Cultivation bore the word “immortal,” which subconsciously made people think it was otherworldly and transcendent. However, it was essential to understand that the greatest gap between immortals and mortals was the disparity in power, having nothing to do with temperament. Naturally, it was impossible to truly escape the “mundane.”
Moreover, even in ordinary schools, there was bullying stemming from differences in strength. In a world that revered martial prowess by default, it was only more severe.
Mu Qian Tan halted her steps and did not approach, wanting to first hear how this conflict had arisen.
“Pavilion Head Qin…” Over there, Fu Li spoke first. “Everyone says you’re helpful and selfless. If someone has difficulties and seeks your aid, you will do your utmost to assist. So why, when I just want you to let me see a few questions—this small matter—are you unwilling?”
Qin He did not speak. Shang Shan rushed in front of her, dissatisfied. “It’s her own exam paper. If she wants to show it to you, she will; if not, she won’t. She hasn’t even pursued the matter of you kicking her chair, yet you still dare to come looking for trouble. Do you even know right from wrong?”
Mu Qian Tan was slightly surprised. There was such a thing?
During the proctoring, the ravens stood on the window sills, only able to watch the disciples’ upper body movements. She had casually patrolled once before returning to her desk to write her own paper, only keeping a bit of attention on them. She had not noticed any activity under the desks.
Gazing at Qin He’s calm profile, Mu Qian Tan still remembered how this little girl had sat in the front row, right in front of her. From the start of the exam to the end, she had maintained an upright posture, unmoved from start to finish, steadily writing her paper from beginning to end without pause.
Who could have imagined that she was tolerating harassment from the person behind her under the desk?
What impressive composure!
Qin He pressed down on the restless Shang Shan and spoke. “My master said that cheating is not allowed in exams. As pavilion head, I have the duty to supervise you all, so naturally I cannot let you see it.”
“Hahaha, good child, obedient baby. So well-behaved, doing whatever you’re told. No wonder your master likes you so much.” Twirling a strand of pale golden hair and rubbing it, Fu Li laughed. “But it’s just one exam, with no rewards. It’s not important, so why take it so seriously?”
Qin He replied calmly, “Rules are rules.”
Hearing this, Fu Li furrowed her brows, her emerald green eyes flashing with sinister light.
In a tone laced with disdain, she drawled mockingly, “Outsiders just don’t know their place. Even trash like you with no blood ties or family dares to lecture me on rules. Do you know? In my clan, people like you would have long been kneeling on the ground in prostration, not even worthy of glimpsing my feet, let alone talking back.”
Mu Qian Tan thought to herself: She really knows how to say nasty things.
Considering her upbringing, though, such remarks were not surprising.
Among the hundred immortal sects, those named as gates, academies, sects, alliances, and so on typically only considered bloodlines during changes in leadership. At other times, strength reigned supreme. World clans were entirely different.
Clans that developed by relying on family power inherently existed on the foundation of blood ties, so they naturally revered bloodlines.
No matter how powerful, the further the branches extended outward, the more lowly they were deemed. Even if the main line only had wastes after the previous clan head passed, the direct heirs could still monopolize power, not allowing outsiders to interfere. Otherwise, it broke the rules, the clan ceased to be a clan, and heaven itself would topple it.
This ideology was deeply ingrained, impossible to shake off in such clans. Among them, the White Serpent Fu Clan entrenched in the Source Mist Mountains was the most severe.
As the only direct daughter of the current clan head, Fu Li occupied the central trunk of the flourishing family tree. From childhood, she had been pampered to the heavens, getting whatever wind or rain she wanted, educated in the belief that her own bloodline was the most noble while others were lowly. This fostered her lawless, arrogant personality. Even away from home, she conducted herself this way—it had become habit.
Qin He knew this and could comfort herself. Even if displeased inwardly, she would not let her temper lead to direct conflict with Fu Li, lest it sour relations with the Fu Clan and affect her master and sect.
