I fear trouble the most

Gao Yanan and the student from Thunder Academy, marked by a bruise on his face, soon reemerged from behind the mound. 

Upon seeing Gao Yanan leading the way, Wanyan Muye's lips twitched involuntarily. 

He had always been exceedingly confident in his own abilities. Before entering Thunder Academy, he had already become a practitioner, surpassing the threshold of a mid-tier soul master, and now he had attained the rank of a high-tier soul master. 

The three major academies of Yunqin were never short of prodigies, and for someone of Wanyan Muye's age to achieve the level of a high-tier soul master was indeed a testament to his exceptional talent. 

Thus, he had little regard for the students of Qingluan Academy. 

However, he never anticipated encountering monsters here... Lin Xi, who was evidently only at the level of a mid-tier soul master, wielded a power that vastly differed from his own, yet in that moment, he had managed to strike Wanyan Muye's foot with a spear thrust. 

His assertion that true battles on the battlefield are a fight to the death, demanding a rematch, was indeed a shameless claim. For if, in a real battlefield, his foot had been pierced, Lin Xi could simply walk away, and Wanyan Muye would have no hope of catching up. The loss of blood would render him increasingly weak. 

To defeat a high-tier soul master with the abilities of a mid-tier soul master, and to do so against one who had truly been tempered by experience rather than coddled like a delicate flower, was remarkable. 

Lin Xi was truly a monster. 

And then there was Gao Yanan, another monster whose combat prowess left him utterly defenseless against her overwhelming strength... How could a high-tier soul master like him be so easily subdued? Had her cultivation already reached the level of a soul master? 

Since he began his journey in cultivation, Wanyan Muye had known that aside from the Mingzhen Pill from Qingluan Academy and the Huailing Pill from the formidable ancient nation of Tangzang to the west, no other elixirs or methods could allow one to bypass the barrier of sensing one's own soul power. These two elixirs were unique treasures, unattainable even by the nobles in the royal city of Zhongzhou. 

Moreover, due to his weaker spirit and soul power in childhood, it was even more challenging for him to perceive his own soul power. Thus, even those who began cultivating at a young age often wasted their time, struggling to become true practitioners. 

Therefore, reaching the level of a high-tier soul master at the age of sixteen or seventeen was indeed astonishing. 

It was no wonder that the powerful individual from the Great Mang Sacred Land, who had encountered Nangong Weiyang, felt a sense of self-deprecation and found the situation absurd, ultimately succumbing in the mud. 

There were indeed some monsters in this world, individuals who could naturally sense their own soul power from a young age and effortlessly entered the ranks of practitioners. However, such monsters were rare, appearing once in a century. 

"Only Brother Helan could possibly contend with a soul master..." 

When Wanyan Muye arrived at the Tianlong Mountain Range, he had anticipated an easy opportunity to enhance Qingluan Academy's reputation, but the emergence of these two monsters, Lin Xi and Gao Yanan, instantly shattered his expectations. 

The combat strength of the Thunder Academy student, Jian Yong, was comparable to his own, and the way he now walked with his head bowed behind Gao Yanan made it clear without asking what the outcome of their conversation had been. 

Moreover, even if he had wanted to inquire, he likely wouldn't have received an answer, for he too was probably suffering from a swollen throat, unable to utter a word. 

... 

"Yanan, what on earth is happening?" 

The group led by Lin Xi was not foolish; from the expressions on Wanyan Muye's and Jian Yong's faces, they could discern that the latter had undoubtedly received a harsh lesson from Gao Yanan. 

"Could it be that Gao Yanan's combat strength exceeds that of Wanyan Muye?" 

Qin Xiyue gazed at the still-calm Gao Yanan, feeling increasingly convinced that many things were indeed different from her previous assumptions. 

Once Jian Yong returned to the Thunder Academy group, he immediately relinquished all the food he had on him and turned to leave without a word. 

The other Thunder Academy students, finally understanding the expressions on Wanyan Muye's and Jian Yong's faces, also left behind all their provisions, turning away in silence. 

