Li Nian’er, faced with so many golden beams of light, felt an unprecedented sense of pressure.

In the depths of the Secret Realm, she had faced high-level Martial Emperor Realm Spirit Beasts before, but they were in a different league entirely compared to Wang Tong. After all, one couldn’t become the vice headmaster of an academy within the Central Celestial Academy without possessing considerable skill.

Even from a great distance, Ye Qingchen and Zi Xing could feel the power of Wang Tong’s attack. The very ground began to collapse in large chunks under his oppressive force, as if it were the end of the world.

"What should we do, Junior Brother Ye? Can Senior Sister Li withstand this attack?" Zi Xing asked, clenching Ye Qingchen’s arm tightly, her face filled with worry.

Ye Qingchen patted the back of her hand, intending to comfort her, but he noticed her hand was trembling uncontrollably. He sighed and said nothing.

I don’t know the full extent of Senior Sister Li Nian’er’s strength. But she’s facing the much more powerful Wang Tong. Even if she uses some hidden trump card and manages to block this attack with all her might, what about the next one? Wang Tong has gone completely mad and is acting recklessly. Even if this move doesn’t kill her, he definitely won’t let this go.

However, to Ye Qingchen and Zi Xing’s surprise, the dozens of terrifying golden beams, which had been so menacing, suddenly vanished into thin air the moment they reached Li Nian’er.

"What happened?" Zi Xing was relieved to see the dreadful attack disappear, but she was also bewildered.

Ye Qingchen, on the other hand, relaxed completely, because he saw Elder Yang’s figure appear next to Li Nian’er.

Li Nian’er naturally saw Elder Yang as well. She showed no respect, instead pouting and complaining, "Old man, if you’d shown up a moment later, I would’ve been bullied to death by those people from Duanjin Academy!"

Elder Yang’s withered old face couldn’t help but twitch.

In truth, Elder Yang had been watching the entire battle from nearby. He had seen it all: Ye Qingchen’s initial predicament and his clever escape, Wang Meng’s arrival and complete domination of Ye Qingchen, and then Li Nian’er’s decisive intervention to save Ye Qingchen before beating Wang Meng to a pulp.

Elder Yang was very satisfied with Ye Qingchen’s performance.

To remain calm in a crisis and devise a suitable solution... that kind of mental fortitude is top-tier among my many disciples. It’s just a shame his strength is still too lacking. Against the powerful Wang Meng, all his skills and schemes were rendered useless.

As for Li Nian’er, Elder Yang hadn’t seen his favorite female disciple for a long time. He was curious to see how much she had grown after years of training. When Li Nian’er, at the Fifth Layer of the Martial Emperor Realm, managed to withstand an attack from Wang Tong, a cultivator at the Ninth Level of the Martial Emperor Realm, Elder Yang had nodded in silent approval. However, he could see that Li Nian’er hadn’t yet reached her full potential. That was why he hadn’t appeared immediately, wanting to use Wang Tong to push her and see how much of her true strength he could draw out.

But I never expected Wang Tong to be so shameless! Not only is he a senior bullying a junior, but he went straight for a killing blow!

Feeling the terrifying power of Wang Tong’s attack, Elder Yang didn’t dare to watch any longer. It wasn’t just a question of whether Li Nian’er could block it; even if she could, she would pay a heavy price. If I show up after she’s already hurt, who knows how long she’ll hold it against me?

Thus, Elder Yang had teleported directly to Li Nian’er’s side and, with a wave of his hand, effortlessly dissipated Wang Tong’s world-destroying strike.

Upon seeing Elder Yang, Wang Tong’s face stiffened. He slowly regained his senses and retracted his Martial Soul.

Elder Yang knew Li Nian’er was sharp-tongued and that he wouldn’t get the better of her in an argument. So, when she complained, he pretended to ignore it, instead redirecting his own simmering anger toward Wang Tong.

SLAP!

A crisp slapping sound echoed. Wang Tong, who had been so imperious just a moment ago, was sent flying and landed hard next to Wang Meng. Wang Meng quickly helped him up, but by now, half of Wang Tong’s face was completely swollen. Still, compared to Wang Meng, whose head was already swollen up like a pig’s, Wang Tong was in much better shape.

Zi Xing couldn’t help but gasp. She looked at Ye Qingchen with a peculiar expression and whispered, "Does your Shenmu Academy have some kind of tradition for slapping people?"

Ye Qingchen shook his head with a smile. My master and senior sister are just too fierce. First they beat the junior, now they’ve beaten the senior. Duanjin Academy has lost all face today. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Zi Xing wasn’t shocked by Elder Yang’s strength because she had personally witnessed him suppress Vice Headmaster Liu, a high-level Martial Emperor, with his aura alone, forcing the man to kneel before Ye Qingchen. Compared to that incident, Elder Yang at least bothered to lift a hand this time, which could be considered giving Wang Tong a great deal of face.

This scene, however, left the disciples of Duanjin Academy utterly astonished. Wang Tong, a god-like figure in their eyes, was now being toyed with and humiliated like a child. Who on earth was this scruffy old man who had suddenly appeared, and what level of power did he possess?

Wang Tong was somewhat fearful of Elder Yang, but he had never imagined the man would be even stronger than he thought. He especially hadn’t expected that Elder Yang, the Headmaster of an academy, would actually strike him in front of students. In any case, his dignity was completely shattered today. Propped up by Wang Meng and Wang Teng, he pointed at Elder Yang and demanded, "Headmaster Yang, are you really going to make an enemy of our Duanjin Academy for a mere junior?"

Elder Yang completely ignored him, turning instead to Li Nian’er with a fawning smile. "Nian’er, how was that slap from your master? Did that count as getting even for you?"

Li Nian’er pouted, tears welling in her eyes. "What do you mean? He hit me so hard I coughed up blood, and you think one little slap makes us even? Old man, is that all I’m worth to you?"

Elder Yang sighed, looking at her with a bitter smile. "Alright, my good lady, you call the shots. Tell me how you want to deal with him, and I’ll get justice for you!"

The tears in Li Nian’er’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a mischievous grin. She shot a malicious glare at Wang Tong, then turned to Elder Yang. "Old man, so whatever I say, you’ll do?"

Elder Yang nodded, but a bad feeling inexplicably rose in his heart.

That little minx, she must be plotting something wicked!

Li Nian’er pouted, her doll-like face puffing up with indignation as she pointed a finger at Wang Tong. "He tried to kill me with that last move! I want his life for it!"