"I didn’t expect this guy to look quite handsome from this angle."
An Xiaoran buried her head in Lin Beichen’s chest, murmuring to herself.
"Even though we’re in a fire, I don’t feel uncomfortable at all. Maybe this is what they call the psychological effect of safety."
Immersed in happiness, An Xiaoran thought it was all due to the psychological effect, unaware that this was the first time Lin Beichen had simultaneously mobilized three kinds of powers.
The power of the Electric Element was breaking through all obstacles, the power of the Water Element was protecting An Xiaoran, and the power of the Fire Element was keeping the flames at bay.
"I knew this would put my body under a lot of stress, but this is too much!"
Sweat the size of soybeans ran down Lin Beichen’s cheeks. It was the first time he felt his stamina depleting so rapidly.
Fortunately, the obstacles around them had been cleared, and the exit of the gym was not far away.
Meanwhile, the people from Imperial Capital University in the safe zone outside were staring anxiously at the gym entrance, hoping to see Lin Beichen and An Xiaoran emerge any second.
"They’ve been in there so long, we should evacuate now."
Li Peng approached Hao Jianhua, suggesting tentatively.
"I want to go home now, I don’t want to stay in this hellhole for another minute!"
Li Peng’s sudden remark instantly drew angry glares from everyone. With their classmates still inside, Li Peng was thinking only of running away. To the students of Imperial Capital University, his actions were worse than those of a despicable person!
Seeing the anger on everyone’s faces, Li Peng tried hard to keep his expression neutral. It wasn’t that he really didn’t want to wait; he was worried that Lin Beichen might actually rescue An Xiaoran.
If An Xiaoran came out alive, then all the things he had done would be exposed!
"You despicable coward!"
A righteous male student walked directly towards Li Peng, grabbing his collar and preparing to act.
"Wait a moment."
Just as the male student was about to act, Hao Jianhua stopped him. Although Li Peng tried to appear calm, his act was transparent to both Hao Jianhua and Sun Zhenghao!
Just a glance was enough for them to see something was wrong with Li Peng!
"Look, Lin Beichen and the others are out!"
Someone among the Imperial Capital University students shouted, and everyone turned their gaze back to the gym entrance.
Seeing An Xiaoran being carried out by Lin Beichen, Li Peng collapsed to the ground like a puddle of mud!
"Looks like you’ll have to explain yourself to An Xiaoran later."
Even not knowing what had transpired, Hao Jianhua could tell Li Peng had done something wrong, and it involved An Xiaoran.
Sun Zhenghao snorted coldly on the side. What Li Peng didn’t know was that Sun Zhenghao had a close relationship with An Xiaoran’s father. In Atlantis, many matters that were inconvenient for Sun Zhenghao to handle were dealt with by An Xiaoran’s father.
"How are you? Are you all right?"
Seeing An Xiaoran carried out by Lin Beichen, Sun Zhenghao hurried over.
He looked An Xiaoran up and down, and although she was a bit disheveled, her life was not in danger, which reassured him significantly.
"I... I’m sorry!"
Li Peng approached An Xiaoran, kneeling to the ground.
"Hmph!"
An Xiaoran snorted coldly. She wasn’t going to waste time on someone like him; once they were back in the Dragon Country, the law would take care of it!
"What on earth happened?"
The students around them began to speculate as they saw the state between Li Peng and An Xiaoran.
Hao Jianhua cut their muttering short, knowing such an incident brought nothing but shame to him as the principal.
Not long after, a convoy of red-flagged cars entered Atlantis University, stopping behind Sun Zhenghao.
A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit got out of a car, looking Sun Zhenghao up and down. Only after confirming he wasn’t hurt did he feel relieved.
The man in the Zhongshan suit was the head of the Security Bureau in Atlantis, officially the military attaché of the embassy, overseeing its security.
"Zhang Tao, you’re quite fast."
Sun Zhenghao looked at Zhang Tao, knowing that with Zhang Tao here, they were safe.
"We had to be. Orders from above."
As he spoke, Zhang Tao winked meaningfully. Sun Zhenghao understood instantly.
"I didn’t expect you guys from the Security Bureau to have this kind of personnel. I feel like this fire was set up by someone in Atlantis!
With a capable mind, Sun Zhenghao connected the dots quickly.
Zhang Tao nodded with a smile.
"Director Song thinks so too, and he has received permission to evacuate the students immediately under the pretext of an extreme disaster."
Sun Zhenghao was momentarily stunned. He didn’t expect Director Song to value this young man so much. Evacuating under the pretext of an extreme disaster would have significant implications.
If a disaster indeed occurred in the evacuated country, it would be understandable. If not, it could sour relations between the countries. Announcing an evacuation like this was akin to claiming another family’s house had collapsed in the village.
Sun Zhenghao wanted to say more when suddenly, the sound of helicopters filled the air. Seeing the Dragon Country emblem on the helicopters, the students of Imperial Capital University smiled with excitement. Some were so moved they began singing the national anthem.
The scene brought a smile to Lin Beichen’s face. He remembered a line from a movie: A Dragon Country passport might not let you travel the world freely, but it will surely bring you back home from anywhere in the world.
Meanwhile, in the principal’s office at Atlantis University, Griffin and Kaelmes wore somber expressions.
Things had spiraled beyond their control. Letting the Imperial Capital University students return would not only tarnish Atlantis University’s reputation but also displease the Minister.
The Minister had granted them significant power for this operation, even permitting fire incidents within Atlantis University.
"If we don’t take some action, we won’t earn the Minister’s forgiveness."
Kaelmes turned to Griffin with a sudden smile, sending a shiver down Griffin’s spine. It felt like being watched by a cold, venomous snake.
Griffin instinctively feared being made the scapegoat, his face turning pale as he looked at Kaelmes, his voice shaking.
"Mr. Kael, I am loyal to you."
Kaelmes shook his head with a smile.
"That much is certain, but you misspoke. Your loyalty isn’t to me but to the Minister."
Kaelmes had no intention of making Griffin the scapegoat; he only wanted to scare him a bit.
"How much does Sittelberg know about this plan from start to finish?"