These students from Thunder Academy had arrived with arrogance, but departed in utter silence, their humiliation palpable. 

As this inexplicable conflict came to an end, the gazes of Bai Zi Hou and the others towards Lin Xi subtly shifted, their emotions complex as they were unsure of what to say or do. 

"How did you manage to teach them such a lesson? Not only did you earn their respect, but they are also rendered speechless?" Lin Xi, ignoring the stares of others, curiously looked at Gao Yanan and softly asked, "Since you already took action... why go through the trouble of retreating behind the mound?" 

Gao Yanan looked at Lin Xi, shaking her head, and replied, "I do not wish to deceive you." 

"Very well." Lin Xi was momentarily taken aback, nodding, but his brow furrowed slightly. 

Gao Yanan's declaration of not wanting to deceive him might not resonate with others, but Lin Xi understood its implication... Did her actions risk exposing certain secrets about herself? This suggested that Gao Yanan's identity and background were likely not simple. 

"Lin Xi, you were right. Our previous criticisms were unfounded, based solely on our baseless assumptions. I apologize to you. And Yanan, I also apologize to you; I was indeed too biased." Qin Xiyue, watching the Thunder Academy students depart, turned solemnly to Lin Xi and Gao Yanan, stating, "I will reflect on this matter moving forward." 

Lin Xi smiled and replied, "You need not be so serious. Since I said I would prove it to you, it indicates I have accepted your stance and consider you a friend. Now that you are so earnest in your apology, if I were to say more, I would feel somewhat hypocritical. If I were to say nothing, it might come off as overly proud, making me feel rather awkward." 

After saying this, Lin Xi glanced at Gao Yanan. Knowing that girls could be somewhat sensitive about certain matters, he was concerned about Gao Yanan's feelings, especially since Qin Xiyue had essentially forced her to sever ties with her. However, he quickly realized his worries were unfounded, as Gao Yanan merely cast a glance at Qin Xiyue, seemingly seeking her opinion, and asked, "Qin Xiyue, do you think it would violate the rules of this course if we collected the items dropped by the Thunder Academy students?" 

Qin Xiyue's stomach suddenly let out a loud growl, causing her to smile sheepishly as she took Gao Yanan's hand. 

"Lin Xi!" 

At that moment, a hoarse and sharp voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention. 

The voice belonged to Liu Ziyu, who was being supported by Bai Zi Hou and others. 

His face was exceptionally pale, his gaze filled with resentment as he glared at Lin Xi, hissing, "I admit that you have restored some dignity to our Qingluan Academy, but you are truly hypocritical... If you possess such strength, why didn't you prove it earlier, instead of carrying the burden of being a mere ninety-pound chosen one? Does anyone truly disregard their reputation? Ultimately, you were merely waiting for an opportunity to publicly humiliate us, and today you have finally seized it... If you are indeed so powerful, why wait until we are defeated before you take action against Wanyan Muye? I know that news of today will undoubtedly change many people's perceptions of you, but I am even more certain that you harbor a dark and hypocritical heart!" 

"Do you not realize how much you resemble a fly?" 

Initially in high spirits due to Gao Yanan and Qin Xiyue's reconciliation, Lin Xi furrowed his brow. His disdain and tranquility did not equate to endless patience, and he coldly regarded the dejected and resentful Liu Ziyu, saying, "Firstly, indeed, no one is indifferent to their reputation, but when it comes to certain secrets that cannot be disclosed, a fleeting reputation must yield. Moreover, I do not believe your perspective represents the so-called reputation. Is your opinion more authoritative than that of the academy's instructors? Ultimately, you are measuring me by your own standards; a person like you can never understand my pride and confidence. If you insist on interpreting my actions as waiting to embarrass you, then that is entirely your own doing. Even those who might speak ill of me behind my back would not find themselves in such a humiliating position." 

After a brief pause, Lin Xi continued with a cold smile, "Secondly, do you truly believe I found it easy to deal with Wanyan Muye? Did you think I possessed a hundred percent certainty in defeating him? According to your logic, upon witnessing your defeat, I should simply stand by and refrain from engaging, not daring to contend with Wanyan Muye?" 

