After some time passed.
The black SUV convoy of the Aberrant Purge Division slowly drove onto the scene.
The car doors opened in unison, and a team of investigators in black uniforms quickly formed a line.
Leading them was a lean man of about forty, a silver badge pinned to his chest, eyes sharp.
The moment he saw Wang Mingyuan, he immediately quickened his pace.
He placed his right hand over his chest and bowed slightly—respectful but not servile.
"Professor Wang, I've long heard of your reputation."
The leader spoke solemnly: "I'm Zhao Lin, head of the Third Investigation Team of Lan City's Aberrant Purge Division. We owe you thanks for overseeing this—otherwise the consequences could have been terrible."
Wang Mingyuan smiled faintly: "Director Zhao, you're too polite. I'm only doing my duty."
Wang Mingyuan pondered for a moment: "Understood. What do you need?"
"If possible, we'd like you and your students to assist us with a simple record."
Zhao Lin's tone was earnest: "We hope you'll cooperate."
Wang Mingyuan pushed up his glasses: "That's fine, but my students just went through intense combat and need to receive medical checks first."
"Of course! We brought a field medical team with us and can arrange that immediately," Zhao Lin replied at once. "Also, we've set up a temporary rest area that won't interfere with anyone's recovery."
Wang Mingyuan nodded slightly: "Then I'll trouble Director Zhao."
Zhao Lin, grateful, said: "All right, please continue your work. I'll send someone over to coordinate the specifics—if you need anything, tell us at any time."
Wang Mingyuan watched Zhao Lin leave, then turned to his students: "You all heard that? Go and make a simple record. Tell the truth and that's it. Liu Ziming, especially you—watch your wording."
Liu Ziming curled his lips: "Got it. Just means don't crack jokes randomly."
"Professor Wang is truly respected out there," Xu Hao said in admiration.
Su Zhan thought the same.
The head of Lan City's Aberrant Purge Division—if not second to none, then surely above almost everyone else.
Yet Wang Mingyuan didn't have to put on airs. Just standing there made the division chief behave respectfully.
Strength and status—those are the passports in this world.
After that,
once they'd gone through checks and treatment,
they arrived at Lan City's Aberrant Purge Division.
Wang Mingyuan and five others sat along one side of a long table.
Opposite them were Zhao Lin and two recorders.
The room was softly lit; a surveillance device in the corner blinked red.
Zhao Lin opened a file and tapped the paper lightly with his finger: "First, based on survivor descriptions, there appeared an Aberrant wearing a firefighter's mask within the Mist. It actively hunted Mist creatures, which effectively protected everyone indirectly. Do you confirm this?"
The four exchanged glances.
"Yes."
Xu Hao spoke: "I saw him with my own eyes in the corridor on the thirtieth floor—he tore apart two Voyeurs. He saw me, too, but completely ignored me."
"That guy was fierce!" Liu Ziming gestured with his hands: "One claw swipe like that and he ripped open the Voyeur's sac right away."
Zhao Lin recorded as he spoke: "Second question: according to records, the Aberrant you encountered in the Mist incident at Vermilion Bird City looks extremely similar to this one—scales, bipedal posture. Could it be the same individual?"
Feng Jue said calmly: "Similarity is over eighty percent. The only difference is this time it had a tail, but the core behavior pattern is consistent—prioritizing attacks on Mist creatures."
"A third anomaly," Zhao Lin frowned. "The Voyeur corpse that Professor Wang killed was intact, yet the other Voyeur bodies all disappeared. This matches your previous report where an Aberrant in an Ultraman-like helmet appeared at the scene."
The group nodded again.
Zhao Lin closed the file and looked at Wang Mingyuan: "Professor, there's one more detail we need you to verify."
He signaled an assistant to pull up surveillance footage.
"The camera shows that you had just left the hotel area on your way to pick up Dean Li when the Mist descended. Isn't that timing a bit too coincidental?"
Zhao Lin lowered his voice: "Do you think... Dean Li might be involved in this incident? Would you be willing to...?"
"Director Zhao, I don't think the why matters," Wang Mingyuan interlaced his fingers on the table. "Dean Li being a suspect is a fact, and your division has the obligation to investigate."
Zhao Lin froze.
He had expected Wang Mingyuan to be passionate about the matter—seeking revenge, hunting down the culprit.
But instead, Wang replied so calmly.
He added: "But if—if you fail to find results and let the culprit go free..."
"We're at Vermilion Bird Academy for the exchange in Lan City," Wang Mingyuan smiled lightly. "After the competition, we'll naturally leave Lan City. How much longer will the mastermind stay here?"
Zhao Lin snapped to his feet: "Professor Wang! This concerns the safety of the entire city!"
Wang Mingyuan said evenly: "Which is all the more reason for you to hurry. I've already handed over call records and other evidence. I've told you everything I can tell you. You're not seriously asking me to join your investigation, are you?"
Zhao Lin was momentarily at a loss for words.
His expression shifted repeatedly before he finally sighed: "Professor Wang, you're right. We'll handle the rest from here."
"Mm."
Wang Mingyuan nodded and beckoned to Su Zhan and the others: "Let's go. Rest up properly."
Su Zhan and the others stood.
Under Zhao Lin and his team's gazes, they left the Aberrant Purge Division.
They walked out through the division's front doors.
Liu Ziming couldn't hold it in any longer: "Professor, what did you mean just now? If Dean Li really has a problem, are we just walking away?"
Wang Mingyuan's eyes were deep.
Su Zhan glanced back at the Aberrant Purge Division building as it receded and explained for him: "They're passing the buck."
"Huh?"
Liu Ziming looked confused.
"Zhao Lin appears respectful but is actually digging a trap," Su Zhan quickened his pace and fell into step with the others. "First, Vermilion Bird Academy would be overstepping local jurisdiction unless it applies upward. Second, this is fundamentally the Aberrant Purge Division's responsibility—they're just sharing the blame. Third, if Professor Wang agrees and the investigation turns up nothing, it plants a time bomb. When that time bomb explodes, Professor Wang will be held responsible."
Xu Hao suddenly understood: "So that's why Professor emphasized finishing the competition and leaving..."
"We've already done what we can," Su Zhan said, looking at Wang Mingyuan ahead of them. "Even if we investigate, it'll be done privately, so the responsibility won't fall on us. We aren't saints—why should we shoulder every mess? We'll stick to our own responsibilities."
"Don't misunderstand me, Su Zhan," Wang Mingyuan laughed and denied the accusation.
But with his expression,
none of them believed a single word.
Seeing his students' reactions, Wang Mingyuan put away his smile and spoke solemnly: "If we have solid evidence, I'll go claim the credit. But right now, I have no proof tying the mastermind to anything. Investigating covertly is safer. Politics is much more troublesome than cultivation."