"Little San, look at Teacher Zhao! He's injured this badly, and you still want us to wait?"
"Let's go! Everyone with me—let's avenge Teacher Zhao!"
Dai Mubai threw off Tang San's restraining hand, rage blazing in his eyes.
"Calm down, all of you!"
Tang San stood up, blocking the eager Ma Hongjun and the conflicted Zhu Zhuqing.
"Teacher Zhao is seriously injured. The first thing we should do is get him medical help—not try to act tough here!"
His voice was steady, sweeping across the group.
"Who among you can confidently say you could defeat someone strong enough to injure Teacher Zhao?"
"…"
The fire in Dai Mubai's chest was doused by a bucket of cold water.
He was impulsive, not stupid. That man had casually taken down Zhao Wuji. None of them could take him on.
Grumbling, he muttered, "Then what do you suggest?"
"We didn't provoke him, yet he nearly killed Teacher Zhao. We have to make this right!"
Seeing everyone unconsciously looking to him for guidance, Tang San took a deep breath and continued:
"We're no match for him right now. If we charge in recklessly, we'll only suffer more losses."
He gestured toward Zhao Wuji.
The image of Zhao Wuji's arms—broken and limp, blood still dripping—flashed through their minds.
What if that had been them?
They couldn't help but feel a chill. The thirst for revenge quickly faded into fear.
"Our best option is to get out of here and report this to the Dean. Let him handle it!"
As Tang San spoke, Aether approached slowly, sword in hand, Paimon floating beside him.
You dare lay a hand on Paimon?
Who do you think you are?
Hurting him was one thing. But scaring Paimon?
Unforgivable.
All this time—even against monsters and gods, he had never let Paimon get hurt.
Yet during his unconsciousness, this group had dared to lay hands on her.
Sure, Paimon only had about a quarter of a wild boar's combat power…
But in this world, did they even ask who had her back before grabbing her?
"Who are you? Why did you attack Teacher Zhao?" Tang San stepped forward, shielding the others and demanding answers.
Aether didn't even look at him.
Instead, he turned to Paimon, floating beside him.
"Who touched you?"
Paimon's face fell. She pointed straight at Tang San.
"Him! He grabbed me really hard—Paimon could barely breathe!"
She pouted, then added with righteous fury, "And him! And him! They tried to touch me!"
She pointed at Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun next.
"Traveler, just beat them up a little for me. Nothing serious!"
Though not one to hold grudges, Paimon had been truly terrified.
She had faced countless dangers, but nothing like this.
If Aether hadn't woken up, she wouldn't have been able to escape.
What would these people have done to her?
Would they have hurt her, locked her up… eaten her?
She didn't even want to think about it.
So she decided—just a little punishment was fair.
"The ones she pointed at, stay. The rest can leave."
Aether's voice was cold and emotionless.
Even Paimon, who never took things personally, wanted them punished.
That said everything.
If he hadn't woken up, what would've become of her?
He refused to imagine it.
Paimon might be soft and sweet—but her Traveler was not.
In Teyvat, those who knew Aether thought him gentle.
But that was for allies.
Ask the Hilichurls, ask the Fatui—see if his blade was gentle.
Kindness was still kindness—but even kindness had its edge.
He had journeyed through countless worlds. Without strength, without temper, he and Lumine would have become just another predator's meal.
"You hurt our teacher, and now you think you can bully us?"
Tang San tried to stand tall, feeling no soul power from Aether at all.
But Zhao Wuji lay broken behind him.
He was afraid.
Still, he forced himself to speak, trying to reason, trying to stall.
He looks about my age… How is he this strong?
I've cultivated so hard, survived countless near-deaths to absorb spirit rings. I'm only rank 32…
And this guy crushed a rank 76 Soul Sage like it was nothing.
Bitter jealousy took root in his heart.
"The ones she pointed at stay. The rest—get lost."
Aether repeated, even colder this time.
Tang San's expression darkened.
"Damn it, Little San, I can't take it anymore! Let's fight him!"
Without waiting, Dai Mubai activated his Martial Soul: Evil-Eyed White Tiger.
"Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!"
A beam of white light roared toward Aether.
Aether didn't dodge. He didn't even blink.
He lifted his foot and kicked.
BOOM!
The white light exploded, dissipating completely.
Dai Mubai, the one who launched the attack, was sent flying with a miserable wail, crashing into the forest like a sack of bricks.
Then Aether's eyes turned to the crowd again.
They landed on Ma Hongjun.
He moved.
One kick.
The scream echoed through the trees, scattering the birds.
"And you," he said, looking directly at Tang San, "Which hand touched her?"
Tang San flinched.
It was the first time Aether had spoken directly to him.
"Traveler… maybe that's enough…"
Paimon tugged gently at his sleeve, her voice trembling.
She had only seen Aether like this when he was fighting monsters—and those monsters had all been turned to ash.
These were people.
She knew he was angry because of her, but she still felt scared.
"You want my brother's hand? You're asking for death!"
Xiao Wu roared, stepping up.
"First Soul Skill: Waist Bow!"
Her figure flashed, aiming a deadly scissor kick at Aether's neck.
But he moved faster.
He caught her rabbit leg midair and flung her aside like a toy.
She slammed into a tree and fell, groaning.
"You… even if we're not your match, we're students of Shrek Academy! We have teachers—an academy head!"
"If you back off now, I'll ask them to forgive you!"
Tang San's voice trembled, but his eyes burned with rage.
Aether had dared to hurt Xiao Wu.
He was courting death.
Still, the gap in power was undeniable.
He needed to stall.
Just one opening. One chance to launch a Tang Sect hidden weapon.
That was all he needed.