Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist

Chapter 466 Joining the Sanguine Star Academy

As Wang Jian and Yu Qing soared through the cosmos, the stars twinkling like diamonds against the dark canvas of space, they approached the Sanguine Star Academy. The academy, nestled on a smaller star near the Crimson Star Settlement, emanated a dense spiritual energy, noticeably thicker than that of the Crimson Star Settlement, yet paling in comparison to the more prestigious academies scattered across the cosmos.

Yu Qing, her eyes scanning the landscape below, explained to Wang Jian, "The academy has set up a Spiritual Condensation Array across the entire star. It's quite basic compared to those of higher-ranked academies, but it serves its purpose here."

Wang Jian nodded, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of understanding.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Sanguine Star Academy, they were halted by the guards. The guards, oblivious to Yu Qing's concealed Divine Ascension Realm cultivation, scrutinized the pair with a standard measure of caution.

Wang Jian stepped forward, his demeanor calm yet assertive. "We wish to join the Sanguine Star Academy," he stated, his voice clear and resonant.

The guards exchanged uncertain glances, clearly unprepared for such a request. After a brief, awkward silence, one of them spoke up, "We're just sentries and don't have the authority to make such decisions. I'll fetch a teacher or someone from the higher-ups."

'How amusing. This reminds me of the Earth a bit,' Wang Jian thought, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

As they waited, Yu Qing leaned slightly towards Wang Jian, her voice low but tinged with curiosity, "Are you really sure about joining this academy for that Lin Fei?"

Wang Jian's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Sometimes, the best way to catch a fish is to swim in the shallowest waters," he replied cryptically.

Yu Qing nodded, though her expression showed she was still pondering his words. 'He always has a plan,' she thought, admiration mixed with intrigue in her gaze.

After a short wait, a middle-aged man in a robe adorned with academy insignias approached them. His cultivation was decent, but not overly impressive.

"Greetings, I am Teacher Luo, responsible for new admissions. I heard you wish to join our academy?" he inquired, looking at Wang Jian and Yu Qing with a measured gaze.

"Yes, I am Wang Jian, and this is Yu Qing. We would like to enroll in the Sanguine Star Academy," Wang Jian replied, his tone respectful yet confident.

Teacher Luo sized them up, a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "Joining our academy is not a simple matter. What are your qualifications?"

Wang Jian didn't flinch. 'Qualifications? Let's give them something they can't refuse.' He channeled a small part of his cultivation, causing a subtle, yet unmistakable ripple of energy to emanate from him along with displaying his prowess in Laws of Flame.

Teacher Luo's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and respect forming. "Impressive cultivation and very wonderful prowess in the Laws of Flame for your age. And what about the lady?"

Yu Qing remained silent, her aura still masked. Wang Jian interjected, "She's my companion and wishes to observe and learn. Her cultivation is... modest."

Teacher Luo nodded, still unaware of Yu Qing's true strength. "Very well. I will take you to the Dean. He will make the final decision."

As they followed Teacher Luo, Wang Jian couldn't help but smirk inwardly. 'The first step in our plan is going smoothly. Sanguine Star Academy, you're about to become the center stage for a grand play.'

Little did the academy know, the arrival of Wang Jian and Yu Qing was about to change its fate forever.

As Teacher Luo escorted Wang Jian and Yu Qing through the sprawling grounds of the Sanguine Star Academy, they absorbed the sights and sounds of the bustling campus. Students clad in various robes representing their chosen disciplines hurried to and fro, immersed in animated discussions about cultivation techniques and mystical arts.

Upon reaching the Dean's office, a stately room adorned with ancient scrolls and artifacts, they were greeted by a stern-looking man with a long white beard. The Dean, with piercing eyes that seemed to look through them, began the interview.

"Tell me about your backgrounds," the Dean started, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet room.

Wang Jian, with a confident smile, weaved a tale of a distant, obscure sect, speaking with such conviction that even Yu Qing found herself momentarily believing him. 'His lying skills are as impressive as his cultivation,' she thought, suppressing a smirk.

Yu Qing, when her turn came, spoke little, letting Wang Jian lead the conversation. Her answers were vague yet plausible, adding an air of mystery to her persona.

Satisfied or perhaps resigned, the Dean finally nodded. "Welcome to Sanguine Star Academy. You may now join the classes."

After leaving the Dean's office, Wang Jian and Yu Qing inquired about Lin Fei's schedule discreetly. It didn't take long to learn about the classes he frequented.

"Alchemy, martial arts cultivation, arrays, smithing... Lin Fei seems to have a diverse set of interests," Wang Jian mused.

Yu Qing nodded. 'Lin Fei's pursuit of strength is evident. It will be interesting to see how he fares against someone like Wang Jian whose talent is off the charts even for someone like me.'

They enrolled in the same classes as Lin Fei, blending in with the other students. Their first class was alchemy.

The atmosphere in the alchemy classroom of the Sanguine Star Academy shifted palpably as Wang Jian and Yu Qing entered. The door creaked open, and a wave of whispers followed their entrance, like a soft breeze rustling through autumn leaves.

Wang Jian, with his striking silver hair and deep blue eyes, exuded an aura of mystique and charm. Yu Qing, with her vibrant crimson hair and mesmerizing purple eyes, radiated an innocent yet captivating beauty. Their presence was like a pair of radiant stars descending into an ordinary realm.

