As Wang Teng spoke, he walked toward Ye Qingchen and Zi Xing. Although he himself was now quite weak, he was still much stronger than Ye Qingchen. With Ye Qingchen in his current state, all it would take was tossing him into a pile of Spirit Beasts, and death would be certain. He wouldn’t even be punished for killing a fellow disciple. What wasn’t there to like?

Ye Qingchen’s vision was already blurry. If not for his formidable willpower, he wouldn’t have been able to remain standing. Even though he knew Wang Teng was approaching, he felt as if his body was no longer his own, completely unable to move an inch.

Zi Xing looked at the teetering Ye Qingchen, her eyes brimming with tears. She had never expected that even at a time like this, Ye Qingchen would still protect her so fiercely. In that moment, she was truly touched.

Seeing Ye Qingchen’s state, Wang Teng couldn’t help but roar with laughter. The thought that his great revenge was about to be realized, and that he would soon be able to take liberties with Zi Xing, made his heart pound with excitement.

Soon, Wang Teng stood before Ye Qingchen. With just a light tap of his finger, Ye Qingchen could no longer hold on and collapsed heavily to the ground again. However, what Wang Teng failed to notice was the faint glow emanating from the Divine Wood Order at Ye Qingchen’s waist.

Wang Teng then turned to the immobilized Zi Xing, a lecherous expression spreading across his face. He was about to reach out and touch her proud peaks.

Wang Meng disliked such a scene and instinctively turned his head away. But the next moment, he heard Wang Teng’s scream of agony.

Wang Meng quickly turned back to see Wang Teng on the ground, writhing and howling in pain. Instinctively, Wang Meng first looked at Zi Xing. Since Ye Qingchen had completely lost his ability to fight, the only one who could have acted was Zi Xing. Yet, to his surprise, the restraints around her were still in place, which meant it couldn’t have been her.

"You people from Duanjin Academy, engaging in such vile acts. Have you no shame?!"

A sharp rebuke cut through the air, and a woman whose beauty was no less than Zi Xing’s appeared beside her.

She had a face like polished jade and lustrous black hair. Above her soulful, clear black eyes were a pair of graceful, arched eyebrows. She had an innocent baby face with chubby cheeks, which, paired with her half-smiling expression, created an enigmatic charm.

Her upper body was clad in an embroidered satin blouse with a red, cross-collared brocade trim. The fabric was stretched taut over her full chest, making one worry it might burst at any moment. Below, she wore a long-tasseled, hundred-flower-patterned skirt of silk gauze. Its high waistband tightly cinched a slender, willow-like waist, which only further accentuated her magnificent bust. She had a baby face, yet possessed a fiery, curvaceous figure that even other women would envy. This contradiction wasn’t jarring in the slightest; instead, it was incredibly eye-catching and a refreshing sight.

Seeing the woman, a flicker of fear appeared in Wang Meng’s eyes. However, the thought of his recent breakthrough to the Martial Emperor Realm Fourth Layer gave him a sliver of confidence. He spoke to the newcomer, "Li Nian’er, are you also going to meddle in Duanjin Academy’s affairs?"

Li Nian’er glanced at Wang Meng with disdain before her expression turned icy. "You used your strength to bully my little junior brother. Do you think our Divine Wood Academy has no one left?"

As Li Nian’er spoke, she waved her hand casually. The force binding Zi Xing shattered and vanished.

A smile returned to Li Nian’er’s face as she turned to Zi Xing. "You’re quite the beauty. Even as a woman, I find it a little hard to control myself around you."

Zi Xing had never imagined she would one day be flirted with by another woman, much less a beautiful one with a baby face who didn’t look much older than herself!

From the conversation, Zi Xing gathered that this woman named Li Nian’er was also from the Divine Wood Academy. She said hurriedly, "Senior Sister Li, please save Qingchen!"

Li Nian’er smiled and nodded. "Barely out of danger and you’re already worried about my little junior brother. Not bad. It seems my junior brother didn’t protect you for nothing. I’m claiming you as his future wife on his behalf."

Hearing Li Nian’er’s words, Zi Xing’s pretty face flushed crimson. She had been teased by her senior sister again!

Seeing Zi Xing’s reaction, the smile on Li Nian’er’s chubby face grew even wider. She then took a Spirit Pill from her storage ring, handed it to Zi Xing, and said, "Help me take care of my little junior brother. I can handle these degenerates by myself."

Zi Xing hastily took the Spirit Pill and fled from Li Nian’er as if escaping. She ran to Ye Qingchen’s side, fed him the pill, and then anxiously checked his condition.

Li Nian’er glanced at Wang Teng, who was still rolling on the ground. She kicked him, sending him flying toward Wang Meng.

Wang Meng quickly reached out and caught Wang Teng, shoving Spirit Pills into his mouth as if they cost nothing. Only when Wang Teng’s wails ceased did Wang Meng carefully set him down, watching Li Nian’er as if facing a formidable enemy.

Wang Meng had never heard of the Divine Wood Academy before. It wasn’t until he entered the Secret Realm for training and encountered Li Nian’er several times—getting completely thrashed by her on each occasion—that the name "Divine Wood Academy" was deeply seared into his mind. He had never imagined that Ye Qingchen, who had been so weak in his hands, was also from the Divine Wood Academy. If he had known earlier, perhaps he wouldn’t have dared to be so reckless.

But it was too late now. He had already angered the female demon before him, and no explanation would work. Moreover, with Wang Teng to protect, he couldn’t even run if he wanted to.

Li Nian’er looked at Wang Meng, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at him. "So? Do I do this myself, or are you going to kneel and apologize to my little junior brother right now?"

Wang Meng clenched his fists tightly. "I’ve broken through to the Martial Emperor Realm Fourth Layer. Do you think I’m still afraid of you?"

When Wang Meng was at the second layer of the Martial Emperor Realm, he had fought Li Nian’er, who was also at the second layer. When he reached the third layer, her strength had seemed to increase accordingly. But this year, Wang Meng had a fortuitous encounter and broke through to the fourth layer. He refused to believe Li Nian’er could have been just as lucky.

However, to his astonishment, Li Nian’er didn’t look the least bit concerned. Instead, she let out a chuckle.

Li Nian’er laughed so hard her chest shook. Pointing at Wang Meng, she said, "You really are as dumb as they come. Every time we fought, I was suppressing my cultivation to match your exact level just for fun. I can’t believe you actually thought we were equals. How hilarious."

Wang Meng’s face turned livid. Remembering how Li Nian’er had thrashed him every single time, he was filled with disbelief.

She must be bluffing! She has to be boasting!

He couldn’t accept that she could suppress her strength and still beat him so soundly every time.