"Bell, you are Teacher Xin's direct disciple, Bell!"
Upon seeing the burly young man slowly emerge from the cherry blossom forest, Zhu Zhuyun immediately called out his name.
Her voice, though strained by injury and exhaustion, carried a spark of recognition and urgency. In that fleeting moment, hope flickered in her eyes—fragile, yet unmistakable. Among all the possible people who could have appeared, Bell was one of the few she believed might actually help.
She would never forget Xin's seven disciples who performed exceptionally well in the Soul Master Competition.
Their strength, discipline, and unity had left a deep impression on countless spectators, including Zhu Zhuyun herself. Back then, they had stood on the grand stage with overwhelming confidence, representing not just personal power but the prestige of Heart of Fire Academy. Bell, in particular, had been known for his steady temperament and unwavering adherence to rules.
"You are… Zhu Zhuyun, the vice-captain of the Star Luo Royal Team?"
Bell's gaze fell on the graceful woman in the pool of blood, recognizing her identity, and a look of confusion appeared in his eyes:
These pursuers looked like Spirit Masters from the Star Luo Empire. Wasn't Zhu Zhuyun a noble of the Star Luo Empire? Moreover, she had a marriage engagement with the Star Luo Empire's First Prince, Dai Weisi. Who in the Star Luo Empire would dare to pursue her?
Questions surfaced in his mind one after another, but the situation unfolding before him allowed no time for careful reasoning. The scent of blood, the oppressive auras, and the desperation in Zhu Zhuyun's expression all pointed to a crisis that had already spiraled beyond control.
Without time to ask further, Zhu Zhuyun saw Teacher Xin's disciple appear, as if grasping at a life-saving straw, and quickly pleaded for help:
"It's me. There are many twists and turns in this matter, two Heart of Fire Senior Brothers, I beg you to allow our sisters to stay temporarily and not let them take our third sister away."
Her words came out hurriedly, almost stumbling over each other. Pride, something she had always carried as a noble of the Star Luo Empire, was cast aside completely. In its place was nothing but urgency and a desperate will to protect her sister.
"This…"
A hint of hesitation appeared on Bell's face.
He exchanged a brief glance with the other burly youth beside him. Though neither spoke, the shared uncertainty between them was evident. This was not a trivial matter—it involved imperial nobles, political entanglements, and potentially severe consequences.
Now that his teacher was not at the Academy, he truly did not dare to make a decision on such a troublesome matter. If he were to bring trouble to his teacher and the Academy, wouldn't he be making a huge mistake?
Responsibility weighed heavily on him. As a direct disciple, his actions would not only reflect on himself but also on his teacher and the entire academy. One wrong choice could drag Heart of Fire Academy into unnecessary conflict with the Star Luo Empire—something he could not afford to risk.
"Two young ladies, please forgive me, but I cannot obey. I cannot take you into the Academy."
Bell cupped his hands slightly.
Though his tone remained polite, it carried an unmistakable firmness. It was the voice of someone who had already made a decision, even if that decision was difficult.
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun's face instantly darkened, and she bit her lip, saying:
"I know Zhuqing and I have conflicts, but our third sister is innocent. Can you just keep her? Please?"
Her voice lowered at the end, almost breaking. The mention of Zhuqing brought a complicated emotion to her eyes—regret, perhaps, or guilt—but there was no time to dwell on it.
"I believe that even if Teacher Xin were here, he wouldn't stand by and do nothing."
There was a faint tremor in her words now, as if she were trying to convince not just Bell, but herself.
"Sorry, I cannot bring disaster to the Academy."
Although Bell felt reluctant, he still considered the bigger picture and spoke.
His brows furrowed slightly, revealing the inner conflict he was trying to suppress. Yet in the end, reason triumphed over emotion. The safety of the academy came first—above personal feelings, above momentary compassion.
Being rejected again, Zhu Zhuyun's heart instantly turned to ashes. If even Heart of Fire Academy wouldn't accommodate them, where else could they escape? Moreover, both she and her third sister were injured.
The drizzle seemed colder now, each drop striking her skin like a reminder of their helpless situation. The path behind them was filled with enemies, and the refuge before them had just been denied.
"Big Sister, it seems the Academy you've been longing for isn't as good as you said."
"It's just hard on Big Sister, bringing me all this way. I'll go back and marry that Dai Mubai; Second Sister was good to me when I was little, I'm willing to marry in her place."
Zhu Zhuyu's pale little face was filled with desolation.
Her voice was soft, almost calm, but that calmness carried a quiet resignation that made it all the more painful. It was the voice of someone who had already accepted her fate.
More than three years ago, when Big Sister returned from the Soul Master Competition, she was like a different person. Her attitude towards her changed, and she even liked to share stories about a championship team called Heart of Fire Academy. Whenever she spoke of it, her eyes would be bright, as innocent as when she was a child.
Those memories lingered vividly in Zhu Zhuyu's mind. Back then, Heart of Fire Academy had seemed like a distant, shining beacon—something pure and admirable, untouched by the ugliness of power struggles.
It made her curious about this Heart of Fire Academy as well.
Now it seemed this Heart of Fire Academy was nothing more than one that bullied the weak and feared the strong, just like other Academies and forces.