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 some experts and scholars specializing in related research, apart from the Superior/Inferior theory, were very interested in the "special cosmic energy" Guan Tong mentioned.

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 assessments.

For a time, many video clips of Guan Tong's lecture appeared online. Some special personnel from special departments also began to pay particular attention to Guan Tong.

Even the Doomsday Rules Countermeasures Research Office received inquiry letters requesting the background investigation materials from when Guan Tong joined the academy.

Upon receiving the request, Gao Liangwei immediately 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 men, this level of achievement was still quite a significant gap.

After the Fire Thief appeared, Guan Tong's record became even "cleaner." Especially after the nation implemented wartime management, not a single shelter or gathering point had ever registered his name or identity information.

This undoubtedly indicated that after wartime management 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 entanglement in that serial kidnapping case targeting High Mind Power Individuals. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"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 time 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 moment 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 time that "Shadow" intended to carry out vigilante justice rather than staging a rescue, which later became the official assessment as well.

Because "Shadow" had formed 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 some thoughts.

This Guan Tong had stayed in the wild the entire time 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 some previously ordinary people had risen to prominence. But for Guan Tong to go from an ordinary high school student to having the capability to become an academy lecturer just over a year later was undoubtedly a massive leap.

Moreover, the fact that Shi Jingyi would recommend this person also indicated that the two were relatively familiar and had likely maintained contact.

Gao Liangwei pondered for a moment, then picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, is this Section Chief Li Meng? This is Gao Liangwei."

"I'm contacting you to inquire about an old matter. Section Chief Li, do you remember when you were serving as the head of the Police Department in Yunhua, a high school student named '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 me. I'd like to understand the specifics."

After hanging up, Gao Liangwei thought for a moment, then dialed another number.

"Hello, is this Dean Zhou? This is Gao Liangwei from the Countermeasures Research Office."

"I'd like to inquire about the situation regarding that Lecturer Guan Tong who came 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 mention to him and see if he has any interest in working for an official department after leaving the academy?"

"Yes, no need to mention me, just say an important official department wishes to invite him. Regardless of his reply, please inform me 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 me?"

"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 become famous. And I also feel there might be some 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 something 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 mercenary?"

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 roamed the wilds, and even fewer Ascendants with rich combat experience.

To put it in a somewhat 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 moment 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 time and even met 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 meet Guan Tong once. Afterwards, Silver Fox documented the entire process."

"So, that Chen Na should have some 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 some problem?"

"It's hard to say at the moment," 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 recommended 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" meant. 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 become 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 arrangements then."

...

The news of Shi Jingyi's return quickly spread throughout the academy.

The students were excited one after another. After all, many had come 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 some thought into it.

He specifically used his connections to arrange several tables of freshly stir-fried hot dishes and some 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 moments of deep emotion, some 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 meetings, 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 become acquainted through a clash. Here's to the hero emerging 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 demeanor.

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 came over and said with concern, "Teacher Guan, don't forget to come 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 time about your plans after leaving the academy. You said you weren't sure yet?"

"Mm, still undecided at the moment."

Guan Tong definitely wouldn't tell anyone other than Shi Jingyi about his intention to go "collect debts."

"Are you interested in official departments?"

"Official departments?"

"That's right, and an important one at that! Someone specifically asked me to mention 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 department specifically asking the dean to recruit me? And an "important" one?

Guan Tong felt someone 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 department to work for the time being," Guan Tong replied.