Li Zhixian's Indifference Was More Devastating Than Any Mockery

Even though they had never seen Sword Wine before.

The instant they saw the white-robed youth.

Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong all felt the same thing—this youth was Sword Wine.

They had all founded academies.

They had seen far too many exceptionally gifted young people with wildly different temperaments.

Though they stood on opposing sides at the moment, they had no choice but to admit it...

The carefree aura about the white-robed youth's every gesture, as though he could summon a breeze with a wave of his hand, was truly unlike anything they had ever seen.

Meanwhile, the Golden Iron Triangle's bedraggled appearance as they carried a bloodstained bed through the streets was far too conspicuous to ignore.

Yufeng lowered his voice and said to Li Zhixian,

"Idol, look over there..."

"That short-haired guy with the stiff face is the Shrek Seven Devils' teacher."

"The Imperial Dou Team ran into him back in Suotuo City."

Dugu Yan's pupils narrowed into vertical slits.

"What are they carrying that mangy turkey around for?"

Xue Qinghe said mildly,

"Probably seeking treatment."

Dugu Yan sneered.

"After hurting Little Brother Banished Immortal, they still want to find treatment in Heaven Dou City?"

"My grandfather cares about his status and disdains bullying the young, but if they expect the Dugu Family to help, they're dreaming."

Ye Lingling's voice was concise and chilly.

"The Ye Family feels the same."

Xue Qinghe looked at Li Zhixian.

"What do you say?"

"Want to beat a dog when it's down?"

Li Zhixian smiled and shook his head.

"That would be far too dull."

"Tonight, the wind is lively, and so are the people."

"It's rare for everyone to be gathered like this. Why let irrelevant people spoil the mood?"

"Come on, let's take a night stroll through Heaven Dou."

He did not even spare the Golden Iron Triangle another glance.

He simply turned around and, with unhurried steps, disappeared into the night on the other side of the street.

Xue Qinghe smiled.

With a swish, the folding fan in her hand opened, and she quickly followed after him.

This was the Li Zhixian she knew.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling exchanged a glance. Smiles bloomed across their pretty faces, so different in style.

Being by his side.

Always felt this easy and pleasant.

"Idol, honestly... what a perfect chance... and he didn't even mock them a little... it's not like they'd dare attack..."

Yufeng muttered under his breath.

Osler raised a hand and smacked him on the head.

"You think Sword Wine is like you? This is called bearing!"

The Shi Brothers chuckled foolishly in agreement.

"Right, right, this is Sword Wine's bearing."

"Fine, fine, I'm the only vulgar one, all right? Hurry up and catch up! Idol and the others are already far ahead!"

They watched helplessly as the group of young men and women gradually walked away.

The white-robed youth at the front had merely cast them a casual glance at first, yet afterward, he had not even been willing to spare them the slightest bit of attention.

In truth.

The Golden Iron Triangle had long tensed themselves, prepared to endure mockery to their faces.

Yet only now did they understand.

This complete indifference was more devastating than any cutting ridicule.

"There's no need to go to the royal palace."

Liu Erlong's voice carried a trace of exhaustion.

"That youth in the goose-yellow brocade robe is the current Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe. We won't even be able to enter the palace gates."

Flender hunched his back dejectedly and turned toward Ma Hongjun on the bed, whose Soul Power aura was growing ever weaker. In a hoarse voice, he asked,

"Is there really no other way?"

Yu Xiaogang suddenly said,

"Go find Sword Wine."

"As long as he is willing to speak, the royal family, the Dugu Family, and the Ye Family will all help save Ma Hongjun."

Flender's body trembled.

"Today, even if I have to throw away this old face of mine, I'll beg for a sliver of hope for Ma Hongjun."

The moat shimmered with a deep blue glow.

Some tourists bent down, trying to scoop up the moon's reflection from the water. Their fingertips had barely touched the surface when they scattered the golden-red ripples stirred by the koi.

Each of Li Zhixian's group carried a newly bought silk lantern as they leisurely stepped onto Golden Water Bridge.

The night breeze carried the sound of pipes and flutes, mingled with the sweet fragrance of unknown flowering trees.

Someone said something amusing.

The whole group burst into hearty laughter. Even Ye Lingling, usually gentle and aloof, wore a faint smile at the corners of her lips.

However.

There were always uninvited guests to disturb the peace.

The Golden Iron Triangle, carrying the bloodstained bed, blocked the path ahead.

Yufeng and Osler's expressions darkened. They stepped forward and shouted fiercely,

"It's already merciful enough that we didn't come looking for trouble with you. What more do you want?"

There was not the slightest respect for senior Soul Masters in their words.

After all, this group included the younger generation of the Ye Family, the Dugu Family, and even the royal family.

If the Golden Iron Triangle dared make a move, Shrek Academy would no longer have a place to stand.

The Golden Iron Triangle ignored their sharp words. Instead, their gazes passed over them and landed on Li Zhixian.

"Sword Wine..."

Flender clenched his fists tightly and said hoarsely,

"There was never any deep enmity between you and Ma Hongjun."

"He merely spoke somewhat offensively to you. For him to end up like this now, the punishment has already been too severe!"

"Qin Ming and Zhao Wuji were indeed in the wrong, but their lives and deaths are now unknown, while you... remain completely unharmed..."

"Hm?"

Li Zhixian actually laughed upon hearing that.

"So, according to Dean Flender..."

"I should have been burned by Ma Hongjun's evil fire, or died at Zhao Wuji's hands? That would have been right?"

What kind of absurd logic was that?

Did a victim have to truly suffer harm before deserving to be called a victim?

No wonder Shrek Academy could teach such twisted "monsters."

The rot started at the root.

Xue Qinghe's gentle smile gradually faded, and the folding fan in her hand stilled.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's gazes turned cold.

Yufeng and Osler sneered bluntly.

"Heh, is that the kind of absurd thing an academy dean can say?"

"Surely Shrek Academy's students aren't all beasts like Ma Hongjun, are they?"

As a level seventy-eight Soul Sage.

Flender could not remember how many years it had been since he had suffered such humiliation.

Especially from juniors.

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his surging rage.

"I am not here to argue over right and wrong."

"Sword Wine, I only ask you one question..."

"What must we do for you to be willing to have the Ye Family, the Dugu Family, and the royal family intervene and save my student Ma Hongjun's life?"

Upon hearing this.

Li Zhixian raised an eyebrow.

"I have that much influence?"

"I can even order those three families around?"

He looked at Xue Qinghe.

The Crown Prince smiled as she waved the folding fan in her hand.

He then looked at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.

The two beauties pursed their lips, their smiles lovelier than the night flowers blooming beside the bridge.

"Dean Flender, please return."

Li Zhixian leisurely turned around and looked down at the sparkling river beneath the bridge. Through the window of a painted pleasure boat in the distance, shadowy figures moved, hinting at alluring sights within.

"Ma Hongjun has ended up like this because he brought it upon himself."

"To be frank, filth like him will be crippled every time I see him."

"If you disturb my peace again..."

"Then perhaps I really will do as you say and 'command the three families,' asking Senior Poison Douluo to kill you."

"Do you believe me?"

Looking at Li Zhixian's back.

Flender's knuckles turned white from how tightly he clenched his fists.

Liu Erlong pressed her lips together and sighed.

"Let's go."

But Yu Xiaogang took a step forward and stared directly at Li Zhixian's back...