Fan Yu's actions brought tears to Mu Jin's eyes again. She had been gloating over Zhou Yi's embarrassment, but she had never imagined that the man she had long cherished would go this far for Zhou Yi.
Feng Piaoling didn't get involved in their tangled love triangle. Turning his back on them, he said,
"Then let's wait until Teacher Zhou Yi finds the answer. But next time, I hope I won't hear this kind of reasoning again—shooting the arrow first and then drawing the target around it."
"This kind of forced explanation, baseless conjecture, and theory detached from reality really doesn't interest me."
"As for Soul Tools, I don't have that much time to study them right now. I'll take them as an elective when I have time."
After saying that, he walked away with a bored expression.
After today, he was bound to be targeted by that woman who wore an old hag's face all day long.
Just as well. That was exactly the outcome he wanted. When the time came, he'd only need to find an opportunity to provoke Zhou Yi and get himself expelled to leave Shrek.
"Zhou Yi, this..." Fan Yu clearly hadn't expected Feng Piaoling to refuse so decisively. He couldn't help looking at Zhou Yi with concern.
Zhou Yi said nothing, but her shoulders trembled slightly, revealing that she wasn't as calm as she appeared.
What did he mean by shooting the arrow first and drawing the target afterward?
He wasn't just questioning her. He was also questioning the theory of that great master, Yu Xiaogang, who had nurtured seven deities ten thousand years ago.
Mu Jin's worry turned to delight in an instant. She looked at Zhou Yi with a mocking smile. "Oh, Teacher Zhou Yi, it looks like you lost."
"Hmph. You don't need to remind me. I'll forge a Melee Soul Tool for you." Fan Yu shielded Zhou Yi, who had taken a heavy blow.
Mu Jin's anger flared. "I've changed my mind. I don't want you to forge a Melee Soul Tool for me anymore. I want the Soul Bone Zhou Yi offered earlier."
After what had just happened, she could see that she meant nothing to Fan Yu. She might as well have been a stray dog on the roadside.
When it came to Zhou Yi, Fan Yu, who was usually extremely picky about accepting disciples, could tolerate anything. He'd even accepted Feng Piaoling as a Core Disciple of the Soul Guidance Department just to help Zhou Yi win the wager.
Yet when it came to her, even asking Fan Yu to make a Soul Tool—a simple task for him—had felt like begging for charity.
So she'd changed her mind. She wanted a Soul Bone. She wanted Zhou Yi to go bankrupt over it.
"Fine. I'll give it to you."
Besides inheriting Yu Xiaogang's trash theories, Zhou Yi had also inherited his arrogance and his pitiful self-esteem. Faced with Mu Jin's relentless demands, she agreed, bluffing to save face.
But in her heart, she had already come to hate Feng Piaoling.
Feng Piaoling, today you refused to become my disciple and humiliated me in front of everyone. Sooner or later, I'll nurture a disciple even more outstanding than you.
I'll make you regret what you did today.
"Hmph. I'll be waiting for you to deliver that Soul Bone." Seeing Zhou Yi so furious she looked ready to burst, Mu Jin was happier than she could say.
She gave a cold snort, then turned and left with a hearty laugh.
"Teacher Zhou Yi, what are you planning to do about your student? He did violate the rules of the Soul Fighting Arena."
The referee looked at Zhou Yi.
"Fan Yu and I will take him to Dean Yan Shaozhe. I'll give Dean Yan Shaozhe a detailed report about this matter," Zhou Yi replied.
"I hope this is the last time."
Seeing that Zhou Yi was determined to protect Huo Yuhao, the referee furrowed his brow and stormed off in anger.
"Zhou Yi, why are you going out of your way to protect that boy, Huo Yuhao? He did violate the rules of the Soul Fighting Arena. In a case like his, expulsion would be considered lenient. If you do this, you'll draw the ire of many teachers and students at the academy and make enemies for yourself for no reason."
Fan Yu tried to talk her out of it, sounding helpless.
"Don't concern yourself with this. I'll handle it myself." Zhou Yi continued to take Fan Yu's love for granted, doing whatever she pleased as usual.
Meanwhile, after leaving the Soul Fighting Arena, Feng Piaoling saw Jiang Nannan waiting for him at the entrance.
"Benefactor, I'm sorry you had to suffer this injustice. I never thought Tang Ya would join forces with Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao to plot against you. From now on, she's no longer my friend. I'm cutting all ties with her."
Jiang Nannan's peerlessly beautiful face was full of guilt and indignation. If not for her, her benefactor wouldn't have clashed with Xu Sanshi and then been ambushed through the scheme cooked up by Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya.
Thankfully, her benefactor had been sharp enough to see through it. If someone else had been in his place, they might have been forced to leave the academy after losing the match.
"It's nothing. They're just a bunch of clowns."
Feng Piaoling shook his head and casually took out the Mysterious Water Pill Xu Sanshi had lost to him earlier. "Take this Mysterious Water Pill. You're already a Soul Elder, so it won't raise your Soul Power, but it can cleanse your marrow and expand your meridians. Combined with the Soul Power meditation method I adjusted for you earlier, it should help you improve your Soul Power faster."
Feng Piaoling had reached this decision after careful consideration.
Ever since his parents had been murdered, he'd stopped trusting anyone.
But Jiang Nannan had become an exception.
After observing her over the past two days, and seeing her publicly break with Tang Ya, her former best friend, for his sake, he could be fairly certain she was trustworthy.
Most importantly, in this lovesick world, you could doubt anyone except a lovesick fool.
For the person they loved, lovesick fools would do just about anything.
Based on Jiang Nannan's actions so far, Feng Piaoling was nearly certain that she was a lovesick fool who liked him.
Since she was someone he could trust, he didn't need to worry about her becoming his enemy in the future.
He could even help her grow a little.
Of course, he wouldn't take advantage of someone who treated him sincerely.
When the time was right, he could leave Shrek and take her and her mother with him. Then he'd find somewhere to settle them.
That way, they could stay far away from Shrek, the battleground of the future.
As for romance, he'd wait until he'd accomplished his goal and knew he'd survive.
"This... This is too precious." Jiang Nannan instinctively tried to refuse.
Feng Piaoling didn't give her the chance. He firmly pressed it into her hand. "Take it. It was free anyway, and I have no use for it."
Only then did Jiang Nannan accept the Mysterious Water Pill. She cradled it in her palm, warmth spreading through her heart as happiness showed on her face.
"When you take the Mysterious Water Pill, it'll release a lot of filth while cleansing your marrow. When you get back, prepare plenty of bathwater before you refine it."
After giving her a few more instructions, Feng Piaoling fell silent.
The two walked side by side toward the dormitory building. Jiang Nannan's gaze never left Feng Piaoling's handsome face, so close beside her.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were dreamy.
Several times, she wanted to take Feng Piaoling's hand, but she was afraid he'd reject her and drive a wedge between them, so she didn't dare.
By the time she finally worked up the courage to reach for his hand, they had already arrived at the dormitory building.
Feng Piaoling suddenly turned to look at her. She jumped, her heart pounding like a startled deer's, as if it were about to leap right out of her chest.
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