Getting His Way

Liu Erlong was one of the few students willing to stand up for the Work-Study Students. In fact, she could be said to be the only student who had acted on their behalf so far.

The Work-Study Students also knew that she was not of noble birth, but they were happy and grateful that someone was willing to step forward and help protect them from bullying.

But it was of little use. No matter how formidable Liu Erlong was, she was only a Level 8 Soul Master, and only six years old. Facing dozens of older students, including several One Ring Soul Masters, even she would be overwhelmed.

Looking at the people around her, Liu Erlong showed not the slightest fear.

"Ganging up on the few—what kind of skill is that?"

"If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one."

She was not stupid. She knew she stood no chance against so many people, so she proposed a one-on-one fight. In a one-on-one battle, she was confident she would not lose to anyone here, even if they were One Ring Soul Masters.

Of course, if she had to face Huangfu Ji or Yuan Ling, she might not be their match.

She had looked into it. Yuan Ling's Soul Power was currently Level 17. There was a nine-level difference between them, as well as a Soul Ring's worth of disparity.

Among the academy's three hundred students, probably only Huangfu Ji could defeat Yuan Ling.

Huangfu Ji's Soul Power was Level 12. Although he was five levels below Yuan Ling, that gap was not particularly great to him. His Martial Soul was powerful, and his First Soul Ring was a Four-Hundred-Year Soul Ring.

Yuan Ling's First Soul Ring, meanwhile, was only one hundred and ninety years old.

The students surrounding the Work-Study Students all turned to Yuan Ling, waiting for him to give the order.

Yuan Ling lowered his head with a smile, his gaze toward Liu Erlong carrying a hint of gentleness.

"Junior Sister Erlong, don't make a fuss."

"It isn't worth standing up for a bunch of lowborn rabble. Go back already."

He did not want to hurt Liu Erlong, and he wanted to leave a good impression on her, so his tone was much gentler than usual. The people who had always followed him were left wide-eyed.

It was their first time seeing Yuan Ling, who usually held himself above everyone else, arrogant and overbearing enough to look down on people through his nostrils, act like this.

Even Huangfu Ji, who had been watching from the sidelines, raised a brow and parted his lips slightly. Clearly, he was surprised as well.

"He's got his eye on Liu Erlong."

Huangfu Ji complained inwardly. In his previous life, someone like this would have been dragged out and shot for five minutes first. Liu Erlong was only six years old. Even if Yuan Ling was not an adult either, he was still a teenager.

Not to mention Huangfu Ji—even Liu Erlong felt a chill run down her spine.

But she did not leave.

"You nobles act high and mighty every day, looking down on everyone else. All you know is how to oppress commoners."

"What does this have to do with you?" Yuan Ling asked.

Liu Erlong replied, "I'm a commoner too."

"Since I'm a commoner, I can't just stand by and watch you bully the academy's Work-Study Students."

"As long as I see it, I'll stand up for them."

The moment she said this, all the Noble Students burst into laughter. They were laughing at Liu Erlong for overestimating herself, for actually trying to oppose them with the strength of a Level 8 Soul Master. This was only because they were in the academy.

If this had happened outside, what she was doing would have been no different from courting death.

Yuan Ling was displeased as well. Even though he already viewed Liu Erlong as his future wife when she grew up, he was still deeply dissatisfied.

He would never allow anyone to defy him, not even Liu Erlong.

"Junior Sister Erlong, are you determined to make an enemy of me?"

"So what if I am?" Liu Erlong crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze locking with Yuan Ling's. Han Shuo and the others behind her stepped forward as well. Though they were outnumbered, they absolutely could not back down now.

If they retreated, these Noble Students would bully them to death in the academy from then on, treating them like beasts of burden.

They did not have much time to begin with.

Other than studying and working, they had very little time of their own to cultivate. If they yielded to these Noble Students now, they would have to take on even more dirty and exhausting chores, leaving them with even less time to cultivate.

Seeing that Liu Erlong showed no sign of backing down, Yuan Ling began to threaten her.

"You'd better think this through. There are dozens of us here, while you only have a little over a dozen people. And only Han Shuo has a First Soul Ring."

"You are no match for us."

"Even so, we'll make you see that us Work-Study Students aren't easy to bully." Han Shuo's eyes were resolute as he assumed an attacking stance. After some hesitation, the other Work-Study Students also took up fighting stances.

Yuan Ling inconspicuously glanced at Huangfu Ji, who was watching from the sidelines, then let out a cold laugh.

"You're overestimating yourselves."

"Even if they are overestimating themselves, at least they can step forward and fight for themselves." Huangfu Ji passed through the crowd and came to stand in front of Liu Erlong.

When Yuan Ling saw Huangfu Ji, a trace of smugness flashed through his eyes. After all this, was he not trying to lure Huangfu Ji out? As for Han Shuo and those Work-Study Students, were they even worthy of making him act?

The other Noble Students hesitated when they saw Huangfu Ji step in.

A puppet Grand Duke was still a Grand Duke.

But with Yuan Ling present, they did not retreat.

The Work-Study Students were all somewhat surprised. Since the start of school, they had learned of Huangfu Ji's identity, though they had never interacted with him before. They had not expected him to stand up for them as well.

Liu Erlong looked at Huangfu Ji. He turned back and gave her a smile.

"I said I would help you."

Huangfu Ji turned to Yuan Ling, a chill glinting in his eyes.

"Yuan Ling, as a senior, leading the charge to bully younger students is rather unbecoming, isn't it?"

"Your father is the Prime Minister. What you're doing will disgrace him."

Yuan Ling looked utterly disdainful.

"Bearing?"

"Who would say anything? We're all students—children of six, seven, or barely in our teens."

"Besides, this duchy will belong to the Yuan Family sooner or later. In the future, the Yuan Family will rule the duchy. Who would dare gossip?"

"As for you, you're nothing more than a puppet set up by the Yuan Family, yet you actually dared to step forward. I'm rather impressed."

The two stood facing each other, neither giving an inch in presence. At eleven, Yuan Ling was much taller than Huangfu Ji.

At that moment, Huangfu Ji also realized something was wrong. Yuan Ling had never targeted the Work-Study Students before, usually focusing solely on cultivation. Yet today, he had personally made a move.

This clearly was not for Han Shuo and the others.

Putting together what Yuan Ling had said, Huangfu Ji suddenly understood. So this had all been aimed at him.

If they attacked the Work-Study Students, Liu Erlong would inevitably be drawn out. He and Liu Erlong were friends; with his friend in trouble, he naturally could not stand by and do nothing. He would have to step forward. The moment he did, Yuan Ling's plan would succeed.

The academy teachers still had not come, clearly because they did not intend to interfere.

Liu Erlong, however, had not seen through it. In any case, she was already growing impatient.

Standing beside Huangfu Ji, she clenched her fair little hand into a fist.

"Why are you babbling so much nonsense? Just fight already."

Huangfu Ji nodded. Things had reached this point—if they did not teach the other side a lesson, this would not be over.

The atmosphere between the two sides suddenly became taut with hostility.

Just then, Zhao Yuan's voice reached everyone's ears.