Chapter 55

The rejection was unexpected, even to the people of Tianzhao Academy, who found it utterly unreasonable. Wen Yan thought their dean was about to explode, but to his surprise, Yun Chong did not show the slightest sign of displeasure or any other emotion. He simply said, "Oh," as if he had just heard a perfectly reasonable response to a routine matter.

Those who could reach the position of dean by the age of forty were few and far between across the entire continent, let alone at an academy ranked in the top fifty on the风云榜 (Feng Yun Bang), which were all prestigious institutions with considerable influence.

Yun Chong was no ordinary person. To some students, the dean seemed easy to get along with, but that was only because he had no need to show his depth in front of them. Or perhaps, being easy to get along with was the facade he chose to present to the students.

Would such an unexpected rejection throw him off? That was just the students' inherent view.

Yun Chong did not lose his composure; he was very much in control. Instead, he began to scrutinize the two students from Zhaofeng Academy more seriously.

To be honest, these intruders, though they had caused some trouble and shown some talent, were not particularly significant to Tianzhao Academy, which was ranked thirty-ninth on the Feng Yun Bang. The academy attracted many talented students from across the continent, and Yun Chong was not so desperate for talent that he would go to such lengths.

If Xi Fan and Mo Lin had readily agreed, Yun Chong would not have found it unusual. He might not even have recognized them the next day. But their rejection, which was unexpected, made him see them as somewhat special. He began to reassess them.

Xi Fan and Mo Lin suddenly felt uncomfortable. They had not taken the current situation too seriously and had been quite relaxed. But when Yun Chong's gaze fell on them again, they both felt as if they were being penetrated. It was as if something was seeping into every pore of their bodies, making them extremely uncomfortable.

What kind of ability was this?

Both Mo Lin and Xi Fan were well-informed and knew that Yun Chong must have used some kind of special ability. However, neither of them was a communicator and had no means to resist.

Mo Lin was startled and looked up, trying to see what action Yun Chong had taken and what kind of soul force he was using.

"Don't look!" Xi Fan, noticing his action, immediately warned him.

Yun Chong smiled slightly. It seemed the young man on the right had more experience and was perhaps more perceptive due to his soul force realm. However, simply "not looking" was a rather low-level and somewhat laughable defensive measure. Yun Chong did not intend to make things too difficult for them; the ability he had used was already sufficient.

The young man on the left, though he possessed a sixth-level Pivot Soul, had no Strength Soul. This made him unsuitable for combat roles, yet he had survived for a long time in the fierce competition among third-year students at Tianzhao Academy. His skills in evasion, using the environment, and poisoning, including quickly obtaining a Tianzhao Academy uniform, were not just a matter of talent and intelligence but also of experience. This young man did not have the typical aura of a student from a prestigious academy; his carefree attitude and resolve had a rough, unrefined quality.

The young man on the right, due to his severe injuries, was not in good condition. Yet, even in this state, he displayed extraordinary skills and techniques, knocking out Wen Yan, who was at a much higher realm. This young man had a regal demeanor, and the aura he exuded was far above that of Zhaofeng Academy... no, even above Tianzhao Academy. When he spoke of finding Chu Min for training, it was not with anticipation but with the determination to complete a task and fulfill a promise.

Yun Chong smiled, his hand resting on the desk, tapping it lightly. He seemed to be thinking about something, or perhaps nothing at all. The office became very quiet, and Xi Fan and Mo Lin did not speak. Wen Yan and Shen Chi also remained silent, clearly sensing Yun Chong's formidable strength and presence.

The silence lasted for a long time.

Yun Chong did not speak and did not pay particular attention to anyone in the room, but he was fully aware of every move and even the slightest emotional changes of the four people.

The young man on the left was waiting. He had no means to dispel his discomfort and unease, but he had patience and was waiting very patiently for the situation to pass. The discomfort and unease did not cause him anxiety or动摇 (doubt).

The young man on the right was guarding. He also felt discomfort and unease, but he did not lose his composure. He maintained a clear mind, not because of his realm but because of his character. He harbored a pride, perhaps even a pride he was unwilling to face, but this pride did not allow him to bow down. He had no means to confront, so he guarded, steadfastly.

In comparison, the performance of the two Tianzhao Academy students disappointed Yun Chong.

Wen Yan and Shen Chi had much higher realms than Xi Fan and Mo Lin, but the silence was driving them mad. They needed constant small actions to pass the time and alleviate their unease.

Yun Chong sighed inwardly. He really wanted to get these two students from Zhaofeng Academy. Their mental fortitude was more valuable than their talent. Wen Yan and Shen Chi were outstanding students at Tianzhao Academy, with excellent family bloodlines and realms far beyond their peers. But they lacked this mental fortitude, and they might never have it.

How long could these two hold out?

Yun Chong wanted to test them, but he knew that if he continued, the two outstanding students from Tianzhao Academy would be the first to give in.

Should he adjust the barrier? As Yun Chong was thinking, there was a sudden bang, and the door was pushed open.

Who was it?

Yun Chong was startled.

The entire office was protected by a barrier he had set up using his Surge Soul and Essence Soul, with the Surge Soul controlling the range and the Essence Soul manipulating the effects. The barrier did not hinder entry, but the moment the door opened, he could feel that a corner of the barrier had collapsed.

"Is it true that someone is looking for me?"

A person walked in, reeking of alcohol. This foul smell usually made Tianzhao Academy students avoid her, but at this moment, the alcohol disrupted Yun Chong's barrier, and the agitated Wen Yan and Shen Chi actually felt their moods improve.

Without turning around, they already knew who had come.

"Is she the Chu Min they are looking for?" This was the thought in both their minds. Mo Lin and Xi Fan recognized the strong woman who had walked in as the formidable woman from the congee shop, Wei Ming. Then they saw her carrying a red-clothed girl, who was Su Tang, and with her other hand, she was holding someone by the ankle, who slid into the room. It was none other than Lu Ping.

(Good morning everyone...)

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