"What's going on here?" A strong, oppressive voice sounded, stunning the students.
Everyone looked at the entrance and saw the five elders. "Elder Fu," Zi Chen rose and greeted him with his head bowed down.
The first elder, named Elder Fu, didn't reply but instead looked at the ruined class. "This time you didn't spare the class! You all must have joined hands together to ruin things. Why on earth do you keep doing this?" He shouted.
"Elder Fu, we..." Wu Dong wanted to explain, but Zi Chen quickly cut in.
"It's my fault this time, Elder Fu. I just wanted to improve my skills." He lowered his head even more.
"Try to improve your skills, or you all tried to destroy the whole academy! Look at what you have done to the third-ranked respectable class in our academy. What do you think I should do with you, huh?"
"Elder Fu, we indeed just wanted to improve our skills. We didn't know that it would get out of our control," someone among the fire element cultivator students commented.
"Yes, Elder Fu. If you are to punish Brother Chen, then we are all willing to receive the punishment willingly," another person said.
"You all..." Elder Fu was furious, and he almost bleed.
"Calm down, Fu jian look at the man lying on the ground," the second elder commented calmly.
Hearing the second elder's words, Elder Fu looked at Han Jun, who seemed to be asleep but was unconscious, and frowned. "He..." All the five elders exchanged gazes.
"Leave things be. Since they are all protecting each other, there's no need for further discussion," the second elder replied.
"Their recklessness didn't just destroy the class but injured the students as well. We can't just let this pass. What if news spreads? The academy's reputation is at stake," the third elder commented.
"Sigh," the second elder looked at the unconscious Han Jun on the ground and Yue Bing, who was in Wu Dong's embrace. "Do what you seem fit then," the second elder said and walked away.
"First, take both of them to the recovery lab and come find me for your punishment," the first elder huffed and left,the others following him as well.
"Phew... thankfully they fell for it," Zi Chen let out a sigh of relief and looked at his fellow students. "I'm sorry, guys. I implicated you all, but I did it because..."
"There's no need to explain, Zi Chen. We will always support your decision," the entire group of fire element cultivators echoed together.
Zi Chen smiled and nodded, then he carried Han Jun over his shoulder and left the class.
"What a weirdo," Wu Dong shook her head and carried Yue Bing to the recovery lab as well.
---
Recovery Lab...
Yue Bing opened her beautiful eyes slowly and fixed her gaze on the unfamiliar surroundings. "Where is this place?" she murmured and sat up properly on the bed, then carefully took note of the room. Looking at the different types of medical boxes and instruments, she sighed, realizing where she was.
"Finally awake," a female voice sounded right above her, causing her to look up. She found herself staring into a cobra-like pair of eyes. It was a huge snow-white snake that supported itself with its body. Seeing the imposing snake, Yue Bing shook her head slightly. "Why are you here?" she asked.
"My Queen," the snake replied, dragging its body down to stand before her. "You were so reckless just now! You almost went back into deep sleep thanks to my timely intervention."
Yue Bing lightly shook her head. "Where is he?" she asked, ignoring the snake's statement.
"Huh? Who?" the snake asked, confused.
"Tsk, it's pointless asking you," Yue Bing replied and prepared to leave when she heard footsteps approaching. Immediately, she lay back on the bed and whispered to the huge snake, "Go back immediately."
"Yes, my Queen," the huge snake replied and disappeared without leaving any trace of its presence.
After confirming that everything was normal, she closed her eyes, pretending to still be unconscious.
The footsteps grew nearer until they entered the room. Suddenly, the initially soft footsteps, which sounded like a woman's, turned rough, like a man's.
"This academy is far too dangerous, I guess," the pretending Yue Bing thought to herself as she clenched her fist, ready to attack the person as soon as he made a move.
Suddenly, the approaching footsteps stopped, and Yue Bing was about to open her eyes when someone suddenly grabbed her hand. She nearly screamed in shock, but a familiar voice sounded, calming her.
"She really isn't Ming Yue," Han Jun murmured, his brow furrowed as his gaze landed on the veiled Yue Bing. There was something inside him that refused to accept the truth. "But I always feel displeased with her touch and see those images whenever she touches me. What exactly is going on?" he wondered, looking at the sleeping Yue Bing. He leaned closer, trying to find a clue; his mouth was just a pinch away from her lips—any silly movement would officially result in a kiss.
