"What the hell, who do you think you are, speaking to Junior Sister Bi like that?"
The roar of anger came from Fang Yunshi, whose oppressive aura was already surging outward as he prepared to strike at Chu Feng.
He wasn't the only one. The disciples of the Southern Sparrow Academy all released their auras as well, drawing their weapons.
The implication was clear—as long as Bi Jingjing gave the word, they wouldn't spare Chu Feng, or any disciple from the Northern Mysterious Academy.
"Stand down, all of you."
Bi Jingjing shot Fang Yunshi a glare as she spoke.
At that, Fang Yunshi withdrew his oppressive aura.
The rest of the Southern Sparrow Academy followed suit.
While it was true that among the Southern Sparrow Academy disciples present, Fang Yunshi was the strongest, everyone knew that in this gathering, Bi Jingjing's words carried the most weight.
"Interesting, truly interesting."
"Since you've got such nerve, I'll give you a chance."
"But—this is you personally insisting on competing with me."
"You can represent the Northern Mysterious Academy, but at the same time you represent yourself."
"So this competition needs a wager," Bi Jingjing said.
"How do you want to set it?" Chu Feng asked.
"If you lose, I want you to cut out your own tongue."
"And for as long as you're at the Woloong Martial Sect, you are not allowed to heal it."
"If you dare heal it, I'll cut it out every single time I see you."
"And you won't be allowed to speak to anyone in any manner whatsoever."
"If you so much as utter a single word, I'll beat you for it," Bi Jingjing said.
"Pretty ruthless."
"Then what if you lose?" Chu Feng countered.
"I can't possibly lose," Bi Jingjing said.
"Since you're that confident, then let's do this."
"If you lose, we'll change the terms of the wager," Chu Feng said.
"How do you want to change them?" Bi Jingjing asked.
"The remaining barrier formations and the martial strength competition proceed as normal."
"But if my Northern Mysterious Academy wins, then from this day forward, the Frost Spirit Waterfall's monthly cultivation time shall be ten days for our Northern Mysterious Academy, and—"
Chu Feng trailed off.
"This Chu Feng, he…"
The Northern Mysterious Academy disciples had originally found Chu Feng quite repulsive. They felt he clearly lacked talent yet insisted on taking the stage. They didn't see it as courage—they believed he was just leveraging his relationship with Song Xi to act recklessly.
But when Chu Feng proposed this change to the wager, the Northern Mysterious Academy disciples realized that Chu Feng didn't seem to be doing this just to show off.
Whether he had the ability or not, at least he was genuinely looking out for the Northern Mysterious Academy.
Their opinion of him shifted somewhat.
"Fine. I accept your terms," Bi Jingjing said, and stepped onto the stone platform.
"Junior Sister Bi, wait."
"Chu Feng, he—" Song Xi hurriedly spoke up, intending to plead on Chu Feng's behalf. He didn't want Chu Feng to spend the rest of his time here as a mute who couldn't speak.
"Song Xi, this doesn't concern you."
"If you insist on interfering, then the wager applies to you as well," Bi Jingjing snapped, shooting Song Xi a vicious glare.
At that, Song Xi didn't dare say another word.
Bi Jingjing closed her eyes tightly and began her talent test.
Hummm— Almost immediately, the runic patterns on the stone platform began to flow rapidly.
But as time ticked by, no light was released.
It was taking longer than even Wang Ziyan's test.
Whether from the Southern Sparrow Academy or the Northern Mysterious Academy, the expressions on everyone's faces began to change.
The Southern Sparrow Academy disciples were naturally feeling uneasy and worried.
But the Northern Mysterious Academy's emotions weren't directed at Bi Jingjing—they were directed at Chu Feng.
"This Chu Feng really is nothing but trouble."
"If I had been the one up there, we would have already won this round of the talent comparison."
Hei Yao's words weren't whispered in secret or muttered under his breath—he spoke openly, loud enough for everyone to hear.
He did it on purpose, wanting every person present to hear.
And the rest of the Northern Mysterious Academy disciples agreed with him.
"Senior Brother Song, you really shouldn't have indulged Junior Brother Chu Feng like this."
"You indulged him and played the good big brother, but how do the rest of us juniors and sisters in the Northern Mysterious Academy look at you now?"
Even Wang Ziyan was full of resentment.
Song Xi said nothing, but his face was filled with helplessness.
The way he conducted himself in the Northern Mysterious Academy was domineering, yes. The reason he involved himself in matters like this was because he wanted to build a positive image among the Northern Mysterious Academy's disciples. He could be domineering, but he also needed their respect.
And the reason the Northern Mysterious Academy's crowd was having such a strong reaction was that they felt they had overestimated Bi Jingjing. They had expected her to release purple light faster than Song Xi had.
They hadn't expected it to take this long.