Lin Xi's words were factual; everyone had seen that Wanyan Muye's cultivation far surpassed his own, and Lin Xi's earlier thrust had indeed been a desperate gamble for survival. In fact, even Lin Xi himself had been uncertain that he could defeat Wanyan Muye with that single strike. 

Given the truth of the matter, his words carried even more weight, further emphasized by the underlying meanings he had previously hinted at, subtly indicating that Liu Ziyu and he operated on entirely different levels within the academy. This realization caused Liu Ziyu's face to shift from white to purple, trembling with rage yet unable to utter a single word. 

"You and I ultimately dislike each other; disliking someone is simply that—there's no need for friendship, nor to seek reasons to belittle one another," Lin Xi stated, gazing at Liu Ziyu. "I believe there are many beautiful things in this world, many pursuits worthy of my attention, and thus I do not wish to squander my emotions on trivial entanglements... Ultimately, it's like a passerby in a park, constantly confronted by an unpleasant face—it truly dampens the mood. I detest such troubles, so since it has come to this, I kindly ask you to remember our previous agreement: in the future, even if you see me, please refrain from speaking to me and keep your distance. If you do not speak, I certainly cannot humiliate you or the like." 

"Very well! You are quite something!" Liu Ziyu's face turned completely purple, consumed by anger, neglecting his own faults as he felt Lin Xi's words brought him further humiliation in front of others. He glared fiercely at Lin Xi, hissing, "I will adhere to our agreement, but I will also remember the humiliation you have inflicted upon me today." 

Yet what made his body stiffen even more was that upon hearing his words, Bai Zi Hou and the other two students from the Medicine Department, who had been supporting him, frowned and released their hold, stepping away from him to stand a short distance in front of Lin Xi. They bowed respectfully, and Bai Zi Hou spoke first, sincerely apologizing, "Lin Xi, we were indeed too disrespectful to you earlier... Upon reflection, our rudeness stemmed not only from your test result of merely ninety pounds of strength but also from your background and chosen identity. We apologize to you." 

"You all..." Liu Ziyu nearly choked again, feeling as though he had been dealt another resounding slap. 

"Lin Xi, I didn't expect you to be so formidable, but I still do not like you. If you fear trouble, I shall ensure to bring it upon you," at that moment, Mu Shan Zi, who had been relatively quiet, suddenly spoke up, pouting as he called out to Lin Xi, "Unless I can make you shout three times that you are a pig, I doubt I will feel satisfied." 

Lin Xi chuckled. Given the boisterous demeanor of this arrogant character from earlier to now, he found this overt hostility far more endearing than the subtle scheming and calculations. Thus, he felt no particular disdain for Mu Shan Zi. "Why make it so troublesome?" he thought, and with a playful spirit, he called out, "I am a pig... I am a pig... I am a pig." 

Mu Shan Zi was momentarily stunned, staring at Lin Xi in disbelief. "Lin Xi... you are ruthless!" After a moment, he muttered this in exasperation before turning away, grumbling, "Damn it, what is this... as a pig's classmate, cultivating alongside pigs is hardly something to be proud of." 

... 

Meanwhile, the chubby Meng Bai was staring hungrily at the meat strips discarded by the Thunder Academy students, nearly drooling as he chuckled at Mu Shan Zi's words. Not far away, on a small hill, Bian Linghan lay silently, her figure completely concealed by the wild grass. 

In her hands, she held a self-made longbow, with several handmade arrows nearby. 

Including Lin Xi and Gao Yanan, no one had noticed her lurking nearby, nor did they realize that her arrows had been aimed at the Thunder Academy students all along. 

Earlier, when Wanyan Muye had acted unreasonably towards Lin Xi, as the most powerful Windwalker among assassins, she had no intention of reasoning with him. Had Gao Yanan not been present, and Wanyan Muye attempted to engage Lin Xi, she would have certainly shot an arrow at Wanyan Muye without hesitation, making it difficult for them to discern where the arrow had come from.