Qin Zhen roared like a wild beast. His blackened hands slammed into the ground, creating large cracks. The nearby students retreated in panic. Even the teachers and guards around were injured by the impact. Some of the teachers were already preparing powerful attacks to kill Qin Zhen immediately.
But Lin Xian moved first.
He leapt forward at high speed, lowering his stance in front of Qin Zhen, who was crouching like a predator. The dark aura surrounding Qin Zhen grew stronger, but Lin Xian did not back down.
"Qin Zhen!" shouted Lin Xian. "You can still hear me, right?!"
There was no answer. Only low growls and ragged breaths came from the creature in front of him. Qin Zhen's blood-red eyes reflected Lin Xian's image, but there was no sign of consciousness within them.
Lin Xian gritted his teeth. He raised his left hand, channeling a bit of Qi into his palm. The same black aura—though much more controlled—began to envelop his skin.
"I'll give it a try."
He tried to touch Qin Zhen's body, but Qin Zhen dodged. Then a black orb appeared in the air, transforming into spears of darkness.
Qin Zhen moved his hands. The spears shot toward Lin Xian. He dodged all of them.
"I have to bring him down first."
Lin Xian nodded and stepped forward. This time he was more serious—the battle became more intense than before. The two exchanged blows.
***
Qingran watched. She just realized that Lin Xian had impressive combat skills. Even better than the average student his age. Now she understood why Lin Xian held the top rank. He truly deserved it.
"Elder, what should we do?" someone asked.
"Let it be. Lin Xian can handle it."
That person was shocked by Qingran's words. He shook his head, rejecting the command, but Qingran's piercing gaze made him nod and fall silent.
"I want to see what he will do. If things become uncontrollable, I'll step in myself," said Qingran.
"I'm sorry, Elder Qingran."
***
Lin Xian was pushed back. He received a wound on his left shoulder. It hurt, but he could still fight. Qin Zhen appeared right in front of Lin Xian's face.
A direct attack came from Qin Zhen. His long claws slashed toward Lin Xian.
Blood dripped from his cheek. "Damn it. If only I used the demonic Qi in my body, this would be easier." He looked around—hundreds of eyes were watching him. "It's too risky if I use it."
Lin Xian knew he had to find another way. He decided to try for 20 minutes. If nothing worked, he would get serious and kill Qin Zhen.
Even so, Lin Xian felt it had gone on long enough. Slowly, he began to adapt and started to overpower Qin Zhen.
Slash!
A strike landed on Lin Xian's chest. Suddenly, Qin Zhen became much stronger—almost 2.5 times stronger than before.
"Looks like I have no other choice." Lin Xian had made up his mind. "Forgive me!"
He drew the Sword Crimson Demon. Lin Xian's aura was filled with killing intent. He channeled a bit of demonic Qi from his Demon Breathing technique.
Lin Xian was ready to charge and end it, but something surprising happened. The floor suddenly turned cold and froze.
"I'll help you," said Ahn Yue.
Lin Xian turned his head. He nodded. Ahn Yue's support would be very useful. He moved forward while Ahn Yue backed him up from behind. She froze Qin Zhen's feet again and again.
That limited Qin Zhen's movement. With that, Lin Xian could launch a decisive attack. He stepped forward and struck with the palm of his hand.
His demonic Qi was forced into Qin Zhen's body. Within seconds, Qin Zhen screamed in pain. Then he collapsed and lost consciousness.
"So it worked."
Lin Xian walked toward Qin Zhen's body. He wanted to check Qin Zhen's condition. But then Lin Xian saw a hooded figure staring at him sharply, as if furious.
Lin Xian immediately realized. He ran toward the figure. Once the figure saw Lin Xian charging, she turned and ran.
Lin Xian kept running. He shoved aside students who blocked his path. Some looked annoyed and pushed him back.
"Move, idiots!" Lin Xian shouted.
He unleashed a killing aura. The students froze. That gave him an opening—but it was already too late. The hooded woman had vanished. She managed to escape.
Lin Xian clicked his tongue in frustration. "If those idiots hadn't gotten in my way, my mission would have made progress."
Lin Xian turned around. He walked back toward Qin Zhen. From a distance, he saw that Qin Zhen's body had been carried by one of the teachers.
"Put him down!" shouted Lin Xian.
The teacher stared at Lin Xian angrily. "Who do you think you are, huh? I'm your teacher."
"I'm the one who defeated him. So let me carry his body and… he's my friend," said Lin Xian.
The teacher didn't accept that. Lin Xian's words only provoked him further. He even looked like he was about to hit Lin Xian—but then Qingran arrived.
"Give him to Lin Xian!" Qingran stepped in to help Lin Xian.
[Qingran's trust increased +20%]
[Qingran's trust in the user: 60%]
Lin Xian was surprised to see the notification on his system screen. This was outside the plan he had made to raise Qingran's trust.
Lin Xian ignored it for now. He wanted to focus on Qin Zhen's condition.
"Thank you, Elder," Lin Xian said respectfully.
The teacher still looked upset. "But he said—"
"I'll take responsibility," Qingran said.
The teacher nodded and handed Qin Zhen over to Lin Xian. He carried Qin Zhen's body. He would bring him to his house.
"I'll take care of him," said Lin Xian.
[Qingran's trust increased +5%]
[Qingran's trust in the user: 65%]
"Huh? Something like this actually worked?"
Lin Xian didn't feel like he had done anything good. He wanted to get Qin Zhen's body to research the effects of the Crazy Demon Pill. There was no good intention in Lin Xian's heart.
But from others' perspective, Lin Xian looked like someone who was trying to save his friend. That was something truly admirable.
"You're a good kid," Qingran praised.
[Qingran's trust increased +5%]
[Qingran's trust in the user: 70%]
***
Not far from there, the hooded woman watched Lin Xian from a distance. She turned around and began walking away.
"He ruined everything. That boy must be eliminated. He'll be a threat if he's allowed to live."
She turned her back and left the place.