Chapter 153 Probing

Li Xiuxiang said, "Since he is a demonic cultivator, he must possess many sinister techniques. Concealing his true strength would be no great feat, and his earlier display was likely intentional, meant to create an illusion of frivolity."

Le Kai gave a bitter smile and replied, "That’s probably true. Otherwise, no matter how weak a demonic cultivator who has seized another’s body might be, he wouldn’t act like that."

Li Xiuxiang frowned in confusion. "Aren’t demonic cultivators supposed to hide in the shadows and bide their time? Why is Xi Bao so conspicuous?"

"Perhaps because this place is remote, Xi Bao doesn’t think his identity will be exposed, so he acts without fear," Le Kai mused.

Images of Xi Bao flashed through Le Kai’s mind, stirring doubts. Yet he was certain about one thing: the Bloodstain Blade was on Xi Bao. He could even feel the blade’s malevolent hatred emanating from it. Thinking of the crimes committed by that blade, Le Kai felt an overwhelming urge to destroy it immediately.

Lanska expressed concern, "Xiao Kai, although you’re now a one-star expert, are you truly confident about facing Xi Bao?"

Le Kai was candid, "Not even ten percent confident." Yet no trace of fear showed on his face. "Regardless, demonic cultivators should not exist in this world, especially those who have seized others’ bodies to be reborn. If they are allowed to flourish, who knows how many innocents will suffer. This battle, whatever the outcome, will expose his identity. So at worst, it will be mutual destruction. What do I have to fear?"

Li Xiuxiang was moved, looking at Le Kai with admiration. "Le Kai, I didn’t expect you to possess such a chivalrous spirit. Truly admirable."

"Chivalrous spirit? No, I simply cannot tolerate the trampling of life. The strong preying on the weak is the way of nature, but every life deserves respect. What demonic cultivators do goes entirely against the natural order and must not be condoned."

Le Kai felt no particular sentiment about chivalry; he simply could not bear to see life so desecrated.

Lanska pondered, "This matter must be reported to the principal. Le Kai, this is no longer a matter of youthful pride. Let the elders handle it."

Yue Ka was taken aback. "The elders?"

"Yes. Not only the Xi family and Hua family have experts; our Lan family does as well."

Le Kai chuckled, "I wonder what true level of power Principal Lan Kai possesses?"

Lanska smiled confidently, "Destroying the Xi and Hua families would be as easy as turning your hand."

Le Kai was genuinely surprised. Though he knew Lan Kai was formidable, he never imagined him to be so extraordinary. From the strength already displayed by the Xi family, it was clear their foundation was deep. Yet Principal Lan Kai could easily annihilate both families—a truly terrifying thought.

Li Xiuxiang looked at Lanska with some concern. "It’s well known that the venerable Lan Kai is an exceptionally powerful master, one of the rare elite in our era. But in recent years, hasn’t he been... how much strength can he actually display in real combat?"

Clearly, Li Xiuxiang knew Lan Kai well, even certain secrets about him, which Le Kai was hearing for the first time.

Lanska sighed. "This isn’t exactly a secret. Almost everyone in Lichen Star knows."

"Then what is the secret?" Le Kai was intrigued.

"Thirty years ago, Lan Kai wasn’t the principal of the Azure Star Noble Academy. He was the dean of the ‘Genius Academy’ in Lichen Star," Lanska said, revealing a startling fact. The Genius Academy was a super academy dedicated to nurturing prodigies, competing for seats at the capital star’s ‘God of War Academy’—a crucial part of the entire Li family’s power structure.

As dean, Lan Kai was highly valued by the Li family. For such a top-level academy dean to leave and take up a post on a declining planet, and only as the head of a mere district, there must be a story behind that—no fool would believe otherwise.

