The tension in the air was sharper than the blade cradled in Leng Yue's arms.
Kai had barely finished helping Instructor Han Rou to her feet when a scoff cut through the moment like a whip crack.
"Unbelievable."
Gu Ling stepped forward, her twin red tails swaying with the force of her indignation. She planted her hands on her hips, her short skirt fluttering dangerously high, revealing a glimpse of white panties that matched her stockings.
"Teacher Han," Gu Ling said, her voice dripping with aristocratic disdain. "You cannot seriously expect us to team up with him. He is a commoner. He has zero cultivation foundation. And he just sexually harassed you in front of everyone."
Han Rou flushed, waving her hands frantically. "N-No, Gu Ling! He was just helping me up! I... I tripped!"
"He's trash," Gu Ling spat, turning her glare on Kai. Her eyes burned with the arrogance of someone who had never been told 'no'. "I am the daughter of the Gu Clan. I possess the Raging Flame Physique. I refuse to let my potential be dragged down by a peasant who only thinks with his crotch."
Kai released Han Rou's hand slowly, turning to face the little firecracker. He didn't look angry. He looked amused.
"So much noise for such a small girl," Kai drawled, his eyes lazily traveling down her body. He lingered on her absolute territory—the patch of soft, pale skin between the top of her thigh-high socks and the hem of her skirt. "If you're so worried about your potential, maybe you should focus on training instead of yapping."
Gu Ling's face turned the color of her hair. "You... you dare?!"
"I dare," Kai stepped closer, his height dwarfing her. "I'm in this group, Princess. Deal with it. Or are you scared that the 'trash' might actually be stronger than you?"
Gu Ling let out a shrill, incredulous laugh. "Stronger? You?"
She pointed a manicured finger at the center of the training ring nearby.
"Duel me. Right now. If you win, I'll shut up and accept you. If I win—which I will—you drop out of the Academy and crawl back to your slum."
"Gu Ling! No fighting!" Han Rou squeaked, trying to intervene, but Leng Yue simply stepped aside, her eyes opening slightly to watch. Even Yun Xi peeked out from behind her book.
"I accept," Kai said instantly. A dark grin spread across his face. "But the loser has to pay a penalty. A punishment of the winner's choosing."
"Fine!" Gu Ling snapped. "Prepare to be crippled!"
They stood ten paces apart in the stone ring.
"Begin!" Leng Yue said calmly, acting as the impromptu referee.
Gu Ling didn't wait.
"Flame Whip!"
She flicked her wrist, and a lash of condensed crimson Qi erupted from her palm. It crackled with heat, snapping through the air toward Kai's face. It was fast. For a normal commoner, it would have been invisible.
But Kai wasn't normal.
[Dragon's Vitality Active.][Agility: 5 + Boost]
To Kai, the whip moved in slow motion. He didn't retreat. He lunged forward.
"Too slow," Kai taunted.
He ducked under the fiery lash, the heat singing his hair. He closed the distance in two strides.
Gu Ling's eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to be fast. She tried to recall the whip, but Kai was already inside her guard.
"Get away!" she shrieked, aiming a high kick at his chin.
It was a mistake.
She lifted her leg high, her flexibility impressive. Her skirt fell back, giving Kai a front-row seat to her white cotton panties.
Kai didn't block. He caught her leg.
His hand clamped around her calf, right over the silk stocking. His grip was like iron.
"Nice view," Kai whispered.
"Let go!" Gu Ling panicked, hopping on one foot. She tried to blast him with fire from her hands, but Kai yanked her leg toward him.
She lost her balance. With a shriek, she fell forward.
Kai didn't let her hit the ground. He caught her by the waist with his other arm, spinning her around. In one fluid, humiliating motion, he sat on the stone floor and dragged her across his lap.
She landed face down over his thighs.
"What are you—!" Gu Ling screamed, thrashing wildly. Her ass was stuck up in the air, her legs kicking helplessly.
"You're a brat," Kai announced, his voice booming across the training ground. "And brats need discipline."
He raised his right hand. He didn't use Qi. He used pure muscle.
SMACK!
His palm connected with her ass cheek. The sound was like a thunderclap.
"AHHH!" Gu Ling screamed, her head snapping up, tears springing to her eyes instantly.
It wasn't just pain. It was the shock. The sheer, impossible audacity. A commoner was spanking the daughter of the Gu Clan.
"You... I'll kill you! I'll—"
SMACK!
Kai struck the other cheek. The impact sent a ripple through her soft flesh. Her skirt was hiked up to her waist, exposing her panties and the tops of her thighs to the entire group.
"Yield," Kai commanded, his hand resting firmly on her ass, kneading the flesh he had just abused.
"Never! Let me go!" She squirmed, her butt grinding against his crotch.
Kai gritted his teeth. The friction was incredible. This little firecracker felt amazing.
SMACK! SMACK!
Two rapid-fire spanks. Her ass cheeks turned a bright, angry red through the thin fabric of her panties.
"Oww! Okay! Okay!" Gu Ling sobbed, her resistance shattering under the mix of pain and shame. "I yield! Stop! Everyone is watching!"
Kai held his hand hovering over her ass. She flinched, her body trembling.
"Say it," Kai whispered into her ear, his hand sliding down to squeeze her thigh. "Who is the leader?"
"You..." Gu Ling whimpered, burying her face in her hands to hide her burning cheeks. "You are... you brute."
[Ding!]
[Duel Won!][Method: Humiliation.][Target: Gu Ling (Status: Broken/Shamed)][New Title: The Brat Tamer.][Reward: +50 XP][Affection Change: Gu Ling (Hate -> Confused Arousal)]
Kai smirked. He gave her ass one last, possessive squeeze—fingers sinking deep into the soft meat—before shoving her off his lap.
Gu Ling scrambled away, pulling her skirt down frantically. She stood up, her face a mess of tears and fury, but when she looked at Kai, her eyes didn't hold the same arrogance. They held fear. And deep down, a flicker of something darker.
She rubbed her sore ass, biting her lip.
Kai stood up, dusting off his robes. He looked at the other two girls and the frozen teacher.
"Anyone else have an objection?" Kai asked calmly.
Leng Yue stared at him, a hint of interest finally appearing in her cold eyes. Yun Xi covered her face with her book, but peeked through her fingers.
Instructor Han Rou was trembling, her face scarlet. "K-Kai... that was... inappropriate... but... you won."
"Good," Kai said. "Now, Teacher. Let's start the real training."