Chapter 31: The Biased Librarian

"Run?" When Gu Yechen heard that, he stopped in his tracks. Avoiding trouble was fine—but running away? That was absolutely impossible.

In no time, Qin Shou rushed to stand in front of Gu Yechen, raising an arm to block his path. "Didn't you hear me calling you just now? Try taking another step and see what happens!"

Looking at the sleazy man who had just jogged over, Gu Yechen felt nothing but disgust.

Though Gu Yechen usually had a mild temper, the moment he heard Qin Shou call himself "laozi" (a rude way of referring to oneself as someone else's superior), his fist clenched, and his voice turned cold: "Who did you say you were just now?"

"Well, well! So you've got a bit of a temper, huh? Laozi is your elder, and taking you in as my little follower should be your honor. What's with the arrogance just now?"

Qin Shou was used to bullying others. He had his lackeys and connections backing him up.

But Gu Yechen wasn't someone easy to deal with. To become a Soul Master, he had suffered through agony others couldn't imagine.

What would someone like Qin Shou know about enduring torture in hell every night, only to wake up the next day and force a smile?

But at this moment, Gu Yechen didn't want to keep a low profile. His gaze turned sharp—like piercing ice shards—which made Qin Shou involuntarily shiver.

Gu Yechen said calmly, "I'll give you one chance to walk away. If you don't, don't blame me for being rude."

Qin Shou, though rattled by that glare and feeling his knees go weak, dared not show fear—especially with the girl he liked watching from behind.

He was, after all, a big shot among the Tianwei-level students and had reached 25th level Soul Power, making him a two-ring Battle Soul Master.

To him, Gu Yechen was just a new kid. How strong could he be? Maybe that glare was intimidating, but surely he was weak in a real fight.

Trying to keep his cool, Qin Shou sneered, "So what if I'm blocking you? Come on, hit me if you've got the guts. Do you even dare to make a move?"

"I'll tell you right now—you're messing with someone way out of your league. If you even lay a finger on me—"

Smack!

Before he could finish, Gu Yechen slapped him hard across the face. "So much pointless chatter. If you want to fight, then fight. I don't have time for your nonsense."

Gu Yechen had to control his soul power today—if he accidentally broke more academy property again, the compensation wouldn't be cheap.

Qin Shou clutched his burning cheek, eyes wide. "He actually hit me! Does he not know who I am?! Damn it—he's dead!"

In the entire academy, aside from Crown Prince Xue Beng, few had a stronger background than Qin Shou.

"You've no idea who you're dealing with!" Qin Shou growled. "I haven't even touched you, and you dared to hit me first? Got guts, huh? What's your name? Or are you too scared to say it? Get on your knees if you know what's good for you!"

"So much talk."

Gu Yechen didn't even spare him a glance. A mere 25th-level Soul Master dared to provoke him—he must be tired of living.

If not for Aunt Ye's warning to stay out of trouble, Gu Yechen would have crippled him right then and there.

Seeing that Qin Shou was all bark and no bite, Gu Yechen lazily added, "If you want a fight, I'm ready anytime. If not, then shut up. I'm not wasting my time on you."

With that, he brushed past him without hesitation—simple, clean, and confident.

"Damn it! If I don't beat the crap out of you, my name's not Qin! I'll show you what I'm made of!" Qin Shou roared.

Furious, he activated his martial soul, shouting, "Alpaca, possess me!"

As the Alpaca Soul took over, his body morphed into something even more grotesque.

Half-sheep, half-camel, his neck lengthened, his joints cracked loudly, and his arms—now resembling pig's trotters—swelled with muscle.

Hair sprouted thickly all over his body, and even his punk-style bangs stood upright.

His ten fingers thickened and stiffened, unable to close into a proper fist, looking like crude hooves covered in keratin.

Beneath his feet, two yellow soul rings rose into the air, gliding toward his head.

Seeing Gu Yechen still walking away without even turning around, Qin Shou leaped into the air, bringing a hoof down toward Gu Yechen's back.

A sneak attack might be shameless—but the guy was asking for it by being so cocky.

"It's Qin Shou! He's bullying another newcomer. I just hope the kid doesn't end up broken. Anyone who crosses Qin Shou must have a death wish," murmured a nearby student.

The surrounding students, disturbed by the soul power ripple, turned to watch.

They had heard the commotion earlier but hadn't paid much attention, thinking it would fizzle out since the librarian was present.

But now that someone had actually released their martial soul and the librarian still hadn't stepped in, there could only be one explanation: Qin Shou was someone even the librarian wouldn't mess with.

The onlookers realized this was going to escalate.

Some slipped away quietly, others stayed to watch the drama, and a few fair-weather types debated whether to join Qin Shou in beating up Gu Yechen.

After all, Qin Shou had influence in the academy—earning his favor wouldn't hurt.

Meanwhile, Gu Yechen smiled faintly as he sensed the incoming hoof.

Suddenly, a white soul ring—seemingly just a ten-year one—appeared around him.

Qin Shou was stunned. "When did he…"

Bang!

The hoof landed on Gu Yechen's back, and with a cracking sound, Qin Shou's arm fractured.

But Gu Yechen didn't budge, as if he were an immovable iron mountain.

The backlash sent Qin Shou stumbling backward, twisting his ankle and landing hard on his rear.

"What the hell? He didn't even release his martial soul! How is his body that strong?!"

What Qin Shou didn't know was that Gu Yechen had already activated his soul power when he slapped him earlier.

Beast martial souls usually possess the body to enhance combat, while tool martial souls are typically projected outward.

Plant-based martial souls, in particular, can be released at great distances—10 meters, 50 meters, or even over 100 meters.

Gu Yechen's Hellfire Red Lotus martial soul was unique—it could be activated silently, without any visible soul rings or fluctuations.

As long as he didn't raise his hand and reveal the crimson flower and soul ring, he would seem like a soul-ring-less monster to others.

The reason Qin Shou's arm broke was because Gu Yechen had used his martial soul's secret technique: Imitation.

He had copied the physique of a nearby student—a 30th-level defense-type Soul Master.

Unless Qin Shou used soul skills, he couldn't even break through that kind of defense.

To make things worse, Gu Yechen had also applied a debuff skill from his Red Lotus, weakening both Qin Shou's offense and defense.

Though he was technically a support-type Soul Master, Gu Yechen's abilities made him comparable to a power-type fighter.

And yet, through it all, the librarian never intervened—just watched coldly from the side. This made Gu Yechen quietly furious.

The librarian was a Soul King—too powerful for Gu Yechen to imitate, since he could only mimic those within ten soul power levels of himself.

Clearly, the librarian was siding with Qin Shou. If he chose to step in, things could get ugly.

And, as if on cue…

A dark green light emerged from the white-haired librarian and surged into Qin Shou's body.

In moments, his arm was completely healed.

Getting up and flexing his arm, Qin Shou laughed, "Ha! Good as new!"

Gu Yechen narrowed his eyes and cursed silently, "Damn biased librarian."

If someone like that were on his side, it would've been a blessing. But standing against him? It was downright disgusting.

(End of Chapter)

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