Systemless Villain

Chapter 16: Frost and Fury

Ning Yuan seized Long Tian's hand with an iron grip and whisked him away, her cool fingers feeling like steel against his skin.

Meanwhile, Li Guowu and the others watched in disbelief, their brows furrowed in confusion. Before them was Ning Yuan, the famed math teacher known for her icy exterior and a deadly, emotionless gaze that could pierce the bravest of hearts.

Regardless, Li Guowu, spurred by curiosity, trailed after Ning Yuan and Long Tian.

"Hey, wait!" he called out, his voice echoing through the silent hallway.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Ning Yuan abruptly swiveled around, her piercing gaze landing on Li Guowu. Her chilling stare felt like an ice-cold blade slicing through the air, cutting straight into his heart.

Li Guowu stumbled to a halt, feeling as if a frozen spear had skewered his heart, leaving him immobilized. The icy sensation spreading from his chest left him breathless.

"W-what is this?!" He gasped out, struggling to move, his body fighting against the overwhelming sensation. But his resistance was futile, and he collapsed onto the ground, the world spinning before his eyes as he fell into unconsciousness.

"Li Guowu!" His friends' alarmed voices filled the air as they rushed towards him, their faces reflecting stark terror.

*********

Meanwhile, Long Tian was forced to follow Ning Yuan, her grip on his hand unyielding and forceful. He could feel the distinct, cool pressure of her fingers, a firm reminder of her overwhelming strength.

Long Tian knew exactly how formidable Ning Yuan was. As a cultivator in the nascent soul realm, she was two realms above him, a fact that was as clear as the difference between heaven and earth.

Their steps echoed in the silent corridors, culminating in a deserted school garden, devoid of any signs of life - neither teachers nor students were present.

"Now, we're alone, Long Tian," Ning Yuan's voice sliced through the eerie silence, her arms folded, creating an intimidating silhouette against the dim light.

Her icy gaze collided with Long Tian's, the air between them crackling with an oppressive tension. The cold depth in her eyes made his skin prickle in apprehension. "What do you want, Teacher Ning?" Long Tian shot back, keeping his voice steady.

"Long Tian, I know you have Qin Chen's jade. Why did you steal it?" Ning Yuan asked, her tone as unwavering and stern as a sharp, cold winter wind.

Long Tian's eyes narrowed at her accusation. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Why would I steal something from Qin Chen?"

A sardonic smile twisted Ning Yuan's lips, her eyes gleaming in the semi-darkness. "Oh, you don't know? Weren't you highly interested in the Qin family's heirloom? Did you think that by taking it, you could control Qin Chen?"

Long Tian furrowed his brow. Qin Chen had spilled the beans, and there was no point in denying the glaring truth.

"You're overthinking it, Teacher Ning," Long Tian responded, his voice deceptively calm.

Ning Yuan swiftly interrupted him. "Silence, Long Tian. I don't want to hear your excuses," Her voice was icy and absolute, "I don't care about your intentions, the important thing is you have to return the jade. If not..."

Long Tian could feel the intense pressure of her words, her powerful aura washing over him like a frigid wave.

"Just return the jade and I'll forget this ever happened," Ning Yuan declared coldly, her fingers tight against the collar of Long Tian's shirt.

Long Tian gritted his teeth, her icy aura was overpowering, leaving him immobile.

"Return the jade, or you won't like the consequences," Ning Yuan warned, her voice as cold as the wind slicing through the silent garden.

A wave of anger surged through Long Tian. This was the first time someone had dared to grab his collar and threaten him. Since his youth, no one had dared to treat him with such disrespect.

The pupils of his eyes suddenly morphed into a sharp blue, an eerie aura radiating from his body.

With a swift motion, Long Tian clamped his hand around Ning Yuan's neck.

"Ah-gh!" Ning Yuan grunted, disbelief etched onto her face.

"Don't mess with me, lowly human!" Long Tian said coldly, his aura radiating off him like a threatening storm.

Ning Yuan choked under his grasp, her attempts to speak reduced to nothing but desperate grunts. Long Tian's hold was ironclad, she was unable to break free.

She couldn't believe it. She was a cultivator of the nascent soul realm, and no matter how prodigious Long Tian was, he shouldn't be able to restrain her with such intensity.

"L-let go of me!" She pleaded earnestly, trying to pry his fingers off her neck, but it was as if his arm was forged from steel.

"I will kill you, insignificant human," Long Tian hissed, his voice colder than winter frost.

His grip tightened around her neck, causing Ning Yuan to panic and squirm. Her face twisted in pain and fear.

Yet Long Tian's expression remained frozen and cruel, devoid of any signs of mercy.

Ning Yuan was filled with sheer terror, realizing she would indeed die if Long Tian continued to squeeze her neck with such force.

But at this moment, she felt his grip gradually slacken. Second by second, his hold lessened until finally, he released her.

"Cough!" Ning Yuan crumbled to the ground, wracked with coughs. Her face was ashen, her strength sapped.

Meanwhile, Long Tian appeared genuinely bewildered.

He looked down at Ning Yuan, who was now sitting weakly on the ground, her breaths shallow and ragged.

He was clueless about what had just occurred.

"Why are you slumped on the earth like that?" Long Tian inquired.

"You... you almost killed me!" Ning Yuan managed to gasp out, her voice hoarse.

"What? What are you talking about?" Long Tian furrowed his brows, his eyes narrowed in confusion.