C9 Lin Zhilan

No man could resist such an enchanting sight, yet Ye Tian merely gazed at Lin Zhilan with detachment, his eyes devoid of longing.

"Oh, just pondering some things."

Of course, Ye Tian's thoughts were on the Burning Heaven Spirit Gathering Array, but he couldn't share that. To speak of it would be to risk being labeled a lunatic.

"Ye Tian, our families have been friends for generations. What could you possibly be thinking that I wouldn't understand?"

Lin Zhilan stood before Ye Tian, arms crossed, her chest accentuated, her beauty intensified.

"I know you still hold out hope for me, but I have to be clear: there's no chance for us. Neither the Lin family nor your Ye family will bet on you anymore."

Lin Zhilan sighed, her words a gentle warning.

She knew Ye Tian's mind wandered the moment he laid eyes on her, likely still fixated on their once-possible marriage. Better to be forthright and extinguish any lingering hopes.

Lin Zhilan was a standout in cultivation talent among her peers, while Ye Tian, with his blocked meridians, had none to speak of.

The Lin family had broken off the engagement because of Ye Tian's lackluster potential. He wouldn't even be able to defend himself in the future, much less be of any assistance to Lin Zhilan.

Moreover, since Lin Chengfeng's severe injury, which had drastically weakened him, the Lin family's last vestige of hope for the Ye family had crumbled, and they certainly wouldn't reconsider the previous marriage arrangement.

"Heh, you're overthinking it. That's all in the past. I've moved on from those thoughts..."

Ye Tian chuckled lightly. With the perspective of nearly ten thousand years from his past life, such matters were trivial.

Once he resolved the issue with the Burning Heaven Spirit Gathering Array, the scorn of the past would lose all significance.

"You're so stubborn..."

Lin Zhilan shook her head in resignation, her every smile and frown exuding allure.

If she were to speak this way to any other student, who knows how besotted he would become, willing to do anything for Lin Zhilan.

Today, Ye Tian was the picture of composure, maintaining a single step's distance from Lin Zhilan without sparing her an extra glance.

As Ye Tian and Lin Zhilan conversed, a student from Class Two watched Ye Tian with a dark scowl. This was Gu Kun, the class monitor and one of Lin Zhilan's admirers. As the class leader and a standout among his peers, he boasted a formidable strength at the Qi Profound Stage Level Nine, making him a unique presence in the academy.

Gu Kun was aware of the past issues between Lin Zhilan and Ye Tian, yet he had no grounds to pick a fight with Ye Tian. However, seeing Lin Zhilan and Ye Tian engaged in a lengthy conversation irked him. With a frown, he strode over with his muscular frame.

"Cough, cough... How's it going, Zhilan and Ye Tian? It's been a while. Ye Tian, how much has your strength improved?" Gu Kun asked, his face twisted into a sneer that he made no effort to conceal.

He was a prodigy in his age group and felt no need to show courtesy to someone he considered weak like Ye Tian, especially since no one would intervene.

Ye Tian raised an eyebrow at Gu Kun. It seemed just about anyone thought they could interrupt him now. "My strength hasn't progressed much, but that's hardly any of your concern, is it?" he replied coolly, unwilling to engage in further conversation with Gu Kun.

"You little punk!" Gu Kun was taken aback by Ye Tian's unexpected calmness. Previously, a taunt would have sent Ye Tian into a panic, but now he was unnervingly serene, which only fueled Gu Kun's rage.

As he was about to lash out, Gu Kun caught Ye Tian's icy stare. His hand, poised to strike, froze in place. A sudden, unexplainable tension halted him, and he dared not proceed.

"What's happening? Why do I feel a hint of fear facing this nobody? Something's off!" Gu Kun thought, bewildered.

The atmosphere turned awkward until Du Chun, the class monitor from Class Three, stepped in with a grin. "Senior Brother Gu, why lose your temper over someone so insignificant? It's beneath you to get worked up over such trivial matters!"

Du Chun was well aware that Gu Kun was not someone to be taken lightly. At the moment, he was doing his utmost to ingratiate himself, hoping to align with this peerless prodigy.

When someone stepped in to defuse the situation, Gu Kun relaxed his stance, letting out a disdainful snort as he dismissed Ye Tian with a wave of his hand.

"Everyone get ready," Gu Kun commanded with an air of authority. "We're about to begin sparring, and as your senior with ample experience, I intend to school you properly!"

His gaze swept over the students of Class Three, a profound smile playing on his lips, sending a ripple of tension through the ranks.

Gu Kun's words may have sounded pleasant, but his true intent was clear—he was out to give Class Three a harsh lesson!

The majority of Class Three held Ye Tian responsible. If it weren't for the drama between him and Lin Zhilan, the belle of Class Two, would they even be in this predicament?

But no amount of complaining could change the situation at hand. The students of Class Three had no choice but to heed Gu Kun's words and step into the center of the martial arts field for their trial by combat.

"Ye Tian, you little fool, don't push me," Gu Kun warned, leaning in with a menacing tone. He flipped his hand, and a faint breeze sprung from his palm, playfully tossing a lock of Ye Tian's hair.

"Ye Tian, are you okay?" Murong Xue rushed to his side, having witnessed the entire exchange.

Ye Tian remained composed, shaking his head. He could tell that Gu Kun had fixed his sights on him—this kid was definitely looking for trouble.

"Ye Tian! This is all on you," Du Chun hissed, approaching Ye Tian with a scowl just before taking the stage. "If we suffer because you've provoked Gu Kun, you're going to regret it." He had already surmised that Gu Kun was about to unleash his fury on them during the sparring session.