Chapter 161: Dare to Make a Bet?

On the podium, Li Tan glared at Elder Su, his face filled with barely restrained anger.

Elder Su twitched his lips, suppressing his fury as he asked, “Li Tan, what now?”

This was just a brat who hadn’t even begun formal cultivation, yet he repeatedly questioned Elder Su’s teachings. Elder Su was also nearing his limit of tolerance.

But Li Tan seemed completely indifferent to Elder Su’s feelings, fluently listing numerous techniques regarding “the wolf pouncing on its prey.” At first, Elder Su wore a look of disdain, prompting surrounding disciples to sneer and mock Li Tan. However, as he listened further, Elder Su’s expression grew increasingly grim, his amusement fading.

Upon reflection, it seemed that everything Li Tan had said was correct. Thinking deeper, Elder Su realized his own previous explanation had significant flaws.

Yet, as the elder overseeing the miscellaneous disciples, how could he allow his authority to be challenged?

This pitiful thought left him somewhat confused, not even considering how Li Tan could possibly speak so insightfully.

Elder Su’s face turned from green to purple. “Nonsense! What does a child who hasn’t even left the novice stage know about techniques or martial arts? Don’t interrupt my lecture again, or I won’t be polite!”

“Yeah, who do you think you are? Don’t disturb our learning.”

“A good-for-nothing who can’t even light the testing stone dares to question Elder Su?

To challenge authority, you need some ability. This is just sheer recklessness.”

“Don’t flatter him too much. He’s just trying to show off and seek attention. Pretty boys like him always act this way.”

The miscellaneous disciples were only too happy to stir up trouble. Since it didn’t involve them, they eagerly joined in the criticism. They had been relegated to the rank of miscellaneous disciples, all at the early stage of innate cultivation, with no real understanding of martial techniques.

Of course, they naturally sided with Elder Su.

“Pathetic.”

Li Tan disdainfully glanced around and said to Elder Su, “You’re merely at the peak of the innate stage. What do you know about martial techniques? You don’t even correct your mistakes when aware of them. You’re nothing but a disgrace to your students.”

Li Tan now deeply disliked Elder Su. He actually didn’t care much about the future of those around him whom he called fellow apprentices. His main disgust was toward Elder Su’s behavior. From the perspective of the Human Emperor, such behavior that misled students was completely hindering the development of humanity.

“Unbelievable!”

Seeing Li Tan continuing to press the issue, Elder Su’s temper flared. In his anger, he completely forgot the special instructions from Zhang Chenghuan to take special care of Li Tan. “Sit down immediately, or get out!”

Li Tan shrugged without responding, turned around, and actually walked toward the door.

This act further embarrassed Elder Su. “Hmph! I hope you won’t regret this later. From now on, you have nothing to do with any cultivation-related lessons.”

“Gladly.”

Li Tan replied with his back to him. Elder Su was furious, almost unable to restrain himself from attacking Li Tan. However, Zhang Chenghuan’s warning still made him hesitate slightly, though only slightly.

Although Zhang Chenghuan seemed to favor Li Tan greatly, in the Nine Provinces, strength was always the ultimate authority. No matter how much Zhang Chenghuan favored Li Tan, if he himself were a weakling, he wouldn’t make any waves. Zhang Chenghuan wouldn’t punish Elder Su just for this matter.

Indeed, that was the logic. However, due to his earlier anger, Elder Su’s mind clearly short-circuited, seeing only the surface situation while neglecting potential factors.

After all, how could Zhang Chenghuan, the daughter of the sect leader, favor a “nobody”?

Li Tan hadn’t walked far when Xue Ying worriedly grabbed his sleeve, her face full of concern. She wanted to say something but dared not, probably out of fear of Elder Su. Xiaopangdun Qiu Jue also looked back at him, glancing at the bench with his eyes, obviously telling him not to act impulsively and to sit back down.

The miscellaneous disciples whispered among themselves, making sarcastic remarks.

“This little girl probably won’t let go. What a bother,” Li Tan hesitated for a moment, then used his right hand to lift Xue Ying’s hand from his clothes. However, instead of releasing it, he pulled her up.

“Li… Li Dage?”

Xue Ying was confused.

Li Tan glanced at Elder Su and said to Xue Ying, “Fine, come with me then.”

“Eh?”

Xue Ying was stunned, then felt a pulling force, being dragged forward.

Elder Su’s face was even darker than before. “What are you doing?”

“Feigning ignorance.”

Li Tan continued walking, holding Xue Ying’s hand.

At this, Elder Su roared, “Stop!”

“Anything else?”

Li Tan impatiently turned his head.

Elder Su, furious, said, “Do you even know where you are? Do you still respect the sect?

Come and go as you please!”

Respect the sect?

The answer to that question was naturally negative. A mere Heaven Wolf Sect had yet to earn Li Tan’s respect.

However, while things were indeed this way, it was inconvenient to say so now. Li Tan mocked, “I’m just afraid this incompetent teacher will ruin the students.”

“Incompetent teacher?”

This time, Elder Su completely lost his temper, his eyes filled with icy rage. “Li Tan, I’ve given you chance after chance, but you clearly don’t appreciate them.

You refuse to step down even when offered a chance. How foolish! Today, you must pay for your actions!”

The situation seemed to escalate further. Li Tan helplessly shook his head, dispelling unnecessary thoughts, and stared straight at Elder Su. “Make me pay?

Without mentioning whether you have the qualification, tell me first, can you bear the consequences?”

Words sharp as swords made Elder Su momentarily sober up. After all, Li Tan was someone specially instructed by Zhang Chenghuan to be taken care of. Even if he had no future prospects, if something happened to him now, Zhang Chenghuan would definitely not let it go easily. Even if she couldn’t do anything too extreme to Elder Su, she could easily make his life difficult behind the scenes.

Elder Su hesitated for a long time, shifting his gaze from Li Tan’s repulsive face to Xue Ying. “He wants to leave; I can’t stop him. But you must think carefully. If you leave with him today… I will make things difficult for you.

I won’t allow you to attend my lectures anymore.

I will assign you troublesome tasks.”

Elder Su didn’t finish his sentence, but the threat was clear.

If Xue Ying stayed, Elder Su wouldn’t completely lose face.

Li Tan also said to Xue Ying, “Follow me or stay, it’s your choice.”

At this moment, Xue Ying was completely confused. She hadn’t even reacted yet when the issue unexpectedly fell upon her. Choosing became a serious problem.

Seeing Xue Ying’s hesitation, Li Tan added, “Even if you don’t come with me, I won’t blame you. Don’t feel pressured.”