Before Long Chen could speak, Tang Le said with a stern face, "Don’t go too far!"
"Too far?" Li Tianhao scoffed, glancing back at the three Heaven Institute disciples behind him. "Was I being excessive just now?"
"Not at all!" the three Heaven Institute disciples declared in unison. "Senior Brother Li is the pride of our Heaven Institute’s Bing Institute, ranked number one in strength. His allowing you to lick his feet is a blessing you must have earned in a past life!"
"Don’t think you’re superior just because you’re disciples of the Heaven Institute. People like you are the ones I, Tang Le, despise the most," Tang Le said, his expression souring as he strode toward them. "The pride of the Heaven Institute’s Bing Institute, you say? I, Tang Le, wouldn’t mind turning you into a cripple!"
Li Tianhao knew a bit about Tang Le, so he subconsciously took several steps back.
He said sternly, "This matter has nothing to do with you. I advise you not to meddle."
Tang Le snorted. "Too bad. I’m making it my business now."
"See? What did I say?" Li Tianhao watched Tang Le warily while continuing to taunt Long Chen. "This guy is just some trash who gets by on consuming elixirs. Without their effects, he can only cower behind someone else, not even daring to make a peep!"
Tang Le’s brows knitted together. He was about to explode with anger when Long Chen placed a hand on his shoulder. "They’re just a bunch of pathetic clowns. No need to bother with them."
In Li Tianhao’s eyes, however, Long Chen’s behavior was a clear sign of cowardice. This perceived lack of confidence only made him more arrogant.
"Trash!" he spat. "Useless—"
BANG!
Before Li Tianhao could finish, a sharp slap landed on his face, sending a jolt of excruciating pain through him. He spat out a mouthful of blood and broken teeth.
Tang Le grinned mischievously. "Brother Long, didn’t you just say we shouldn’t bother with them?"
"With people like this, what’s the point of holding back?" Long Chen said, a chilling aura emanating from him. "Besides, we’re outside the Sect. Even if I injure them, I won’t have to answer to the Enforcement Hall."
"You... you dare hit me?" Li Tianhao stammered in fury. "I’ll take your miserable life—"
He pointed a trembling finger at Long Chen, but his vision blurred. In the blink of an eye, Long Chen was right in front of him, a fist already hurtling toward his face.
Sensing the immense power behind the punch, Li Tianhao’s expression changed drastically. He hastily threw up a defense, but the impact still sent him staggering back several steps, his insides churning.
Unable to hold back any longer, he spat another mouthful of blood onto the ground.
"Senior Brother Li, are you alright?" the three surprised disciples asked anxiously as they rushed to his side.
"Damn you!" Li Tianhao roared. "Attacking me while my guard was down? How despicable! I’m furious now! You’re dead this time, boy!"
Just as Li Tianhao was about to lunge, a cold voice cut through the air. "Stop!"
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw the approaching figure of Chu Lingjun.
"Sister Chu!" Upon seeing her, everyone’s expressions became respectful.
"The mission hasn’t even started, and you’re already fighting amongst yourselves?" Chu Lingjun said coolly. "Do you not want to pass the assessment?"
"We wouldn’t dare!" Li Tianhao quickly protested. "Sister Chu, Long Chen started it all! Look at my face, and the internal injury he gave me! If you hadn’t arrived when you did, he might have killed me! You have to stand up for me!"
With those words, he not only shifted all the blame to Long Chen but also successfully painted himself as the victim. I’m a genius.