"Lan Kai was once a three-star warrior, capable of causing mountain collapses and earthquakes with a wave of his hand—an exaggeration, perhaps, but his terrifying power of 500,000 Anke easily destroyed skyscrapers. Ordinary firearms were useless against him. He could even battle mechanized warriors of the Jiama Empire in space. He had reached the pinnacle of human potential. Yet such a powerful figure chose to retire."

Lanska sighed again. "He retired because he offended a terrifying enemy. This enemy was peculiar—though he had the chance to kill Lan Kai, he didn’t. Instead, he left with only a single sentence. Because of that sentence, Lan Kai has hidden himself ever since, unwilling to reveal even the slightest trace of his presence."

Le Kai asked in astonishment, "Who exactly is this person? Just one sentence made a three-star expert retreat for decades?"

Remember, a three-star warrior with 500,000 Anke is a top-tier master even in the entire Wolf Empire. For someone’s words to cause such a retreat, their strength must be extraordinary.

Even Li Xiuxiang looked at Lanska expectantly, curious what was said.

Lanska smiled wryly. "That, I’m afraid, you’ll have to ask Principal Lan Kai yourself. Everyone knows Lan Kai retired because of this person, but only the principal knows the full story."

Le Kai was somewhat disappointed. "Very well. I suppose when the time is right, the principal will reveal it. After all, it concerns his dignity. It wouldn’t be proper for us to pry further."

Li Xiuxiang smiled, "Le brother, you are truly considerate. I admire you."

Yet beneath the words was a hint of disappointment. The mystery of Lan Kai’s retirement was one of Lichen Star’s top ten secrets. To learn it first would have been a great boon.

As Li Xiuxiang despaired, Le Kai leaned in and whispered, "Principal Lan Kai is very prideful. Would he reveal such a humiliating matter? If we keep probing, it’s like rubbing salt in his wounds. That’s too cruel. That old man looks pitiful enough as it is."

Li Xiuxiang nearly burst out laughing, staring incredulously at Le Kai’s mischievous grin. His thoughts struggled to keep pace with the boy’s unpredictable nature. When serious, Le Kai was utterly mature beyond his years, but when playful, he was exasperating. To dare joke about Principal Lan Kai—such boldness was almost unprecedented. Even the Li family patriarch, ruler of countless colonies, treated the principal with utmost respect.

Lanska pinched his nose, pretending not to have heard Le Kai’s words, silently praying the principal hadn’t overheard.

Suddenly, a powerful, resonant voice thundered through the chamber, growing from a whisper to an ear-splitting roar—typical of Principal Lan Kai’s style.

Lanska and Li Xiuxiang grimaced, instinctively covering their ears. The chamber was small; such an explosion of sound was truly painful.

Only Le Kai looked innocent and surprised. "Uncle Lan, didn’t you say this place blocks all detection and is completely secret? Why is there such a terrifying noise? My ears nearly got blown out."

Lanska smiled awkwardly. "I did say that, but Lan Kai’s power is profound. The chamber can’t contain him."

"How can that be?" Le Kai protested angrily. "No matter how strong, you shouldn’t eavesdrop so sneakily!"

Neither Lanska nor Li Xiuxiang expected Le Kai to show no reverence for Lan Kai upon learning his identity. Instead, he openly criticized the principal’s behavior. Li Xiuxiang didn’t know what hidden cards Le Kai held, but such courage was rare indeed.

Lan Kai was known to be somewhat narcissistic and extremely prideful. Few dared speak out against him, except a few peers. Yet Le Kai not only spoke but openly rebuked him—this was not mere boldness; it was reckless.

Le Kai might be the first to call Lan Kai sneaky so bluntly.

A cold sweat broke out on Lanska’s forehead. Why did Le Kai keep provoking Lan Kai? What was his purpose?

Lan Kai’s voice boomed, "Hmph, are you satisfied now? You truly surprise me. Boy, I will keep a close eye on Xi Bao. Meanwhile, prepare yourself well for the duel. Though Xi Bao is likely a demonic cultivator, the common people don’t know and shouldn’t be told. No one will help you. Do your best. If you survive, I’ll settle scores with you later."

