Li Shichuan and his companion had suddenly snatched Kang Dehui's private room precisely because Huang Sheng was coming. Their goal was to entertain Huang Sheng. Little did they know they would end up provoking Xu Ke.

After speaking with Lin Zhongtian this morning, Huang Sheng sought out the Ye Family. He intended to ask Ye Chong if they had any plans to deal with Xu Ke.

He wanted to help Lin Zhongtian take on Xu Ke but was reluctant to get personally involved. After all, Chang Yi's capture was already a significant loss. If he intervened himself and failed, his losses would be even greater...

However, when he found Ye Chong, the latter claimed he was too grief-stricken over Ye Fan to see anyone. Although Huang Sheng didn't believe for a second that the man was genuinely heartbroken, he had no choice but to drop the matter.

He couldn't possibly go to Ye Feng. Despite being a powerful martial artist, Ye Feng was merely an adopted son with little real authority. Nor could he consider approaching Ye Yunfeng. From a public standpoint, it would be improper for him, the second young master of the Huang Family, to meet with the Ye Family Head. Furthermore, approaching the head of the great Ye Family merely to deal with someone like Xu Ke? If word of that got out, he'd be a laughingstock.

So, Huang Sheng settled for the next best option and approached the Li Family. But before he even reached the restaurant, he heard that Xu Ke had kicked Li Lang, sending him straight to the hospital.

…

"Thoughts?"

A cold gleam flashed in Huang Sheng's eyes. "Obviously, we need to teach him a harsh lesson. Otherwise, he'll really start thinking he owns Tianhai."

"This morning, after Elder Lin from the Long Capital Grand Alliance arrived at the Tianhai Martial Alliance, he was threatened into leaving by that guy.

"Ever since the last incident, that punk's arrogance has only grown."

Hearing this, a grave expression crossed Li Shichuan's face. He never imagined Xu Ke was unafraid of even a Grand Alliance elder.

Just then, Li Lang spoke up from the bed, "I wonder if Lesser Huang has any good ideas..."

After being admitted to the hospital and examined, Li Lang had learned that his injuries weren't serious—just some superficial wounds on his chest. This came as a great relief. He had been genuinely worried that Xu Ke's powerful True Qi might have secretly inflicted some hidden injuries on him...

Huang Sheng said nonchalantly, "I do have an idea. It's just a matter of who puts it into action."

Hearing this, a hint of confusion appeared in Li Shichuan's eyes.

At that moment, Li Lang said, "Isn't the Kang Family a tool we can use? Their son's hand was crippled by Xu Ke. They're probably desperate for a chance to take him down..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Sheng's eyebrows shot up, a sense of satisfaction blooming within him.

He had just been planning to make a move against Xu Ke as a pretext to get Chang Yi released and curry favor with Lin Zhongtian. He never expected the Li and Kang families to deliver themselves right to his doorstep to help him out. Xu Ke, oh Xu Ke, I really have to wonder if you're the reincarnation of the Heavenly Lone Star... making an enemy of everyone!

…

After Xu Ke and Xu Yi's group finished their meal, he drove the three of them back to Tianhai University.

Passing the administration building, Xu Ke hesitated, wondering if he should go see Qiu Mingli. But recalling Kang Dehui's words about how he had tarnished the reputation of the journalism department, coupled with the punishment of deferred graduation he'd inflicted on Gong Hou, he suspected he had no good reputation at Tianhai University at all... After all, if a "criminal" like him in the university's eyes were to associate with Qiu Mingli, it would probably only cause the man unnecessary trouble.

With that, he dismissed the idea of finding Qiu Mingli.

…

After Xu Ke left Tianhai University, Tang Yingchang said, "Oh, right, Mister Xu. While you were upstairs, Fifth Brother sent a message."

"What is it?" Xu Ke asked, surprised.

"You didn't check your phone upstairs. The Martial Alliance was trying to call you but couldn't get through, so they contacted Fifth Brother, who then passed the message to me," Tang Yingchang explained.

After hearing Tang Yingchang's explanation, Xu Ke understood. Chen Xiong had handled matters. He had secured Xu Ke's qualification for the selection competition in the provincial capital. In just a few more days, he could head there to compete.

At this thought, a flicker of excitement ignited within him. What he cared about wasn't the spot in the talent reserve for the Martial Alliance Headquarters Master selection contest, but the Tianhai Martial Alliance's treasure vault. If he could find the Dragon Ring in there, his power would advance to the next level!

Just then, his phone rang. It was Wong Qifu.

"Weren't you picking up Xu Yi?" Wong Qifu got straight to the point. Xu Zhentai had mentioned Xu Yi when he visited a week ago, so she knew about her.

"I was. I just dropped her back at the university," Xu Ke explained. "I originally wanted to introduce her to you, but something came up..."

Xu Ke recounted the events from lunchtime. He truly had wanted to introduce the two, but after what happened, he could only let Xu Yi return to her dorm to rest and calm her nerves.

Hearing his story, Wong Qifu understood. "Okay, you should come back first, then. We'll find another chance for us to meet."

"Alright." Xu Ke nodded.

He then returned to Junyue Residence to take his final dose of medicine. Thanks to his increasingly freakish regenerative abilities, his injuries were almost completely healed.

…

「Tianhai University dormitory」

After Xu Ke left, Xu Yi's two roommates finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing their expressions of utter relief, Xu Yi couldn't help but laugh. "Do you two really have to be like this?"

"Your brother is just... too intimidating! You can't blame us," one of them said immediately.

"Yeah! I saw the press conference, so I always thought your brother was the eloquent type. But now I know the truth..."

"He's a man of few words and brutal action!"

Both roommates had been terrified by Xu Ke's ferocity; the image was still seared into their minds. It was a complete departure from the man they had seen on TV, skillfully debating back and forth with Ding Anzhi!

While unpacking her things, Xu Yi shook her head and explained, "My brother is actually very amiable; it was just the wrong situation today."

"It's all that beast Kang Dehui's fault!"

At the mention of his name, the two roommates looked chagrined. "Sorry, Xiao Yi. We had no idea Kang Dehui was that kind of person."

"If we'd known, we never would have told him you were coming back today."

Thinking back, a deep fear washed over them. If Xu Ke hadn't been there to pick Xu Yi up, Kang Dehui might have really kept her, and them, at the restaurant. By the time Xu Ke arrived to rescue them, it would have been far too late.

At this thought, they exchanged a glance, feeling even more fortunate—it was so good to have Xu Ke around!

Hearing them, Xu Yi patted their shoulders. "Don't worry about it. You were deceived by him, too."

"We just won't associate with people like him in the future!"

The two roommates immediately nodded. "We understand!"

Then, one of them remembered something. "By the way, should we tell our counselor what happened today?"

Xu Yi hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "Forget it. This isn't something they can handle. Both the Li and Kang families are wealthy and powerful."

"Okay!"

Just then, the phone of Xu Yi's roommate, Wong Xiaofang, suddenly rang.

Wong Xiaofang answered. "Hello, what's up?"

"What? Go out to a barbecue place for dinner tonight?"