CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER 94: SPOILED?

The Deacon Hall of the Refining Equipment Hall.

Many disciples had gathered in front of the hall, discussing various topics animatedly. Some were arranging for departing disciples to carry regional goods and look after their families en route. Others instructed the departing disciples to behave properly and not to stick their necks out.

When Hong Yuan arrived, the vast square was already filled with four or five circles of people.

"Yuan!"

A robust voice came from the southeast. It was Zhu Wushang calling out to him.

Hong Yuan followed the line of sight and immediately saw Lin Yiru and Zhao Gonghe standing beside Zhu. The three of them were smiling and waving at him.

Zhao Gonghe... It seems he has earned the recognition of our Master and senior brothers. Indeed, he’s even willing to go to such lengths for Lin Yiru.

Hong Yuan’s heart tightened, but he quickly cast aside the minor grievances he held against Zhao Gonghe.

In the past, he would have taken Zhao Gonghe seriously, but now he had triumphs on both fronts. With the substantial reserves from his Demonic Beast Avatar, even if his human form faced major setbacks and repeated losses, he would always have the opportunity to turn things around. Just like Si Mayi; no matter how many battles he lost, as long as he survived to the end, he would ultimately be unmatched among his peers.

"Zhu," Hong Yuan replied with a smile, quickly walking over.

With Zhu Wushang present, Hong Yuan always maintained a positive attitude, conversing joyfully with Lin Yiru and Zhao Gonghe.

On the other side of the Deacon Hall Square, Le Congsheng, Tang Baiwei, and Jiang Nai stood still, watching Hong Yuan.

They had come to bid Hong Yuan farewell but hadn’t expected him to be so busy.

"Sheng," Tang Baiwei asked, "it seems Hong can’t get away. Should we go over to him?"

"Let’s wait a bit longer. Yuan knows what he’s doing," Le Congsheng replied calmly, then turned to Jiang Nai. "Junior Sister Jiang, Yuan is a very responsible person. Let’s just wait a little longer~"

The friend Le Congsheng and Tang Baiwei had introduced to Hong Yuan was Jiang Nai. They intended to play matchmaker and have her and Hong Yuan become Dao companions.

Although Jiang Nai was merely an official disciple of the Spirit Plant Garden, she and Tang Baiwei had been close childhood friends from noble families since their mortal days. They knew each other inside out, and Jiang Nai’s character was first-rate.

"Don’t worry, Senior Brother Le. I understand," Jiang Nai nodded gently, her gaze still on Hong Yuan, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

She was very satisfied with Hong Yuan in all aspects; he practically met all the standards she had for a husband when she was younger. However, she hadn’t sensed any particular interest from Hong Yuan.

At this moment, Jiang Nai was dressed in a light blue skirt, her hands clasped tightly, waiting beside Tang Baiwei. Her hair was styled in a flowing cloud bun, and she was elegantly dressed, resembling a graceful and sweet daffodil.

"Senior Brother Zhu, Yiru, Gonghe," Hong Yuan said apologetically to the three, "my friends have arrived. I’ll have to excuse myself for a moment."

"Of course, go ahead. The path of Martial Arts is long; it’s good to make many beneficial friends," Zhu Wushang responded with great satisfaction.

After bidding farewell to the trio, Hong Yuan walked towards where Le Congsheng and the others were.

His senior martial brothers coming to see him off was unexpected. However, Le Congsheng and his group coming to bid him farewell was something they had agreed upon.

Soon, Hong Yuan reached Le Congsheng, Tang Baiwei, and Jiang Nai, and they began to chat and laugh.

Lin Yiru noticed Hong Yuan conversing so enthusiastically with Jiang Nai. She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Jiang Nai.

Not bad, a graceful beauty. A pity she’s not as pretty as me, Lin Yiru thought, her lips curving into a smile as if she had triumphed over a rival.

Women also appreciate beauty in each other, but their mood improves even more when they see a rival who is not their equal.

...

Boarding the flying boat, Hong Yuan waved goodbye to Zhu, Le Congsheng, and the others.

Farewell, my good Senior Brother Zhu. And farewell to my ’black glove’ and the ’white glove’ I’ve yet to cultivate.

