Chapter 78: Yan Zhen is eating
Challenging newcomers was an unspoken rule at the Mystic Academy, especially in the Advanced Classes. It was a rite of passage, a way to establish dominance. Therefore, Yan Zhen’s preemptive strike, mirroring his entrance into the Class, was perfectly acceptable.
Besides, this was a key plot point. The script required him to “provoke the entire class and secure a duel agreement with Xiao Mie.”
As expected, his bold introduction resulted in him being surrounded by a group of hostile classmates during lunch break.
Most of them were Xiao Mie’s loyal followers. As the top student and the eldest son of the esteemed Xiao family, he had no shortage of devoted fans.
While Xiao Mie might be willing to overlook Yan Zhen’s arrogance, his followers were not. They considered Advanced Class 1 their territory. Even if Yan Zhen possessed exceptional skills, he shouldn’t have been so brazen.
Despite being encircled, Yan Zhen remained seated, leaning back in his chair with an air of nonchalance. He crossed his arms, stretched out his legs, and casually surveyed the group. “Anyone who wants to fight, step right up. But be warned, I won’t hold back against weaklings.”
Mystic Power, infused with the Gold and Silver Fire, flared around him, enveloping half his body in a faint, shimmering aura. It was a display of power typically reserved for Mystic Scholars.
The students’ faces tightened. They knew Yan Zhen wasn’t a Mystic Scholar, but they couldn’t help but feel apprehensive.
To achieve a feat typically reserved for Mystic Scholars while still at the Mystic One rank defied logic, making him seem even more formidable.
However, among these hot-blooded youths, there was no shortage of those who refused to back down until they hit a wall. Provoked by the word “weakling,” one student stepped forward, challenging Yan Zhen.
He was a Seventh Star Mystic One. Challenging Yan Zhen, a mere Sixth Star, would normally be considered dishonorable. However, in this situation, no one thought so. Instead, they admired his courage.
Yan Zhen acknowledged his opponent’s spirit, beckoning him with a crooked finger. “Brave, aren’t you? Let’s see what you’ve got!”
The challenger’s face flushed red with anger. With a roar, he charged at Yan Zhen, unleashing a Mystic Technique.
Yan Zhen met his attack with a swift kick to the chest, sending him flying backward.
The student scrambled back to his feet, ready to attack again. However, Xiao Mie’s voice boomed through the classroom.
“Stop this at once! Fighting is forbidden in the classroom! If you want to fight, take it to the dueling arena!”
Having silenced his followers, Xiao Mie turned to Yan Zhen, his expression serious. “Yan Zhen, our paths are destined to cross. I’ll be waiting for your challenge.”
“You won’t be holding onto that first place title for much longer,” Yan Zhen retorted, refusing to be outdone.
“Planning to challenge me after you reach the Seventh Star? You’re more arrogant than I thought.” Xiao Mie’s confidence was unwavering. “I’m not like Lan Ke. You’d do well to remember that.”
“Suppressing your cultivation? Honestly, that’s foolish.” Yan Zhen couldn’t resist adding, “With your talent, you should be pushing for a breakthrough, not holding yourself back. What’s the point of being strong at the Mystic Scholar realm if you waste years stagnating? You need to set your sights higher.”
“Aiming too high will only leave you grounded, Yan Zhen.”
“Fine. We’ll agree to disagree.”
Yan Zhen shrugged and strode out of the classroom.
Xiao Mie was a formidable opponent, even for the two Mystic Scholar students who were about to graduate.
At his current level, engaging Xiao Mie without using the Gold and Silver Fire would be risky. His chances of winning were slim.
He needed to advance at least one more star rank and refine his mastery of several Mystic Techniques before he could confidently face him.
As he walked, Yan Zhen claimed the reward for completing that key plot point.
[Special Trump Card – Jeet Kune Do: Activateable only when the opponent refuses the Host’s request. Upon activation, the Host’s next punch will induce a state of submission in the opponent, rendering them temporarily obedient to the Host’s commands.]
“…Interesting.”
Though a bit strange, it seemed potentially useful.
He cheerfully added it to his inventory. As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided with someone, stopping just in time.
It was Miss High-and-Mighty, blocking his path. Don’t tell me she’s going to start something here? He tensed, wary.
“Senior Sister Xinyan? Do you need something?”
Xiao Xinyan stood rigidly, her hands clasped before her, her usual arrogance replaced by a demure, almost timid demeanor.
“Yan Zhen… Junior Brother… you’re no match for Brother Xiao Mie. Don’t be reckless and challenge him. You’ll only lose miserably.”
Yan Zhen raised an eyebrow. “Is that all?”
“You… you don’t believe me?” she asked, her voice laced with urgency. “I’m telling the truth! Brother Xiao Mie is far more powerful than you realize. Even a One Star Mystic Scholar wouldn’t be confident in defeating him!”
