Zoey Zhou’s eyes flashed with sly intent as she snarked, “Senior Brother Ryan’s absolutely right. Some people just have to show off and drag our entire Pristine Way Sect into a mess. Honestly, it’s shameful!”
Song Yan’s brow furrowed again. By rights, everyone should be working together to find a solution, but some people just love to dodge responsibility.
“So, what, you think I’m wrong?”
Seeing Song Yan frown, Zoey Zhou sneered, eyes full of mockery. “Know your place. Even the Core and Elite Disciples kept quiet, but you, just an Inner Sect nobody, jumped out to play hero. Don’t drag us down with you!”
Though Zoey didn’t name names, every word was aimed straight at Song Yan.
Song Yan took a deep breath, tamping down the anger rising in his chest. He knew arguing was pointless—only results could shut these people up.
Seeing Song Yan fall silent, Zoey Zhou grew smug, shooting a fawning glance at Ryan Li before taunting, “What’s wrong, got nothing to say now?”
Song Yan just shook his head and turned to leave for his room, refusing to waste breath on pointless bickering.
“Stop right there! Who said you could leave?” Zoey Zhou barked.
Song Yan looked at her, his tone cool and distant. “What else do you want, Senior Sister Zoey?”
Zoey Zhou’s voice was icy. “It’s all your fault Pristine Way Sect is stuck in this mess. Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?”
"What do you want me to say?" Song Yan was getting fed up with Zoey Zhou overstepping again.
Zoey Zhou stepped forward, glaring at him. “What, you’re unhappy, or are you saying I’m wrong?”
Trouble just won’t leave me alone, huh?
Song Yan sighed inwardly, then did something unexpected. He stepped up, bowed to Zoey Zhou, and said, “Senior Sister Zoey, you’re absolutely right. I dragged everyone down, and I apologize to you and the whole group. But since you’re so domineering, I’m sure you’ve got a brilliant solution to get us out of this mess. Why not share it, so us juniors can learn from your wisdom?”
Zoey Zhou looked pleased at first, but as Song Yan’s words sank in, her face turned stormy and her temper flared.
"Why should I clean up your mess?" Zoey snapped, indignant.
Clap! Clap!
Song Yan clapped and said, “Well said, Senior Sister! Since I caused the trouble, I’ll fix it myself. So unless you’ve got a way to save us, stop yapping and let the juniors keep some respect for you.”
"What? You dare look down on me?" Zoey Zhou shot back, outraged.
Zoey Zhou's plain face flushed a deep red, and there was a faint, mocking smile flickering in her eyes.
Leon Huang continued, "It's not that I look down on you—it's that I don't respect you at all. If you're so capable, why don't you go yell at the Sea Emperor Sect? Acting tough in your own den means nothing. People like you only know how to throw your weight around here, but when you meet someone from Sea Emperor, you turn into a coward and a spineless turtle!"
Leon’s sharp tongue was merciless, leaving Zoey Zhou’s face shifting from pale to green with rage as her anger boiled over.
Finally, she couldn’t hold back her fury any longer. Her body tensed, and she lashed out with a slap aimed straight at Leon.
Ryan Li’s lips curled into a cold smile, while the others were sure Leon was about to get smacked.
Smack!
A crisp, echoing slap rang out—and to everyone’s shock, Zoey Zhou was sent flying backwards.
"What... what just happened?"
For a moment, everyone was stunned. Leon Huang had actually slapped Zoey Zhou flying! But Zoey was a mid-stage Grandmaster, while Leon was only at Qi-Refining—how could this be possible?
Zoey herself was dumbfounded. Not even in her wildest dreams had she imagined being slapped by someone at Qi-Refining. Feeling the mocking, incredulous stares around her, she just wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. But soon, a fierce killing intent surged up from deep inside her.
Her eyes blazed with murderous intent, qi roaring inside her as she stepped forward, glaring at Leon Huang. "You little punk! How dare you hit me? I’ll kill you!"
Facing Zoey Zhou’s murderous rage, Leon remained perfectly calm, teasing, "Looks like you were the one who started it, Senior."
"You’re asking for it!"
Zoey Zhou shouted furiously, swinging her palm again. This time, a torrent of qi surged toward Leon like a raging flood.
"Stop!"
With a flicker of movement, Elder Hu appeared in front of Leon, reaching out to dissolve the torrent of qi instantly.
"Zoey Zhou, what do you think you’re doing?" Elder Hu fixed her with a stern glare, his voice thunderous.
"I...!" The moment Elder Hu appeared, Zoey’s momentum vanished. "Elder Hu, that Leon Huang attacked me first. You have to stand up for me!"
Leon watched her performance, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking, playful smile.
"Is that so?"