Chapter 327 Who the hell is the prey?

Jiang Yun walked out of the magnificent gate of the Myriad Phenomena Treasury.

His steps were unhurried and composed.

He truly seemed like just an ordinary student who had finished shopping and was preparing to return to his residence, even having the leisure to admire the lush spiritual plants lining the academy's paths.

However,

His diamond rank Divine Sense

had long since acted like the most precise radar,

firmly locking onto the few sneaky individuals not far behind him who thought they were well-hidden.

"They followed me out..."

Jiang Yun sneered inwardly.

"Since the hungry wolves can't resist pouncing, I'll... help them pick a more comfortable place to make their move."

He didn't head towards the relatively crowded main road, nor did he turn in the direction of the Holy Son Courtyard or Lingqi Valley. Instead, his footsteps shifted, and he turned into a relatively secluded side path next to the treasury.

This path led to an old-style Cultivation meditation chamber area in the academy's back mountains. Usually, aside from a few students who preferred quiet, few people walked here. At this moment, it was completely deserted.

Seeing this, Wang Chao and his three followers, who were tailing him from behind,

were first stunned.

Then, expressions of wild joy immediately appeared on their faces!

"Good! Excellent! This kid is heading into a remote area by himself!"

The sharp-mouthed follower almost laughed out loud.

"You had the path to heaven but wouldn't take it, and the gate to Hell you come knocking on yourself! Heaven is helping us!"

"This is practically a location tailor-made for us to act!"

Another follower also rubbed his hands together excitedly.

The fierce light in Wang Chao's eyes grew even more intense.

He licked his somewhat dry lips.

"Keep up, don't lose him! It seems today is our lucky day for fortune, brothers!"

The four of them quickened their pace, holding their breath and concentrating, like hyenas that had caught the scent of blood, biting tightly behind Jiang Yun, the distance getting closer and closer.

Jiang Yun seemed completely unaware.

He even deliberately slowed his pace,

as if taking a leisurely stroll,

admiring the scenery along the roadside.

Yet, his Divine Sense perceived every single move of the four people behind him, even their subtle breathing and heartbeats, with crystal clarity.

After walking for about a kilometer,

the small path became increasingly remote. Tall ancient trees and mottled courtyard walls flanked both sides, and the light grew somewhat dim.

They were already far from the main teaching and living areas. It was so quiet that only the rustling of wind through leaves and the footsteps of the few could be heard.

Just as Jiang Yun reached a dead-end section with high walls on both sides and no one ahead or behind, the long-awaited, malicious shout finally came from behind.

"Oi!!! You kid up front! Stop right there for me!"

The voice sounded especially grating in the silent alley.

Jiang Yun obeyed and stopped walking, slowly turning around. His expression was calm as he watched the four men who had quickly caught up from behind and swiftly fanned out in a semi-encirclement, blocking his path.

The leader was none other than Wang Chao. His face wore undisguised greed and a ferocious grin, while the other three wore expressions of mockery and the excitement of imminent success.

"Kid, you sure like to wander around, huh? Bought a lot of good stuff, didn't you?"

Wang Chao looked Jiang Yun up and down.

His gaze lingered especially on the storage ring on Jiang Yun's hand, as if he could already see the mountain of treasures piled inside.

"If you know what's good for you, obediently transfer all the contribution points from your Identity Token to us."

Wang Chao's tone turned cold.

It carried a commanding air.

"And hand over everything you just exchanged for in the treasury, all the valuable stuff in your storage ring! Also, your storage ring looks pretty good; consider it an offering to us masters as well!"

The sharp-mouthed follower beside him immediately chimed in.

He threatened in a menacing tone.

"You hear that? Our Brother Chao is talking to you! Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Do as you're told obediently to avoid a beating! Otherwise... hmph, this place is very secluded. If something unexpected happens, no one will know!"

The other two also stepped forward, faintly releasing the aura of Gold Rank Beast Tamers, creating pressure. Their faces wore teasing expressions, like cats playing with mice.

Looking at these four faces filled with greed and malice before him, Jiang Yun couldn't help but find it rather amusing in his heart.

Not only was there not a trace of fear on his face,

instead, a strange, almost playful smile appeared.

Then,

under the gazes of the four men—filled with anticipation, threat, and impatience—Jiang Yun cleared his throat and spoke.

He uttered a sentence that instantly stupefied Wang Chao and his three men,

making them feel their ears were playing tricks.

"You guys,"

Jiang Yun smiled.

His tone was flat,

yet carried an undeniable flavor.

The cunning smile at the corner of his mouth became even more pronounced.

"Hand over all the contribution points on you, and all your valuable treasures. Otherwise..."

He deliberately drew out the last word.

His gaze swept over the four men's instantly frozen faces.

"Otherwise what?"

Wang Chao subconsciously retorted.

Then he snapped back to reality.

His expression suddenly turned extremely ugly,

as if he had swallowed a fly.

"Damn it! Kid, what the Hell kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"

"Hand it over to you?"

