"Is that so."

Regarding the usage conditions of the instrument, he had indeed heard the principal of the Imperial Capital Academy mention it before.

Zhou Huai couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance.

Originally, he had hoped to rely on Professor Li's instrument to achieve a qualitative leap in the Level of all his Avatars.

It seemed that this was currently unachievable.

He silently memorized the appearance of the Mortal Demon Source Stone and bowed slightly toward Professor Li.

"Thank you, Professor. I'll figure something out regarding the Mortal Demon Source Stone."

"Once I've gathered enough, I will come to disturb you again."

Hearing this, a trace of disbelief flashed in Professor Li's cloudy eyes as he looked Gandalf up and down.

"You? Can you really get your hands on it?"

"That thing isn't something you can just buy with money."

Zhou Huai's thoughts were very simple.

Just because the Imperial Capital Academy didn't have it didn't mean other places didn't either.

Given how much Old Marshal Zhao Qingcang valued him, it wasn't impossible to ask him to take out all the Mortal Demon Source Stones in the Military Department's warehouse for his use.

Zhou Huai didn't explain much, just smiling calmly.

"Just wait for the good news."

Seeing his confident appearance, Professor Li didn't ask any more questions, only smiling and waving his hand.

"Alright, then I'll wait for your good news."

Walking out of the Tempering Tower, Zhou Huai raised his head to look at the sky.

The afternoon sunlight was somewhat glaring.

He wasn't in a rush to return to the Imperial Capital Military Department, but instead changed direction and walked toward another place in the Academy.

Imperial Capital Academy, Villa District.

He stopped in front of a small courtyard completely covered in green vegetation.

He stopped and lingered for a long time.

This was the home of Principal Lin Zhu, Principal Lin.

Zhou Huai still remembered that when Gandalf first came to the Imperial Capital Academy, Zhang Donglai had escorted him here.

When he first saw that old woman, she was standing quietly in the courtyard, watering the vegetation she had planted with her own hands.

The sunlight spilled onto her body, peaceful and tranquil.

Zhang Donglai had once told him.

Principal Lin Zhu hated fighting the most in her life.

Watering flowers and reading books in the courtyard every day was her greatest joy.

Yet at that time, she happened to be one of the only two SS-Rank Professionals in Great Xia Nation.

Many times, she had no choice but to step forward.

As a result, the trip to the Caslantis Islands cost this cold-faced, warm-hearted old lady her life.

"No matter who it is, I will find a way to avenge you, old lady."

Zhou Huai stood at the courtyard entrance, speaking in a low voice.

At that moment, the door of the villa was pushed open with a creak.

Someone walked out from inside.

That person was holding a watering can, looking ready to water the flowers and plants in the courtyard.

When she saw Gandalf standing at the entrance, she couldn't help but be stunned.

"Gandalf?"

Following the sound, Zhou Huai also recognized the other person.

It turned out to be the senior student named Lu Zhiyi.

"Why are you here?" Zhou Huai asked.

Seeing him, a flash of surprise first crossed Lu Zhiyi's face, which then turned dim.

"Although Principal Lin is no longer here, I don't want the flowers and plants she planted to wither along with her."

"This way, every time I see these flowers and plants, it feels as if Principal Lin is still alive."

Zhou Huai looked at her.

"Weren't you very afraid of Principal Lin?"

Hearing this, Lu Zhiyi subconsciously shook her head first, then, as if remembering something, nodded gently.

"Principal Lin was indeed very serious on ordinary days, and her words were very harsh."

"But... she has actually always been a very good person."

In the girl's eyes, a light of reminiscence welled up.

"When I first enrolled, my family went through some changes, and I couldn't afford the tuition fees; I was almost unable to even afford meals."

"At that time, I could only risk my life in dungeons every day to earn a meager materials fee. I had no time to study at all, and my grades plummeted."

"Once, Principal Lin called me into her office and scolded me from head to toe, saying I lacked enterprise, was willingly degraded, and was a disgrace to the Academy."

"At that time, I felt both wronged and scared, and I ran out crying, even thinking about just dropping out of school."

"But the next day, I received the notice for the Academy's full scholarship and highest financial aid."

"Later on, I found out that Principal Lin had applied for it on my behalf under her own name."

"Ever since then, I knew that she was just not good at expressing herself."

Hearing this, Zhou Huai understood suddenly.

"So, during this period of time, you've been the one responsible for taking care of Principal Lin's small courtyard?"

Lu Zhiyi shook her head.

"It's not just me."

"A while ago, an old grandfather would also come often."

"He's probably a friend of Principal Lin from when she was alive. He would also come to water and tidy up the courtyard."

"Sometimes, he would move a small stool himself, sit right at the courtyard entrance, and talk to those flowers and plants to himself, sitting there for an entire afternoon."

Hearing this, Zhou Huai was stunned.

An old grandfather?

He immediately asked further: "What did that old grandfather look like?"

Lu Zhiyi tilted her head and thought carefully.

"Um... full of white hair, but in very good spirits."

"His features are very resolute, and when he doesn't speak, he looks particularly serious."

"From his demeanor, he looks very much like... those high-ranking Old Generals in the Military Department."

Zhou Huai understood in his heart.

That old grandfather in Lu Zhiyi's mouth was probably Old Marshal Zhao Qingcang.

People's hearts are all made of flesh.

Even the Old Marshal who wielded the million-strong military power of Great Xia Nation was no exception.

Principal Lin Zhu's death probably dealt a blow to him far heavier than anyone could imagine.

However, the things borne on that old man's shoulders were simply too many, too many.

He couldn't even reveal a single shred of weakness in front of people.

He could only use this clumsiest, most lonely way to commemorate a deceased old friend.

Controlling Gandalf, Zhou Huai bowed slightly toward Lu Zhiyi.

"Principal Lin's small cottage, I'll have to trouble you to take care of it."

Having finished speaking, he leaned on his staff and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

From behind came the girl's crisp call, carrying a trace of urgency.

Zhou Huai stopped his steps, slowly turned around, and looked at her calmly.

"Is there anything else?"

Lu Zhiyi tightly gripped the watering can in her hand, her knuckles turning somewhat white from the force.

She lowered her head, seemingly engaged in some intense ideological struggle.

A while ago, the Academy was buzzing with rumors.

They all said that Principal Lin Zhu met her end because of the man in front of her named Gandalf.

Who was targeted by that SS-Rank Expert from Sakura Country and ultimately died in battle.

There were even rumors that as soon as Gandalf returned to the Imperial Capital, he was directly arrested by the high-ranking officials of the Military Department and interrogated severely.

Now, seeing Gandalf standing here safe and sound once again.

Those rumors naturally collapsed on their own in the girl's heart.

She took a deep breath, as if using all her strength, and finally raised her head, meeting Gandalf's eyes that were as deep as the sea.

"You... will you avenge Principal Lin?"

Zhou Huai looked at her, looking at the light in her eyes mixed with expectation, apprehension, and a trace of hope.

The expression on his face became incomparably serious.

His tone was also solemn like never before.

"I definitely will."