Chapter 192 - 191: Jian Yu: A Spar

Pei Yuan blocked her path. "I’m not done talking. Where do you think you’re going? Does my brother know you’re this rude?"

Jian Yu looked at the brute in front of her. She was a little baffled, but also a little excited.

’I can finally use the villainess lines I memorized!’

With a serious expression on her small face, Jian Yu spoke slowly, pausing for effect. "But my manners are reserved for humans."

’Not for animals.’

She left the second half unsaid; it would ruin her Little Fairy image.

Pei Yuan stared at Jian Yu’s soft and innocent-looking outfit, and it took him a moment to process what she’d said.

After a few seconds, his brow furrowed. "Are you insulting me?"

Pei Yuan glared. "Cut the act. So what if you’ve Awakened? You think that makes you better than everyone else? Without my brother, you wouldn’t even know what hit you!"

Jian Yu gave him a strange look, then stage-whispered, "Shen Gu, tell me, is he really Pei Yin’s younger brother? How can he have an attitude like that?"

"Never heard of him. I’ve never seen this guy before." Shen Gu called over a dozen or so people and waved a hand. "Throw him out."

Pei Yuan’s expression faltered. "You dare! Do you know who I am? Believe it or not, I can have you kicked out of Weis Lan by tomorrow!"

He sneered, his gaze landing on Jian Yu. "Father must be getting old. Someone like you... what’s the difference between you and those ornamental women back home? And I’m supposed to personally ask you to help me with my Contract?"

Shen Gu frowned. ’Is this how you ask for a favor?’

He had never been involved with the Pei Family’s social circle, and in the past, he wasn’t in any position to inquire about them.

He only knew the Pei Family was a mess, with countless brothers and sisters around Chief Pei’s age.

Chief Pei’s father kept more than a dozen exceptionally beautiful women every year.

Pei Yuan’s own looks, however, were somewhat unfortunate.

Jian Yu studied Pei Yuan’s features carefully, her voice neutral. "Is Pei Yin really your brother? How are you so much uglier than him?"

Pei Yuan’s eyes darkened.

He hated it when people commented on his looks.

Shen Gu had looked him up. "He was only recently brought back by the Pei Family. He just Awakened last year. If it weren’t for his high spiritual power, he might not have even been qualified to return."

"That’s right. I’m a 2S Spiritual Ability User." Pei Yuan deliberately fiddled with the blue brooch on his chest.

’There’s no point in being a freshman. A Half-awakened can learn everything he needs to at the Pei Family residence. What I need is real combat experience.’

’Sophomores get more off-campus opportunities, and there’s a competition coming up. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even bothered to come here.’

’It’s a shame I injured my Spirit Domain while hunting Mutant Beasts with my clan members. Otherwise, I would have been able to register a few days ago.’

"I’m going to ask my brother." Pei Yuan made a show of calling Pei Yin. "I’m doing you a favor by asking you to help with my Contract. You won’t even agree to this small request, and you still expect to marry into the Pei Family?"

Jian Yu glanced at his glowing blue Star Brain. "Can’t get through? Need my help?"

Pei Yuan gritted his teeth and pretended to dial. "He’s probably just busy."

"Oh." Jian Yu opened her Star Brain, decisively placed the call, and put it on speaker.

The call connected instantly.

Pei Yin’s voice was absurdly attentive, like a complete suck-up. "What is it, babe? Thirsty? Hungry? Or did you remember something you need for the mission? I’m still trying to figure out what to get for you; it never feels like enough. Oh, by the way..."

Jian Yu’s cheeks flushed.

Embarrassed, she turned slightly to the side.

Her hair was in buns styled to look like the ears of a lop-eared rabbit. The soft hairstyle bounced as she moved, bobbing up and down in a way that was both lively and endearingly innocent.

It drew everyone’s gaze, making it impossible to look away.

