Chapter 322 Humiliating Payment! 5000 Contribution Points in Hand!

"If you are not convinced, then! Let us fight!"

Su Qingying's clear and forceful challenge...

...exploded like thunder in the sky above Lingqi Valley.

The echoes reverberated.

It made everyone's eardrums buzz.

And even more so, it set off turbulent waves in their hearts!

The crowd of onlookers instantly boiled over.

Exclamations, gasps, and excited discussions blended into one!

"My goodness! Senior Sister Su is just... too domineering!"

"Directly issuing a challenge! Facing Feng Yu, ranked twelfth on the Heaven Rankings, she gives no Face at all and doesn't retreat a single step!"

"Is this the confidence of the ninth on the Heaven Rankings? So strong! So cool!"

"Will Feng Yu accept? This is a public declaration of war! If he accepts, it's a duel between two top prodigies; if he doesn't, the Face of the Jingfeng Sect and the Feng Family will be completely dragged through the mud today!"

"It's hard whether he accepts or not! Su Qingying's strength is unfathomable, and that Seven-Colored Divine Deer is Legendary for possessing a holy attribute that counters many powers. Although Feng Yu is formidable, if they really fight, the outcome is uncertain, and after all, he is ranked three places lower..."

"Thrilling! So thrilling! Today's trip wasn't in vain! To see such a scene, it's worth it!"

"Look at Feng Yu's expression! He's really caught between a rock and a hard place now!"

The crowd discussed excitedly.

Their eyes were fixed intently on the two confronting each other in the air.

Afraid to miss a single detail.

This kind of direct collision between top prodigies...

...was an extremely Rare event even within the academy.

Jiang Yun also looked up at the beautiful figure bathed in seven-colored divine light, his heart equally shaken.

The unquestionable, disdainful dominance and strength Su Qingying displayed at this moment left a very deep impression on him.

This wasn't being unreasonable.

It was absolute confidence built on the foundation of absolute strength and clear reasoning.

"A woman... can actually be so domineering, so dazzling."

Jiang Yun sighed inwardly.

His evaluation of Su Qingying rose once again.

This temperament wasn't a deliberate pretense.

It originated from a pride and power deep within her bones.

Hearing Su Qingying's merciless ultimatum, Feng Ziyue's expression was beyond unsightly; it was practically distorted and hideous, as if he had swallowed a dead fly—shocked, furious, and fearful all at once.

He hadn't expected things to develop to this point, much less that Su Qingying would be so unyielding that even his cousin's personal arrival couldn't suppress the situation.

In the air, Feng Yu's Face was so gloomy it could almost drip water. His fists were clenched at his sides, knuckles turning white. The Golden-Winged Lion King beneath him also felt its master's rage, letting out a low roar as its golden wings flapped, creating even sharper currents of air.

There were only three ranks between him and Su Qingying, but Feng Yu knew very well that there was an invisible threshold between the top ten of the Heaven Rankings and those outside of it.

Su Qingying was able to firmly hold the ninth rank as a woman, support Tingxue Pavilion alone, and even complete dozens of S-rank high-difficulty missions famous within the academy. Her strength definitely far exceeded her surface ranking; her methods, Heart-Nature, and the rarity and power of her tamed beasts were all top-tier.

He asked himself.

Against Su Qingying, his chances of winning... were less than forty percent.

Even if they reached a stalemate.

It would inevitably result in both sides suffering losses.

More importantly... regarding today's matter.

Reason was not on their side to begin with.

If they truly forced a battle, not only were the chances of winning slim, but it would also completely solidify the Feng Family's reputation for bullying others and welshing on bets, and might even draw intervention and punishment from the academy's higher levels.

Unwillingness, resentment, and calculation flashed through his eyes... Finally, Feng Yu took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning anger and sense of humiliation in his chest. He moved his gaze away from Su Qingying and landed it on the pale-faced Feng Ziyue below.

His lips moved slightly.

A voice transmission that only Feng Ziyue could hear rang out.

"Ziyue, give it to her."

What?!

Feng Ziyue looked up abruptly.

