"If you set foot in our academy's grounds or bother Jiang Zhu again, believe it or not, I'll rush to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, drag you out of your dorm, and see if your Viscount father can protect you!" Tai Long threatened.
The arrogant youth's face paled, but he tried to maintain face through other means. "Tai Long, don't you understand? I'm offering Jiang Zhu a better future! If she comes with me, she can leave this commoner academy and enter Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, enjoying the best resources and fulfilling her talents!"
He tried to justify his harassment as "goodwill" for Jiang Zhu's future.
"Is that why you've been hanging around her door, blocking her way to class?" Suddenly, Jin Ling spoke, his voice icy and dripping with sarcasm.
He stared coldly at the arrogant youth. In the end, Jiang Zhu had had enough and asked Dean Liu Erlong to warn him directly, which made him back off for a while. Why had he forgotten the dean's warning so soon?
Ever since learning there was a genius in the auxiliary branch, the youth had sent Jiang Zhu flowers and letters, escalating to stalking and blocking her way, seriously affecting her life and cultivation.
Jin Ling's public exposure left the arrogant youth unable to save face, especially coming from someone he looked down on as a "commoner."
His eyes turned dark and cold. "Who are you to speak? You're a wild orphan from an orphanage, an unwanted castaway. Where did you get the courage to talk to me like this?"
He dared not provoke Tai Long, who had a powerful clan behind him, but Jin Ling—a powerless genius from an orphanage—was, in his eyes, merely a slightly better tool or toy.
Hearing this, Jin Ling's face remained expressionless, but his gaze was as cold as ice. He didn't retort, but the surging soul power around him was clearly visible, exuding a sharp, dangerous aura aimed at the arrogant youth like a drawn dagger.
Sometimes, silent threats are more powerful than roars.
At this moment, a clear and composed voice was heard from the side.
"Oh? He's a castaway from society?" Chen Yi slowly turned, looking indifferently at the arrogant youth, his tone as flat as stating a fact. "And who are you?"
Everyone's attention shifted to the previously ignored youth in purple.
The doorman who had gone to deliver the message whispered to Jin Ling, "Jin Ling, this young master says he's your family."
The doorman looked confused—a youth with such an extraordinary presence, claiming to be "family" to an orphan like Jin Ling?
Jin Ling was startled, immediately scrutinizing Chen Yi with sharp eyes. The youth before him looked younger than himself, but his calmness far exceeded his peers, even surpassing some academy teachers.
Family? Where did this family come from?
The arrogant youth was enraged by Chen Yi's casual words, desperate for an outlet. He aimed his anger at Chen Yi, cursing, "Where did you come from? Do you know who I am? How dare you speak to me like this?!"
Chen Yi's lips curved in a faint smile as he calmly stared at the arrogant youth. "I'll give you another chance to rephrase. Who are you calling out of line?"
His voice was not loud, but an invisible pressure made the arrogant youth feel inexplicably awed. Yet, driven by anger and habitual arrogance, he took two steps forward, nearly jabbing a finger at Chen Yi's nose, about to curse even more viciously.
But just as the words were about to leave his mouth—
Thud!
A dull sound of knees hitting the ground echoed! Everyone was startled and looked toward the source. Among the arrogant youth's followers, a brown-haired young man had dropped to his knees, his face pale and body trembling.
He looked up at Chen Yi with utter terror and stammered, "Y—Young Sect Master Chen?!"
His cry was like cold water dropping into boiling oil—an instant explosion.
The arrogant youth's curses froze, and when he looked back at the kneeling follower and then at the still calm Chen Yi, his mind went blank.
Young Sect Master Chen? Which sect's young sect master could frighten the son of a viscount like this?
Chen Yi glanced at the kneeling youth, a playful look on his face. "Oh? You know me?"
The brown-haired youth kowtowed as if pounding garlic, his voice crying, "Five… five years ago, that little… that little kid saw you…"
Five years ago?
Some older passersby suddenly recalled something, and their gazes toward Chen Yi instantly filled with terror.
"Could it be… the Body Sect's…?"
Gasps rang out—who would have thought the continent's top genius and the Body Sect's young sect master would quietly knock on Blue Tyrant Academy's doors?
The arrogant youth's fury instantly froze, his face turning ashen, legs and belly going soft, lips trembling. Forgetting noble dignity, he collapsed to the ground even before his followers.
"Young Sect Master Chen! I had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Everest! Please spare my life!"
He begged desperately, soon kneeling so hard his forehead bled. His heart was filled with endless terror and regret! Why had he been so reckless as to provoke such a calamity?
Even Xue Beng, fourth prince of the Xue Royal family, was directly ruined by Emperor Xue Ye for provoking Chen Yi and ended up sentenced for life—rumor had it he'd gone mad.
As a viscount's son, he was nothing in Chen Yi's eyes.
Chen Yi looked at him as one would at an ant, speaking lightly. "I won't kill you."
Hope flashed in the arrogant youth's eyes, but Chen Yi's voice continued, "Settle it yourself."
Settle it himself? All hope vanished, replaced by utter despair.
Chen Yi's meaning was clear—just like the Xue Beng incident, the Body Sect would not kill him directly, but his family would "settle" things themselves to appease the sect's anger. That "settlement" would be worse than death—abolished martial soul, expelled from the clan, perhaps even declared "dead from illness."
At that moment, he saw his own miserable end. He wanted to beg again, but when he looked up and met Chen Yi's indifferent, emotionless gaze, all words stuck in his throat, leaving only endless coldness.
One more word, and he might even lose the chance to "settle it himself."
In the end, he lost all strength, got up in despair, and, still kneeling, stumbled away in disgrace with his followers, like a beaten dog.
No one paid further attention to his tragic fate.
At this moment, everyone at the gates of Blue Tyrant Academy fixed their gaze on the youth in purple—curiosity, awe, respect, and disbelief in their eyes.
So this is the legendary Chen Yi? Younger than expected, but with such a presence—just standing there, he exudes a unique aura.
Unconcerned with the heated gazes, Chen Yi walked straight to the still slightly dazed Jin Ling, this time offering a gentle smile and extending his hand.
"Hello, Jin Ling."
Jin Ling stared at the clean, slender hand before him, then up into Chen Yi's sincere, deep eyes. After a moment's hesitation, he did not shake hands, but lowered his head and asked suspiciously, "I know of Young Sect Master Chen, but I do not know why you are looking for me."
Chen Yi's smile widened slightly, withdrawing his hand without minding.
"I came to take you home."
...
Bonus chapter at 500 PS