“I’m also far more powerful than you realize. Even a One Star Mystic Scholar wouldn’t be confident in defeating me.”
“You–!”
“Anything else? If not, please step aside. I’m in a hurry.”
“Wait!” She blocked his path again. “I’m here to repay my debt. How much was that pill? I’ll reimburse you.”
That pill? He realized she was referring to the Detoxification Pill. The ingredients weren’t expensive, only the refining process was complex. It had a high market price, but his production cost was quite low.
“No need to repay me. I’m not so petty as to demand payment for a simple pill. Just be careful next time. Don’t get drugged again. I won’t bother saving you. I don’t want to get soaked again!”
Xiao Xinyan flushed at his blunt words, unable to refute them.
The memory of pleasuring herself and losing control in front of him filled her with shame. Yet, a strange thrill lurked beneath the surface, causing her to involuntarily clench her legs together.
Yan Zhen, unwilling to waste time on her, saw through her act. Her earlier confrontation with Mi Xue’er had revealed her sharp tongue and fiery temper. This sudden shift to a meek, gentle demeanor was clearly a tactic to disarm him and gain his favor.
Unfortunately for her, her attempts at gentleness paled in comparison to Instructor Yu Xuan’s. Now that was true gentleness.
…
Instructor Yu Xuan, being in charge of the Intermediate Class, had her office in the Intermediate Class building, a bit of a distance from the Advanced Class. It took him a while to reach her.
The curtains were drawn, and the door was shut. Stepping inside, he was greeted by a wave of cool air. Instructor Yu Xuan, being sensitive to heat, had already activated her Snow Wind Pearl.
“Instructor, I… I’m here.”
Anticipating what was to come, Yan Zhen felt a blush creep up his neck.
“Come in and sit down,” she beckoned, retrieving a food container from beneath her desk. She began to set out the dishes one by one. “Let’s have lunch first.”
“Oh.”
Yan Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he had been overthinking things. Instructor Yu Xuan was simply treating him to a special lunch.
That was even better! Her cooking was far superior to the academy cafeteria’s fare.
He sat down in her chair and accepted the chopsticks she offered. “Thank you, Instructor,” he mumbled before digging in with gusto.
This meat is so tender! These vegetables are perfectly sweet! And this fried rice is amazing!
“Aren’t you eating, Instructor?” he asked between bites.
Instructor Yu Xuan’s eyes twinkled as she gazed at him. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “I’m having something else.”
Huh? A sense of foreboding washed over him.
With a graceful movement, she knelt before him and expertly removed his “seal.” Meeting his gaze briefly, she blushed and lowered her head, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear before commencing her “lesson.”
A jolt of electricity shot through Yan Zhen, shattering his appetite. He froze, his chopsticks hovering over his fried rice.
Dragon-type Mystic Techniques were incredibly rare. However, there were many lower-level Snake-type Mystic Techniques, most of which were well-suited for women.
Instructor Yu Xuan, who cultivated Water Mystic Power, a Yin element, was well-versed in several Snake-type Mystic Techniques.
In this instance, she unleashed a series of moves, each one hitting him with critical force.
Serpent’s Sway. Serpent’s Gaze. Serpent Coiling the Pillar. Serpent Playing with a Pearl.
And that wasn’t all. Galeforce Suction. Turtle and Snake Intertwined. Dragon and Snake Rising from the Earth. And finally, Heaven and Earth Overturned!
Yan Zhen was no match for her onslaught. Within five minutes, he was utterly defeated, completely at her mercy.
However, Instructor Yu Xuan knew that one defeat wouldn’t be enough to tame him completely. After a brief respite, she launched her second offensive.
Just then, Mi Xue’er’s cheerful voice echoed from the hallway.
“It’s getting hotter by the day. Even having lunch is making me sweat… Instructor Yu Xuan, are you in? We’re here to borrow your air conditioning!”
Click.
The door, which they had forgotten to lock, swung open. Mi Xue’er, Yan Ruyu, and Yan Meng’er filed into the office.
Yan Zhen and Instructor Yu Xuan froze, their hearts pounding in their chests.
Yan Zhen, caught completely off guard, stared at them in shock.
“Huh? Little Brother Yan Zhen, you’re here too?” Mi Xue’er looked around, surprised. “Where’s Instructor Yu Xuan?”
Yan Zhen opened his mouth, but no words came out. Instructor Yu Xuan, from beneath the desk, gently bit him.
The slight pain jolted him back to reality. His mind raced, formulating a believable excuse.
“Instructor Yu Xuan had to step out for a bit. She asked me to eat here. Do you need something?” He asked, trying to sound casual as he discreetly glanced downwards.
