As the sound rang out, three figures slowly entered the room. Leading the way was someone slightly ashen-faced, wearing a close-fitting jacket that made him look exceptionally sharp. Behind him followed a young woman, breathtakingly beautiful, her eyes conveying a hint of cool detachment. The third was a youth, slightly slight, his large eyes darting around with keen intensity.

“Why are you here?” Warren looked utterly anxious when he saw Chen Feng approach.

Chen Feng was already a wanted man by the Academy. Coming here now was clearly walking straight into a trap.

Before Chen Feng could answer, he heard the Dean of Academic Affairs speak with grave seriousness: “Which academy are you from? Such a lack of rules, not even applying in advance before coming to the Academic Affairs Office?”

“I believe I am the bad guy you colluded with,” Chen Feng stated calmly. “You had people sing a duet in front of me. Wasn't the goal to draw me out? Why don’t you recognize me now that I’m here?”

“Hm? You are Chen Feng? Good, we’ve been waiting for you!” A slight smile touched the Dean’s lips. With a sweep of his large hand, dozens of people suddenly poured into the previously silent room; every single one was at the Dou Shi (Battle Master) realm.

“Do you expect these people to capture me?” Chen Feng offered a faint smile.

“Of course not. Two years ago your cultivation was already Dou Zun (Battle Venerable), and now you must have advanced further. Forget dozens of Dou Shi—even a few hundred might be useless against you!” The Dean sneered. “However, don’t underestimate these students. Each one of them has a significant background. Like the first one here, he is the third son of the Prime Minister of the Luo Qi Empire; the second is the nephew of the Chief Minister of the Ke Te Empire; the third is the only son of the Seventh Prince of the Tony Empire… In short, harming any one of these individuals will offend one of the Four Great Empires. By then, even if our Academy doesn't trouble you, the Four Great Empires will not let you off!”

“And…” the Dean continued, “these people are not here to deal with you, but rather…”

Saying this, he waved his hand, and ten people immediately rushed towards Warren and the others sitting to the side, grabbing them directly.

“My objective is to capture you. If you dare make a move, I truly cannot guarantee they won't act!” the Dean said with a cold smirk.

“Using them to threaten me?” Chen Feng remained expressionless, speaking softly.

“Hahaha, well? So what if I threaten you? You’re just a brat who hasn’t seen the world. Let me tell you, this is the number one academy in the world, Tian Feng Academy, not some place you can just come and go as you please!” the Dean declared smugly.

“Is that so?” Chen Feng sighed. His foot moved once, and the Dean suddenly felt a tight grip around his throat. Chen Feng, who moments ago had been more than ten meters away, had somehow appeared right in front of him and clamped onto his neck.

“Cough, cough… If you dare touch me, the lives of your three friends are forfeit…” the Dean cried out, though his tone had softened considerably.

“It’s a disgrace for a school to resort to such low-level threats! It seems Tian Feng Academy truly lives up to its name!” Chen Feng sighed.

“Let me go immediately! If you harm a single hair on my head, you’ll be opposing Tian Feng Academy! By then, the hidden powerhouses of the Academy will tear you to shreds…”

“It seems these are the only sentences you know how to utter!” Chen Feng’s face was impassive. He tightened his grip. With a sharp crack, the Dean collapsed onto the floor like a heap of mud, his breathing instantly cut off.

This action not only stunned the dozens of Dou Shi but also left Warren and the others bewildered. Killing the Dean in Tian Feng Academy—was he insane?

“Release them, and I’ll let you go. If you don't, this will be your fate!” Chen Feng walked step by step toward the cluster of Dou Shi.

“I am the son of the Luo Qi Empire’s Prime Minister! If you dare touch me, my father will send an army to encircle and exterminate you…” the person at the front shouted.

The Dean’s thinking was indeed sound. Using people with such powerful backgrounds made even the strongest cultivation hesitant, as one would ultimately have to face an empire, an army—something even masters feared.

“Same words again: release them, and I let you go. If you refuse, even if your empire’s Emperor himself came, I would still kill him!” Chen Feng stated calmly.

“If you touch me, my father will relentlessly pursue you until death…” Before the fellow could finish speaking, his throat tightened. With a dry creak, his breath was cut off.

“My patience has its limits!” A murderous intent flashed in Chen Feng’s eyes as he looked at the others. These people had never witnessed such slaughter. Instantly, they were struck with terror and scattered in all directions.

Chen Feng did not pursue those who fled. He walked over and smiled at Warren, “Sorry for involving you!”

“You need to leave quickly!” Warren looked extremely anxious. “Now that you’ve killed someone, the Academy will surely send people immediately. If you don't go now, you won’t be able to!”

“I never planned on leaving in the first place!” Chen Feng replied. “You all see now that the Academy never considered you valuable members, but merely tools to be exploited!”

