172 Yan Zhen’s Counterattack
Those who had accused Yan Zhen were rendered speechless. Firstly, they were in the wrong to begin with. Secondly, they had almost forgotten the incident, their anger rekindled only by Wen Canglan’s prompting. Thirdly, Yan Zhen was simply too powerful, not just him, but his companions as well. Even the Mystic King realm Inner Academy Goddess had joined his society!
Wen Canglan frowned, not expecting Yan Zhen to so easily deflect their accusations. It seemed he had waited too long, and their initial anger had dissipated.
“You—”
He tried to speak again, but Yan Zhen interrupted him forcefully.
“—Shut up, Wen! I haven’t even settled the score with you, and you dare to show your face here?! Four months ago, when I left the cliffside building, you sneak-attacked me, injuring me severely with a single palm strike! I was only a four-star Mystic Master then and couldn’t withstand your Wen family’s ultimate technique, the Crystallization Palm. If it weren’t for Zi Ji’s medicine, I might have suffered permanent damage! Such a despicable act, harming a junior and suppressing a freshman, you’re even more vicious than those from the Demon Realm! And now you have the audacity to accuse me of being dishonorable? You’re not even worthy!”
Silence fell over the hall, everyone staring at Wen Canglan in shock.
In their eyes, Wen Canglan was a decent person. Although from a powerful family and with high cultivation, he didn’t usually bully the weak, and the Broken Mirror members were treated well. He was quite popular in the Inner Academy.
Would such a person try to harm Yan Zhen? Many were skeptical.
Wen Canglan himself was stunned, unable to believe Yan Zhen’s audacity.
He had injured Yan Zhen, but he had only used half his strength. He hadn’t expected him to be so fragile, unable to withstand a single palm strike. And now, Yan Zhen was making it sound like attempted murder!
How could he endure such an accusation?
“I didn’t—”
“—Don’t even try to deny it!” Yan Zhen interrupted him again, his voice booming. “Long Ying appeared, and many instructors and elders witnessed the scene. They’re all witnesses! Don’t tell me they’re all from your Wen family and will cover for you!”
Hearing this, the crowd’s expressions changed.
Yan Zhen wouldn’t make such accusations without proof.
However, Wen Canglan’s supporters still couldn’t accept it, hoping for a reasonable explanation, their eyes fixed on him.
“I… I…”
Wen Canglan, under everyone’s scrutiny, couldn’t explain himself.
He had attacked, albeit with only fifty percent of his strength. But that was still enough to severely injure a one or two-star Mystic General, and Yan Zhen was only a four-star Mystic Master at the time. He had intended to harm him.
The second-ranked student on the Rising Star List stood alone, his fists clenched, his words weak and unconvincing.
—Silence was the best answer.
The crowd looked at Wen Canglan with disgust and fear.
Young people fighting over love rivals was common, especially in the Outer Academy. They had seen it countless times. But for Wen Canglan, the second-ranked student on the Rising Star List, to sneak-attack a Mystic Master freshman, even intending to cripple or kill him, was excessive and a serious violation of academy rules.
Within the academy grounds, causing permanent injury or death was strictly forbidden, except in official life-or-death duels.
They hadn’t expected Wen Canglan, usually so composed and elegant, to be so vicious and ruthless. Grand Elder Yu Yan seized the opportunity and spoke, “Student Wen, is what Little Yan Zhen said true?”
Wen Canglan lowered his head, remaining silent.
Vice Dean Wen Qingshan, his eyes narrowed slightly, said calmly, “The Grand Elder is asking you a question, Canglan. Answer truthfully!”
Hearing his grandfather’s voice, Wen Canglan’s confidence returned, and his racing mind calmed down. He looked up and cupped his hands respectfully. “Grand Elder, I admit I was in the wrong, but it wasn’t as Junior Brother Yan Zhen described. I didn’t intend to kill him. I simply heard that he defeated a Mystic General at the Mystic Master realm and, intrigued, wanted to spar with him.”
“Is sneak-attacking how your Wen family ‘spars’ with people? A nine-star Mystic General wanting to ‘spar’ with a four-star Mystic Master? Do you think we’re fools? Why not spar with a five-star Mystic Lord instead?” Yan Zhen, having read the script, knew he would use “sparring” as an excuse. “Stop making excuses, Wen Canglan. You can lie, but your Wen family’s Crystallization Palm can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
Wen Canglan’s face darkened. Yan Zhen took out a small pouch from his storage ring.
“I carefully preserved the residual Mystic Power crystals from my injuries. It’s been nearly four months, and the energy within hasn’t completely dissipated. I’m sure any instructor or elder familiar with the Crystallization Palm can tell how much force you used, whether you intended to spar, cripple me, or even kill me!”
“You!”
“Canglan…”
Vice Dean Wen Qingshan called out, and Wen Canglan flinched, snapping back to reality. He gritted his teeth and lowered his head. “Alright, I admit I was in the wrong. Junior Brother Yan Zhen, I sincerely apologize. I acted impulsively and used excessive force. Please forgive me.”
Before Yan Zhen could respond, Wen Canglan continued, “But you probably won’t forgive me so easily, right? In that case, I’ll give you a chance to challenge me. Since we can’t resolve this through words, let’s settle it through a duel. You can’t accuse me of bullying a junior now, can you?”
Yan Zhen scoffed. “Don’t try to muddy the waters. The matter is clear. You’re suspected of harming a freshman, a serious violation of academy rules. You should have your Mystic Power sealed, receive fifty lashes, and be confined for at least a month—Grand Elder, am I right?”
Grand Elder Yu Yan smiled and nodded. “You remember the rules very well, Little Yan Zhen.”
Because Yan Zhen hadn’t died and hadn’t suffered any permanent injuries, the punishment was lighter.
Wen Canglan’s face turned ashen. Yan Zhen continued, “As for your challenge, I accept. After you’re released from confinement and have fully recovered… no, let’s just settle it at the year-end Star Picking Ceremony. We’ll determine the victor, and also… life or death. You almost killed me with a single palm strike. I’ll return the favor tenfold and take your life!”
“Yan Zhen…”
Wen Canglan glared at him, but Yan Zhen, unafraid, raised his arm and shouted, “Enforcement Team, arrest him!”
A squad of enforcers, who had been waiting outside, entered the hall, walked over to Wen Canglan, and bound his hands with Mystic Power suppressing shackles.
Wen Canglan didn’t resist. With Grand Elder Yu Yan present, resistance was futile and would only lead to more suffering. And with his grandfather watching, he knew he wouldn’t be seriously harmed. This was just a formality.
With the clanking of chains, Wen Canglan was escorted out of the banquet hall, and Vice Dean Wen Qingshan also discreetly disappeared.
The Rising Star List experts were stunned. In all the years of the Star Gathering Banquet, this was the first time someone had been arrested during the event.
They looked at Yan Zhen, who, as if nothing had happened, continued eating casually, occasionally feeding Long Ying, who was sitting on his lap, sunflower seeds.
—Try messing with me. I have cheats!
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