The white figure was incredibly fast, arriving before the panicked Sun Yibin in the blink of an eye. It then blocked Qin Xiaowan's sword strike with a bare hand.
Only then did the crowd clearly see that the newcomer was the honors class instructor, Xiao Yaoyao. Her face was filled with anger; she couldn't believe someone would dare to fight so brazenly within the academy.
Although Qin Xiaowan's strike was powerful, it was nothing before a Four Vein Powerhouse like Xiao Yaoyao. However, she wasn't injured by the rebounding force, merely glaring at Xiao Yaoyao with a dark expression.
"What in the world is going on?" Xiao Yaoyao demanded angrily. "The Martial Arts Training Ground is for sparring only. Have you completely forgotten the academy's rules, fighting to the death like this?"
Qin Xiaowan glanced at her opponent before saying slowly, "Make him give me back my Pearl Flower. It's the only memento my mother left me. If he doesn't, this won't end until one of us is dead."
Only then did Xiao Yaoyao look at Sun Yibin and notice the Jade Pearl Flower in his hand. "Give the Pearl Flower back to her," she commanded. "You will explain exactly what happened here today. Otherwise, I will ensure you are severely punished."
How could Sun Yibin dare disobey Xiao Yaoyao? He handed the Pearl Flower to the instructor. He certainly didn't dare hand it directly to Qin Xiaowan; who knew if that she-devil would attack him again.
Xiao Yaoyao, in turn, passed the Pearl Flower to Qin Xiaowan. "Qin Xiaowan, you are one of the most brilliant students in the honors class. What happened? Why would you fight him so violently?"
"Why? Because some people don't know what's good for them. They have disgusting, punchable faces and think they can do whatever they want just because their family connections got them into the honors class," Qin Xiaowan said. "Well, I don't buy into that nonsense. Anyone who dares to offend me will learn just how serious a mistake that is."
Back in her office, Xiao Yaoyao had already heard that Qin Xiawan had beaten Murong Rufeng up in the academic building. The reason was apparently that Murong Rufeng had made some insolent remarks and tried to take advantage of someone. 'He was just reaping what he sowed.'
She hadn't planned on getting too involved. After all, Qin Xiaowan was a female student and deserved protection within the academy. But upon hearing they were going to "spar" on the Martial Arts Training Ground, she sensed something was amiss.
This wasn't an ordinary spar; it was a clear attempt to kill. If she had arrived just a moment later, Sun Yibin might have been severely injured, or even killed, by Qin Xiaowan.
Xiao Yaoyao turned her gaze to Murong Rufeng, whose two front teeth had been knocked out by Qin Xiaowan. "Were you the one who made insolent remarks to them? You've really got some nerve. Do you actually think I wouldn't dare do anything to you?"
"Xiao Yaoyao, get it straight. I'm the one who's hurt! It was Qin Xiaowan who injured me, and yet you're taking her side? Is there something wrong with your head?" Murong Rufeng raged.
Everyone stared at Murong Rufeng, wondering if the boy had lost his mind. How could he dare speak to the beautiful instructor that way? He had to know that Xiao Yaoyao was none other than the academy director's daughter.
"Very well," Xiao Yaoyao fumed. "Since you insist on acting this way, I have no choice but to demote you to the ordinary class. The honors class does not welcome students who use their influence to bully others. If it weren't for your father, I would have you expelled from Linyuan Academy right now."
"You probably don't have the guts," Murong Rufeng sneered. "My father personally gave your father a letter when I came here. He was to ensure my safety and that I received the academy's best training. You should be well aware of the consequences if my father were to find out about this."
Only then did the crowd understand how powerful this guy's background was. No wonder he was so arrogant, showing no respect for even Instructor Lin Ling or Xiao Yaoyao.
Xiao Yaoyao's expression darkened. She was well aware of the Murong Family's influence. They weren't overwhelmingly powerful on their own, but they had a massive backer—a formidable power from within the Imperial City. This made the situation incredibly difficult.
"I will let my father deal with your grievances personally," Xiao Yaoyao said. "However, fighting is a violation of academy regulations. If you can give me a suitable reason, I can pretend this never happened. If not, you will all be punished."
"I don't need a reason. Strength *is* the reason," Murong Rufeng said, pressing his advantage. "That wench Qin Xiaowan injured me. Does she really think she can get away with it? I demand justice."
At that moment, Xiao Yaoyao fought the urge to slap him and knock out the teeth on the other side of his face. 'He's utterly shameless.'
"I came to Linyuan Academy to improve my strength," Qin Xiaowan said. "In this world, might makes right. The strongest one is the boss. Sun Yibin was disrespectful to me, and I want to defeat him. On the Decisive Battlefield."
"The Decisive Battlefield?" Xiao Yaoyao said. "Qin Xiaowan, think this through. You can't just step onto the Decisive Battlefield whenever you please. Once you're up there, it's a fight to the death. You have to sign a life-and-death waiver beforehand. Unless there's a deep-seated grudge, there's no need to go that far. This isn't a game."
"I'm well aware," Qin Xiaowan said with determination. "But I cannot and will not tolerate someone who disrespects me like that. If Instructor Xiao finds that unreasonable, I may be forced to take other measures. I don't care if I get expelled from Linyuan Academy."
"That's right. I also want to get on the Decisive Battlefield," Ye Feifei chimed in. "I will fight Murong Rufeng! Killing scum like him is the only way to appease the hatred in my heart!"
Qin Xiaowan and Ye Feifei were both exceptional students in the honors class. Moreover, Xiao Yaoyao knew the two were very close to Ye Tian. If Ye Tian emerged from the Gravity Chamber to find out they had gone to the Decisive Battlefield, he would surely blame her.
'Even if they are going to fight, it has to wait until Ye Tian is out of the Gravity Chamber. For now, I can only stall.' She felt that this was the most difficult situation she'd ever faced as an instructor.
On one side was the powerful Murong Family; on the other, the academy's most brilliant talents. The slightest misstep could lead to dire consequences. She couldn't make a decision right now. All she could do was stall.
"You wench, you think I'm afraid of you?" Murong Rufeng snarled. "We'll settle all our scores, new and old. In fact, let's add that brat Ye Tian to the mix. I want all of you to die together!"
Xiao Yaoyao looked at Murong Rufeng, confused. She didn't understand how Ye Tian had gotten involved with him. 'So they already had a history?' Otherwise, there was no reason for Murong Rufeng to deliberately target these two female students.
"Fine, you can go to the Decisive Battlefield, but you will have to wait a few days," Xiao Yaoyao said, exasperated. "It isn't something you can just do at will; you must submit an application to the academy. Still, I hope you will all reconsider. Stepping onto the Decisive Battlefield means either you live, or you die!"
"Waiting a few days is acceptable," Murong Rufeng raged. "First, I'll kill this wench, and then I'll take care of that brat Ye Tian. My hatred will not be satisfied until they are both dead!"
"Ye Tian? You want to kill Ye Tian?" Ye Feifei retorted furiously. "When Ye Tian gets out, you won't even know what hit you! You're so full of yourself! Once we're on the Decisive Battlefield, I'll make sure you die a miserable, miserable death!"
"I'll be waiting for you all!" Murong Rufeng declared. "Let's hope you aren't too scared to show up to the Decisive Battlefield! We're leaving!" He paid no mind whatsoever to Xiao Yaoyao's presence...