Ghost Exorciser: The Oust Fake Heiress Strikes-Chapter 333: Duel

So when he saw the growing hostility against her, the whispers, the mocking glances, and the rumors spreading like rot through the university forums, he believed that perhaps Lana had truly used some disgraceful method to obtain the position he himself had once desired.

Instead of stepping aside, he deliberately blocked her path.

He stood in front of Lana, his posture rigid, his voice deceptively calm.

"If you wish to leave," he said, "then you must first prove that you are not a stain on Shadowridge University. This institution has never allowed itself to be disgraced by a student."

Lana raised her eyes to look at him, her expression unreadable.

"If you want to prove Shadowridge University’s innocence," she replied evenly, "why don’t you go and do that?"

Tonyo smirked coldly.

"I have my own capabilities. No one has ever doubted me. Why should I prove myself? Besides, I am not the one who is being questioned!"

Lana let out a soft chuckle.

"Exactly," she said.

"I also have my own capabilities. I have already proven them within the Mystic Department of Shadowridge University. Why should I prove anything to strangers?"

She then looked around at the group still surrounding her.

"If I had accepted that duel immediately," she continued, "did any of you think about what would happen afterward?"

Her question left everyone momentarily confused.

Lana spoke again, her tone steady but firm.

"If I agreed once, students from Spine Ridge University would continue questioning Shadowridge’s students. There would be more so-called duels. Some might be sincere, but others would definitely use underhanded means. And eventually, someone’s future would be destroyed."

Silence spread among them.

They understood what she meant.

Accepting one duel would open the door to endless provocations.

Every day would become another challenge, another test, another trap.

What if those students continued issuing duels for seven straight days?

They would spend all their time fighting instead of learning anything at all.

The realization made several of them lower their heads.

Seeing them fall quiet, Lana prepared to leave.

But Raven stepped forward.

"Even so," he insisted, "you should still prove yourself."

Lana frowned, irritation flickering across her face.

"Why are you repeating this like a broken record? Didn’t you hear what I just said?"

Raven looked at her seriously.

"This is no longer just about Shadowridge University," he said. "It’s about Axel. He is being dragged through the mud because of this."

That made Lana pause.

Raven continued,

"If you read the headlines carefully, you would notice that it is not only you being targeted. Axel is being accused as well."

Lana’s fingers slowly clenched.

"If you do not prove yourself," Raven added quietly, "he will be the one forced to bear the blame."

...................................

That night, Lana checked the forums herself.

As she scrolled through the posts, her expression darkened.

The tide had completely turned against Axel.

People were calling him corrupt, accusing him of abusing his authority to place a favored student into the exchange program.

Some even went so far as to speculate whether he was Lana’s "sugar daddy."

The more she read, the colder her eyes became.

Finally, she sent a message.

"I accept the duel."

Mr. Crow saw what she had done but did not stop her.

In truth, he was curious as well.

If his estimation was correct, Lana should now be able to handle a Level Ten Earth Rank cultivator without difficulty.

Still, Lana spent the rest of the night cultivating, forcing herself to remain calm rather than act on anger alone.

.............................

The next day, when she entered the classroom and saw Rim, she walked straight toward her.

"Are you ready for the duel?" Lana asked.

Rim’s face immediately turned pale.

"I... cannot accept your challenge," she stammered. "I am on my period. During this time, my mystic energy is at its lowest."

Lana frowned, clearly recognizing it as an excuse. She was about to respond when Shelley stepped forward.

"Since Rim is my best friend," Shelley said smoothly,

"I cannot bear to see her dragged into this state. However, I do want to help you clear your name. So I will accept the challenge on her behalf."

Lana turned to look at Shelley.

Unlike Rim, whom she had already investigated thoroughly, Shelley was an unknown variable.

"Before I agree," Lana said calmly, "I need to know your rank."

Shelley smiled.

"I am at the Heaven Rank."

Lana’s brows drew together instantly.

"You cannot compete with me," she replied. "You are on an entirely different level."

Shelley nodded as if she expected that answer. "I understand."

Rim looked surprised at how easily Shelley seemed to withdraw.

But then Shelley spoke again, her words carefully measured.

"Think about it," she told Lana.

"Students from Spine Ridge University are waiting to see a spectacle. If no duel happens, they will create their own narrative."

Lana chuckled.

"I might then have to post publicly that Rim tried to push her responsibility onto someone stronger simply because she was afraid."

Rim’s face flushed with anger. "I am not afraid!"

Shelley raised a hand to stop her. "Of course not. We will say that our Rim was genuinely unwell."

Lana nodded slowly, as though she accepted the explanation.

Yet her expression revealed nothing.

No one could tell just how little she actually believed it.

Finally, Shelley looked at Lana and spoke with deliberate calm.

"As long as you win against me," she said, "I am willing to give you money or any resources you want."

Lana, who had been preparing to turn away, stopped mid-step.

She slowly turned back, a trace of interest finally appearing in her eyes.

"Anything I want?" she asked.

Shelley nodded, then added, "As long as it can be purchased within two billion dollars, I will provide it." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The reason behind such a bold offer was simple.

Shelley had already investigated Lana thoroughly and discovered one particular detail: Lana valued money greatly.

To Shelley, this was the perfect bait.

’Greed is the easiest leash,’ she thought with satisfaction. ’If she loves money this much, she will never refuse.’