Chapter 165: Meng Kexin: Where Did That Madman Come From? (Revision)

But it was at that moment—

"Poo‑gee!"

A strange noise, as if something were being forced out, came from behind a nearby clump of leaves that resembled serrated daggers—the blade‑tooth fern.

Chen Mo Zhi instantly turned his head to look, while Meng Kexin kept her gaze fixed on the potion in her hand.

The dense blade‑tooth fern shook violently a few times, and then a slightly distorted Ying Guang Lu figure staggered out, as if "bounced" from behind the foliage.

Because of inertia, he lunged forward two more steps, nearly falling headfirst into a nearby patch of soul‑devouring konjac that resembled a trumpet but whose flower hearts were bristling with sharp teeth.

Fortunately, after Yang Yixie successfully glitched, he stopped pressing forward; Ying Duo steadied himself, brushed off dust that wasn't there, then lifted his head, his hollow eyes staring straight at Chen Mo Zhi a short distance ahead.

He was completely unaware that he was trespassing illegally, and brazenly walked toward the two of them.

Chen Mo Zhi: "......"

His scarlet pupils narrowed slightly as he stared at the seemingly materialized Ying Guang Lu, his brows instantly knitting.

He knew how tight the Exotic Plant Garden's security at the Academy was; how did this guy get in?

And… what about the bloodstains on his body?

Just as Meng Kexin was about to pick up the bottle containing Morning Star Mushroom spore powder, a voice she recognized yet found somewhat unfamiliar sounded out of nowhere:

"Found you."

Meng Kexin startled, nearly dropping the bottle onto the table.

At some point, Ying Duo silently appeared at the side of the workbench, tilting his head, his hollow eyes fixed directly on Chen Mo Zhi.

Especially his clothes, stained with dark brown blood, looked even more chilling under the Exotic Plant Garden's eerie lighting.

Meng Kexin's hand trembled, her perfect sweet smile froze instantly, her pupils narrowing.

Although she was mentally prepared, seeing Ying Duo's face, indistinguishable from Yang Yixie's, still left her stunned.

So how did this guy get in?!

Chen Mo Zhi's brows furrowed tightly; after Ying Duo's sudden voice disrupted Meng Kexin's potion mixing, the already gloomy aura around him grew even colder.

Ying Duo's hair is truly iconic; he's the disciplinary student who caused a huge commotion during the entrance exam, was pursued by Professor Luo De'an, yet somehow won the first semester assessment.

A walking conglomerate of trouble.

Chen Mo Zhi coldly labeled Ying Duo.

Meng Kexin quickly suppressed her panic, her body silently blocking between Chen Mo Zhi and Ying Duo, her violet eyes full of vigilance, her soft voice tinged with chill.

"Classmate Ying Duo? No entry into the Exotic Plant Garden without permission. May I ask what business you have with us?"

She cursed inwardly, thinking that for a moment she had almost believed Yang Yixie and Ying Duo were the same person, and that Ying Duo was here to cause her trouble.

In reality, Ying Duo completely ignored Meng Kexin; his target had been singular all along.

The next second, Ying Duo moved; he suddenly reached out to grab Chen Mo Zhi, at lightning speed.

Chen Mo Zhi, who already disliked close contact, reacted a beat slower; just as he tried to sidestep, his wrist tightened and was already firmly seized by an icy hand.

【Name: Chen Mo Zhi (Lv. 18)】

【Title: None】

【Age: 16】

【Race: Human】

【Faction: Mitra Academy/Chen Family】

【Affection: -5 (Disdain & Caution)】

【Mutation Value: 13】

【Current Status: Healthy】

【Preferences:...... (Locked, to be unlocked)】

A cascade of information flashed rapidly before Ying Duo's eyes.

Chen Mo Zhi flailed his arm to break free of Ying Duo, his complexion turning even worse; unwilling to waste words, he prepared to act directly.

By comparison, the NPC Luo Jinyou has a rather good temperament.

Ying Duo immediately moved away from the oddly ominous toxic fog; just after sending the dialogue, a Blood Bar lit up above Chen Mo Zhi's head.

"Came to befriend you."

Chen Mo Zhi: "......"

Befriend? By trespassing illegally and attacking outright?

Like he's a three‑year‑old child?

Chen Mo Zhi didn't believe Ying Duo's nonsense; he opened his empty hand, and between his fingers clutched several poison needles that glimmered with a faint violet sheen.

Such weapons were prohibited during the entrance assessment, but this is no longer an assessment.

Since words won't work while standing, he'll knock him down first.

However, Ying Duo's reaction speed far exceeded Chen Mo Zhi's expectations.

Almost the instant Chen Mo Zhi's finger twitched, Ying Duo seemed prophetic, his whole body leaning back in a manner that almost defied physics, narrowly evading those obviously lethal fine needles.

The poison needles brushed past his Ying Guang Lu hair, pierced the stem of a plant behind him, and the plant withered and blackened within seconds.

Is this NPC aiming to kill him?

Ying Duo's movement didn't pause; his right hand swept through the air.

The next second, a blue‑quality Energy Pistol materialized in his hand, its barrel raised, aimed at Chen Mo Zhi.

Honestly, Yang Yixie was getting a bit impatient; he had already been "bumping into walls" around the outskirts of the Exotic Plant Garden for quite a while.

"Stop!"

Meng Kexin's complexion changed dramatically; she saw clearly that Chen Mo Zhi's recent strike was driven by genuine anger, and Ying Duo's gun‑drawing escalated the conflict further.

Most importantly, the teacher had been lingering nearby the whole time.

Meng Kexin didn't know the teacher, having been set back, wouldn't come over here for a while, and she was still relieved because each small group had to collect some materials themselves to brew medicines, leaving the teacher too busy to notice.

But once the gunshot drew the teacher's attention, the situation blew up completely, which was extremely unfavorable for her, who tried to act low‑key, and for Chen Mo Zhi, who already despised trouble.

At that hair‑trigger moment, Meng Kexin displayed a decisiveness that didn't match her delicate appearance.

She lunged forward in a single stride, not to block Chen Mo Zhi, but to press tightly against the arm Ying Duo had just raised; her strength was unexpectedly great.

"Ying Duo, classmate!"

Meng Kexin's violet eyes stared at him intently, her voice still soft and sweet, yet tinged with urgency.

"You said you wanted to make friends? After you've made friends, what then? What do you want to do?"

She had to first figure out what this little lunatic was up to and try to steady the situation.