Half of Da Di Daozhang's straw hut had already been smashed.
Da Di Daozhang charged out from the collapsed hut, his face full of anger.
"Your name is Du Fan, right? Listen, you’re a new student. By our Hall's rules, new arrivals must show respect to the senior students. How about this: take out everything you have on you and let us inspect it thoroughly. If there’s anything we find useful, we'll gladly accept it," said a young man wearing purple robes, his face full of arrogance, addressing Da Di Daozhang in an extremely domineering tone.
Surrounding him were over a dozen students, male and female, all wearing playfully mocking smiles on their faces.
Furthermore, in the distance, many other students were watching the commotion, laughing and pointing.
"Why should I show you my things? Get lost!" Da Di Daozhang declared.
"Daring to tell us to get lost? Are you rejecting our goodwill?!" The purple-robed young man who had spoken darkened his face.
"Junior Brother Du Fan, Senior Brother Tong's temper isn't the best. I advise you to obediently do as he says. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe," another white-robed youth said with an exaggerated wink and a smile.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei had already walked out of his hut and arrived at Da Di Daozhang’s side, casting a light, sweeping glance at the dozen or so students encircling the area.
"You are Su Ye, I take it. Perfect timing. Hand over all your belongings as well for our inspection. Don’t worry, we won’t take everything—just a portion. You shouldn’t feel it’s unfair, because every new student has to go through this," said the white-robed youth, turning his gaze towards Ye Yunfei.
"Right, apart from letting us pick through all your things, you two must also surrender half of all cultivation resources the Academy awards you within this first year as a tribute to us," the purple-robed young man referred to as Senior Brother Tong added coldly.
"Half of all our cultivation resources for a year? This is nothing but robbery!" Da Di Daozhang raged.
"Oh? Are you implying you intend to refuse?" Senior Brother Tong's eyes flashed sharply.
"Aren't you afraid of investigation and punishment from the Third Hall and the Academy for doing this?" Ye Yunfei asked lightly.
"Hahahaha…" Immediately, the surrounding dozen students burst into roaring laughter.
"You! Shut your mouth!" A student with a burly, muscular build took a step forward, advancing on Ye Yunfei, his eyes suddenly filling with thick murderous aura as he glared at him.
"Newbie, let me be honest with you. Our Academy encourages full competition among students! It even actively promotes ample rivalry! As long as no one dies, the Academy won't interfere in disputes between students. Besides, what are you but two measly new students, a pair of grasshoppers of no importance to the Academy. Senior Brother Tong has connections within the institution! Even if we crush you to death, the Academy probably wouldn't bother much with punishing us. Remember, there are people within these walls you simply cannot afford to defy!" The student glared at Ye Yunfei with his murderous gaze, speaking aggressively.
"Alright, one last chance. Agree, or refuse. If you refuse, then starting today, I’ll beat you up daily until you submit," Senior Brother Tong said impatiently.
"So, the Academy doesn't interfere as long as no one dies. Good. I like that," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Now, I’ll give you all a chance as well. Take out everything you have on you and hand it over for my inspection. Also, within this year, you must surrender all the cultivation resources the Academy grants you as tribute to the two of us," Ye Yunfei stated calmly.
What?!
Hearing Ye Yunfei’s words, the dozen or so students all froze, their brains seemingly failing to process the words as they stood there utterly dumbfounded.
In the distance, the onlookers also stared in disbelief, doubting their own hearing.
In the next moment.
"Kid, what did you just say?! Say it again!" The burly, muscular student’s face twisted into a ferocious snarl as he roared the demand.
Senior Brother Tong also flew into a violent rage, releasing a torrential press of spiritual might that surged like a tide, swirling around his body.
The other students each released their own spiritual pressure as well, stirring up gusts of energy windstorms. In an instant, the sky darkened and dust flew among the low hills.
Among these dozen or so students, Senior Brother Tong was the strongest, at the late-stage Minor Mystic Pill Realm.
Additionally, there was another at the late-stage Minor Mystic Pill Realm.
Five were at the mid-stage.
The rest were at the early-stage.
These students had cultivated within the Heavenly Dao Academy for quite some time. Their foundations were solid and their spiritual power abundant—not to be underestimated.
"Tsk tsk, this new student’s backbone is quite stiff. Impressive!"
"What’s the use of a stiff backbone? He’ll be beaten to a pulp soon enough."
"Tong Hu is a minor tyrant in our Third Hall. Now that this student has provoked him, his future days will be difficult. Sigh, as a newcomer, he should have kept a low profile and learned to live with his tail tucked between his legs."
…
Onlookers in the distance were chattering away.
Senior students bullying newcomers was a common, unremarkable occurrence.
Now, atop the low hill, the dozen or so students stood like wolves and tigers, their sharp gazes fixed threateningly on Ye Yunfei, ready to attack at any moment.
"Did you not hear me clearly? Let me repeat myself then. Take out everything you have and let the two of us inspect…" Ye Yunfei began.
"You’re courting death!" Before Ye Yunfei could finish, the burly student roared in fury and launched a punch towards him.
Boom…
The punch rocked the earth, its terrifying force sweeping across several miles, churning up clouds of dust from the ground.
Ye Yunfei neither dodged nor evaded. Instead, he threw a punch of his own to meet it.
*Pfft!*
A crisp sound rang out as the student's arm instantly shattered, exploding into a bloody mist.
*Thud!*
The student flew backward like a scarecrow, landing heavily on the ground in the distance. His body convulsed uncontrollably, unable to rise.
"Trash like this dares to bully new students?" Ye Yunfei shook his head.
"Attack! Cripple him!" Senior Brother Tong bellowed.
Whoosh whoosh…
Over a dozen students charged at Ye Yunfei from all directions.
Ye Yunfei employed his Body Divine Ability, his right arm suddenly swelling massively as Half-Dragon Strength poured into his fist.
Boom boom boom…
Issuing a dozen punches, he knocked away one student with each blow. In less than a single breath, he had sent all dozen-plus students flying.
Including Senior Brother Tong, not a single student could withstand even one of Ye Yunfei’s punches.
Hiss!
All the onlookers in the distance were utterly stunned, their eyes bulging like cow eggs, unable to believe the scene they had just witnessed.