69: Chapter 69 Trouble Never Ends

He didn't see that around the corner, not far away, Student Union Vice President Wang Hao was gritting his teeth at his phone: "Help me look into someone, a New Student, named Zhang Wen... Yes, investigate him thoroughly!"

The queue at the registration office moved quickly. Zhang Wen familiarly helped Ding Siyi finish the procedures, then carried her suitcase toward the female dormitory.

The tree-lined path was dappled with shadows. Ding Siyi suddenly stopped and blinked mischievously: "Guess how much I've improved in these two months?"

Zhang Wen raised an eyebrow: "Judging by your complexion, you've at least reached the Forming Realm?"

"Hmph, boring." Ding Siyi raised her hand, and a cluster of fine, pink-gold flames rose from her palm. The flames flickered, yet carried a scorching temperature. "Shaping Realm Mid-stage! How about that? Isn't it impressive?"

That flame was her innate talent, "Crimson Pearl Immortal Fire." Although it was only in its nascent form, one could already see its pure spiritual essence.

Zhang Wen was just about to compliment her when he saw Ding Siyi lean in closer, lowering her voice: "I heard that this year's top scorers from other provinces have barely just stepped into the Forming Realm. My Shaping Realm Mid-stage should be enough to keep them chasing for a while, right?"

Zhang Wen smiled without speaking, simply releasing a trace of his aura. The moment that aura appeared, the smug look on Ding Siyi's face froze, and the pink-gold flames even wavered: "This... this is the Subtle Realm? When did you have a Breakthrough?"

"I reached the Subtle Realm Middle Stage after returning from the Secret Realm." Zhang Wen said it nonchalantly.

Ding Siyi opened her mouth, and after a long while, she finally blurted out: "Are you even human?"

She knew Zhang Wen improved quickly, but she hadn't expected it to be to this extent—the gap between the Forming Realm and the Subtle Realm was like a chasm. Never mind the top scorers from other provinces; even among the sophomores at Qinglan University, those who could reach the Subtle Realm Middle Stage were few and far between.

The two chatted and laughed until they reached the dormitory building. Just as Zhang Wen put down the suitcase, he saw a few people standing by the flower bed not far away, with Student Union Vice President Wang Hao leading them.

Beside him was a boy with dyed yellow hair who was pointing at Zhang Wen and whispering something; he was the underling of Brother Ma, who had previously had a conflict with Zhang Wen.

"Zhang Wen, you certainly know how to hide." Student Union Vice President Wang Hao walked over with his arms crossed, followed by three Student Union members. Each of them released Qi Refinement Stage spiritual power, clearly there to intimidate. He glanced at Ding Siyi, his tone unfriendly, "Come with me; there's a matter we need to settle."

Ding Siyi frowned: "What do you want?"

"This is an internal Student Union matter; it has nothing to do with a New Student like you." Student Union Vice President Wang Hao sneered, his gaze falling on Zhang Wen, "What, too afraid to come?"

Zhang Wen patted Ding Siyi's shoulder: "Wait for me here; I'll be back soon."

Following Student Union Vice President Wang Hao to a secluded grove, the yellow-haired boy immediately jumped out and pointed at Zhang Wen, cursing: "Brother Hao, this is the brat who ruined Brother Ma's business last time! Brother Ma said that if this kid ever reached the Subtle Realm, he'd have to..."

"Shut up." Student Union Vice President Wang Hao interrupted him, stepping forward as a wave of Subtle Realm Middle Stage spiritual power erupted from his body, "Kid, don't say I'm bullying you. Kneel down and apologize now, and hand over that girl, and I'll pretend this never happened."

Zhang Wen looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Are you done?"

"You're courting death!" Student Union Vice President Wang Hao felt a surge of anger from that look and threw a punch, his fist wrapped in pale cyan spiritual power, clearly having trained in a Martial Skill.

However, before his fist could touch Zhang Wen, it was steadily caught by a hand.

Zhang Wen's fingertips shimmered with a faint purple-gold luster; it was the spiritual power of the Poqiong Thunder Scale Armor circulating. Student Union Vice President Wang Hao felt a violent surge of Thunder Power rush up his arm, instantly paralyzing half his body and causing cold sweat to pour from him in pain.

