Zhang Lexuan's Rampage, Inner Court Disciple Assessment

Inner Court, half a month later.

The rising dawn shattered the darkness, golden light spilling across Lake Heart Island.

Ever since the Xu Sanshi incident, the entire Academy had quieted down. No one caused trouble anymore, but Lake Heart Island was anything but quiet.

By the lake, Qian Chaoyun covered his ears and pretended to be deaf.

Beside him, Zhang Lexuan stood with her hands on her hips. Her brows twitched and her eyelashes fluttered as she softly scolded him, "Don't go causing trouble at the Outer Court anymore, you hear me? The Dai brothers aren't people you can mess with. Even though Dai Yueheng looks mild-mannered, he's full of bad intentions."

"The young masters from forces like the White Tiger Duke's Mansion and Xuanming Sect are all difficult to deal with. You should take off that Enforcement Token from now on. Luckily, Xuan Zi has your back, or this would have become a real problem."

Early in the morning, Qian Chaoyun found himself under a sonic assault.

Zhang Lexuan was furious. She had only gone out for a while, yet Qian Chaoyun had nearly cut off the Xuanming Sect's inheritance.

On the surface, it was an Academy matter, but there was much more involved behind it.

Qian Chaoyun raised his head and argued, "What's so special about being a young master? Does that make them superior? I'm the young master of the Angel Family too. It's all family wealth my father fought for. Who knows when they'll squander it all away?"

"If I hadn't been worried about causing trouble for Senior Disciple Sister, I would've chopped off Xu Sanshi's manhood and tossed it to Dai Huabin to soak in wine."

"Little Bastard, you still dare to argue?" Zhang Lexuan grew even angrier. She reached out to grab Qian Chaoyun's ear, intending to reform this brat through the power of loving discipline.

Qian Chaoyun leaned backward and avoided her outstretched jade hand.

Zhang Lexuan became even more enraged. "Little Bastard, you dare dodge? If I don't teach you a lesson today, then I'm not Zhang Lexuan!"

This time, before Qian Chaoyun could run, Zhang Lexuan caught him and lifted him like a chick. No matter how he struggled, he could not escape Senior Disciple Sister's grasp.

An Rank 8 Soul Douluo was truly terrifying.

Then Zhang Lexuan raised her delicate little hand and smacked Qian Chaoyun's butt hard.

Qian Chaoyun did not resist at all. He simply gave up.

He could not beat her or break free, so he could only let himself be beaten, cooperating by crying out, "Ow, ow, ow!"

A few minutes later, Zhang Lexuan grew tired and tossed Qian Chaoyun aside, scolding him.

"You never give me any peace of mind. You're going to anger me to death!"

"Do you know what you did wrong?"

Qian Chaoyun rubbed his butt. "I know!"

"What did you do wrong?" Zhang Lexuan glared at him.

"Senior Disciple Sister, what did I do wrong?" Qian Chaoyun believed he was right.

"Ha..."

Zhang Lexuan sighed and no longer wanted to pay attention to this Little Bastard.

He never gave her any peace of mind and only knew how to cause trouble.

A year ago, he had still been an honest and simple youth. Now, he had become someone who hated evil like an enemy. Other than her, he listened to no one.

Seeing Zhang Lexuan like this, Qian Chaoyun quietly scooted closer.

"Little Bastard!"

Zhang Lexuan's heart softened. She gently instructed him, "Don't provoke those people again in the future. This matter isn't big, but it isn't small either. What if they're petty? Oh, right, your Inner Court Disciple Assessment has been issued. Let's go to Dean Yan's office."

"Alright, I understand." Qian Chaoyun's head throbbed as though he had seen another aunt from another world.

As they spoke, the two left Lake Heart Island.

Not far away, Ling Luochen had just finished her morning cultivation and returned to Lake Heart Island, where she overheard their conversation.

She was somewhat envious of Qian Chaoyun. Although Senior Disciple Sister often called him a Little Bastard and disciplined him at the slightest disagreement, the concern in her eyes could not be faked.

Whether it was cultivation resources or everyday care, Senior Disciple Sister always remembered Qian Chaoyun.

And Qian Chaoyun's arrival seemed to have untied the knot of melancholy in Zhang Lexuan's heart. She no longer numbed herself through cultivation or turned herself into a machine, and there were more smiles on her face.

In summary, although Senior Disciple Sister Zhang Lexuan had always possessed a good temperament and unquestioned authority in the Inner Court, she had never truly placed her emotional attachment in anyone.

But now, she had changed.

Ling Luochen took a deep breath and murmured to herself, "Ling Luochen, Ling Luochen, you're meant to become an Ice Girl of the Ultimate Ice attribute and revive your family. You can't pry into other people's love and grudges. Ice heart, ice heart..."

Outer Court, Martial Soul Department Dean's office.

Yan Shaozhe sat in his office chair, holding the Inner Court assessment missions formulated by the Resident Elders. He handed them to Zhang Lexuan and said,

"Considering Qian Chaoyun's outstanding performance in the Inner Court, the Resident Elders have increased the difficulty of this assessment, but they have also increased its rewards."

"After passing the Inner Court Disciple Assessment, he will receive a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone."

Qian Chaoyun stood frozen in place, his eyes wide. He found it hard to believe this was Shrek Academy's usual style.

They were giving out resources so generously?

Zhang Lexuan was also stunned. She asked, "Dean, has any Inner Court Disciple ever received a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone for passing an assessment before?"

"No."

Yan Shaozhe shook his head and rejected the notion outright.

