After returning to the academy, Li Ruobing immediately called a meeting with the academy's senior staff. During the meeting, Li Ruobing briefed everyone on the encounter with the leader of the Chi You organization, Yi Tianchou, that day. Additionally, Qin Yan also shared the information about the secret intelligence organization, the Sky Shield Bureau.

"This is a big problem. The Chi You organization's power is already stronger than our academy, and now they are collaborating with this influential 'Sky Shield Bureau.' If they join forces to target us, we won't stand a chance," Instructor Hong said with a worried expression, speaking gruffly.

High Zhangxiang expressed indignation, "Our Academy of Espers is usually very low-key and never engages in disrupting society or illegal activities. It's unbelievable that even so, they've set their sights on us. It's just not right!"

"Didn't you hear what Ruobing said earlier?" Although Lin Shiqi had no official position in the academy, she participated in the meeting. "The Chi You organization wants to swallow up all other esper organizations. Even if we don't provoke them, they will still come after us."

Li Ruobing, with a worried expression, said, "Our academy is now at a critical juncture of life and death. Does anyone have any good suggestions or strategies?"

The participants in the meeting engaged in lively discussions. Some suggested launching a preemptive strike against the Chi You organization to defeat them first. However, others argued that the Chi You organization's power was greater than the academy's, and their whereabouts were mysterious, making it difficult to locate their base. Even if found, it might not be easy to defeat them.

Another suggestion was to capture the leader of the Chi You organization, Yi Tianchou, or eliminate him directly to cause internal turmoil in the organization. This might prevent them from attacking the academy. However, some pointed out that Yi Tianchou's esper abilities were extremely strong, and even Qin Yan and Li Ruobing, the highest-ranked espers in the academy, couldn't handle him, making it a challenging task.

Apart from these suggestions, some proposed negotiating with the Chi You organization or seeking cooperation with the Sky Shield Bureau. However, many believed these paths were unlikely to succeed because the others had made it clear they were targeting them. How could they negotiate? And the hope of cooperating with the Sky Shield Bureau seemed dim. These paths might not lead to a solution.

After a lengthy discussion where no effective strategy emerged, Li Ruobing had to conclude by advising everyone to be extra vigilant during this critical time, to avoid leaving the academy as much as possible, and to pay close attention to the situation outside. The meeting ended this way.

As the academy was in a critical situation, a few days later, Qin Yan and Lin Shiqi left the uninhabited island they had been staying on and moved back to the academy.

One day, Qin Yan was wandering around the academy without much to do when a group of people caught his attention. In an open field, a large crowd had gathered around a spacious platform where two boys of about fifteen or sixteen were engaged in combat. One was wielding a wooden staff, while the other used a wooden shield and a wooden short sword. They were standing on the platform, attacking each other with their weapons, resembling some sort of martial arts competition. Instructors Hong and High Zhangxiang were on the platform, watching and occasionally shouting instructions on defense and attack.

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Qin Yan approached and stood at the outer edge of the crowd, observing the combat competition with interest. Soon, people around him noticed his presence and greeted him, "Ah, Brother Yan, you're here."

"Long time no see, Brother Yan."

Qin Yan nodded towards the people greeting him. Ever since he had repelled the Chi You organization's members a few months ago, his reputation had spread throughout the academy. Everyone knew that Qin Yan was now the strongest esper in the academy, even more formidable than the academy director, Li Ruobing. As a result, regardless of age, everyone in the academy held Qin Yan in high regard.

"Oh, Qin buddy, you're here too! Come on up," High Zhangxiang on the platform noticed Qin Yan's arrival and warmly beckoned him over.

Instantly, the crowd's attention shifted to Qin Yan. Although he didn't like being stared at by so many people, he couldn't pretend not to see High Zhangxiang. With a push off the ground, Qin Yan's body soared into the air with a "whoosh," leaping over the crowd surrounding the platform and landing on the platform ten meters away.

A murmur spread through the crowd as they witnessed Qin Yan's skill, greatly impressed by his agility.

"So amazing! How can he jump so high and so far in one go, it's like he's flying."

"You don't know, this is the legendary fifth-level physical ability. It's said that once fully mastered, one can fly freely in the sky like a bird. The speed is even faster than a running car. In the future, there's no need to take a car for long journeys. It's really impressive!"

"I envy him. I wish I could train to that level someday."

The crowd cast admiring looks at Qin Yan. Although he didn't particularly enjoy being in such a public setting with many people, he calmly greeted High Zhangxiang and Instructor Hong, saying, "Captain Gao, Instructor Hong, how are you? What are you doing here?"

"Oh, we're conducting combat training," Instructor Hong replied with a genial smile. "Our academy recently recruited a large group of talented newcomers. We've now established specialized combat teams, and Captain Gao and I are instructing them in combat training. This way, if the Chi You organization's people attack, we'll have sufficient strength to respond."

Qin Yan nodded, realizing that the academy had indeed grown significantly in the months he had been away. There were many new faces, and he remarked, "But wouldn't it be a bit harsh to send these new recruits to fight the Chi You organization?"

Instructor Hong's expression hardened as he explained, "It's a necessity. To defend against external threats, our academy must increase its combat power. Moreover, we informed them of the potential dangers they might face before they joined the academy. If they're unwilling, we won't force them to join."

At this point, someone in the audience shouted, "It's okay. I grew up wandering outside, couldn't even get enough to eat. The academy took me in and raised me. It's our home. If anyone dares to attack our academy, I'll fight them!"

Another person said, "I have no parents, no ties. I have nothing to lose, just a worthless life. There's nothing to worry about."

"If they dare to attack, we'll make sure they regret it!"

Hearing these voices, Qin Yan recalled Lin Shiqi mentioning that most of the academy's members were homeless and destitute individuals. This recruitment strategy aimed to minimize the risk of leaking the academy's secrets. However, it also meant that the academy had to bear the full financial burden of recruiting members, resulting in limited resources. Looking at the current situation, Qin Yan realized that this decision was indeed wise. Even in times of difficulty, the academy's members wouldn't betray or sell out the academy.