But Shang Shan did not understand these things. She only felt the insults were particularly harsh and intolerable. Wanting to vent for her friend, she moved to strike. “What did you say? Not worthy of seeing your feet? Who wants to look? Who do you think you are, some kind of delicacy? So shameless!”
Qin He grabbed her and pulled her behind. “Young Fu Clan Head, words are pointless. Why don’t we settle it on the Martial Trial field?”
During exams, the sect saw excessive foot traffic, all young and hot-blooded youths prone to friction. To prevent incidents, Tianyu Sect had a clear rule: Private fights were prohibited during exams. Violators would be disqualified.
This meant all scores voided—a heavy punishment—to make disciples think thrice before acting. It was quite effective.
But it only deterred without resolving root conflicts. If tempers flared to this point, what to do if a fight was inevitable?
The answer: Hold it in.
After all trials ended, to give those dissatisfied with Martial Trial rankings a chance to duel, there would be a named challenge match. Disciples could call others onto the stage to spar until one admitted defeat.
Thus, those with grudges during exams endured until the named challenges, allowing legitimate fights to vent. Qin He’s words were effectively a declaration of war.
It perfectly combined her prior grudge from the lack of courtesy during class. New and old hatreds could be tallied together.
Fu Li surely understood, yet she pressed on provocatively. “You don’t dare fight me now?”
Qin He said, “No need.”
Fu Li said, “I think you’re scared.”
Shang Shan rolled up her sleeves, furious. “Fight me! I’ll beat the shit out of you!”
Qin He’s expression unchanged, she firmly gripped Shang Shan’s waist to restrain her, then said, “No need for provocations. I won’t strike at you.”
Fu Li’s lips curved, her tongue pressing against her teeth. Shang Shan’s eyelids twitched; her instinct screamed that Fu Li was about to say something explosive that would spiral out of control. She twisted to break free and cover her mouth.
But she was still a step too late. Fu Li spoke. “What a gutless thing. No wonder you tolerate that kin-slaying enemy Yao’e by your side for so long without revenge. Your sister’s death was miserable—her corpse not even intact. And then stuck with a useless waste of a sister like you. Truly unlucky.”
The ravens flew far, their cries scattered. This corner fell into deathly silence.
Blue veins bulged on Qin He’s forehead—one, two. Redness crept from behind her ears to her cheeks, bloodshot threads climbing to her eyes. Rage made her tremble all over. Unable to suppress it further, her hand moved to the sword hilt, slowly drawing it with a flash of cold light.
Fu Li remained composed, while her two maids assumed attack stances, ready to clash at any moment.
Mu Qian Tan knew it was time to intervene. If they really fought and dragged the female protagonist in, voided scores would be troublesome. She stepped out from behind the wall, instantly puncturing the tense atmosphere.
Shang Shan spotted her and twitched her fingers twice, suddenly recalling that ink brush soaked in fragrance. She turned her face away. Qin He held her sword-drawing pose, eyes red-rimmed, anger un faded.
Fu Li clicked her tongue in apparent disappointment. “Has our Yao’e Immortal come to dispense justice?”
Mu Qian Tan said, “No, I’m just passing by, watching the show.”
Fu Li had expected her to side with them, allowing a retort about her own infamous reputation disqualifying her from “justice.” This response caught her off guard, her prepared barbs unused. She was momentarily speechless.
Mu Qian Tan said, “You all continue.”
How could they continue now? Silence fell.
Glancing around, Mu Qian Tan said, “Not quarreling anymore? Alright, then disperse.”
Fu Li wanted to say more but faltered against those indifferent eyes.
Logically, she had no reason to fear this woman. Her mother had assigned two powerful maids for her protection, and she herself was no weakling. Even against a hall master, they could keep her safe.
Yet for some reason, she always felt this woman was the reckless, suicidal type. Calm on the surface, turbulent within—disturb her, and she’d drag everyone down in madness. She had sensed it strongly since that class, an intense fear that made her hold her tongue.
