A single stone stirred up a thousand waves. The content Guan Tong delivered in his final lecture, his own expositions on Mind Power, quickly attracted attention from multiple quarters.
The spontaneous discussions and dissemination among the students alone were enough to generate considerable influence. Moreover, all academy courses were recorded for free and simultaneously uploaded to the official website for self-study by those unable to attend in person. Therefore, far more people than just the students in that classroom had watched Guan Tong's lecture.
His speculations in class—that the Fire Thief was an Ascendant, and that the forty-nine Doomsday Rules themselves were also constrained by the laws of Superior and Inferior Mind Power—struck many as novel and bold, prompting widespread participation in the discussion.
Even so experts and scholars specializing in related research, apart from the Superior/Inferior theory, were very interested in the "special cosmic energy" Guan Tong ntioned.
This was because they also did not believe that Mind Power was a completely idealistic force. Guan Tong's description of it as "semi-idealistic" better aligned with their own assessnts.
For a ti, many video clips of Guan Tong's lecture appeared online. So special personnel from special departnts also began to pay particular attention to Guan Tong.
Even the Doomsday Rules Counterasures Research Office received inquiry letters requesting the background investigation materials from when Guan Tong joined the academy.
Upon receiving the request, Gao Liangwei imdiately sent over the archived materials and took the opportunity to review them himself once more. He couldn't find any issues at all.
To describe it in one word, it was "clean."
Guan Tong's background information was too clean. Before the appearance of the Fire Thief, he was completely just a high school student.
His grades were decent, ranking in the middle of his grade at the best high school in Yunhua.
But compared to those prodigies, those dragons among n, this level of achievent was still quite a significant gap.
After the Fire Thief appeared, Guan Tong's record beca even "cleaner." Especially after the nation implented warti managent, not a single shelter or gathering point had ever registered his na or identity information.
This undoubtedly indicated that after warti managent began, Guan Tong had never taken up residence in any shelter or gathering point, living entirely in the wild.
The only incident on record involving him was his entanglent in that serial kidnapping case targeting High Mind Power Individuals.
"This case..."
Gao Liangwei sat before his computer, his brow furrowed tightly.
He already knew the mastermind behind the kidnapping case was Jiang Lanying.
And not long ago, Jiang Lanying had attempted to defect and flee the country, having even secretly arranged a commission in advance with the Suroma fugitive Lucifer, who was responsible for receiving her and escorting her to a safe area abroad.
The situation at the ti was indeed dangerous. The official team dispatched to pursue her was ambushed by Lucifer, suffering heavy casualties. If "Shadow" hadn't appeared at the critical mont to defeat Lucifer, Jiang Lanying might very well have escaped, creating endless future troubles.
However, afterward, "Shadow" took Jiang Lanying away. The authorities subsequently dispatched a large number of personnel to search the surrounding area, but found nothing... Whether Jiang Lanying was alive or dead remained completely unknown.
Dragon Soul had speculated at the ti that "Shadow" intended to carry out vigilante justice rather than staging a rescue, which later beca the official assessnt as well.
Because "Shadow" had ford a score with Jiang Lanying starting from the destruction of the Yongzhou base. Later, during the earthquake rule, Jiang Lanying, seeking revenge, used her planted agent in the military to "accidentally" launch a missile in an attempt to kill "Shadow," which failed... Both sides were now mortal enemies.
Now...
Looking at Guan Tong's information on the screen, Gao Liangwei vaguely had so thoughts.
This Guan Tong had stayed in the wild the entire ti after the Doomsday Rules, without any registration. The official database also contained no information about his Mind Power value, abilities, or items.
Since entering the Doomsday Rules era, it was true that so previously ordinary people had risen to prominence. But for Guan Tong to go from an ordinary high school student to having the capability to beco an academy lecturer just over a year later was undoubtedly a massive leap.
Moreover, the fact that Shi Jingyi would recomnd this person also indicated that the two were relatively familiar and had likely maintained contact.
Gao Liangwei pondered for a mont, then picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, is this Section Chief Li ng? This is Gao Liangwei."
"I'm contacting you to inquire about an old matter. Section Chief Li, do you rember when you were serving as the head of the Police Departnt in Yunhua, a high school student nad 'Guan Tong' was involved in that kidnapping case?"
"You're saying that high school student left a deep impression on you even then? Please compile the relevant materials and send them to . I'd like to understand the specifics."
After hanging up, Gao Liangwei thought for a mont, then dialed another number.
"Hello, is this Dean Zhou? This is Gao Liangwei from the Counterasures Research Office."
"I'd like to inquire about the situation regarding that Lecturer Guan Tong who ca to the academy in July."
"What? He's about to leave the academy soon? I see, I understand the situation now."
"Alright, Dean Zhou. Could you ntion to him and see if he has any interest in working for an official departnt after leaving the academy?"
"Yes, no need to ntion , just say an important official departnt wishes to invite him. Regardless of his reply, please inform
at your earliest convenience."
After making the two calls, Gao Liangwei thought again, then used the internal line to summon Zhang Minglu to his office.
"Director, you wanted to see ?"
"Dr. Zhang, I'm investigating a person here. Please keep an eye out."
Zhang Minglu glanced at the materials and showed surprise. "Guan Tong. That person has indeed beco famous. And I also feel there might be so issues."
"Oh?" Gao Liangwei asked. "What issues?"
"It's the theory he proposed in that lecture he gave, 'humans can suppress the Doomsday Rules from a Superior Position.' It doesn't sound like sothing fabricated out of thin air, but it seems unlikely he could propose such a theory without practical experience."
"Moreover, he also told the students to participate in more actual combat to improve faster. He's not wrong; that's also the conclusion I've reached after training so many Ascendants... But then, where did he get his extensive combat experience? Could it be that before entering the academy as a teacher, he was actually an Ascendant rcenary?"
