Fragile Friendship

Her gaze swept across it quickly.

This was a report on Qian Renxue's recent movements and contacts within the academy.

The report was not lengthy. Qian Renxue's life at the academy had always been relatively simple. Aside from necessary classes and solitary cultivation, her social circle was not broad.

Soon, one name leaped into Bibi Dong's eyes—Jiang Bai.

The report showed that within the academy, Qian Renxue was only close to this Primary Department student named Jiang Bai.

The two seemed quite familiar with each other and were often seen walking and talking together.

"Jiang Bai..."

Bibi Dong's red lips parted slightly as she silently recited the name. Her violet eyes narrowed, and a cold glint flashed through them.

"So this is the brat who doesn't know his place, the one who influenced that little bitch's thinking?"

She sneered inwardly.

Qian Renxue's personality had suddenly changed. There was no way she would have dared to firmly reject her without someone behind her egging her on or giving her some sort of "confidence."

This student named Jiang Bai was the prime suspect.

She patiently continued reading through Jiang Bai's detailed file.

Jiang Bai... Martial Soul: Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda. Innate Soul Power: Rank Nine...

When she saw the words "Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda," Bibi Dong's brow creased almost imperceptibly.

Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda? How had it appeared in Spirit Hall's academy? And how had he gotten involved with Qian Renxue?

"Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda..."

Bibi Dong's fingertips unconsciously tapped against the smooth tabletop, producing crisp tapping sounds.

Thoughts raced through those violet eyes, calculations and considerations surging beneath the surface like dark currents.

The value of a Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Master was beyond question.

A Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Master who had wandered outside and been raised by Spirit Hall might perhaps play an unexpected role in dealing with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the future...

This Jiang Bai had decent talent and a clean background. At present, he also seemed to have some connection with the Worship Hall... He was quite an interesting chess piece.

As for his influence on Qian Renxue and his disruption of her plans...

A cold, cruel smile slowly curved Bibi Dong's lips.

"So be it..."

She murmured softly, as though speaking to the air, or perhaps trying to convince herself.

For now, this chess piece of yours... could live a little longer.

Moving against him directly now would cause too much commotion. It could alert the enemy, and might even draw interference from that old bastard Qian Daoliu.

Better to let things continue for now. Perhaps... observe him in secret and see what else was special about this boy that made Qian Renxue regard him so highly.

"Hmph..."

A cold snort escaped her nose.

She casually tossed the finished dossier back onto the table, leaned back slightly in her comfortable high-backed chair, and closed her eyes.

Her long lashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyelids.

Jiang Bai knew nothing of any of this.

At that moment, he was facing trouble that was right at hand.

Inside the dormitory.

The atmosphere was more tense than ever, almost at the point of drawn swords.

The three roommates, who had never been especially close but had maintained a surface-level harmony, now stood at opposite ends of the dormitory.

Yan's face was filled with rage. He pointed at Jiang Bai, his voice sharp with anger.

"Jiang Bai! I'll say this one last time. Your attitude toward Nana today was too much! You have to apologize to her! Otherwise... otherwise, don't blame me for disregarding our roommate bond!"

Jiang Bai crossed his arms over his chest. There was little expression on his face, and his gaze was so calm it was almost indifferent.

He looked at the furious Yan, then glanced at Xie Yue beside him. Though Xie Yue said nothing, his eyes carried the same disapproval and distance. Jiang Bai calmly uttered three words.

"Why should I?"

Xie Yue spoke from the side.

"Jiang Bai, Yan's tone may have been harsh, but he isn't wrong. That lady's identity is special. Getting too close to her is not a wise choice."

"For your own good, and to avoid unnecessary trouble, I suggest that you... keep your distance from her in the future. As for Nana, apologize and ease the tension. It won't do you any harm."

Listening to them, Jiang Bai found it utterly absurd and laughable.

He gave a cold laugh and said,

"Completely unreasonable."

"Jiang Bai!" Yan was utterly enraged by those four words!

He roared and lunged forward in a single stride, grabbing Jiang Bai by the collar of his academy uniform and slamming him against the wall!

"You really think I don't dare hit you?! Don't think I won't make a move just because you're a support Soul Master! I'm telling you, today you'll either apologize, or else..."

His eyes burned with anger, but a sliver of reason remained in his heart. He knew the consequences of using Soul Power to attack a support Soul Master within the academy would be serious.

