Chapter 75: Threat
Seeing Rob, who just moments ago had been so arrogant, now lying helpless beneath the foot of someone his age, the new students looked at Xiao Yuan with growing admiration.
This guy was seriously badass!
"Hehe, what a gifted young man. Looks like I've stumbled upon a real gem this time~"
A sudden feminine voice, so gentle it seemed to melt into one's soul, made Xiao Yuan turn toward the shadowy corner of the tent.
There stood a woman in green robes, her warm smile lighting up a beautiful face. Her eyes shimmered with intelligence and kindness, like clear spring water flowing through the heart—mesmerizing in their serenity.
She appeared slightly older than Xiao Yu and her companions. Her graceful, voluptuous figure exuded a mature charm honed by time.
So elegant!
Xiao Yuan assessed her with a glance and silently praised her in his heart.
"Instructor Ruo Lin! Hehe, I've missed you so much!"
Spotting the woman, Xiao Yu's eyes lit up. She rushed forward with a grin, throwing her arms around Ruo Lin's seemingly soft yet trim waist.
"Hehe, Yu'er, how was your break?"
Ruo Lin asked with a gentle smile as she returned the hug.
"It was fine."
Xiao Yu giggled playfully, then leaned close to whisper in Ruo Lin's ear with a teasing tone:
"Instructor, you're getting even more gentle. At this rate, any man lucky enough to fall for you is going to be utterly drowned in this softness."
Ruo Lin shook her head, helpless but indulgent, and patted Xiao Yu's head. Her gaze then turned to Xiao Yan and the others, chin gesturing toward them as she spoke softly:
"These little ones you brought are all excellent."
Her eyes finally settled on Xiao Yuan, who was still standing outside with his foot planted firmly on Rob. She examined him curiously.
"Hehe, of course."
Xiao Yu puffed out her chest with pride, then pouted. "That guy deserved it. You can't blame Xiao Yuan for that."
"He knows how to hold back. Rob and Gola aren't seriously hurt—just their Dou Qi was disrupted. They'll recover."
Ruo Lin responded with a gentle smile.
"Alright, we'll catch up later."
She patted Xiao Yu's hand and stepped forward, addressing the sweaty new students outside.
"Students, come in now. Xiao Yuan, you too."
At her invitation, the sun-scorched crowd immediately jumped up in delight and hurried into the tent's shade.
While such initiation tactics could be considered harsh, they did prove effective. Once inside, the newcomers were visibly more subdued, huddling in corners with their eyes nervously scanning the room.
Of course, someone like Xiao Yuan—who was far too powerful—was treated as a special case.
Ruo Lin's gentle gaze swept across the group, finally landing on Xiao Yuan. She smiled and said softly:
"Rob didn't mean anything malicious. He just let his temper get the better of him. Please don't take it to heart."
"Hehe, you flatter me, Instructor. Everyone in Wu Tan City knows I'm a kind and easygoing person, so of course I won't hold a grudge. However, Wu Tan City may be the Xiao Clan's territory, but not everyone within it falls under our protection.
Coincidentally, I have some reputation around here. If word of this gets out, some well-meaning folks might decide to take matters into their own hands. If something were to happen to Senior Rob... that could get messy. I hope you can look after him, Instructor Ruo Lin, to avoid any unnecessary trouble."
Xiao Yuan's smile was warm, but his words sent chills down several spines.
Ruo Lin blinked slowly, eyes locked on the smiling young man.
A strange premonition stirred within her.
In all her years of teaching, she had a feeling she was finally about to meet her most troublesome student...
"Starting now, Rob and Gola are not allowed to leave the campus until enrollment is over!"
With a soft sigh, Ruo Lin issued her command. The two unconscious students were promptly taken away for treatment.
She then shot a glare at Xiao Yuan.
This little rascal—he actually dared to threaten an instructor.
When they got to the academy, she would definitely "teach" him properly.
Clearing her thoughts, Ruo Lin walked to the front of the tent and sat gracefully in the main chair. With a wave of her finger, a flash of light shone from her storage ring, revealing a green parchment scroll and an ink brush.
She leaned back lazily and spoke with a smile:
"Everyone, congratulations on passing the preliminary test. You are now officially candidates for Jia Nan Academy. But before final enrollment, we need to assess your potential."
"According to the academy's system: Under 20 years old, with eight-stage Dou Qi—F-level. Nine-stage is E-level, and so on. Four-Star Dou Zhe qualifies as A-level, and above that... Five-Star and beyond? That's S-level!"
As she spoke the last line, her eyes scanned Xiao Yuan briefly.
Clearly, anyone who could casually slap down a Four-Star Dou Zhe had to be at least Five-Star, maybe higher.
Inside the tent, everyone was silently speculating just how absurd Xiao Yuan's combat power—and thus, his potential rating—might be.
"Alright, let's begin. From the left—name, level, and age."
Ruo Lin held the brush lightly, smiling softly.
Xiao Yu and her friends sat nearby, clearly intrigued.
"Hey, Yu'er, your little boyfriend Xiao Yuan—he's definitely S-level, right?"
Several pretty girls whispered excitedly.
Xiao Yu just shrugged and smiled mysteriously without saying a word.
"…???"
Unwilling to be ignored, the girls pounced and poked her sides playfully.
"Okay, okay! I'll tell you!"
Startled, Xiao Yu batted their hands away and hesitated before speaking cautiously:
"I'd guess at least S-level. He was already a Four-Star Dou Zhe a few months ago."
Gasp!
The girls were floored. They had already suspected it after seeing him beat Rob in two slaps, but hearing it confirmed left them speechless.
Even Ruo Lin's hand trembled slightly as she held the brush.
(END CHAPTER)
Friends, if you enjoyed the novel, you can subscribe to my Patreon channel.
Until November 30th, get 40% off your subscription and the purchase of the novel.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1