Chapter 99

Chapter 100: Threat

Gela smiled sinisterly as Xiao Yan slowly walked over. He had seen many such rebellious freshmen, but most of them didn't end up well. Dampening the freshmen's arrogance during recruitment was almost an unwritten rule at the Jia Nan Academy. After all, those who could meet the admission criteria were generally quite talented. In their small hometowns, they were usually pampered and rarely faced ridicule. Entering the Jia Nan Academy, where outstanding individuals were abundant, they could easily get into fights over trivial matters, causing unnecessary trouble. Therefore, it was a practical and important task to make the freshmen understand their place and temper their arrogance during recruitment.

Even some of the Jia Nan Academy's mentors did not oppose this unwritten rule, so it had been passed down.

Gela clenched his fists, a faint aura of combat energy covering them. He smiled sinisterly, remembering how he had resisted when he first entered the Jia Nan Academy, relying on his talent. However, a second-rank Fighter had knocked him out with just one punch, making him run out to bask in the sun for half an hour. This humiliating experience gave him a sense of satisfaction every time he saw a new freshman, as he enjoyed crushing their arrogance.

The young man finally stopped in front of Gela under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

"Yuer, why didn't you stop him? It's better to bask in the sun than to suffer a beating," the women around Xiao Yu said, unable to bear the sight of Gela's sinister smile.

Standing beside Xiao Yu, Xue Ni recalled Xiao Yu's evaluation of Xiao Yan. Her bright eyes blinked curiously as she stared at the young man who maintained a calm smile. She was eager to see if Xiao Yan truly possessed the terrifying talent that Xiao Yu had described, almost on par with a certain demon girl.

Xue Ni bit her red lips and folded her arms, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Xiao Yu, still blushing, lazily stretched her arms and brushed the bangs from her forehead. She glanced at the young man's back and said casually, "Who knows who will suffer more?"

The twenty or so freshmen outside the tent, who had also been forced to bask in the sun, turned their curious gazes to the two about to fight. They had resisted before, but were always overpowered by the more skilled seniors. Now, seeing someone else challenge the seniors' authority, they were happy to watch the spectacle.

"Kid, are you ready?"

Gela enjoyed the attention, his smile growing wider. His narrow eyes scanned Xiao Yan, and he laughed.

"Let's start." Xiao Yan nodded his chin, his calm voice surprising everyone.

"Hehe, the kid has a good attitude," Gela said, slightly surprised by Xiao Yan's composure, which made him feel a bit angry. Was this a form of disrespect?

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, unwilling to waste words. He lazily stared at Gela's face, which was tinged with anger.

"Very well!"

Gela's self-esteem was hurt by Xiao Yan's calmness. He sneered, lunged forward, and clenched his right fist, gathering combat energy. With a burst of force, he aimed a powerful punch at Xiao Yan's head.

The crowd frowned as they saw Gela use so much strength against a freshman.

Xiao Yan raised his eyelids slightly, watching the rapidly approaching fist. He shook his head and, just before the punch hit, extended his hand and intercepted it.

His hand remained steady, and the powerful punch seemed to dissipate into the void, leaving no trace.

"Slow! Weak! Are you really a Jia Nan Academy student?" Xiao Yan lifted his head, shook it, and said softly.

The surrounding crowd was stunned by Xiao Yan's slightly mocking tone. They stared in shock at the point where the fist and palm met, finding it hard to believe that a freshman could so easily block a first-rank Fighter's attack.

Luo Bu, who had been smiling, turned grim as he watched the scene. His eyes turned cold as he stared at the smiling young man. It seemed he had underestimated him. He should have sent someone stronger.

"Damn! You're asking for it!"

Gela's face turned red with anger. He roared and kicked Xiao Yan's abdomen with his right foot.

Xiao Yan's face remained indifferent. His left hand, like swatting a fly, casually slapped Gela's ankle, causing a bruise to appear instantly.

"Hiss."

The intense pain in his ankle made Gela gasp. His anger intensified, and he took a step back, freeing himself from Xiao Yan's grip. He then kicked off the ground, leaped into the air, and spun. A faint green combat energy enveloped his right leg, forming a wind blade-like glow. He aimed a powerful kick at Xiao Yan's head.

"Shameless, using the 'Wind Blade'! That's a high-yellow combat technique. This guy is too shameless!" The girls around them shouted angrily at the sight of the blurry light blade on Gela's leg.

