Su Qian, standing behind Hun Changqing, was instantly enraged upon hearing Hun Changqing's words. His eyes were bloodshot, and unparalleled rage filled his heart.
This terrifying fire of anger frantically eroded his nerves, almost completely devouring his remaining rationality.
He desperately wanted to call upon the two guardians of the academy and join them in reducing Hun Changqing to ashes!
But he couldn't. He sensed that Hun Changqing's aura was even more terrifying than those two guardians who had reached the pinnacle of the Dou Zong realm; he was most likely a Dou Zun realm expert.
Even if he, a three-star Dou Zong, along with two peak Dou Zong experts, wanted to deal with a Dou Zun, even a one-star one, the chances of victory were extremely slim. The gap between Dou Zong and Dou Zun was simply too vast, like an insurmountable chasm between them, filling him with despair.
Moreover, they were currently located in the very center of Canaan Academy. With the strength of a Dou Zong and a Dou Zun, a full-force attack would reduce the entire Canaan Academy to ashes in no time, leaving not even ruins. Everyone in Canaan Academy below the Dou Huang level would be doomed!
Therefore, Su Qian absolutely could not act impulsively at this moment. All he could do was remain silent. He lowered his head, obscuring his face, his fists clenched tightly, his body trembling violently.
Upon hearing Hun Changqing's words, Zi Yan's heart also trembled violently, her petite body shaking even more intensely.
Zi Yan knew that Canaan Academy was the culmination of Su Qian's life's work, and she couldn't imagine what Su Qian would become after the academy was destroyed.
Zi Yan turned to look at Su Qian. The Su Qian she saw was no longer the kind and gentle man she remembered, whose face always wore a warm smile.
Su Qian now resembled a helpless little beast enveloped in despair. Although he remained silent, Zi Yan could almost hear the desperate cries emanating from his heart.
Seeing Su Qian in this state, Zi Yan felt a tightness in her chest, a deep ache in her heart. She knew Su Qian was afraid of what might happen if she were taken away by this person.
But Su Qian couldn't stop the fate of the entire Canaan Academy, nor did he have the power to do so, plunging him into despair.
Zi Yan didn't want to see Su Qian like this. He had been so good to her, and she remembered it all. She was grateful that he had brought her back from the beast-infested forest, protecting her from being bullied.
Since arriving at Canaan Academy, she had been willful and capricious, often bullying classmates and stealing medicinal herbs. But every time Su Qian scolded her, the doting look in his eyes was undeniable.
He treated her like his own daughter. Not only did she frequently cause him trouble, but now, because of her, someone was using Canaan Academy to threaten him.
"Maybe I really am a jinx... My parents abandoned me, and I was bullied by the magical beasts in the mountains from birth. Not a single beast wanted to befriend me. Finally, I found a kind old man who cared for me, but he still suffers because of me..."
Zi Yan thought to herself with self-mockery, her eyes filled with complex emotions as she looked at Su Qian, a bitter and desolate smile playing on her lips.
"Hoo..."
Soon, Zi Yan exhaled deeply, her gaze gradually hardening. A strange change seemed to occur within her, and she slowly stood up, looking at Su Qian.
"Old man, you protected me when I was little, brought me back, and protected me from the magical beasts. Now, let me protect your Canaan Academy.
Even if this person wants to harm me, it doesn't matter. I was abandoned by my parents anyway. Maybe my birth was a mistake. I won't be here to bring disaster to your Canaan Academy."
After saying this, Zi Yan turned to Hun Changqing. "I'll go with you, and become your so-called disciple."
After saying this, Zi Yan immediately turned away from Hun Changqing and Su Qian. Her previously resolute expression vanished, replaced by a look of sorrow, as if she were lamenting her tragic and unfortunate fate.
Zi Yan slowly closed her eyes, and two streams of crystal-clear tears fell from them, tracing the contours of her fair and rosy face.
The tears flowed down her cheeks to her chin, finally dripping onto the dark, cold stone floor of the stone chamber. The sound of the tears falling, "drip, drip," echoed in the dark and silent stone chamber.
Su Qian looked at Zi Yan, his heart feeling as if it were being gripped by a pair of powerful hands, a sharp pain making it hard to breathe, his eyes filled with sorrow.
His body began to tremble violently, and from his clenched fist, streaks of bright red blood seeped out and dripped onto the ground.
Su Qian was torn, his mind a battle of wills, desperately trying to force himself to make a choice. But
then… just as he was about to make that decision, he remembered the consequences for Canaan Academy. Instantly, his trembling body jerked violently, his pupils widened, bloodshot eyes filled with blood, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. His
once robust frame hunched over, as if he had aged countless years in that instant.
A thick, oppressive aura emanated from his now-stooped body, utterly shattering his former gentle and kind demeanor and plunging him into another extreme.
For a moment, the dim stone chamber was filled with the weight of their emotions, an overwhelming sense of sorrow permeating the space.
"Hehehe…"
But a chilling, evil laugh instantly shattered this somber atmosphere.
"The bond between you two, grandfather and granddaughter, is truly touching. However, since you've 'voluntarily' agreed to become my disciple, you should return with your master."
Upon hearing this, Zi Yan wiped her face with her delicate white hand, then turned to look at Hun Changqing. Her youthful face was filled with indifference, her eyes brimming with sarcasm as she coldly said,
"Let's go, my 'good master'!"
Zi Yan's words were full of mockery. She assumed Hun Changqing recognized her true form and wanted to conduct some strange experiments on her.
Zi Yan was already prepared to be used and killed by Hun Changqing, or to die directly in some strange experiment, so she no longer feared him.
Coupled with the innate arrogance of the Taixu Ancient Dragon King Clan, Zi Yan directly mocked Hun Changqing, appearing fearless.