Chapter 1126: From First Playboy to First Plague God?

Nie Fangsheng couldn’t hear what they were saying, but seeing their occasional glances towards him, he knew it was unlikely to be anything good.

Although he had resolved to stand up for Qiu Yongcheng, the thought of being so shameless in troubling a junior made him feel slightly embarrassed. Luckily, his face was naturally dark, so it was hard to tell anything was amiss.

Then he saw the worried, even teasing look in their eyes, and Nie Fangsheng’s heart grew slightly uneasy, thinking of Gong Hongru.

While he could directly expel Mu Hanyan from the Sword Casting Hall as a mentor, he feared provoking Gong Hongru and bringing disaster upon himself. Ultimately, his actions were disgraceful, and even in front of the Dean, he would be the one to suffer.

No, he still needed a legitimate reason. Nie Fangsheng quickly changed his mind.

"Alright, since you say you were attentively listening to my teachings on Sword Casting Technique, I’ll give you another chance. Remember the twelve methods of Shape Casting and Bone Forging? If you can forge the Blood Gall Sword Shape and forge the Blood Gall Sword Bone before me, I’ll admit I wronged you and apologize." Nie Fangsheng said grandly, pretending to be magnanimous.

"What, Master Nie, you dare claim you’re not deliberately making it difficult for me? In the presence of so many Academy peers, why don’t you let them try?" Mu Hanyan sneered repeatedly.

She genuinely didn’t believe anyone could forge a sword shape and bone having only heard him teach the Sword Casting Technique once.

"Mu Hanyan, I’m doing this for your own good. As Gong Hongru’s Direct Disciple and the top recruit this selection process, I heard you passed the Beast Soul Tower trial just hours ago. With such extraordinary talent, how could you waste it easily?

If you truly have the talent for Sword Casting, I’ll teach you with all my heart, even passing on my family’s Sword Casting Techniques to you. But if you lack the aptitude, why waste time following me? I would say the same in front of Lord Gong." Nie Fangsheng said with feigned righteousness.

"So, should I be thanking Lord Nie then?" Mu Hanyan retorted sarcastically.

"No need, as an Academy mentor, adapting teaching to individual talents is my duty. If you find the time too rushed, I’ll give you another night to comprehend. Tomorrow afternoon, show me whether you can cast a sword shape, forge a sword bone, and if you have the natural talent for Sword Casting Technique." Nie Fangsheng said firmly, giving Mu Hanyan no chance to object.

Anyway, he had found the excuse. Even if Mu Hanyan were expelled from the Sword Casting Hall, it wouldn’t offend Gong Hongru too much.

"You all disperse as well. Ponder today’s teachings carefully. In the future, I will assess everyone one by one. If anyone truly lacks the talent for Sword Casting, I will treat you all the same." Nie Fangsheng continued, still pretending in front of the others.

Despicable villain! Mu Hanyan sneered in her heart.

"Alright, then tomorrow afternoon, I’ll let you witness the Sword Casting Technique of Mu Hanyan!" Mu Hanyan didn’t want to waste words and decided to act instead. She indeed looked forward to seeing if Nie Fangsheng’s dark face would change color—though even if it turned pale with anger, he was too dark for it to show.

Turning around, Mu Hanyan left the Sword Casting Hall with Ling Baobao and Tan Yu and the Gu family brothers.

Tan Yu and the others were worried, but Ling Baobao still wore a carefree smile.

"Are you happy?" Mu Hanyan glanced at Ling Baobao and said irritably.

"Yes, just thinking about seeing Nie Heilian stunned and frustrated tomorrow like he’s constipated makes me happy." Ling Baobao laughed heartily.

"You think I can certainly forge the Blood Gall Sword Shape and Bone?" Mu Hanyan asked.

Upon pondering, although Mu Hanyan was confident in herself, she wasn’t completely arrogant. It puzzled her how this guy, much like Huayue and the others, seemed to idolize her blindly.

"I don’t have much faith in you, but I have faith in myself." Ling Baobao said brazenly.

"You—how can you help?" Mu Hanyan asked suspiciously, looking at Ling Baobao.

Even if he knew a bit of Sword Casting Technique and could help, Nie Fangsheng certainly wouldn’t allow him to intervene.

"Of course I can help. We just need to get a sword casting furnace. You have to practice first, or I can’t help even if I want to." Ling Baobao rambled evasively.

Seeing him so confident, Mu Hanyan was even more curious, but knowing his personality, she realized no matter how she asked, he wouldn’t divulge. So she didn’t bother pressing further.

"There’s a sword casting furnace for sale in the Academy Market." Tan Yu chimed in.

"The Academy has a market?" Mu Hanyan asked, surprised.

"Of course, Academy Disciples cultivate various strange and mysterious arts. They’re always dealing in Elixir and Sword, and the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures from Illusion Dragon Tower trials can also be traded. Even Trial Tokens can be exchanged. In short, whatever is available outside, Long Yan Market mostly has it." Tan Yu replied.

"Let’s go and have a look," Mu Hanyan said, eager.

"Maybe you should stay here, Master. Let us handle this small matter." Tan Yu hesitated and suggested.

Mu Hanyan suddenly realized her reputation at Long Yan Academy was moving from the First Playboy towards the First Plague God. If she went to the market, everyone might clear out, leaving nothing for her to purchase a sword casting furnace.

"Alright, you go ahead. I’ll return and wait for you." Seeing it was getting late and fearing the market might close, Mu Hanyan didn’t say much and handed a silver note to Tan Yu before returning with Ling Baobao to Wenjian Valley.

...

Returning to her quarters, Mu Hanyan initially intended to greet her Master, but as she approached the doorway, she noticed the lack of thunderous snoring and recalled he had mentioned that once he woke up—or finished his seclusion—he would visit friends. She then turned back to her own courtyard.

Huayue had returned early, and upon seeing Mu Hanyan, they quickly came to greet her.

"How was it today? Nobody gave you a hard time?" Mu Hanyan asked.

"Not bad, didn’t get any trouble, but the old guy teaching Sword Manipulation Techniques looked unfriendly. I guess during the assessments, he won’t be nice. It’s the same for the others." Zirong smiled, seemingly not bothered by these matters.

Mu Hanyan was slightly relieved, realizing she was the main target. Huayue and others might have been implicated, but no one had aimed directly at them, at least for now.

"And you, weren’t you pressured by Nie Fangsheng and Qiu Yongcheng, who reportedly have arranged marriages for their children?" Huayue and the others seemed to have heard the news and asked worriedly.