Yuan Ling

After returning to the dormitory, Wang Feng went straight to find Yuan Ling.

When he arrived at Yuan Ling's dormitory and opened the door, Yuan Ling was sitting there reading a book. Behind him, a boy of the same age was massaging him, wearing an exceedingly ingratiating expression.

The Yuan Family was powerful. Aside from the nobles purged by Yuan Hao, the remaining two-thirds of the nobility had already pledged allegiance to the Yuan Family. Only the remaining third, including Cheng Yao and others, still held fast, upholding the banner of the Huangfu Family.

Among most nobles, there was a shared understanding: sooner or later, the Yuan Family would replace the Huangfu Family as the Duchy's new rulers. As Yuan Hao's son, Yuan Ling naturally conducted himself with the bearing of a master.

In his eyes, this Duchy belonged to the Yuan Family.

Seeing Wang Feng enter, Yuan Ling closed his book.

"What is it?"

After closing the door, Wang Feng told Yuan Ling about Liu Erlong. At the same time, he mentioned that Liu Erlong and Huangfu Ji had been spending time together.

After hearing this, Yuan Ling frowned, his expression turning somewhat displeased. Liu Erlong was considered quite a notable figure within the academy. With Innate Level Eight Soul Power, she was the academy's second greatest genius after Huangfu Ji.

Naturally, quite a few people had set their sights on her. She was a beautiful girl with outstanding talent—how could she possibly avoid attracting attention? Even though Liu Erlong was only six years old, Yuan Ling was no exception.

People in this world generally matured early. Once he learned of Liu Erlong, he had naturally set his sights on her as well.

It was just that she was only six years old now, so he could not do much. But as long as she remained in the Duchy, he could afford to wait six or seven years.

If he could marry Liu Erlong in the future, then when the Yuan Family truly became the rulers of the Duchy, he would be the Crown Prince.

"Huangfu Ji?" Yuan Ling sneered, his eyes filled with disdain.

"He's just a Puppet of my Yuan Family."

"So what if he has Innate Full Soul Power?"

"Yes, yes, with you taking action, Young Master, what could a mere Huangfu Ji possibly amount to?" Wang Feng said with a fawning smile.

But then he reminded him, "But he is the Grand Duke, and he has Innate Full Soul Power. Most importantly, he has already obtained his First Soul Ring."

"If this continues, I'm afraid he may become a future threat."

Ever since Huangfu Ji's Martial Soul Awakening, many of the Duchy's nobles who had sided with the Yuan Family had begun to waver. They were also afraid that a genius with Innate Full Soul Power would inevitably become a Titled Douluo in the future.

Once that day came, the Yuan Family would be no match for him at all. If Huangfu Ji decided to settle accounts, what would happen to nobles like them who had sided with the Yuan Family?

Those loyal to the Huangfu Family would certainly not spare them.

Thus, some people hoped Huangfu Ji would become crippled. Of course, it would be fine if he died too. The Huangfu Family still had other members; they could simply appoint another Puppet.

Yuan Ling put on a thoughtful expression, then nodded slightly.

"You're right. If a genius with Innate Full Soul Power is allowed to grow unchecked, he will inevitably threaten our Yuan Family."

Before the school term began, Yuan Hao had also sought him out and told him to find an opportunity to cripple Huangfu Ji within the academy. But in the past few days since school started, he had never found a chance—especially since Huangfu Ji had gone out these past two days to hunt Soul Beasts and obtain his First Soul Ring.

He did not have much time. He had to cripple Huangfu Ji before he graduated.

"And Liu Erlong and Zhao Yuan as well. Those two are in the same boat as Huangfu Ji."

"Liu Erlong especially. Other than when Huangfu Ji goes out to hunt Soul Beasts and when they sleep at night, they are practically together all the time. They're utterly inseparable."

"If this keeps up, I'm afraid she'll run off with Huangfu Ji."

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the dormitory immediately changed. Wang Feng and the other student noticed the sharpness in Yuan Ling's gaze, and even the muscles in his face twitched slightly. Clearly, he was furious.

Bang!

"Does a Puppet like him deserve to compete with me?"

Wang Feng was startled, but he continued egging Yuan Ling on. Among the academy's students, Yuan Ling was undoubtedly the publicly acknowledged strongest. His Soul Power Level of seventeen allowed him to look down on all three hundred students in the academy.

Even among the sixth-year students, not one had a higher Soul Power Level than him.

After Wang Feng's instigation, coupled with his own wariness toward Huangfu Ji, Yuan Ling had decided to act against him. He would cripple Huangfu Ji.

"Come here." Yuan Ling beckoned to Wang Feng, who immediately bent down and brought his ear close.

After giving him several instructions, Yuan Ling dismissed Wang Feng.

Since he was going to make a move against Huangfu Ji, he naturally could not act directly. Otherwise, if the academy investigated, it would bring him some trouble. But it would be different if he could make Huangfu Ji strike first.

With his current strength, defeating Huangfu Ji was absolutely possible. He had that confidence. Even if Huangfu Ji had already obtained his First Soul Ring, his Soul Power Level was only eleven. Yuan Ling, meanwhile, was level seventeen.

With a six-level Soul Power gap, along with the difference in their ages, it was like crushing him with overwhelming force. He had no idea how he could possibly lose.

After Wang Feng left, Yuan Ling walked to the window and watched the students passing by outside. He let out a cold laugh, though a trace of envy also appeared in his eyes.

He was already considered a minor genius. At less than twelve years old, he had cultivated to level seventeen Soul Power. His future achievements would certainly surpass his father's. Yet compared with a genius possessing Innate Full Soul Power, he still seemed somewhat lacking.

Especially when that genius was a Puppet.

That afternoon.

A Work-Study Student headed to the area of the training ground assigned to him for work.

When he reached his work area and saw the fallen leaves covering the ground, he helplessly shook his head before picking up his tools and beginning to clean.

Before long, the fallen leaves had been swept into piles.

Having finished cleaning up, Cao Feng was just about to take a break when Wang Feng arrived with three people. Their faces were bruised, clearly from being beaten.

They were the three people Liu Erlong had beaten yesterday, one of them being Wang Feng's younger brother, Wang Ming.

With his arms crossed, Wang Feng gave the Work-Study Student a disdainful look.

"You're Cao Feng?"

"I am." Cao Feng stood up and watched Wang Feng warily. The Work-Study Student in the nearest work area had already noticed what was happening and looked over.

However, he did not come over immediately. Even with him added in, they would not be a match for Wang Feng. So if the other side made a move, he would go call for reinforcements.

Wang Feng sneered and raised a hand. The three behind him immediately moved, scattering the fallen leaves Cao Feng had piled up.

"What are you doing?" Cao Feng glared angrily at the three.

Wang Feng said coldly, "Yesterday, when my brother was beating you up, that first-year Liu Erlong stood up for you and beat my brother."

"That Liu Erlong has Huangfu Ji protecting her, so I can't do anything to her. Naturally, I came to find you, you lowborn trash."

Cao Feng looked at them. If they really fought, he definitely would not be their match. Besides, Wang Feng was a One Ring Soul Master. Although Cao Feng was already in his fourth year, his Soul Power Level was only seven.

"This is the academy. The school rules state that students are not allowed to fight privately. Violators will be punished."

At those words, Wang Feng and the three behind him immediately burst into laughter.

"Rules? So what? We're nobles. We're not like lowborn trash like you."

"If you break the rules, you'll be expelled. If we break the rules, we won't receive any punishment."