Although I’ve only known Jiang Nai for a few days, I can tell she has the potential to be a ’white glove.’ That gentle and pure temperament of hers is perfect for handling ’black money’ of dubious origins.

Unfortunately, I must head to Nanyang Government. I hope that a year from now, this little girl hasn’t been coaxed away by someone else~

Hong Yuan turned and went back inside the flying boat, heading to his room to rest.

The flying boat, named the Phoenix Tong Boat, was a large airborne fortress with an extensive area, complete with all kinds of basic facilities. Hong Yuan didn’t quite understand why they didn’t use the Transmission Array to send disciples to Nanyang Government, opting instead to travel by flying boat.

By now, all the disciples from the various halls and palaces of the Phoenix Creek Sect who were due to travel had boarded the flying boat. Although each hall and palace only sent a few disciples, when added together, the number was quite large.

Many disciples were lingering on deck, chatting with each other.

As Hong Yuan passed through the center of the deck, Liu Xiang’er, who was in the crowd, suddenly spotted him and called out.

"Senior Brother Hong Yuan, long time no see."

Liu Xiang’er called out softly, a smile on her face.

Hearing a charming voice call his name, Hong Yuan paused. He turned his head and was surprised to see it was Liu Xiang’er!

Hmm? Liu Xiang’er can actually go out to gain experience too?!

If I remember correctly, Liu Xiang’er only had a B-rank Aperture and was just an ordinary cultivating disciple in the Book Pavilion.

Though puzzled, Hong Yuan’s expression didn’t change. He smiled and replied to Liu Xiang’er.

"Long time no see, Senior Sister Liu Xiang’er."

Hong Yuan paused for a moment, exchanging a few words and catching up with this captivating woman.

But just then, a figure inserted himself between them, shielding Liu Xiang’er behind him and glaring at Hong Yuan with hostility.

The newcomer was Chen Zhen, the disciple Hong Yuan had encountered and ignored at the Wandao Trade Association.

"Hong Yuan, what are you doing here?" Chen Zhen interrogated.

At this moment, Chen Zhen looked like he was jealously vying for affection against a rival, wary of any interaction between Hong Yuan and Liu Xiang’er.

"..." Hong Yuan was speechless.

How did this involve me? Is his jealousy really this intense?

"Xiang’er and I are deeply in love! You scoundrel, hurry up and get lost!" Chen Zhen berated, then sneered at Hong Yuan. "If I recall correctly, you didn’t even make it into the top three hundred in the Sect’s Grand Competition. A loser like you, tsk tsk tsk..."

Hong Yuan was exasperated.

How can this guy act like such a spoiled brat? Just because another male gets slightly close to the woman he fancies, he has to target him? Even the high school and middle school students from my previous life weren’t this bad!

"A’Zhen, Senior Brother Hong Yuan..." Liu Xiang’er was about to explain, but the situation suddenly took an unexpected turn.

Chen Zhen’s older sister, Chen Qingdai, hurried over and grabbed Chen Zhen by his right ear.

Chen Qingdai snapped, "Come back with me! And how many times have I told you not to associate with this woman!"

"Sis, let go! Sis, please let go!" Chen Zhen yelped in pain.

But against Chen Qingdai’s superior cultivation, he was forced to retreat. Before being dragged away, he shot a threatening glare at Hong Yuan. "Hong Yuan, stay away from Xiang’er, or I’ll beat you up every time I see you!"

Hearing this, a vein throbbed on Chen Qingdai’s forehead. She instantly smacked her brother Chen Zhen on the head and then apologized to Hong Yuan.

"I’m so sorry, Junior Brother. My brother isn’t very bright," Chen Qingdai said apologetically.

"It’s a small matter, Senior Sister. Please don’t worry about it," Hong Yuan waved his hand, indicating it was fine.

When dealing with spoiled brats like him, you have to deliberately indulge and flatter them, let them get full of themselves. The higher they fly, the harder they fall.

After Chen Qingdai and Chen Zhen left, Hong Yuan had no interest in listening to whatever else Liu Xiang’er had to say. He bid her farewell and turned to leave.

Liu Xiang’er was left standing alone, an empty feeling of helplessness washing over her.