The classroom, a mix of wooden benches and alchemy workstations, was filled with students of various ages and cultivation levels. At the front, a voluptuous teacher with flowing auburn hair and emerald eyes paused mid-lecture, her gaze fixating on the newcomers. She was as much a picture of beauty as she was of authority.

A hush fell over the classroom as every eye turned to assess the new arrivals. The girls, including the attractive teacher, found themselves inadvertently entranced by Wang Jian's enigmatic presence. Meanwhile, the boys, including Lin Fei, couldn't help but be captivated by Yu Qing's allure.

Lin Fei, who had been hunched over his alchemy notes, looked up and was instantly struck by Yu Qing's beauty. His eyes, usually so focused and unyielding, softened, betraying a hint of vulnerability. 'Who is she? She's... enchanting.'

Wang Jian, scanning the room with a confident gaze, couldn't help but notice Lin Fei's reaction to Yu Qing. A sly grin spread across his face. 'This is even better than I expected. Lin Fei is already ensnared by her beauty. This will make things much easier.'

The teacher, regaining her composure, cleared her throat and addressed them with a warm smile. "Welcome to Alchemy Class. I'm Teacher Li Hua. May I know your names?"

Wang Jian stepped forward, his voice resonating with an effortless charisma. "I'm Wang Jian, and this is Yu Qing. We're new here and are looking forward to learning a lot in this class."

As Wang Jian spoke, his voice seemed to weave a subtle spell over the listeners. Teacher Li Hua's heart skipped a beat, her face flushing slightly at his captivating demeanor. 'He's not just handsome, but there's something intriguing about him...'

Yu Qing, noticing the attention she was receiving, particularly from Lin Fei, maintained a composed and polite expression. 'So, this is Lin Fei. Interesting. He seems quite taken by my appearance. Wang Jian will surely use this to our advantage.'

Teacher Li Hua, recovering from her brief daze, gestured towards two empty seats near the front. "Please, take a seat. Today, we're discussing the properties of the Azure Spirit Herb and its application in rejuvenation elixirs."

As Wang Jian and Yu Qing made their way to their seats, the students' eyes followed them, a mix of curiosity, envy, and admiration in their gazes. Lin Fei, in particular, seemed unable to shake off the enchantment, his eyes lingering on Yu Qing a moment too long.

Wang Jian, sitting beside Yu Qing, leaned over and whispered, 'This is going to be more entertaining than I thought. Lin Fei is already caught in our web.'

Yu Qing, acknowledging Wang Jian's words with a subtle nod, turned her attention to Teacher Li Hua. 'Let's see what this class has to offer.'

~~

As the alchemy class concluded, Teacher Li Hua turned to Wang Jian and Yu Qing with a smile that held more than just a hint of professionalism. "If you have any questions, don't hesitate to come to me," she said, her eyes lingering on Wang Jian for a moment longer than necessary. The subtlety of her flirty gaze didn't escape Wang Jian, who responded with a sly, knowing smile.

Yu Qing, who had been packing her scrolls, caught the exchange and felt a flare of irritation. 'How dare she flirt with Wang Jian in such an obvious manner?' But as quickly as the annoyance appeared, Yu Qing masked it with her usual serene expression.

Teacher Li Hua, oblivious to Yu Qing's brief flicker of anger, gracefully exited the classroom, leaving a buzzing atmosphere behind her.

No sooner had she left than the students, as if on cue, swarmed towards Wang Jian and Yu Qing. The male students, led by Lin Fei, gravitated towards Yu Qing, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and admiration. The female students, meanwhile, flocked around Wang Jian, bombarding him with questions and coy smiles.

Wang Jian reveled in the attention, his natural charisma shining through as he conversed with the female students. He skillfully steered the conversation, gathering information about the academy and its inner workings, all while maintaining a charming and friendly demeanor.

Yu Qing, on the other hand, struggled to maintain her composure as the male students closed in around her. She felt a rising wave of annoyance, particularly when she caught sight of the girls surrounding Wang Jian. Without fully realizing it, she released a sliver of her killing intent, coupled with a subtle display of her formidable cultivation base.

The effect was immediate and chilling. The male students, including Lin Fei, halted in their tracks, a wave of instinctive fear washing over them. They exchanged nervous glances, suddenly aware that approaching Yu Qing any further might be akin to courting disaster.

'What am I doing? I need to control my emotions better,' Yu Qing thought, quickly reining in her killing intent. Despite this, the message had been clear: Yu Qing was not to be trifled with.

Lin Fei, who had been eagerly trying to engage Yu Qing in conversation, now stood awkwardly at a distance, his earlier enthusiasm dampened by the invisible barrier of her power. 'She's not just beautiful, but powerful too. There's more to her than meets the eye,' he mused, his interest in Yu Qing deepening.

The classroom, once buzzing with excitement, now settled into a more subdued atmosphere. The students gradually dispersed, leaving Wang Jian and Yu Qing amidst a circle of empty space, a testament to the subtle display of power that had just transpired.

As the pair made their way out of the classroom, Wang Jian glanced at Yu Qing with a teasing look. "Seems like you have quite the effect on people, Yu Qing."

Yu Qing, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration, responded, "I just don't like being crowded. Let's focus on our goal here."

Wang Jian nodded, the sly grin still playing on his lips. 'This is going to be an interesting time at the Sanguine Star Academy,' he thought, as they walked through the bustling corridors, already planning their next move.