The expressions of Rhys and Angelia froze. Although they didn't yet know what this signified, they could guess it was anything but ordinary!

At that moment, Charlotte walked over softly. Seeing their dumbstruck appearance, she elaborated, "The Winter Moon Empire is home to five great families: the Yeft Family, the Tessira Family, the Getian Family, the Pruden Family, and the Stassi Family! Each family harbors a Sword God, serving as the very pillars of the Winter Moon Empire, with a status second only to the Emperor!"

The moment Rhys and Angelia heard the words "Sword God," their eyes widened as if they had encountered something utterly unbelievable!

Charlotte merely glanced at the two before continuing, "Among these five great families, the 'Stassi Family' is by far the most powerful, with every scion being a first-rate master swordsman. The 'Stassi Family' is also the most enigmatic of the five. Within the family is perpetuated a unique method of Dou Qi cultivation, rumored to yield results several times greater than what ordinary swordsmen achieve!"

Rhys and Angelia listened silently, not daring to interrupt Charlotte’s train of thought.

Then, Charlotte's tone shifted suddenly, and she lowered her voice, "However, the greatest mystery of the 'Stassi Family' lies elsewhere. There is a peculiar saying circulating outside: the children of the 'Stassi Family' will suddenly and bizarrely disappear for several years—no one knows where they go—only to reappear just as strangely!"

Such a thing exists?

It was the first time Rhys and Angelia had ever heard such a rumor, and they found it profoundly strange!

Charlotte looked at them again, her tone becoming cautionary, "You two had best be careful these next few days. Rumor has it that every member of the 'Stassi Family' is aloof and arrogant; absolutely do not cross swords with them—they are not people we can afford to provoke!"

Rhys and Angelia exchanged a glance. Though they said nothing, they committed Charlotte's warning to heart.

Seeing the atmosphere become somewhat heavy, Charlotte quickly forced a smile and said, "You two don't need to be so tense. As long as we don't go looking for trouble, they won't bother troubling themselves with us!"

Angelia nodded lightly, paused in silence for a moment, and then posed a question, "Sister Charlotte, I heard one of your subordinates mention 'Austin' just now, is that right?"

Charlotte nodded and inquired, "You know him?"

"He is the one who won the 'Academy Ranking Tournament' championship for two consecutive years!" Angelia stated plainly, revealing nothing of her thoughts.

She had a premonition that this year’s 'Academy Ranking Tournament' would see her facing this very man!

This time, it was Charlotte's turn to be astonished, "You mean he's still just a student?"

Angelia nodded and reiterated, "He belongs to the 'Jialidun Magic and Martial Arts Academy.' He moved to our little town two years ago; he’s a truly annoying fellow!"

Charlotte was startled again and couldn't help but ask, "You say he moved here two years ago? Do you happen to know where he came from?"

Angelia gently shook her head, "He is very mysterious. No one knows his origins!"

Charlotte fell silent. She harbored a bold hypothesis in her mind but dared not utter it aloud!

The group fell into a momentary silence. After a while, Rhys suddenly blurted out, "Should we inform the landlord and Robin about this matter?"

Charlotte blinked; she genuinely hadn't considered that aspect. A difficulty suddenly arose.

Should they tell them or not?

If they didn't, what if they provoked friction with the 'Stassi Family'? Though the probability was small, it couldn't be ignored!

But if they did inform them, given Zhong Shenxiu’s nature, never mind the 'Stassi Family'—he would dare provoke even the imperial relatives of the Winter Moon Empire! If it piqued Zhong Shenxiu's interest, it would be even worse; perhaps they would actively seek them out!

What were they to do?

The group deliberated in thought for a long time before finally deciding, for the moment, to keep it secret and revisit the issue later.

.

As it turned out, Charlotte’s bold guess was correct: Austin truly was a member of the 'Stassi Family.' And not just him—Caribbean, who was always with him, was as well!

These members of the 'Stassi Family' who had arrived were here for one purpose and one purpose only: to escort Austin away!

Within the 'Stassi Family,' there existed this unpublicized rule: every scion must undergo field training alone for a minimum of two years, and they are forbidden from entering major cities!

As for why such a rule existed, perhaps only the head of the 'Stassi Family' knew the answer!

"Big Brother, if you leave, I'll be the only one left here!" Caribbean sounded quite reluctant, but there was no other way. He had come here to relieve Austin; two trainees from the 'Stassi Family' could not travel together!

"I will depart after the 'Academy Ranking Tournament' concludes. If you have any final questions, hurry and ask me now!" Austin was quite detached, showing none of the sentimental reluctance of saying goodbye, perhaps a result of his two years of training.

