A pair of deep, penetrating eyes watched the training grounds from afar.
An Academy Elder stood at the third-floor window, observing everything that unfolded below.
His brow furrowed deeply.
The moment Fang Yuan voluntarily stepped down from the stage, even he felt a flicker of surprise. He hadn't expected Fang Yuan to do something like that.
"This kid is a slippery one. He knows the Academy rules inside and out, and he's never committed any actual infraction. He sleeps through class all the time, but whenever he's questioned, his answers are so thorough that no one can find fault. Trying to get leverage on him and suppress his momentum—easier said than done."
Unbidden, a faint sense of distaste toward Fang Yuan took root in the Academy Elder's heart.
As a teacher, one naturally favored students who were obedient, clever, and well-behaved. One disliked the unruly troublemakers who broke the rules.
But the Academy Elder had run the Academy for years. His experience was vast, and he had seen countless students. Some were perfectly obedient, following every instruction without question. Others caused trouble constantly, perpetually violating discipline.
He had long since achieved a state of equanimity, treating all students alike. At the same time, he had carved the words "Be a role model to students; teach without discrimination" into the right corner of his desk as his personal motto.
Never before had he felt such aversion toward a single student.
Noticing this feeling of dislike in his heart, the Academy Elder was somewhat taken aback.
In previous years, even with the most rebellious students, he had been able to tolerate them with generosity. Why was he losing his composure now, facing Fang Yuan?
He reflected carefully, sifting through his thoughts, and finally identified the reason.
There was an arrogance buried deep in Fang Yuan's bones!
It was as though, at his very core, he simply did not regard his teachers with any respect. The Martial Arts Instructor's words just now—not only had he refused to listen, he had openly talked back.
In truth, students publicly contradicting teachers had happened in previous years as well. But those kids had always been driven by heightened emotions. Whether it was rebelliousness, anger, or defiance—
The Academy Elder knew very well that the more agitated a youth was, the more fear lurked in their heart.
But Fang Yuan was different.
There was not a shred of fear in him. It was as though he had seen through every trick the Academy had to offer.
His expression was cold and indifferent. Even after stepping off the stage, not a trace of change crossed his face. As though he had done something utterly trivial.
Yes—he had treated the act of defying a teacher as something utterly trivial!
In short—
He was not afraid.
And it was precisely this that made the Academy Elder feel so displeased, so disgusted!
The Academy Elder could tolerate a student ten times more rebellious and troublesome than Fang Yuan, because those students still knew fear. They were governed by volatile emotions.
As long as there was fear, as long as there was impulse, they could be manipulated. They would never escape his control.
But Fang Yuan was not like that.
He was calm, composed, and did not place his teachers above himself.
He held no reverence!
A person who felt no reverence for their clan—even if trained and cultivated, how could they ever be of use to the clan?
"When someone like this appears, he must be suppressed. He absolutely must be suppressed! Otherwise, his very existence will plant seeds of rebellion in the hearts of the other students. Over time, if it spreads and no one respects their teachers anymore, how can the Academy possibly maintain discipline?"
The Academy Elder narrowed his eyes, his resolve solidifying.
But soon, a look of worry crept back onto his face.
How could he suppress Fang Yuan?
Fang Yuan hadn't made a single mistake. There was nothing—absolutely nothing—to use against him.
His slippery nature left the Academy Elder with a helpless feeling, as though there was no angle of attack. He had never encountered a student so thoroughly familiar with every rule and regulation of the Academy.
The Academy Elder had always presented himself as a figure of fairness and impartiality. He couldn't very well act like some common ruffian and go out of his way to pick on a mere youth.
He had originally placed his hopes on the Martial Arts Instructor, but now he was thoroughly disappointed.
"It seems that the only way to suppress Fang Yuan's prominence is to wait for the other students to advance to the Middle Stage of First Transformation first."