Shen Nanshu’s team instructor was a middle-aged man from the Western Divine Church. Tall and imposing, he formed a stark contrast with the short-statured Yang Jie.
Therefore, the moment the two sides met, Shen Nanshu’s teammates smirked, eager to see how their instructor would avenge them.
“Instructor Yang, you’re here too. Perfect, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” the Caucasian instructor said with a dark expression, his powerful aura almost suffocating.
Yang Jie adjusted his glasses, his face impassive. “Ricks, is it? The youngest cardinal of the Western Divine Church. Coincidentally, I also have something to discuss with you. But not right now.”
Ricks frowned. “That’s not for you to decide.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding air became bitterly cold. The tables, chairs, and even the clothes of everyone present were instantly covered with a thin layer of frost.
He was an ice-attribute mage, his command over various spells breathtaking. Before Smith advanced to A-rank, Ricks could even give him a run for his money.
Thus, his display of anger served as a potent warning.
“Instructor Yang, do you have time now?” Ricks crossed his arms, a pair of amused eyes fixed on Yang Jie’s dark, stern face, showing no respect whatsoever.
Wu Heng, Zhuge Zhi, and Huo Jingshu gritted their teeth in fury, but their strength was insufficient. They shivered uncontrollably from the cold.
Xia Qingqing, however, blinked her big eyes, seemingly less affected. The frost on her body was almost instantly absorbed into her system.
Ye Qingyi held Su Mo, confirming he had truly fainted. Her expression immediately turned icy.
Initially, she had been worried, knowing he was pretending. But given the current situation, it seemed he was genuinely injured.
While uncertain if Shen Nanshu had caused it, the chaotic spiritual energy within his body clearly wasn’t from Qi deviation. It more closely resembled damage inflicted by an external force.
She approached Yang Jie and hissed through clenched teeth, “Instructor Yang, Qianye’s condition is critical. She needs immediate treatment, or her life could be in danger.”
Yang Jie nodded, casting a glance at the giant Ricks before him. “Whatever issue exists between us, I must leave now.”
Ricks gave a scornful laugh. “Very well. You will apologize on behalf of your student to mine.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Jie fell silent, a flicker of anger igniting in his eyes. “Su Mo, you all take him and leave first. I’ll catch up shortly.”
Ye Qingyi acknowledged the order. “Yes!”
The others also turned to leave without hesitation, seemingly unafraid of Ricks.
Just as the opposing team’s students moved to block their path, thick, sturdy vines suddenly burst from the ground, forming a protective corridor for Ye Qingyi and the others.
Simultaneously, Yang Jie pushed up his glasses again. The sound of crashing waves seemed to echo from within him.
The moment Ricks conjured an ice prison, Yang Jie’s short frame shot forward like a cannonball, piercing through the defense and closing in on Ricks at close quarters.
Seeing this, Ricks smirked. “Everyone thinks us mages are high on attack, low on defense. Unfortunately for you, I’m different. My defense is the strongest among mages of my rank.”
Despite being a mage, he intended to engage Yang Jie in direct physical combat!
Boom!
Ricks’s fist met cotton.
The instant Yang Jie’s “petite” form connected with this behemoth, his attacking fist technique suddenly became soft and yielding, leaving the opponent’s immense strength with nowhere to go.
The two continued their close-quarters entanglement. Every single move and strike from Ricks was effortlessly deflected by Yang Jie.
“What in the world?” Ricks exclaimed in shock.
Yang Jie looked at him with disdain. “Close combat relies on more than just physical prowess. Even ten lunks like you would be nothing to me.”
Instead of flying into a rage at the slight, Ricks calmed himself and asked solemnly, “What technique is this?”
“Something commonly practiced by elderly gentlemen in Xia Country,” Yang Jie replied, pressing his advantage. His fist struck Ricks’s abdomen, the force spreading from a single point to the entire surface, then through his whole body, sending him flying backward. Yang Jie then retracted his stance and stated gravely, “Its name is—Tai Chi!”
With that, Yang Jie turned and walked away. No one dared to stop him.
A student reminded Ricks, “Instructor Ricks, he’s getting away…”
Ricks narrowed his eyes. “His skill surpassed mine. Let him go.”
“But what about the wrong done to our captain?”
Ricks glanced at Shen Nanshu. “You tried to frame someone and ended up being subdued yourself. I don’t think you’re fit for the captain’s position. Race, you’re the captain now.”
Race was the one who had just spoken. He wasn’t sure whether to be happy or sad. “…Yes.”
Ricks watched Yang Jie’s departing figure, lost in thought.
…
Su Mo was taken by Ye Qingyi to her private apartment. Due to his unique circumstances, he couldn’t be sent to a hospital.
Yang Jie frowned as he checked Su Mo’s pulse. His expression grew even more grave, increasing everyone’s anxiety.
Wu Heng and Zhuge Zhi were somewhat surprised.
After all, Instructor Yang had never shown such concern for any other student before.
The two of them even began to suspect if Lin Qianye might be his secret love child…
Xia Qingqing and Huo Jingshu, already aware of the truth behind this, were not surprised. Though deeply worried, they felt powerless and could only stand by.
After a long while, Yang Jie finally spoke. “Her body is in terrible shape. It feels like a spiritual energy backlash.”
“Spiritual energy backlash?” Ye Qingyi questioned, puzzled. “He didn’t suffer Qi deviation. How could there be a backlash?”
Yang Jie shook his head, then looked at Wu Heng. “I need some things. Go buy them for me outside.”
He then handed over a list of required items—over a dozen in total, including things like demon beast blood and demon beast cores—along with a card.
“Zhuge Zhi, you go too. You’re good at haggling. These items aren’t cheap.”
At the mention of haggling, Zhuge Zhi’s eyes lit up. “Yes, sir!”
“Xia Qingqing, Huo Jingshu, I need you to find the Head Instructor for me. Tell him Yang Jie has a request and needs him to come immediately.”
The two girls looked at him with incredulous expressions.
No way… Instructor Yang was actually asking for help?
No way… he was asking the Head Instructor to come immediately?
They felt they had been entrusted with an incredibly important task. Whether for saving a life or due to the significance of the request itself, both felt a strong obligation to carry it out properly.
After the four had left, Ye Qingyi glanced at Yang Jie’s face. “I…”
“You don’t need to leave. Stay and assist me.”
“Okay.” A flicker of relieved happiness appeared on her face.
Yang Jie took out many items at once and instructed Ye Qingyi, “First, remove her disguise.”
Ye Qingyi paused, then retrieved the white jade ring from Su Mo. From it, she took out the Bagua Mirror and swept it over Su Mo’s face. The originally slightly pale face suddenly turned deathly white, the lips losing all color.
Ye Qingyi’s heart sank, leaping into her throat, but she remained silent, waiting for Yang Jie’s next move.
Yang Jie first opened an exquisite leather case, revealing silver needles inside. He took one and inserted it. Su Mo immediately let out a soft moan, seeming to be in great discomfort.
Suddenly, his body began to tremble violently. Wisp after wisp of ink-black gas started seeping out through his skin as if a dam had burst.
Ye Qingyi was thoroughly frightened, momentarily losing her composure.
Yang Jie, however, remained composed and solemn, showing no panic. He instructed Ye Qingyi, “In a moment, aside from the Head Instructor, don’t let anyone else in.”