31: Chapter 31 Arrogance!

"Of course..."

"No!!!"

The words landed like a thunderclap, exploding within the classroom!

Hiss!!

Inside the classroom, the students of Geng Class instantly gasped, all staring at Chen An in stunned silence.

These students never imagined that Chen An, usually introverted, quiet, and reclusive, would dare to be so blunt and arrogant at this moment, openly declaring that he did not respect the Instructor?!

Instructor Liu Zhixing, standing before the desk, stiffened abruptly. His pupils constricted, veins bulged on his face, and fury churned in his chest, almost causing him to lose control of the malice within.

He never expected that Chen An—a silent, low-cultivation, seemingly cowardly student he had always disregarded—would dare to contradict and offend him publicly like this.

Meanwhile, Liu Qingyun, who had just been preparing to watch the show, saw his expression darken immediately upon hearing Chen An speak so bluntly and arrogantly, defying his father.

"Arrogant!!!"

Liu Qingyun glared coldly at Chen An, his face full of contempt mixed with a hint of malice. "Chen An, do you think that relying on your connection with Shen Qinglan gives you the right to be so insolent and defy your superiors at will?!"

"With a mere Condensing Qi Stage 2 cultivation, you don't even rank in Geng Class. Who gave you the audacity to disrespect my father?!"

"Do you really think no one in the County Academy can deal with you?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Qingyun's True Qi surged. An Aura of near-Perfection at the Late Stage of Qi Condensation erupted from his body, transforming into a terrifying pressure that bore down fiercely upon Chen An.

However, the pressure from Liu Qingyun, which would have made anyone at the Early Stage of Qi Condensation tremble, felt like a gentle breeze brushing against Chen An's face. It didn't even qualify to make him bat an eyelid.

Chen An sneered, glancing at Liu Qingyun before turning his gaze to the livid Instructor Liu Zhixing. "If you want people to respect you, you must possess the character and integrity worthy of that respect!"

"As the main Instructor of Geng Class at the County Academy, instead of focusing on teaching and imparting knowledge, you seek personal gain. You use the opportunity of the County Exam to scheme against students, forcing them to abandon the exam and become guards for merchant firms, all just to protect your own performance reviews and profit from it."

"How can anyone respect an Instructor who acts so selfishly and has completely lost all teaching ethics?!!!"

"Good!!!"

The students were stirred, the stifled anger in their chests dissipating, and they couldn't help but cheer inwardly.

Their eyes lit up, and they applauded in their hearts. Only because of the intimidating power of Instructor Liu Zhixing and his son did they dare not speak out; if those two were not present, they would have likely cheered and clapped aloud long ago.

Everyone looked at Chen An with heartfelt admiration and respect.

No one had expected that the usually silent and reclusive Chen An would possess such courage and backbone, daring to speak the truths that everyone else was too afraid to voice.

"Good! Good! Good!!!"

The three sharp shouts landed, making people's eardrums ring.

A peerlessly powerful Aura of the Late Stage of Acquired Realm suddenly erupted from Instructor Liu Zhixing, sweeping through the entire classroom like a raging storm!

The violent waves of energy rampaged in all directions. Desks, chairs, tables, and stationery were instantly sent flying by a tremendous force. Wooden tables shattered, papers scattered, and chaotic objects danced in the air before crashing heavily to the ground with loud bangs.

The air in the classroom became chaotic, and the pressure descended like a mountain, shrouding everything in its weight.

All the Geng Class students present instantly turned pale, their legs weak and their breathing difficult. They were forced to retreat continuously, unable to withstand the immense Aura of a Acquired Realm expert.

Yet Chen An, standing at the center of the storm, remained upright, his expression indifferent and his gaze calm. Despite the Acquired Realm pressure bombarding him, he stood firm as a rock, his sleeves fluttering slightly, his figure not swaying in the slightest.

Instructor Liu Zhixing's eyes were bloodshot as he stared fixedly at Chen An, his voice ice-cold: "You brat! How dare you insult me and defy your teacher in public! Today, I will..."

"Instructor Liu, what are you doing?!"

Just as tensions were at a breaking point, a steady, majestic voice suddenly rang out from outside the classroom, clearly piercing through the violent energy waves and directly suppressing Instructor Liu Zhixing's furious roar.