"Big Brother, rest assured, after you leave, I will take over your champion position!" Caribbean declared with immense self-confidence.

Austin merely smiled and said nothing further. He was a man of deep composure; the fluctuations of his heart were never visible on his face.

.

Coincidentally, the important figures arriving in 'Gulu City' today were not solely members of the 'Stassi Family.' Around noon, several more figures appeared, and these individuals turned out to be teachers from the 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Arts Academy!'

The 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Arts Academy' and the 'Jialidun Magic and Martial Arts Academy' were two rival institutions, constantly competing but rarely achieving a decisive advantage!

Somehow, the 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Arts Academy' had gotten wind that Elina had brought a few students to recruit specialty talents here. Unwilling to be left behind, they too dispatched teachers, determined to compete fiercely against the 'Jialidun Magic and Martial Arts Academy!'

Evidently, Elina was unaware of this development. However, the teachers from the 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Arts Academy' had already set their plans in motion. They had no intention of waiting for the 'Academy Ranking Tournament' and instead chose to strike first, immediately dispersing that very day to scout talented students across various academies, truly embodying the spirit of 'swift and decisive action.'

In the afternoon, Laurie, the Vice-Principal of the 'Buzaidi Magic and Martial Arts Academy,' rushed breathlessly to Old Danny's house, looking as if something urgent had arisen.

"Laurie, old fellow, what brings you over here today?" Old Danny was initially taken aback when he saw Laurie, then couldn't help but tease him, "What free time do you have to visit me today?"

Laurie caught his chaotic breath and replied, "I am not here looking for you!" He continued to pant heavily.

"Not looking for me?" Old Danny was first surprised, then couldn't help but laugh, "Surely you aren't looking for Donald here? Unluckily for you, he just left not long ago. If you were on the same path, you might have bumped into each other!"

"I'm not here for either of you—I'm looking for young Lina!" With that, Laurie looked around restlessly, searching, "Where is she? Is she home?"

"What happened?" Old Danny's expression changed; he stopped joking.

"It's a long story. Quickly call Lina out!" Laurie seemed unable to wait any longer.

It didn't take long for Elina and her younger brother, Laurent, to emerge.

"Uncle Laurie, what brings you here?" Both looked quite surprised.

"Lina, I came to inform you of something! The 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Arts Academy' suddenly sent people over, and they are currently recruiting talented students from all the magic and martial arts academies. Our academy has already lost several students—you need to take action now!" Laurie finished in one breath, sounding exceedingly anxious.

Elina was stunned by the news. First, she hadn't expected anyone from the 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Arts Academy' to show up, and even more so, she hadn't expected them to move so quickly—it had completely caught her off guard!

Old Danny, seeing his daughter's shocked face, couldn't help but scold Laurie, "You old fool! You knew your niece was here to recruit specialty students, why didn't you stop them? Why did you let the people from the 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Arts Academy' poach them?"

Laurie put on a look of utter helplessness and then said, "I wanted to, of course, but this isn't something I can control single-handedly. Nor can I blatantly obstruct the future of those students, can I? While the 'Jialidun Magic and Martial Arts Academy' is a well-known institution, the 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Arts Academy' is of the same caliber. When those students receive invitations with better treatment, how can we stop them?"

Old Danny said no more, realizing that Laurie was powerless in this situation—otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed over here to deliver the message!

"Lina, shouldn't you think of a solution now?" Laurie inquired.

However, to everyone's surprise, Elina closed her eyes and fell into deep contemplation!

The others watched Elina, puzzled, unable to understand how she could remain so composed. If all the talented students were snatched by the 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Arts Academy,' it would inevitably make Elina's superiors doubt her competence and could even affect her next 'Senior Teacher' evaluation!

Just as they were growing impatient, Elina suddenly opened her eyes. Within them seemed to shimmer an intense fighting spirit, and her expression was exceptionally resolute.

This was a war without smoke, one without a clear victor or loser, a contest of foresight and speed!

"Little Brother," Elina suddenly turned her head toward Laurent, her expression like that of an unflappable commander, "Go quickly to your academy and do whatever it takes to keep anyone you deem truly skilled. Remember, quality over quantity!"

Laurent nodded seriously, daring not to delay, and immediately began to comply!

"Girl, where are you going?" Old Danny asked with great concern as Elina walked determinedly toward the door.

"I am going to a place!" Elina walked out the door without looking back,

And the place she was heading was none other than the small courtyard where Zhong Shenxiu resided!