The sharp-mouthed follower also widened his eyes.

As if hearing the biggest joke in the world.

He pointed at Jiang Yun's nose and cursed.

"Kid, have you been scared stupid? Lost your mind? Can't tell who's robbing who?!"

"Exactly!"

The third follower roared furiously.

"It's us! Brother Chao, ranked 93rd on the Earth Ranking! Robbing you! You, a newbie fledgling! Not you robbing us! Get it straight!"

Wang Chao, in his extreme anger, actually laughed.

He stared at Jiang Yun with a sinister gaze.

"Kid, looks like you really want trouble! I'll give you one last chance. Hand over your stuff, kneel down, kowtow three times, and admit your mistake. If I'm in a good mood, I might spare your miserable life! If you dare try any more tricks..."

The smile on Jiang Yun's face gradually faded.

It was replaced by a kind of icy calm.

He shook his head, his tone resolute and decisive.

"I'm very clear about the current situation!"

"So I'm very sure, it's me who's robbing you."

The moment his words fell.

Jiang Yun no longer deliberately suppressed his own aura!

Boom!

An aura far more refined, more condensed, and even faintly carrying a scorching and noble pressure than that of an ordinary Gold Rank Five Beast Tamer erupted from Jiang Yun's body like a slumbering volcano suddenly erupting!

Gold Rank Five!

And a Gold Rank Five with an incredibly solid Foundation and exceptionally profound aura!

This aura was like a tangible shockwave.

Instantly sweeping through the narrow alley.

The air seemed to become viscous and scorching.

Fine dust on the ground was shaken into floating particles by an invisible force.

The ferocious grins, mockery, and threats on the faces of Wang Chao and his three men completely froze at this moment. Then, like fragile glass, they shattered piece by piece, replaced by boundless shock, horror, and disbelief!

"Wh...what?!"

Wang Chao bore the brunt of it.

He was struck by this aura and retreated two steps in succession.

His face instantly turned deathly pale, his pupils violently contracting.

"Gold Rank Five?! This... this aura... how can it be this strong?!"

He himself was at Gold Rank Four. Logically, the Realm gap wasn't that big. But the oppressive feeling of the aura he sensed from Jiang Yun at this moment actually made him feel palpitations! It wasn't just the intensity of the energy; it even contained a kind of... superior pressure that made his life-bound Spirit Beast within his Beast Taming Space feel vaguely uneasy?

"He... he's a new student, isn't he? How can he be Gold Rank? And such a strong Gold Rank at that?!"

The sharp-mouthed follower's legs were trembling.

His voice shook.

When they picked their fat sheep, they always chose only those soft, weak-looking Silver Rank or even Black Iron Rank freshmen. How could they have ever imagined they would kick such a hard iron plate?

No! This was practically a steel plate!

"We're done for... we've kicked an iron plate..."

The other two lackeys also turned ashen-faced. The arrogance they had just moments ago vanished instantly, leaving only full-hearted fear and regret.

How could someone who reached Gold Rank Five at this age, with such a terrifying aura, possibly be an ordinary freshman?

This was absolutely a Prodigy-level existence!

And they had actually wanted to rob a Prodigy?

Wang Chao's heart was even more in turmoil.

He was shocked, furious, and afraid all at once.

He quickly recalled the famous Gold Rank Prodigy faces within the academy, but none of them matched the youth before him.

"Could it be... that one who just enrolled this year... the Legendary SSS rank? That Sacred Student Jiang Yun, who the academy specially values and whose name has shaken the academy?"

A terrifying thought flashed through Wang Chao's mind.

It chilled him to the bone.

But he immediately forced himself to deny it.

"Impossible! How could a Prodigy like that come to the treasury alone and get targeted by me? He must be some senior student hiding his strength, or a young master from an external noble family!"

Regardless.

The fact before them was.

They had run into a tough character!

Wang Chao's expression flickered uncertainly.

His mind rapidly calculated.

Fight?

The opponent's aura was so terrifying; his true combat power likely far exceeded his surface Realm. While they had numbers on their side, aside from himself, his three lackeys were all trash at Gold First or Second Tier. If a real fight broke out, the outcome was unpredictable; they might even capsize in a ditch!

Retreat?

Not only would the fat meat about to enter their mouths fly away.

But they would also lose face big time today.

How could they still mix in their circle after this?

How could they still lead their lackeys?

Moreover, judging by the other party's posture.

It seemed he didn't plan to let them off easily either... "Damn it!"

Wang Chao cursed inwardly.

The arrow was already on the bowstring; he had to shoot.

It was too late to back down now!

He could only grit his teeth and go through with it!

He refused to believe that with his Gold Rank Four, plus three helpers and four Gold-rank Spirit Beasts, they couldn't take down a mere Gold Rank Five kid?

He simply refused to believe such an unknown kid could have much strength.

He took a deep breath.

Forcibly suppressing the fear in his heart.

He blustered with a threatening tone: "Kid! Don't think a strong aura alone can scare people! There are four of us here, all Gold Rank! I, your father, am a Prodigy ranked ninety-three on the Earth List! If we really fight, you won't get off easy either!"

