Chapter 339

Chapter 339: I Am a Scholar!

Hearing Ye Tianming’s words, Zhoubai’s expression immediately darkened, but it quickly returned to normal. A wise man never lets his emotions show on his face — he needed to be steady and composed.

Nearby, Bailing’s expression was incredibly ugly, but with Zhoubai and the others present, she held herself back.

Ye Tianming paid no attention to Bailing. He looked up, and within the river of stars, endless starlight surged toward the position where Dongqian stood, like ten thousand fireflies converging into a sea — a breathtaking spectacle.

Deep within the sea of stars, that faint divine light grew dimmer and dimmer, on the verge of being extinguished at any moment.

The situation was growing worse and worse for Dongqian.

Nearby, a student from the Divine Academy suddenly said, “Let’s all attack together.”

As he moved to act, Bailing stopped him and scolded, “What do you think you’re doing? Don’t cause trouble for Senior Sister. She’s unbeatable — does she need your help?”

The student immediately shot back in anger, “Bailing, what kind of nonsense are you talking? If it weren’t for Senior Sister just now, you’d already be dead.”

Bailing’s face was expressionless. “I’m telling the truth. With our level of strength, we simply can’t help her.”

The student said, “If we work together, we can at least help Senior Sister hold back part of the formation’s power. How is that not helping?”

Bailing was about to say something else when Zhoubai suddenly let out a cold laugh. “She just got hit by Dongqian and is holding a grudge. That’s why she’s hoping Dongqian dies right now……”

He turned to look at Ye Tianming. “Isn’t that right?”

Ye Tianming: “…….”

“Boom!”

At that very moment, within the sea of stars, the divine light that had been on the verge of extinction suddenly erupted with force, forcibly shattering the starlight in the central area.

Seeing this, a student from the Divine Academy was immediately overjoyed. “Everyone, attack together!”

With that, he charged straight in.

The rest of them rushed forward as well.

Zhoubai also transformed into a streak of divine light and shot into the sky, heading straight for the sea of stars.

Only Ye Tianming and Bailing remained on the field.

Bailing’s expression was incredibly grim. As if thinking of something, she suddenly turned to look at Ye Tianming.

Ye Tianming turned to look at Bailing’s sullen face and smiled. “You’re not still thinking about killing me, are you?”

Bailing stared at him and said nothing.

Ye Tianming looked up toward the depths of the starry river. “Do you want to live?”

Bailing’s eyes narrowed slightly, a killing intent flickering within them. “Are you threatening me?”

Ye Tianming let out a quiet sigh. “Miss Bailing, I know you’re resentful, but why not look at it from a different angle — is it worth ruining yourself over some inexplicable sense of pride? And if Miss Dongqian survives, given her personality and what you’ve done, do you think you’ll have any way out?”

Bailing’s expression grew somewhat strained.

Ye Tianming continued, “Are you thinking that if she dies, you’ll be safe?”

Bailing looked at Ye Tianming, and he went on, “First, she is currently the most extraordinary student at the Divine Academy. The Divine Academy would never allow her to die. Believe it or not, there are definitely top-level powerhouses from the Academy watching over her in secret right now.”

Bailing’s face grew even paler.

Ye Tianming continued, “Second, her family background is definitely not simple either. Otherwise, it would be impossible to have raised someone so extraordinary. And for someone like her, before she has fully grown, her family will certainly be protecting her.”

As he spoke, he looked up at the sea of stars and added, “Third, the fact that she dared to go head-to-head against a formation left behind by a true god proves she was confident. So — if she lives, you will certainly die. And even if she dies, the Divine Academy and her family will never let you off. Dealing with you would probably be about as easy as crushing an ant. What do you think?”

Every last trace of color had drained from Bailing’s face, leaving it white as paper.

Ye Tianming went on, “Even if they don’t come after you, your actions will certainly have been noticed by those at the top. With a character like yours, they will definitely write you off in their minds. Not only that, but what you’ve done will also earn you the contempt of the students at the Divine Academy. In short, with the choices you’ve made, you will not come to a good end.”

This time, Bailing was truly starting to panic.

Because she knew that what Ye Tianming was saying was true.

Of course, she also regretted it.

Ye Tianming suddenly added, “Don’t let some inexplicable sense of pride ruin you. Learn to control your emotions!”

He paused for a moment, then said, “Do you want to turn this around?”

Bailing snapped her head up to look at Ye Tianming, who was watching her with a smile.

In that moment, Bailing suddenly realized something. She quickly said, “Please, I ask you to guide me.”

As she said it, she felt something was missing, and hurriedly gave a bow.

Ye Tianming smiled. “Those above don’t fear you making mistakes — what they fear is you not recognizing your mistakes and not correcting them. Go help now, give everything you have. Afterward, face Miss Dongqian directly. Don’t hide anything. Honestly admit your wrongs.”

Bailing was about to ask something else, but Ye Tianming said, “Don’t ask. Just go.”

Bailing took one long look at Ye Tianming, and in the next moment, she turned and shot into the sky — and she actually began burning her own physical body.

Going all out!

Seeing this, Ye Tianming smiled. “This one can be taught.”

