Chapter 132: Refusing a Toast Only to Drink a Forfeit

The incorruptible, money-shunning integrity displayed by the Jocelyn Academy was met with the staunch support of all the rogue phantom masters present. Shen Duo offered a faint smile to the ordinary admissions teacher. In truth, such occurrences were common enough during the enrollment season; it was hardly a surprise, though this particular young woman today was simply flaunting her wealth.

Wei Dong glanced at Shen Duo and said proudly, "Little Duo, what do you think? Our academy has a fine spirit, doesn't it?"

Shen Duo looked at him, smiled, but remained silent.

Just as Wei Dong was preparing to take Shen Duo and the others to visit other areas, a provocative voice rang out from behind: "I wondered who was bullying the people from our Zhouxing Branch. It turns out to be nothing but trash. Hahaha, absolutely hilarious, don't you think, Third Cousin?"

Everyone saw the mother and daughter who had just been rejected following proudly behind several young men. They looked at the admissions teacher who had sternly turned them away with triumphant glares, as if to say, "Your Jocelyn Academy is nothing special; there isn't a problem in this world that money cannot solve!"

The young teacher stood up abruptly, trembling with rage, and glared at the youths before the woman. "How dare you! Do you not fear the consequences of violating academy regulations?"

"Oh, oh, Zou Liang, why are you getting so worked up? The rules you speak of only apply to your Ziyuan Branch; they have absolutely nothing to do with our Zhouxing Branch. Whether or not our branch admits someone is none of your concern!"

"Both the Ziyuan Branch and the Zhouxing Branch are parts of the Jocelyn Academy! What right do you have to split the academy in two?" Zou Liang’s chest heaved with indignation. The people of the Zhouxing Branch were becoming increasingly arrogant.

"Are these people from the Zhou family?" Shen Duo asked Wei Dong.

Wei Dong frowned and nodded. "They are from a collateral branch of the Zhou family, students of the advanced training class. The one in front is Zhou Long, and the two behind him are Zhou Hu and Zhou Bao. Zhou Hu is Zhou Long’s third cousin. They are used to throwing their weight around the academy. They act with impunity, and no one dares to stop them."

"What about the teachers?"

Wei Dong sighed. "The teachers have their own responsibilities. They have to teach students while cultivating themselves. Besides, the opposition between our Ziyuan Branch and the Zhouxing Branch hasn't been a matter of just a day or two. Everyone knows the Zhouxing Branch is backed by the Zhou family. Few are willing to offend one of the Four Great Families, so naturally, they turn a blind eye, allowing these animals to grow more and more brazen."

Wei Dong had clashed with them many times, but due to his lack of strength, he often had to swallow his pride and suffer in silence.

Shen Duo narrowed her dark, bright eyes as she looked toward Zhou Long. She asked, as if it didn't matter at all, "The 'trash' that fellow just mentioned—he meant me, right? I didn't mishear?"

Feng Jun, with his icy expression, gave an honest nod. Wei Dong felt a chill run down his spine; if not for the sake of his image, he would have instinctively reached up to cover his neck.

Zhou Long was the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. With his decent strength as a Spirit Phantom Master and his identity as a member of the Zhou collateral family, he strutted through Jocelyn Academy, reaping many benefits. The mother and daughter had used an unlimited black crystal card to purchase a spot at the Zhouxing Branch and had hired Zhou Long to settle the score for a handsome reward. Blinded by the gold coins within his reach, he had brought them here to stir up trouble.

He always liked to pick on the weak. His eyes swept over Wei Dong and the others behind him. He had always found Wei Dong annoying; despite having been taught a lesson many times, the boy refused to change his ways. Zhou Long immediately spotted Shen Duo, who showed no trace of phantom energy fluctuations, and the mockery spilled from his lips.

Zhou Long was thrilled to have found such an easy target, having no idea that the slender girl before him was actually a stone that would shatter all his sharp teeth.

Shen Duo glanced at Zhou Long calmly, then looked away. People like Zhou Long could not stand being ignored. He was instantly infuriated to the point of apoplexy by her dismissive look. "Damn it! This piece of trash dares to look down on me? If I don't beat her until she can't find her way home today, I’m not worthy of being a descendant of the Zhou family!"

"Wei Dong, don't tell me that piece of trash beside you has already been admitted to the academy!" Zhou Long said, trying to goad Wei Dong into speaking.

Wei Dong replied with pride, "Of course. She is someone personally selected by the teacher to enter the academy."

"Ha! And I thought you guys were so righteous and unyielding! Where did that grand, upright attitude go? You’re just the same, letting someone through the back door without passing the test—and such pathetic trash at that! Do you really think our eyes are blind? If you have the guts, let her test with the Magic Stone Cup!"

Zhou Long spat as he spoke, his followers Zhou Hu and Zhou Bao chiming in as well.