Sun Zheqi glanced at Ouyang Ruoxue, who was in the midst of training, and looked somewhat reproachfully at Jiang Chen: "Senior Jiang, Junior Ouyang has been working very hard. You three are resting, yet you let her train alone. Isn't that a bit too harsh?"

"What does that have to do with you?"

Jiang Chen replied indifferently, ignoring him further, as he walked onto the river, beginning his own training.

"Sun Zheqi, don't think we don't know what you're up to, trying to steal some skills, huh? No way!"

Yun Tao looked at Sun Zheqi with cold eyes, mocking him.

"Senior Yun, you misunderstand. That's not my intention. I just think that Junior Ouyang is here to learn from Elder Wine-crazed to enhance her abilities, yet you keep her here for some meaningless training. It's just that I feel injustice for her!"

Sun Zheqi shook his head slightly, looking at Ouyang Ruoxue with a concerned gaze.

Noticing Sun Zheqi's gaze, Ouyang Ruoxue frowned, a look of disgust flashing in her eyes.

Yun Tao was momentarily stunned, exchanged a glance with Jian Wuheng, and both showed a trace of unusual emotion in their eyes.

This guy... is he interested in Ouyang Ruoxue? But he wasn't so obvious a few days ago!

Both looked at Jiang Chen who was training on the river, then at Ouyang Ruoxue, suddenly realizing what was going on, feeling a bit frustrated inside.

Does Sun Zheqi only see Jiang Chen as a competitor? Where does that leave us?

Although neither of them had any other thoughts about Ouyang Ruoxue, Sun Zheqi's preferential treatment indeed made them a little uncomfortable.

When both of us were around, Sun Zheqi would just watch from the side and then leave, not saying anything. But now that Jiang Chen appears, he comes out to claim authority. It's clear he doesn't see us as a threat!

Glancing sharply at Sun Zheqi, Yun Tao's eyes twinkled, a sly smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he thought of a plan.

"Junior, remember that mission I snatched before?"

Yun Tao called out softly to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen looked up at Yun Tao and nodded slightly.

"The mission time has come. We'll set off tomorrow and bring Ruo Xue along this time."

Yun Tao chuckled as he spoke.

Jiang Chen was taken aback by his words, glanced at Ouyang Ruoxue, and nodded gently: "That's fine. Continuous training can lack self-assessment. Going out might just offer a chance for her to evaluate herself in a real fight."

Pausing for a moment, Jiang Chen called softly: "Ruo Xue, join us on the mission tomorrow."

"Okay!"

Ouyang Ruoxue nodded and continued her training.

Sun Zheqi frowned slightly, his eyes shifting as he chuckled: "Senior Yun, I wonder if I could join as well? Ever since being defeated by Senior Jiang twice, I've admired him and always wanted to learn from him. Now that Senior Jiang is out, I can hardly wait!"

"What do you think?"

Yun Tao looked coldly at Sun Zheqi, a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth, wondering how Sun Zheqi could have the cheek to make such a request.

"Senior Yun, your mission should be to go to the Shangluo Family to collect offerings and inspect their abnormalities, right? Last time, it was my sect senior brothers who went there. For such tasks, we always find someone who has been there before as a guide, which aids the mission and benefits the academy. Is Senior Yun planning to disregard the academy's interests due to personal grievances?"

Sun Zheqi smiled faintly.

Yun Tao frowned, a chill glittering in his eyes.

This guy sure threw on a heavy accusation. Given his behavior, if I refused again, rumors might start circulating. Plus, the academy indeed sends someone familiar with the location for these tasks.

"Sure! You can come along!"

Just as Yun Tao was about to refuse again, Jiang Chen spoke softly.

Yun Tao and the others were taken aback, looking at Jiang Chen in surprise. Even Ouyang Ruoxue turned to look.

Ouyang Ruoxue knew well that this guy was interested in her, which she really despised, and Jiang Chen...

A trace of sadness appeared in Ouyang Ruoxue's eyes. Is he planning to push me away?

"Junior!"

Yun Tao spoke in surprise.

Sun Zheqi was equally surprised, his heart skipped a beat. It wouldn't have been surprising if Jiang Chen had firmly refused, but his straightforward agreement left Sun Zheqi puzzled!

"The situation with the Shangluo Family is quite suspicious, and none of us have been there. Having someone familiar indeed is necessary. Junior Sun, sorry to trouble you!"

Jiang Chen smiled slightly, then added with a meaningful look: "However, our skills are limited. If an unexpected situation arises, we might not be able to take care of you, so you should be cautious."

"What do you mean?"

Sun Zheqi's expression changed, a trace of fright appearing in his eyes.

"These missions typically come with some risk. Whether any accidents may occur once we're out is anyone's guess, right?"

Jiang Chen smirked wickedly, a chill flashing in his eyes: "The team for this mission is me, Senior Brother, Senior Jian, and Ruo Xue. Just so happens we have one spot left, so Junior Sun, you're naturally stepping in!"

"You..."

Sun Zheqi felt a chill in his heart, casting a cautious glance at Jiang Chen.

What does he mean? Is he planning to take this mission as an opportunity to kill me? If he seizes the chance to finish me off, none of these people... are likely to report him!

"I suddenly remembered sensing an opportunity for a breakthrough recently, I need to return for training. I'll refrain from this mission, apologies!"

Sun Zheqi clasped his fists and turned to leave swiftly.

"He... just left?"

Yun Tao was taken aback, asking with amusement: "Does he really think we're going to kill him during this mission?"

"Why not?"

Jiang Chen said flatly, a gleam of killing intent flashing briefly.

"Junior, you..."

Yun Tao was startled, looking at Jiang Chen in surprise.

Jian Wuheng raised an eyebrow, Ouyang Ruoxue pursed her lips, feeling quite content as long as Jiang Chen didn't push her away, regardless of his intentions.

"Elder Lu's betrayal has been confirmed, but because he is a meritorious elder, and there's no substantial evidence, the dean and others can't move against him. But if there's a chance to clear out his faction's trash, should we let it pass?"

Jiang Chen glanced at Yun Tao and Jian Wuheng.

Yun Tao and Jian Wuheng were slightly stunned, then nodded lightly.

"What a pity, he didn't agree."

Yun Tao looked regretfully in the direction Sun Zheqi left: "Had I known, I'd have agreed to him!"

"Junior Jiang, since you had a plan, why alarm him?"

Jian Wuheng spoke softly, looking puzzled at Jiang Chen.

"Yeah, why tip him off?"

Yun Tao also realized, turning to Jiang Chen.

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