"His life in return?"

Everyone present, apart from Elder Yang, was stunned numb by Li Nian’er’s words.

That was a Martial Artist at the Ninth Level of the Martial Emperor Realm, not to mention the Vice Dean of Duanjin Academy. One could only imagine his status and position within the Central Celestial Academy.

Wang Tong had merely harbored murderous intent toward Li Nian’er without inflicting any real harm. Yet now, she was demanding his life. Wasn’t that a bit too tyrannical?

Zi Xing tugged on Ye Qingchen’s sleeve and spoke cautiously, "Junior Brother Ye, do people from your Divine Wood Academy all have violent tendencies?"

Her words made Ye Qingchen scratch his head in embarrassment. "Please don’t think that way, Senior Sister Zi Xing," he said. "At least, I’m not like that. Compared to them, I’m a perfect little angel."

Zi Xing chuckled. She recalled how Ye Qingchen had mercilessly slaughtered the disciples of Duanjin Academy just moments ago. He had been so decisive and ruthless, yet now he had the audacity to claim he was a perfect little angel.

The disciples from Duanjin Academy, on the other hand, were both shocked and terrified.

The move Elder Yang had just displayed made it clear he possessed the power to annihilate Wang Tong. The only question was whether Elder Yang would consider his status and refrain from acting, or if he would be like that madwoman, screaming for blood.

Wang Tong’s gaze was icy, but his legs trembled uncontrollably, proving he wasn’t as calm as he appeared. Even his voice quavered as he spoke to Elder Yang, "I... I was just trying to teach her a lesson. After all, she insulted me in front of so many disciples. If I didn’t do something..."

Before Wang Tong could finish, Elder Yang raised his hand and slapped him to the ground again.

Elder Yang’s decisive action left the disciples of Duanjin Academy at a complete loss. Wang Tong’s words had been a clear attempt to back down, yet Elder Yang still wouldn’t let him off. It seemed very likely that Wang Tong would lose his life here today.

Elder Yang ignored Wang Tong, whose face was now swollen on both sides. Instead, he turned to Li Nian’er with a fawning expression. "My dear young miss," he said, "although this fellow is a good-for-nothing, he’s still a high-ranking member of the Central Celestial Academy. If we just kill him like this, it’ll be a little hard to justify, won’t it?"

In truth, the moment Elder Yang saw Li Nian’er’s eerie smile, he had a faint premonition that she might make this demand. But now that she had actually voiced it, Elder Yang was in a difficult position. The war with the Demon Clan had already begun, and the Central Celestial Academy desperately needed skilled individuals. If he killed Wang Tong now, it would undoubtedly weaken the academy’s strength, and he would have a hard time explaining it to the Head Dean.

But Li Nian’er was clearly not willing to let it go. Hearing Elder Yang’s words, she snorted coldly and said, "Not long ago, my aunt sent me a voice transmission to ask how I was doing. If I tell her that I’ve been following you around only to get bullied by others, I wonder if her heart would ache for me..."

As she spoke, Li Nian’er’s eyes reddened, looking as if she might burst into tears at any moment. Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought she had suffered some terrible injustice.

But Elder Yang, a man who feared neither heaven nor earth, felt a cold shiver run down his spine the moment Li Nian’er mentioned her aunt. He anxiously asked her, "Your aunt knows I’m here? You promised me."

Seeing Elder Yang’s distress, Li Nian’er gave the triumphant smile of a successful plotter. "My aunt doesn’t know yet," she said sweetly. "But if I get bullied and you refuse to help me, I’ll have no choice but to complain to her, now will I?"

Hearing her words, Elder Yang knew he was being blackmailed, but it was a threat he simply couldn’t defy. Gritting his teeth, he finally relented, "Alright, alright! I’ll help you vent your anger. There’s no need to trouble your aunt over such a small matter."

Their conversation wasn’t intentionally hushed, so everyone present heard it loud and clear. When Wang Tong and the disciples of Duanjin Academy heard Elder Yang agree, a chilling despair washed over them. They all stared at Elder Yang as if facing a mortal enemy.

Ye Qingchen, however, gleaned something more from their exchange and began to speculate silently.

It seems Elder Yang is terrified of Senior Sister’s aunt. No wonder a water-attribute Martial Artist like her joined the Divine Wood Academy and is so doted on by him. This isn’t simple at all, not simple. It’s even possible that Elder Yang is henpecked...

From the very beginning, Ye Qingchen had found it strange. Li Nian’er was clearly a water-attribute Martial Artist. Logically, after enrolling in the Central Celestial Academy, she should have joined the Sunflower Water Academy to cultivate. Yet, she had ended up in the Divine Wood Academy instead. With Elder Yang’s lazy temperament, it was highly unlikely he would go out of his way to snatch a disciple from another academy. After hearing their conversation, this theory instantly formed in his mind.

Elder Yang was oblivious to his young disciple’s slanderous thoughts. Since he had already made his promise to Li Nian’er, he wanted to get it over with quickly so he could return to the Divine Wood Academy. With Li Nian’er’s mischievous nature, there was no telling what other jaw-dropping demand she might make at any moment.

Elder Yang turned to face Wang Tong and spoke in a cold voice, "You heard my disciple. Since you harbored killing intent toward her, you must pay with your life. However, out of consideration for your position in the Central Celestial Academy, I will allow you to end your own life. It will be a way to preserve some of your dignity."

Wang Tong looked at Elder Yang with a face full of bitterness, his hands trembling slightly. To kill himself? The thought was even more agonizing than being killed by Elder Yang. If he committed suicide, he would be scorned even in death!

He knew perfectly well that he was no match for Elder Yang. The old man’s aura was like a vast, unfathomable ocean. Even the Head Dean of Duanjin Academy was nowhere near this powerful. Moreover, judging from Elder Yang’s demeanor, he was not someone who would entertain negotiations. Begging for mercy would likely only result in further humiliation.

Forget it! Death is coming for me either way. It’s better to do it myself, just as Elder Yang suggested, and preserve a final shred of dignity.

At this thought, Wang Tong sighed. He bowed to Elder Yang and said, "Dean Yang, I will take responsibility for my own actions. I only hope that you will not make things difficult for my disciples."

Elder Yang waved his hand dismissively. "I am not a bloodthirsty person. If you hadn’t offended my disciple today, I would not have taken a life."

Wang Tong patted Wang Meng and Wang Teng on the shoulders, his eyes filled with grim resolve. He then took a step forward, and the aura around his body began to surge violently.

The nature’s spiritual energy from the surroundings poured incessantly into Wang Tong’s body, and in response, his form began to swell alarmingly.