Chapter Twelve: Can I Take Theirs?
“If you dare lay a hand on me! I... I’ll report you to the academy!”
The two pointed trembling fingers at Yun Yi, their threats shaky and uncertain.
Watching Yun Yi approach with a dark expression, their eyes held no gratitude, only hatred.
“Uh... I have nothing to do with this, I’ll leave first...”
Li Hu, sensing the tension, spoke hurriedly and fled with his underlings without looking back, leaving four people in the courtyard.
“Those two scoundrels—so petty and narrow-minded. They won’t learn unless they get a beating!”
Qian Duoduo sneered coldly from the side.
Yun Yi didn’t make things difficult for them; after all, Li Hu must have some powerful backing to act so brazenly.
Grabbing the two men, Yun Yi slapped each once, then threw them out of the courtyard. Standing tall, he looked down at them and said, “This courtyard belongs to the two of us. Every time you step in, I’ll hit you!”
Not enjoying being dominated? How does that feel?
“Just wait for Li Hu’s revenge! You’ll regret this!”
Yun Yi closed the gate, no longer bothering with the two scoundrels.
There were four rooms, just enough for him and the chubby one to have two each.
“Boss, your stride is amazing. Can you teach me sometime?”
Yun Yi had just turned when he saw Qian Duoduo’s admiring gaze, eyes scanning him up and down, swallowing spit nervously.
“Uh... maybe some other day. I’m going to go pack now.”
Yun Yi’s scalp tingled as he hurried inside, leaving Qian Duoduo looking innocently puzzled.
...
At dawn, Yun Yi was already up early, dressed in his new student uniform, sitting in the courtyard. He used the first rays of sunrise to cultivate and enhance his absorption of the world’s spiritual energy.
After a small cycle of breathing, he felt a vibration from the storage pouch at his waist. Slowly opening his eyes, he took out the badge and activated it.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice came from the device:
“All new students, assemble in the academy’s plaza in one hour, dressed in uniform!”
“Looks like someone else is in charge now.”
He had a good impression of Wei Qing but shook his head and walked toward Qian Duoduo’s room.
That chubby kid’s snoring last night was so loud it almost made him think a beast had broken in.
...
One hour later, at the Yingtian Academy plaza.
Two teams stood apart: the new students and the senior first-year class.
“Is everyone here? If so, I’ll explain the requirements for this year’s new student trial!”
Mu Cailing looked at everyone blandly, her tone impatient.
“Elder... Yun Yi and Qian Duoduo haven’t arrived yet!”
Lei Ling’er, wearing a purple Taoist robe, whispered nervously in front of Mu Cailing’s stern face.
At once, many eyes turned to Lei Ling’er. Today, she wore a purple robe and a ponytail, her snow-white skin shining under the sunlight like a celestial being.
“Wow! Our new students even have such a beauty!”
“With looks like that, I declare the new student belle is hers!”
“Her beauty rivals Feng Lingling’s!”
“Don’t mention that witch—last time...”
Amid the chatter and compliments, Mu Cailing was about to scold them but softened her tone when she saw her nephew Mu Qian’s infatuated smile.
“Let’s wait a little longer for them.”
After the incense burned halfway, impatience showed on Mu Cailing’s face. Before she could speak, a voice called out from afar:
“Elder! We... we’re here!”
Yun Yi appeared swiftly, wind swirling at his feet, standing beside Lei Ling’er. Only Qian Duoduo panted behind him.
Laughter broke out among the crowd.
Mu Cailing frowned at Qian Duoduo but said nothing. After years at the academy, she had learned a few things.
Seeing that all the new students had arrived, Mu Cailing began to speak.
“As new students, you will undergo a seven-day trial in the forest beneath the academy mountain for class division.”
“During these seven days, 100 senior first-year disciples will hunt you. You may use any abilities you possess to survive.”
“In addition, the academy will grant each of you 500 sect contribution points. If caught by your seniors, they will seize your contribution points!”
The new student group erupted instantly with chatter.
“This isn’t fair! Their minimum cultivation is foundation establishment, we can’t escape!”
“Right! Not fair! Their spiritual skills outrun our martial arts!”
“Silence!”
Mu Cailing’s sharp shout silenced the crowd.
“To ensure fairness, all seniors will have their realms compressed to the ninth level of Qi Refining and may not use spiritual skills!”
This rule lowered the noise; for the new students, survival chances improved greatly.
“Can we steal from the seniors?”
At once, the plaza fell silent as all eyes turned to Yun Yi, who raised his hand.
“Pfft! Hahaha! You, a low-level kid without even the first traces of hair, want to steal from us?”
“Is that Yun Yi? That unknown talent? What a reckless fool!”
“Kid! Wait! I’ll be the first to steal from you!”
Despite the seniors’ mockery, Yun Yi remained unfazed. Let’s see what you’ve got—there’s no need for words.
“Brother Yi, those people are really hateful!”
Lei Ling’er puffed her cheeks in anger.
“Hey, don’t doubt the boss, Ling’er!”
Qian Duoduo chuckled, utterly unconcerned.
“When it starts, we’ll take everything from them!”
Yun Yi looked at the senior students with a cold smile.
Mu Cailing frowned but responded calmly,
“New students can steal from seniors. Whatever the seniors have, you may take.”
She paused before continuing,
“Now, I’ll explain the rules—three points.”
“First, no killing during this trial!”
“Second, no forcing female disciples into indecent acts!”
“Third, seniors may not form teams privately; new students may form teams of up to four members!”
“Elders will oversee the entire city during the trial. Anyone breaking the rules will be executed on the spot once caught!”
Mu Cailing’s words swept over the crowd like a storm, suppressing all with intimidation.
“Now, form your teams. You have the time it takes one incense stick to finish!”
With that, Mu Cailing closed her eyes to meditate.
“Brother Yi, I want to be on your team!”
“Boss, you can’t leave me behind! Right, Qian Mo?”
Qian Mo hesitated, then laughed as he draped a shoulder around Qian Duoduo, smiling at Yun Yi.
Yun Yi looked into Qian Mo’s eyes, then at Qian Duoduo’s, feeling a strange déjà vu. He suddenly felt a shiver run through him.
...
After one incense stick’s time had passed,
Mu Cailing formed hand seals and summoned a Qingyan Eagle from her storage beast pouch.
Seeing the envious gazes around her, Mu Cailing said calmly, “After the trial, as long as you have certain contribution points, you can also purchase one.”
“Now, new students follow me! Seniors descend the mountain on their own at noon by sword!”