178: 30 minutes to go

The Great Northwest, yellow sand filled the sky.

Huahai City, a city surrounded by desert.

With a population of over four million, the famous artifact refining family, the Zhang family, resides here.

Huahai City is poor; its GDP isn't even as high as a single county in a prosperous region.

The existence of the Zhang family has made this city prosperous, with an endless stream of Practitioners coming to the Zhang family daily to seek artifact refining services.

This is also what The Authorities hope to see.

"Duanhong, ah, Duanhong, why is it you who came to Huahai City? Where's my treacherous junior disciple-nephew who tried to usurp power?"

Although it was deep winter, the Great Northwest was still unbearably hot.

Under the scorching sun, Shen Duanhong, dressed in pure white luxurious attire, his expression slightly changed.

Air ripples spread.

Space twisted, and the flow of time suddenly sped up and slowed down.

"Lu Jingyuan!"

The Grand Elder of the Hall of Judgment beside Shen Duanhong shouted sternly.

A situation no one expected occurred: Lu Jingyuan was actually in Huahai City.

Although he wore a mask, his attributes could not be mistaken.

Throughout the entire Blue Star, there were only two Practitioners who simultaneously possessed both space and Time Attributes.

Lu Jingyuan and Lu Yeli (Ke Yueyao)!

The latter two had merged, so they were considered one person.

Seeing Lu Jingyuan attempting to lead the Zhang family members and Ancient Professionals to escape, Shen Duanhong decisively cast his domain.

"You can go, but they stay!"

Shen Duanhong said.

He couldn't stop Lu Jingyuan from leaving, but Lu Jingyuan shouldn't even think about taking the Zhang family members and Ancient Professionals with him!

Lu Jingyuan, wearing a black and white striped mask and speaking in a ethereal voice, muttered to himself.

"It's a pity it's you who came. Otherwise, you and Li Qingcang would have to discuss a new Alliance Leader."

"Oh, you're as confident as ever."

Lu Jingyuan waved his hand.

The residents in the center of Huahai City showed painful expressions, kneeling on the ground and instantly turning into elderly people.

Seeing this scene, Shen Duanhong's face darkened.

Without hesitation, his domain enveloped Huahai City, and a seven-colored rainbow appeared out of thin air.

Under the rainbow's illumination, the residents who had become elderly returned to their original state.

The price for doing so was witnessing Lu Jingyuan lead the Zhang family members and Ancient Professionals away!

"Hall Master..."

The Grand Elder of the Hall of Judgment hesitated to speak.

"Bastard!" Shen Duanhong roared furiously.

He and the Supreme Alliance Leader had long anticipated that Lu Jingyuan had secret ties with the Great Shun Dynasty.

But who knew Lu Jingyuan was so fast? They had just arrived, and Lu Jingyuan followed right behind.

After a brief moment of anger, Shen Duanhong regained his composure.

"Something must have gone wrong!"

"Secretly investigate how many elders knew about Lu Yuan coming to the Seven Alliances and One Hall."

Shen Duanhong transmitted his voice to the Grand Elder.

In Huaxia, only he and the Supreme Alliance Leader could defeat Lu Jingyuan.

If Lu Jingyuan wanted to run, no one on Blue Star could stop him!

"Hall Master, the other Alliance Leaders are progressing smoothly. The high-ranking officials of those families and forces have all been arrested," an elder reported.

"What about the Ancient Professionals?"

"Over a hundred people were arrested."

Hearing this, Shen Duanhong's expression improved slightly.

"At least there's some harvest!"

...Pengcheng University, the biting cold wind.

"Hello, Principal."

Students could be seen everywhere on the sports field, practicing close combat techniques in the dead of winter.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, they all greeted him.

"Hello."

Lu Yuan responded to each of them.

Amidst the falling snow, Lao Qiyuan had been waiting for a long time.

"You're back," Lao Qiyuan asked.

Before Lu Yuan could speak, he keenly noticed that his mentors looked at Lu Yuan with a very familiar gaze.

Respect, even awe!

"Has Lu Yuan won over so many people in just half a month?" Lao Qiyuan was secretly surprised.

He had served as the Principal of Pengcheng University for many years and considered himself upright, fair, and impartial.

Therefore, the mentors held him in great awe.

How did Lu Yuan manage it?

"Little Lao."

"Hmm?" Lao Qiyuan looked at Lu Yuan, who called him Little Lao.

"Don't you want a raise anymore?"

Lu Yuan retorted.

Lao Qiyuan: "..."

Upon hearing about a raise, the mentors were no longer sleepy.

Including the three Vice Principals!