Gao Liangwei nodded after listening. Zhang Minglu's words made sense.
Because Beixing was different from other countries. After entering the Doomsday Rules era, Beixing had been vigorously constructing shelters and gathering points. There were truly few people who road the wilds, and even fewer Ascendants with rich combat experience.
To put it in a sowhat inappropriate phrase, "the country has protected its people too well." This had resulted in a large number of Beixing Ascendants not having even a single actual combat experience to date.
"So it seems, this Guan Tong indeed has many suspicious points and requires in-depth investigation. Is there any valuable intelligence from people who have had contact with him?"
Zhang Minglu thought for a mont and said, "There is one piece of intelligence."
"What intelligence?"
"There's an Ascendant under my supervision who has known this Guan Tong for a long ti and even t him not long ago."
"Oh? Who is it?"
"Chen Na, a girl with sensing ability," Zhang Minglu said. "Not long ago, the day before the 'Falling Petals Plan' operation, Silver Fox accompanied her to et Guan Tong once. Afterwards, Silver Fox docunted the entire process."
"So, that Chen Na should have so understanding of Guan Tong's past."
"Yes. Both she and her mother, Wang Yan, likely knew Guan Tong long ago."
Gao Liangwei said, "Dr. Zhang, then please have a chat with them and obtain any intelligence they know related to Guan Tong."
"Alright," Zhang Minglu agreed, then asked curiously, "Director, does the higher-ups suspect this Guan Tong has so problem?"
"It's hard to say at the mont," Gao Liangwei said. "But it can be determined that the danger level is not high. Otherwise, the order coming down wouldn't be to investigate, but to first take the person into custody."
"That's true," Zhang Minglu said. "However, if we proceed with the investigation from the angle of interpersonal relationships, that Lecturer Shi Jingyi who recomnded him would certainly know much more about him."
Gao Liangwei nodded. "Indeed. However, the specific relationship between Shi Jingyi and Guan Tong cannot be determined yet. Moreover, her identity is special; she is a hero in the public eye."
Zhang Minglu knew what "hero" ant. Back when Shi Jingyi stated she was going to the earthquake site to provide assistance to "Shadow," it indeed caused a huge stir online.
Later, she was injured in the explosion and recuperated. Because the truth was not disclosed, the outside world believed she was injured during the earthquake, and admired her fearless, self-sacrificing conduct even more.
Coupled with her unique abilities, striking appearance, and the respected profession of "teacher," it could be said she had now beco a national idol-level figure. The authorities also found it inconvenient to casually summon her for questioning.
"Start the investigation from other angles first," Gao Liangwei said. "If progress is poor, we'll finally approach Shi Jingyi for inquiries."
Zhang Minglu nodded. "Understood. I'll go make the arrangents then."
...
The news of Shi Jingyi's return quickly spread throughout the academy.
The students were excited one after another. After all, many had co to the academy precisely because of her. It would be a great regret to study for a whole year and graduate without even seeing her in person.
Her own high popularity, combined with her touching spirit of fearless sacrifice, made her the most sought-after presence in the entire academy.
Dean Zhou Qinfeng, to celebrate Shi Jingyi's recovery and return, specifically wanted to host a celebratory banquet together with the other faculty and staff, but Shi Jingyi politely declined.
Although she had an outgoing personality, she did not enjoy lively gatherings, especially banquets where she was the main focus. She respectfully declined.
Not only the banquet prepared for her, but she also did not attend the farewell banquet the academy prepared for Guan Tong.
Given their relationship, a private "take care" between them was far more sincere than any number of words spoken on a formal occasion.
As for Guan Tong's farewell banquet, Zhou Qinfeng did put so thought into it.
He specifically used his connections to arrange several tables of freshly stir-fried hot dishes and so good liquor. In this "Great Canned Food Era," these were undoubtedly very scarce commodities.
During the banquet, there was toasting back and forth, cups clinking. In monts of deep emotion, so even had moist eyes and reddened pupils.
Guan Tong was left feeling a bit bewildered. He had been at the academy for less than four months. Aside from etings, he usually had no private interactions with the other teachers.
Yet, a few teachers acted as if he had been here for four years.
"Teacher Guan, we can be considered to have beco acquainted through a clash. Here's to the hero erging from youth. I toast you!"
That Zhang Linliang, who had competed with him during the academy entrance interview, downed a cup, putting on a very forthright deanor.
Although Guan Tong didn't feel much, he still took a few sips in response.
Then the Teacher Sun, who had dealt with the student truancy incident with him and taught psychology, also ca over and said with concern, "Teacher Guan, don't forget to co back and visit the academy often in the future."
"Alright."
After the other teachers had all spoken, Dean Zhou Qinfeng finally pulled Guan Tong aside alone.
"Teacher Guan, I asked you last ti about your plans after leaving the academy. You said you weren't sure yet?"
"Mm, still undecided at the mont."
Guan Tong definitely wouldn't tell anyone other than Shi Jingyi about his intention to go "collect debts."
"Are you interested in official departnts?"
"Official departnts?"
"That's right, and an important one at that! Soone specifically asked
to ntion it to you," Zhou Qinfeng said with a smile. "No need to ask about the compensation; it's certainly better than here at our academy. After all, a young talent like you, Teacher Guan, will have a bright future wherever you go."
An official departnt specifically asking the dean to recruit ? And an "important" one?
Guan Tong felt soone might have their eyes on him, but this was within expectations and nothing strange.
"Please thank that person for their kind intentions on my behalf, Dean. I'm used to being a carefree wanderer and don't plan to join any departnt to work for the ti being," Guan Tong replied.
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