Meanwhile, the pretending Yue Bing struggled to control herself and stay calm. "Is he...?" Before her thoughts could wander further, she was suddenly pinched on top of her breast, making her open her eyes immediately and look straight into Han Jun's eyes, almost cursing. "You..."
"Trying to seduce me or what?" Han Jun smirked, a playful grin dancing on his lips. "Pretending to still be unconscious after knowing that I'm here already," he said with a teasing smile.
Yue Bing lowered her head and looked at her flushed chest, the spot where Han Jun pinched her, and gritted her teeth. "You are asking for trouble," she threatened.
"Are you sure?" Han Jun raised his brows, leaning in a little closer.
Yue Bing's heart was on fire as she couldn't calm her mind at all; her gaze fell on Han Jun's seductive lips, and she gulped hungrily. She was very tempted to touch those maddening lips, but was it only touch? She wanted more, author guessed.
"Han Jun saw through Yue Bing's thoughts and smiled teasingly. He suddenly pulled away from her and ruffled her hair. "Grab some rest," he said. Without waiting for a reply, he was already out of sight.
Immediately after Han Jun was out of sight, a lady entered with a tray in hand. Seeing Yue Bing awake, she smiled. "You are awake."
Yue Bing didn't even smile; her gaze turned cold as she lay back on the bed. "Damn you, Han Jun," she cursed inwardly.
.....Late at night, Male Living Quarters....
"Ah!!!" Zi Chen's painful voice echoed as he lay on the bed, face down, with his bare back exposed. Red whip marks were clearly visible on his back, and he was being treated by a young man. "Take it easy; it's painful," he said tearfully.
Han Jun sat in a chair with his arms folded and legs crossed, his gaze fixed on the crying Zi Chen. Finally, he spoke. "Tell me exactly how you got injured," he questioned.
"You finally decide to ask, Captain?" Zi Chen turned his head to look at Han Jun like a wronged child.
Han Jun sighed. "Cut the crap and tell me what happened," he said.
"Actually, the clashed of your fire alarmed the elders, so the five elders came to investigate. I told them that I was trying to improve my skills, and my powers got out of control, which resulted in the destruction of the classroom," Zi Chen explained.
Han Jun gave Zi Chen a weird gaze. "You are really something. Why did you do that?" he asked.
Zi Chen raised his head and stared straight into Han Jun's eyes. "If the elders knew that you mastered level eight of tempering skills in just a few hours—most importantly, as a freshman—they would transfer you to the first square immediately," he explained.
Han Jun looked at Zi Chen with a confused expression. "And why did you have to suffer because of that?" he asked, he seems to not have take not of Zi Chen Main explanation.
"Captain," Zi Chen interrupted the man who was treating his back, sending him away. He then sat on the bed. "I don't want that. I don't want you to be transferred. Though the knowledge they teach there is very profound and solid, I… I can't bear to see you leave us. Even though you just arrived today, I have the feeling that you will be great in the future. This might be selfish of me, but…"
"Zi Chen," Han Jun called, cutting off Zi Chen's words. "You have a personal reason for this," he said.
Zi Chen dared not look at Han Jun, and he didn't speak either.
Han Jun sighed. "Don't rely on me. The reason I am in this academy in the first place is not to study but for something else. I can leave anytime," he said.
"Then I will follow you anywhere you go," Zi Chen replied, standing up and kneeling in front of Han Jun. "I am willing to experience life and death with you," he declared.
Han Jun sighed again. "Even I don't know how to live my life; I only want to experience ladies, for goodness' sake," he screamed inwardly. "It's up to you. If anything negative happens in the future or things don't turn out the way you expect, don't hold me at fault if you do. I don't mind having you as the first human blood to stain my hands." He warned.
"I surely will not, Captain. I swear," Zi Chen pledged wholeheartedly.
"Very well, I trust you now. Excuse me, I need to visit my women," Han Jun said and left.
"I will surely treasure your trust! Go and meet your wom..." Zi Chen suddenly came to a realization, his eyes widening. "What did you say, Captain?" he screamed, but Han Jun was already long gone.