C88 Snatch Someone!

Teacher Sun's gaze had turned sinister.

He fixed Chu Yi with a glare, silent but intense, as though he were ready to devour him whole.

Chu Yi was certain that if it were possible, Teacher Sun wouldn't hesitate to strike him down on the spot.

"Teacher Sun, please refrain from using righteousness to coerce others. It only serves to diminish our respect for you," Chu Yi said sharply, his words cutting deep into Teacher Sun's pride.

After an enduring silence, Teacher Sun finally lifted his gaze to Lee Zi. "If you agree to return with me, you'll remain a student at Adirang Academy."

"Furthermore, I assure you that you'll receive the same privileges as our specially-recruited students," he added.

This was Teacher Sun's final offer, and it was a generous one, considering the high standards of Adirang Academy.

Yet, it still fell short of what Lee Zi had previously enjoyed as a natural-born Awakened Practitioner.

Chu Yi scoffed, unimpressed by the offer.

"And if we refuse?"

Chu Yi had effectively become Lee Zi's spokesperson, a role he took on willingly, as Lee Zi was reluctant to speak on the matter.

Regardless, Adirang Academy had indeed played a significant role in her development.

Teacher Sun seemed to recognize this; his demeanor remained frosty as he regarded Chu Yi, but he now seemed to acknowledge Chu Yi's importance.

Teacher Sun understood that Chu Yi was the breakthrough he needed to convince Lee Zi.

So, to take Lee Zi back, he needed to win over Chu Yi.

"Your name is Chu Yi, correct?" Teacher Sun inquired, a hint of respect creeping into his voice.

Chu Yi responded with an amused smile.

"Chu Yi, if you can convince Lee Zi to return with me, then I can promise you—" Teacher Sun began, his eyes earnest, "that you too can join Adirang Academy and enjoy the same privileges as Lee Zi."

At his words, a hush fell over the crowd.

Zhen Ye's gaze flickered briefly before settling back into a look of mild amusement.

To be a student at Adirang Academy, especially a specially-recruited one, was no small feat.

The mere name of Adirang Academy carried an immeasurable value, setting aside the resources one could enjoy in the future. Graduating from Adirang Academy would ensure that Chu Yi received a caliber of treatment vastly different from that of graduates from other institutions.

Lee Guoqiang was visibly anxious.

To become a student at Adirang Academy, many would be willing to sacrifice their entire fortune!

"Chu Yi, don't agree to their terms!"

Chu Yi cast a glance at Lee Guoqiang, while a slight arc formed at the corner of Teacher Sun's mouth.

"Is this all?"

The smile on Teacher Sun's face instantly stiffened. His offer was the extent of his influence; after all, within Adirang Academy, he was merely a mid-level authority figure with limited power, incapable of making any and all promises.

"Chu Yi, I believe you're not fully aware of what 'Adirang Academy' represents. I can give you some time to look into it."

The opportunity to become a student at Adirang Academy was a dream many aspired to achieve!

Teacher Sun couldn't fathom Chu Yi being unmoved; it must be due to a lack of understanding of the significance behind 'Adirang Academy.'

"Hehe."

Chu Yi refrained from elaborating.

Yet, his utterance of "Hehe" caused the complexions of the Adirang Academy teachers to flush with indignation.

Was he mocking them? Mocking Adirang Academy?

Had the circumstances been different, they would have been tempted to reprimand Chu Yi then and there.

Teacher Sun realized that the situation might not be as straightforward as he had assumed.

"Chu Yi, you should understand the principle of quitting while you're ahead. What I've offered is the absolute best I can do, so don't hold out for more."

Chu Yi offered a faint smile, which, to the teachers, seemed even more derisive than outright scorn.

"I'm sorry, but we're not cut from the same cloth."

"In my eyes, Lee Zi is beyond value..."

Lee Zi remained silent. Though she trusted that Chu Yi wouldn't betray her for such offers, his firm response still sent a surge of warmth through her heart.

"Chu Yi!"

In that moment, Teacher Sun's presence radiated with intensity.

Chu Yi regarded such displays of aura as inconsequential. Thanks to his primordial spirit, he was hardly intimidated by these so-called oppressive auras.

Still, to keep up appearances, Chu Yi feigned discomfort in response to the other's performance.

"Bastard, do you really think I, Lee Guoqiang, am a pushover?" The same imposing aura emanated from Lee Guoqiang, the principal.

They stood their ground, yet Lee Guoqiang's presence seemed slightly more dominant. Chu Yi, however, sensed a waning vigor within Lee Guoqiang's aura, as if he couldn't fully harness it.

"Lee Guoqiang, are you truly intent on opposing our Adirang Academy?!" Sun Wei was beside himself with rage.

Lee Guoqiang remained unmoved, steadfast as ever.

Witnessing this, Sun Wei inhaled deeply before addressing Chu Yi, "I'm giving you one final opportunity!"

"Make the right choice, or you'll regret it for the rest of your life!" His voice was laced with barely contained fury.

