GENIUS DOCTOR: BLACK BELLY MISS [501+]

521-540

Chapter 521: "The Spirit Hunt Ends (3)"

The team that Li Zi Mu had initially been with were greatly helped by Jun Xie in the Battle Spirits Forest and after returning back to the campgrounds, they began to consciously and unconsciously defend Jun Xie's reputation.

They were betrayed by Li Zi Mu and had almost lost their lives in the dense forest. Jun Xie's kind gesture had saved them and they were extremely grateful to him. But they had also fallen victim to Li Zi Mu's exaggerated lies and had previously been party to criticizing Jun Xie as well and had condemned him. Hence, although they were feeling grateful in their hearts, they were too ashamed to face Jun Xie, as the guilt gnawed at their hearts.

The news that Jun Xie had brought back a low grade Spirit Beast back soon spread throughout the campgrounds. But this piece of news had not even stirred up much attention when another piece of news shocked the entire camp.

The team reputed to be the strongest with Lu Wei Jie and the others had surprisingly announced their withdrawal before the Spirit Hunt had ended, and no a single member of the team remained. They had all been escorted back to the Zephyr Academy by Nangong Xu personally.

That alarming piece of news shocked all the disciples present and endless speculations and debates ensued.

It must be known that the first ranked in the previous Spirit Tournament had suddenly disappeared that year and had not been seen in the Zephyr Academy for quite some time and Lu Wei Jie was the current most powerful disciple in the Zephyr Academy!

After the top ranked disciple was no longer around, everyone had subconsciously presumed Lu Wei Jie to be the strongest one among them and his team this time had not only included him, but also the third ranked Ning Xin from the previous Spirit Tournament in addition to the ninth and tenth ranked as well. The team had also managed to rope in Yin Yan from the Spirit Healer faculty and the rest of the team members were all above average.

Despite all that, that most glamorous and star studded team announced their withdrawal from the Spirit Hunt midway through and led back to the Zephyr Academy by Nangong Xu himself. All the other disciples found the situation rather puzzling.

Many of them were guessing if they might have encountered a most powerful Spirit Beast, a extraordinary high grade one..... Or even a Guardian grade, that had severely injured them all and they had to be sent back to the Zephyr Academy. If not, any other reason that would make them them suddenly withdraw would make things rather suspicious.

All kind of guesses and theories mushroomed and sprouted, while Jun Wu Xie and Lord Meh Meh found themselves suddenly overlooked.

The first position for this time's Spirit Hunt had suddenly been opened up to any of the teams there and the disciples were all brimming with renewed hope.

The Spirit Hunt had finally come to a close and the mentally and physically exhausted disciples were given one day to rest and recover before they set forth towards the Zephyr Academy. But none of them were aware of the fact that the death toll among the disciples for this Spirit Hunt had surpassed the numbers for any of the previous Spirit Hunts.

Neither did all the disciples know, in the very near future, a vicious storm was about to hit the Zephyr Academy, throwing everyone into chaotic turmoil.

For the journey back, Jun Wu Xie brought the little black cat and Lord Meh Meh to share the same carriage with Fan Jin. Throughout the whole journey, Fan Jin felt as though he was sitting on pins as Lord Meh Meh, who was carried in Jun Wu Xie's arms, stared at Fan Jin with a look filled with enmity endlessly.

Fan Jin wanted to cry, he did not know when and how he had offended this horrifyingly powerful Guardian grade Spirit Beast disguised as a tame harmless sheep, and could only smile bitterly at the sheep, in an attempt to diffuse the enmity Lord Meh Meh had towards him.

It was in futility.....

Lord Meh Meh still stared him with those hate filled eyes!

[This guy deserved to be smacked!]

[He made my "feedstress" come into this rumbling and tumbling small box! Depriving the ve"meh"rable Lord Meh Meh of tasty green grass to chomp on!]

[Evildoer!]

[Lord Meh Meh should just eat you instead!]

If Fan Jin only knew what Lord Meh Meh was really thinking, he would have scrambled and fought to get out of the carriage at that very moment.

Poor innocent Fan Jin.....

He wasn't the one responsible for making Jun Wu Xie get into the box! Do not eat!

Chapter 522: "The Wind Kicks Up (1)"

The Zephyr Academy was still the same as before, quiet and tranquil, looking as if nothing had happened.

The Spirit Hunt had ended and the disciples returned, all of them comfortably settled back into familiar surroundings as they recounted all that they had experienced back in the Battle Spirits Forest.

But it was right within this tranquility that a storm was about to rage.

All the disciples had still not fully recovered from the trials they had undergone from the Spirit Hunt and it had barely been two days since they had returned back to the academy that an astonishing piece of news reached their ears.

Lu Wei Jie and the others in his team who had withdrawn themselves prematurely from the recently ended Spirit Hunt had been expelled from the Zephyr Academy in punishment. Although they had not revealed the reason, but the marching orders had been given. More than twenty disciples were suddenly struck off from the Zephyr Academy's roster.

The list had even included the last Spirit Tournament's second ranked Lu Wei Jie.

All the disciples driven out of the Zephyr Academy were disciples who had been in the same team with Lu Wei Jie, and with the exceptions of Ning Xin and Yin Yan, none was spared!

It caused a big commotion. Even when the Zephyr Academy tried to hide it, the astounding news could not be suppressed!

All the other disciples were shocked by the revelation. Lu Wei Jie's sudden withdrawal from the Spirit Hunt with his team had already sparked off much debate and arguments, and now that all of them were suddenly expelled, the voices raised in questions reached new heights!

In the Vice Headmaster's office, Ning Rui's face was dark as he looked at the pale faced Ning Xin, his eyes narrowed in admonishment.

"In regards to this matter, I have already cleared it with the Headmaster. Lu Wei Jie and the others will assume the responsibilities for it. Just make sure you stay within the office during this period and do not go anywhere. And only after the matter dies down, we'll makes other plans." Ning Rui's mood could not get any worse at the moment. He had thought that after the recent Spirit Hunt, he would be rid of Fan Jin, one of the biggest thorns in his side. Never had he expected that Ning Xin would stir up such a big mess, failing in her mission, and even offended such powerful people.

The disciples of Mu Chen from the Cloud Treading Peak and the most ferocious strike force, the Rui Lin Army.....

When Nangong Xu had just brought Ning Xin and Lu Wei Jie back and reported the news to him, Ning Rui had almost exploded in rage.

He knew better than anyone what kind of a temperament his own daughter possessed. Ning Rui had privately approved of Ning Xin's power and her deviously scheming mind privately. She had always been cautious and dependable when carrying out her schemes and when he found out that she had stirred up so much trouble with such dire consequences this time, Ning Rui had been rather shocked.

Although he knew that the severity of the matter would even implicate the reputation of the Zephyr Academy, but Ning Rui could not leave his own daughter in the lurch. If Ning Xin's misdeeds were made known and spread, not only she would lose her standing in the academy, even his position as the Vice Headmaster would be put at risk.

Hence, Ning Rui had had no choice but to lower himself before Fan Qi this once, and pleaded with tears in his eyes. Fan Qi had relented when he was reminded of the fact that they were fellow disciples under the same Master and had allowed them to secretly remove Lu Wei Jie and the others, to hide the truth of the matter.

Expelling more than twenty disciples all at once, was also deemed to be a form of answer to Rong Heng and Long Qi.

"Yes. I have committed a big mistake in this matter and I plead for my father's forgiveness. I promise to be extra careful in future." Ning Xin nodded obediently, but her heart was still in a state of panic.

"I will leave Yin Yan in your hands for the time being. You should know very well how he should be used." Ning Rui said, his eyes staring at Ning Xin.

Ning Xin acknowledged, submissively docile.

Ning Rui sighed and asked again: "You are sure you saw them clearly? Jun Xie and those boys from the branch division are really that powerful?" What really made Ning Rui uneasy besides the fact that their attempt at murder had failed, was Jun Xie's, Qiao Chu's and the others' overwhelming powers.

Before this, Ning Rui had not perceived Jun Xie as a threat at all and seen the boy only as a pawn to be used to attack Fan Jin. He had not seen the need for him to personally deal with such a petty and lowly disciple then.

Chapter 523: "The Wind Kicks Up (2)"

But this time, Ning Xin had brought back shocking news with her.

Ning Rui had never even bothered to look Jun Xie in the eye and he was astounded to suddenly be hearing that he possessed such overwhelming power while those mysterious disciples from the branch division had possessed purple spirits!

That was just too unbelievable!

Purple spirits, they were the pinnacle of strength and power and they have not been seen in the last century. Why would the amazing power suddenly show up on disciples of the branch division? All of those revelations had shocked Ning Rui beyond words and he could not fully comprehend them.

"I'm sure I saw them clearly. It is all true....." When she recalled all that she saw that day, Ning Xin could not help but tremble uncontrollably.

Ning Rui's frown grew deeper, "Have you ever faced off with Jun Xie before?"

Ning Xin shook her head immediately.

"Never did. All the deeds were carried out by Yin Yan."

Ning Rui tapped his fingers on his table while deep in thought. After a Fan Jin wins over the youths and all their overwhelming strength, it would deal a big blow to the plans we had in place. Since you have never been in direct confrontation with Jun Xie before, you should use everything within your ability to win him over and convince him to switch sides."

He never believed in eternal enmities, and neither in eternal friendships. Ning Rui was able to size up the situation rather quickly.

When Jun Xie had still been perceived as trash, he had been happy to see his daughter use him as a pawn. But when the pawn was found to possess such great power, it would not be wise to leave him at the enemy's side.

Ning Xin was aghast. "Father, Jun Xie might have turned out more powerful than we expected him to be. But he is still rather young and I don't think we need to....."

"What do you know!?" Ning Rui chided sternly.

Ning Xin trembled.

"Where did you think those few purple spirits had suddenly sprouted out from? I have thoroughly checked on all the people around Fan Jin. Even if we don't mention him as he is still a young youth, but not even his well respected father will be able to win the favour of any purple spirit exponents! If Fan Jin was really that capable, he would not have been so badly toyed by your schemes. Those few purple spirit users must be linked to Jun Xie. If we manage to win Jun Xie over to our side, we won't just be winning over one person, but also the powerful exponents behind him!" Ning Rui said with a chilling laugh and based on Ning Xin's observations, Jun Xie had broken through to the yellow spirit level.

