Tatake’s limbs were crippled.

He mastered the secret of [Arcane Magic], and if he wished, he could complete the reconstruction of his limbs in a few breaths, with the strength of the newly restored limbs dropping at most by two ranks, which overall, would still be far superior to that of ordinary people.

But he dared not do so.

Because the one who crippled his limbs was Ye Fengqing.

Without the other’s permission, he absolutely could not allow himself to heal as before.

Bulbous masses of yellow light branched out from Tatake’s limbs, forming shapes resembling limbs, barely supporting him in his approach to Ye Fengqing, where he knelt on one knee.

The substitutes for limbs constructed from this arcane brilliance seemed somewhat rough and shoddy, obviously only capable of performing the simplest, most basic activities, unable even to accomplish the precise daily movements that a normal person could.

Tatake could easily create more advanced prosthetics, and even regenerate flesh and grow limbs that completely matched his body.

But at this very moment, he didn’t entertain that thought at all.

He just knelt in front of Ye Fengqing, shivering, appearing entirely like a stray dog wagging its tail and pleading to a human.

All the members of the academic society present remained silent, their emotions extremely complex.

Despite Tatake’s current disgraced appearance, and even his character being dismissed in just a few words by Su Qiangwei, everyone knew well that, purely in terms of strength, probably only Ma Ran and Ye Fengqing could undoubtedly defeat this guy, and even Su Qiangwei would have to fight to see who might actually emerge stronger.

However, such a strong individual, upon encountering Ye Fengqing, seemed like a mouse seeing a cat, nearly frightened out of his wits, with no trace of his former aristocratic grace, unable even to retain his personality and dignity, directly kneeling on the ground, just short of bowing his head fervently in place.

"Really interesting."

Though she spoke thus, a hint of disdain appeared on Su Qiangwei’s face as she whispered into Ma Ran’s ear: "This guy just arrived saying he was forced here by Granny Ye."

"Listening to his tone back then, one wouldn’t have thought he had much respect for Granny Ye, initially assuming he was tough, strong enough to prick in front of Granny Ye."

"Now after seeing the real person..."

"And this is the result?"

"Too disappointing!"

Ma Ran glanced at Su Qiangwei with a blank expression, just slightly nodding in response.

As for Su Qiangwei...

Classically enjoying the spectacle without caring about the trouble, finding joy and delight in seeing others fight, now finding it uninteresting that Tatake conceded and directly knelt in front of Ye Fengqing.

Had Su Qiangwei displayed anything other than this, Ma Ran would have suspected if she had been possessed by someone.

With Su Qiangwei leading the way, the others at the scene began whispering among themselves.

"Is this person called Tatake? Wasn’t he just arrogant and brazen? How come he turned docile now?"

"Foreigners are like this, bullying the weak and fearing the strong."

"Fortunately, Brother Ran invited this Lord of the Red Lotus, or else this fellow would have put on quite a show! Acting all tough in foreign battles, but nowhere to be found when truly needed. I just can’t stand such people!"

"Well said!"

In the crowd, the [Light Speed Gentleman] William’s face flushed as he heard this, feeling rather awkward.

After all, he was the "soft" part being bullied in the "bullying the weak and fearing the strong."

At this moment, Tatake, at the bottom of the disdain chain, completely ignored the crowd’s discussions, keeping his head down, obediently kneeling in front of Ye Fengqing, hurriedly explaining: "Lord Honglian, I never intended to defy you, I foolishly thought you had deeper meanings in sending us here, so that’s why I acted in such a misleading way."

"To earn your forgiveness, I’m willing to face more punishment!"

No matter how others view Tatake as a shameless character, at least his words linked his previous actions with his current reactions, providing a seemingly reasonable explanation.

Sly Tatake, eager to flatter Ye Fengqing, mistakenly thinking he could fathom his intentions, unwittingly stumbled upon pitfall.

Now labeled as "flattering sycophant" and "contemptible villain" in people’s eyes, Tatake at this point had no interest in what others thought, all his focus was on appeasing the [Lord of the Red Lotus].

These weaklings...

If not for Ma Ran and others protecting them, he alone could kill them all, why should he care about their opinions?

Hearing the discussions and feeling the disdainful gazes, Tatake didn’t feel embarrassed at all.

When in Guangyu Academy, the [Lord of the Red Lotus] clearly wore a false amiable mask, making these people think she was easy-going, but actually...

Despite having limited interactions with this woman, Tatake and his six fellow brothers in adversity had reached a consensus — the Lord of the Red Lotus, Ye Fengqing, is a monstrous terror to the ultimate degree, an embodiment of cruel wickedness, whoever defies her would face dual punishment on both soul and body!

As for the specifics of the punishment...

Tatake suddenly shivered, feeling a chill rush up his tailbone to the crown of his head, breaking out in cold sweat, his pupils slightly dilating, his mind momentarily blank.

This was the consequence after he had already endured a [Red Lotus Punishment], requesting his good brother Arnold to use magic to erase his own memory.

He had no regrets.

Because most of the other unlucky fellows in the same situation chose the same "healing method."

Although he lost that crucial segment of memory, Tatake still vaguely remembered his own evaluation of that blank memory.

"Never ever attempt to retrieve these memories! If I do, I will completely go insane! I will die horribly! Even my soul will be extinguished! No one in the entire cosmos could save me!"

Whenever curiosity got the better of Tatake, attempting to use arcane means to trace back to that memory, his own voice would erupt in his ears as if amplified a hundred times, wildly roiling in fury.

It was as if someone was yelling into a megaphone inside his brain, infinitely looping.

More ridiculously...

Three inscriptions were embedded into the voice: "Vibration", "Pain", and "Slicing Spirit".

The power of these inscriptions complemented each other, supported by his life force and arcane energy, solidified in his true spirit for eternity.

If Tatake stubbornly insisted on retrieving that punished memory...

The power of the three major inscriptions would instantly erupt with all might, scattering his soul completely.

And all of these were precisely the "memory trap" set up by Tatake himself.