Chapter 60

These disciples, dressed in the robes of the Great Yan Academy, were now pale-faced. They had only come to the Wanbao Auction House to purchase some items, but instead found themselves surrounded by a crowd of arrogant young noblemen.

The young man at the front of the group looked toward one striking figure among them, a deep passion burning in his gaze. “Lin Qing’er, after all these years, you should know how I feel about you. Why have you been avoiding me lately?”

His eyes lingered on the girl’s long, smooth legs, gleaming like jade, stirring a fire within him. Since their chance meeting after Lin Qing’er arrived at the Great Yan Academy, he’d been captivated by this young woman from a minor family. Just those legs alone were, to him, unmatched by any other woman he’d seen, and he was determined to pursue her ever since.

Yet Lin Qing’er had remained lukewarm, neither encouraging nor discouraging him. But as the son of a prestigious alchemy family, he had assumed her indifference was simply a test. Recently, however, she’d been ignoring all his advances. By chance, he encountered her here today, leading to the present confrontation.

“Enough, Su He. I don’t have any feelings for you. Move aside!”

Lin Qing’er’s brows knitted with frustration, her voice filled with anger.

At her response, the other young men nearby turned their gazes to Su He, whose face flushed red with embarrassment. His veins bulged in anger. “Lin Qing’er, you ungrateful woman! I pursue you as a favor, yet you dare to brush me off?”

Su He’s expression darkened, realizing she must have merely considered him a backup. But he, Su He, was no ordinary man; he was the heir of the Danwang family, a second-tier alchemist while still young, celebrated wherever he went. And yet this girl from a minor family dared to reject him?

“Your Highness Su, why waste words on her? She’s just a pretty girl from a small family. How dare she refuse you!” laughed a man dressed in an elegant yellow robe, his expression disdainful. When he looked at Su He, his eyes betrayed a hint of flattery.

This young man was Su Yue, the son of the royal family. With a wave, he ordered, “Men, take her to Young Master Su’s residence.”

Armored guards approached, their aura of true energy filling the air as they advanced toward Lin Qing’er.

Seeing these battle-hardened experts closing in, Lin Qing’er’s face went pale. She cried out in a mix of anger and fear, “Su Yue, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing?” Su Yue smirked. Watching the students of the Great Yan Academy struggling to defend her, his eyes turned predatory. “Lin Qing’er, you really think you’re that important? I chose you; that’s what makes you someone. Without my interest, you’re nothing. Do you understand?”

“Do you think you’re still safe because no one’s dared to take advantage of you yet?” he sneered. “Serve me well, and I might still show you and your family some mercy. Otherwise…”

With a chuckle, Su Yue glanced at Lin Qing’er, no longer concealing his intent. Now that he saw her more clearly, she was no different from any other woman he could claim.

“You’re dreaming!” Lin Qing’er’s body shook with anger, her face flushed with tears of indignation, but against these seasoned warriors, she was almost defenseless. If not for her senior sisters holding them off, they would have been defeated long ago.

Su Yue’s ally, the man in yellow, frowned as two of the guards continued struggling to capture Lin Qing’er. He pulled out a needle, infused it with energy, and hurled it forward. The deadly energy from the needle struck two women nearby, sending them sprawling to the ground.

“Chen, Fang!” Lin Qing’er shouted desperately as her companions fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

“Silence!” One of the guards attacked with a burst of energy, sending Lin Qing’er flying back.

“Su Yue! Zhou Cheng! You can’t take her!” one of the wounded girls cried out as she struggled to her feet, watching the guards closing in on Lin Qing’er.

“Oh?” Su Yue sneered. He had already looked into Lin Qing’er’s background; she was from a small, second-rate family, with their strongest member barely at the True Essence level. A family like that wasn’t even worthy of serving his house.

“Lin Qing’er… she…”

Before she could finish, the space in front of Lin Qing’er trembled, and suddenly the two guards were thrown back several meters, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom.

Two figures descended from the sky. The young man in front wore white, his face calm and youthful, perhaps only sixteen or seventeen, his clear eyes holding a coldness as if they had seen endless winters. He seemed like a sword immortal from the heavens, ethereal and untainted by the world. Behind him stood a more ordinary-looking man in a robe, his casual expression concealing an intense stillness, like the depths of a calm lake.

These two were Lin Xuan and Li Qiudao.

The surrounding nobles looked at each other, recognizing the significance of their ability to float in the air. However, both of these newcomers looked far too young for such abilities.

“Lin Xuan!” Lin Qing’er’s expression was complex, with hints of joy, guilt, and love as she looked at the young man who had come to her rescue.

Su Yue saw the affection in her voice and grew icy, jealousy darkening his face. Yet he kept his composure, saying, “Friend, I am of the Danwang family. Let’s be friends. No need to meddle in this.”

Lin Xuan met his gaze, his expression like a god overlooking all, and coldly said, “Scram.”