Instructor Yu Xuan had retreated beneath the desk, completely hidden from view by the tablecloth. It even concealed a portion of him as well.
He breathed a sigh of relief. Drawing on his acting skills, he forced himself to appear calm and continued eating.
“No, we’re just here for the air conditioning,” Mi Xue’er replied, settling into the chair opposite him.
Yan Ruyu and Yan Meng’er took the remaining seats.
Yan Meng’er rested her chin on her hands, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Cousin, is Instructor Yu Xuan the one who made this food?”
Yan Zhen nodded. “Yes… s-si–”
“Yes what?” Yan Meng’er tilted her head, her gaze suggestive.
“I… I bit my tongue,” he coughed, quickly taking a mouthful of rice to cover his slip-up.
“Instructor Yu Xuan’s cooking is good, but I wouldn’t say it’s bite-your-tongue good. You’re so mean, Cousin!” Yan Meng’er pouted.
It’s just delicious food. Did he have to exaggerate like that, as if implying my cooking is inferior? She turned away, deciding to ignore her clueless cousin. No more late-night snacks for you for two days!
Yan Ruyu shared her friend’s sentiment, shooting Yan Zhen a disapproving look. The nerve of this brat! Enjoying Instructor Yu Xuan’s special treatment and forgetting all about Meng’er’s kindness! He has no conscience!
Yan Zhen, sensing their misunderstanding, felt a wave of injustice wash over him. “I really did bite my tongue! Stop overthinking things!”
Yan Meng’er covered her ears, shaking her head. “I’m not listening! I’m mad at you, Cousin!”
Yan Ruyu joined in with a huff.
“I’m telling the tru– Ah!”
He was about to defend himself when a wave of pleasure, like an electric shock, coursed through him. His body spasmed, and he actually did bite his tongue this time.
Mi Xue’er slammed her hand on the table. “Little Brother Yan Zhen, confess! What did you do to Instructor Yu Xuan?!”
Yan Zhen’s heart skipped a beat. Had he been discovered?
“I… I didn’t do anything to her!”
“Then why is she treating you so well? Secretly cooking you lunch? We’ve never received such special treatment! No, you’re stealing all the attention that rightfully belongs to us! You have to make it up to us, Little Brother Yan Zhen!” Mi Xue’er declared, her logic questionable but her conviction unwavering.
He couldn’t argue with her. His mind was still replaying the sensations of Turtle and Snake Entwined and Dragon and Snake Embrace, making it impossible to form coherent sentences.
“What? No witty comeback?”
“Uh… no.”
“Hmm, then how are you going to make it up to us?”
“I… well… um…”
“Tell you what. Ruyu and I have been wanting to learn cooking from Meng’er. You can be our official taste tester. How does that sound?”
“Sure, no… no problem.”
“Great! Since you’re so agreeable, we’ll forgive you this time~” Mi Xue’er winked at Yan Ruyu and Yan Meng’er, her expression smug. They had successfully lured their target into their trap.
Yan Ruyu and Yan Meng’er exchanged glances, picturing Yan Zhen’s reaction to Mi Xue’er’s disastrous cooking. They stifled giggles, unable to contain their amusement.
Meanwhile, Yan Zhen, lost in a whirlwind of sensations, was oblivious to their scheming. He closed his eyes, surrendering to the waves of pleasure crashing over him.
…
Finally, his body relaxed, and he let out a long sigh. As Instructor Yu Xuan’s gentle ministrations soothed him, he resumed eating.
Each bite was incredibly delicious.
He finished his meal, wiped his mouth, sipped his tea, patted his stomach, and sighed contentedly.
Mi Xue’er set up her Projection Mirror on the table, idly watching gossip news until she couldn’t help but yawn. “Why isn’t Instructor Yu Xuan back yet? Did something important come up?”
“She’s probably busy taking care of Yan Zhen’s transfer. Skipping ahead to the Advanced Class must involve a lot of paperwork,” Yan Ruyu replied.
Yan Ruyu and Yan Meng’er huddled together, studying a large catalog filled with the latest products from the Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce, ranging from cultivation tools to everyday items.
“Keeping Instructor Yu Xuan so busy… Little Brother Yan Zhen really is a sinful man,” Mi Xue’er teased.
“…”
Yan Zhen didn’t dare utter a word.
Because Instructor Yu Xuan was indeed still busy with him.
Because he was feeling… energized again.
Because… well, because…
He leaned back in his chair, contemplating the meaning of life and the mysteries of the universe.
…
As their lunch break neared its end, the three girls prepared to leave. Yan Zhen, however, decided to stay a while longer. He wasn’t eager to return to his classroom after provoking his entire class.
Once again, he was alone in the office. Or rather, almost alone.
“Instructor, they’re gone. You can come out– Mmm!”
— By the time he returned to his classroom, his legs were still wobbly.
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