Chapter 44: The Eerie Ancient City
Having lived for so many years, Yao Lao naturally understood that showing mercy to one's enemies was akin to cruelty toward oneself.
Throughout history, those who achieved great things always demonstrated decisiveness and ruthlessness.
He said no more and disappeared silently, leaving Xiao Yan to rejoin the students gathered at the Pill Tower.
The moment Xiao Yan landed, the other students instinctively stepped back, forming two neat rows to make way for him.
This young man was simply too terrifying.
On the first day of classes, he had beaten the teaching assistant, Song Qing, to a pulp. Even the Grand Elder of the Pill Tower, a formidable Dou Venerate and eight tier alchemist, had arrived but left in humiliation.
The exchange between Xiao Yan and the Grand Elder had been shielded by spatial barriers, so the students hadn't heard the specifics. However, seeing the Grand Elder's initial rage shift into a look of utter frustration made it clear: this elder had encountered an immovable obstacle in Xiao Yan.
The implications were staggering. A Dou Venerate and elite alchemist had been rendered helpless against this fifteen year old. Xiao Yan's background was terrifying, his power equally so. He could trample over an eight star Dou Emperor as if he were a mere dog, and his personality was domineering to boot.
The young students, who had yet to experience life's challenges, now viewed Xiao Yan with a mixture of awe and fear.
"This guy's a demon king. No one can afford to cross him."
"Why are you all staring at me? Get back to the classroom," Xiao Yan said, his face breaking into a seemingly gentle smile.
Yet, that smile sent shivers down their spines, as if they had been plunged into icy water. Without hesitation, the students hurriedly returned to their seats.
Only two people remained in place: Cao Ying and Dan Chen.
"Are you okay?" Dan Chen hesitated before stepping forward, her concern evident.
"Do I look like something happened to me?" Xiao Yan replied with a grin. He spread his arms slightly, and the toned muscles of his lean yet powerful upper body rippled under the sunlight.
"Ah! Put on your clothes!" Dan Chen squeaked, her face flushing as she quickly covered her eyes with her hands.
"Hey, your fingers are spread pretty wide. I can see your eyes," Xiao Yan teased.
"Ah! Oh!" Dan Chen's cheeks grew redder as she squeezed her fingers shut, feeling mortified enough to wish she could disappear.
"Honestly, I didn't think you'd be able to defeat Song Qing." Cao Ying's voice broke the momentary silence. Her sultry eyes swept over Xiao Yan's torso unabashedly, lacking the shyness Dan Chen displayed.
"Hmph, you vixen," Xiao Yan sneered, retrieving a fresh black robe from his storage ring and draping it over himself.
"Why am I a vixen?" Cao Ying's elegant brows arched as she demanded, "Explain yourself, Xiao Yan!"
"You really want to know?" Xiao Yan turned, his gaze cold. "Song Qing clearly admired you, yet you used his feelings for you to turn him into a weapon.
"Tell me, Miss Cao, if I ever fell under your charm, would I end up the same way?"
"You!" Cao Ying's face paled as her composure momentarily faltered. "Is that how you see me?"
"Am I wrong?" Xiao Yan countered icily. "Using someone's affection for you to manipulate them into dangerous situations such a woman is too dangerous to get close to. Let's keep our distance."
Without waiting for a response, Xiao Yan turned and walked away, leaving Cao Ying standing there with a pale face.
When it came to scheming, Cao Ying was no match for Xiao Yan. Beneath his youthful appearance lay the soul of a cunning old fox.
To deal with someone like Cao Ying, one couldn't play the submissive, fawning role that Song Qing had. She needed to encounter a man who could not only surpass her in skill but also project a more dominant presence.
A sycophant would never win the heart of a woman like her.
From the alchemy competition to the heated confrontation with Song Qing, to today's calculated coldness, Xiao Yan had orchestrated every step of this interaction. Even without Song Qing's interference, he would have found another excuse to showcase his abilities and establish dominance.
Just as a lion flaunts its strength to assert its authority, Xiao Yan had shown his worth through action.
When the day came that Cao Ying would put aside her pride and take the initiative to approach him, their relationship would fall into place.
Meanwhile, Dan Chen glanced at Cao Ying's visibly shaken demeanor. "Sister Cao Ying, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Cao Ying replied, lifting her head. Yet in her eyes flickered a hint of jealousy and longing as she glanced at Dan Chen. Her pale lips curved into a faint smile. "Let's head back."
Cao Ying walked ahead, her steps composed, but Dan Chen could sense the emotional storm churning beneath her calm façade.
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