Still, she had to push where she could. To Qin He, she said, “I wasn’t wrong just now. Even with people here, you still…”
“Shut up.” Mu Qian Tan cut her off. “Not letting you copy answers offends you? Civil Trial’s over, and you’re still stirring trouble. Aren’t you ashamed?”
Fu Li’s expression shifted. “You dare speak to me like this? Aren’t you afraid my mother will come for you?”
Mu Qian Tan said, “Narrow Sea Azure Palace awaits her anytime. No hot tea, but plenty of seawater to fill you up.”
Never since birth had anyone dared slight her family so. Fu Li paused, then said, “You… I just wanted to spar with our Pavilion Head Qin. Why interfere?”
Mu Qian Tan said, “Qin He just said it—settle it on the Martial Trial field. Can’t you wait that long? What’s your motive for stirring now?”
When collecting papers, she had glanced briefly. Fu Li’s paper was full, no blanks—she clearly knew her stuff and did not need others’. Yet she picked a fight; her intentions were clearly ulterior.
Those words stung. Fu Li raged, “Isn’t squabbling among juniors normal? You’re such a busybody.”
Mu Qian Tan said, “If it’s among juniors, then stop dragging elders into it. The Fu Clan is powerful, but your noble birth doesn’t mean good fortune. Stay low-key, don’t make enemies everywhere, and don’t parade your clan’s trash ideology to embarrass yourselves and invite ridicule when your house declines.”
This was an outright curse. Like last time, no one could stomach it. Fu Li’s anger surged, six red spots blazing on her cheeks like fire against her green eyes, coldly venomous like a snake. Word by word, she said, “My clan’s future is none of your business, outsider who knows nothing.”
Seeing her this furious, lest she strike sneakily, Mu Qian Tan stepped in front of Qin He and Shang Shan, gazing indifferently. “Don’t provoke my disciples, and no one will meddle in your clan’s mess.”
Fu Li fell silent, her expression colder.
At this point, if one side left first, the standoff could end. But neither backed down; they held firm.
Finally, Fu Li spoke—but not kindly. “You’re the one ignorant of rules, ungrateful wretch. Anyway, you have many enemies. Why bother with you? I’ll still roam free away from here. Maybe one day I’ll hear of your death, and I won’t shed a tear.”
Mu Qian Tan did not mind, sighing. “Stop making a fuss, like a golden fighting cock.”
Shang Shan could not hold back and burst out laughing.
Fu Li blanked for a while before realizing what she had said.
At this age, girls loved beauty. How could she tolerate being called a fighting cock? Her pent-up rage exploded. Ignoring who stood before her, she lashed out with a palm!
A dazzling silver light like lightning shot from her forearm, whipping over with gusts. Mu Qian Tan raised her hand and caught it with a snap right by her ear.
Looking over, it was a slender snake bone whip pieced together, long and pale, extremely hard and sharp—a renowned clan artifact called the Snake Bone Whip.
Normally, the Snake Bone Whip coiled on Fu Li’s forearm, its tail embedded in her palm’s flesh, linked to her wrist bone, flexible like an extension of her arm. In combat, it could whip out from her sleeve unnoticed, taking lives unaware.
Now, the ruby-embedded end had shot from her palm, the other gripped tightly in Mu Qian Tan’s hand, stretched taut. Fu Li tried channeling spiritual power to yank it back, but it did not budge.
Mu Qian Tan had activated her Power Gathering Gold Ring; wrestling a ten-something-year-old kid was effortless. She asked, “Are you sure you want to attack me?”
Sensing the menace in her words, the two maids crouched low, battle-ready.
Ravens had already noticed the tension and approached to check for rule-breaking fights. Mu Qian Tan reminded her, “Attacking a senior is doubly punishable.”
Fu Li, in the heat of anger, ignored it. She poured spiritual power into the whip to drag it back. The ravens circled overhead, crying. Mu Qian Tan figured playtime was over and time to end it. She yanked the whip, as if to pull Fu Li over.
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