Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Refusing the Life-and-Death Battle
Tang Wushuang fainted from anger again, and the news of Lin Yun challenging him spread like wildfire throughout the Academy.
At that moment, seven or eight people were seated in the Main Hall, located in the very center of the Academy. They were all Primordial Ocean Realm experts from Yanhuang Academy, each one a powerhouse in their own right.
"He just entered the Academy and has already caused such a huge commotion. I propose that this boy must be severely punished," a sallow and emaciated old man said. He was Tang Wushuang’s master.
"Heh heh, the Academy has rules. Students can apply for life-and-death battles. Even if he’s new, he still has that right. Should he be severely punished just because the one he challenged happens to be your student?" Lan Xi’s master retorted.
Lan Xi’s master was the beautiful woman who had pursued Lin Yun in the Yunlu Mountain Range. Beside her now was another beautiful woman, though this one appeared exceptionally cold, as if she were made of ice.
"Since he didn’t violate the Academy’s rules, we cannot punish him," she said icily. This person was Lu Bingning’s master.
With differing opinions, a heated argument naturally followed.
Although these seven or eight people were all Primordial Ocean Realm experts of the Academy, as powerhouses of their level, they all possessed a natural arrogance. When their opinions clashed, none would yield to another.
"Hmph, I must punish this boy severely," Tang Wushuang’s master snorted.
"A dignified Primordial Ocean Realm expert targeting an Opening Realm junior? How shameless. If you dare to make a move, I will see it through to the end," Lu Bingning’s master said mercilessly.
As soon as she spoke, the air around the two of them became extremely tense. At that moment, however, an even more immense aura suddenly swept in, instantly engulfing both of their auras.
Along with this aura, a white-haired old man appeared in one of the three chairs at the head of the room. These seats were reserved for the dean and two vice-deans of Yanhuang Academy. The old man’s presence there confirmed his identity—he was one of the two vice-deans of Yanhuang Academy and also Lin Xiaotian’s master.
"Vice-Dean..." Seeing the old man, these Primordial Ocean Realm experts didn’t dare to be the least bit insolent. Even though they were displeased, they still smiled and greeted him.
The old man glanced at the seven or eight Primordial Ocean Realm experts present, his face completely devoid of expression.
"You are all the strongest experts in the Academy and renowned figures throughout Yanhuang Country. Since when have you become so concerned with the affairs of juniors?" the old man said calmly.
Hearing the old man’s words, everyone fell silent. Although they were all Primordial Ocean Realm Martial Artists, the old man’s strength was several times greater than theirs.
Seeing that no one spoke, the old man stroked his beard and continued, "Two juniors have agreed to a battle. As their teachers, you shouldn’t have interfered in the first place. Since it was mutually agreed upon, why punish one of them?"
"Vice-Dean, this brat has no respect for the rules! He made my student faint from anger twice in a row," Tang Wushuang’s master said, unwilling to concede. To him, it sounded as if all the old man’s words were in favor of Lin Yun.
"Fainted from anger twice? Someone with such a weak temperament can become a student in our Genius Class? In my opinion, it is you all who are increasingly disregarding the Academy’s rules. The Genius Class students receive over half of the Academy’s resources. If they are all a bunch of good-for-nothings, then what’s the point of having a Genius Class?"
"In five years, the competition for the Southeast Domain’s Green Talent List will begin. I shouldn’t need to elaborate on its importance, should I?"
The old man’s words were spoken calmly, but no one dared to ignore them. Especially when he mentioned the Green Talent List, a grave expression appeared in everyone’s eyes. This was a matter that would affect the distribution of benefits throughout the entire Southeast Domain for the next ten years.
"Alright. Since Tang Wushuang did not agree to this life-and-death battle, then we will proceed according to Academy rules. No one is to secretly act in violation of the Academy’s regulations." In the end, the old man’s word was final, and no one dared to object.
Without another word, the old man’s stooped figure slowly walked out of the hall under everyone’s gaze. With what seemed like an ordinary step, his figure had already vanished a kilometer away.
With the decision made, the crowd naturally dispersed. Aside from Tang Wushuang’s master, who looked utterly displeased, the others were unfazed. After all, it had nothing to do with them.
Tang Wushuang rejected Lin Yun’s application for a life-and-death battle, but the public reason he gave left Lin Yun not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"I do not deign to accept a challenge from an Elite Class disciple. Lin Shan, if you truly want a life-and-death battle with me, come to the Genius Class. Then we can settle life and death in a single fight." These were Tang Wushuang’s words.
To others, this reason made it seem like he didn’t want to lower himself to Lin Yun’s level. However, anyone in the know understood that Tang Wushuang was scared.
In the Elite Class area, Wu Ze and Chen Dalong were sitting on a stone bench in their courtyard. Chen Dalong spoke without reservation, "What a coward. He doesn’t even dare to accept the challenge."
Hearing this, Wu Ze smiled faintly. He knew Tang Wushuang all too well. Tang Wushuang would never take a risk unless he was absolutely certain of the outcome. He was a timid rat, and at the same time, treacherous to the bone.
Although it had no tangible effect, Lin Yun was still very happy to have dampened Tang Wushuang’s spirit. At the same time, his own reputation had become thoroughly established among the Elite Class students.
’Tang Wushuang, let’s see if you can still plot against me now,’ Lin Yun sneered inwardly.
Lin Yun had carefully considered his decision to put himself in the spotlight. Since Tang Wushuang and Yue Xiuchuan liked to play dirty tricks, Lin Yun decided to thrust himself into the eye of the storm.
Under the watchful eyes of so many people, it wouldn’t be so easy for Tang Wushuang to scheme against him again.
"Brother Lin, you’re amazing! Tang Wushuang didn’t even dare to accept the challenge."
"Yeah, and you even managed to snatch Lu Bingning! That’s incredible. Now everyone in the Elite Class is talking about you, Brother Lin."
The three who had previously been bribed by Yue Xiuchuan to frame him were now completely in awe of Lin Yun. Here in Lin Yun’s room, the three of them were excitedly lavishing him with praise.
Listening to their flattery, Lin Yun gave a helpless smile. It was nice to be praised, but he couldn’t let it go to his head. Lin Yun was very clear on this point.
Tapping each of the three on the head, Lin Yun feigned annoyance and snapped, "Enough with the flattery. And what do you mean, ’snatched’? Lu Bingning was mine to begin with."
"Yes, yes, yes... Lu Bingning was Brother Lin’s to begin with," the three said.
Looking at the trio, Lin Yun reflected that although they weren’t exactly good people, after interacting with them for a while, he realized they were just a bit greedy. To put it plainly, they just had the mischievous temperament of common ruffians.
"I have one more thing for you to do," Lin Yun instructed the three of them.
After hearing Lin Yun’s instructions, a cold smirk appeared on all three of their faces. They hadn’t expected Brother Lin Shan to have such a dirty trick up his sleeve.
