The tone, coupled with that infuriating expression, was brimming with mockery.
Disciples from other academies chimed in, egging them on. "Yeah, disciples from Holy Grail Academy are greeting you, and you, Gonan Academy, are just brushing them off? Leaving like that? That's a bit disrespectful, don't you think?"
Some chimed in sarcastically, "Oh, don't say that. They are the top academy, so much stronger than us. It's normal for them to look down on us. But I heard the top academy's disciples have been withdrawing one after another, and it's about to disband? So, have you found new disciples to replace them?"
"Hahaha, that's hilarious. I bet the total number of disciples in the top academy now is less than that of our third-rate academy. No wonder they only brought so few people this time. After all, other academies will be empty!"
The jeers and taunts were incessant. The disciples of Gonan Academy knew they would face such ridicule at the Academy Grand Competition, but seeing the sneering faces and hearing the demeaning words, they clenched their fists, their faces filled with indignation.
Seeing this, the others grew even more arrogant. "Oh no, I'm so scared! What's wrong? Are the disciples of the top academy going to bully us from the smaller academies? Don't hit me, I obviously can't beat disciples from the top academy, you're all elites, right?"
"There's a rule in Mount Wangliang that disciples are not allowed to fight privately. Do you think Gonan Academy is the top academy, and you can change the rules at will and ignore them?"
Someone "kindly" reminded them, but it was clearly meant to incite them.
"This is too much!"
Jiang Yiling was an upright person. He had been studying in the academy since the beginning, possessed high cultivation and talent, and had always been highly respected. Moreover, the relationships among the students of Gonan Academy were relatively simple. Apart from Tang Xiye, who was special due to the existence of Xuan Chen, the relationships between other factions were relatively straightforward.
Besides, since they had finally managed to enter Gonan Academy, everyone naturally focused on improving their own cultivation and didn't have much time for internal strife.
He had assumed that the disciples of all academies were similar, but seeing them today, the difference was like night and day.
The malice in these people's eyes seemed almost palpable, piercing into their bodies, trying to force them away.
Jiang Yiling's words made those people laugh even more wildly.
"You call this too much?"
"Hahaha, we have even more outrageous things to do!"
The group produced a banner with "Top Academy" written on it and ripped it apart in front of everyone with a loud RIIIP, as if trampling the reputation of the Top Academy under their feet.
The disciples of Gonan Academy gritted their teeth, staring with resentment at the faces filled with malice.
They truly didn't understand. Gonan Academy had always relied on strength to impress others and had never used its power to oppress others. Why were these people now adding insult to injury when Gonan Academy was in distress?
Their mockery was baffling and made them feel wronged.
"Hey."
While the others were laughing freely, Yan Jiaojiao, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.
As soon as she spoke, the other disciples felt less wronged. They looked at Yan Jiaojiao nervously, and some quietly urged her to let it go.
They had witnessed Yan Jiaojiao's fiery temper and worried she might lose her cool and explode.
It wasn't worth it.
Seeing that the disciples of Gonan Academy were actually urging Yan Jiaojiao to back down, the disciples from other academies burst into laughter again.
"Are you still acting? Aren't you embarrassed?"
"Who is this? Are you new disciples this year? Why does she look familiar?"
"I know this person! Isn't this Yan Jiaojiao, who was previously falsely accused of stealing from her family, expelled, and then seemed to have made a comeback, hailed as a genius?"
The benefits of the Memory Spirit Pearl became apparent here.
Without the Memory Spirit Pearl, it would have been impossible to explain the messy affair between Yan Jiaojiao and her family.
But with the Memory Spirit Pearl, everything became simple. Everyone believed what they saw, and the content within the Memory Spirit Pearl, which recorded past events, could not be faked.
Therefore, although Yan Jiaojiao's identity was still mocked and criticized by others – after all, her expulsion from the family was a fact, and people valued family background. Of course, as long as you were strong enough, even without family support, you could still become an uncrowned king.
The people present didn't believe Yan Jiaojiao was strong. Thinking that a person whose inner core was destroyed, even if she could cultivate again, would at most be at the peak of the Red level and not truly powerful, they laughed even louder.
"Gonan Academy is really declining. A group of people are surrounding a waste whose inner core was destroyed, treating them like a treasure. Hey, why don't you do this? Since you can't stay in your own academy, why not transfer to our academy? We can give you the best care."
Upon hearing this, everyone extended an olive branch.
They thought they were good actors, but the mockery on their faces was almost breaking through their skin, making them look particularly ferocious, almost inhuman.
Yan Jiaojiao, too lazy to look at these disgusting people, smiled slightly and said, "You tell me, what if I beat you up now?"
"Huh?"
The laughter came to an abrupt halt.
Everyone froze like ducks with their throats choked, unable to recover for a long time.
"What do you mean?"
Yan Jiaojiao crossed her arms. "As you said, there's a rule here, if you fight, you can't participate in the Academy Grand Competition. We all know that. Why are you forcing us from Gonan Academy to participate at this time? We were just worrying about not having a chance to withdraw, and you've sent an opportunity right to our doorstep?"
"Your words have angered me, and we are very upset, so we are going to fight you now. Then we can legitimately withdraw from the competition. Hehe, perfect!"
Yan Jiaojiao finished speaking and got into a fighting stance. "Come on, who's going to fight me first?"
Everyone took a step back in unison.
"Hey, are you crazy? We're all here to participate in the Academy Grand Competition. How can you leave after coming here?"
Yan Jiaojiao shrugged. "But what you said was too offensive, and I can't stand such humiliation."
Everyone: "..."
What did she mean by 'couldn't stand such humiliation'?
Were they mocking her just to make her suffer humiliation?
Everyone thought about it carefully... and suddenly felt that it was indeed the case.
But that wasn't right either! Their intention was for the people of Gonan Academy to endure the humiliation and stay, but why was Yan Jiaojiao deviating from the norm?
Is there something wrong with her brain?