His eyes were full of disbelief.

He hurriedly transmitted back.

His voice was trembling.

"Cousin! We're really giving it? That's five thousand contribution points! You know how long I saved for that! We're just going to let that kid off so easily?"

Feng Yu's transmission carried a hint of helplessness and fatigue.

"I am not Su Qingying's match. At least for now, here, we have no chance of winning. Everything will wait until your eldest brother Tianyang returns. He will surely seek justice for you regarding today's events. For now... stabilize the situation, preserve some Face, and compromise, Ziyue."

Hearing even his cousin admit he was not Su Qingying's match, Feng Ziyue felt like he'd been struck by lightning; his last hope and shred of luck were completely shattered.

His Face turned various shades of blue and white.

His lips quivered.

He looked at Su Qingying's calm yet oppressive figure in the air, then at Jiang Yun's calm Face on the ground, and finally, his gaze fell on his own Identity Token, feeling as if his heart were bleeding.

Under the watch of countless eyes.

The venom on Feng Ziyue's Face almost manifested into substance.

He gritted his teeth hard.

He practically squeezed the words out from between his teeth.

Every word was filled with extreme reluctance, defiance, and humiliation.

"Sacred Student!"

He pulled out his Identity Token.

His knuckles were white from the force of his grip.

"Throw your Identity Token... over here!"

His voice was hoarse.

Carrying a rage suppressed to the limit.

Jiang Yun's expression remained calm.

As if he didn't see the other's predatory gaze, and without the slightest hesitation, with a flick of his wrist, his purple-gold token representing his status as a Heavenly Saint Student traced an arc and flew steadily toward Feng Ziyue.

Feng Ziyue grabbed Jiang Yun's token; it felt slightly heavy in his hand, the purple-gold material shimmering with a noble luster under the sunlight.

His five fingers suddenly tightened, as if he wanted to crush the token; the frustration and hatred in his heart reached their peak.

However, he eventually loosened his grip.

His other hand picked up his own token.

The two touched lightly.

Buzz!

A faint light flashed between the two tokens.

Feng Ziyue's Face instantly paled a few shades more.

As if a large gulp of his vitality had been sucked away.

He could clearly feel it.

The five thousand-plus contribution points he had laboriously accumulated in his token instantly shrank to a pitiful few hundred!

And that massive value of five thousand points...

...had already been transferred into Jiang Yun's purple-gold token.

The process was clearly very fast.

But to Feng Ziyue, it felt incredibly long.

Every second was a torment.

"Take it!"

He was almost roaring.

Using all his strength.

He threw Jiang Yun's token back violently.

As if it weren't a token.

But a red-hot branding iron.

Jiang Yun reached out.

He easily caught the returning token.

Sweeping it with his Divine Sense.

There were indeed exactly five thousand more contribution points inside.

The balance had become quite a substantial number.

He looked up.

Facing Feng Ziyue, whose Face was ashen and whose chest was heaving violently, he revealed a faint, seemingly sincere smile and cupped his hands.

"In that case, many thanks for Senior Feng's... generous gift."

"Pfft!!!"

Hearing those words.

Feng Ziyue felt a surge of blood rush to his throat.

His vision went dark in fits.

He almost really spat out blood on the spot!

His body swayed.

He was quickly supported by the wings of the Void-Splitting Profound Gold Eagle beside him.

Only then did he not lose composure and fall to the ground.

A gift?

Generous?

This was simply adding insult to injury!

Seeing this scene, Feng Yu's eyes in the air grew even colder. He took a deep look at Jiang Yun, then at the consistently composed Su Qingying, knowing that the Feng Family had suffered a setback today, a complete one.

"Su Qingying."

Feng Yu's voice returned to calm.

But anyone could hear the icy coldness contained within.

"Today's matter, my Jingfeng Sect will remember it. The world is vast and the future is long; one day... we will surely reclaim what was lost!"

Having said that.

He stayed no longer.

He patted the Golden-Winged Lion King beneath him.

