Battle Through the Heavens: Beauties Abound Starting with Yunlan and Her Disciples

135: Section 135He looked at the red-haired girl whose face was filled with shock because of his appearance. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly into a gentle smile, one so shallow yet capable of making the very world lose its color.

Then, in an incredibly natural and cordial tone, as if greeting an old friend, he whispered, ”Good morning, Hu Jia.”

277 He Should Be My Son-in-Law

”Good morning, Hu Jia.”

That simplest of greetings seemed to carry a strange, soothing magic.

Hu Jia, who had been feeling lost and panicked because of her father’s words, found her pillar of support the moment she heard that voice and saw that figure.

Her wildly beating heart miraculously calmed down.

Without even thinking, her body reacted first, subconsciously moving two steps toward Yun Xiancheng. It was as if she could only find enough security by being near him.

What... what am I doing? Why... why do I feel like I have nothing to fear as soon as he appears?

Hu Jia was startled by this sudden, almost instinctive sense of dependence, and her cheeks uncontrollably heated up. Instructor Ruo Lin, who had arrived at Yun Xiancheng’s side, no longer had a trace of her usual gentleness and softness on her face.

Her beautiful eyes were narrowed, her gaze like a cold, unsheathed sword as she met the looks of anger and disdain cast by the Bai Family Emissaries across from them without the slightest sign of weakness.

Facing experts whose strength far exceeded her own—including a Dou Wang Elder who had been famous for a long time—this Outer Academy instructor, who was only at the Dou Ling level, showed no sign of fear.

Instead, she took a small step forward and slightly spread her arms. Using her not-so-tall frame, she stood firmly in front of Yun Xiancheng in a resolute posture, like a hen protecting her chick, attempting to shield him from all the coming storms.

”Dear emissaries.”

Ruo Lin’s voice was cold and firm. ”Regarding the cause and course of this matter, the rights and wrongs, I believe it is necessary for us to have a calm and fair discussion. Before the facts are fully investigated, any unilateral pressure or accusation is something I, Ruo Lin, will be the first to reject!”

Even if I have to stake everything I have at Jia Nan Academy, I will never let them harm my student!

However, her tragic and heroic momentum, just ignited and ready to take on the world, was easily dissolved by a warm and powerful hand reaching out from behind her.

Yun Xiancheng gently yet firmly grasped her hand and pulled her softly behind him.

He took a step forward, using his tall frame to completely block Ruo Lin and Hu Jia, facing the fierce Bai Family Emissaries alone.

”Teacher, leave this to me.” He didn’t turn around, but his voice passed through his broad back and clearly into Ruo Lin’s ears. ”You and Hu Jia just stand to the side and watch.”

Looking at his reliable back and feeling the residual warmth on her wrist, the fire of anger burning in Ruo Lin’s heart slowly subsided.

In its place was a wonderful, unprecedented feeling called ’trust’.

Yun Xiancheng’s gaze was no longer gentle. In those eyes, deep as a cold pool, it was as if endless wind and thunder were brewing and churning.

He no longer restrained his gaze; like two invisible, peerless weapons forged from spiritual power, it stabbed straight and ruthlessly into the depths of the souls of the Bai Family Emissaries!

The Dou Ling Experts, who had been arrogant just moments ago, felt as if their souls were being gripped by a giant invisible hand the moment they met his gaze, making even breathing difficult. Their expressions changed drastically as they all took a step back uncontrollably, their eyes filled with horror.

Even the leading Bai Family Dou Wang Elder, whose aura was as solid as a mountain, felt a needle-like sting in his eyes after less than a breath of eye contact with Yun Xiancheng.

An indescribable chill rose from the depths of his soul!

He couldn’t help but let out a muffled groan, guiltily and pathetically averting his gaze, not daring to look back. It was just a single look!

Without even moving a finger, Yun Xiancheng had completely dissolved and crushed the overbearing and aggressive momentum of the Bai Family members!

Hu Jia, standing to the side, saw everything clearly.

Looking at the young man who had made a Dou Wang Elder and several Dou Ling Experts lose their composure just by his gaze, her bright eyes unconsciously flickered with a mix of awe and admiration.

So powerful...

Is this the true demeanor of an expert? Immovable as a mountain, aggressive as fire... Compared to him, the so-called ’top figures’ of the academy are like

ridiculous, unweaned children.

Hu Gan, sitting in the main seat, took in his daughter’s ’little fangirl’ expression. His eyebrows twitched on his serious, square face, but in his heart, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of secret joy.

Hehe. This girl seems to have truly fallen for him. Not bad, not bad.

This way, my Hu family’s bloodline won’t be completely severed with her. When I get back, I must quickly burn some incense for the ancestors to comfort their spirits in heaven.

Of course, his expression remained serious and majestic as the Vice Dean. He didn’t waste any words, instead turning his

scrutinizing gaze toward the male student who had just walked in and given him such a huge ’surprise’.

Hu Gan nodded inwardly.

Sometimes, there are people who truly only need one look to leave an unforgettable, deep impression in your heart. In Hu Gan’s eyes, Yun Xiancheng was undoubtedly such a person.

