When Bai Pu and the others stepped onto the magic teleportation array to return, Dai Sect did not return to the academy but left.

The reason given to the natives was that the protection task had been completed, and next, he planned to travel around the continent.

He did share the truth with Bai Pu.

"My main quest has been completed, and the remaining stay time is also limited. It’s hard to trigger the next stage of the main quest in the academy... I plan to stay in the Red Sand Tribe to see if there are any side quests here."

At Dai Sect’s current level of strength, the Advanced Spirit Realm gives little to no help for his growth. Only the top native powers, or those beyond the norm, usually existing only in the "background," can offer him guidance and improvement.

Maybe Principal Bosh counts as one. This time Dai Sect managed to increase Bosh’s favorability by doing quests and gaining some reputation.

Dai Sect planned to stay in the Red Sand Tribe, apparently seeing potential guidance from Demon God Salajael’s will.

The Awakened generally have flexible moral boundaries. Someone like Dai Sect, although he is a teacher at Garrison Academy, wouldn’t refuse joining Salajael’s camp if there are benefits.

Besides, this place might become a crucial battlefield for Demon Fighting: Battle Academy World.

The sudden rise of the Red Sand Camp (let’s call it that for now) will undoubtedly lead to expansion, surely clashing with other forces in the Istan Desert and even the surrounding small countries and city-states.

Based on the Spirit Realm Will’s temperament, the expansion route of the Red Sand Camp is bound to encounter tough opposition, such as a hero from a nearby city-state who rallies the people to resist.

This hero is certainly favored by World Waymark Power, akin to a protagonist of the realm.

Even without such a hero, top figures from Lorich and Garrison’s two great academies might get involved. After all, the Twin Star Continent is the most prosperous and peaceful among the three continents, deeply connected to the presence of the two academies.

This also reflects the disposition of the top figures from the two academies, who lean towards order and peace, naturally opposing the Red Sand Camp.

Bai Pu bid farewell to Dai Sect and immediately stepped into the teleportation light gate.

...

Garrison City, inside a basement.

"Beifeng Elder, the plan to assassinate Gangxin failed this time, Dai Sect intervened." Celestial Wolf and Xilou stood respectfully before an Awakened hidden in the shadows.

A slightly hoarse voice sounded, "It doesn’t matter. As long as Gangxin stays in the Mid-level Spirit Realm, the alliance has no good way to handle him. But with this Spirit Realm Will’s recruitment order forcing him into the Advanced Spirit Realm... it seems the heavens wish for his demise. It’s a trivial matter to eliminate him."

Celestial Wolf hesitated but finally gritted his teeth and said, "It seems Gangxin has made some breakthrough."

"An Awakened who just reached Level 6 can’t cause much trouble even with some breakthrough."

The hoarse voice said dismissively, "Gangxin is just a minor issue. The alliance’s plan in the Demon Fighting World is of utmost importance. We can’t be distracted. Xilou!"

Xilou shivered and responded loudly.

"You and Celestial Wolf were too reckless this time, attempting an assassination in front of important natives! The alliance put great effort into getting you a position at Garrison Academy, and this is how you act?"

Xilou, with a bitter expression, pleaded guilty.

"Hmph, save your pleas. I only care about results! Can you still get people into the academy?" the hoarse voice questioned.

"From the regular route, it’s definitely not possible... However, I’ve carefully studied the academy’s guard post distribution and know the weak points of the alert magic array! Sneaking a few people in should be no problem."

"Alright then! This plan is significant. If you succeed, losing your position as deputy director of Garrison Academy is a minor issue. But if you fail, the consequences will be severe for both failures!"

...

"Finally back."

Bai Pu, Tom, and Oshana stepped out of the teleportation array, arriving in familiar Garrison City.

Seeing the architectural style of the Eastern Plains, so different from the desert region, along with the lush green woodlands in the distant hills, Tom and Oshana felt a sense of nostalgia.

Bai Pu was more composed. As an Awakened, his perspective was naturally much broader than that of the natives.

The three returned to the academy, first heading to the academic office to submit their assignment.

They didn’t meet Principal Bosh this time, as he was reportedly out for business.

Fortunately, the academy’s reward system for quests is sanctioned by the academic office and distributed by the general affairs office, functioning smoothly even in the principal’s absence.

After verifying the "Lost Staff," the academic office issued them a certificate. Armed with it, the three went to the general affairs office to claim their reward.

Mr. Afre, the first deputy director of the general affairs office, happily approved their entry into the Demon God’s Underground Palace as a reward, advising them to rest and prepare for their entry the next day.

Tom and Oshana then reported on their journey, especially highlighting Deputy Director Simli’s betrayal.

Afre took this seriously. He had the authority to deal with such traitorous issues.

Because the chief director of the general affairs office is an acclaimed continental strongman—Sword Saint Joe Finley, who usually roams the continent; the director title is more honorary, with actual duties handled by Afre, the first deputy director.

Due to the serious nature of the issue, Afre couldn’t just rely on one side of the story, so he sent a letter to the political education office, temporarily freezing Deputy Director Simli’s authority, followed by the dispatch of a skilled team from the political education office to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Bai Pu returned to his student dormitory.

This dormitory was temporarily allocated to the top student of Class Four, Year One—meaning Tom’s single room. As an interim student, Bai Pu had no vacant room, so the general affairs office, after consulting Tom, arranged for Bai Pu to stay here.

Tom was more than happy, being the kind of person who admires strength, respecting strong and gifted individuals while holding contempt for the weak. To him, Bai Pu perfectly met the standard of the strong.

Bai Pu had spent many days diligently studying in the Secret Collection Hall, and now he finally had time to rest properly in the dormitory.

While resting, Bai Pu inquired with Tom.

It was about the issue of the Seed of Magic Power. He currently had two items that could serve as the Seed of Magic Power—one was the "Sandstorm Core" dropped by the Sandstorm Mage, and the other was the Earth Dragon Bead obtained from Brahma Heaven Domain.

The Earth Dragon Bead, whether in origin or rarity, far surpassed the Sandstorm Core, undoubtedly.

However, the Earth Dragon Bead was only of Earth Attribute, whereas the Sandstorm Core was a balance of Earth and Wind Attributes.

Should he use the Earth Dragon Bead as the Seed of Magic Power, or should he use the Sandstorm Core?