As the voice fell, an aged figure stepped slowly into the classroom.

The newcomer was an old man with white hair and beard, wearing a clean and simple gray scholar's robe. His face was solemn, and though he exerted no sharp Aura, he carried a heavy, steady academic air that inspired awe.

He was none other than the Head Elder of the County Academy, Head Elder Wei Linyuan!

As Head Elder Wei Linyuan stepped through the door, the previously raging airflow suddenly calmed down, and the crushing Acquired Realm pressure dissipated like a receding tide. The scattered papers and broken desks froze in place.

Inside the classroom, there was instant silence.

The students, who had been unable to breathe under the pressure, looked up, their faces filled with surprise and joy.

Instructor Liu Zhixing stiffened, his furious expression freezing. Subconsciously, he reined in his malice and turned his head to look at the newcomer. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but he forced down his anger and bowed respectfully. "Head Elder Wei, why have you come here?!"

Head Elder Wei Linyuan was the Head Elder of the County Academy. Not only did he possess the cultivation of Perfection of the Acquired Realm, but as the Head Elder, his status was second only to the County Academy Preceptor.

Most importantly, even the County Academy Preceptor, that Innate Realm expert Instructor Fan Suiyun, had once been one of Head Elder Wei Linyuan's Disciples.

It could be said that Head Elder Wei Linyuan was truly the number one person in the County Academy.

Head Elder Wei Linyuan scanned the people in the classroom with slightly cloudy eyes. When his gaze fell upon Chen An—who, unlike the others, looked calm and composed—a flash of surprise flickered in his eyes. He then looked at Instructor Liu Zhixing and said calmly, "I happened to be passing by and sensed an eruption of True Qi, so I came to take a look. Instructor Liu, what is the matter? Why such a big fire?!"

Hearing Head Elder Wei Linyuan's words, Instructor Liu Zhixing's heart sank. The fury in his chest was instantly suppressed, and a trace of panic even welled up within him.

He knew Head Elder Wei Linyuan's character all too well!

This Head Elder was impartial, strictly adhered to the academy's rules, valued teaching ethics and academic atmosphere above all else, and despised Instructors who abused their power for personal gain or mistreated students.

If he were to find out that he had secretly schemed against his students for personal performance reviews, forcing them to abandon the Five Prefectures Joint Examination and drop out to work for merchant firms for profit, his position as an Instructor would likely be lost!

"Reporting to Head Elder, this student is named Chen An. He is arrogant and unruly, defies his superiors, and refuses to change despite repeated teaching. I was momentarily angered, so I wanted to scare him a little. I did not expect to disturb you, Head Elder. Please forgive me!" Instructor Liu Zhixing took a deep breath, glared at Chen An, and spoke, downplaying the situation and twisting the truth.

"Oh?!"

Head Elder Wei Linyuan narrowed his eyes slightly and turned to look at Chen An. Seeing his calm expression and lack of panic despite Instructor Liu Zhixing's words, he shifted his gaze and asked, "Chen An, do you have anything to say?!"

"Head Elder, Chen An has always relied on his connection with Class Jia's top student, Shen Qinglan, to disregard my father. He has contradicted him many times. My fellow students and I can all testify to this. Please punish him severely, Head Elder, to uphold the academic atmosphere!" Upon hearing Head Elder Wei Linyuan question Chen An, Liu Qingyun jumped out and spoke first.

Many Geng Class students felt their hearts tighten, their faces showing hesitation.

They knew the truth, but fearing the power of Instructor Liu Zhixing and his son, no one dared to speak out and argue publicly. They could only lower their heads, not daring to meet the Head Elder's gaze.

Head Elder Wei Linyuan's gaze swept coldly over the eager-to-explain Liu Qingyun, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before returning to Chen An. He said in a calm tone, "Is what he said true?"

"Head Elder Wei, the truth of the matter is on this paper. Please take a look!" Chen An did not say much more, simply reaching out to hand over a piece of paper.

Beside him, Instructor Liu Zhixing and his son, who had been struggling to maintain their composure, stiffened instantly the moment they saw the paper in Chen An's hand. The color drained from their faces, turning them as pale as paper...