187: Must be punished

For some reason, Little Bear and Little Black's ranks actually increased by two minor stages.

Little Bear was so happy that he started dancing clumsily. "Baby is no longer the lowest-ranked baby!"

What surprised Gu Xiaoyue even more was Little Nine's Water Pillar skill.

Just a few days ago, it had reached the perfect level after consuming a Soul Origin Bead, and now it had actually gained the attribute of poison.

This meant that if Little Nine wanted, the water it sprayed could be venom, corroding whatever it touched!

As for the ten treasure berry tree, under the Birth of the Lianxin Waterfall, the ten treasure berry still needed some time to ripen and fall.

Under the gaze of Ying Long and Hou, Gu Xiaoyue took one out and bit into it directly.

Since she couldn't treat everyone equally, she might as well prioritize herself!

It must be said, the ten treasure berry was truly delicious, juicy and thick-fleshed.

The leftover core was thrown back into the Yu Beast Space by Gu Xiaoyue; it should be able to grow into a tree in the future.

However, one fruit wasn't enough to fill her up.

When they returned to the garrison base, she first went to the base cafeteria and ordered a bowl of noodles.

As Gu Xiaoyue ate her noodles, she marveled at how incredibly worthwhile this trip to Lianxin Waterfall had been!

Ever since they were kidnapped together, Duan Yao had become Gu Xiaoyue's little fangirl.

She followed Gu Xiaoyue wherever she went.

"Aren't you going back to Anhuai Academy?"

"No, I'm not. They're all rotten people!"

Duan Yao complained to Gu Xiaoyue that Cao Yuyang and the others had stayed in Lianxin Waterfall for only two days and made no progress in any aspect.

Even after the training ended, they didn't go back, insisting on waiting for Duan Yao to come out, and then verbally humiliated her.

They implied that her strength was lacking, which was why she didn't get first place in the National Competition.

Otherwise, if they could have stayed in Lianxin Waterfall for one more day, they would definitely have seen a qualitative improvement!

However, Duan Yao didn't indulge them this time and directly retorted.

She angrily rebuked them for clinging to others without gratitude and declared that she would go down the mountain next year to cheer them on at the National Competition, to see what good results they could achieve!

"These past few days, while waiting for you to come out, I also contacted my master.

My master said I should go back, but I insisted that he promise me I could go down the mountain next year to watch the National Competition, or else I wouldn't go back!"

Duan Yao gritted her teeth, fuming.

She was determined to see Cao Yuyang's results next year and cheer them on properly!

Gu Xiaoyue slurped a mouthful of noodles. "So, what did your master say?"

"Of course, he agreed, or else I really wouldn't go back! I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but I haven't even taken the Beastmaster level exam yet!

If my master doesn't agree, I'll go with you to the Beastmaster Association in Hechuan to take the exam and accept missions! Am I afraid I can't support myself?!"

Gu Xiaoyue nodded as she listened, first marveling at how powerful Duan Yao was without even having taken the exam, then, upon hearing that Duan Yao wanted to go to Hechuan with her, she spat out a mouthful of noodles!

"Cough, cough—"

She choked on the soup and coughed for a long time, while Duan Yao diligently patted her back.

"Our master is old and cunning—uh, he can calculate and is far-sighted, so it's better to listen to him more!"

Duan Yao thought for a moment and said.

"Then I also want to go to Hechuan with you; it's closer to go back up the mountain from Hechuan."

Since Duan Yao had decided to return to the mountain to continue her cultivation, Gu Xiaoyue naturally didn't mind giving her a ride further.

When they parted, Duan Yao specifically told her to keep in touch often.

Even if the signal was bad on the mountain, she wanted Gu Xiaoyue to send her many messages.

Gu Xiaoyue gave an awkward smile and nodded.

It seemed Duan Yao also knew that she had to return to her master's side early.

After all, even if the Xiao Family brought the marriage contract to propose, the Duan Family might not agree!

Thinking this, Gu Xiaoyue watched Duan Yao take a ride to the Hechuan transportation station, then returned to Nanya Academy.

She immediately went to the principal's office to discuss Zhuang Yanxin's matter with the principal.

Her demands were not excessive: not to give Zhuang Yanxin any rewards, and for the school to issue a major demerit punishment!

Gu Xiaoyue knocked on the door of the principal's office and entered.