The value of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone was incalculable. Even an Academy with Shrek's ten-thousand-year foundation did not possess many. Taking one out was equivalent to making an investment.

Seeing their bewildered expressions, Yan Shaozhe chuckled and explained, "Don't put too much pressure on yourselves. Old Mu decided on this reward, and the assessment missions were jointly set by the Resident Elders. They're extremely difficult, and there's more than one mission."

Only then did Zhang Lexuan understand.

She knew the Academy could not possibly be that generous. Over the years, she had never seen a precedent involving a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone.

Qian Chaoyun looked toward Zhang Lexuan and said, "Senior Disciple Sister, let's look at the missions."

"Alright."

As Zhang Lexuan spoke, she opened the file. Her delicate brows furrowed as she read,

"First assessment: Last three minutes in battle against a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast in the Beast Fighting Area."

"Second assessment: Secretly investigate the Star Luo Empire's smuggling of infants with Evil Martial Souls. Determine the full chain of events and the arrangement of the experts involved. Three Inner Court Disciples will accompany you."

"Third assessment: Challenge two Inner Court Disciples and defeat them."

"Fourth assessment: Complete the first three assessments, then come to Sea God Pavilion."

After hearing them, Qian Chaoyun's expression turned grave.

The first and second missions carried extremely high risks. A single mistake could cost him his life, especially since the second involved the Holy Spirit Cult.

Other than the third, which was rather simple, all the assessments were deeply dangerous, especially meeting Mu En.

At the same time, Yan Shaozhe studied the two of them, stroking his beard with a kindly smile.

After Zhang Lexuan finished reading, she became angry. She stuffed the assessment file back into Yan Shaozhe's hands and said indignantly, "Dean Yan, the assessment missions set by the Resident Elders are outrageous. Aren't they just sending Brother Chaoyun to his death?"

"A Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast is comparable to a high-level Soul Emperor or Soul Sage. Brother Chaoyun only has Five Rings. Isn't this sending him to die?"

"And the second mission involves the Holy Spirit Cult. This is a Red-Level Mission. It takes place in the underground black market of the Star Luo Empire and has remained among the Inspection Group's fatal missions year-round. Countless Inner Court Disciples have died on this mission."

"Even with other Inner Court Disciples assisting him, the danger is still extremely high. What if Seven Rings or Rank 8 Evil Spirit Masters appear? Will anyone make it back?"

Yan Shaozhe's old face could not quite hold up under her words. He gave an awkward chuckle. "Lexuan, don't be so anxious! Since the Academy's Resident Elders arranged it this way, they must have their reasons."

He recalled how Qian Chaoyun, in his rage, had wounded Dai Yueheng with a single sword strike.

Therefore, the Resident Elders had all concluded that Qian Chaoyun possessed strength comparable to a Soul Emperor.

Zhang Lexuan's willow brows shot up as she snapped, "The Resident Elders have gone muddleheaded! These missions are far too dangerous. I don't care, I won't agree to this! I raised Brother Chaoyun myself. Why would I ever let him carry out such missions?"

"Even if he doesn't become an Inner Court Disciple, it would be fine for him to grow slowly."

Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe also lost his temper and rebuked her, "Lexuan, this is the Resident Elders' decision. Don't throw a childish tantrum."

"I don't care!!"

Zhang Lexuan puffed up her cheeks, her pretty face red with anger. She looked ready to stand against Yan Shaozhe to the bitter end.

After all, this was the junior brother she had raised. If Yan Shaozhe refused, she would go find Old Mu.

Yan Shaozhe stared at Zhang Lexuan in shock, finding it hard to believe.

Since when had Lexuan talked back?

Still, Lexuan did have some say in this... Yan Shaozhe fell silent for a moment before saying, "I'll discuss it with the Resident Elders again."

"Dean, I think the Inner Court assessment is too early. Let's wait a few years."

Zhang Lexuan suggested.

"No! Those are the Academy's Rules."

"Rules are dead, people are alive, Dean!!"

"No means no!"

Their argument grew louder and louder, and even the Teachers passing outside the office could hear it.

It was the first time they had seen Zhang Lexuan argue with the Martial Soul Department Dean.

After several minutes of arguing, Qian Chaoyun could no longer stand listening to them. He interrupted in a deep voice,

"Stop arguing. I'll take the assessment."

Zhang Lexuan turned back, worried. "But it's dangerous!"

Qian Chaoyun raised his head and said seriously, "Retreat just because it's dangerous? That's not my style. Don't worry, Senior Disciple Sister Lexuan!"

Alright then!

Zhang Lexuan found herself at a loss and could only go along with Brother Chaoyun's decision.

Beside them, Yan Shaozhe chuckled. "This Old Man thinks highly of you!"

After the two left the Martial Soul Department Dean's office, Zhang Lexuan walked ahead and instructed him, "The Inner Court Disciple assessment lasts one month. You can cultivate first during this time. It would be fine to go after advancing to Six Rings."

Qian Chaoyun nodded, warmth inexplicably rising in his heart. "Senior Disciple Sister, you should go back first! I haven't visited the Outer Court in a long time, and the New Student Competition is about to begin. I'll go check on that kid Huo Yuhao while I'm at it."

Zhang Lexuan glared at him and warned him not to cause trouble before turning and leaving.

Only then did Qian Chaoyun let out a breath of relief. Rubbing his sore butt, he headed toward Freshman Class 1.

Senior Disciple Sister really hit hard!

I haven't had roasted rabbit in a long time. I kind of miss that taste...