Chapter 86: A Critical Moment!

This shout was too abrupt; no one had time to react.

By the time everyone reacted, a figure had already flashed through the crowd like lightning and arrived before Ye Yuan.

Locked on by this aura, Ye Yuan nearly suffocated.

This aura was too powerful!

Let alone Ye Yuan, who was already spent, even if he were at full strength, he couldn't survive this strike.

Ye Yuan hadn't expected someone to shamelessly ambush him!

Was the reborn Alchemy Emperor going to die so ignominiously?

In truth, Ye Yuan had calculated that even if he killed someone, he would at least face a trial by the higher-ups before being sentenced to death.

And in the meantime, there was plenty of room for maneuvering!

With the alchemy and martial arts talent he had displayed, which faction wouldn't want to recruit him?

However, Ye Yuan had calculated everything except that right after killing Lin Tiancheng, such a powerful opponent would be lurking in the shadows to ambush him.

Ye Yuan thought his greatest enemy in the academy was Wan Yuan, who had now broken through to the sixth level of Yuan Qi; even if he jumped out, Ye Yuan could easily crush him.

But this Grand Elder of the Punishment Hall—Ye Yuan didn't know him!

Who would have thought he harbored such murderous intent toward him and struck directly?

Knowing he was no match, Ye Yuan closed his eyes, resigned to death.

Seeing Ye Yuan close his eyes awaiting death, a cruel smile flickered across Su Yubai's lips.

He had timed it perfectly; while everyone was stunned by Ye Yuan's strength, he launched his attack immediately, giving no one a chance to react.

As the Grand Elder of the Punishment Hall, Su Yubai was already at the half-step Crystal Condensation stage; dealing with a spent Ye Yuan was as easy as reaching into his pocket.

Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit—Su Yubai understood this well, so he put all his power into this strike!

Only a few steps away from Ye Yuan, many people closed their eyes, unwilling to see his blood spill.

After all, he was a rising genius of the academy; everyone was now certain that given enough time, he would surpass Senior Brother Longtang!

And now, such a genius was about to fall so soon!

Su Yubai moved extremely fast, reaching Ye Yuan in the blink of an eye.

But just then, another change occurred!

Ye Yuan suddenly felt a gust of wind behind him; by the time he reacted, a figure had brushed past him and circled around.

Bang!

A violent collision, several times more powerful than the clash between Ye Yuan and Lin Tiancheng.

Ye Yuan was also stunned by this sudden turn, but he couldn't afford to be dazed now.

He was closest to the two, so the impact hit him hardest.

A massive shockwave swept over; although that figure had absorbed most of the attack, the residual force was still very strong.

With no time for anything else, Ye Yuan quickly raised a protective barrier.

Pfft!

Ye Yuan was blasted away by the residual force, spitting another mouthful of blood in midair.

The full-force strike of a half-step Crystal Condensation expert, even if most of its power had been neutralized, was still formidable enough for Ye Yuan at this moment.

Ye Yuan crashed heavily to the ground, his internal organs feeling as if they had been displaced, causing him great discomfort.

That figure also retreated violently, steadying himself only after taking more than twenty steps back.

Pfft!

That figure also spat out a mouthful of blood, clearly suffering internal injuries as well.

Su Yubai, however, stood rooted to the spot without moving at all, showing just how powerful he was!

But at this moment, Su Yubai stared at that figure with a grim expression.

Hu Yong! How dare you commit an act of insubordination? Do you really think the Punishment Hall is just for show?” Su Yubai said in a deep voice.

Only then did Ye Yuan get a clear look at the figure—it was Teacher Hu Yong!

But... why would Teacher Hu Yong help him?

Judging from this strike, Hu Yong's strength was still a notch below Su Yubai's, and this attack had taken an enormous risk!

Ye Yuan felt somewhat bewildered, but more than that, he was moved.

If Hu Yong hadn't stepped forward in that split second, he would already be a corpse.

Hu Yong spat out the remaining blood in his mouth and snorted coldly, “Insurrection? Who is the one committing insurrection? Since when can the Punishment Hall execute a student without the dean's approval? As the Grand Elder of the Punishment Hall, you sneak-attack a Qi Refinement Level 6 student—aren't you ashamed?”

Hmph! Ye Yuan violated the academy rules and killed a fellow disciple. Whether the dean is here or not, he is doomed to die! Moreover, I have just learned that before killing Lin Tiancheng, Ye Yuan had already killed Zhang Heng, the student steward of the herb garden. Such a cruel and bloodthirsty person deserves to die!” Su Yubai said coldly, his expression unchanged.

Sure enough, as soon as Su Yubai said this, the crowd erupted in an uproar!

Killing Lin Tiancheng alone might be one thing, but killing two people in a single day led some to believe that Ye Yuan was indeed cruel and bloodthirsty.

No way? Could it be that Ye Yuan's rapid strength increase has messed with his mind, turning him into a savage?”

I've heard that practicing demonic techniques can lead to rapid strength gains, but the martial artist loses their sanity. Could Ye Yuan have secretly been practicing some demonic technique?”

Very possible! A month ago, he was at Qi Refinement Level 1, and a little over a month later, he's already at Qi Refinement Level 6, and he can even kill Liquid Refinement experts! That just doesn't add up!”

I've heard that demonic techniques are extremely powerful, far stronger than ordinary martial artists!”

If that's really the case, then Ye Yuan deserves to die!”

Su Yubai's words were highly inflammatory. Many who had initially sympathized with Ye Yuan now believed he had practiced demonic techniques and deserved death.

Hearing the crowd's murmurs, Su Yubai felt secretly pleased.

As long as he stood on moral high ground, even if he forcefully killed Ye Yuan today, no one could say anything.

Did you hear that? I now suspect Ye Yuan has practiced demonic techniques. I will execute him on the spot. Does anyone object?” Su Yubai said with an air of righteousness.

Hu Yong sneered, “Regardless of whether Ye Yuan has practiced demonic techniques or not, we must wait for the dean to return and decide! Are you acting on your own authority to challenge the dean's authority?”

Hu Yong was no pushover either; slapping such a big label on Su Yubai gave him a major headache.

Hmph! Demonic heretics deserve death! Ye Yuan has already murdered two fellow disciples—isn't that enough for the death penalty? Hu Yong, what is your motive for shielding a demonic practitioner?”

Su Yubai pressed his advantage, continuing to pressure him with words. In his mouth, Ye Yuan had already been branded a demonic practitioner.

Hu Yong naturally wouldn't fall for it: “Demonic practitioner? On what grounds do you say Ye Yuan is a demonic practitioner? Without even asking why Ye Yuan killed, you indiscriminately slap a label on him. You, the Grand Elder of the Punishment Hall, really throw your weight around, don't you?”

Hmph! You're still being stubborn! If he isn't a demonic practitioner, how do you explain his rapid strength gains? If he isn't a demonic practitioner, how do you explain his extraordinary combat power? Demonic heretics deserve death! Hu Yong, if you don't step aside, I'll take you down first and then destroy this wretch!” Su Yubai said with overbearing arrogance.