Director Wu was also there.

"Gu Xiaoyue is here. Director Wu and I were just discussing the handling plan for Zhuang Yanxin. It's good you're here; you can also share your thoughts."

Principal Zheng was still smiling, trying not to offend anyone.

It seemed Director Wu also understood the situation clearly, but he really had no idea what to do.

The main reason was that Zhuang Yanxin hadn't harmed outsiders; she had only drugged the Nanya team members.

The officials had also given all the disciplinary power to Gu Xiaoyue.

"This is like choosing between two equally important things, I—"

Director Wu secretly glanced at Gu Xiaoyue, but met her cold gaze.

He knew that if Zhuang Yanxin wasn't punished, Gu Xiaoyue would certainly object.

However, if she were punished, it could greatly affect Zhuang Yanxin's future employment and a series of other issues.

"My only demand is that Zhuang Yanxin's rewards be revoked and she receives a major demerit!"

The door to the principal's office was knocked, and Zhuang Yanxin entered with red eyes.

"Principal, Director Wu, I know I was wrong this time, but the distribution of rewards was agreed upon before, and I don't agree to not getting any!"

"I don't care if you agree or not!

You made a mistake and still want to claim both rewards and fame? Going to Lianxin Waterfall was already a windfall for you!"

Gu Xiaoyue's eyes and tone were cold, chilling Zhuang Yanxin to the core.

She had no other recourse but to sob softly, trying to evoke sympathy from the principal and director.

Gu Xiaoyue secretly rolled her eyes, finding it unbearable to watch.

It was clearly Zhuang Yanxin who had done wrong, yet it seemed as if Gu Xiaoyue was the one forcing her hand.

Was she trying to portray herself as a strong, tragic female lead?!

"If the principal also feels that Zhuang Yanxin is wronged, then I have no choice but to—"

Principal Zheng thought Gu Xiaoyue would use her academic status or next year's National Competition as leverage to threaten them into punishing Zhuang Yanxin.

Gu Xiaoyue paused, then snorted coldly.

"Anyway, I've already distributed all the rewards from the National Competition, and I don't have any more to give!

I still have all the videos exposing Harry Howard's evil deeds.

Projector equipment doesn't cost much, and I don't mind paying out of my own pocket to let all the students of Nanya see—a student who made a mistake, under the protection of the school leaders, not only demands rewards but also receives no punishment!"

As soon as she finished speaking, not only did Zhuang Yanxin's face turn pale, but Principal Zheng and Director Wu's expressions were also very grim.

"Gu Xiaoyue, do you have to go that far?! What good does it do you to ruin me?"

Zhuang Yanxin questioned sharply, as if she had suffered an immense grievance.

"That's what I should be asking you! When you leaked your teammates' information and drugged my water, did you ever consider what good it would do you to ruin me?!"

Principal Zheng stepped in to mediate. "How about giving Zhuang Yanxin a few warning punishments?"

"A major demerit!"

Gu Xiaoyue raised an eyebrow. "Principal Zheng is always good at playing the nice guy, but if he always thinks about protecting students who make mistakes, how can the interests of other students be guaranteed?!"

"This—"

Principal Zheng hesitated for a moment. "Then it will be a major demerit! Can we not announce it to the whole school?"

Zhuang Yanxin was already crying profusely, and Principal Zheng unconsciously wanted to save her some face.

Gu Xiaoyue made no comment, and Principal Zheng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she had agreed by default.

"Then I will issue the penalty in the next two days, and Gu Xiaoyue's National Competition rewards will not be shared with Zhuang Yanxin."

Seeing that the principal's decision was final, Zhuang Yanxin cried and ran away.

Principal Zheng, meanwhile, offered a conciliatory smile and handed Gu Xiaoyue a bank card.

"Gu Xiaoyue, you've worked hard this year at the National Competition. This is the bonus. I hope you continue to work hard next year and bring glory to Nanya!"

Gu Xiaoyue took the bank card with an indifferent expression.

"Thank you, Principal, but I may not be able to participate next year."

Principal Zheng thought she was unhappy with Zhuang Yanxin's punishment and was still throwing a tantrum, and couldn't help but show a look of confusion.

"Perhaps by then, I'll need to prepare for the World Championships, and the focus won't be on the National Competition."

Gu Xiaoyue had no idea that what she said so lightly at that moment would actually come true...