Chapter 12 — From Ruins to the Dharma Lord's Throne

After the incident at the final match, Tinh Quang Academy fell into a state of hidden tension for many days. The academy council organized an internal investigation, but whoever was behind the incident seemed to have covered its tracks too sophisticatedly to be able to find direct clues.

Dịch Phàm and Tuyết Nhi, instead of waiting for the results of the official investigation, began their own investigation in parallel. In the private research room that Director Hầu Đạt Sơn allowed them to use, the two spent many nights analyzing the strange formation code that had been extracted from the central control machine.

"This trace of evil energy is not simply a coincidence," Tuyết Nhi said, her fingers gliding over the complex symbols copied on a stone tablet. "This formation structure requires direct access to the central control machine — something that only high-ranking members of the academy council can access without detection."

"So that means the traitor is one of the elders," Dịch Phàm said, his voice heavy.

"Yes, but we need concrete evidence before we can charge anyone," Tuyết Nhi replied, her eyes serious. "If we act hastily without solid evidence, not only will we be in trouble, but the real traitor will also have the opportunity to erase all traces and continue to hide."

During the investigation, the two gradually narrowed down a number of potential suspects in the academy council, of which Nhạc Vĩnh Tuyên emerged as the most suspicious name — not only because he was the main person in charge of that year's spiritual awakening exam and was always openly uncomfortable with Dịch Phàm's awakening, but also because his travel schedule on the night before the finals had a period of time that could not be clearly verified.

But when Dịch Phàm and Tuyết Nhi presented these doubts to Director Hầu Đạt Sơn, he just shook his head, his face heavy.

"I also doubt Nhạc Vĩnh Tuyên," he admitted, his voice low. "But he is a long-time elder, with close ties to many famous men on the continent. If we act without solid evidence, not only will we not be able to punish him, but we may also cause a major political crisis within the academy, weakening ourselves against an enemy lurking outside."

"So what should we do?" Dịch Phàm asked, unable to hide his frustration.

"We wait, and continue to collect evidence," Hầu Đạt Sơn replied. "In the meantime, I advise you two to focus on preparing for the journey ahead. If the Dark Alliance has truly installed people in the academy, it proves that they are closely monitoring your every move, Dịch Phàm. You need a reliable team by your side, not just Tuyết Nhi."

That advice made Dịch Phàm think a lot in the following days. He remembered the faces he had encountered during the past journey — Hùng Bạt Sơn, his loyal friend since his days at Te Ban Hospital; Nhan Tịch Dao, the opponent who showed respect after the match at the tournament; and a few other faces that he had gradually gotten to know during his time studying at the Main District.

He decided to go to Bạt Sơn first. His close friend, although his Earth spiritual roots are not outstanding, his physical strength and absolute loyalty are what Dịch Phàm believes in most in the world.

"You want me to join you on your journey to find your parents?" Bạt Sơn asked, his eyes lit up with excitement when listening to Dịch Phàm's presentation. "Of course I agree! We are brothers, no matter how dangerous it is, I will go with you."

Next, Dịch Phàm found Nhan Tịch Dao, who still had a bit of a prickly attitude but no longer despised him like before.

"You want me to join your team?" She raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms over her chest. "After losing to you in the tournament, I promised myself that I would find a way to repay that debt of honor. But if we are to accompany you on such a great journey, I think, proving myself alongside you is not bad. Okay, I agree."

The fourth person that Dịch Phàm found was Bạch Nhược Đông, a quiet girl from a small, decaying family, possessing strong Ice spiritual roots but always keeping her distance from other students in the Main Area. He had heard Tuyết Nhi mention her as one of the students with the most discipline and remarkable potential in the class, even though she rarely showed it.

"Why did you choose me?" Nhược Đông asked, her voice cold but her eyes clearly showing curiosity.

"Because we need people who are trustworthy, have real strength, and are willing to fight for what is right, not for fame," Dịch Phàm answered frankly. "Tuyết Nhi said you're one of the few people here who truly deserves both of those things." Nhược Đông was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Okay. I will participate."

Finally, the fifth person to join the group was Đông Vũ Khanh, a teenager with Wind spiritual roots, famous in the Main District for his ability to calculate tactics that were sharp beyond his years, even though he was not physically the strongest.

"I heard you're gathering a team to take on the Dark Alliance," Vũ Khanh said when Dịch Phàm came, his eyes sparkling with interest. "It sounds like a crazy plan, but that's why I want to participate. I can help you make battle plans, analyze situations, and avoid unnecessary traps."

When all five people — Dịch Phàm, Tuyết Nhi, Bạt Sơn, Tịch Dao, Nhược Đông and Vũ Khanh — gathered for the first time in their private study room, a strange feeling of connection spread in the space, as if each of them, despite their different backgrounds and different personalities, were finding a common purpose greater than themselves.

"From today," Dịch Phàm said, standing in front of the group, his voice filled with determination but unable to hide his deep gratitude, "we will face whatever challenges lie ahead together. I don't know where this road will lead us, but I promise to always stand by your side, just as you chose to stand by me."

"So," Tuyết Nhi spoke up, her eyes scanning each member of the group, "what's our next step? We need more clues about the exact location of Dịch Phàm's parents before we can go further." Đông Vũ Khanh, who spent many nights researching ancient documents in the academy library, spoke up. "I found an old record, mentioning a ruin called the Ancient God Ruins, located much deeper than the Desolate Mausoleum Ruins, near the Borderline Tàn Dạ area. From what I read, this may be where the true secrets of the old battle, and perhaps, of Black Flame's plans are kept."

Dịch Phàm clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with a new light of determination. "Then that's where we're going next."

"Wait," Nhược Đông spoke up, her voice calm but cautious. "The Ancient God Ruins are located near the Border of the Dark Night, that is, near the area of influence of the Dark Alliance. We cannot just rush into it hastily. We need to have a specific plan, we need to know the terrain clearly, and we need to prepare a plan to retreat if we encounter danger beyond our ability."

"Nhược Đông is right." Vũ Khanh nodded in agreement. "I will take the time to research more about the terrain of that area, and contact some of my family's old sources to get more intelligence. We cannot repeat the mistake of the troops that went missing when exploring the border area without careful preparation."

Hùng Bạt Sơn patted his chest confidently. "No matter what the plan is, I will always be on the front lines protecting everyone. That is my promise."

Nhan Tịch Dao crossed her arms, her eyes blazing with determination. "Me too. I didn't join this team just to stand by and watch."

Dịch Phàm looked around at the enthusiastic faces of his new teammates, a feeling of warmth and deep gratitude welled up in his heart. Just a few months ago, he was a loner with no one paying attention. Now, he was standing among a group of people willing to risk their lives for him, for a common goal that was greater than any of them.

"So let's take the time to prepare carefully," he said, his voice firm. "I don't want any of you to be in danger because of my haste."

Tuyết Nhi stood next to him, smiling slightly. "That's the Tần Dịch Phàm I know — strong but never reckless with the lives of others." She turned to the group. "We will spend at least a month practicing cooperative combat, carefully researching information about the Ancient God Ruins, before actually setting out. No one is allowed to be subjective." The whole group nodded in unison, and from that moment, six people with different backgrounds, personalities and strengths officially became a cohesive group, sharing the same goal, and being ready to face any danger that lay ahead on the road to finding the truth about the ancient Tàn Dạ battle.