Chapter 119: When Was It Ever Normal?

Yun Qingni seemed utterly fearless, boldly addressing Shen Qingyun, “Let me go at once. By the time Master Shen arrives, it’ll be too late for you to do anything!”

In response, Shen Qingyun merely cast her a cold, indifferent glance before turning his gaze aside. Yet, the Master Shen they mentioned did not appear. Instead, numerous figures swept in like startled swans, swiftly surrounding Shen Qingyun and his group until the crowd was so dense that not even water could seep through.

Among these students of the Purple Cloud Academy, there was a flicker of curiosity in their eyes when they looked at Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun. It was clear that anyone who trespassed into Purple Cloud Academy without permission would suffer a harsh fate. Yet, the audacity of these two to dare break in piqued their interest.

“The little one is quite spirited—still holding my student hostage after all this time,” came a hearty voice from behind. The surrounding students parted willingly, creating a path for a tall, slender figure to step forward, clad in a striking long robe of dark gold.

“Little one, release my student. If you do, you might spare yourself some suffering later,” Shen Yi smiled as he looked at Shen Qingyun.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill her?” Shen Qingyun’s eyes narrowed as he regarded Shen Yi. Truly, Purple Cloud Academy’s instructors were formidable—this one rivaled even the Grand Elders of the Azure Cloud Sect.

Unperturbed, Shen Yi’s smile remained constant as he said, “Though my Fifth Palace is weak, we have not fallen so low as to be trampled upon by outsiders. Before you make a move, I will be faster than you.”

Shen Yi’s words brought a flush of shame to many faces. The Purple Cloud Academy was divided into five palaces, ranked by number. But starting with this generation, the Fifth Palace had begun to decline. In terms of student quality, the Fifth Palace now lagged behind, and if this continued through the year-end evaluations, it might lose its position altogether.

Yet, as Shen Yi asserted, no matter how weak the Fifth Palace, it was not a faction outsiders could bully at will! Bearing the name Purple Cloud, any humiliation must be avenged—because the academy could not tolerate blemishes on its reputation.

“Release her now…”

After Shen Yi finished speaking, the assembled Purple Cloud students echoed in unison. None of them belonged to the Fifth Palace, but if outsiders were allowed to trample in unchecked, it would be a disgrace to their entire academy.

Moreover, as students of Purple Cloud Academy, they were among the most gifted talents in the Southern Continent. They looked down upon others with natural pride.

Amid this tension, Shen Qingyun remained calm, his expression betraying no emotion. Feng Chuxun stepped forward, blocking Shen Qingyun with the Scarlet Snow sword held crossed in front of his chest, a clear message.

Startled by Feng Chuxun’s sudden move, Shen Qingyun asked, “What are you doing?”

“Protecting you,” Feng Chuxun replied coolly. He feared that Shen Qingyun would be overwhelmed by the crowd, and standing in front might offer some defense.

The words ought to have been touching, yet Shen Qingyun felt the sentiment was hollow.

“I don’t need your protection,” Shen Qingyun said with a faint smile.

“Oh?” Feng Chuxun quietly sheathed Scarlet Snow and stepped aside without hesitation or delay.

Shen Qingyun was left speechless.

Cold-hearted.

A trace of mockery curled at Shen Yi’s lips as he smiled and said, “Your friend has already given up. Will you continue to resist?”

To him, Feng Chuxun’s withdrawal was tantamount to surrender.

He stepped forward, fixing Shen Qingyun with a steady gaze. “I’ll give you one last chance—release my student.” Each step he took exuded an invisible pressure that pressed down on Shen Qingyun.

Clearly, Shen Yi had no intention of striking outright. Shen Qingyun’s cultivation could not hide from his discerning eyes. Even if Shen Qingyun possessed some special means to threaten a Lingxiang realm cultivator, it was insignificant before Shen Yi.

Winning without fighting was the highest strategy.

Shen Yi was a man of leisure; if he could avoid violence, he would use words instead.

Shen Qingyun felt the invisible pressure tighten around him, restraining his movements. Under normal circumstances, evading it would be impossible. His only option was to release Yun Qingni.

Yet, when had Shen Qingyun ever been ordinary?