Chapter 55: It's Not Easy to Be a Bad Man

Chapter 55: It's Not Easy to Be a Bad Man

Tianshui City, a quaint city named after Tianshui Academy, nestled near the Star Dou Great Forest within the Heaven Dou Empire, was a sight to behold. Though small, its streets and buildings were crafted with an exquisite beauty, reflecting the elegance of the all-female academy at its heart.

"Truly befitting a women's academy. Even the city radiates charm..." Qin Jian murmured, strolling through Tianshui City in a light blue outfit, his eyes occasionally wandering with curiosity.

Two weeks had passed since he left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tiles Sect. The time had been spent nursing his emotional wounds, and only now was he beginning to regain his composure.

"The target of the second test is Shui Bing'er..." Qin Jian's gaze drifted toward the city's center, where Tianshui Academy likely stood.

"My soul power is now level 22... I didn't expect her to have such a favorable impression of me already..." he mused, walking along the central avenue. The street was alive with the graceful figures of Tianshui Academy's students, their youthful energy adding vibrancy to the scene.

"The second Spirit ring, with a 3,000-year lifespan, grants a skill tied to first love. All of this... because of my separation from Rongrong..." A heavy sigh escaped him, laced with frustration.

"I can't pursue Shui Bing'er right now. How am I supposed to get past this mentally?" he muttered, grappling with his emotions. "Unless I become a heartless scumbag..."

He slapped his forehead, exasperated. "But not everyone can just be a scumbag..."

"The pain of love is too much. If I want to protect myself and grow stronger, I might have to learn to be cold... Only by staying detached can I shield my heart..."

His body trembled slightly, a visceral reminder of his true nature. As a million-year love flower, I can't escape my essence...

"Forget it!" Qin Jian growled, kicking a stone pier by the roadside in a burst of irritation. "The priority is to grow stronger and pass the nine tests of the Love God. No matter who I have to part with, I must become a god, seize control of my fate, and keep my promise to Rongrong!"

"Hey! Why are you kicking the stone pier like that?!" a sharp, slightly androgynous voice cut through his thoughts.

Qin Jian turned to see a short-haired girl in a Tianshui Academy uniform, her brows furrowed as she glared at him. She was tall, well-proportioned, and striking, with snow-white hair that lent her a heroic air.

"What's wrong with kicking a stone pier? Did I break it?" Qin Jian retorted coldly, his mood too sour for diplomacy. Normally, he might have apologized and moved on, but not today. "Is there some rule in Tianshui City that says I can't touch the roadside piers?"

The girl's brows knitted tighter. "There's no such rule, but these streets are cleaned daily by Tianshui Academy students using their soul power. You should respect our efforts."

"Oh?" Qin Jian's tone was flat. "If there's no rule, you've got no grounds to scold me. Goodbye."

He turned to leave, uninterested in further debate.

"Hey! How can you be so rude?!" The girl chased after him, planting herself in front of him, her voice rising. "You can't just walk away!"

"I kicked a stone pier. Is it really that serious?" Qin Jian crossed his arms, tilting his head. "What do you want from me?"

"Wipe the footprint off the pier, then you can go," she demanded icily.

Qin Jian gave her an odd look. "You're crazy."

He sidestepped her and continued toward Tianshui Academy.

"You! How dare you insult me?!" Her voice, now more magnetic and neutral, echoed after him.

"If you've got time to hassle me, why not wipe the pier yourself? You'd get your precious result faster," Qin Jian tossed back carelessly.

The girl froze, her frown deepening. "It's your mess. Why should I clean it?"

Qin Jian paused, glancing back at her. "Look, keeping the city spotless is great, but it's not everyone's priority. If it matters to you, do it yourself. Don't stand on some moral high ground and lecture others."

Her eyes widened, clearly taken aback. "But... everyone else listens to us. They respect our work..."

Qin Jian rolled his eyes. "You're a pretty girl. You know your biggest asset, right? People don't agree with you because you're 'correct.' They just don't want to argue with someone beautiful. If you think they're all on your side, well... let's just say you're a bit too confident in your charm."

"Is... that really it...?" The girl's worldview seemed to waver, but Qin Jian didn't care. He turned and strode toward Tianshui Academy's blue gate, where female students flowed in and out, making his presence stand out starkly.

"Another guy trying to sneak into Tianshui?" a bystander whispered nearby.

"He's begging for a beating," another chimed in. "Remember that guy who tried to enroll disguised as a woman? Broke a few legs, didn't he?"

"Three..." the first muttered, arms crossed.

"Three..." the other shivered.

The snow-haired girl, spotting Qin Jian, hurried after him. "This is Tianshui Academy! Men are strictly forbidden from entering. What are you doing here?"

Qin Jian glanced at her with a defiant smirk. "Too bad. I'm here to break that rule."

Her jaw dropped. "Break... the rule?"

She watched, stunned, as Qin Jian marched toward the gate, where the female guards were already raising their swords.

"This guy's too cocky. Let's see how he gets humiliated!" she huffed, lingering near the entrance, eager to witness his downfall.

Others nearby shared her anticipation, their gazes filled with amusement.

"Stop! Tianshui Academy prohibits any men from entering!" The two armored guards at the gate clashed their swords together, barring Qin Jian's path.

"Heh, another fool who doesn't value his life. How many legs will he lose this time?" a onlooker snickered.

"Maybe all five limbs!" another quipped.

"Five limbs? You're a genius, brother!"

"Thanks, man!"

The crowd buzzed with chatter, waiting for the spectacle to unfold...

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(End of this chapter)