"His letter says that Chloe Zhu bribed him, and after being rejected, she boasted she'd come to the Vermilion Spirit Alliance to figure something out. So, is this her grand solution?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Sam Summers and Bobby.
"What do you mean by that?" Sam asked angrily. "Are you saying I was bribed by her?"
"Come on, you know whether you were bribed or not! Only you could cook up such wild stories!" Lily Xu shot back.
That letter really was written by Winston Wu.
Victor Li couldn't imagine what reason Winston Wu would have to frame Grace.
He placed the letter on the table and said sternly, "Chloe Zhu, don't tell me Vice President Wu has a grudge against you too?"
Chloe hadn't expected them to pull this kind of stunt. She sucked in a breath and said, "No... but I didn't bribe him."
But her defense sounded weak.
Victor Li ignored her and turned to Sam. "Sam, I watched you grow up. Out of trust for you, I accepted this appeal letter. But... you've really let me down!"
"Deputy Alliance Master Li! I didn't do it!" Sam cried out anxiously. "Once my master recovers, he can prove it—"
"Enough!" Victor Li cut him off. "Elder Conrad has already passed away, and the Alliance Master went to pay his respects today! What proof do you have now?"
"Huh? My master..." Sam scratched his head, completely confused.
"Hmph!" Lily Xu smirked and said to Victor Li, "Deputy Alliance Master, according to the Alliance Code, anyone caught cheating in the entrance exam is banned for three exam cycles—that's nine years! Chloe Zhu and Sam can't take the exam for nine years!"
Sam's face changed instantly.
He's a Spiritual Alchemist too. His master told him to take the exam in three years!
"The Alliance Code also says, if anyone in the Spirit Alliance cheats in any kind of exam, they're stripped of all positions and tossed into isolation to reflect on their actions!" Suddenly, a booming voice rang out from outside the door.
Lily Xu's eyes went wide. She whipped her head around and looked like she'd just seen a ghost. "Con... Con..."
It was Elder Conrad!
How is that possible?
Wasn't he supposed to be dead?
"Lily Xu! Did you really think I was dead? Daring to discipline my apprentice in my place?" Elder Conrad said, his face stern.
"You... you're better now?" Lily Xu stammered.
"Are you disappointed?"
"No... why would I be disappointed? It's a surprise!" Lily Xu's expression was stiff. "You're well... the spirits must be watching over you!"
"Alliance Master, Deputy Alliance Master Li," Elder Conrad said, "What Sam just said is true. Lily Xu cheated and should be punished!"
The Deputy Alliance Masters all held high authority within the Spirit Alliance.
Especially Victor Li and Elder Conrad.
The Grandmaster of the Spirit Alliance walked in with Elder Conrad. He nodded at Victor Li and said, "Lock up everyone involved. Send Falcon to the Blue Moon Spirit Alliance for a thorough investigation."
Victor Li nodded.
Lily Xu's face was pale, her eyes darting nervously.
Falcon, the star investigator in the Enforcement Division, got his nickname from his flying spirit beast—he could swoop in and out faster than anyone else.
So, Chloe Zhu and Lily Xu were both thrown into the Spirit Alliance's Stone Confinement Chamber—a place so gloomy and enchanted, you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy.
They were held for several days.
A few days later, Chloe Zhu was released.
......
The Grandmaster and Elder Conrad were about the same age. They joined the Spirit Alliance together decades ago and have been partners ever since.