His movements were fluid and graceful.
Across from him sat Feng Zhiyu, Battle Commander of the Fearless Warband and now a Planet-level Strongman.
However, in stark contrast to Yu Han’s calm composure, Feng Zhiyu’s face was twisted by an uncontrollable mix of rage and grief.
His eyes, once filled with composure and wisdom, now burned with a tangible, icy killing intent.
A vast aura, one belonging to a Planet-level Strongman and terrifying enough to make the very stars tremble, radiated uncontrollably from his body. The surrounding air seemed to solidify, and even the crisp rustle of the wind through the bamboo forest fell silent.
Inside the stone pavilion, the atmosphere was unbearably tense and oppressive.
"Master Yu Han."
Feng Zhiyu finally spoke.
His voice was hoarse and low, as if he were forcing each word through gritted teeth.
"Shi Dang broke my brother’s legs and destroyed his Primordial Acupoints."
He stared intently at Yu Han’s impassive face, demanding word by deliberate word:
"Now, I’m going to hunt down that bastard to avenge my brother. Why are you stopping me from graduating? Why are you stopping me from getting justice for him?!"
His tone was filled with undisguised accusation and fury, devoid of the respect he would normally show a senior master.
Originally, Feng Zhiyu’s plan had been to apply for graduation immediately after leading the Fearless Warband through the thirty-year-long Warband Ranking Tournament. He would then leave Canaan Star Martial Arts University to pursue his own, broader path in the Martial Dao.
However, just as the Warband Ranking Tournament concluded and he was about to submit his graduation application, disastrous news struck him like a bolt from the blue.
His only brother, a Canaan Star Martial Arts University student who had already reached the seventh-level Sun and Moon Realm, had the misfortune of encountering Shi Dang during a mission to suppress the Chaos Believers.
In the end, that traitor destroyed his brother’s Primordial Acupoints, leaving him a cripple for life.
A tidal wave of grief and hatred instantly overwhelmed Feng Zhiyu’s reason.
He immediately abandoned all his plans and submitted his graduation application to the university.
He had to leave at once. He would use his own powerful, newly-attained Planet-level strength to personally travel to the Empire’s frontier and hunt down that damn bastard!
Using the power of a Planet-level Strongman to crush a mere sixth-level Shi Dang should have been an effortless task.
But, to his utter disbelief, his graduation application—which should have been approved instantly—was rejected outright by someone with an incredibly firm stance.
And the person who rejected his application was none other than his own mentor, Yu Han.
Facing Feng Zhiyu’s furious, near-roaring question, Yu Han’s expression remained unchanged.
He simply remained calm, slowly pouring the freshly brewed, boiling Spirit Tea into two exquisite Jade Cups. Then, he gently pushed one of the cups in front of Feng Zhiyu.
As the tea filled the cup, it made a crisp DING that sounded exceptionally piercing in the dead silence of the stone pavilion.
"Shi Dang,"
Yu Han finally spoke. "Is a whetstone, meant for Qin Feng."
He continued slowly,
"I can approve this graduation application."
"But there’s one condition: you must swear a Martial Dao oath to me, right here and now, that you will not hunt down Shi Dang after you graduate."
"If you agree, I can sign the papers right now. I will also personally grant you direct entry into the Ultramarines Chapter."
"I can also promise you that Qin Feng will kill Shi Dang and avenge your brother for you."