71: Chapter 71 The First Freshman, the Target of Public Criticism

There was no massive Aura radiating from his body, yet the old man felt as if he had been locked in place by the rules of Heaven and Earth, making even breathing difficult.

The Transformation Realm—that was an existence capable of drawing upon Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi for one's own use, a full major Realm higher than the Domain Realm!

Lei Tian's face instantly turned pale. He had never imagined that such a powerful figure stood behind Zhang Wen. Since when did Qinglan University have instructors who were in the Transformation Realm?

"Teacher... Teacher Lin, it's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding!" Lei Tian forced a smile. "I just wanted to invite student Zhang Wen to chat..."

"My student is not someone just anyone can 'invite'." Lin Mo interrupted him, flicking his finger, and a cyan Jade Slip shot through the air, pinning itself to the ground in front of Lei Tian. "Take this and go back to tell the head of the Lei Family. Within three days, if the Lei Family does not send someone to Qinglan University to apologize, they will bear the consequences."

The Aura emanating from the Jade Slip made the old man tremble all over; it was the life-bound imprint of a Transformation Realm Cultivator, enough to make the entire Lei Family wary. Not daring to say another word, he dragged the ashen-faced Lei Tian and left in a panic with his subordinates.

The forest returned to silence. Lin Mo turned around, his gaze softening as he looked at Zhang Wen. "Since returning from the Secret Realm, you've certainly gained quite a bit of skill, though your temper is still as fiery as ever."

Zhang Wen scratched his head. "They started it."

"I know." Lin Mo smiled, his gaze falling on the jade pendant on his chest. He didn't ask further, only saying, "Keep a low profile these next few days. The Lei Family won't dare to cause trouble again, but the people behind Student Union Vice President Wang Hao might not let it go. If anything happens, come find me anytime."

Having said that, his figure flickered and vanished into the forest.

Zhang Wen watched the direction in which Lin Mo had departed, a warm current surging in his heart. He had always known that Teacher Lin Mo was not simple, but he hadn't expected him to be this strong. It seemed the waters of Qinglan University were indeed deeper than he had imagined.

The night wind blew through the forest, bringing a chill. Zhang Wen gripped the jade pendant in his palm and turned to head down the mountain. Under the moonlight, his figure appeared lighter, yet he was also more vigilant—an opponent that could make Teacher Lin Mo offer a special warning was definitely not to be underestimated.

Many days had passed since Lin Mo helped Zhang Wen resolve the situation, and Qinglan University had gradually returned to its usual tranquility. Yet beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were still quietly surging.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the New Student opening ceremony. The campus was filled with excitement and anticipation; colorful flags snapped in the wind, and the New Students, filled with longing, walked in twos and threes toward the ceremony venue.

The morning light spilled over the glazed tile roofs of Qinglan University, dyeing the white jade plaza a golden red. As Ding Siyi stepped into the plaza holding Zhang Wen's hand, the hem of her skirt was lifted by the wind in a small arc, like a white butterfly ready to take flight.

"Are you nervous?" She tilted her head to look at him, fine morning light clinging to her eyelashes. "I heard the principal is going to personally announce the strength rankings. Many people didn't sleep well last night."

Zhang Wen's fingertips brushed past her hair, tucking a strand disheveled by the wind behind her ear. "What's there to be nervous about?" Even so, the jade pendant on his chest felt slightly hot—the slaughter in the Secret Realm was still vivid in his mind, and this so-called "strength ranking" perhaps carried significant weight from the very beginning.

The plaza was already packed with people, the sound of whispering rising and falling like a tide. Just as Zhang Wen and Ding Siyi sat down in the back row, a commotion arose from the front row. Someone wearing a crisp silver-gray school uniform walked past, surrounded by a group of people. When his gaze swept over Zhang Wen, it carried undisguised disdain, as if looking at a sparrow that had wandered into a flock of swans.