A fourteen year old who had broken through to the yellow spirit level..... What kind of an unbelievable gift was that? And added to that, he had a rather powerful ring spirit as well, which made Jun Xie an excellent target. But most importantly, it was what the inconceivable purple spirit exponents behind him would bring!

If he was able to successfully convince those few purple spirit users to come over on his side, and everything that was happening now, would no longer pose to be a problem anymore.

Ning Xin gasped loudly, as she realised how important it was to win Jun Xie over.

"But I have mentored Yin Yan all this while, whereas things between him and Jun Xie....." Ning Xin's voice trailed off as she bit on her lip. The fact that Yin Yan had been able to still remain in the Zephyr Academy was never her father's intention, but it was all due to his own position in the Academy.

The disciples of the Spirit Healer faculty had always been independently controlled by Gu Li Sheng himself and not even the Headmaster was able to interfere with him. And the incident in the Battle Spirits Forest was known only to the few people Nangong Xu, Fan Qi and Ning Rui. In order to protect the Zephyr Academy's reputation, not a single one among them dared to leak a word of it to anybody. Gu Li Sheng was hence unaware of the matter and would naturally not drive Yin Yan out.

Yin Yan had served as Ning Xin's ward for a rather long time and clever as she was, Ning Xin knew how Yin Yan felt towards her.

But his position and his obedience had made Ning Xin find him useful and easy to manipulate. But if it came to threatening her own interests, there wasn't much that Ning Xin would hesitate to sacrifice.

Chapter 524: "The Wind Kicks Up (3)"

"The truth of the matter was that Li Zi Mu was the one who started the whole farce and Yin Yan was inexorably duped into playing along with it." Ning Rui said with a meaningful glance to Ning Xin.

Ning Xin's eyes lit up and a smile grew on her lips.

"What Father means is for Yin Yan to go apologise to Jun Xie."

Ning Rui nodded, satisfacted. "This time, do not fail me again, or I will really be utterly disappointed with you." Ning Rui's steely gaze fell on Ning Xin suddenly felt the chill from those eyes. Even though they were linked in blood, Ning Xin was still extremely fearful of her own father.

"I won't....." Ning Xin gulped, as she hurriedly reassured.

However, things did not turn out the way as what Ning Xin and Ning Rui had planned.

Ning Rui had intended for Lu Wei Jie and the other over twenty disciples to become scapegoats for the disaster his daughter had caused and thought that the fact that Lu Wei Jie had a soft spot for Ning Xin all this while would make Lu Wei Jie be willing to hide the real truth behind the matter for her.

But.....

Ning Rui did not know that Ning Xin had hidden part of the truth from him. In order to save herself, Ning Xin had quickly only brought Yin Yan back with her and left Lu Wei Jie and the rest of the team in the lurch which had almost caused all of them to lose their lives.

In view of the circumstances, there was no way Lu Wei Jie would hide the truth for Ning Xin, especially when they got to know that he and the other over twenty disciples were to be driven out of the Zephyr Academy while Ning Xin and Yin Yan did not suffer any form of punishment in the least.

Lu Wei Jie was absolutely outraged!

At the mains gates of the Zephyr Academy, more than twenty disciples who had been expelled from the Zephyr Academy stood, theirs faces in tears, all dressed in civilian clothings after they were made to change out of the Zephyr Academy's uniforms, staring forlornly at the academy they had grown to become so familiar with, their hearts heavy.

They thought back to the day they had first come here, inspired to achieve their lofty goals, having stood out among the sea of applicants fighting to enroll, and had dreamed of the day that they would one day shoot up the societal ranks. But now, they had nothing left. They had not completed their studies and they had been thrown out by the Zephyr Academy. All their dreams and aspirations were suddenly shattered and the pieces lay crumbled upon the ground before them.

"Senior Lu, what are we supposed to do in future?" A disciple among the group asked as he looked sadly at Lu Wei Jie. Before the gates, many disciples had congregated, here to watch the miserable worms who had been abandoned.

Lu Wei Jie's face was ashen as he stared at the whispering disciples grouped together within the Zephyr Academy, and the rage within his chest reached an inferno.

"What to do! ? Since the Zephyr Academy is not giving us any other way out, then we need not observe or consider any sense of propriety for the academy as well! We can just bring them down with us! I will no longer hold this dump of an academy dear to my heart!" Lu Wei Jie shouted angrily.

The Zephyr Academy had after driving them out of the academy gates, said that those disciples possessed dubious characters and were despicable in their deeds.

That critique from the academy had inadvertently also killed the futures of all those disciples. With such a testimonial coming from the Zephyr Academy, which other respectable academy would be willing to take them in?

Lu Wei Jie was almost exploding with rage. The prospects for his future had been shining bright. As the second in rank in the last Spirit Tournament, he had everything he wanted going for him. But he had been bewitched by a slut and had committed a huge wrong, which finally destroyed his own future and the whole responsibility for it had been thrown onto him. But the one person from whom the whole scheme had originated from, had used her father's powerful position as the Vice Headmaster, to escaped unscathed. She had not only not been expelled by the Zephyr Academy, but was still enjoying her unchanged status as the Senior Ning that all the disciples respected.

Based on what! ?

A slut like that, a shameless girl like that, why should he allow her to achieve the great future that was denied to all of them! ?

Lu Wei Jie's expression became grim as his rage and the sense of injustice in his heart grew. It gave him the courage and determination to finally step forward and stand before the gathered disciples behind the gates, and shouted out loudly!

Chapter 525: "The Wind Kicks Up (4)"

"The Zephyr Academy does not do its revered reputation justice and abuses its power for personal gain! We will not accept the injustice!"

Lu Wei Jie's loud proclamation made all the disciples within the Zephyr Academy prick up their ears!

They did not know what had caused Lu Wei Jie and the others to be expelled from the Zephyr Academy and when they heard what Lu Wei Jie had just said, they began to think that there was more than meets the eye in the matter!

Among the crowd of disciples, a tiny figure stood right at the back of everyone and a slight cold smile appeared on the delicate features on that face.

'Lu Wei Jie, I spared you your life back then, today, you must really put up a good show for me in return.'

"Senior Lu!" The other youths who had been thrown out with him stared worriedly at Lu Wei Jie. They were been accomplices to the crime and had been similarly victimised in this matter hence they naturally knew what Lu Wei Jie was about to say next!

"All of our futures have been ruined and how much longer do you want to hide the truth for that person!? All of you might be willing to be stepping stones for that person but not me! She was the one behind all of this, so why should we bear all the consequences! ? She is still safe and sound within the academy, enjoying the love and respect from all the disciples who are ignorant of the truth!" Lu Wei Jie scolded the others through tightly clenched teeth.

He was not about to go down without a fight.

The group of youths lowered their head, the sense of injustice in their hearts were suddenly sparked by Lu Wei Jie's fiery words!

"Ning Xin! If you still have any conscience left in you, come out here right this instant! You were overcome by your own greed and attempted to murder the disciples from the Cloud Treading Peak and the General of the Rui Lin Army! The attempt failed and you pushed all the blame onto us! In order for the Zephyr Academy to answer to the Cloud Treading Peak and the Rui Lin Army, they have dumped all responsibility for the matter on all of us here and thrown us out of the Zephyr Academy, making us bear all the blame! We have no other way out of this, while you are being absolved completely from the matter! Just because your father is the Vice Headmaster of the Zephyr Academy! Just because the Headmaster and your father are fellow disciples!" Lu Wei Jie was not going to hold back in the slightest. Since Ning Xin and Ning Rui were not giving them a way out of this, he didn't see any need to hide anything!

Even if he would not be able to finish his academic studies, he was confident he would still succeed with his family's strong connections!

Lu Wei Jie's words stirred the crowd of disciples gathered before them!

What is this about the Cloud Treading Peak!? What is this about the Rui Lin Army..... The two names uttered endlessly thundered in the ears and stuck like lightning into the hearts of the disciples there!

Ning Xin plotted against those two powers!?

What really happened!!?

Fanned by Lu Wei Jie's inflammatory words, the other youths who had been prepared to forgive and move on were suddenly acutely made aware of the discrepancy in the punishment meted out to Ning Xin and them. They grew angry and joined with Lu Wei Jie, spilling every single detail they knew about the incident that happened in the Battle Spirits Forest.

More than twenty youths chirped, one after another, as they explained in detail, all that had gone on in their own words.

The real truth when revealed, had all the disciples tongue tied and staring in disbelief, their faces in shock!

Lu Wei Jie and Ning Xin were both well known and leading figures among the disciples of the Zephyr Academy. Although Lu Wei Jie was not as worshipped and loved like Ning Xin was, but he possessed great power and was an individual who won everyone's praise as a prodigious youth.

Both of them had enjoyed a rather good relationship with each other and all the disciples knew that they had been in the same team during the Spirit Hunt.

But now, everyone in that team had been thrown out together with Lu Wei Jie, but for the exception of Ning Xin and Yin Yan. The circumstances were already suspicious by itself and with Lu Wei Jie and the others' statements, a fiery debate suddenly erupted heatedly among all the disciples!

Nobody could easily accept the picture of the usually gentle and graceful Senior Ning they had in their minds could possibly be the very same person as the image of a greedy murderer who lusted for personal enrichment and was a despicable girl, who would betray her own fellow disciples, as described by Lu Wei Wei Jie and the group of twenty over youths before them.

Lu Wei Jie and the other youths grew angrier as they spoke and they went on to blast at Ning Rui and Fan Qi for the unjust and unequal way the matter had been handled.

"You think that you can use us to appease the rage of the Cloud Treading Peak and the Rui Lin Army!? I think you are making a very big mistake here! As brilliant as General Long is, he will never believe your one sided response. You just wait till the Rui Lin Army comes knocking upon these very gates!"