He tried to soften his tone.

To find a way out for himself.

"I see you have potential too, and I don't want to push things to the extreme. Look, today we misjudged. You give each of us brothers... a hundred contribution points as a token, or hand over two of the less important things you just bought. Let's consider it making friends and call it even, how about that?"

The way he said it.

Made it seem as if Jiang Yun was getting the better deal.

And they were being magnanimous.

Hearing this, Jiang Yun almost laughed out loud.

These guys, even at this point, were still thinking about extortion, still putting on airs about being an Earth List Prodigy. It was utterly laughable.

"Make friends? Are you even worthy?"

The disdain in Jiang Yun's tone was undisguised.

"Enough nonsense. What I said earlier still stands. Hand over all your contribution points and valuables, and I might consider letting you leave safely. Otherwise, you won't be leaving today."

"You!!!"

Wang Chao was so enraged by Jiang Yun's utterly arrogant words that smoke almost came out of his seven orifices.

When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

Usually, he was the one threatening others like this.

Today, it was the complete reversal of heaven and earth!!

The last trace of hope and intention to negotiate vanished completely.

Leaving only the fury of being insulted.

"Fine, fine, fine! You refuse a face-saving offer! Looks like you won't shed tears until you see your own coffin!"

Wang Chao's face twisted ferociously as he suddenly waved his hand.

"Brothers! Get ready! Let's teach this kid a lesson! Let him know that in this Sky Dome Academy, not everyone can be messed with!"

"Roar!"

"Awoo!"

"Grunt!"

Following Wang Chao's words.

Four beams of light almost simultaneously shone from their bodies. Immediately after, four Spirit Beasts of different forms, each exuding Gold Rank auras, were summoned, blocking in front of their masters, baring their teeth and claws at Jiang Yun, letting out hostile roars.

In front of Wang Chao.

Was a burly Ironback Boar with exposed tusks and a body covered in steel-needle-like bristles. At Gold Fourth Stage, its aura was fierce, and the sharp spines on its back glinted coldly.

The pointy-mouthed lackey summoned a cunning-eyed, agile Swiftwind Hyena at Gold Second Stage, drool dripping from its mouth.

The other two.

One summoned a constantly growling Grayrock Warwolf at Gold First Tier, and the other summoned a Heavily Armored Giant Crab with thick carapace and huge pincers at Gold First Tier.

Four Gold-rank Spirit Beasts appearing simultaneously. Although their quality and strength varied, the combined ferocious and evil aura they gathered was quite imposing, completely blocking the alleyway.

Seeing their Spirit Beasts all summoned.

Wang Chao seemed to regain some of his confidence.

He puffed out his chest, pointing fiercely at Jiang Yun.

"See that, kid! Four Gold-rank Spirit Beasts! And I, your father, am a strong Earth List ninety-third! As a nobody newcomer, what do you have to fight us with?"

He tried to intimidate Jiang Yun with his reputation.

"If you know what's good for you, quickly do as I said earlier and take out some good stuff to offer us, and we'll consider this matter over! Otherwise, I don't mind making you and your Spirit Beast's Spirit Beast lie in bed for a few months!"

Facing the four ferociously bared Gold-rank Spirit Beasts and the four men's blustering threats, the expression on Jiang Yun's face didn't change in the slightest. It remained that same calm, indifferent look.

Even... with a hint of something faintly resembling... pity in his eyes?

He had dared to join forces to clash with a Void-Splitting Profound Gold Eagle at Amethyst Second Stage, far surpassing his own Realm. Dealing with these few Gold-rank Spirit Beasts, whose Realms were far lower than Little Fire's, with ordinary Aptitude and unstable auras, no matter how many came, it would be useless.

He even felt.

That summoning Little Fire or Little Skylark.

Would be somewhat overkill.

Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Therefore.

Under the gaze of four pairs of tense and fierce eyes, eight beast pupils staring fixedly, Jiang Yun neither summoned a Spirit Beast nor assumed any defensive or offensive starting stance.

He merely slightly raised his right arm, focused his mind, and communicated with the beast taming armor condensation Armguard hidden under his sleeve.

At the same time.

His Divine Sense sank into his Beast Taming Space, gently sensing Little Fire, who was meditating with closed eyes, digesting the insights from the previous battle, with Dragon Flame slowly circulating around him.

"Little Fire, lend me a wisp of your dragon's majesty."

The next moment.

An indescribable, noble, ancient, domineering, and scorching aura of majesty, originating from the depths of life's Origin, was carefully guided and released by Jiang Yun through the mysterious connection between the Beast Taming Space and the beast taming armor condensation Armguard.

Although it was only a wisp, it was the essential pressure from a Dragon-Blooded Creature with diamond rank peak Aptitude, on the verge of transforming into a flood dragon, who had mastered a Legendary Domain skill!

"ROAR!!"

As if a low and majestic dragon's roar.

Resounded thunderously on a Soul level!