It was an innate temperament, as if he was born to stand among the clouds and look down upon all living beings. A natural-born cultivator.

Hu Gan gave such an evaluation in his heart. As the Vice Dean of the Jia Nan Academy Outer Court, he had managed academic affairs for many years and had seen tens of thousands of geniuses.

His ability to read people was also long perfected. With just one look, he saw the young man’s talent, which was so outstanding it was almost monstrous, and the sharp, peerless pride hidden beneath his gentle exterior.

This boy is no ordinary person.

He looks as gentle as jade, a refined gentleman, but his style of action carries a decisive ruthlessness that doesn’t drag its feet... He hides his light well; appearances are deceiving.

Hmm... if I could kidnap him to be my Hu family’s son-in-law.

”Cough, cough!” Hu Gan cleared his throat, forcibly pulling back his rather ridiculous thoughts. No! What am I thinking! Now is the time to handle official business!

Well, then again, a competitive and sharp young man like this really needs an elder like me to properly knock him down a peg, temper his edge, and let him understand what it means to keep a low profile.

Otherwise, with this personality, he will inevitably cause even bigger trouble in the future. When that time comes, he might even drag my Hu Jia into danger with him.

Of course, being in danger is fine. As long as this young man has enough power and the heart to protect Hu Jia well.

In just a few seconds, Hu Gan’s thoughts had completely and unreasonably strayed.

He no longer cared whether the crippled Bai Shan was dead or alive, nor did he care how much pressure the Bai Family would bring to the academy. He only cared about one thing now—

How could he quietly test his future son-in-law’s character and strength?

278 Wood Should Not Be Used to Restrain Steel

”Young man, don’t just stand there, come and sit.” Hu Gan showed a kind smile typical of an elder to a junior and waved at Yun Xiancheng, signaling him to sit in the chair opposite him.

After Yun Xiancheng sat down calmly, Hu Gan took a sip of tea and spoke slowly, ”Student Yun, regarding what you did to student Bai Shan yesterday, as the Vice Dean of the academy, I must say, you went a bit too far.”

He paused and continued in an earnest tone, ”What is too rigid is easily broken. You should understand this principle, right? It’s a good thing for young people to have pride, but being too sharp is ultimately not a good thing.”

Hearing this, Yun Xiancheng showed no sign of tension or unease. He sat calmly in front of Hu Gan and even poured himself a cup of tea. His composed posture made it seem as if he wasn’t a student undergoing interrogation, but an honored guest discussing the Dao over tea with an old friend.

”Vice Dean, I naturally understand the principles of life you’ve mentioned.” He brought the teacup to his lips, gently blowing on the steam, his voice steady and clear.

”However, I also understand the principle of ’seeking truth from facts.’ You say that which is too rigid is easily broken. Then, I would like to ask, where exactly is the boundary of this so-called ’too’ and ’rigid’? And who gets to define this so-called ’limit’?”

He set down the teacup, looking at Hu Gan with burning eyes, a faint, ambiguous smile on his lips.

”Tools made of ordinary wood will break and be damaged with a little force. However, tools made of tempered steel can withstand immense weight without the slightest damage. Surely, we cannot demand that steel must also follow the standards of wood just because wood breaks easily?”

His words were neither humble nor arrogant, soft yet sharp, and filled with powerful confidence. After hearing Yun Xiancheng’s words, Hu Gan couldn’t help but feel moved once again.

What a sharp-tongued boy! What a comparison of wood standards to steel!

Instead of being angry at Yun Xiancheng’s rebuttal, a look of even deeper appreciation appeared in his eyes. ”Young man, having confidence is a good thing, and having pride is even better.”

Hu Gan nodded, but then his tone shifted, becoming much more profound. ”However... you must also know that there is always someone better, and there is always a higher heaven. On this vast Fighting Qi Continent, there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Peerless geniuses are as numerous as crucian carps crossing a river. Just because you can defeat Bai Shan today doesn’t mean you can defeat Li Shan or Wang Shan tomorrow.”

”If you don’t know your limits and blindly charge ahead, what if one day you truly provoke an existence you simply cannot afford to provoke? And if behind you! There just happens to be no Dao Protector strong enough to safeguard you, then the only path waiting for you is to perish with regret.”

”This world is far more cruel than you imagine. Although you are a peerless genius, after all, you have not yet fully grown. Before you grow into a towering tree, any tiny pebble could snap your seedling in half.”

Hu Gan’s words sounded less like a scolding and more like a sincere, heartfelt piece of advice from an elder to a junior.

Yun Xiancheng sensed the goodwill in his words. He stood up and gave Hu Gan a solemn, standard cupped-hand salute from a junior to an elder. ”Thank you for your guidance, Vice Dean. I have learned my lesson.” He sat back down, a sincere smile on his face. ”I, Xiancheng, have a sense of propriety in what I do.”

”I am not the kind of arrogant person who looks at the sky from the bottom of a well. I naturally know who in this world can be provoked and who cannot.”

He certainly had a sense of propriety.

Besides, when it came down to it, Bai Shan only had a Dou Zong Family behind him. Was that so impressive?

Not to mention the colossal background of the Gu Clan behind Xun’er.

