Chapter 27: Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan's Threat, the Emperor Battle Team Appears

The atmosphere in the Academic Affairs Office grew heavier and heavier. Seeing Zhou Yan refusing to back down, Orf also became enraged. "Hmph, since you want to die along with your student, I'll grant your wish," Orf declared angrily. "Enough!" At that moment, a Heavenly Star Furnace shielded Tianlin and Zhou Yan. Bai Baoshan finally stepped in. No matter how much of a nice guy he was, he couldn't watch his academy's students and teachers being bullied like this. Two yellow, three purple and three black soul rings circled around him—eight in total. While his soul ring configuration was slightly inferior to Orf's, his soul power was higher. However, even with this advantage, he couldn't guarantee a complete victory in a real fight. Seeing Bai Baoshan step in, Orf retracted his Solar Flower. After all, Bai Baoshan's Heavenly Star Furnace had an extraordinarily high defensive power, comparable to that of a Titled Douluo. If they fought, it would be hard for him to gain an advantage. At this moment, Bai Baoshan turned around and asked, "Tianlin, just now Aldo said that he sought you out for a fair sparring match last night. He claimed that although he admitted defeat, you mercilessly cut off his ear. Is that true?" "Of course not!" Tianlin replied firmly. "Last night, he brought a group to ambush me, including students at the Heaven Rank. I was outnumbered and had to defend myself. In the end, I couldn't hold back and accidentally cut off his ear. Senior Sister Ye Lingling can confirm what I said!" Although Tianlin wasn't afraid of them, he also wouldn't let himself be falsely accused. "Oh, is that so? Then, Teacher Zhou Yan, please go and call Ye Lingling here," Bai Baoshan said with renewed confidence after hearing Tianlin's explanation. "Orf, until the truth is clarified, I will not allow you to lay a hand on Tianlin." Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan promptly left the Academic Affairs Office. Meanwhile, in the sky above, a white-haired man smiled faintly. He had been there for a long time, yet neither of the two Soul Douluo within the office had detected his presence. This demonstrated the terrifying level of his cultivation. Before long, Zhou Yan returned, bringing Ye Lingling and Qin Ming with her. Qin Ming had recently been promoted to Heaven Rank teacher, and Ye Lingling happened to be in his class. "Lingling, you're here. Did you witness what happened in the woods last night? Could you describe the events in detail?" Bai Baoshan asked gently, worried that the eleven-year-old girl might be nervous. "Yes, last night—" Ye Lingling began to speak truthfully. Suddenly, Orf interrupted her. "Wait! Ye Lingling, before you speak, I hope you carefully recall the events of last night. I've heard that your Nine Heart Begonia family is small and lacks influence. If you testify on behalf of my grandson, I can represent the Or family of the Barak Kingdom and promise to support your family." Orf's words were both a threat and a bribe. He subtly implied that Ye Lingling's decision today would determine the survival of her family. "What do you mean? Are you threatening my student?" Qin Ming immediately retorted, his Fiery Wolf Martial Soul surging as he glared fiercely at Orff. "Hmph, Qin Ming, don't misinterpret the actions of a noble person with the mindset of a petty one. Which ear of yours heard Lord Orf threatening Ye Lingling? He simply asked her to speak the truth so that the injustice suffered by Aldo would not go to waste," Ye Ping, ever the sycophant, chimed in. His flattery greatly pleased Orff. "This teacher truly understands righteousness. This is the kind of professionalism expected from the Royal Academy. If Teacher Ye ever comes to my Barak Kingdom, I will personally ensure he is well taken care of," Orf said. Ye Ping was overjoyed. Orf's words were an invitation, which was far better than being just a teacher at the academy. He quickly expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, my lord!" He then turned to Zhou Yan with a lecherous smirk. "Teacher Zhou, Qin Ming is just a commoner. He won't achieve much in the future. You should come to my side. I'll treat you well." "Hah! You disgust me!" Zhou Yan snapped. "Do you know why I like Qin Ming? It's not just because his talent surpasses yours, but also because he's a wolf unafraid of power, with a heart full of justice. You, on the other hand, are just like your Martial Soul—an utterly pathetic bootlicker!" Tianlin glanced at Zhou Yan in surprise. He hadn't expected the usually composed teacher to be so sharp-tongued. Moreover, it seemed she hadn't realized that her words were essentially a confession to Qin Ming. Qin Ming, who had always been single, was visibly flustered. Tianlin felt as though his fiery Wolf Martial Soul had turned an even deeper shade of red after hearing Zhou Yan's words. Meanwhile, Bai Baoshan glared at Ye Ping with an unfriendly expression. Was this man openly declaring his intention to leave the academy in front of him? He didn't care if Ye Ping wanted to leave, but using the academy's students as a stepping stone for his ambitions had crossed the line. At this moment, Ye Lingling stepped forward and addressed Orf directly. "The future of my family is our concern. We don't need your interference." "Last night, it was Aldo who led a group to ambush Tianlin. They even tried to cripple his soul power. Tianlin only fought back in self-defense and accidentally injured Aldo in the process." Her testimony matched Tianlin's account exactly. With the truth revealed, Bai Baoshan erupted in anger. "Orf, what else do you have to say? Tianlin is only seven years old, while Aldo is an adult. He brought a group to attack a child, and you still expect no resistance?" Orf's expression turned extremely sour. He realized that he wouldn't be able to settle this matter today. At the very least, as long as Bai Baoshan was around, there was no way he could touch Tianlin. He glared venomously at Tianlin and Ye Lingling. "Fine. You two got lucky today. But I hope you stay in the academy forever. After all, the tallest tree in the forest is the first to fall. Talents like you are easily snuffed out in the outside world, especially you, little girl." Compared to Tianlin, Orf hated Ye Lingling even more. He had already decided to mobilize his family to suppress the Nine Heart Begonia clan as soon as he returned. He would ensure their complete eradication. "Ye Lingling's safety is none of your concern, Lord Soul Douluo. We will protect her," a voice suddenly interrupted. Six people entered the room—five boys and one girl, all around eleven or twelve years old. The leader was a tall boy with a cold expression. Most strikingly, he wore the badge of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy on his chest, along with the family crest of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. "I am Yu Tianheng. My grandfather's name is Yu Yuan Zhen. He sends his regards to you, senior." After Yu Tianheng spoke, the lone girl stepped forward and added, "My name is Dugu Yan, and I am Lingling's close friend. On behalf of my grandfather, Dugu Bo, I also extend my greetings to you." Yu Yuan Zhen. Dugu Bo. Hearing these two names, Orf broke into a cold sweat. Yu Yuan Zhen was the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the top three sects, and a Level 95 Titled Douluo. Dugu Bo, though only at Level 91, was known as the Poison Douluo, capable of turning entire cities into barren wastelands with his poison. He couldn't afford to offend either of them. He now understood why Ye Lingling wasn't afraid of his threats. She had the backing of both the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Dugu Bo. At this moment, Tianlin turned his gaze toward the six newcomers. Including Ye Lingling, they made up the Emperor Battle Team from the original story. Although they were still young, with soul power levels around 25, it was evident that they were already close friends.