Chapter Twenty-Five: I Learned It All from You

The rest of the team naturally witnessed this scene, and their faces shifted in dismay. They accelerated their pace, terrified that their own kills might be snatched next, while resentment toward Su Yunqi grew in their hearts. If not for her, why would they have attracted such a point-stealing menace?

Su Yunyue was already covered in wounds, a fact Su Yunqing saw clearly. However, instead of rushing over, she nimbly dodged an attack from Xiao Jinghuai and slipped away from Su Yunqi’s reach. "Your Highness, Su Yunqi, I came to save you, yet you wish to kill me!"

She raised her voice as she spoke, as if intentionally broadcasting it to the elders who were observing every student from the shadows. This maneuver made Xiao Jinghuai’s expression darken. "Su Yunqing, have you no shame! When did this prince ever ask for your help? You snatched one beast earlier, and now you’ve stolen the points from three more? Isn’t this going a bit too far?"

He had seen her not only finish off her own target but also swoop in to steal the three beasts they were handling. The thought of those points all landing on her tally filled him with fury.

Su Yunqi could no longer maintain her usual gentle facade. These points were linked to their future chances of entering a major sect; how could she remain composed? "Sister Yunqing, I kindly let you join our team, but you have repeatedly snatched our points. This is truly too much!"

"Enough, spare me the nonsense. I only know that I learned this behavior from you. Since you 'saved' me, I naturally had to return the favor! Look at your injuries—if I hadn't stepped in, you would likely have had to withdraw from this trial early," she said with a tone of earnest concern, acting as though she had done something incredibly taxing and noble. Her performance made both of them want to kill her.

Just then, Su Yunqing, who had been feigning concern, suddenly looked in a different direction. She smiled at them and said, "I must carry forward your spirit of kindness!"

Su Yunqi sensed something amiss and rushed to follow, but she was a step too late; another beast was snatched by Su Yunqing.

Having secured more points, Su Yunqing smiled from the heart. She felt truly exhilarated, especially while watching Su Yunyue’s face turn a ghastly shade of livid.

Seeing the beast she had struggled to defeat claimed by Su Yunqing, Su Yunyue exploded with rage. "Su Yunqing! You stole my points!"

"Su Yunyue, what kind of tone is that? If I hadn't seen you covered in wounds, I wouldn't have bothered to save you! Truly, no good deed goes unpunished! If it weren't for the fact that you are my cousin and your own sister was unwilling to help you, I wouldn't have lifted a finger!" She used their own tactics against them, turning the tables so effectively that the other girl was left red-faced and speechless.

The other two members of the team had already secured their points and breathed a sigh of relief. They noticed that Su Yunqing had no intention of stealing from them—otherwise, she would have intervened while they were close to finishing their kills. It was clear she was targeting only those three.

Though she posed no immediate threat to them, she was a ticking time bomb. Moreover, they could not fathom what she was planning, so they decided it would be best if she left.

One of them walked over to Su Yunqi and said, "Eldest Miss Su, shouldn't you provide an explanation? If this continues, it will be difficult for us to focus on the beasts!"

Su Yunqi felt a headache coming on, regretting ever saying those words earlier. She forced a smile. "I will handle this matter."

She walked toward Su Yunqing, noticing Su Yunyue still pointing and cursing. Su Yunqi frowned and said, "Su Yunqing, I have treated you as a sister and a member of the Su family, which is why I have tolerated this repeatedly. But your behavior now is too overbearing—stealing from me is one thing, but to steal from the Prince and Xiao Yue as well? That is going too far!"

"What did I steal? Su Yunqi, I know you don't like me, but don't pin such crimes on me. I am merely following the Prince’s example of saving others and finding joy in helping."

Xiao Jinghuai: "..."

He felt the jab, and noticed the two men beside him staring at him with dark, unreadable expressions. Not knowing what they were thinking, he gave a light cough. "Ahem! Enough. Let this matter end here. Perhaps I was mistaken earlier and wrongly assumed you needed saving, so I acted rashly. Now that you have retaliated, let us just let this pass, shall we?"

He had to be vague; otherwise, this would keep happening, and he did not want to work hard all day only to end up with no points.

Su Yunqi understood his intent. "Indeed, let it be. Let us split up and act separately. We will not pursue the beasts you already snatched; consider them a gift."

Though her heart ached for those points, she just wanted her gone. Had there been no outsiders or elders watching, she would have attacked long ago!

"Sister, we’re just letting my points go?" Su Yunyue was still unwilling. She had opposed Su Yunqing joining the team from the start, and it was her sister who had allowed it! Why should she have to pay for her sister's mistake?

"Listen to me!" Su Yunqi was already fuming and snapped at her coldly.

"Su Yunqi, have you ever heard a saying?" Su Yunqing looked at her with a meaningful smile.

Not only was Su Yunqi confused, but so was Xiao Jinghuai.

"It is easy to invite a spirit, but hard to send one away! I didn't realize it before we teamed up, but now I see that fighting alone is indeed exhausting. Acting together is much better—we can help one another and earn plenty of points. Why would I want to leave?"

Su Yunqi and Xiao Jinghuai felt their eyelids twitch, their mouths twisting in disbelief. They were shocked that she could be so shameless.

She was practically admitting she was a thief. Xiao Jinghuai felt she was nothing but trouble and had to be rid of her. "Dream on! I will not allow you to stay in this team. We are leaving!"

He sped up, hoping to shake her off. After a long while, seeing no sign of Su Yunqing, he laughed triumphantly. "A good-for-nothing is a good-for-nothing. She’s already out of spiritual energy and couldn't keep up! Useless!"

As he spoke, his expression suddenly shifted. He peered into the surroundings, noticing pairs of scarlet eyes glowing in the grass. "Everyone, be careful!"

As he finished, a pack of wolves emerged from the brush, staring at them with hunger, saliva dripping from their jaws. They clearly saw the group as prey.

Among them was a beast with high cultivation that Xiao Jinghuai could not handle alone, let alone with the entire pack. They were severely outnumbered.