Chapter 526: "Sudden Affability (1)"

Lu Wei Jie had told Long Qi every single detail of the truth of the matter and if Ning Rui intended to use the fact that they had expelled more than twenty disciples to brush the whole matter aside, they would have to see if Long Qi believed them at all!

"I will state today that I, and the brothers with me here today, hereby cut all ties with the Zephyr Academy! With an academy that practises such fraud and cronyism, I, Lu Wei Jie, refuses to dance according to their whims! Today, I declare that it is not the case that the Zephyr Academy has thrown me and my brothers in arms here out, but that we choose not to remain in this place of filth and contamination!" Lu Wei Jie said resolutely and after he finished, he turned to leave without looking back once, refusing to look at the place for another moment.

All the other youths who had been expelled from the Zephyr Academy followed suit and left behind them countless questions and conjectures to rise within the disciples of the Zephyr Academy.

At that moment, the simmering pot that was the Zephyr Academy suddenly exploded as everyone started throwing their own versions and opinions on the matter into the overflowing pot.

While the tiny figure at the back, slipped away unnoticed, carrying her little black cat in her arms.

It seemed that Lu Wei Jie wasn't that dense after all. Instead of allowing the Zephyr Academy to fully pin the unequivocal blame of the matter onto him, he had chosen to reveal everything and left in an indignant rage of righteousness, cleansing off the accusations pinned on his back.

In that way, he might still have a sliver of a chance for his future with that gamble.

At least he understood what he stood to lose.

Jun Wu Xie faded away among the crowd as she left. She knew after today's events, not matter what Heaven defying abilities Ning Xin possessed, she would not be able to erase all the doubts and malicious guesses from the hearts of the disciples in the Zephyr Academy as it was a fact that she still remained there, while Lu Wei Jie and the other youths had been forced to leave.

The show was just beginning. Would Ning Xin be able to withstand what was about to come?

Very soon, the speech that Lu Wei Jie had given just before he left reached the ears of Ning Xin. She almost exploded with rage but she realised that Lu Wei Jie's actions was his last gamble, and a form of revenge against Ning Xin herself.

The rumours currently pervading the hallowed halls of the Zephyr Academy was that Ning Xin attempted to rob by murder and when it failed, she persecuted fellow disciples to escape.

Suddenly, Ning Xin's reputation fell from the clouds and was quickly trampled in mud!

Ning Xin did not even dare to leave her room then. She had already been deeply worried that Long Qi would not let the matter rest so easily and now Lu Wei Jie had stabbed her so badly causing the voices in the academy to rise in dissent. Many of the youths who had previously adored and worshipped her have now been turned by those swirling rumours and despised her to be a beautiful and vicious witch.

Ning Rui had wanted to help salvage Ning Xin's tattered reputation and got several disciples to spread rumours saying that Lu Wei Jie had failed in winning the heart of Ning Xin in his pursuit and had harboured hatred after being spurned. And when he was expelled for committing those heinous crimes, he had acted on that hatred and tried to smear Ning Xin as he left.

Those false rumours might have dampened the heat a little and led some easily manipulated disciples to believe them. But the majority of the disciples were still doubtful and suspicious, and even when they did not debate the issue openly, the discussions that went on in private, however did not abate in the slightest.

Ning Xin was not able to maintain her image as the perfect Senior among the disciples anymore this time.

The glories of her past faded into oblivion, and if she dared to appear before the disciples of the Zephyr Academy, she would no longer be greeted by the looks of adulation and worship, but faced with eyes filled with mistrust and suspicion.

Although she had not been confronted with accusing fingers, but being forced to face such treatment, was hell for someone who was so used to having her every whim catered for. She sought endlessly for a way to get herself out of the predicament but she could not think up any suitable plans. She could only forced herself to put on a facade of calm and bury all the accusatory voices deep in her heart. But in private, she had smashed countless scores of ceramics and porcelains and shredded embroideries and tapestries in vent.

Lu Wei Jie, you've got guts!

Ning Xin clenched her jaws. She was unable to stop all the rumours and she still had to carry out the next step in their plans.

Early that morning, Ning Xin had painstakingly dressed herself up and hurried over to come to the quiet and tranquil little bamboo grove. After meticulously checking over her looks outside the doors, she finally knocked upon the main doors leading into the little bamboo grove.

..........

Chapter 527: "Sudden Affability (2)"

When Fan Zhuo opened the main doors in front of the yard, he was surprised a moment as he looked at the beautiful girl standing outside. His eyes flashed briefly with an unidentifiable emotion but it quickly disappeared.

"Little Xin?" Fan Zhuo looked puzzled, as his eyes fell on Ning Xin, a person he had not seen for a long time.

Although the two of them were betrothed to each other in marriage, Fan Zhuo's declining health by the day had soon stopped anyone from bringing the topic up. In order for him to have a proper place to recuperate, Fan Zhuo had moved into the little bamboo grove and Ning Xin was seldom seen to appear at this place.

He remembered the last time Ning Xin came here was more than a year ago.

"Big brother Zhuo." Ning Xin's face lit up in an innocent sweet smile, looking like the pure and naive little girl next door, that made people warm up to her easily.

"Big Brother Zhuo, Little Xin has not come to see you in a rather long while, are you angry with Little Xin?"

Fan Zhuo smiled gently and said: "Not at all."

Ning Xin looked apologetically at Fan Zhuo, her eyes lowered, her face filled with anguish.

"I was actually missing Big Brother Zhuo quite a lot but Father reminded me repeatedly that Big Brother Zhuo needed to rest and did not allow me to come disturb your rest. Hence, Little Xin had been holding herself back for so long and not come visit Big Brother Zhuo. Big Brother Zhuo, would you please forgive Little Xin?"

Fan Zhuo gave out a light laugh and shook his head good naturedly.

The joyous smile quickly returned to Ning Xin's face and as she looked at Fan Zhuo, she made herself say meekly: "Little Xin prepared some glutinous rice cake for Big Brother Zhuo to eat. I remember that Big Brother Zhuo loved to eat it when we were younger." As she said those words, Ning Xin raised up her hand and shook the small intricate lunchbox she held in her hand.

Fan Zhuo's eyes lowered slightly just a brief moment and he raised his head back up quickly to look at Ning Xin and say gently: "Little Xin is so thoughtful. The sun out here is too strong, come in and have a cup of tea and rest a little."

Ning Xin nodded her head with a smile and followed Fan Zhuo into the little dwelling within the bamboo grove. The look of pure innocence and shy manners of a little girl had all disappeared completely the moment Fan Zhuo had turned his back as she stared at Fan Zhuo thin and skinny back, her eyes dangerously narrowed.

Fan Zhuo actually possessed outstanding looks and his character was just as exceptional, his failing was his ill health that did not allow him to achieve anything significant.

If Fan Zhuo was in good health, Ning Xin would be only too happy to be joined in conjugal union with such an outstanding young man. But Fan Zhuo's weak constitution had dragged him down and he had seemed to be always on his last breaths and who knew how soon his last breath would come. And if Fan Zhuo was dead, the Zephyr Academy's ownership would most probably fall into the hands of Fan Jin, and by that time, she had her father would not stand a chance anymore.

But.....

Ning Xin curled up the corners of her mouth. Fan Zhuo had his own usefulness as well, his pure heart that was free from worldly desires made him easy to manipulate.

In his heart, he must be still looking at her as the naive and innocent little girl from young.

Ning Xin recollected herself and composed her emotions, as she contemplated the situation at hand within the little bamboo grove. After Ah Jing was driven out, the little bamboo grove was left with only Fan Zhuo and Jun Xie in here, with Fan Jin making frequent appearances during meal times.

Fan Zhuo was here before her eyes, where was Jun Xie?

Ning Xin squinted her eyes to peer around, trying to locate her real target.

Just as she was deeply absorbed in her own thoughts, Fan Zhuo suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Ning Xin did not realise it and nearly walked into Fan Zhuo. She muttered something apologetically and raised her head. Suddenly, she saw a tiny figure standing on the steps right before the bamboo huts, looking directly at her with those piercingly cold eyes!

Ning Xin's heart jumped. Ever since the day she had witnessed the glorious battle where Jun Xie had fought the Guardian grade Spirit Beast, she had developed a sudden wariness and fear for the tiny youth that was younger than she was.

Those eyes on the youth, made her tremble involuntarily whenever she saw them now!

Chapter 528: "Sudden Affability (3)"

"Big Brother Zhuo, this is.....?" Ning Xin tried to calm herself, trying to look puzzled as she looked at Jun Xie.

Fan Zhuo said simply: "This is Jun Xie."

And just that, seemingly having no intentions to introduce Jun Xie to Ning Xin.

Nevertheless, Ning Xin had amicably stepped forward herself and pasted her most perfect smile on her face to say: "So you are Jun Xie. I had heard that someone was staying here with Big Brother Zhuo and was feeling rather curious. I had thought that whoever Big Brother Zhuo chose to be friends with must undoubtedly be a nice person. And seeing you today has just confirmed my thoughts."

Ning Xin's voice was gentle and moving, her smile warm and sincere.

Jun Wu Xie was however unmoved and retorted bluntly: "Senior Ning must then be blind."

She had a nice personality?

Yelp.

The smile on Ning Xin's face froze. She had not expected Jun Xie to be so blunt with his first words to her.

Fan Zhuo did not seem to have noticed Ning Xin's awkward predicament and said smilingly: "Little Xie's personality is a little cold and does not like to mix with people. I hope Little Xin will not hold it against her."

The way he put it might have sounded like he was helping Ning Xin to lift her out from embarrassment but he had in reality taken the cue from Jun Xie and slapped Ning Xin across the face.

She was able to tell that Jun Xie was nice just with one look? Jun Xie might be right when he had said Ning Xin must be blind.

The corners of Ning Xin's mouth froze but fortunately for her, she was used to putting up a false front before others and she managed to hide her embarrassment rather well, as the smile on her face continued to shine.

"Nonsense, I still think Little Xie is a rather warm person."

Jun Wu Xie raised an eyebrow slightly and said: "It seems that Senior Ning is not aware of my reputation among the people in the academy?"

