Chapter 467 Wang Jian's Scheme
?As Wang Jian and Yu Qing made their way to the Martial Arts Cultivation class, they engaged in a light conversation about the peculiarities of the alchemy class. The corridors of the Sanguine Star Academy were alive with the chatter and laughter of students, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Upon entering the Martial Arts Cultivation class, they observed students meticulously following the instructor's movements. The class was a flurry of motion, with each student focused intently on perfecting their form.
Lin Fei, who was also in the class, found his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Yu Qing. 'Why does she have to be with him?' he thought bitterly, watching Wang Jian and Yu Qing converse with an ease that spoke of close companionship. The green monster of jealousy reared its head within Lin Fei, and he hatched a plan to prove his worth.
Steeling his resolve, Lin Fei approached the instructor mid-class with a request. "Master, I wish to challenge Wang Jian to a spar," he said, his voice laced with confidence.
The instructor, taken aback by the sudden request, regarded Lin Fei with a mix of surprise and disapproval. "I cannot permit that, Lin Fei," he replied firmly.
Lin Fei's confidence wavered, replaced by confusion and anger. "But why, Master? Is it not common for students to test their skills against each other?"
The instructor sighed, realizing he needed to explain further. "The reason is simple. Wang Jian's cultivation level is at the Divine Origin Realm, while you are at the Divine Convergence Realm. It would be an unfair and uneven match."
The revelation hit Lin Fei like a bucket of cold water. 'He's only at the Divine Origin Realm?' His mind reeled at the thought. The fact that Wang Jian, with his seemingly lower cultivation, had managed to garner Yu Qing's attention and companionship irked Lin Fei even more.
'How can she be interested in someone so beneath her in terms of cultivation?' he wondered, his envy intensifying. The fact that Wang Jian was deemed unworthy of a spar only added to Lin Fei's frustration.
Wang Jian, overhearing the exchange, couldn't help but smirk inwardly. 'Looks like Lin Fei is more predictable than I thought. Using his cultivation to impress... how mundane.'
Yu Qing, standing beside Wang Jian, sensed the tension in the air. She glanced at Lin Fei, noting the evident frustration and envy on his face. 'He's really going out of his way to prove something,' she thought, feeling a mix of amusement and disdain.
The instructor, keen to dissipate the awkward atmosphere, clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the class. "Let's continue our practice. Focus on your movements and internal energy flow."
As the class resumed, Lin Fei was left to stew in his own thoughts, his plan to impress Yu Qing thwarted.
Meanwhile, Wang Jian and Yu Qing seamlessly blended into the class, their presence causing subtle ripples of interest and curiosity among the other students.
As the Martial Arts Cultivation class concluded, Wang Jian and Yu Qing made their way to the next class on their schedule: Arrays. The corridors of the Sanguine Star Academy buzzed with the sound of students discussing the day's lessons, but Wang Jian and Yu Qing moved in their own bubble of quiet conversation, seemingly detached from the hustle around them.
Lin Fei, who was already seated in the Arrays class, clenched his fists upon seeing Wang Jian and Yu Qing enter together. 'They're in this class too?' he thought, frustration boiling inside him. He forced himself to focus on the lecture, trying to push his anger and jealousy to the back of his mind.
They infiltrated the dark cultivators' hideout, a grim place of despair. The captives they found were a motley crew – from innocent children with wide, fearful eyes, to strong, defiant youths, and women of both youthful charm and mature allure. Their eyes lit up with hope as Wang Jian and Yu Qing silently, yet efficiently, broke their chains of captivity.
Stealthily, Wang Jian and Yu Qing liberated the captives, leading them through the labyrinthine hideout. However, their actions did not go unnoticed for long. As the captives stumbled into the open, the hideout erupted into chaos.
"Attack!" the Dark Cultivators bellowed, converging on Wang Jian and Yu Qing.
Yu Qing, her face a mask of determination, unleashed her Divine Ascension Realm power. Her movements were a blur, each strike precise and deadly, effortlessly dispatching their assailants.
Meanwhile, outside the hideout, the battle raged on. Lin Fei and Lady Shui Xueying, alongside her guards, were locked in combat with the Dark Cultivators.
The sudden appearance of Wang Jian and Yu Qing, leading a procession of liberated captives, drew stunned looks from everyone.
Lin Fei, mid-battle, and Lady Shui Xueying, her eyes a mix of surprise and curiosity, halted in their tracks.
"What in the world..." Lin Fei exclaimed, his voice echoing across the battlefield. His eyes narrowed as he saw Wang Jian. In a fit of jealousy and confusion, he yelled, "Wang Jian! What are you doing here?" With these words, he unleashed another powerful sword technique at a nearby Dark Cultivator.
Wang Jian, with a flick of his wrist, subtly manipulated the trajectory of Lin Fei's attack. The sword energy, now misdirected, whizzed dangerously towards Wang Jian.
Yu Qing, her eyes flashing with anger, effortlessly dispersed the attack. "Lin Fei! How dare you attack Wang Jian so cowardly?" she shouted, her voice laced with disdain.
Lady Shui Xueying's eyes, sharp and discerning, caught the nuances of the situation. She had seen enough battles to understand when a strike was intentional. The disdain in her gaze was unmistakable as she looked at Lin Fei. "To think you would stoop so low in the heat of battle," she muttered, her voice a mix of disappointment and disgust.
Lin Fei, realizing his blunder, stammered, "No, that's not... I didn't mean to..."
But it was too late. The impression was made.
Lady Shui Xueying turned her attention to Wang Jian and Yu Qing, her gaze softening. "You two have done a commendable deed today," she said, nodding in approval. "Rescuing these captives amidst such danger is a true mark of courage and benevolence."
Wang Jian, playing his part to perfection, responded humbly, "We simply did what was right, lady. The real battle still continues." He gestured towards the ongoing conflict with the Dark Cultivators.
The captives, now safe, looked on with gratitude in their eyes. Wang Jian and Yu Qing had not only disrupted the dark cultivators' schemes but also dented Lin Fei's reputation in one masterful stroke.
At this moment, Wang Jian felt the familiar sensation of providence coursing through his veins. It was most definitely the providence that he had just stolen from Lin Fei.
Using that providence, Wang Jian empowered his cultivation base from the First Stage of the Divine Origin Realm to the Third Stage of the Divine Origin Realm.