Chapter 39 Arrogant Chen Hao

After Jiang Xiaofei left the principal’s office, he walked toward the Genius Class, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Gao Muqiu.

At that moment, the Genius Class was in complete chaos. Many students were animatedly discussing how Gao Muqiu had defeated Teng Pan from the Prodigy Class earlier that day, their excitement growing with every word. After all, the Prodigy Class had long relied on Lan Lianshuang’s backing to do as they pleased at the academy, and the students of the Genius Class had suffered no small amount of bullying from them. Now that Gao Muqiu had avenged them, how could they not be overjoyed?

Yet, there was one person who was anything but happy—in fact, she was deeply anxious. Xie Xuanxuan knew Lan Lianshuang’s character all too well. That woman was fiercely protective of her own, a formidable force who would never let a grudge go unanswered. With Gao Muqiu having beaten Teng Pan so severely that he was nearly crippled, there was no way Lan Lianshuang would let the matter rest.

The thought made her even more worried for Gao Muqiu. After all, not only was Lan Lianshuang herself a Xuan-level mage, but she also held a high position in the Mage Association. Gao Muqiu simply wasn’t a match for her. But as Gao Muqiu’s best friend, how could she stand by and watch Gao Muqiu be bullied?

She looked at Gao Muqiu and tried to persuade her, “Sister Gao, why don’t you just apologize to Lan Lianshuang? That way, at least there won’t be any more trouble.”

“You want me to apologize?” Gao Muqiu frowned slightly at Xie Xuanxuan’s words. She knew better than anyone how formidable Lan Lianshuang was, but her pride would not allow her to bow her head to anyone.

She gave a cold snort. “Teng Pan brought this upon himself. Why should I apologize?”

“But Lan Lianshuang is the sort who never lets a grudge go. She’ll never let this go,” Xie Xuanxuan insisted.

Gao Muqiu knew Xie Xuanxuan was worried for her, but she didn’t answer. Instead, she withdrew into her spiritual sea, where a mysterious woman shrouded in darkness stood at its center.

“What did you do to Teng Pan?” Gao Muqiu asked.

The woman smiled. “I merely planted a Soul Devouring Mark on him.”

Gao Muqiu’s brow furrowed. “What exactly is a Soul Devouring Mark?”

“It’s my exclusive secret art,” the woman replied. “Whoever bears its mark will suffer the torment of a thousand spirits gnawing at their body, their soul scattered to the winds.”

Gao Muqiu was alarmed. “How could you use such a sinister spell on him?”

The woman’s expression darkened in displeasure at Gao Muqiu’s questioning. “Weren’t you the one who asked me to deal with him?”

“But I never told you to kill him,” Gao Muqiu retorted.

The woman sneered. “So what if he dies? He’s just an ordinary wretch. There’s nothing to pity.”

Gao Muqiu’s face was grave. “If he were truly just an ordinary person, his death would mean nothing. But he’s a member of the Mage Association. If he dies because of this, I’ll be punished by them. Don’t you realize you’re putting me in danger?”

The woman laughed. “So that’s what you’re afraid of. But don’t worry. It’s only the Mage Association. If they dare to punish you, I’ll make them pay dearly.”

Gao Muqiu’s voice was cold. “I don’t care. You must do as I say. Remove the Soul Devouring Mark from Teng Pan’s body immediately.”

The woman’s tone hardened. “Impossible.”

“You—” Gao Muqiu was furious. “If you refuse to listen to me, I’ll force you out of my body, even if it costs me my life!”

The woman frowned, her voice icy. “Are you threatening me?”

Gao Muqiu remained silent.

The woman continued, “You know only I can give you true power.”

Her tone became more insistent. “Don’t you want to avenge your mother?”

At these words, Gao Muqiu clenched her fists, hatred blazing in her eyes. “Of course I want revenge. I dream of it every night.”

The woman nodded. “Then do as I say. Right now, I need ninety-nine pure boys and girls. Once I’ve regained my strength, not only the Mage Association—even the whole world will be yours, if you wish.”

Gao Muqiu fell silent.

Just then, Jiang Xiaofei walked into the classroom.

His arrival immediately drew the students’ attention, and the rowdy classroom fell silent in an instant.

Sensing the strange atmosphere, Lin Xiaofeng tried to liven things up. “Why’d everyone stop? Come on, keep going! Today’s a rare day for celebration.”

The students ignored Lin Xiaofeng. Only Chen Hao spoke up, shouting, “What’s there to be afraid of? He’s just a new professor! Don’t make such a fuss.”

His words provoked some students’ displeasure, especially Lin Tianfeng, who looked at Chen Hao as if he were a fool.

Noticing the reaction, Chen Hao’s brows knitted. When he saw Lin Tianfeng’s mocking expression, he responded with a cold sneer. “What are you laughing at? Careful, or I’ll rip your mouth off.”

Lin Tianfeng said nothing, his look full of disdain.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaofei stood at the podium, his face dark. He looked at Chen Hao and said coldly, “Get out.”

Chen Hao frowned, pretending not to hear. “What did you say? I didn’t catch that.”

Jiang Xiaofei shouted angrily, “I said get out. You heard me this time, didn’t you?”

“You bastard, you dare insult me?” Chen Hao flew into a rage. He shot up and, to the shock of the class, stormed up to the podium, grabbed Jiang Xiaofei by the collar, and threatened, “You dare curse me? Believe me, one word from me and you’ll be out of this school.”

“Let go,” Jiang Xiaofei said, his brows tight and expressionless, though inside he was seething.

Chen Hao sneered, “You want me to let go? That’s too bad. Who do you think you are, daring to insult me?” He grinned maliciously. “If you get on your knees and call me ‘grandfather,’ maybe I’ll let you go.”

“He’s gone too far!” Some students could no longer hold back their anger, especially Li Xiaofang, who shouted for Chen Hao to stop.

Chen Hao ignored her, his tone domineering as he glared at Jiang Xiaofei. “I’ll count to three. If you don’t apologize and bow to me, I’ll slap you half to death right here.”

At these words, fury flashed across Jiang Xiaofei’s face. His voice was cold. “Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige you.”

With that, Jiang Xiaofei seized Chen Hao’s hand, which was gripping his collar, and twisted it sharply. A pig-like scream echoed through the classroom, and every student who heard it winced in sympathy from the pain.

Chen Hao, clutching his right hand in agony, glared at Jiang Xiaofei and shouted, “You dare hurt me? I’ll kill you!”

With a face full of hatred, he raised his left hand, and a pattern of light gathered in his palm before he struck at Jiang Xiaofei.

Jiang Xiaofei stood his ground, calm and unmoved. He lifted his right foot and drove it hard into Chen Hao’s abdomen.

Before everyone’s eyes, Chen Hao doubled over in pain, his face contorted, and was sent flying out of the classroom.

Seeing this, Lin Xiaofeng grew uneasy and ran out after him.

Jiang Xiaofei watched Lin Xiaofeng leave, but paid him no further attention. His gaze swept the classroom, and he said coolly, “You all saw it. He brought it on himself. Don’t blame me.”