The infamy of her name within the Zephyr Academy had spread to cover every corner and even Ah Jing who had previously resided within the detached little bamboo grove had heard about it, moreover for Ning Xin, who resides at the academy itself.

Clumsy acting, a fail!

Ning Xin had never spoken to Jun Xie before and she had thought that Jun Xie kept to himself because he was ostracised by all the others. And she had not expected that barely two sentences into their first conversation with each other, Ning Xin was suddenly feeling a stinging burn forming on her cheeks.

That little brat's words were all filled with thorns, and it pricked at her to no end!

Ning Xin drew in a deep breath and quickly tried to recall if she had ever crossed paths with Jun Xie before, but after trying her hardest, she had no recollection of anything like that. She finally concluded that Jun Xie must have known of Yin Yan's undeniable link to her and was hence so openly hostile to her now.

After she was able to ascertain the reason, Ning Xin was finally able to relax.

"Those unfounded rumours are not to be believed! Even now, hanging heavily over the Zephyr Academy are many vicious rumours about me. But the innocent knows they are innocent, and those rumours are spread only to vindicate the good. Big Brother Zhuo must have known what kind of person you really are before he agreed to let you stay here and he knows me, that I would never believe them. Why should we allow ourselves to get upset over nothing?" In an attempt to draw Jun Xie closer to her, Ning Xin had even exposed her own predicament to him, hoping to win some sympathy from being in the same boat, to diffuse the hostility that Jun Xie held against her.

At the same time, she was trying to exonerate herself, when in the future if Jun Xie or Fan Zhuo were to hear anything about the vicious things being said about her in the academy, they would just treat them as baseless ramblings.

Ning Xin had always prided herself on her ability to cover all bases when she carried out her schemes, but little did she realise that she was no match for the nimble minded Jun Wu Xie this time.

Jun Wu Xie watched on as Ning Xin played out her role in her act, her eyes chilly with frost. "But what if they said were true?"

Ning Xin froze once more.

"I have never been a nice person." Jun Wu Xie was taking great delight in taking repeated digs at Ning Xin.

The game had only just started, she wanted to see how Ning Xin would squirm and writhe.

Ning Xin heaved a sigh of relief when she realised that Jun Xie was not talking about her but Jun Xie himself. But even before she could exhale that breath when she suddenly felt uncomfortably stifled and panicked. Who in the world debased themselves like that?

She had already said so many nice things to smoothen the whole situation yet Jun Xie was still unhesitatingly admitting that all that had been said about him was true. What did he expect her to say in reply to that?

Chapter 529: "Sudden Affability (4)"

Ning Xin had always possessed the gift of the gab but when faced with Jun Xie's unconventional way of speaking, she found herself at a loss and her mind suddenly went blank, not knowing what to say in reply.

Ning Xin suddenly felt that if she was to continue carrying on the conversation with Jun Xie, it would only make things worse. Jun Xie's undisguised hostility must be due to him still holding grudges against Yin Yan. It seems that she would have to make Yin Yan come apologise to Jun Xie first.

After having decided on her next course of action, Ning Xin no longer persisted on making Jun Xie talk and decided to turn her attention back to Fan Zhuo, putting forth a bashful manner, showing deep concern for his well being, with a series of gentle words.

And Fan Zhuo's well mannered personality, finally invited Ning Xin to stay longer for some tea.

Ning Xin quickly but unhurriedly took out the snacks that she had prepared, and had seemingly unconsciously prepared some for Jun Xie as well, discreetly trying to close the distance between them.

Jun Wu Xie sat on one side stoically, carrying the little black cat in her arms. Ning Xin's sudden cordial and affable actions were seen to be a tad bit too obvious. She had stayed here at the little bamboo grove for quite a period but had never seen Ning Xin come anywhere close. And finally just after the Spirit Hunt had ended, she had so eagerly come to their doors, and her words and actions had taken on a stance of familiarity and proximity between them.

If Jun Wu Xie still could not see Ning Xin's underlying intentions, she would have lived her two lives in vain.

And since someone had been so eager to come and asked to be made to feel uncomfortable, she saw no need to reject such an open invitation, right?

Jun Wu Xie picked up the snack and bit at it indifferently. When Ning Xin saw Jun Xie eat the snack, she allowed herself to relax a little.

Fan Zhuo was the most natural one among the three people there, seemingly oblivious to what was going on, and was just chatting with his housemate and his betrothed over tea.

Ning Xin patiently played along, while she secretly observed Jun Xie.

If it wasn't for the several purple spirit exponents behind Jun Xie, just the attitude that Jun Xie was taking towards her would be enough to make her flip the table before her and fall out with him.

But in that situation, Ning Xin could only clench her jaw tight and swallow the insult. Forced to maintain an amicable smile on her face, Ning Xin sat through the farce, having no other choice but to tolerate the intolerable tea session.

Ning Xin managed to endure it for almost half a day and could not make herself stay a moment longer. She forced herself to keep up the waning smile on her lips as she bade Fan Zhuo and Jun Xie goodbye. She hurried to escape from the overly stifling bamboo grove, not even bothering to retrieve the intricate lunchbox. Although the rage was threatening to spill out within her as she left, she forced a smile on her face and promised to come visit again soon.

After Ning Xin had left, Fan Zhuo suddenly put down the snack he held in his hand and raised his head, to look at Jun Xie smilingly.

"Little Xie, do you like these snacks?"

Jun Wu Xie replied: "Don't mind them."

"If you don't really like them, then don't eat it." Fan Zhuo stretched out his hand as he spoke and took the half eaten piece of snack that Jun Xie held in his hand, to throw it into the lunchbox. He closed the lid tightly and brought it to the kitchen and threw it into a corner. He then brought out some chestnut cake and offered them to Jun Xie for them to share.

Jun Wu Xie observed Fan Zhuo's actions silently and an odd idea came into her head. She looked at Fan Zhuo's gentle featured face as the chestnut cake melted in her mouth to flow down her throat.

"You do not like her?" Jun Wu Xie asked suddenly.

Fan Zhuo was rather taken aback, but he said with a laugh: "She's no good, Little Xie, you should avoid having any contact with her."

Jun Wu Xie stared at the unlucky youth who had been born inherently weak and with a gentle disposition. She stared for a long while and when saw that the gentle smile on Fan Zhuo's face still did not fade, she finally turned back, but still did not give Fan Zhuo a reply.

That same evening, as the dark night fell, Fan Zhuo got up. Dressed in his inner robe, he came to the kitchen and lit up the fire in the stove, before he threw the lunchbox into the roaring fire.

Within the flames, a crisp crackling sounded and the red glow from the fire reflected off Fan Zhuo's handsome countenance. The face bathed in the fire's light did not show a single trace of its usual gentleness or amicable smile. In that pair of clear eyes, a malicious cold chill shone brilliantly against the warm glow from the fire.

Chapter 530: "Planting the Dove in a Magpie's Nest (1)"

"What? Ning Xin came to visit?" In the afternoon the next day, Fan Jin had appeared once again to sponge off a meal and he heard from Fan Zhuo that Ning Xin had dropped in to visit him. The sudden news had given Fan Jin quite a rude shock.

If it had been before the Spirit Hunt, that Ning Xin had come to see Fan Zhuo, Fan Jin would have fully welcomed the kind gesture without a moment's hesitation. But after all that had happened, Fan Jin's heart was now filled with deep distrust for Ning Xin.

When Nangong Xu got back to the Zephyr Academy, he had reported everything he knew to Fan Qi. But Fan Jin had hidden the details of the assassination attempt on his life completely from him.

For no other reason than the fact that telling his father about the incident would be equivalent to cutting off all ties with Ning Xin. They had grown up together after all and Fan Jin took it as the last time that he would tolerate Ning Xin.

"Yup. Little Xin even brought me my favourite glutinous rice cakes." Fan Zhuo said with a laugh.

Fan Jin's expression grew grave. "Little Xie, how is Little Zhuo's condition recently?" When he recalled the attempt made on his life, Fan Jin asked, his face frowning in worry.

Jun Wu Xie glanced at Fan Jin and carrying both Lord Meh Meh and the little black cat, she said softly: "Good."

Fan Jin gave a big heavy sigh of relief.

"Big brother. Did you guys happen to meet with any odd or novel encounters in the Battle Spirits Forest?" Fan Zhuo asked with a smile, his eyes fixed on the two tiny furballs in Jun Wu Xie's arms.

Unlike the little black cat, Lord Meh Meh totally ignored Fan Zhuo. Even when Fan Zhuo coaxed endlessly and tried everything he could to win its favour, he always still ended up facing into the furry buttocks, failing miserably.

Fan Jin was caught by surprise at the question and he averted his eyes, before bringing up something inconsequential.

Fan Jin never shared those tiresome matters with Fan Zhuo as he always wanted Fan Zhuo to be able recuperate in peace.

"If I manage to recover properly, I will love to go to the Battle Spirits Academy to take a look." Fan Zhuo was feeling a little wistful. Due to his ill health, he had almost never stepped out of the Zephyr Academy before, and he longed achingly to see the world beyond the academy.

Now, under Jun Xie's meticulous nursing, his health had gradually improved day by day. The sights that he had never dared dreamed to see, started to tug and pull at his heartstrings.

The majestic mountains, the meandering rivers, the wonders of nature. He yearned to be free, to see those sights.

When he saw the longing in those eyes, Fan Jin could feel his heart wince in pain. He forced himself to put up a smile and joked a little, trying to cheer Fan Zhuo up, and the whole meal was filled with laughter.

Seeing Fan Zhuo significantly cheered, Fan Jin finally got back his appetite. And he had just picked up his chopsticks when Jun Xie hit them out of his hand, and they clattered loudly on the floor.

"It's drugged." Jun Wu Xie narrowed her eyes.

Fan Jin's expression froze.

The smile faded from Fan Zhuo's face.

"They used the same things as before. Are they not capable of anything else?" Jun Wu Xie stood up and dropped the whole table of food outside.

Ever since Ah Jing had been driven out, all the three meals at the bamboo grove were prepared and delivered by Fan Qi's trusted aide. The meals for Fan Zhuo were all medicinal cuisine prepared by Jun Wu Xie and the food sent here usually ended up in Fan Jin's tummy.