He glared viciously at Jiang Bai and challenged, "Do you dare fight me?! I won't use my Martial Soul, just my fists! If you lose, you'll obediently apologize to Nana!"

Jiang Bai's eyes instantly turned cold as his collar was seized.

He disliked being coerced like this. He hated even more this self-righteous "for your own good" attitude and the threat of violence.

He raised a hand and slapped away Yan's grip on his collar.

"Fine."

Jiang Bai straightened his wrinkled collar. His tone remained calm, yet it carried an unquestionable challenge.

Perfect. He also wanted to see just how far his current combat ability had reached without using his Martial Soul or soul skills. Yan was undoubtedly a good whetstone.

Yan froze for a moment. He had not expected Jiang Bai to actually accept, much less casually knock his hand away.

But then, rage at being looked down on and the fighting spirit of being challenged surged up within him.

He gave a disdainful smile and rolled his wrists. "Good! You've got guts! You said it yourself! No Martial Souls!"

The two stepped back several paces and took their stances in the narrow dormitory passageway.

Xie Yue frowned tightly and tried to stop them. "Yan! Jiang Bai! Don't act rashly! This is the dormitory!"

But with the arrow already on the string, neither of them could listen.

Yan let out a low shout and attacked first!

He pressed the tip of his left foot hard against the floor, his body shooting toward Jiang Bai like an arrow released from a bow, incredibly fast!

In the blink of an eye, he had reached Jiang Bai and viciously kicked at his chest with his right leg!

A sharp gleam flashed in Jiang Bai's eyes, and his body reacted at once!

Rather than taking the blow head-on, he swiftly stepped to the right, his body gliding lightly aside to evade the fierce kick.

At the same time, his left hand shot out and accurately struck toward Yan's missed ankle, intending to disrupt his balance!

"Huh?!" Yan was startled.

Jiang Bai's reaction speed and evasive movements were nothing like those of a support Soul Master who spent all day meditating!

He instantly withdrew his extended right leg, narrowly avoiding Jiang Bai's incoming palm.

But Yan's assault did not stop!

The instant he retracted his leg, he exerted force through his waist and abdomen and lashed out with his right leg again. This time, his target was Jiang Bai's relatively vulnerable abdomen!

Jiang Bai seemed to have anticipated it. The moment Yan changed his move, he swiftly adjusted his posture.

Facing the second kick aimed at his abdomen, he bent his left arm at the elbow and blocked downward, forcibly catching Yan's kick!

Bang! A dull impact rang out.

Jiang Bai felt his forearm go numb and ache, but he remained firmly planted, not even taking a step back!

At the same time, his right hand shot out like an iron claw, seizing Yan's ankle tightly at the instant his old force had faded and his new force had yet to arise!

Yan felt an enormous force clamp down around his ankle as though it had been bound in steel. No matter how he struggled, it would not budge!

Shock immediately surged through his heart. How was this possible?! How could Jiang Bai be so strong?!

He was already a battle Soul Master who had obtained his first Spirit Ring! His physical abilities had improved greatly under the Spirit Ring's feedback!

And Jiang Bai was a Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Master. Even if he had obtained a Spirit Ring as well, how could a support Soul Master's physical growth compare to that of a battle Soul Master?!

At that moment, Xie Yue finally could not stand by any longer. He hurried forward, trying to separate them.

"Enough! Stop fighting! Both of you, stop! This is the dormitory! If the teachers find out, you'll be punished!"

Jiang Bai snorted coldly. Looking at Yan, whose face was full of shock and uncertainty as he still tried to break free, he released his hand.

Yan staggered back a step and rubbed his slightly numb ankle. His gaze at Jiang Bai was filled with shock and disbelief, and much of his previous anger had been washed away by that shock.

He shook his leg and found it was fine, but the questions in his heart only grew.

Xie Yue stood between them, his expression equally grim.

"Alright, alright," Xie Yue tried to smooth things over, though his tone had already become somewhat dry.

"You're still roommates, after all. You'll see each other every day. Don't really damage your relationship..."

However, the atmosphere had completely changed.

Jiang Bai straightened his clothes, ignored the two of them, and walked directly back to his bed. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and acted as though nothing had happened.

A heavy silence spread through the dormitory, almost tangible.

The already fragile friendship among the three had developed a crack, one that seemed impossible to mend.