Chapter 35: Spring Romance Conference (3)

Yang Hao’s face changed instantly. Just moments ago, he had defeated the Black Magic Beast, and his confidence was soaring. He had thought that Wang Tao, at his strongest, would be no different from the Black Magic Beast. But now, he realized they were nowhere near the same level.

Seeing Yang Hao’s expression shift repeatedly, Wang Tao was somewhat satisfied. He leaned in slightly and said, “Kid, you thought killing a young Black Magic Beast was impressive? Let me tell you, my subordinates can finish it off with just one sword strike.”

Yang Hao caught a heavy scent of blood from Wang Tao—an odor only those who had fought and killed on the battlefield would carry. Yang Hao couldn’t help but shiver involuntarily, but his eyes still glared back fiercely.

Wang Tao was completely unfazed by Yang Hao’s fierce gaze, raising his eyebrows casually. This guy was indeed handsome and charming, with a refined, delicate face and fair skin as smooth as a woman’s, his long jet-black hair flowing like a graceful immortal.

“Don’t worry, I won’t personally fight you,” Wang Tao said, pulling on a pair of silver-threaded gloves. “The captain of the Royal Swordsmen has his own honor—why would I stoop to fighting a lowlife punk like you?”

“Lowlife?” Yang Hao couldn’t help but roar.

Wang Zhijun laughed arrogantly nearby, as if he himself had defeated Yang Hao.

Wang Tao curled his lips slightly. “Although you won’t die by my sword, I can guarantee you this: you definitely won’t meet a good end.”

Yang Hao was furious, feeling like a heavy stone pressed against his chest. Though he dared not act against Wang Tao’s overwhelming aura, he still stood proudly in front of Elsie and Amanda, as if defiantly asking, “What can you do to me?”

Wang Tao glanced at the principal and smiled. “Sir, thank you for your efforts.”

The principal, his face stern, stepped forward and glared at Yang Hao. “Was it you who caused the disturbance in the plaza earlier?”

“Of course not,” Yang Hao denied immediately. He knew the school had been looking for an excuse to target him—he wouldn’t be foolish enough to admit anything.

“Not you?” Wang Tao couldn’t resist speaking up. “That technique used there was clearly your dark magic.”

“How could there be any dark magic taught at the school?” Yang Hao stared at the principal. “I’m a student here. If you accuse me of practicing dark magic, aren’t you implying that there’s something wrong with the school’s teachings?”

“Cunning words and flattery!” Wang Tao’s eyes flashed coldly.

However, the principal did feel Wang Tao’s accusation was somewhat disrespectful to the school. He coughed unhappily before saying, “Yang Hao, you originally had no right to study here. It was only by the grace of the Royal Family of the Remon Star that you were given this opportunity. But you clearly haven’t appreciated it…”

Yang Hao sensed the principal’s tone was unusually harsh, as if he were about to make an example of him. “Principal, without any evidence, how can you blame me for what happened earlier?”

“Forget what happened earlier,” the principal said flatly, his expression as cold as ice.

Yang Hao exhaled in relief. “Hehe, Principal, you’re truly wise. Then I’ll go to class now.” With that, Yang Hao reached for Elsie and Amanda’s hands, completely ignoring the murderous glare from Wang Zhijun.

“Wait,” the principal’s voice remained steady and expressionless. “You probably won’t need to attend classes anymore.”

“Why?” Yang Hao froze in shock, a terrible premonition rising in his heart.

“The school has decided to place you on the expulsion list,” the principal said coldly.

Yang Hao felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss, his entire body numb with cold. Even his fingertips trembled. “What?”

“The school is expelling you!” Wang Zhijun shouted loudly, his voice like a heavy club that completely stunned Yang Hao.

“Why?” Elsie, seeing Yang Hao’s face pale with shock, couldn’t hold back her protest.

The principal had clearly prepared his response beforehand. “Previously, the school established a rule: students who cannot pay the required Origen Crystal will be expelled immediately.”