Shen Gu noticed that, aside from Pei Yuan who was mired in a mix of embarrassment and rage, everyone else was subconsciously staring at Jian Yu.

Shen Gu turned, blocking their view with his body.

Pei Yin was still rambling on. "Hello? Babe, you still there? Say something, my precious."

"Slow down," Jian Yu said, pressing her lips together. The fine tassels on her dress swayed against the hem, tracing tiny arcs that made her look all the more obedient and adorable.

"I just wanted to ask, do you have a younger brother?"

Pei Yin’s mood instantly soured. "My whole family is dead. Where would I get a younger brother from?"

The color drained from Pei Yuan’s face, then flushed beet-red.

He yelled, "It’s me, Pei Yuan! Brother! Father told you to take care of me!"

There was a distinct pause from Pei Yin. "Don’t know him. My entire family register was wiped out long ago. If you keep spouting nonsense trying to claim kinship, watch out, or I’ll come after you with a beast clamp!"

Realizing something, the faint blush on Jian Yu’s cheeks slowly faded.

She quickly changed the subject. "It’s no one important. I was thinking of coming to see you this afternoon. Will you be at the lab?"

As if he truly didn’t care, Pei Yin’s tone became light and airy again. "Alright, I’ll be waiting."

It’s human nature to enjoy a spectacle.

A crowd had already gathered nearby.

Pei Yuan snorted under his breath. "With a whore for a mother, it’s no wonder she gave birth to a good-for-nothing who only knows how to hole up in a lab."

His eyes were full of contempt. "You’re only shamelessly clinging to a boring man like my brother for the Pei Family’s resources. Help me with my Contract, and whatever he promised you, I can give you too."

’Jian Yu mentally scrambled for a good villainess comeback, but nothing fit.’

She said airily, "Looks like your defenses are down. You’re triggered."

Pei Yuan’s expression turned ugly, and he changed tactics. "Besides, you helping Shen Qing with her Contract was probably just a fluke. You’ve got some nerve, going around promoting yourself and taking all the credit when you have no real ability. You actually had me thinking you were something special."

Jian Yu was a natural conversation-killer, let alone a master of insults.

She repeated, deadpan, "You’re triggered."

Pei Yuan gritted his teeth.

Someone in the crowd spoke up to explain:

"It was your Chief Pei who pursued Jian first."

"And I know better than you whether that Contract was a coincidence, because I was one of the contestants that day. I have Level 2S Spiritual Power too, so I’m not afraid of you."

The person couldn’t hold back. "If you think you’re so great, go grab someone with low spiritual power and show me another ’coincidence’."

Coincidence, my ass. There’s no such thing as that many coincidences.

Backed into a corner, Pei Yuan shot back, "What’s it to any of you? So what if she can handle a Contract? She still has to get the chance to grow into her power."

"You don’t need to worry about that." Shen Gu shielded Jian Yu, staring at Pei Yuan as if he could burn a hole through him with his gaze.

"After her successful Contract, the academy allocated a ton of resources to her. With the Shen family backing her, it’s only a matter of time before she grows stronger."

Pei Yuan sneered. "Look at you all, jumping to her defense. What, is she mute? Or were you all birthed by Jian Yu, lining up to be her sons and simps?"

Several people immediately started shouting at him.

The cacophony of voices grated on Jian Yu’s ears.

’This is so pointless.’

’You really can’t be nice to some people. Give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile.’

Jian Yu raised her hand, her fingers twitching.

She hesitated for a moment, then drew her hand back, deciding not to pull Shen Gu away.

Jian Yu stepped out from behind him.

’How can I say something that sounds impressive without losing my cool?’

Jian Yu thought of Si Xu.

She glanced at the challenge match still underway nearby and issued a challenge in a cold voice, "A spar."

Pei Yuan was also looking for an outlet for his anger. "You think I’m afraid of you? I have nearly two years of real combat experience. Beating an Initial Awakener like you will be a piece of cake."