed further.
/Could it be that there was also a member of Heavenly Fate within the Mu Clan?/
/Was Shi Huixin somehow associated with Heavenly Fate?/
/If that were the case, it would mean that Heavenly Fate had been silently embedded within the Mu Clan for at least a decade./
After returning to Winterwood Court, they changed into fresh clothes and had dinner.
Before long, Holy Son Miyan and his entourage returned as well, their expressions cold as they laid eyes on Qiao Mu.
Qiao Mu couldn't help but curl her lips. "Holy Son Miyan actually had the audacity to come back?"
She had clearly underestimated the thick skin of this esteemed Holy Son. Despite the complete breakdown of any pretense of friendliness between them, he had the nerve to return to Winterwood Court as if nothing had occurred.
"I did pay the lodging fee!" Holy Son Miyan angrily spat out these words before leading his group back to their "humble abode."
/After shelling out five days' worth of lodging fees, they had to make sure to recoup their investment no matter what!/
Qiao Mu and her companions exchanged bewildered glances, feeling that this lofty Holy Son seemed oddly down-to-earth…
An hour later, news reached Holy Son Miyan: "Your Excellency, Jin Chaoyang has been taken care of."
In a fit of rage, Holy Son Miyan shattered a small square table with a single blow of her palm.
The accompanying priest couldn't help but break free and twitch his mouth.
Heavens, the Holy Son had just split apart the only table in the room that could hold a tea set.
The enemy's strength exceeded his expectations.
/That cursed Divine Province Crown Prince. It was undoubtedly him who covertly dispatched individuals to handle Jin Chaoyang./