“No! This is just an isolated incident,” Warren insisted, stepping quickly to the door, glancing out, then turning back. “Hurry up and go! They haven't arrived yet; if they do, we won't be able to leave!”

“I still need to settle accounts with them!” Chen Feng said, and then, with a thud, he vanished on the spot.

…………………………………………………………………………

“Is your method really going to work, Ross?” Brian couldn't help but ask.

“Of course, it will work. Didn't you know? Warren, Kailin, and the others have a very good relationship with Chen Feng. If they were in trouble, he certainly wouldn't stand idly by. Under the intense pressure of our Tian Feng Academy, do you think he alone can accomplish much? He’ll surely be anxious. Then, when we step in and offer him a way out—cooperate with us and we’ll release Warren and the others—it’s a win-win situation!” Old Man Ross in the green robe chuckled, a hint of sly cunning gleaming in his eyes.

“Mm, let’s hope so!” Brian hesitated before saying.

“Heh heh, relax. He will definitely yield. As long as we maintain a firm stance initially, making him feel there’s no other option, and then give him an out, the matter will be settled smoothly!” Ross said proudly. “I refuse to believe anyone can withstand the pressure exerted by the Academy!”

“Hmph. If it weren't for the Academy's reputation, I would absolutely not work alongside the murderer of my younger brother! Once this is over, Ross, you must help me eliminate him!”

“That’s no problem. We’ve been friends for over ten years. Why would I help some nameless nobody?” Ross said with a smile.

“Right, if we do this, what if he doesn't know? If he doesn't know, naturally he won't come?” Brian asked.

“There’s no need to worry about that. I’ve already sent two students out. As soon as they see him enter the city, they will coincidentally ‘discuss’ this matter in front of him. Once he hears it, he will definitely worry about his friends and come running,” Ross continued.

In reality, Chen Feng had already figured it out long ago, but even knowing it, he still intended to come here. Since he planned to come anyway, he certainly wouldn't flee just because someone tried to trick him.

“Since you have thought it through, that’s good,” Brian said.

“Mm, no need to rush. Have some water and wait. If he comes, the Dean of Academic Affairs will certainly follow my instructions. When he is in a difficult position, we will step forward, accuse the Dean of ruining the Academy's reputation, utter a few righteous words, and won’t we easily trick a young punk?” Ross said, a smile spreading across his face, seemingly very satisfied with his plan.

Slap, slap!

Just then, applause sounded from outside the room, and a voice, neither warm nor cold, drifted in: “Your scheme is truly well-laid! Pity... I overheard it all!”

“Hm? When did you get here?” Ross and Brian both shot to their feet. As late-stage Saints, the fact that someone had approached them unnoticed startled them both!

“I haven’t been here long, but I did hear a very interesting scene!” Chen Feng said with a smile, walking forward step by step.

Ross and Brian’s faces grew unsightly.

“Hmph, no matter how you got here, facing two Saint experts, do you really think you have a chance of winning?” Ross quickly regained his composure. “What we are doing is merely to strike a deal with you. What do you say?”

“A deal with me?” Chen Feng replied, “Not interested!”

“Don't reject it so quickly! We don't even need you to fight. We only need to borrow the influence behind you to help us deal with that demon. Our Tian Feng Academy will forever be your good friend!” Ross proposed.

“Deal with a demon? I suspect you just want to send someone to their death!”

“Hmph, that demon isn't that terrifying. He was injured in the last battle by our [Eight Immortals Array]. Otherwise, do you think we people would still be alive?” Ross explained. “Now we have devised a new variation within the core of the [Eight Immortals Array]; if used, its power will be ten times greater than before! You just need to send a few Saint realm experts from your master or the force behind you, and we can kill the demon!”

“Is that so?” Chen Feng ignored their words and smiled faintly. “If that’s the case, then deploy your [Eight Immortals Array]! I truly want to witness the might of such a formidable formation!”

“You? Heh heh… Truly overestimating yourself!” Ross sneered. “I know your talent is excellent—reaching the Saint realm in just two years from a first-rank Dou Zun—but don't think this array is a joke. Even a peak Saint expert would meet a dead end if trapped inside. You are not qualified to witness this array…”

Before his words had finished, he saw a fist rapidly enlarging before his eyes. It was too late to dodge. With a loud bang, he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground!

“Am I qualified to witness it now?” Chen Feng’s voice rang out coldly.

ps: I just realized Chapter 396 was missing, so this is actually the true Chapter 398. The previous chapter was 397, and the one labeled 397 was Chapter 396...

Sigh, I am a bit confused...

Also: The competition for the top fifteen in this category is fierce. At the beginning of the month, any VIP subscriber who has subscribed for more than ten yuan gets a guaranteed monthly ticket. If you have one, please give it to me, thank you!!! One more chapter coming... it will be very late... (To be continued. To know what happens next, please log in to m, there are more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)

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