The Golden-Winged Lion King let out an unwilling roar, its golden wings flapping violently, kicking up a gale as it turned into a golden stream of light, speeding toward the distant horizon and quickly disappearing from sight.

With the support of the Void-Splitting Profound Gold Eagle, Feng Ziyue also laboriously climbed onto the eagle's back. He looked back one last time, staring fixedly at Jiang Yun and Su Qingying with bloodshot, venomous eyes that seemed to say...

"Just you wait! When my eldest brother returns, I'll make you pay back a hundredfold, a thousandfold!"

Then.

The Void-Splitting Profound Gold Eagle also let out a shrill cry, carrying the injured Hurricane Spirit Owl as it flew off unsteadily in the direction Feng Yu had left.

With the departure of the two from the Jingfeng Sect.

The tense atmosphere in Lingqi Valley suddenly relaxed.

Following that, even more heated discussions broke out.

"They're gone! Feng Yu actually... backed down? He didn't dare accept the challenge!"

"It's not backing down, it's being sensible! Senior Sister Su is too strong; going head-to-head would only be more embarrassing."

"Tsk tsk, the Jingfeng Sect really took a double loss this time; they lost all Face and had to pay five thousand contribution points!"

"But then again, Feng Yu's last words... they've formed a blood feud! The Jingfeng Sect definitely won't let this go."

"Exactly, especially when their Sect Leader Sect Master Feng Tianyang returns! He's a ruthless character ranked sixth on the Heaven Rankings, even higher than Senior Sister Su Qingying! When the time comes, I'm afraid..."

"Yeah, Sect Master Feng Tianyang is said to be extremely protective of his own, and his methods are even more ruthless! Both the Sacred Student and Senior Sister Su are likely in trouble."

"It should be fine in the short term; Sect Master Feng Tianyang is said to have taken on a very long-term special mission and won't be back for a while. But when he does return, it'll definitely be a huge storm!"

The crowd's discussions also reached Jiang Yun's ears. His Face was calm, but his heart was as clear as a Vice Dean Ming Jing.

Today's matter.

Seemed like a grand victory.

Not only did he keep the Longxiang Pavilion base.

Repelled the provocation.

But he also won a huge bet and reputation.

However, in reality.

He had also completely formed a difficult-to-resolve grudge with the Jingfeng Sect.

And even the Feng Family behind them.

Sect Master Feng Tianyang, sixth on the Heaven Rankings... this was indeed a huge potential threat.

Jiang Yun did not regret it.

On the path of cultivation, if one only retreats and endures, the Dao Heart will only become clouded, making progress impossible.

If he had retreated today, Longxiang Pavilion would never be able to hold its head up.

"Strength... I must increase my strength as quickly as possible!"

Jiang Yun felt an even greater sense of urgency.

Only by being strong enough himself...

...could he be fearless of any challenge or retaliation.

He looked up.

Toward the figure in the air about to depart.

He cupped his hands with a solemn expression and spoke loudly.

"Senior Sister Su, thank you for your assistance today. Jiang Yun will keep it in his heart."

As he spoke.

He once again picked up his Identity Token which had just received five thousand contribution points. Without any hesitation, he input his intent and transferred half of it—2,500 contribution points—which turned into a stream of light and, along with the token, was thrown toward Su Qingying in the air once more.

"These contribution points would have been impossible to get without Senior Sister's help. It's only right that Senior Sister has a share; we'll split it half and half. Please accept it."

This action...

...caused a wave of exclamations from the crowd!

"What?! The Sacred Student is going to give half the contribution points to Senior Sister Su?"

"Two thousand five hundred contribution points! Just giving them away like that? That's too generous!"

"contribution points! They're a harder currency than Spirit Crystals in the academy! They can be exchanged for Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, Materials, Secret Realm access... he actually split half without even blinking?"

"Character! This is character! No wonder he was valued by the Head Dean and granted the status of Heavenly Saint Student!"

"Will Senior Sister Su accept? This is two thousand five hundred points, not a small amount!"

In the air.

Su Qingying, on the back of the Seven-Colored Divine Deer.

Seeing the flying token and the massive contribution point value within, a clear flash of astonishment crossed her cool eyes.

