Chapter 189: A forced melon is not sweet

The onlookers were all somewhat shocked. They never expected that at this critical moment, Luo Leilei could break through the Xian Tian Zhi Gu and step into the Zong Shi realm.

Such a cultivation level was rare, even among the thirty-three elite students of the established inner academy.

What's more, she had only recently earned that title.

Mo Mo watched as Luo Leilei's cultivation continued to surge and shook her head. "No, it's not a breakthrough. It's a seal."

She was somewhat surprised. Whoever had placed the seal on Luo Leilei must have been highly skilled, as it had managed to evade detection by the academy's leaders.

Xu Xiaoshou was completely stunned. So, this girl had been suppressing her true power all along?

Back at Tian Xuan Gate, if she had unleashed it during their fight, he probably wouldn't have even glimpsed the Gray Mist People.

Wait, no...

If she had dared to unseal herself at Tian Xuan Gate without the means of the Gray Mist People, the small world's heavenly rules would likely have obliterated her.

The situation in the arena grew subtly tense due to Luo Leilei's sudden outburst.

Four Zong Shi enforcers took to the air—this was the remaining combat force besides Zhao Xidong.

The others stayed calm and formed a formation. Even if one person couldn't withstand a Zong Shi's power, sticking together could reduce the danger somewhat.

A sense of psychological disparity arose in everyone's minds. Everything had seemed perfectly under control just moments ago, but now it felt like things were slipping away.

Yet, glancing at the three thrones on the steps, their worries eased.

With the academy leaders there, what could Luo Leilei do, even as a Zong Shi? She wouldn't make any real waves!

"Sheng Nu?"

Ye Xiaotian spoke up.

He could have acted directly to suppress her, but as Luo Leilei had said earlier, Jiang Bianyan was right there, and he needed to save face.

Luo Leilei gave no reply.

With the "Lei Shen Zhi Qu" activated, her entire body was enveloped in swirling purple lightning, and majestic "Zi Guang Lei Yi" sprouted from her back, as she glared defiantly at the four surrounding Zong Shi.

The four of them also unleashed their cultivation. This girl was clearly no ordinary Zong Shi, but they weren't pushovers either.

The air grew thick with tension.

The legless spirit bird on the old locust tree plummeted straight down, not even struggling, stiff as a board, much like Zhao Xidong.

The scene was locked in a standoff, on the verge of exploding.

Jiang Bianyan sent a mental message at the right time: "Ye Gongzhu, you don't need to worry about me. 'Sheng Nu' must be eliminated by anyone who encounters them. I came here precisely because of them. If I end up under their control, I'd be playing right into their hands."

Ye Xiaotian nodded upon hearing this. Even without her words, he wouldn't have let Luo Leilei run wild.

From the incident with Cheng Xingchu, it was clear that while Ye Xiaotian usually kept quiet, he was always one to bully the weak with his strength.

"If you don't speak, I'll take it as your admission."

Regardless of whether she was a "Sheng Nu," her attempt to stealthily seize the sword sheath at Tian Xuan Gate was unforgivable, even if she hadn't succeeded.

Ye Xiaotian raised his hand, and the space around them hummed.

A vast, mighty force seemed to permeate the void, silencing the heavens and earth.

"Xu Kong Jin Gu?"

Luo Leilei panicked inwardly. Even with her speed of lightning, she was helpless against this level of control.

She hadn't expected Ye Xiaotian to really go through with attacking a weak woman like her, without giving her any chance.

Gazing toward the horizon, Luo Leilei's eyes showed urgency.

According to the plan, the "Sheng Nu" forces should have already infiltrated Ling Gong by now, and her earlier strike of Nine Heavens Thunder had been the signal.

But...

Life always had its surprises, and the reinforcements were nowhere in sight!

Just then, she spotted Xu Xiaoshou stealthily retreating in the pavilion. She had no idea what he was up to, but a clever idea struck her.

A sly glint flashed in her eyes, and with a look of desperation, as if shouting in her sealed state, she cried out:

"Xu Xiaoshou, run fast!"

