An explosion from the Ultimate Form erupted, more terrifying than Leslie's previous self-detonation, creating a shockwave that swept in all directions, forming a horrific storm.
Dense smoke and dust spread for thousands of meters, completely shrouding everything.
However, the Golden Giant Bird lightly flapped its wings, generating a fierce wind that blew away the swirling gray dust.
Yet, at the bottom of the pit, Xiar had long since vanished. A deep hole appeared in its place, the cave having completely collapsed, burying the underground passage.
A massive turtle with a shell diameter of over ten meters lay across the cave, utterly lifeless. It had previously shielded the Golden Winged Bird from the subsequent attack and the terrifying explosion caused by Moon Child's self-detonation.
The sun-blocking Golden Giant Bird disappeared, and from the sky descended an elderly man with graying hair and a hunched back.
His eyes were filled with the weight of time, having witnessed the flow of countless years. He naturally exuded an aura of authority, reminiscent of an unparalleled emperor.
"Director." Bean approached and bowed respectfully.
This elder was none other than the founder of Morent Academy, a genuine Fourth-Level Spirit Master and the master of the Disaster God Beast Winged Bird—a truly invincible powerhouse.
Yet he appeared so frail, as if on the brink of death; even his formidable presence could not conceal the decay that surrounded him.
"I returned late..." Dean Stuart surveyed his surroundings and sighed.
Looking around, he saw nothing but ruins; the entire Central Laboratory had been utterly destroyed by the battle of Tier Three Experts. Not a single intact brick could be found.
The Central Laboratory had consumed hundreds of billions in resources. Without loans from the Atlantis City-States Alliance and contributions from various Extended Families, it would have been impossible to construct.
Within it were hundreds of Rune Factories, various high-precision experimental machines, experimental materials transported from around the world, and numerous inventions—altogether worth far more than an ordinary kingdom!
But now, it was nearly completely destroyed, with only a small part remaining.
Most importantly, many of the experimental personnel inside had died tragically on the spot. The loss of talent meant that even if the laboratory were to be rebuilt at great expense, it would be difficult to restore its former glory.
Moreover, in the distance, the residential area had been utterly devastated by those suddenly emerging insects; all the houses, trees, and flowers had been destroyed and consumed.
Some Spirit Masters and Students who were hiding in their homes could not escape in time and were completely devoured by the insects. It was roughly estimated that at least a hundred people lost their lives in this disaster.
This was the most severe loss since the establishment of Morent, even shaking its very foundations.
It was foreseeable that many families would definitely join forces to exert pressure, seizing the opportunity to expand their share.
However, the academy had to rely on these greedy wolves for assistance; otherwise, there would be no funds even for reconstruction.
“Director, it is my responsibility; I failed to protect the academy,” Bean said as he deeply lowered his head.
He had originally thought that it was just a rebellion by Leslie, which could be easily suppressed, and he could take the opportunity to cleanse the Central Laboratory, rooting out those hidden spies.
But in this world, there are always unforeseen events that can lead to complete miscalculations.
Even someone as powerful as Isaac had fallen completely, crushed to death by a group of Ultimate Forms!
When did Ultimate Forms start appearing in groups?
He had thought that having successfully acquired three Ultimate Forms after expending most of his family's resources made him a top-tier Tier Three Expert.
But the other party actually possessed seven totems, including a particularly rare spiritual totem, which was simply unimaginable!
A mere Tier Three Expert had withstood two attacks from the Golden Winged Bird without dying, and in the end, even detonated an Ultimate Form to escape.
At the last moment, being able to waste two Ultimate Forms to flee under the attack of a Disaster Beast demonstrated just how incredibly powerful the opponent was!
"Half Totem Beasts... It seems it's the True God Cult again!" The director's mental energy swept over the giant turtle's corpse, instantly discerning its origin.
"The True God Cult, those lunatics have gone too far. We must continue to dismantle their terrifying plans. Otherwise, if they really open the Source Gate, no one will be able to bear the consequences!" Bean said solemnly.
The director shook his head, "Do you think I don't want to? It's because the Harrison Empire tacitly allows their development; otherwise, how could they possibly continue to exist?"
"Why?" Bean exclaimed in shock, hearing such secrets for the first time.
This was the True God Cult, responsible for countless horrific incidents over hundreds of years. The number of ordinary people massacred exceeded a million; they were a common enemy of all empires and kingdoms in this world.
But now, he was hearing that it was the Harrison Empire that allowed them to develop—wasn't that too unreal?
"You don't understand... Bean, do your best to gather the students and clean up the aftermath. Morent Academy cannot come to an end like this; our future will surely be even more brilliant!"
After giving this instruction, the director summoned a giant bird and flew towards the Southwest, where another Ultimate Form was fleeing. They had to rescue Gafiel, who had been captured.
Once he left, Bean looked at his hunched figure and suddenly a series of thoughts flashed through his mind.
It was said that the Source Gate connected to the origin of the world, from which all Source Artifacts flowed. All Source Crystals were also energy leaks from it, slowly gathering across various parts of this world.
It is said that within the Source Gate lies unimaginable Treasure, capable of exponentially enhancing a Spirit Master's power and allowing totems to undergo Super Evolution directly!
Rumor has it that entering the Source Gate grants one—immortality!
Could it be...
He did not wish to dwell on it further and began to use his source techniques to retrieve the Main Totem.
This time, his Golden Monkey Totem Beast had suffered severe injuries and would require a significant amount of time and resources to recover. Repairing an injured Ultimate Form was no small feat, as only a Master Cartographer could mend it.
Next, he found himself completely engulfed in busyness. Aside from the academy's headmaster, he was the only one left in charge. The other surviving Third-Level Spirit Master had long since fallen into a coma after their Main Totem was destroyed.
Clark, Isaac, Joseph, not to mention the self-destructing Leslie and Gafiel, who had been captured by the Ultimate Totem Beast—Morent Academy had effectively lost five Third-Level Spirit Masters in one fell swoop!
Third-Level Spirit Masters are considered absolute elites within any faction, and such a terrifying loss had shaken the very foundation of Morent Academy.
Could the academy truly rise again?
His thoughts began to waver, but upon raising his gaze to the towering giant tree that pierced the sky, Bean's eyes were filled with determination—
This academy cannot be destroyed by anyone; I will protect it at the cost of my life!
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