Just speaking for himself, Lü Man had broken through to Dou Zong only a few months ago and was already a two-star Dou Zong expert.

His master Yun Yun, as well as the Big Lion Zi Ji, had also successively broken through to become Dou Zongs. Even among his peers, Ying had reached Dou Zong as well.

More importantly, after the ”Sovereigns Presence” radiated onto them, their progress had been a thousand miles a day. Their current cultivation speed in the Dou Zong Realm was even several times faster than when they were in the Dou Huang Realm.

Within a few years, they would all successively step into the Dou Zun Realm.

Time, the future, potential... everything was firmly on his side. So, why should he be afraid? Why should he retreat?

”Vice Dean,” Yun Xiancheng looked up at Hu Gan and explained calmly, ”Student Bai Shan committed a mistake that I personally cannot tolerate.”

”He tried to harass, pester, and even insult my lovers. Therefore, I gave him a small, harmless punishment.”

”I just wanted to use this matter to let him understand a principle in advance—this world is cruel. Life isn’t always filled with warm and gentle sunshine like it is here in Jia Nan Academy.”

”There is much more of the real world’s cold and ruthless wind, frost, rain, and snow.”

That gentle smile reappeared on Yun Xiancheng’s face.

”You just said that which is too rigid is easily broken. You’re right. That overconfident stick, Bai Shan, met with disaster and broke because he was too sharp.”

”Now, his cultivation has merely been crippled, and he will spend the rest of his life as an ordinary person. Isn’t this much better than being killed directly in the real world in the future because of the same stupidity?”

Speaking to this point, Yun Xiancheng suddenly turned his head, casting his smiling gaze toward the Bai Family Elder nearby, who had been ashen-faced and silent since the beginning.

”Would you say... that’s the logic? Elder of the Bai Family?”

That Dou Master elder of the Bai Family, Bai Hu, had been suppressing his anger and humiliation ever since Yun Xiancheng walked in.

At this moment, hearing these words that sounded to him like a complete reversal of black and white and were arrogant to the extreme, the volcano that had been building up in his chest could no longer be suppressed and erupted!

”Where did this madman come from!!”

He slammed his hand onto the table and chair in front of him. That table, made of hard Black Iron Wood, instantly shattered into a pile of sawdust under the angry strike of a Dou King Expert!

Before the aftershocks could spread, they were neutralized by Yun Xiancheng using Fighting Qi.

The Dou Master was stunned, but he still stood up abruptly, pointing at Yun Xiancheng’s nose, his beard and hair bristling as he roared:

”What a sharp-tongued little beast! How dare you spout nonsense and use fallacious reasoning here! Clearly, you were the one who used your power to commit violence, using ruthless methods and being in the wrong first.”

”And yet you dare to turn around and blame all the guilt on my poor, innocent Bai Shan?”

That gentle smile remained on Yun Xiancheng’s face.

Only now, in the eyes of the Bai Family Elder, that smile seemed so cold, so... hair-raising.

”Elder, you seem to have misunderstood one thing.” Yun Xiancheng’s voice remained steady, yet it carried a cold majesty. ”Whether someone is in the wrong first doesn’t depend on who comes running here first to cry and demand payment with an aggressive attitude. It depends on who first committed that unwise, foolish, and provocative act.”

”I’ll say it again. If that trash of yours called Bai Shan had committed those unwise acts of provocation anywhere outside the academy, he would have been slaughtered down to the bone long ago. I merely crippled his cultivation and spared his life; that is already my greatest mercy.”

Yun Xiancheng slowly stood up, looking down at the trembling Bai Family Elder, speaking in an indifferent tone as if stating a truth:

”Therefore, I also give your Bai Family a piece of advice. ’There is always someone better, and there is always a higher heaven. That which is too rigid is easily broken.’”

At this moment, the air in the office seemed to freeze.

Hu Gan, sitting in the main seat, looked at the young man who had taken complete control of the situation single-handedly. Seeing his calm and even somewhat effortless manner, he eventually spread his hands helplessly.

He leaned back in his chair, and deep in his heart, he made a new judgment about this student’s strength, temperament, and potential.

279 Controlling the Situation

The moment his voice fell, Yun Xiancheng no longer held back.

A majestic and vast pressure, as solid as if it were physical, erupted with him as the center!

Inside the Vice Dean’s office, the air seemed to be sucked out in an instant, replaced by incredibly heavy mercury.

Those few Bai Family Dou Ling emissaries couldn’t even let out a proper cry of alarm. Their faces turned red, and their eyes bulged as if an invisible giant hand were clutching their throats, making even breathing a luxury.

They felt like mortals thrown into the deep sea ten thousand fathoms down, with endless, terrifying pressure from all directions trying to crush them completely!

The Dou Master elder of the Bai Family, Bai Hu, was in a slightly better situation, but only slightly.

The Fighting Qi in his body circulated frantically, his protective aura flickering on his skin, and his bones let out an overburdened ”creak” of mourning. He stared fixedly at the indifferent young man before him, a few words squeezed out of his throat with difficulty, still wanting to say something to salvage a bit of dignity.

”Sharp-tongued boy...”