Nightmare Awakening, Big Kitty's Crisis of Innocence

Lin Ye's voice was cold and resolute,

Even when facing a level seventy-six Soul Sage, he showed not the slightest hint of retreat.

Zhao Wuji frowned deeply. He glanced at the miserable Dai Mubai, then at Lin Ye, and felt a pounding headache.

Not only was this kid's talent monstrously terrifying, but his temper was this stubborn too.

As Shrek Academy's vice dean, he had always been accustomed to protecting his own. When had he ever suffered such indignity?

But in today's matter, Dai Mubai and the others had indeed been in the wrong first.

"Kid, spare others when you can."

Zhao Wuji said in a deep voice. Seven soul rings slowly pulsed beneath his feet, emanating a heavy pressure.

"Dai Mubai has already been beaten into this state by you, and you've vented your anger. For my sake, Zhao Wuji's sake, let's end this here today. How about it?"

"For your sake?"

Lin Ye gave a cold laugh.

"How much is your pride worth? When he relied on his higher soul power to force my friend to kneel, why did no one come out to speak fairly?"

"Now that you can't win and have lost the bet, you want to hide like cowards? Is Shrek Academy nothing but a garbage heap full of people who dare to act but not own up, who only know how to bully others with their power?"

Every word from Lin Ye cut to the heart, instantly setting off the crowd's outrage.

The outside of the restaurant had long been packed with soul masters and ordinary people watching the spectacle, and they now began to jeer.

"Exactly! You set the rules yourselves, and now you refuse to admit defeat?"

"What Shrek Academy? It looks more like Rogue Academy to me!"

"After all that fighting, turns out they're just pathetic cowards who can't afford to lose!"

Listening to the ridicule around him, Zhao Wuji's face alternated between green and white, his fists clenched until they crackled.

He valued his reputation most of all, but with so many people watching and his side clearly in the wrong, could a dignified Soul Sage truly throw away all shame and bully a Great Soul Master?

Besides, if he forcibly protected these two brats today, Shrek Academy's reputation in Soto City would be completely ruined.

If Flender found out, he would skin him alive.

"Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun!"

Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth and forced out several words through them.

"A bet is a bet! Go apologize!"

"Teacher Zhao!" Ma Hongjun shrieked, clutching his face.

Dai Mubai trembled all over, his eyes bloodshot.

"I..."

"Go!"

Zhao Wuji abruptly turned his head, the pressure of a Soul Sage bearing down on them both.

"You caused this trouble yourselves. Bear it yourselves!"

Dai Mubai lay on the ground in agonizing pain. Hearing Zhao Wuji's words, humiliation bit into his heart like a venomous snake.

He struggled to climb to his feet, his legs still trembling weakly.

"I... I'll kneel..."

Thud!

Dai Mubai's knees slammed heavily into the wood splinters scattered across the floor. Facing Lin Ye and Zhu Zhuqing, he lowered his proud head.

"I... I'm sorry. I... I'm trash..."

Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, his eyes fixed firmly on the ground.

His heart was filled with endless killing intent!

Kid! I, Dai Mubai, swear that today's humiliation will be repaid to you a hundredfold in the future!

Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun was trembling in terror. He too dropped to his knees and repeatedly knocked his head against the ground.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Great aunt, I was wrong!"

Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing immediately let out a cold laugh.

Three years.

She watched the coward who had abandoned her and fled alone now kneeling before her like a dog.

Right now, only one word could describe how she felt.

That word was:

Amazing!

And all of this was because of the upright young man standing before her.

"This matter is settled. We should leave, Big Kitty."

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing then turned to leave, but the moment she took a step, her vision suddenly went black.

Her old injuries, combined with the internal injury from Dai Mubai's kick earlier, flared up at once.

Her body swayed violently, and she uncontrollably fell forward.

"Careful."

Lin Ye stepped forward, wrapping one arm around her waist while supporting the bend of her knees with the other.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Ye swept Zhu Zhuqing into a bridal carry.

"Ah..."

Zhu Zhuqing cried out. Two rosy flushes instantly appeared on her pale cheeks, and she instinctively struggled a little.

"Lin Ye... put me down. There are so many people watching..."

"Don't talk. Rest properly."

Lin Ye lowered his head to look at her, his tone domineering yet carrying a trace of gentleness.

"Your injuries are too severe. I'll take you to find a healing-type soul master right now."

"Rest quickly. Be good."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's lips moved, but she swallowed back everything she wanted to say.

Her body had truly reached its limit. She barely even had the strength to raise her hand.

"Mm, okay..."

Zhu Zhuqing answered softly, then fainted.

Next,

Lin Ye carried Zhu Zhuqing and turned to walk outside.

However, just then,

"Kid, wait!"

Zhao Wuji suddenly spoke from the side, his powerful voice reverberating through the air.

Lin Ye stopped and slightly turned his head, his gaze icy.

"What? Does the Immovable King think he has lost face and want to go back on his word? Are you really going to attack two juniors like us?"

Looking at Lin Ye's utterly fearless back, an extremely complicated glint flashed through Zhao Wuji's eyes.

"Kid, what's your name?"

The corners of Lin Ye's mouth lifted slightly as he spoke two words.

"Lin Ye."

"Lin Ye..."

Zhao Wuji savored the name, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Good! You've got guts! I, Zhao Wuji, will remember you!"

Lin Ye ignored him no longer. Carrying Zhu Zhuqing, he strode out of the shattered restaurant and disappeared into the morning light.

Three mornings later,

Soto City, inside an elegantly decorated mid-range inn.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the carved wooden window, falling in mottled patches over the soft bed.

The girl on the bed had her brows tightly furrowed. Fine cold sweat covered her forehead, and her pale lips trembled slightly, as though she were having a nightmare.

"No... don't!"

In her dream, an enormous dark-gold bear paw, as massive as a mountain and carrying world-destroying pressure, viciously struck at the burly young man standing in front of her.

That was Zhao Wuji's Mighty Vajra Bear!

The young man turned back, that lazy yet reassuring smile still on his lips. But the next moment, he was completely swallowed by the terrifying bear paw.

"Lin Ye... Lin Ye... Lin Ye!"

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly opened her eyes and sprang upright in bed as if shocked by electricity, gasping for breath.

Her chest heaved violently, and her eyes were full of lingering terror.

Only after she saw the unfamiliar surroundings and felt the soft blankets beneath her did she gradually come back to herself.

"What's wrong, Big Kitty? You kept calling my name just now. Did you have a nightmare?"

A familiar voice carrying a hint of teasing suddenly came from beside the bed.

Zhu Zhuqing's entire body stiffened, and she slowly turned her head.

Lin Ye was sitting boldly in the chair beside the bed, holding a cup of steaming tea and looking at her with a half-smile.