Li Xiuxiang and Lanska were dumbfounded. The usually petty and vindictive principal chose to endure Le Kai’s provocations and said no more.

Li Xiuxiang looked at Le Kai as if seeing him for the first time. Given his cultivation and temperament, this expression of shock was telling.

Lanska once again silently gave his idol professor a perfect score. The professor was truly a god, and his student was equally remarkable, capable of feats unimaginable to ordinary people.

But Le Kai’s expression was grave, unable to conceal his seriousness.

He had just discovered the true extent of the principal’s power—and it was a disappointing figure.

With Le Kai’s psychic strength beyond two stars, he could cover the entire scene and extend thousands of meters to monitor the whole building unnoticed.

Principal Lan Kai’s psychic power was similar, overseeing the entire building, but it was more primitive—not as flexible or versatile as Le Kai’s ‘Phantom God Technique.’ Though stronger than Le Kai in raw power, he could not detect Le Kai at all.

Le Kai’s actions were meant to probe how much power Lan Kai could truly wield.

But the reality was discouraging. The principal could not unleash the strength of a true three-star master, at best reaching late entry-level two-star, with under 200,000 Anke. This was still formidable but against a demonic cultivator? Xi Bao’s displayed power was nearly one-star mastery, close to completion, with about 70,000 Anke. And with the Bloodstain Blade’s battle domain, his strength would at least double. Moreover, as a demonic cultivator, he surely had many hidden tricks. Anyone would know he was concealing power.

At this moment, the one more shocked than Li Xiuxiang and Lanska was Principal Lan Kai himself.

Standing atop a skyscraper’s rooftop, overlooking the city like a phantom drifting in the night wind, his eyes showed a rare seriousness.

"This boy is truly remarkable. His one-star power and psychic strength can rival my three-star level? I never expected that the Wolf Empire would produce such a gifted prodigy again. This youth has every reason to be proud."

His gaze fixed on a distant location—the Xi residence.

"Xi Bao, are you truly a demonic cultivator reborn by body snatching? If so, unless the seal is broken, he can’t be dealt with. Well then, if it comes to that, I cannot stand by and watch a prodigy skilled in both martial and spiritual arts fall. Perhaps this will be the only good deed I do for the Lan family’s descendants."

A sharp glint flashed in Lan Kai’s eyes, like a tangible spotlight tearing through the fog, sending a faint killing intent radiating through the night sky.

The subsequent banquet, missing several key figures, felt dull. The finely dressed young nobles were full of complaints, especially toward Le Kai, blaming him for ruining the event. If not for this wild boy’s interference, the most promising prodigy in Central China City might have noticed them.

But Le Kai never cared about the nobles’ opinions. These sycophants were opportunistic and unscrupulous—the kind of people Le Kai despised most and had no intention of associating with.

The situation was grim, and Le Kai was far from happy.

"Xianxian sister, can you check all recent homicide cases in Central China City?"

Sister Xianxian asked, "Brother, do you suspect Xi Bao is using ordinary people as fodder for the blade?"

Le Kai nodded. "You’ve seen it too. Xi Bao is cruel and reckless. He wouldn’t care about ordinary lives. To let the Bloodstain Blade grow quickly, the best method is to kill and torment victims, letting them die in extreme terror, which the blade then absorbs."

Xianxian responded, "If that’s so, we should check missing person cases. Those consumed by the Bloodstain Blade leave no trace, no corpse, so there’d be no homicide records."

Le Kai said, "Then please check all missing person cases in the city. If there’s a sudden surge, it’s definitely related."

After a pause, Xianxian’s voice grew angry. "Sure enough, Xi Bao is no good. Since he emerged from seclusion months ago, missing person cases in the city have surged sharply—over a thousand people have vanished without a trace."