Elsie anxiously looked at Yang Hao, who still seemed dazed, and took matters into her own hands. “Who said he can’t pay? I’ll cover it for him—I’ll go buy it right now.”

“Is it even possible?” Wang Zhijun sneered mockingly. “There’s no stock available in the market now. If you want to buy it, you have to wait for shipments from other star systems. At least half a month.”

“But…”

“What ‘but’?” Wang Zhijun snapped. “Yang Hao must be expelled! Who told him to offend me!”

Though Elsie was angry and anxious, she found herself powerless to protest further against the system. But soon, she heard Yang Hao’s heavy breathing behind her. He looked like a provoked wolf, barely holding back a furious howl.

“No one can expel me!” Yang Hao growled, low and furious.

“Then…” Before Wang Zhijun could finish, Yang Hao had already slammed a large bag in front of him.

Confused, Wang Zhijun looked down—and his face immediately changed. Inside the bag were three large Origen Crystals. These weren’t the low-quality ores sold in the market, but pure crystals with energy visibly overflowing their surfaces. Their market value was significantly higher.

“How is this possible?!” Wang Zhijun was completely stunned.

“I killed the Black Magic Beast, of course I could get Origen Crystals,” Yang Hao said, hands on his hips, puffed up with indignation. “Did you think I’d just run away when I saw it? These three crystals are for me, Elsie, and Amanda. Do you have anything else to say?”

Wang Zhijun’s face darkened. Yang Hao’s sudden production of the crystals was completely unexpected. He had assumed, like everyone else, that Yang Hao was doomed. Seeing Yang Hao actually produce genuine Origen Crystals threw him into panic, and he instinctively turned to his older brother for help.

But Principal and Wang Tao remained completely unmoved. They knew more about the situation than Wang Zhijun and were unsurprised by Yang Hao’s display.

The principal examined the crystals in the bag and nodded. “Hmm, these three are indeed pure Origen Crystals. They can be submitted to the school.”

“So I can stay, right?” Hope rose in Yang Hao’s heart. The heavy stone in his chest finally seemed to fall.

But the principal’s expression turned regretful again. “However, you still have to be expelled.”

“Why?” Yang Hao was heartbroken. After all, it was already unreasonable for the school to demand every student pay an Origen Crystal. He had gone through so much hardship to obtain such high-quality crystals—shouldn’t he be rewarded? Being expelled was simply unjust.

“The reason the school is expelling you,” the principal pointed at the large bag at his feet, “is precisely because of these Origen Crystals.”

“What?” Yang Hao was completely confused.

“Let Captain Wang Tao explain it to you,” the principal said, his expression clearly showing that these decisions were likely influenced by pressure from Wang Tao.

Wang Tao spoke calmly, “It’s simple: how exactly did you obtain these Origen Crystals?”

“I went to the Dark Beast’s nest,” Yang Hao intentionally made it sound easy. “I accidentally killed a Black Magic Beast and got them.”

“Accidentally?” Wang Tao smiled slightly. “What an ‘accident.’ Don’t you know that the Black Magic Beast you killed was specially protected by the Empire?”

“Special protection?” Yang Hao was stunned—he truly hadn’t known. “What special protection? Why protect it?”

“Origen Crystals are extremely rare energy crystals. They significantly enhance ordinary weapons and are a precious resource for the Imperial Army,” Wang Tao explained, clearly skilled at spinning a tale. “Origen Crystals aren’t naturally occurring minerals—they’re formed through the energy breath of Black Magic Beasts. However, not all Black Magic Beasts can produce Origen Crystals. Among the known Black Magic Beasts in the Empire, only about ten percent of the young ones can generate these crystals.”

“So… what does that mean?” Yang Hao felt the seriousness of the situation.

“What does it mean?” Wang Tao’s tone turned mocking. “Every Black Magic Beast capable of producing Origen Crystals is protected by Imperial law. Anyone can collect the crystals, but harming the Black Magic Beast itself is strictly forbidden. Yet you, for the sake of collecting these three stones, actually killed a precious Black Magic Beast—one that was the only one capable of producing Origen Crystals in several nearby star systems.”