Ding Siyi squeezed Zhang Wen's hand and whispered, "That is Feng Yingcai, the second place in Jiangnan Province. He has awakened the S-rank talent 'Wind Whisperer', his strength is very formidable, and his Family background is also very powerful. It is said that his Family can cover the sky with one hand in the provincial capital."

"However, since you snatched the title of provincial top scholar from him, he has essentially lost all face within his Family. He's probably thinking about how to defeat you right now."

Zhang Wen didn't speak, only gripping her fingers a little tighter.

At exactly nine o'clock in the morning, the principal walked slowly onto the podium. As soon as this middle-aged man stood still, the entire venue instantly fell silent, and even the air seemed to freeze—the fluctuations of Spiritual Qi faintly circulating at his cuffs were even more profound than the Aura Lin Mo had revealed that day.

"Welcome to Azure Mist." The principal's voice was not loud, yet it fell clearly into everyone's ears. "The path of cultivation uses strength as its steps. Now, I will announce the New Student strength rankings."

The ranking board made of Spirit-Gathering Crystal lit up on the podium, and within the pale blue halo, names began to appear one by one:

"First place, Zhang Wen."

Buzz—

The entire venue was like being thrown into boiling magma, instantly exploding. Ding Siyi looked up sharply, her eyes full of surprise, but in the next second, she furrowed her brows—she saw at least a dozen resentful gazes shooting toward Zhang Wen from different directions.

Feng Yingcai sprang up from his seat, the friction between the chair and the floor emitting a harsh sound. "I don't accept this! He took advantage of the exam venue, what right does he have to be ranked first?"

The principal glanced at him indifferently. That gaze was like a physical entity, causing Feng Yingcai to instantly freeze in place, his cheeks turning bright red.

Then he continued speaking.

"Second place, Zhao Ya."

"..."

"Fifth place, Feng Yingcai."

"..."

"Ninth place, Ding Siyi."

When Ding Siyi's name lit up, she subconsciously leaned closer to Zhang Wen. The surrounding discussions grew more chaotic, filled with envy and jealousy.

Zhang Wen stood up, and Ding Siyi immediately pulled on the corner of his clothes. "Don't be impulsive."

He held her hand in return, his gaze sweeping calmly across the entire venue. "How strong one is is not something determined by words."

These words were like a slap in the face to those who were whispering. Feng Yingcai was so angry that he trembled all over, pointing at Zhang Wen's nose and saying, "If you have the guts, come with me to the Martial Arts Field! I'll let you know what true strength is!"

"The Martial Arts Field is not a place for you to run wild."

The voice of a disciplinary teacher came from the doorway. He was holding a lesson plan and walked slowly to Zhang Wen's side. When his gaze fell on Feng Yingcai, it carried a touch of coldness. "The Feng Family has grown accustomed to running rampant in Jiangnan Province, but once you reach Azure Mist, you must follow the rules of Azure Mist. You don't accept the ranking? During next week's practical assessment, you can have a good 'exchange'."

Feng Yingcai's face turned shades of green and white. No matter how arrogant he was, he didn't dare to defy a Qinglan University teacher. He could only glare at Zhang Wen with hatred, and when he sat back down, the chair groaned under the pressure, unable to bear it.

The opening ceremony continued, but Zhang Wen knew that some things had already changed. Ding Siyi leaned on his shoulder and said softly, "I'm afraid there won't be any peace from now on."

"There hasn't been any peace for a long time." Zhang Wen looked down at her, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Ever since the day I returned from the Secret Realm, it hasn't stopped." His fingertips brushed over the jade pendant on his chest, and the temperature there seemed to become even hotter. "But that's fine too; those hiding in the shadows will always jump out on their own."

Sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting mottled light and shadows on his face. Ding Siyi looked at his calm profile and suddenly felt that this sudden position at the top of the rankings was perhaps a mirror, reflecting the fangs hidden beneath those glamorous appearances—and Zhang Wen had long since clenched his fists to strike back.

And the sound of discussion did not cease for a long time.