The energy finally coalesced into the shape of a palm and struck Wang Meng’s face. In no time at all, his face had swollen up like a pig’s head.

It was an utterly suffocating feeling. Wang Meng would have rather been severely injured by Li Nian’er than endure such humiliation. He was fully conscious, and each of her slaps felt like it was striking his very soul, filling him with an anguish so profound he wished for death.

Moreover, with so many disciples from Duanjin Academy watching, his reputation was in tatters. How could I, their Senior Brother, ever face my juniors again?

In contrast, Ye Qingchen and Zi Xing were completely stunned. Zi Xing fared slightly better, having already witnessed Li Nian’er effortlessly neutralize Wang Meng’s formidable attacks. He was at least somewhat prepared for her power.

Ye Qingchen, however, was completely thunderstruck. He had personally fought Wang Meng and experienced the man’s terrifying strength firsthand. Yet this same formidable Wang Meng was now being slapped repeatedly before his own Senior Sister, utterly powerless to resist.

Through his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, Ye Qingchen could perceive an invisible film of water enveloping Wang Meng. This barrier severely restricted his movements, leaving him helpless to endure Li Nian’er’s humiliation.

To be clear, Wang Meng had been completely uninjured before this fight, facing Li Nian’er in his absolute prime. Yet Li Nian’er had restrained him almost imperceptibly. Her power was truly astounding. Most importantly, Li Nian’er’s cultivation was only a single realm higher than Wang Meng’s.

After about eight minutes, Li Nian’er seemed to tire of the slapping game. She frowned slightly, and a water ball slowly appeared in her palm. The orb was only the size of an apple, but its every pulsation twisted the surrounding space, hinting at the terrifying energy it contained. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Wang Meng had seen this move from Li Nian’er before; he had been defeated by it numerous times. However, compared to the orb she now held, the ones she had used in the past seemed like mere toys.

Wang Meng had no doubt that if this water ball struck him, he would be annihilated, body and soul. Yet there was no despair in his eyes, only a hint of relief.

Better to die a quick death at her hands than suffer this public humiliation. With that thought, Wang Meng slowly closed his eyes, awaiting his demise.

Seeing this, Wang Teng and the other disciples from Duanjin Academy felt a chill run down their spines. They had thought Wang Meng’s arrival meant they could easily sweep aside Ye Qingchen, but they had never expected him to have such a formidable Senior Sister.

I’m not worried about whether Wang Meng dies. After all, we’re not related by blood. My only concern is what happens after she kills him. Will she take her anger out on the rest of us? It’s highly likely. If our roles were reversed, I would definitely wipe them all out. But what can I do? Even a master at the Martial Emperor Realm like Wang Meng was completely helpless against her. At that moment, Wang Teng despaired once more.

Li Nian’er, however, paid their dread no mind. I should just get this over with. Then I can have a nice chat with my handsome Junior Brother and we can get to know each other better.

Once the water ball was fully formed, she threw it at Wang Meng without hesitation. As it flew, the orb continuously absorbed nature’s spiritual energy, yet it didn’t grow larger. Instead, it became even more refined.

This move left Ye Qingchen stunned yet again. It wasn’t strange for someone at the Martial Emperor Realm to control nature’s spiritual energy. What was astounding was that Li Nian’er could manipulate it from a distance while simultaneously compressing and refining it. Ye Qingchen had never witnessed such a technique before.

Zi Xing watched the speeding water ball and couldn’t help but sigh. With a technique like this, Wang Meng is doomed. What a pity to lose a Martial Emperor Realm expert, especially one from our Central Celestial Academy.

BOOM!

The terrifying explosion sent a wave of dread through Wang Teng and the disciples of Duanjin Academy. Their hearts pounded, uncertain of what fate awaited them. Ye Qingchen and Zi Xing, however, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But Li Nian’er, who had appeared unconcerned until now, frowned deeply as she stared into the center of the blast.

A moment later, the dust settled. Wang Meng had not been annihilated as expected, which left him utterly astonished. The sound of the explosion had been real, and the aftershocks made his scalp tingle, yet he was still alive.

Bewildered, Wang Meng opened his eyes. He saw the back of a figure standing before him; clearly, this person had just saved his life. At the same time, he realized the barrier that had bound him was gone, and he could move freely again.

Wang Meng dropped to his knees behind the figure and sobbed loudly, "Foster Father, I have shamed you." The newcomer was none other than the Vice Dean of Duanjin Academy, Wang Tong!

Wang Teng also saw him and shouted excitedly, "Uncle, save me, Uncle!"

Wang Tong sighed. He first helped Wang Meng to his feet, then with a wave of his hand, moved all the Duanjin Academy disciples trapped in the formation to safety behind him. He then addressed the shaken students reassuringly, "It’s alright now. Everyone, take this time to recover."

Wang Tong’s appearance was like a pillar of strength for the Duanjin Academy disciples. So what if Li Nian’er is strong? Can she possibly stand against our Vice Dean?

Wang Tong looked at Li Nian’er, sighed again, and said, "A disciple of the Godwood Academy, brazenly breaking academy rules. Are you unaware of the punishment for fighting and killing fellow students?"

Li Nian’er was not intimidated by his accusation. She snorted coldly and retorted, "Hmph! Old man, don’t pretend you don’t know it was your Duanjin Academy students who attacked first! Instead of distinguishing right from wrong, you show up and play the victim. And you call yourself the Vice Dean of Duanjin Academy? It’s just as they say: a fish rots from the head down!"

Her words once again showed Ye Qingchen and Zi Xing what true ferocity was. The man she faced was an academy’s Vice Dean, an expert at least in the upper echelons of the Martial Emperor Realm. In terms of both status and strength, she had called him ’old man’ to his face, accused him of crying foul first, and even insulted him with an adage about corruption starting from the top. One could only imagine the fury boiling inside Wang Tong.

And indeed, upon hearing her words, Wang Tong’s aura began to surge violently.