Invincible Soul Emperor

At that moment, Ye Qingchen experienced Elder Yang’s domineering presence for the first time. Where was that irresponsible, slovenly, detail-ignoring old man now? Isn’t this the perfect mentor of my dreams?

Ye Qingchen didn’t like it when others were overprotective, but he certainly liked it when someone was protective of him.

Seeing him being bullied by Vice-Principal Liu, Elder Yang had intervened directly, forcing the man to kneel before him. Ye Qingchen had no doubt that if his anger hadn’t subsided, Elder Yang might have truly acted on his behalf and killed Vice-Principal Liu. However, Ye Qingchen naturally wouldn’t make such a demand, as it would surely cost him points in Elder Yang’s eyes.

Now, Vice-Principal Liu was using the threat of war as leverage. Although Ye Qingchen had just joined Central Celestial Academy, he knew what a war between two academies implied. This was especially true given the current state of the Divine Tree Academy, which consisted of just Elder Yang and himself. Though he was at the third level of the Martial King Realm, his combat strength was utterly negligible in the eyes of these higher-ups. He might even become a burden to Elder Yang.

In other words, if war truly broke out, Elder Yang would have to face the entire Ferocious Fire Academy alone.

And yet, even so, Elder Yang had still asked that question: "Do you dare?"

It was at this moment that Ye Qingchen became certain that Elder Yang’s claim about being able to take him in and out of the ten great Ancient Clans at will was no joke. Elder Yang absolutely possessed that kind of power.

Vice-Principal Liu, however, was now deathly pale. He had only wanted to say a few harsh words to reclaim a sliver of face for the humiliation he had just suffered, but Elder Yang gave him no way out. A war between the two academies was not a decision a mere Vice-Principal like him could make. As for whether his own Dean would dare to start one, that was not something he could possibly guess.

Elder Yang looked at Vice-Principal Liu’s ashen face and gave a disdainful sneer. He then waved a hand at Ye Qingchen and said, "Have you rested enough? If so, follow me back for proper training. Don’t let just any Tom, Dick, or Harry bully you. If you aren’t ashamed, I sure am!"

Ye Qingchen pursed his lips. Only someone like Elder Yang would dare call a high-level Martial Emperor an ordinary Joe.

Still, Ye Qingchen knew better than to say anything. Honestly, the feeling of being protected was quite nice.

"Elder Yang, Vice-Principal Liu just said he wants to expel me from Central Celestial Academy. I’m not sure if I’m still considered your student," Ye Qingchen said with a playful tone, not forgetting to add a bit more salt to the Vice-Principal’s wounds before leaving.

Elder Yang snorted and declared with booming authority, "Dare to expel my student? Not even the Chancellor of Central Celestial Academy has that authority. It looks like this fellow is tired of being a Vice-Principal."

Vice-Principal Liu didn’t dare to breathe a word. This master-disciple duo was clearly the type who would needle someone to death and not bat an eye. If he said anything more right now, he would only end up in a more humiliating position.

And so, Ye Qingchen followed behind Elder Yang, heading out of the Training Mountain Range.

"Wait a minute!" Liu Feng couldn’t help but call out, but he immediately shrank back upon seeing Elder Yang’s icy glare.

What a joke. Elder Yang’s presence alone forced a Vice-Principal at the high-level Martial Emperor Realm to his knees. My own meager strength wouldn’t even be a mouthful for him.

But Elder Yang had already stopped. With no other choice, Liu Feng stammered, "E-Elder Yang, your disciple... he just attempted to behave indecently toward Senior Sister Zi Xing. I hope you can investigate this matter."

Elder Yang snorted. "Investigate my ass! It’s her good fortune that my disciple even noticed her. ’Indecent behavior’? Did you see it with your own eyes?"

After saying his piece, Elder Yang turned and strode away, with Ye Qingchen following close behind.

Liu Feng was stunned. He hadn’t expected that Elder Yang, the head of an academy, would speak so crudely. For a moment, he felt a stifling tightness in his chest.

Vice-Principal Liu’s face was still ashen as he said irritably, "I will report this to our Dean! The Divine Tree Academy will have to give us an explanation!"

However, his authority had hit rock bottom. The surrounding disciples and teachers merely pursed their lips without responding, which only fueled his rage.

"Senior Sister Zi Xing is awake!" a female disciple’s voice suddenly cut through the awkward atmosphere.

Everyone gathered around as Zi Xing slowly opened her eyes.

Zi Xing was confused. When I was unconscious, I clearly saw a young man who also used Fire Spirit Charm Shadow save me. He even gave me a grade-six Spirit Pill; otherwise, I couldn’t have woken up so quickly. But why are my teachers and fellow disciples here, while the young man who saved me is nowhere to be seen?

"Senior Sister Zi Xing, you’re awake! That’s wonderful!" a female disciple said with concern. "We have Senior Brother Liu Feng to thank this time. If he hadn’t stopped him in time, that lecher probably would have laid his hands on you." Of course, the disciple didn’t dare mention the humiliation Vice-Principal Liu and Liu Feng had suffered, but it was enough for Zi Xing to get the general idea.

Zi Xing looked at the clothes wrapped around her body; they were obviously Ye Qingchen’s.

Come to think of it, my clothes were in tatters. If he hadn’t taken off his own clothes to cover me, I would have died of embarrassment when everyone else showed up. To think he not only saved my life but was also so considerate. But when she considered that Ye Qingchen had likely seen everything while she was exposed, she couldn’t help but blush.

Seeing her blush, everyone assumed it was out of anger at what Ye Qingchen had done, and they began cursing him one after another.

Zi Xing shook her head. "Actually, Ye Qingchen was right. He really did save me."

"What are you talking about? Senior Sister Zi Xing, you’re just too kind!" the female disciple said, annoyed. "You’re only defending him because you heard the Vice-Principal was going to expel him. You don’t need to protect someone so vile!"

Hearing the word "expel," Zi Xing asked anxiously, "What? They’re going to expel Ye Qingchen?"

The female disciple shook her head and began, "No, he wasn’t expelled. Later..."

"Enough!"

Vice-Principal Liu cut the female disciple off. He was terrified she would blurt out the story of his humiliation again. He said, "Zi Xing, you’ve slain the Willow Soul Tree Demon, so your strength should improve again. The Sect’s Newcomer Competition is not far off. Go back and enter closed-door cultivation immediately to prepare."

Zi Xing nodded. It seems I’ll have to wait until after the competition to thank Ye Qingchen in person.