"How did that happen? After I came back, I paid attention to the food that was sent here and saw that there were all prepared in my father's personal kitchen before they were delivered here." Fan Jin said, his face dark.

All the people working in Fan Qi's living quarters, had all been with them for a long time and were absolutely loyal. So how did the fortification medicine get into the food! ?

Who was the person behind it?

"Father would never harm me, so it has to be someone from Father's personal staff." Fan Zhuo said, his eyes narrowed.

"Little Zhuo's meals are all prepared by Uncle Gong personally and no one else would touch it." Fan Jin said as he pondered the facts repeatedly in his mind. Due to Fan Zhuo's ill health, they were all very careful with whatever Fan Zhuo ate.

Chapter 531: "Planting the Dove in a Magpie's Nest (2)"

They had been fearful that the food for his meals would clash with the properties of the medicines and had specially arranged for Fan Qi's trusted aide Gong Cheng Lei to take personal charge of it. From preparation to delivery, Gong Cheng Lei completed the whole process alone, and no one else would have a hand in it.

Gong Cheng Lei was a man whom Fan Qi saved when he was out on one of his trips. They were both just youths then and Fan Qi was still a disciple under his Master's tutelage. Since then, Gong Cheng Lei had followed Fan Qi. Over the decades, Gong Cheng Lei had shown himself to be unwavering loyal and had never exhibited a single sign of betrayal.

Fan Jin was most willing to begin to doubt the Uncle who had watched him grow up.

"It might not be him, if someone really wanted to, even the seasonings used can be suspect." Jun Wu Xie said.

Fan Jin considered all the possibilities but could not come up with anyone else.

Jun Wu Xie continued to stare at Fan Jin, her eyes sparkling clear.

She had a person in mind that she suspected to be the culprit and Fan Jin should be able to identify this person as well, but he seemed still to be lost.

Emotions always has a way of clouding a person's judgement.

Jun Wu Xie sipped at her tea, thinking whether she should reveal her suspicion to the blockhead in front of her.

"Big Brother." Fan Zhuo suddenly opened his mouth to say.

"What is it?"

"Over this period, has Father been dining together with Uncle Ning?" Fan Zhuo asked Fan Jin curiously.

Fan Jin nodded and replied easily: "Uncle Ning has not changed his habit of dining with Father all these years. Father has always said that they had been doing that since they had been fellow disciples under their Master. It must be said that the relationship between them is rather close, and Father is always thinking of drawing the two families closer by....."

As he went on further exhorting on their close relations, Fan Jin suddenly stopped and clamped his mouth shut. His eyes widened and he turned to stare at Fan Zhuo, flabbergasted.

Jun Wu Xie lowered her eyes then, and the corners of her mouth curled up.

It seemed that Fan Zhuo was a little bit more intelligent than his brother.

"I..... I forgot I have something I needed to do. You guys carry on!" Fan Jin suddenly stood up. Fan Zhuo's words had struck him like a lightning bolt, and cleared up the fog that had so badly clouded his mind.

He had always thought of the culprit as someone who held grudges against the Fan Family. But he suddenly realised that that might not be the case.

In the Battle Spirits Forest, when Ning Xin had tried to kill him, it had planted a seed of uneasiness in him. And Fan Zhuo's words had suddenly caused that seed to sprout.

There were not many people who were allowed access into Fan Qi's living quarters. And even less people were able to go into the his personal kitchen. Besides Gong Cheng Lei and Fan Jin, the only other possibility was the person who ate with Fan Qi. Only Ning Rui could possibly have done it!

Since Ning Xin had attempted to get him killed, would Ning Rui be doing it to Fan Zhuo?

Fan Jin did not dare carry on further with that line of thought. He needed to go find Gong Cheng Lei and clarify a few things in detail, to gather a few more clues before he could be sure!

Fan Jin left the bamboo grove in a big hurry, his face ominously darkened. There wasn't a moment more to lose!

For Ning Xin's attempt on his life, he had been willing to forget it and scrub the slate clean. But if the father and daughter pair had their sights on doing the same thing to Fan Zhuo, he would never let them off!

As he stared after Fan Jin's sudden and hurried departure, a slight tinge of a bitter smile appeared on Fan Zhuo's face as he lowered his head to continue to eat the medicinal cuisine in his bowl.

"Since you have known it all this time, why did you wait until now to say it?" Jun Wu Xie put Lord Meh Meh and the little black cat on the table, her chin rested in her palm, staring at the completely unaffected Fan Zhuo.

Chapter 532: "Planting the Dove in a Magpie's Nest (3)"

Fan Zhuo's hand that was holding his spoon froze, and his frail body straightened. He did not lift up his head, but remained silent for a while before he said, his voice sounding a little choked up: "What can I do even if I said it to them? Without proof, my father and brother would never believe it. And if word reached that person's ears, it would only result in that person becoming more anxious to get rid of me. Wouldn't it be better if I keep myself alive a little longer and await a miracle to happen?"

Fan Zhuo's tone of voice was not as carefree as he usually sounded. The repressed and choked up voice made one sad just to hear it.

"Fan Qi trusts that person so much?" Jun Wu Xie asked, an eyebrow raised.

"That person saved his life once, and my father had always put that person's interest before his own ever since. I knew from long ago that someone was trying to get rid of me, but I did not know where it was coming from. There were no signs, and no proof. Father would not believe it just based on my words alone." Fan Zhuo finally raised his head. His handsome features did not show his usual gentle smile. In its place, was a chilly countenance, his eyes cold and sharp, with a glint like light on cold hard blades.

If he was not confident of defeating his enemy in one stroke, he would not make his move, to not alert his enemy whereby he might be quickly silenced.

"Why then, are you making your move now?" Jun Wu Xie asked.

Fan Zhuo stared at Jun Xie, as his dark countenance suddenly brightened to burst into a gentle and brilliant smile.

"Because I have Little Xie here."

Jun Wu Xie blinked.

"From the moment Little Xie came into contact with my brother, you have been used as a pawn to smear and damage my brother's reputation. With your character, you would never allow the culprits to get away with it. I knew you would retaliate one day, and the day you make your move, will also be the day that I would be freed." Fan Zhuo's smile was shining brilliantly. The appearance of Jun Wu Xie had allowed him to see a glimmer of hope, hope that one day, he would no longer need to live by hiding.

"You are more intelligent than your brother." Jun Wu Xie stared at Fan Zhuo. She did not believe that Fan Zhuo would just await his death all this while. He must have something up his sleeve. But his plan must have needed a long time to prepare for and her appearance had just brought everything forward.

"My brother is too kind and a little naive. He always tried to see the good in people. If he does not witness it for himself, he would never believe it, and just brush it off as a misunderstanding." Fan Zhuo shrugged his shoulders. His brother's character, he only knew it too well.

"If Ning Xin knows that you stand a chance to fully recover, perhaps she might no longer seek your death." Jun Wu Xie said calmly.

What the Ning father and daughter seeked, they would be able to receive from Fan Zhuo.

Fan Zhuo's smile did not change a single bit.

"And if, I am not the real heir?"

Jun Wu Xie was shocked.

Fan Zhuo stood up, pushing the medicinal cuisine that had turned cold away from him.

"If my real identity was a case of planting the dove in the magpie's nest, and Fan Jin is actually from the Fan Family's bloodline, would they still think the same?"

Jun Wu Xie's eyebrow raised up high. She was hearing some interesting news.

Fan Zhuo's eyes were still on Jun Wu Xie, and the smile in his eyes were deepening.

"Father and Big Brother are both very good people. Without them, I would no longer exist in this world. Planting the dove in the magpie's nest was solely in return for a favour they received. After the matter with the Ning Family is fully resolved, this privileged identity of being the legitimate son of the Headmaster's must naturally be returned."

Hence, that fact that he would put up with everything in silence, was in consideration for the feelings of the Fan father and son, in repayment for their selfless act of benevolence.

Jun Wu Xie tilted her head and stared at Fan Zhuo. It would seem that before Fan Zhuo met her, he had already given up all hope of surviving through it. He must have known his body would not be able to drag on much longer and was trying his best to come up with ways to let the Fan father and son detect the malicious intentions of the Ning father and daughter.

Using his own limited lifespan in repayment for bringing him up.

This youth, was rather interesting.

Chapter 533: "Seeking Torment, In a Pair (1)"

Fan Jin found Gong Cheng Lei very quickly, and the answers he got from him, left him in a state of shock.

He gathered that Ning Rui had been helping Fan Qi to source out tonics suitable for recuperation for many years and Ning Rui had frequently visited Fan Qi's personal kitchen. When he thought back to Jun Wu Xie's guess, Fan Jin had to seriously consider that possibility no matter how much he hated to.

Ning Xin had masterminded an attempt on his life, and her father could very possibly be the very culprit to have drugged Fan Zhuo's meals to kill him.

Fan Jin was greatly shocked and heavily devastated. He could not make himself imagine that the two people he had trusted so much all this time and treated almost like family members would deliberately plot to kill him and Fan Zhuo.

With a numbed and heavy heart, Fan Jin brought and shared his findings with Jun Xie and Fan Zhuo before he left with heavy steps.

He needed time, to digest all that he had found out today.

"The shock must have hit my brother quite hard this time." Fan Zhuo sighed and lamented as he saw the downcast figure of his brother as he walked away into the distance.

Jun Wu Xie was sitting off one end of the bamboo bench in the yard of the bamboo grove and Lord Meh Meh was happily chomping up the fresh green grass around her feet.

"A time will always come, when you have to wake up from your dream." Jun Wu Xie said, cradling the little black cat in her arms.

Fan Jin's character had always been like this. He tended to beautify everything around him. And because of that, he was always brimming with enthusiasm and even when all the rumours about Jun Xie had dragged his name into the mud, he had not cared a whittle and still fiercely defended Jun Xie.

That character trait was both good to have, and bad to possess.

In days of peace, people like that would be greatly revered, but when faced in situations when one was surrounded by danger, they were most easily killed.

