Martial Defiance Across Nine Thousand Realms

"Ye Han, you're accused of murder. Come with us."

The stern voice grew louder as it approached.

Ye Han's eyes narrowed, and he swiftly turned around.

At the end of his gaze, three figures hurried towards him, their eyes sharp as swords, cutting through the air.

"Murder?"

Ye Han looked at the trio and let out a cold laugh.

As they drew near, the leader pulled out a token, its front engraved with a blood-drenched character: Punishment!

This was the exclusive Punishment Order of the Enforcement Hall.

"We are Enforcers from the Academy. We suspect you're involved in Li Kai's death. Come with us to the Enforcement Hall." After showing the token, the man gestured with his hand.

The two beside him rushed forward, grabbing Ye Han's shoulders from both sides.

"Suspect?"

"If it's just suspicion, what right do you have to detain me?"

Ye Han frowned. "Once I've completed the assessment, I'll visit the Enforcement Hall myself."

"Enforcers don't act on your whims," the Enforcer's face darkened. "Resisting arrest is an additional crime."

"Is that so?"

Ye Han snorted coldly, divine power surging within him, his vitality roaring like a dragon.

A tremendous force burst through him, shocking the two Enforcers holding him, sending them reeling back.

"How dare you!"

The man holding the Punishment Order shouted, divine power swirling as he reached for Ye Han.

Boom!

His strike halted three feet from Ye Han, as if hitting an invisible wall.

"Scram!"

The middle-aged man, previously drowsy and responsible for Ye Han's assessment, suddenly spat out a command.

The three Enforcers were taken aback, then looked incredulously at the middle-aged man.

"Since when does the Academy arrest on mere suspicion?" the middle-aged man glanced at them.

"He killed Li Kai, and Li Kai's corpse is already..." the Enforcer who had reached out began.

"During an assessment? You take him away without considering me, the assessor?" The middle-aged man swung his arm, sending the three Enforcers flying back.

"Teacher Li, think carefully. Ye Han is wanted by Yin Tianxiu," the Enforcer said intently.

"Yin Tianxiu?"

"Just a True Disciple. Am I, an Academy teacher, supposed to act on her whims?" the middle-aged man scoffed.

Boom!

Just then, a violent tremor erupted nearby.

Everyone turned to witness an astonishing scene.

Ye Han's punch surged, and the Inscription Stele before him roared.

On the surface of the stele, eighteen patterns soared almost instantly, followed by a crackling sound as the entire Inscription Stele crumbled into rubble.

"Elder, have I passed the assessment?" Ye Han asked calmly, retracting his fist.

"Yes!"

The middle-aged man nodded: "Beyond ten patterns and reaching the First Layer of the Divine Power Realm, from today, you are an Outer Sect disciple of the Cycle Academy."

He then tossed a brand-new token to Ye Han.

"What's this?"

Ye Han examined the token.

"An Outer Sect disciple's identity token," the middle-aged man explained.

"There was an issue with this Inscription Stele; it wasn't repaired in time. But don't worry, its destruction is my fault, not yours." He added after looking at Ye Han.

"I..."

Ye Han stiffened at these words.

Before he could speak, the middle-aged man interrupted, turning to the three Enforcers:

"Aren't you leaving yet? What are you waiting for? Trying to arrest someone without evidence?"

"When did the Enforcement Hall start kowtowing to those True Disciples? Next, I'll report to the Academy Head for a thorough investigation. Three ordinary Enforcers not even considering an Academy teacher in their actions, what a sight."

As the middle-aged man was about to continue, the Enforcers' expressions changed, casting a harsh glance at Ye Han before reluctantly departing.

"Thank you, elder!" Ye Han spoke earnestly.

He understood the significance of the man's actions and the token he had received.

Although new to the Academy, Ye Han saw clearly that menial disciples were akin to servants, trampled by anyone, unable to voice their anger, much like Nie Yuan and his companions, who dared not even resist.

But with this token, he was now a true "Academy disciple," entitled to annual benefits and rewards, a status apart.

The matter of killing Li Kai could be minimized; it wasn't a capital offense, at most a minor punishment, not worth fretting over.

His haste to take the assessment was for this reason.

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Clearly, those three Enforcers were acting on orders, attempting to prevent his successful assessment. This seemingly impulsive middle-aged man had invisibly aided him.

"Elder? Within the Academy, you should say 'teacher.'"

The middle-aged man looked intently at Ye Han. "Remember, my name is Li Futu!"

"Thank you, Teacher Li!"

Ye Han added with a smile.

"Yes!"

Li Futu appraised Ye Han. "You were too reckless just now."

"Reckless?"

Ye Han looked at him in surprise.

"Smashing the Inscription Stele with a punch, showcasing your talent and confidence, do you think life's too easy?" Li Futu continued.

"Didn't you say there was a problem with the Inscription Stele?" Ye Han replied, exasperated.

"If I hadn't said that, Yin Tianxiu would be having nightmares tonight," Li Futu said, eyeing Ye Han.

"Nightmares?"@@novelbin@@

Ye Han was utterly confused.

"She'd dream of ways to kill you, kid." Li Futu sneered.

He seemed to see through Ye Han's thoughts. "You're too eager to flaunt your talent, to prove your worth, to deter others from touching you? Utterly foolish."

Ye Han fell silent, for the man was not wrong.

His boldness in dealing with Lu Yunxiao today stemmed from the same thought.

By passing the Outer Sect disciple assessment and obtaining the token, displaying his talent, and if necessary, revealing a hint of the Eternal Invincible Dragon Body's aura, he hoped to make the Cycle Academy recognize him as a genius with a special constitution.

Then, who would the Academy deem more important? Lu Yunxiao, who after over a decade was only at the Third Layer of the Divine Power Realm and now crippled, or himself, who joined the Academy just days ago and already stepped into the Divine Power Realm? Surely the Cycle Academy would make a decision.

"Naïve."

"The Cycle Academy, as the foremost of the three great academies, is the sacred martial land of the Primordial Void Domain, filled with geniuses and prodigies. Do you think you're the only one?"

"Do you really believe that showing a bit of talent will make the Academy value you, ensuring a smooth path to the top?" Li Futu glanced at Ye Han.

After a moment of silence, Ye Han spoke, "Teacher Li's lesson is well taken."

"Who is Yin Tianxiu?"

Ye Han asked again.

"Yin Tianxiu? The top of the Inner Disciple's Yin Yang List!"

"Does she have a grudge against you? To go as far as using the Enforcement Hall's people to capture you?" Li Futu looked at Ye Han skeptically.