As news of Yan Jiaojiao's complete ban spread, some individuals began to stir with avarice for the small spirit stones.
However, others, having assessed Yan Jiaojiao's strength, were unwilling to provoke her.
Thus, everyone adopted a wait-and-see approach, and Yan Jiaojiao remained unharmed.
This continued until the following morning, when Wang Jing Shuang, in full view of everyone, ran to Tang Xi Ye and demanded spirit stones, even vividly describing how she had taught Yan Jiaojiao a lesson.
Under the public gaze, Tang Xi Ye had no choice but to retrieve a spirit stone from her Qian Kun bag.
Witnessing Wang Jing Shuang gleefully accept the spirit stone, everyone's eyes turned green with envy.
Yet, after Wang Jing Shuang received her stone, Yan Jiaojiao remained in her room, giving outsiders no opportunity to act.
Strangely, the next day, another disciple from the Water Sect approached Tang Xi Ye demanding spirit stones. This time, she presented a handkerchief supposedly stained with Yan Jiaojiao's blood.
Tang Xi Ye once again handed over a spirit stone, while Yan Jiaojiao continued to stay in her room.
On the third and fourth days, a student from the Water Sect would arrive each day with supposed evidence to seek spirit stones from Tang Xi Ye.
By the fifth day, Tang Xi Ye's patience finally snapped. She threw the dagger, claimed to have pierced Yan Jiaojiao, onto the ground. The sharp clatter silenced the surrounding students.
"Are you people from the Water Sect playing me?" Tang Xi Ye shouted in anger. "Is this truly something that wounded Yan Jiaojiao? You just conjured it up to fool me?"
The current visitor was a male student from the Water Sect. He had been at the academy for seven to eight years, had achieved some success in his cultivation, and was known for his righteousness. He did not seem like someone who would bully Yan Jiaojiao for spirit stones.
The senior disciple, however, faced Tang Xi Ye's questioning with calm indifference. "Junior Sister, you must honor your word."
Tang Xi Ye retorted, "Bring Yan Jiaojiao out for me to examine her wounds in person, and I will naturally give you the spirit stones!"
The senior disciple chuckled. "If you won't, then forget it. It seems your promise was false. Everyone risked violating school rules to help you deal with someone, only to not even receive a small spirit stone from you. Let's disperse."
The crowd immediately prepared to leave. Tang Xi Ye also began to realize something was amiss and cried out, "It was Yan Jiaojiao who had your Water Sect people trick me out of my spirit stones! You people in the Water Sect claim to be pure, but you're all corrupt liars!"
Tang Xi Ye's gaze swept over those attempting to flee. She reached out and, through the air, pulled Wang Jing Shuang, who was present, to her side.
"Speak! Did you collude with Yan Jiaojiao to cheat me!"
Wang Jing Shuang was the first person persuaded to demand spirit stones. Although she and Yan Jiaojiao didn't get along, Yan Jiaojiao had told her she could get a spirit stone for free just by speaking. Wang Jing Shuang saw no reason not to agree.
However, facing the enraged Tang Xi Ye, Wang Jing Shuang dared not speak the truth. She offered a fawning smile. "Xi Ye, I don't know about others, but I've disliked Yan Jiaojiao since we enrolled. I've tried to cause trouble for her more than once."
Though she had never succeeded, Wang Jing Shuang's words were not entirely false. Tang Xi Ye saw no deception and, releasing her grip, flung Wang Jing Shuang aside.
"Then go and bring Yan Jiaojiao here! I want to see if your mouths in the Water Sect are truly clean!"
Hearing Tang Xi Ye broadly condemn her sect, Wang Jing Shuang felt disgruntled. "She refuses to leave the Water Sect's premises, and I can't drag her out. If the matter escalates, it will be difficult for me to explain."
As Tang Xi Ye was about to say more, the senior disciple from the Water Sect coldly interrupted. "Junior Sister Tang, I advise you to know when to stop. It's just a few spirit stones; avoid violating academy rules. You should wake up and realize this."
Yan Jiaojiao had long predicted that Tang Xi Ye would only endure for five or six days. Therefore, this senior disciple was naturally entrusted by Yan Jiaojiao to deliberately wear Tang Xi Ye down. His seniority was sufficient, and his character beyond reproach, making his admonishment of Tang Xi Ye resonate powerfully.
Tang Xi Ye, already frustrated, now had someone from the Water Sect siding with Yan Jiaojiao and adding to her woes. Her emotions surged, and she was on the verge of madness. She raised her hand and hurled a ball of spiritual energy at the senior disciple.
The senior disciple's expression changed. He hadn't expected Tang Xi Ye to attack him. Just as he raised his hand to block, a small figure darted in from the side. With a swing of her purple longsword, she cleaved the spiritual energy ball in two, and it instantly vanished.
"It's Yan Jiaojiao!"
The surrounding students shouted.
Yan Jiaojiao appeared in neat, stylish short combat attire, her posture graceful and her movements unhindered. She was nowhere near the state of being severely injured and bedridden as described over the past few days!
Seeing the unharmed Yan Jiaojiao, Tang Xi Ye's eyes almost burst with rage. "Yan Jiaojiao, you damned wretch, you actually lied to me!"
By this time, the other onlookers had also figured things out. Tang Xi Ye had indeed been tricked by Yan Jiaojiao. No one had truly caused Yan Jiaojiao any harm from the very first day.
Instead, Tang Xi Ye had repeatedly handed over spirit stones, suffering a significant loss!
Ever since Tang Xi Ye entered Ge Nan Academy, she had been a dominant figure. This was the first time anyone had caused her such a great loss.
What's more, Tang Xi Ye had no one to turn to, not even the confidence to complain to Xuan Chen for help.
While many at Ge Nan Academy sought to curry favor with Tang Xi Ye, a considerable number were dissatisfied with her. However, they were powerless against her. Yan Jiaojiao's actions this time were met with great satisfaction.
For a moment, everyone cast looks of admiration towards Yan Jiaojiao.
Facing the furious Tang Xi Ye, Yan Jiaojiao remained calm and composed, smiling. "Thanks to Senior Sister Tang, not only did I obtain the Ming Zhu Pill, but I also contributed a little to the disciples of the Water Sect."
Yan Jiaojiao produced an item and waved it, revealing the Ming Zhu Pill!
Tang Xi Ye's eyes flushed crimson with anger. "That should have been mine!"
"Why should it be yours? The Night Ghost Demon was apprehended by me and the senior disciples. You are accustomed to reaping benefits without effort. Do you begrudge others earning their rightful reward through their own strength?" Yan Jiaojiao's expression turned cold as she spoke without reservation.
Tang Xi Ye was momentarily speechless. Xuan Chen doted on her. Even after the two-year assessment and promotion, he had never sent her on any missions. However, whenever someone submitted valuable items from a mission, Xuan Chen would always instruct Luo Gui Yuan to bring them to her.
Even on this point alone, other students harbored considerable grievances, though they dared not voice them.
Now that Yan Jiaojiao had exposed Tang Xi Ye's "entitlement," the crowd began to murmur their accusations.
Tang Xi Ye scanned her surroundings, feeling as though everyone was pointing fingers at her. At this moment, the long-lost sense of helplessness from her childhood washed over her. Tang Xi Ye felt overwhelmed with anxiety, her breathing becoming disordered!