"What should my brother do from here on? My father's character is exactly the same as his. Unless he is convinced himself of the suspicions, even if my brother and I tell it to him, he would not suspect his own fellow disciple." Fan Zhuo found a spot under the shade to sit down, feeling rather helpless on how to handle the Fan father and son. If not for their overly trusting nature, they would have discovered the Ning father and daughter's scheme much earlier.

"We wait and see." Jun Wu Xie did not intend to interfere much.

It did not matter to her how the Fan father and son reacted, she decided as long as she knew what she needed to do, that was enough.

Fan Zhuo smiled, and as he stared at the hot noon sun, his heart warmed.

When Ning Xin appeared once again at the little bamboo grove, the smile was still on Fan Zhuo's face, as his smiling eyes fell on the figure of a youth standing behind Ning Xin.

"Big Brother Zhuo. This is Yin Yan from the Spirit Healer faculty. He was roommates with Little Xie previously and he sort of misses Little Xie after having not seen him for such a long period and so I brought him along with me. Hope we are not imposing on you much." Ning Xin exclaimed, smiling extra sweetly. After being snubbed the last time, she had needed two days to recover before she was able to make herself come here once again.

This time, she had brought along Yin Yan, and she was very clear what she wanted to achieve here today.

Fan Zhuo smiled good naturedly but Yin Yan's face took on a rather dark expression as his eyes stared piercingly at Fan Zhuo, the enmity in them obvious.

Ning Xin betrothal to Fan Zhuo had happened quite some time ago and word of it had leaked into the Zephyr Academy. But as Ning Xin had very rarely interacted with Fan Zhuo, the matter of the betrothal had slowly faded and almost forgotten. Yin Yan had admired Ning Xin for a long time now and had been earnestly hoping to win the beauty's heart. But now, he had actually been brought all the way here to see Fan Zhuo, which tore at his heart mercilessly, and he really could not find it within himself to smile at the person before him.

His eyes surveyed Fan Zhuo up and down, and a mocking laugh sounded in his heart.

So what is he is the son of the Headmaster? He is still a piece of useless trash that already has a foot in Death's door. A guy who is about to die anytime, cannot be worthy of Ning Xin in anyway!

He completely disregarded Fan Zhuo in his heart, and his face did not show much respect either. His disdain showed outwardly undisguised, and he deemed Fan Zhuo to be beneath his notice.

Chapter 534: "Seeking Torment, In a Pair (2)"

Fan Zhuo was just as cordial as he always was, as if he was totally oblivious to Yin Yan's uncivil behavior and he courteously invited the two of them in for tea.

Ning Xin sat for a while but when she saw no sign of Jun Xie, she began to grow anxious and said: "Why isn't Little Xie here?"

Fan Zhuo replied easily: "I think he should be in his room."

"Little Xie seems to like peace and quiet. Little Yan stayed together with Little Xie for a period before, he must have missed Little Xie after so long." Ning Xin said smilingly as she looked at Yin Yan. Yin Yan's expression froze, he was extremely reluctant, but when he remembered Ning Xin's earlier orders, he had no choice but to mutter noncommittally:

"Mmm."

He had never lived under the same roof with Jun Xie before. The first night that Jun Xie was admitted into the academy, Yin Yan had not gone back to the dorms. And when he got back, Jun Xie had already moved out.

It could be said besides the first time they met, Yin Yan had never seen Jun Xie in the dormitory again.

Fan Zhuo only laughed and did not say anything in reply.

Ning Xin tried all ways and means in various attempts to make Fan Zhuo invite Jun Xie over but Fan Zhuo didn't seem the get the hint and only smiled at her and spoke about everything else except for Jun Xie.

Ning Xin was getting more and more anxious but she did not dare make her intentions too clear and abrupt.

It was even more infuriating for Yin Yan. He was forced to witness Ning Xin defer gently to Fan Zhuo and spoke in a soft demure voice, in an intimate manner, which shattered Yin Yan's heart to pieces.

It was only after many hours that Jun Wu Xie finally appeared, and Ning Xin and Yin Yan felt a sudden wave of relief wash over them.

"Little Xie." Once Ning Xin saw Jun Xie, she immediately put on her best smile and discreetly prodded Yin Yan on his arm. Yin Yan's expression was rather stony when he saw Jun Xie. His mind was suddenly filled with the scene that he witnessed in the Battle Spirits Forest that day and his mouth felt to have been sealed tight, his lips turning purple.

Jun Wu Xie glanced once at Ning Xin very briefly and proceeded to walk over to a chair on one side to take a seat. Lord Meh Meh's hooves tapped on the ground as it followed obediently behind her and when it saw Ning Xin and Yin Yan, its tiny body suddenly stopped.

It remembered that youth, it had disturbed its rest just the other day.

"Meh!"

[Feedtress! Bad people here!]

Yin Yan's face darkened as he looked at the tiny sheep staring angrily at him, and a twitch started to tug at a corner of his mouth. "So this is the Spirit Beast that Little Xie brought back from the Battle Spirits Forest? It's..... rather cute."

As he could not find himself liking Jun Xie a single bit, Yin Yan grabbed at any topic at hand to attempt to strike up a conversation.

"Little Meh, come." Jun Wu Xie did not even bother to look at Yin Yan and waved at Lord Meh Meh. Lord Meh Meh's hooves tapped on the ground once again and stopped beside Jun Wu Xie's feet. Jun Wu Xie reached down and carried the tiny sheep into her arms and the sheep continued to stare angrily at Yin Yan.

[Bad egg! Eat you up!]

"Ahem, Little Xie, when do you intend to come back to the dormitories?" Yin Yan was sitting on pins as he had been rather badly shocked by the scene in the Battle Spirits Forest. He no longer dared to act rashly before Jun Xie now.

Jun Wu Xie lifted her eyes and watched Yin Yan squirm under her stare but he was still trying to appear enthusiastic. After a while, Jun Wu Xie finally said:

"Who are you?"

Yin Yan stony expression turned green upon hearing Jun Xie's words.

Ning Xin was suddenly taken aback. She had not expected Jun Xie not to know Yin Yan.

How was that possible!?

Hadn't Jun Xie been snubbing her because of Yin Yan all this while? Why was Jun Xie looking like he did not know Yin Yan at all?

"Little Xie, don't you recognize Yin Yan? He shared the same room with you in the dormitories before you know?" Ning Xin prompted gently with a smile, as she carefully observed Jun Xie's reaction.

Chapter 535: "Seeking Torment, In a Pair (3)"

"Little Xie, don't you remember Yin Yan? The two of you had lived under the same roof before." Ning Xin said with an uncomfortable laugh, carefully observing Jun Xie's reaction.

"No." Jun Wu Xie replied, without even lifting her head.

Yin Yan felt his a burning sensation forming on his cheeks. Ning Xin had just been telling Fan Zhuo how close he was to Jun Xie and in just the next moment, Jun Xie was saying he did not even know him. The slap that came with that snub immediately crushed the courage that Yin Yan had worked so hard to summon up to come here.

At that moment, Yin Yan and Ning Xin wished the floor would just swallow them up. They had been so sure that Jun Xie's hostility towards them had been because of Yin Yan but from the way things were looking, that was not the case at all.

And Yin Yan had been trying so hard to convince himself that he must realise and submit himself to the circumstances and bow down to Jun Xie for the moment.

However, he had not expected himself to be so far beneath Jun Xie's notice and was a person he did not even remember.

Silence suddenly pervaded the bamboo hut. Yin Yan's head hung low in humiliation and the smile on Ning Xin's face was frozen as the two of them squirmed under the deafening silence.

Fan Zhuo was sitting on the side and he did not seem to have noticed the predicament the two visitors were in as he asked in perplexed consternation: "You don't recognise him? That couldn't be, Ning Xin was telling me that you and Yin Yan enjoy a rather close relationship and he came all the way here to see you as he missed you terribly. Little Xie, you must really think hard, and do not dismiss it so trivially."

Fan Zhuo's voice was gentle, his expression concerned and caring.

However, both Ning Xin and Yin Yan would rather he not say anything at that moment!

If Fan Zhuo had not said all that, Jun Xie would not have known about their intentions. But since Fan Zhuo had said it, Jun Xie would naturally realise that the two of them had shamelessly come trying to establish a relationship with him and failed miserably, getting themselves badly snubbed.

At that moment, all traces of her smile disappeared from Ning Xin's face. She saw that Jun Xie was staring at her with a gaze that made her feel extremely uncomfortable and under that gaze, she felt as if her pretenses were being peeled off layer by layer, making her feel rather unsettled.

The seat under her grew uncomfortable and all the words she had prepared so carefully died within her. Jun Xie's single cold "No" had thrown all her plans into disarray.

She didn't know how to carry on with the act.

To make things worse, Fan Zhuo had brought the matter up which had made Ning Xin greatly humiliated.

This time, Ning Xin could not stay seated there a moment longer. Her back stiffened and she suddenly stood up, her face a pale mask as she hurriedly bade farewell and took her leave, hastening her way out. She did not even bother to say anything about seeing them again this time.

Yin Yan followed quickly behind her without a word running out of the bamboo hut as if chased by a ferocious beast.

Only after the two had left, Fan Zhuo suddenly broke out into laughter, unable to hold himself back anymore.

"Ning Xin must be getting anxious. She doesn't seem to be able to hold back anymore. I would have thought that she would be struggling a little while more but she seems to have reached her limit today." Fan Zhuo swirled the tea in his teacup, as his smile began to reach his eyes.

As they had grown up together from a young age, he naturally knew Ning Xin's character only too well. She might seem gentle and adorable on the outside, but on the inside she possessed a very high sense of self esteem, and was extremely self absorbed. Jun Xie's repeated and unrestrained slaps to her face must really have driven Ning Xin almost to madness.

Jun Wu Xie raised an eyebrow. She did not feel that she had said anything harsh.

"Since they came to us asking for torment, shouldn't I grant them their wish?"

She had not even made her move and Ning Xin had been so eager to come to their door asking to be tormented, why should she refuse them?

Fan Zhuo laughed lightly, and rested his chin in his palm, as he stared at Jun Xie with his head tilted.