Everyone froze, turning in unison toward the pavilion.

There was a young man hunched over, clutching his chest, acting suspiciously with one foot already out of the pavilion, as if trying to slip away somewhere.

Everyone: ???

"So, Xu Xiaoshou and Luo Leilei... are in cahoots?!"

Rewinding the time a bit:

The battle was just about to erupt, with the four Zong Shi surrounding Luo Leilei.

Seizing the moment when everyone's attention was drawn to the figures in the sky, Xu Xiaoshou patted the iron ball in his embrace and quietly backed away.

A Jie had nearly spoken up several times, but fortunately, their spiritual connection seemed real. With Xu Xiaoshou's constant reassurances, it stayed quiet.

Yet, in this atmosphere thick with killing intent, Xu Xiaoshou felt it couldn't hold out much longer.

This puppet had come from the "Killing Corner," after all—it was inherently a bloodthirsty thing. If it stayed any longer, its true nature might erupt and wreak havoc everywhere.

But with the three thrones overseeing things, if A Jie acted, could it take on three opponents at once, no matter how strong?

Xu Xiaoshou didn't want to gamble on that. Besides, he wasn't a spy, so there was no need to fight his own people.

Better to sneak out, hide away from the chaos, and quietly tally his gains from Tian Xuan Gate—wouldn't that be nice?

But Luo Leilei's shout pulled all eyes straight to him...

"Suspected, passive points: 471."

Xu Xiaoshou was dumbfounded.

He turned back stiffly, baffled as to why Luo Leilei was dragging him down at the last moment.

No...

This wasn't just dragging him—it was yanking him straight into the abyss of death!

Why would she do that?

Xu Xiaoshou immediately thought of Luo Leilei's repeated invitations at Tian Xuan Gate... Soft approaches hadn't worked, so now hard tactics?

Facing the crowd's bewildered stares and seeing the academy leader on the steps with that look of utter disbelief, Xu Xiaoshou knew he was beyond redemption, even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

How the hell was he supposed to explain this?

It seemed impossible!

Anyone else might have collapsed on the spot, but in this life-or-death moment, Xu Xiaoshou's mind raced.

With a face full of tragic fury, he roared at the top of his lungs: "Luo Leilei! I've told you a thousand times, I don't like you! Forcing things won't make them sweet—I'll never go with you to 'Sheng Nu'!"

As soon as he said this, the entire scene fell silent.

Luo Leilei: ???

She nearly plummeted from the sky, seeing the crowd's gossip-hungry expressions, her ears turning red with embarrassment.

"Xu Xiaoshou, what nonsense are you spouting!"

"Cursed, passive points: 1."

"Admired, passive points: 366."

"Envious, passive points: 101."

Xu Xiaoshou ignored it all, acting like a man lost to despair. His voice, after the roar, dropped to a weary murmur, yet everyone heard it clearly, as if he were talking to himself:

"I really won't go with you. I'm sorry, you're a good person..."

"But Ling Gong is my happiest memory. There are my teachers, my junior sisters and senior sisters, people who love me, and those I want to... uh, love."

He lifted his head, gazing at Luo Leilei with deep emotion, and declared firmly: "I can't leave!"

This speech seemed like rambling in a daze, but hidden within were two key words:

Teachers!

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't explicitly mentioned "Master," but from what his perception showed, Ye Xiaotian and Qiao Qianzhi had already lowered their guards upon hearing that word.

Sure enough, they knew he was Sang Lao's disciple!

The agreement's three rules forbade him from mentioning his connection to Sang Lao, but he had long suspected these old folks were in on it.

Otherwise, how could he have entered Tian Xuan Gate so easily? Ye Xiaotian wouldn't have entrusted him with that world-saving task, or said in their conversation, "But you are the most trustworthy."

With that, everyone's attention shifted back to Luo Leilei.

Xu Xiaoshou also turned to the girl frozen in the void, a cold smile on his face.

Hah, trying to trap me? You're still too green!