Chu Yi was somewhat perplexed by Sun Wei's bizarre demeanor. Was it really worth such a great sacrifice just to take Lee Zi back? He couldn't fathom it.

Yet, Chu Yi was certain of one thing: Sun Wei's actions were purposeful, and they weren't aimed at aiding Lee Zi's recovery.

"Well, well, it seems you've resorted to threats now..." Chu Yi observed the opposition with a grin, though he remained vigilant.

Sun Wei was the quintessential villain, and such characters often resort to deceitful tactics. Chu Yi wasn't concerned about a direct confrontation, but a sneak attack was a different story...

He wasn't just worried for himself; he and Lee Zi had families to consider. These adversaries wouldn't bother with martial honor. They'd stoop to any low to achieve their ends, so Chu Yi had to be prepared.

In that moment, Chu Yi contemplated striking first. After all, Sun Wei was merely a Gold General. If Chu Yi so desired, he could easily eliminate him.

Sun Wei was casting a chilling gaze at Chu Yi when he suddenly caught a fleeting glimpse of murderous intent in Chu Yi's eyes, which left him momentarily taken aback.

But Sun Wei quickly shook off the feeling, convincing himself he had been mistaken.

Could such an insignificant creature actually harbor thoughts of killing him?

No, he definitely must have been mistaken.

"We're not making threats. We're merely stating a fact," Sun Wei stated evenly.

"It appears that Adirang Academy isn't all that virtuous. I suspect sending Lee Zi back wasn't solely for the so-called treatment."

Sun Wei shifted his gaze but refrained from elaborating.

He would never utter a promise. Doing so could easily arm others against him, especially at times like these.

The atmosphere tensed up for a moment, with many eyes turning to Chu Yi.

They knew that if they were in his shoes, they would be utterly incapable of rejecting such a request. Even if Sun Wei didn't officially represent Adirang Academy, his status as an instructor there was still immensely prestigious.

Chu Yi's smile remained radiant, while Lee Zi quietly bowed her head, and the rest waited in anticipation.

"Lee Zi, if you come back with us now, I can assure you that I'll treat you as well as I always have," Zhen Ye finally said, his tone markedly different from before.

Previously, Zhen Ye had been affectionate and warm towards Lee Zi, a veritable lapdog.

But now...

Indeed...

While Lee Zi was undeniably beautiful and poised, and would surely grow into an even more stunning woman, for a scion of a prominent family like Zhen Ye, looks weren't everything.

Lee Zi had once been the complete package—beauty and brains—and her status as a naturally Awakened individual had made her highly sought after.

Her beauty alone had once been enough to drive the scions of great families to madness.

But now...

Lee Zi had lost the luster that once surrounded her.

Zhen Ye was a pragmatist at heart. Now, marrying Lee Zi would be solely for her beauty, as she no longer brought any significant advantage to his future.

She had become an exquisite taste that had lost its flavor, too precious to discard yet no longer satisfying.

Thus, Zhen Ye was no longer the fawning admirer he once was.

Lee Zi looked up at Zhen Ye, her expression a complex tapestry of emotions.

Zhen Ye had once performed so convincingly in front of Lee Zi that she couldn't discern which version of him was genuine. However, Lee Zi's current feelings toward Zhen Ye were predominantly annoyance. She wouldn't have misunderstood Chu Yi if it hadn't been for Zhen Ye's interference. Detecting the disdain in Lee Zi's eyes, a distorted gleam flickered in Zhen Ye's own.

He had played the fool for far too long, and now, even though Lee Zi was no longer untouchable, the way she looked at him was still filled with contempt. "Think about it yourself!" Zhen Ye struggled to maintain his composure.

"Alright, stop thinking about it. I wouldn't have agreed to let Lee Zi go back just to recover," he said. "But now... now that you've shown your true colors, it's completely out of the question."

Sun Wei inhaled deeply, realizing that persuasion was futile. He glanced at the nearby instructors, who, upon meeting his gaze, hesitated only briefly before their resolve solidified. Lee Guoqiang began to feel anxious, sensing that the opposition was gearing up for a confrontation.

Chu Yi narrowed his eyes. He was prepared to risk exposure for Lee Zi's sake. The determination in their adversaries' demeanor suggested they were hell-bent on taking Lee Zi. If she were taken, reclaiming her would be a significant challenge. Chu Yi lacked the confidence to storm Adirang Academy—one of the top three academies—to retrieve someone. It was imperative that Lee Zi not be taken away.

"Attack!" Sun Wei commanded, and in that instant, the instructors sprang into action.

"You dare?!" Lee Guoqiang exploded with rage, his presence erupting with force. But before he could act, Sun Wei positioned himself in the way. Sun Wei was aware he was no match for Lee Guoqiang, yet he knew he could stall him momentarily. The others, however, stood no chance against the instructors who had achieved Perfection in Silver. A smug satisfaction glinted in Sun Wei's eyes...

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