"I am getting really curious what really happened in the Battle Spirits Forest that it can make such a conceited and self centred person to discard her pride and come try win you over. I could sense the extremely strong hatred she had for you but she suppressed and hid her rage as she put on an amicable smile in front of you. I am guessing there is something she needs from you?"

Chapter 536: "Seeking Torment, In a Pair (4)"

Jun Wu Xie stared at Fan Zhuo and she had to admit that Fan Zhuo had a brain that was much more intelligent than his blockhead of a brother's. He had not needed any prompting to be able to see and understand the whole situation clearly.

"But she isn't that dense either, after having been snubbed so unceremoniously two times in a row by you, I'm sure she would have understood by now that she would not be getting what she is seeking from you." Fan Zhuo said as if talking to himself, but having gotten used to Jun Xie's usual silence, he wasn't feeling too bothered about it.

"She might just be a little intelligent, but do not forget that she still has a old and crafty father. If they are not able to gain what they seek from the target, they will plot to get rid of it altogether. Please be a bit more careful of everything around you."

"I know." Jun Wu Xie nodded slightly. She wasn't fearful that Ning Rui would make his move, but she was afraid that he would hold back and that would make it a lot less fun.

"My body has been feeling much better recently and if Little Xie doesn't have too much on his hands to do in the academy, would you accompany me out on a short trip?" Fan Zhuo asked, pushing the other issues away from his mind.

"Where?"

"Auction house."

Jun Wu Xie raised an eyebrow. She had intended to make a trip to the auction house. When they had been in the Battle Spirits Forest, she had amassed quite a load of spirit stones with Qiao Chu and the others and had been looking for an opportunity to go to the auction house to sell them, but had not found a chance to do it. Fan Zhuo's suggestion had suddenly reminded her about it.

"I have something I need to buy, would you accompany me? You should know, with my body in this condition, my father and brother would not readily allow me to go out alone. And if we allow them to arrange for escorts, they will surely be overprotective and make it meaningless for me by having a whole bunch of people to watch my every move. But if you are with me, Father and my brother would be a lot less worried." Fan Zhuo gave Jun Xie an extremely gentle smile. Over this period, after seeing that he had shown great improvements in his recuperation, Fan Qi had been more left more assured or he would have arranged for another person to come look after Fan Zhuo after Ah Jing was driven away.

Because Fan Zhuo's health had dramatically improved, Fan Qi had begun to trust in Jun Xie's skills in Medicine a little and even though the two of them had never met, Fan Qi was full of praise for Jun Xie.

"For your trip, having me alone with you might not be adequate." Jun Wu Xie did not immediately give Fan Zhuo a straight answer. Although the Fan father and son believed that Jun Xie could completely heal Fan Zhuo, they still would be allow him to bring Fan Zhuo out galavanting alone.

It might be easy to convince Fan Jin as he had witnessed Jun Wu Xie's powers in the Battle Spirits Forest and might not be too worried, but Fan Qi would surely be a lot harder to convince.

Just as Fan Zhuo was thinking that Jun Xie was about to reject him, Jun Wu Xie suddenly said: "I have a few companions. If we invite them along, it should then be alright."

The smile on Fan Zhuo's face widened.

"Little Xie has companions here? If they are willing, it would naturally be for the best."

Fan Zhuo was feeling a tad bit curious what kind of people the companions that Jun Xie was talking about were. Over this period where they had interacted with each other here in the bamboo grove, he knew Jun Xie had a very cold personality and seldom initiated contact with anyone. Jun Xie would only speak a little more to the two Fan brothers within the whole Zephyr Academy and for anyone else who might have tried, they would have ended up in a situation not too different from Ning Xin and Yin Yan.

"They will be willing." Jun Wu Xie replied calmly.

If her memory served her correctly, Qiao Chu was the one who had pestered her to go to the auction house to net them some gold and this would seem like the perfect opportunity.

Fan Zhuo was discussing with Jun Wu Xie on their plan to go to the auction house here while on the other side, Ning Xin's face was thunderously dark as she hurried out of the little bamboo grove and Yin Yan who was following obediently behind her was so frightened by the look on Ning Xin's face that he did not dare utter a single sound.

When they reached a place where there was nobody around, Ning Xin could contain her rage no longer!

"That arrogant scoundrel! If he did not have those purple spirit exponents behind him, he would be nothing before me!"

Chapter 537: "Seeking Torment, In a Pair (5)"

"That arrogant scoundrel! If he did not have those purple spirit exponents behind him, he would be nothing before me!"

Ning Xin was on the verge of exploding in rage, if she had not seen with her own eyes that had the support of those purple spirit leveled exponents, she would never condescended herself to come try to win the favour of such a nobody like Jun Xie. And what infuriated her further was that Jun Xie was not only not showing humble gratitude, but was not even reciprocating the generous gesture. She had not once, but twice rebuffed her, totally embarrassing and humiliating her. It had left the highly arrogant Ning Xin, visibly trembling with rage.

Yin Yan was surprised to see it and he hurried forward to appease her. "Senior Ning, you need not be bothered by such an imbecile who doesn't know what's good for him. I see him as a weirdo and he acts peculiarly, making people extremely uncomfortable around him. Since he doesn't know a good thing when he sees it, Senior Ning shouldn't go look him up anymore."

To be honest, Yin Yan was afraid of Jun Xie. Whenever he thought back to the scene in the Battle Spirits Forest, he would still shiver in fright.

If Ning Xin had not asked, he would never want to associate himself with Jun Xie ever again.

Now that Jun Xie had embarrassed Ning Xin repeatedly, Yin Yan jumped at the chance to attempt to kill any other intentions Ning Xin might still be holding against Jun Xie and distance himself from the cold and callous Jun Xie.

Ning Xin clenched her jaw. "You think I like doing it? It was all for my father! If we leave Jun Xie alone, he would only be further entrenched in his support for Fan Jin. And at this moment, the slander against me within the academy is still increasing! If it is allowed to go on, Fan Jin would not have to lift a finger and everyone will begin to despise me and forget everything about him in the past. His reputation will once again rise to become the Senior Fan that everyone respects and adores! All the efforts that we have put in will have been in vain!"

The hatred in her heart made her wish she could crush Jun Xie's bones and scatter his ashes but she knew she had no choice but to swallow all the humiliation thrown upon her.

If not for those purple spirit exponents, she wouldn't have to bother herself with such trash, like Jun Xie.

Yin Yan gulped. When Fan Jin's name was brought up, the hatred that had been forgotten with his fear suddenly rushed back up to the surface.

Ning Xin drew in a deep breath, trying to diffuse the malice showing on her face.

"If he chose to reject the olive branch offered to him, he must be prepared to suffer my wrath. Since Jun Xie does not know what's good for him, I will soon make him realise how advantageous it would be for him to have me, Ning Xin, as a friend! At that time, he will finally know the right choice to make when choosing friends."

Winning Jun Xie over was a mission that she must complete. No matter how much Ning Xin hated him, she had no choice but to put up with it. And after she has established a link with the purple spirit exponents through Jun Xie, she did not believe, with her respected identity and intelligent mind, she would not be able to win the exponents over.

If Jun Xie, with his unlikable personality was able to win the support of that group of exponents, she would naturally be able to do better!

"Senior Ning, what do you plan to do?" Yin Yan asked cautiously.

Ning Xin gave him a cold laugh. "Recently, because of Lu Wei Jie and his band, the Zephyr Academy was caught up in another storm, making everyone forget about Jun Xie's misdeeds. People are always so forgetful, and it is time someone reminded all the disciples of Jun Xie's various past misdeeds. If I am not wrong, Li Zi Mu had lost his life in the Battle Spirits Forest in the recent Spirit Hunt, and the senior that had accompanied him had said that before Li Zi Mu died, he had defected to Fan Jin's team. You tell me, Fan Jin had been able to protect Jun Xie and even those disciples from the branch division so well, why had Li Zi Mu been the only one to lose his life? I fear that Jun Xie had acted on his hatred and it had resulted in such a tragedy..... Don't you think so? Hahaha....."

Ning Xin shared her scheme with her hand over her mouth, and she broke out into malicious laughter as her eyes narrowed, shining in sinister conspiracy.

"When he is overwhelmed and crushed down by the mountain of curses and insults, that will be the time I reach out my hand, offering to save him from the inescapable predicament. Won't he be eternally grateful to me then?"

Jun Xie, since you have so bluntly snubbed me, do not blame me for the harsh treatment then!

Chapter 538: "Chan Lin Town (1)"

Fan Zhuo seeked Fan Jin out and told him that he would be going out on a trip with Jun Xie. Fan Jin had remained silent a moment and after his moment of hesitation, Jun Xie said something that freed Fan Jin of all his worries.

For the trip, it won't only be Fan Zhuo and Jun Xie, but they would also be accompanied by Qiao Chu and his gang.

Having seen for himself the astounding powers of Qiao Chu and his companions, Fan Jin was undoubtedly assured of their protection. But the branch division was still a distance away from the main division and it would pose a bit of difficulty for Jun Xie to pass the word to Qiao Chu and the others. The task had inevitably fallen onto Fan Jin to carry it out.

As the son of the Headmaster, it would be easy for him to go to the branch division and request for a few disciples from them.

That task was done that very afternoon and he even arranged for horse drawn carriages for them, reminding them to be careful on their trip.

The nearest auction house from the Zephyr Academy was a half day's journey away. Coinciding with the end of the month, after the disciples of the Zephyr Academy had survived through the exhausting trials in the Battle Spirits Forest, they were rewarded with five days off. During that period, some of the disciples might choose to recuperate and recover themselves by staying in the academy while others would choose to gather in groups, making their way to the towns close to the Zephyr Academy for some rest and relaxation.

The most prosperous town, bustling with activity, in the vicinity of the Zephyr Academy was Chan Lin Town.

Chan Lin had been a small little town, relatively unknown. And it was due to its proximity to the Zephyr Academy that it had gradually grown and expanded, making the once small town fabulously prosperous. The fees for the Zephyr Academy were exorbitant and all their disciples were from rich and powerful families. The merchants had accurately eyed this business opportunity and flocked to Chan Lin Town, causing the once inconspicuous small town, to forcibly expand into the most busy and flourishing place to be in that area.