They knew that Lu Yuan carried a huge sum of money, a massive 63.5 billion!

"Today, the cafeteria will have extra dishes, and I'll cover the academic credit," Lu Yuan said.

The students, grunting and panting while practicing close combat techniques, beamed with joy.

The school cafeteria's food was quite good, and the better the taste, the more academic credit it cost.

Seeing Lu Yuan offer both a raise and extra cafeteria food, the mentors and students were silent for a few seconds before erupting in deafening applause.

Clap clap clap—

"Long live the Principal, the Principal is awesome!"

"Long live the Principal, the Principal is awesome!!"

Mu Zhihong, who followed Lu Yuan, was dumbfounded.

Is this the new era?

A Law Realm Professional as Principal, and a God Emperor Realm Expert as Vice Principal.

Isn't it backwards? Mu Zhihong, an ancient person, was deeply shaken.

Lao Qiyuan's mouth twitched.

"Principal, I didn't shout. I am firmly on your side," Zhan Shouzhen said.

Lao Qiyuan squinted at Zhan Shouzhen.

You were the one shouting the loudest just now!

The cheers lasted for a long time, and Lu Yuan strode into the Principal's office.

"Ahem," Lu Yuan pretended to cough.

Zhan Shouzhen quickly poured a cup of tea.

"Good performance," Lu Yuan took a sip of hot tea.

The atmosphere was cheerful until Lao Qiyuan returned to the office after taking a call.

"I have good news and bad news."

Lao Qiyuan, standing opposite, said, much like an employee reporting to their boss.

"The good news is that the Seven Alliances and One Hall have captured the family forces planted by the Imperial Advisor of the Great Shun Dynasty."

This matter was related to Lu Yuan, and Lao Qiyuan felt it necessary to mention it.

"The bad news is that not many Ancient Professionals were captured," Lao Qiyuan said in a deep voice.

So fast!

Lu Yuan silently calculated the time.

It took him less than an hour to travel from the No Mans Land to the Imperial Capital and then back to Pengcheng.

The Seven Alliances and One Hall had already completed their operation!

"How did you contact them?" Lu Yuan asked Mu Zhihong.

"Just through those families. Many Practitioners don't even know how to use a mobile phone, let alone other high-tech devices."

Mu Zhihong stated honestly.

The 'high-tech' he referred to covered a wide range of things.

Mobile phones, computers, high-speed trains, Teleportation Arrays, and so on.

Due to lacking identification, Ancient Professionals couldn't ride high-speed trains.

"So they've lost contact," Lu Yuan intertwined his fingers.

Knock knock knock—

A knock sounded.

"Principal, a Ms. Mu Yaoling is looking for you."

"She's looking for Han Junchen, right?"

Lu Yuan said subconsciously.

Mentioning Mu Yaoling reminded him of the sizzling sounds of Han Junchen and Mu Yaoling 'cooking'.

"Let her come to the Principal's office."

"Uh..."

"This Ms. Mu wants to see the Principal alone."

The mentor reiterated.

"Where is she?" Lu Yuan stood up.

Pengcheng University sports field.

Mu Yaoling, wearing a light blue down jacket, watched the students practice close combat techniques with an excited expression.

"So handsome!"

"This one's looks are average, but his physique is really good!"

"This one has great looks and physique!"

Mu Yaoling's eyes gleamed.

"What do you want with me?" Lu Yuan stood beside Mu Yaoling.

"You're becoming more masculine."

Mu Yaoling scrutinized Lu Yuan, her eyes like magnets fixed on his abs.

"Go find Han Junchen for 'cooking', I'm not interested," Lu Yuan shook his head.

"Do you really think I only like 'cooking' in your heart?"

"Yes!"

Lu Yuan nodded.

Mu Yaoling: "..."

"Many Ancient Professionals have contacted me. They want to turn over a new leaf, and I want you to contact The Authorities," Mu Yaoling stated the purpose of her visit.

"Where are they?"

"A coffee shop in the city center."

"Why a small place like a coffee shop? Couldn't they find another open area?" Lu Yuan said softly.

A chill touched her skin, and Mu Yaoling lowered her head.

At some point, Army Devourer's longsword was pressed against her neck!

"They should all be close combat masters, right? Do they want to kill me or capture me to negotiate with The Authorities?" Lu Yuan looked at the students on the sports field.

"That's right, but..."

Mu Yaoling wanted to explain.

"I've already sent someone to the coffee shop in the city center. Their cultivation isn't high, just God Emperor Realm Eight-Star," Lu Yuan yawned.

"Tell them, if they don't come to see me within half an hour, they can die there!"