"A-ah! No, no, no—it's not what it looks like, M-Miss Jiuyue! I would never dare lay a hand on your spirit beast!"
Even though Qin Jiuyue's voice was calm, the rugged guard trembled uncontrollably, legs shaking and words stammering.
"Is that what I was asking?"
Qin Jiuyue tilted her head slightly and gestured toward someone.
The rugged guard turned to follow her gaze—and when he realized who she meant, a chill ran down his spine.
He quickly pointed at Su Ba and shouted:
"Miss Jiuyue, this brat tried to enter Yunmeng Martial Institute without a recruitment token! He refused multiple warnings and even hurled insults—"
"What a joke."
Su Ba interrupted with a sneer.
He looked at the rugged guard with disdain and said coldly, enunciating each word:
"You claim I hurled insults? Why don't you try searching your conscience—who was the one slinging insults first?"
"And another thing—"
Su Ba raised his chin slightly, hands behind his back as he stood tall and proud.
"You accuse me of being arrogant? Aren't you the one who judged me with those dog eyes?"
"What's wrong with being a mid-stage One-Star? Are you saying someone at that level can't be chosen by a Yunmeng Institute recruiter?!"
"You little—!"
The rugged guard was so furious his blood rushed to his head. If Qin Jiuyue hadn't been standing there, he'd have drawn his sword already.
"Enough."
Qin Jiuyue's soft voice cut through the tension.
She turned her cold gaze to the rugged guard and spoke flatly:
"Let's say what you said was true. Even so—does that justify drawing your weapon in the middle of the street?"
"What are the laws of Fengwu City? Do you not know them?"
"You were on duty at the gate—representing the face of Yunmeng Martial Institute. And this is how you act?"
"I… I was wrong, Miss Jiuyue… It was my bad temper… I let my anger get the better of me…"
The rugged guard wilted like a scolded child, bowing his head and groveling.
"If you're wrong—then slap yourself."
"What?!"
He looked up, stunned.
"Would you like me to repeat myself?"
Qin Jiuyue smiled faintly.
"No! Not at all!"
The guard flinched as if struck by lightning. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and began slapping himself across the face—PA! PA! PA!
Only when both his cheeks were red and swollen like steamed buns did Qin Jiuyue finally gesture for him to stop.
He stood there, head lowered, too scared to even breathe loudly.
The thin guard beside him didn't dare move either.
Su Ba's eyes narrowed slightly.
So this is the status of a Yunmeng core disciple.
Only now did he take a proper look—and what he saw shook him.
Qin Jiuyue's true essence flowed like a mighty river, vast and powerful.
A Seven-Star Master Realm cultivator!
His heart trembled.
She looked to be about his age… and already at the Master Realm?
That was monstrous talent.
In the martial path, while One to Six-Star was considered "basic," everything after that had distinct titles:
Seven-Star – Master Realm
Eight-Star – Grandmaster Realm
Nine-Star – Supreme Grandmaster Realm
Each leap was like a chasm, an entirely new world of power.
Yunmeng truly lived up to its reputation—a nest of monsters.
While Su Ba was still digesting that, Qin Jiuyue turned her attention back to him.
Her beautiful eyes flickered slightly with curiosity.
This young man was sharp.
Though only at the One-Star mid-stage, he stood tall like a drawn sword, emitting a faint, dominating aura—a confidence that could only be honed through countless life-and-death trials.
The faint pressure rolling off of him was on par with her own—bold and fierce.
Fascinating.
She took a graceful step forward, her voice clear and elegant.
"You must be one of the new recruits selected from the academies? I heard you lost your recruitment token."
"Yes," Su Ba replied calmly, giving her a respectful cupped-fist salute.
"I was chosen by Recruiter Xia Hang from Phantom Night Academy. I apologize sincerely—the token was lost due to an accident."