"Subtle Realm Middle Stage?" Zhang Wen gave a light flick, and Student Union Vice President Wang Hao flew backward like a broken sack, colliding with a tree and sliding to the ground, clutching his arm and groaning in pain.

The three Student Union members nearby were startled and just about to step forward when they were pinned down by the look Zhang Wen swept over them. The aura of the Nine Heavens Tribulation Thunder hidden within that gaze made them feel fear from the marrow of their bones, their feet seemingly nailed to the ground, unable to move.

The yellow-haired boy's legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground: "You... how can you be this strong? Brother Ma said you had at most just reached the Subtle Realm..."

Zhang Wen ignored him, walked up to Student Union Vice President Wang Hao, and looked down at him: "Next time you want to cause trouble, weigh yourself first."

He lifted his foot and crushed the Student Union badge Student Union Vice President Wang Hao had dropped on the ground; the crisp sound of it shattering made everyone present shudder.

When Zhang Wen walked back to the dormitory building, Ding Siyi was standing on tiptoe, looking out. Seeing him return, she quickly ran over: "Are you okay? Did they give you any trouble?"

"Just a bunch of clowns." Zhang Wen smiled, reaching out to brush a fallen leaf from her hair, "Let's go, I'll take you to eat that super delicious Malatang at the school gate."

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting light on the two of them. Ding Siyi looked at Zhang Wen's profile and suddenly felt that having this unreasonable guy by her side was actually quite reassuring.

Meanwhile, in the grove, Student Union Vice President Wang Hao struggled to his feet, looking at the shattered badge on the ground, his eyes terrifyingly sinister: "Zhang Wen... I've noted down this debt!"

The Malatang shop was steaming, the broth with rolling red oil bubbling away. After sprinkling a handful of cilantro and white sesame seeds, the aroma instantly filled the table. Ding Siyi held the steaming bowl, slurping up glass noodles, her eyes glancing from time to time at Zhang Wen opposite her.

"You used this Poqiong Thunder Scale Armor just now in the grove?" She asked, biting on her chopsticks.

Zhang Wen scooped a spoonful of sesame paste: "Yeah, otherwise how could I deal with Subtle Realm Middle Stage spiritual power?"

"But that's your trump card, right? You just exposed it like that?" Ding Siyi was a bit anxious, "Student Union Vice President Wang Hao has the Student Union behind him, and I heard he also has connections with Cultivator Families outside the school. If they set their sights on your trump card..."

"So what if they set their sights on it?" Zhang Wen raised an eyebrow, picking up a skewer of fish balls, "If your strength isn't enough, hiding your trump card is useless; if your strength is enough, a trump card is a deterrent."

He paused and looked at Ding Siyi, "Besides, if it really came down to a fight, the Poqiong Thunder Scale Armor isn't even my strongest method."

Ding Siyi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered the scene during the college entrance exam where Zhang Wen fought above his level, and her cheeks quietly flushed.

That's true, this guy could never be measured by common sense from the very beginning.

As the two were talking, a commotion suddenly broke out at the door. Several boys dressed in black training outfits walked in. The one leading them had a scar on his temple, and his eyes carried a sense of malice as they swept across the room.

The person behind him walked straight to Zhang Wen's table and tapped it: "Zhang Wen? Come with us; Young Master Lei wants to see you."

Ding Siyi was just about to stand up when Zhang Wen pressed her hand down. He looked up at Scarface: "Young Master Lei? Don't know him."

"Don't know him?" Scarface laughed, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, "Lei Tian of the Lei Family, the Little Yama of the Kyoto Cultivator world—you dare say you don't know him?"

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice, "Student Union Vice President Wang Hao is one of Young Master Lei's people; you touched him and still want to eat Malatang in peace?"

Zhang Wen put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin: "Tell Lei Tian to come himself."

"You fucking looking for death!" Scarface slammed out a palm, his palm glowing with earth-yellow spiritual power, clearly a Body Refining Cultivator. This palm strike carried the sound of tearing wind, heading straight for Zhang Wen's face.