Douluo Dalu: The Path of Abyss

"Uncle Ning?"

The vice-dean of the Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy was stunned. He approached the dean and asked in a low voice, "Dean, does he really know Sect Master Ning?"

The dean nodded slightly.

"This... this... this..." The vice-dean, who had expelled Ye Feng, became visibly anxious. He looked at Ye Feng, fumbling for words.

"Feeling nervous now, aren't you?" the dean asked sarcastically.

"Dean, please, you have to put in a good word for me with Sect Master Ning," the vice-dean pleaded, his face a picture of desperation.

"Sect Master Ning is a magnanimous man. He won't stoop to your level. But do you even realize who his teacher is?" the dean asked.

"Who is it?" the vice-dean replied, dread creeping into his voice.

"Sword Douluo, Chen Xin," the dean answered.

"What?! Him?" The vice-dean was struck dumb, his face ashen. It was as if he were a condemned man hearing his executioner's name.

Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, was a towering figure in the Soul Master world, feared and revered in equal measure. The vice-dean's fear wasn't unwarranted—Sword Douluo was known for his decisive and ruthless ways, on par with the legendary Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao.

For Ning Fengzhi, as long as Sword Douluo didn't confront the Spirit Hall directly, there was no limit to his actions. But now, the vice-dean had unwittingly expelled Sword Douluo's disciple. If Chen Xin decided to retaliate, even the Heaven Dou Empire would likely turn a blind eye.

The vice-dean shuddered, fully grasping the gravity of his actions. He had provoked someone he should never have crossed.

Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi had pieced together the story from Ye Feng. His gaze turned cold as it landed on Xiao Xiao, the perpetrator. Though his voice was calm, it carried an undeniable authority. "Xiao Xiao, from this day forward, my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan will sever all business ties with you."

"Sect Master Ning, this is a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding!" Xiao Xiao stammered, his face pale. "It was the heat of the moment. Please, don't take it to heart!"

"Misunderstanding?" Ning Fengzhi's tone turned icier. "Settle all your debts with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan within three days. I won't waste my words further."

"Sect Master Ning, I beg you! Please reconsider. I am willing to accept any punishment from you. Just don't cut off our business ties!" Xiao Xiao pleaded, his arrogance replaced by panic. Though wealthy, Xiao Xiao owed a significant amount to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. Without their support, his financial empire would crumble like a house of cards.

Ning Fengzhi's voice was cold and unyielding. "I am but an ordinary man. How could I dare punish you? Someone from my clan in Nuoding City will visit your home to settle the accounts."

"It's over... everything is over..." Xiao Xiao collapsed to the ground in despair, staring blankly at Ye Feng. The irony was unbearable—his downfall had been caused by a mere working student he had once looked down upon.

Xiao Xiao's survival instincts kicked in. Abandoning his pride, he knelt before Ye Feng, tears streaming down his face. "Young Master Ye, no—little ancestor! Please have mercy and ask Sect Master Ning to reconsider. I swear, I will serve you like a horse or an ox for the rest of my life!"

Ye Feng remained unmoved, his gaze icy. "Uncle Ning's decision is final. I am just a junior. You've begged the wrong person."

Ning Fengzhi was taken aback for a moment before breaking into a smile. He reached out to pat Ye Feng's head, his admiration evident. A leader must sometimes be ruthless, and Ye Feng's composure reflected great promise.

"Student Ye Feng," the vice-dean approached nervously, forcing a smile.

"I am no longer a student here. Weren't you the one who expelled me?" Ye Feng retorted coldly.

"Student Ye Feng, please don't say that. I was deceived! From this moment on, I restore your academic status, along with the other working students," the vice-dean hastily declared.

Ye Feng's voice turned sharper. "You expelled us, now you want to reinstate us? Do you take us for objects to be discarded and reclaimed at will?"

"Ye Feng, please reconsider for my sake," the dean said sincerely, bowing slightly. "I deeply regret what has happened. Rest assured, the individuals responsible will face due punishment."

Caught off guard, Ye Feng quickly helped the dean up. "Dean, there's no need for this."

"Ye Feng, stay," the dean urged. "The academy owes you justice. I will ensure that justice is served."

After a moment of hesitation, Ye Feng noticed his friends, Wang Sheng and Xiao Wu, watching expectantly. Understanding their need for proper education, he relented. "Alright, I will stay."

As Ning Fengzhi prepared to leave, he asked curiously, "Ye Feng, where is Uncle Jian? Why isn't he with you?"

Ye Feng explained that Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, had left for now. Ning Fengzhi bid him farewell, promising to visit soon.

Later, as Ye Feng and Xiao Wu left for the Spirit Hall branch to obtain their Soul Master certifications, Xiao Wu couldn't resist shooting Tang San a disdainful glare. Her frustration with Tang San's inaction on behalf of the working students was clear.

Once Ye Feng and his group departed, the vice-dean let out a sigh of relief. Turning to the dean, he said, "Dean, I take full responsibility for today's events. I will accept any punishment."

The dean's gaze turned sharp. "Don't think Sect Master Ning's restraint will save you. Did you forget about Jian Douluo? Do you really think he'll overlook how you treated his disciple?"

"Jian Douluo..." The vice-dean's face turned ghostly pale as Chen Xin's fearsome reputation loomed in his mind.

"If I were you," the dean added pointedly, "I'd be kneeling at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan gates by sunrise, begging for his mercy. That might be your only chance at survival."