She reached out and caught the token.

Feeling the 2,500 contribution points that had just been transferred, and then looking down at the sincere and clear-eyed Jiang Yun, her evaluation of him couldn't help but rise a few more notches.

"This boy is not just a monstrous talent with a resilient Heart-Nature, but more rarely, he knows how to repay kindness and acts with great character, not coveting small immediate gains."

Su Qingying thought to herself.

"No wonder Father and several uncles were full of praise for him, even going so far as to use Family resources and connections to help him in secret. Perhaps... he really is worth the Su Family's investment."

On her exquisite Face.

For the first time toward Jiang Yun.

She revealed an extremely faint, yet truly existing, shallow smile, like a snow lotus suddenly blooming on an icy mountain, carrying a hint of stunning warmth within its coolness.

Without any lingering attachment, she tapped her finger, returning the 2,500 contribution points in the token intact, and along with the token, gently tossed it back to Jiang Yun.

"There is no need for this."

Su Qingying's voice was still clear.

A few degrees less sharp than before.

And a bit more peaceful.

"Since you are a member of my Su Family, my protecting you is protecting the Su Family's Face; it's only natural. Compared to me, you have just entered the academy and are at the time when you need massive resources to build a foundation and improve quickly. These contribution points will be of more value in your hands."

She paused and continued.

"Helping you this time is only because you are a part of my Su Family. At Sky Dome Academy, Su Family disciples should support each other. Although you did not join my Tingxue Pavilion and chose to start your own Longxiang Pavilion, this relationship will not change. In the future, if Longxiang Pavilion encounters trouble that ordinary forces cannot resolve, you can come to Tingxue Pavilion to find me."

Having said that.

She spoke no more.

She gently patted the neck of the Seven-Colored Divine Deer.

"Yo!!!"

The Seven-Colored Divine Deer let out a pleasant light cry, brilliance flowing around its body as it condensed a magnificent seven-colored light bridge in front of it, spanning across the sky.

The divine deer stepped onto the seven-colored light bridge with elegant and swift strides, carrying the peerless beauty on its back, soon turning into a streak of seven-colored sunset glow in the distance, disappearing at the edge of everyone's vision.

Jiang Yun caught the returning token, looking at the still-complete five thousand contribution points inside, then gazed in the direction Su Qingying had disappeared, a warm current flowing in his heart and adding a bit more emotion.

"The Su Family... Su Qingying... they have all treated me well."

Jiang Yun gripped the token tightly.

He silently vowed in his heart.

"This kindness of value and protection, I, Jiang Yun, have recorded. If I have the ability in the future, I will surely repay it a hundredfold and not fail the Su Family's sentiment today!"

"Pavilion Master! Jiang Yun! Are you okay?"

At this time.

Zhao Tiezhu, Lin Kuo, and Xiao Yutian finally squeezed through from the back of the crowd, their Faces still carrying lingering worry and fear.

That spectacle just now...

...for these students from C City, the impact was truly too great. Top-ranked prodigies from the Heaven Rankings appeared one after another with heaven-shaking pressure, making it difficult for them even to get close.

Seeing that Jiang Yun was safe and sound.

The three of them finally breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

"It's good that you're okay, it's good that you're okay! We were scared to death just now!"

Zhao Tiezhu patted his chest.

He still had lingering fears.

Lin Kuo and Xiao Yutian also nodded repeatedly.

The gaze they turned toward Jiang Yun was full of admiration and awe.

Their Pavilion Master...

...was actually able to not only emerge unscathed from that level of conflict but also earn such a huge sum in return!

Jiang Yun looked at his three friends from the same hometown.

He smiled slightly and nodded.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Not only am I fine, I've had some gains."

He shook the Identity Token in his hand.

Then he looked at the three.

"Iron Pillar, Lin Kuo, Xiao Yutian, take out your Identity Tokens for a moment."

"Ah?"

Zhao Tiezhu was stunned.

He scratched his head, his honest Face full of confusion.

"Our Identity Tokens? Jiang Yun, what do you want our tokens for?"