On their days off at the end of every month, the disciples of the Zephyr Academy from both the main and branch divisions would clamber onto horse drawn carriages and make their way towards Chan Lin Town. The disciples would wilfully squander their riches there, releasing the pent up tensions within, accumulated in the past month.

The Zephyr Academy's main and branch divisions were not sharing the same campus and Qiao Chu and his gang could only join up with Jun Wu Xie after arriving in Chan Lin Town.

As the carriage trundled along, Fan Zhuo was looking outside the window with sparkling eyes at the passing scenery. His eyes soaked up the sight of every passing tree and every blade of grass, bringing about a glow to his slightly pale face.

After being ill for such a long time, he could not remember the last time he had stepped out of the little bamboo grove, or how long it had been since he had come out from the Zephyr Academy. The vegetation and architecture that lined the road might all have been uninteresting and dull, but to Fan Zhuo's eyes, they made for a wondrous sight.

He was able to see in the near future, he would be able to peel off his heavy cloak of ill health and enjoy the amazing sights the wondrous world had to offer, traversing the seas and crossing over the mountains.

As his longing for the exciting future he saw in his mind grew, Fan Zhuo could not help but to turn around and stare at Jun Xie.

Jun Wu Xie wasn't interested in the scenery and when she saw Fan Zhuo turn to her, she unconsciously picked up the little black cat from her lap and threw it right into Fan Zhuo's face!

"Meow!!"

What was that for! ? Would it still be alright if it had fallen out of the window! ?

Having the cat shoved right onto his face, Fan Zhuo was shocked. He hurriedly moved to carry the soft furry cat, cradling it in his arms, and soon a rosy tinge rose into his cheeks as his fingers caressed the soft fluffy touch of the cat's fur.

The little black cat gave up on struggling and stretched itself out while its eyes looked mournfully at Lord Meh Meh who had snuggled itself deep into Jun Wu Xie's embrace.

Ever since the dumb sheep had appeared, its standing in its mistress' eyes had fallen lower every single day.

[Life has no more "meow"ning!]

Chapter 539: "Chan Lin Town (2)"

"We'll be reaching Chan Lin Town in a little bit. Does Little Xie have anything you would like to buy there?" Fan Zhuo asked, with his cheeks in a slight blush as he gingerly carried the little black cat in his arms. He did not dare move too much and used only his fingertips to lightly smooth out the little black cat's fur.

"I'll take a look around first." Jun Wu Xie replied, rubbing Lord Meh Meh's full bodied wool, as her eyes narrowed in satisfaction.

She did not have much she would like to buy, but a heap of things she would like to sell.

Besides the pile of spirit stones that they had gathered from the Battle Spirits Forest, Jun Wu Xie had in hand a batch of her elixirs. They were refined while she was with the Qing Yun Clan, when she had nothing much to do, and they accumulated to quite a haul.

On this trip to the auction house, she intended to see whether she could find a suitable sort of pill furnace or something suitable for her elixir refinement. It was to give her something to busy herself with while she was idling in the Zephyr Academy. Ever since Yan Bu Gui had given her the cosmos sack, she had not had to worry that she would have too much stock of elixirs and could not store or carry them with her.

Fan Jin might be a little to compassionate, but he was nevertheless meticulous when making his arrangements for them. He had not only arranged horse carriages for Fan Zhuo and Jun Wu Xie, he had even arranged everything to the last detail for Qiao Chu and the others. From ample space for them on the carriages to their reservations for lodgings in Chan Lin Town, nothing was missed out. Once they reached Chan Lin Town, Jun Wu Xie would not have to worry about locating the rest of the group to gather them altogether.

The well planned arrangements had allowed the two people who had a weakness for cute and fluffy animals, to travel free of worries, and indulge themselves by cradling and stroking one cute fluffy creature each in the carriage, the expression on their faces filled with blissful content.

The carriages rumbled along, and finally reached Chan Lin Town.

They were just in time for lunch, and the streets were filled with people. Many of them were youths dressed in the uniforms of the Zephyr Academy, lugging big and small bags on their backs, tirelessly weaving through the crowd, making their way to reach all the corners of Chan Lin Town.

The one thing that the disciples of the Zephyr Academy did not lack was, money!

The coachman sent his two passengers to come right before the doors of the inn that Fan Jin had arranged for them and drove the carriage away to rest somewhere else after dropping his passengers off.

This was the first time Fan Zhuo was seeing such bustle of people going about their own activities and business. The hawkers on both sides of the street were shouting out their wares and though it was midday, the overhanging lanterns lent a festive ambience to the scene and as he watched the crowds of people bustle by, Fan Zhuo's eyes sparkled in awe.

The two of them were dressed in casual clothes and when compared to the youths dressed in the Zephyr Academy's uniform traversing the streets, they were seen to be less conspicuous.

After he had his fill of the sights, Fan Zhuo finally raised his foot to enter the inn with Jun Xie.

But before he could even digest all the different things he had just seen, a shout coming from inside the inn almost tore the roof off!

"What a joke! First come first served, don't you know that! ? We already reserved the room in advance, why should it be given to you?" A familiar voice hollered within the inn and Jun Wu Xie who was walking in beside Fan Zhuo raised her eyes slightly.

Within the main hall on the ground level, several youths were split on two sides, engaged in an argument.

One of the group of youths were dressed in the uniforms of the Zephyr Academy and they stood with their chins lifted high, their stance incorrigibly arrogant.

On the other side, were three guys and one girl. They were rather young and a handsome youth among them currently had one foot planted on a stool, adamantly blocking the way up the stairs to the second floor.

The other guests within the main hall were all watching with anticipation at the sparks flying through the air. The owner and assistant were watching on worriedly. They wanted to go forward to say something but they did not dare to make any rash move.

A youth from among those wearing the Zephyr Academy's uniform stepped forward and laughed jeeringly at the youths blocking their way.

"Good dogs do not obstruct the way of people. First come first served is just nonsense. The inn is a place of business, and they would naturally let the room to whoever is able to pay. If you think that is unfair, you can jolly well outbid us. If you cannot, then go do your barking someplace else!"

Chapter 540: "Chan Lin Town (3)"

"About that I would like to ask, the room has already been reserved, is it reasonable for someone to just pay more and be able to lay claim and assume priority over its use?" The youth blocking the stairway scoffed.

"It's not up to you to say whether that is reasonable. But who in the world would reject more money? If there is more money to be made, the innkeeper would be stupid not to accept it." The youth from the Zephyr Academy said.

Seeing that the two groups of youths were about to engage into a brawl, Jun Wu Xie suddenly walked over to them.

"Reservations, can be changed?" Jun Wu Xie asked of the stunned innkeeper.

The innkeeper stared blankly at her for a moment and he shook his head.

"Our humble establishment never did have such a rule. But these few days happen to be the rest days for the Zephyr Academy's disciples and many of them have come to the town, causing a room crunch everywhere, resulting in....." The innkeeper was at a loss. His inn was considered one of the most popular inns in Chan Lin Town and even though their prices were high, the disciples from the Zephyr Academy never had a lack of money to splurge and hence, this inn had become the most popular inn among the disciples of the Zephyr Academy.

But the inn had limited rooms and just a few days ago, someone had come in had made a reservation for several of their rooms. The innkeeper had already accepted the money in payment for those rooms and had not expected such a tricky situation to occur.

Several other disciples from the Zephyr Academy had suddenly come in and saw that there were several rooms still vacant upstairs and had insisted on taking them by paying more money. At that same moment, the guests who had made the reservations came in and when the two parties met, the situation turned out to become like this.

The innkeeper was having a major headache and did not know what to do. He was reluctant to offend the disciples from the Zephyr Academy and neither did he want to contravene the rules set in the inn.

Jun Wu Xie listened to the innkeeper's explanation without a word and then turned to walk up towards the arrogant youths from the Zephyr Academy.

The tiny figure suddenly flashed into a brilliant yellow streak of light and before the youths even realised what was happening, they were suddenly swept up within a powerful force and with a whirlwind of screams, the youths found themselves involuntarily thrown out the door of the inn's wide doors!

The whole inn fell into absolute silence. All eyes were fixed on the small tiny figure who had suddenly thrown out such a forceful attack.

The youths outside were thrown into complete disarray and they saw stars under the midday sky. It wasn't for a long while before they recovered themselves adequately to shout back: "Who are you! ? You dare to lay your hands on us! You must be tired of living!"

They shook their heads to clear the dizziness from their heads. Their eyes fell on the tiny figure standing at the doors of the inn. The eyes on that face with its delicate features stared coldly at them, and fell on every single one of them in turn.

"Didn't all of you hear what the innkeeper said?" Jun Wu Xie said, her chilly gaze beginning to turn frosty.

"Jun..... Jun Xie....." One of the youths among them stammered, recognising the infamous character among the disciples of the Zephyr Academy. He had found himself suddenly frozen, when his eyes saw the tiny figure before his eyes.

Whereas the youths in the other group that had been caught in the confrontation had paused when they saw the tiny figure, and broke out in smiles a moment after.

"Little Xie! You're here at last!" Qiao Chu put his foot back down and walked up with his face beaming.

Jun Wu Xie glanced at him a brief moment and turned back to face the disciples dressed in the Zephyr Academy's uniform. She lifted a tiny hand and rested it upon a marble pillar by the main doors of the inn.

A loud crack split through the air and the cold hard stone beneath her hand crumbled into dust under the power of her concentrated spiritual power in her palm.

The youths outside the inn shivered at the sight.

"Scram." Jun Wu Xie said softly.

The youths scrambled to quickly get away from there. Jun Xie had a notorious reputation in the Zephyr Academy, and those rumours had carried with them on her great spiritual powers. All the disciples knew that she had broken through to the orange spirit level at the young age of fourteen, but they never would have dreamed it possible but they saw with their own eyes that the glow surrounding Jun Xie was brilliantly yellow!

That was the glow of a yellow leveled spirit!