Xiao Yu's eyebrows furrowed at Gela's actions but quickly relaxed. She remembered that even when Jia Lie used a black-rank combat technique, Xiao Yan had still broken his arm. She didn't believe that a mere first-rank Fighter could harm Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan raised his face, feeling the sharp wind on his cheeks. He slowly raised his hand, aiming at the descending Gela.

"Get lost!" He whispered.

As he spoke, a powerful invisible force burst from his palm, striking Gela's chest as he landed.

"Spit!"

Gela's face turned pale from the mysterious blow. He was instantly thrown back, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Thud."

He landed heavily on the scorching stone ground, his body twitching. He stared in horror at the young man standing in the shade, his chest tight, and then fainted.

The entire scene, from Gela's powerful attack to his sudden retreat, took only a few seconds.

The tent and its surroundings fell silent as everyone watched the quick resolution of the fight.

Under the scorching sun, the freshmen stared dumbfounded at the unconscious Gela. After a moment, their eyes shifted to the young man standing in the shade. This was the first time they had seen a freshman defeat a senior, and the young man looked even younger than them.

Several pretty girls among the freshmen stared at the black-clothed, calm young man with admiration, almost ready to scream in excitement.

"Indeed... a terrifying talent." Xue Ni watched Xiao Yan, shaking her head in amazement. He had proven Xiao Yu's words.

"Yu... Yuer, what level is this guy? He seems to be a Fighter already," a girl beside Xiao Yu asked, her voice trembling.

It was no joke; to easily defeat a first-rank Fighter meant he was stronger than most people here.

Xiao Yu smiled sweetly, her eyes shining as she stared at the young man. After a moment, she mimicked Xiao Yan's gesture, shrugging and smiling, "Even I can't beat him. Is he a Fighter?"

"Tsk tsk, such a young Fighter. In the Jia Nan Academy, that's considered top-notch talent. Yuer, you have good taste. But he's your cousin, right? Can you let him go to us?" The pretty girl teased.

"Get lost, Yinnü!"

Xiao Yu's face turned red as she pushed her away. She muttered to herself, "I already said, we're not that closely related..."

Her sudden outburst made her ears burn. She quickly scolded herself and calmed down, trying not to think too much.

Compared to Xiao Yu's playful banter, Luo Bu's face grew even darker. He glared at Xiao Yan, his lips twitching.

"You don't need to go out now, right?" Xiao Yan casually rolled up his sleeves, glanced at Luo Bu, and smiled faintly.

"Hehe, little brother, you're quite hidden." Luo Bu's grim expression faded, and he smiled warmly, patting Xiao Yan's shoulder. He whispered coldly, "Don't be too arrogant. There are many more talented people in the Jia Nan Academy. Your attitude will get you into trouble."

"Thank you for the advice." Xiao Yan nodded, smiling. "But I don't think you have the qualifications."

Xiao Yan wasn't a fool. He was well aware of Luo Bu's hostility and saw no need to pretend. If it came to a fight, he wouldn't fear Luo Bu. If pushed further... killing and disposing of a body wasn't a new experience for him.

Although Luo Bu's hostility was partly due to a misunderstanding, Xiao Yan had no interest in resolving it. Luo Bu simply didn't have the qualifications.

Moreover, despite their occasional arguments, Xiao Yan didn't want Xiao Yu to be harmed by such a hypocritical person.

Hearing Xiao Yan's blunt words, Luo Bu's warm smile turned grim. His eyes glared coldly at Xiao Yan, his face twitching, as if he wanted to tear him apart.

Xiao Yan ignored the pointless glare, his calm smile more genuine than Luo Bu's forced one.

"Arrogant kid, when you get to the Jia Nan Academy, I'll take good care of you!" Luo Bu gritted his teeth, smiling coldly.

Xiao Yan touched his face and said softly, "I don't know about other places, but if you keep acting like this, do you think I'll let you leave U坦城?"

Luo Bu's eyes narrowed, and he stared at the young man, seeing a cold, indifferent look in his dark eyes.

His body trembled slightly as he met those cold, dark eyes, feeling a chill similar to the one he had when he encountered a vicious wolf during a mission.

He swallowed hard, and the threat on his lips was swallowed back.

"Very well." Luo Bu took a deep breath, trying to dispel the humiliating chill. He nodded at Xiao Yan, determined to find a way to deal with him later.

Xiao Yan watched Luo Bu calmly, considering whether to find a way to make him stay in U坦城 permanently to avoid future trouble. Just then, a gentle voice, which made Xiao Yan's heart soften, laughed softly from the tent.

"Hehe, the kid has quite a talent. It seems I've found a gem."

(To be continued)