Xiang Shaoyun couldn't be bothered about what others thought of him. His only goal was to return to the academy as quickly as possible. He had been away for too long. He needed to find out what had happened during his absence.

As for the result of the battle earlier, he would treat it as a lesson. It wouldn't be too late for him to get back at Xiao Xie after he caught up in strength.

When Xiang Shaoyun neared the teleportation formation, someone came for him.

The newcomer was an inconspicuous old man. He was dressed in a black robe, and his hands were clasped behind his back as he studied Xiang Shaoyun with a pair of cold eyes. The old man was Yu Yuchen, the elder in charge of guarding the Castle of Darkness.

In the Dragon Phoenix Academy, those capable of becoming an elder were all in the Heaven Battling Realm. Thus, it was obvious this elder had a deep and unmeasurable strength. From the symbol on Yu Yuchen's clothes, Xiang Shaoyun could see he was an elder. He quickly saluted and offered his greetings, "Xiang Shaoyun greets the elder."

"Come with me," Yu Yuchen said expressionlessly before walking in a different direction.

Xiang Shaoyun did not dare to tarry and quickly followed. Soon, they arrived at an inconspicuous building.

There, Yu Yuchen turned back and looked at Xiang Shaoyun, "How had you appeared in the ancient castle? And how had you left?"

He stared at Xiang Shaoyun with a pair of oppressive eyes, seemingly intent on making him speak the truth.

Xiang Shaoyun did not know what to say. Even if he exposed his chakram, was he supposed to talk about the Scarlet Flame Monarch as well?

After a short thought, he said, "Elder, can I not answer that question?"

Everyone had their own secret, and since he couldn't think of an excuse, he might as well not say anything. Sure, thoughts of telling a lie crossed his mind. But would this person before him be someone who would fall for lies easily? He might as well be direct and show his reluctance.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Yu Yuchen released a powerful pressure that wrapped around Xiang Shaoyun. The pressure gave Xiang Shaoyun a suffocating feeling, as if a mountain was bearing down on him. He was forced to bend, and even his flow of blood turned chaotic.

Yu Yuchen said, "Do you know that I have many methods to make you tell the truth? Which of my methods do you want to try?"

His words were laced with threat, and the oppressive force he emanated was dreadful, as if he was going to break Xiang Shaoyun's spine with the pressure.

Sphhlt!

Finally, Xiang Shaoyun couldn't hold it anymore and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Inwardly, he lamented, What a terrible life I have.

He had been very unlucky as of late. First, he was set up by the Di Alliance. Next, he was threatened by three of the Seven Villains. And then, he was trapped in the space of endless darkness. With great difficulty, he escaped only to be injured by the Scarlet Flame Monarch. And then, he was challenged by Xiao Xie. Now, even the academy elder was here to bully him. How unfair were the heavens?

In his bitterness, Xiang Shaoyun shut his eyes, deciding to just accept whatever fate had in store for him. He was completely helpless against the elder anyway.

Yu Yuchen had expected that Xiang Shaoyun would struggle unyieldingly. He had intentionally controlled his strength, not intending to kill. To his surprise, Xiang Shaoyun had simply accepted his fate. Where was the unyielding character a genius was supposed to have?

"You think I wouldn't dare to touch you?" Yu Yuchen asked, his tone turning sinister.

Xiang Shaoyun gave no reply. It was pointless to say anything. He might as well not waste his breath.

When Yu Yuchen saw how Xiang Shaoyun behaved, he was at a loss as to what to do. Although he had threatened to kill Xiang Shaoyun, he still had his misgivings. In fact, what he was doing now was already against the academy's principles. Elders were not supposed to interfere in the affairs of disciples, barring special circumstances that allowed interference.

He hadn't been able to keep himself in check and had violated the rule mainly because Xiang Shaoyun had been able to escape the keep unscathed. Yu Yuchen himself had personally checked the keep earlier, but he had found nothing, which made him curious.

"Good. Very good. Scram, and don't let me see you here again. Otherwise, I will make sure to search your soul and cripple you," said Yu Yuchen with an annoyed tone as he kicked Xiang Shaoyun away.

Bang!

A massive force rippled within Xiang Shaoyun's body as he coughed a copious amount of blood. He crashed heavily about 100 meters away, cutting a miserable figure. The pain placed him in intense suffering. He could sense that his organs were cracking apart, and half his ribs had broken.

The kick hadn't killed him, but he was not far away from death. Without wasting any time, he refined a drop of lightning liquid and an emperor-grade spring liquid to heal his injuries.

He struggled back onto his feet, and without even looking at the elder, he swore inwardly, I'll remember the humiliation today.

He had not imagined that an elder of the academy would wantonly act in accordance to his own wishes. Xiang Shaoyun felt a great sense of injustice. He was clear that only strength speaks. Without strength, everything else meant nothing. If Xiang Shaoyun was a Heaven Battling Realm cultivator, that elder probably wouldn't even dare to raise his voice before him.

Looking at Xiang Shaoyun wobbling away, Yu Yuchen suddenly felt a sense of remorse. He had the sensation that offending Xiang Shaoyun just then was extremely unwise, and he was vexed that he hadn't finished off the young man.

Forget it. I have been too rash today, Yu Yuchen sighed inwardly.

Xiang Shaoyun finally arrived at the teleportation formation, and he used it to leave. By the time he arrived at the Dragon Phoenix Academy, he was relieved. Even so, his footing wasn't stable, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. He clenched his teeth and forced himself to remain standing as he slowly walked away.

The overseer on duty was flabbergasted. "Why is that fellow not coming to retrieve his jade plate?"

Only when Xiang Shaoyun left did the overseer realize something, "No, when did that fellow enter the Castle of Darkness? Why am I not aware of it? I don't have his jade plate with me!"

He hesitated for a bit but ultimately decided not to pursue the matter. Since someone could enter the Castle of Darkness without him realizing it, it was a testament to that person's capability. On the other hand, it was also a sign that the overseer had not performed his job well. If he made a fuss, he would be punished for it. That wasn't worth it, so he might as well pretend he hadn't seen anything.

And thus, Xiang Shaoyun escaped further trouble. But before he could return to his villa, he encountered Huang Xiaoyue. She was still dressed in the same luxurious outfit that would attract gazes everywhere she went.

When she saw Xiang Shaoyun, she immediately rushed over and shouted, "Xiang Shaoyun, this princess has been looking for you for a long time! Come, become my number one guard already!"