Ma Hongjun sighed helplessly.
He had felt from the beginning that something was off. No matter how rough around the edges Zhao Wuji was, he wouldn't stoop to stealing from a child.
Dai Mubai's honest and straightforward reaction only confirmed his suspicion.
It wasn't until he saw Xiao Wu's response that Ma Hongjun finally understood—this must be another one of their teacher's unusual "educational methods."
Still, he didn't expect Tang San to suddenly step forward like this, as if he'd gone mad.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Zhao Wuji glared at him viciously. "What, Hongjun? You've gotten so bold you dare go against your own teacher now?"
In truth, he felt relieved. Thankfully, Hongjun had stepped in. Otherwise, Zhao Wuji truly wouldn't have known how far to carry this act.
Flander had suggested this method—using conflict to inspire resistance and unity among the students.
But who could have guessed that aside from Dai Mubai, the backup, there'd be another one—this honest-looking boy with thick brows—who'd turn on him?
Strange. If he remembered correctly, didn't Tang San have a great relationship with Xiao Wu?
Back during the entrance exam, when she got injured, Tang San looked like he was ready to die with grief.
At the time, Zhao Wuji thought this kid was pretty gutsy.
Why was he acting so differently now?
"If this money is something you truly need, or if it's something meaningful to you, we wouldn't hesitate to give you a few gold soul coins," said the red-haired boy, shrugging. "But using such a poor excuse—sorry, we can't support that."
Even though it felt a bit awkward, Ma Hongjun knew this was all the teacher's plan. He had to play along.
He couldn't ruin Zhao Wuji's performance.
Just as he finished speaking, he felt a warm gaze fall on him. He glanced over and saw Xiao Wu looking at him, her eyes filled with emotion.
Eh? Did he unintentionally help her just now?
"I think you're asking for a beating!"
Zhao Wuji roared in anger, a powerful aura surging out from him. The eruption of soul power made several of them stagger.
"Who's the teacher here—you or me?!"
"Even if you are the teacher, you can't be so unreasonable!"
A sharp voice cut through the air. Ning Rongrong stood beside the red-haired boy, her beautiful eyes filled with anger. "What's wrong with what Brother Hongjun said?!"
"Hmph! I think he's just looking for trouble!"
Xiao Wu wiped her eyes and stepped up without hesitation, standing firmly on the other side. Her gaze toward the red-haired boy was filled with gratitude.
At that moment, he was like a ray of light piercing through the darkness of her heart.
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. She simply summoned her claw blades and took her place behind the red-haired boy.
"Teacher Zhao, I think what the fat guy said makes a lot of sense," Oscar added, shrinking back nervously but still stepping forward.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Zhao."
Dai Mubai smiled faintly. "As the eldest of the group, I have to take the lead when it counts. If you're going to beat someone, start with me."
Aside from Tang San, the others all stood united, gathering around the red-haired boy at the center. Their eyes met Zhao Wuji's without fear.
"Very good."
Zhao Wuji let out a cold laugh, cracked his knuckles, and stepped forward.
"Then I'll beat all of you together!"
Finally! This was what they'd been building toward.
Zhao Wuji let out a sigh of relief. Now he had an excuse to give them all a proper thrashing.
After all, nothing brought people together like getting beaten as a group.
In that sense, he agreed with the dean—Flander.
Still... something about what Hongjun said bugged him. Could the kid have seen through their plan?
Forget it. Doesn't matter. I'll beat him first!
With that, Zhao Wuji pounded his chest. Thick fur sprouted across his body, and his aura grew even more terrifying. His bright yellow bear eyes locked onto the group, and sharp fangs curled at the corners of his mouth.
"Ready, you little punks?"
During the entrance exam, Tang San's Dragon Beard Needles had tortured him badly. Now was the perfect chance to get even.
As long as he was careful, he could make these brats feel the "flavor of combat."
"Teacher Zhao, let me help you!"
Zhao Wuji was just considering how to strike when Tang San suddenly stepped forward, face cold, and stood beside him.
Zhao Wuji: ???
Wait… what are you doing here?
What does this have to do with you?
But in this situation, he couldn't refuse, so he just rubbed his nose and muttered, "Fine, but be careful."
This kid is seriously confusing...
Zhao Wuji couldn't make heads or tails of him.
"Traitor! I knew you weren't a good person!"
Ning Rongrong shouted angrily. The others looked at Tang San, all with disappointment in their eyes.
Especially Xiao Wu. She stared at him in disbelief, as if he'd suddenly become a stranger.
"Unbelievable…"
Dai Mubai and Oscar shook their heads. They had thought Tang San simply had a conflict with Hongjun and might reconcile in the future—they'd both had a good impression of him.
But they never expected Tang San to take sides against them now.
"Hmph, it's just a small matter, but you all had to blow it out of proportion. How childish."
Tang San finally spoke, his voice low. He didn't dare meet Xiao Wu's eyes.
But when he looked at the calm red-haired boy standing at the front, he clenched his teeth and stood firm.
As long as I can prove myself in front of the teacher, I'll kick that guy out one day!
Xiao Wu, one day… you'll understand what I did for you!
A heavy feeling settled in his chest, like he had chosen to stand against the whole world—for her.
At this moment, Tang San felt like a man bearing all the pain for the sake of his beloved.
"So this is how it's going to be? Fine, then."
Ma Hongjun shrugged helplessly. Then his expression grew serious.
There weren't many chances to fight a Soul Saint.
Especially one who wouldn't seriously injure you.
"Then... let's begin."
BOOM!!
The cry of a phoenix echoed as flames surged forth. Fiery wings unfurled, turning the air around them red-hot.
As if that were the signal, the White Tiger roared, gems gleamed like glass, and the dark cat whistled through the wind. The group moved in sync, forming an encirclement around Zhao Wuji.
"Hmph. Child's play."
Zhao Wuji snorted coldly. His bear eyes flashed as he locked onto his target, a wicked grin forming.
"You dare leave your support- and food-type soul masters exposed?"
In his field of vision, Oscar and Ning Rongrong were clearly terrified—but in the blink of an eye, they vanished, leaving only scattered fiery feathers behind.
He looked up in shock.
The red-haired boy was airborne, wings blazing, holding one student in each arm—Oscar in one, Ning Rongrong in the other—smiling down from the sky.
"You've got to be kidding me… Flying?!"
Zhao Wuji's eyes widened, a wave of unease washing over him.