Xiaohun suddenly asked, “Young Master, why did you help her?”

Ye Tianming smiled. “Killing a villain does feel satisfying, but……”

Xiaohun asked, “But what?”

Ye Tianming looked up at the starry river above and said softly, “After all, I am a scholar.”

The words his teacher Mu Guanchen had once spoken — he had never forgotten them.

Kindness!

No matter what the future held, he must always be a kind person.

Xiaohun giggled. “Young Master Ye Guan is also a scholar. He’s read so many, many books too. If you ever meet him someday, you two will definitely have a lot to talk about.”

Ye Tianming smiled but said nothing.

Xiaohun said with a hint of worry, “You two won’t fight, will you?”

Ye Tianming blinked. “If he and I were to fight, Xiaohun, whose side would you be on?”

Xiaohun quickly said, “That won’t happen, that won’t happen. Young Master, you’re an incredibly good person, and Young Master Ye Guan is also a very good person. You two won’t fight.”

Ye Tianming smiled. “But what if it came to that?”

Xiaohun immediately grew flustered, her voice even taking on a tearful tone. “No……it won’t happen. This……. if — and I mean if — Young Master Ye Guan were to bully you the way that Miss Ding and the others did before, then I would definitely be on your side, Young Master. But I know he wouldn’t do that.”

Ye Tianming said gently, “Xiaohun, you must remember — even though you are just a sword, you are also an independent being. You have your own feelings. Don’t feel guilty or conflicted because of them. Just be your true self. Do you understand?”

Xiaohun said, “Young Master, I think I kind of understand now!”

Ye Tianming burst out laughing.

Boom!

At that very moment, within the sea of stars, a streak of divine light suddenly burst forth, tearing the entire sea of stars wide open by sheer force. Then, a figure came shooting out along with that divine light.

It was Dongqian!

Dongqian stood within the starry river, her entire body radiating a terrifying divine light — even more brilliant than before, like a blazing sun. Wherever it passed, space and time could not withstand it and were shattered directly. It was utterly terrifying.

But at that very moment, the star formation above her head suddenly began to tremble violently. In the next instant, a terrifying pillar of starlight descended in a straight line, like divine punishment raining down from the heavens, tearing space and time apart wherever it passed.

At the sight of that pillar of starlight, Zhoubai and the others instantly went pale. This was something they had absolutely no way of resisting.

Dongqian looked up at the terrifying pillar of starlight. Suddenly, two streams of divine light surged within her eyes. In the next moment, her body expanded thousands of times over, like a colossal giant of the starry river. In an instant, she threw a fierce punch upward.

Boom!

The pillar of starlight shattered in an instant. Then that punch drove straight through, slamming hard into the star formation.

Bang!

The star formation shuddered violently, and in the next moment, it exploded apart. Countless fragments of starlight spilled out from the starry river in all directions, like fireworks blooming — dazzling and magnificent.

Ye Tianming watched Dongqian at this moment, his eyes full of curiosity. At this moment, Dongqian stood hundreds of thousands of zhang tall, her entire body radiating an incomparably terrifying aura. As that aura spread outward, the entire starry river began to seethe — it was utterly terrifying.

This was clearly some kind of divine technique!

It resembled the body-enlarging techniques from below, yet it was also distinctly different.

Ye Tianming’s gaze suddenly grew burning with intensity, and a thought appeared in his mind — he felt that the cultivation methods of the two worlds could be completely fused together.

There was something to work with here!

Above the starry river, after Dongqian’s punch shattered the star formation, her body returned to its normal size. She swept her sleeve, and the scattered fragments of star energy drifting through heaven and earth instantly turned to ash.

The starry river gradually returned to normal.

Zhoubai and the others all let out a collective sigh of relief.

At that moment, Dongqian suddenly turned to look at Bailing not far away, whose body was still burning.

Seeing Dongqian look over, Bailing’s expression shifted slightly. But she thought of Ye Tianming’s words, and she raised her head to meet Dongqian’s gaze. “Senior Sister, I was foolish before. Please forgive me.”

Dongqian swept her sleeve, and the flames on Bailing’s body were immediately suppressed. Her body slowly returned to normal.

Dongqian stared at her for a moment, then said, “It’s in the past.”

Bailing immediately let out a sigh of relief, and at the same time felt a lingering fear. Because, just as Ye Tianming below had said, this Senior Sister’s strength was indeed even greater than everyone had anticipated. If she had truly harbored ill intentions earlier, that would have been nothing short of courting death.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but glance down at Ye Tianming, her expression complicated.

Zhoubai and the others were also quite shaken at this moment. Clearly, they too had underestimated Dongqian’s strength.

Dongqian led everyone to stand before Ye Tianming. She looked at him and said, “Let’s go.”

Ye Tianming nodded and smiled. “Alright.”

Everyone headed toward the great mountain. When they reached the foot of it, Dongqian suddenly swept her sleeve, and a section of the mountain wall exploded apart.

Dongqian walked at the front, leading everyone into the cave. When they stepped inside, everyone froze in place.

The entire interior of the great mountain had been hollowed out.

It was empty!