Unexpected

"No need for everyone to spend money. I'm barely getting started, and it's almost the end of the month, a crucial period. It's not a good time to be distracted."

Xu Yuan politely declined. He then looked deeply at Chen Sanli, suddenly realizing that although Chen Sanli liked to take advantage of others, he wasn't short-sighted or boundary-less in his actions.

This person had an extremely shrewd side, often judging people to decide how to treat them.

For those who were easygoing and generous like Li Shan and Qin Yang, he would be completely unceremonious and take advantage endlessly.

As for Wang Huan, Gao Yuan, and others, he didn't overstep his bounds. Thinking about it now, it was because he valued Wang Huan's potential that he adopted a strategy of 'still waters run deep.'

"It's probably the same for me now. Inviting me to a meal is to foster a good relationship, for the sake of gaining greater benefits from this in the future."

Xu Yuan saw through it all, understanding Chen Sanli completely.

Meanwhile, as the others congratulated Xu Yuan.

Over here, Wang Huan saw Xu Yuan surrounded and fawned over, contrasting with his own solitary state. He tasted the bitterness of being neglected and felt quite upset.

"What's there to be so proud of? He just learned Thunderclap Fist, it's not like his cultivation broke through. Making such a big fuss, even pooling money for a meal..."

Wang Huan watched Chen Sanli and the others surround Xu Yuan, a wave of sourness churning in his heart. He suddenly felt a sense of irony, as if someone was mocking him:

What does it matter if you're the most talented in the dormitory?

Now Xu Yuan is the first to complete an assessment requirement, while you haven't achieved anything. Don't you feel ashamed?

The more Wang Huan thought about it, the worse he felt. Suddenly, as if possessed, he shouted, "Can you keep it down? You're not learning from others, are you!"

Wang Huan's sudden outburst silenced the lively crowd. They all turned to look, not understanding what was wrong with him.

Wang Huan regretted it as soon as he spoke. Seeing their confused expressions, he knew his outburst was inexplicable. However, he couldn't possibly reveal his true thoughts. In his embarrassment, he quickly entered the quiet room.

But that figure, no matter how you looked at it, seemed somewhat dejected.

"What's up with Brother Wang?" Li Shan asked, scratching his head in confusion.

"Who knows?"

Chen Sanli's eyes flickered slightly, maintaining his usual smiling expression.

Qin Yang, naturally fond of fun, lost interest after watching the commotion. He was still savoring the aftertaste of the opera he'd heard last time. Xiao Sheng also couldn't be bothered to get involved in such matters.

However, Gao Yuan and Tian Yang looked thoughtful. The former had a playful expression, while the latter felt the scene was somewhat familiar.

Xu Yuan watched Wang Huan re-enter the quiet room, his brow furrowed. He quickly understood the reason.

Wang Huan had always been arrogant, believing himself to be the most talented. When others didn't surpass him, he was relatively generous and righteous.

But if someone suddenly surpassed him, and he found his proud first place becoming a joke, his inner balance would be severely disrupted, his sense of superiority vanishing, replaced by jealousy.

"Learning a fist technique has already made him so unstable. If his cultivation were to break through, wouldn't the guy explode?" Xu Yuan mused inwardly.

However, unless absolutely necessary, Xu Yuan would only act according to his own rhythm, neither deliberately doing nor deliberately not doing anything.

The reason he informed Master Chen immediately after learning Thunderclap Fist was to inquire if there were any additional benefits for being the first. If there were, all the better; if not, so be it.

As for him and Wang Huan, they were never on the same path. Why bother caring so much?

"However, to learn from Tian Yang's mistake, it's best to be cautious these few days."

In reality, with Xu Yuan's current abilities, as long as he paid attention, he wouldn't experience what Tian Yang had gone through.

Even though the power of Thunderclap Fist was still weak, it was only relative to Zhao Qiusheng. For ordinary Martial Artists, the threat was still considerable.

"If others don't offend me, I won't offend them. Some guys had better not come looking for trouble..." Xu Yuan's eyes deepened. He opened a quiet room and began to refine his Blood Essence.

Xu Yuan's successful Initiation brought a considerable sense of urgency to the other dormitory residents.

From that day on, everyone clearly practiced more diligently. Although Qin Yang also did, he still retained a bit more laziness compared to the others.

However, Wang Huan gradually became distant. When called for meals or to wake up, he would ignore them and leave first.

After dinner, even Chen Sanli and Li Shan began to practice extra with Xu Yuan and the others. Qin Yang never had the habit of practicing martial arts at night, so he naturally returned to the dormitory.

Wang Huan, confident in his high talent, also only practiced during the day.

At night, as the darkness deepened.

When everyone returned to the dormitory after practicing martial arts, they saw Wang Huan and Qin Yang sitting on the bed, with some cold dishes and wine brought from outside, chatting animatedly.

Wang Huan was in a bad mood, clearly drinking to drown his sorrows. His face was flushed, and he said drunkenly:

"It's not that I'm saying it, but what is Xu Yuan? Back in the outer court, who knows where he was hiding. He saw me break through to Martial Artist first, and the Martial Master who taught us valued me, Wang Huan, the most!"

"Now he's just learned a martial skill, what's there to be proud of? Look at your worthless faces, especially Chen Sanli, acting like a lapdog..."

"Brother Wang, they're back." Qin Yang, still somewhat sober, felt quite awkward seeing Xu Yuan and the others walk in. He quickly signaled to them.

"So what if he's back?" Wang Huan asked, his eyes hazy. He glanced around and patted the empty space next to him. "Come, Brother Xu, have a couple of drinks with us."

"I'll pass," Xu Yuan said indifferently. He glanced at Wang Huan and walked directly to his own bed.

"Dawdling... Afraid to drink, how can you achieve anything great in the future?" Wang Huan grumbled discontentedly.

Hearing this, Xu Yuan stopped in his tracks.

"Brother Wang, you've had too much to drink. Let's call it a night." Qin Yang felt his face burning. Talking badly about people right in front of them made the situation extremely awkward.

He had to emphasize again that these were the ramblings of someone drunk.

"I'm not drunk!" Wang Huan refused to appreciate the gesture, still speaking carelessly. "You don't know, we were Laborers before. When Xu Yuan first arrived, he was looking around carelessly and got so scared he knelt on the ground, almost getting beaten by the cook. That scene..."

"How could he be so high and mighty now? It's just that he has some talent in this martial art. I think that Second Meridian Bottleneck will stop him for his entire life!"

These words were extremely excessive, a blatant curse.

Xu Yuan suddenly turned around, looking coldly at the other man.

Tian Yang's eyebrows also shot up, filled with indignation. Xu Yuan was his savior. For the past month, the two had been inseparable, forming a small group. Hearing these words, he naturally felt a sense of shared humiliation.

At this moment, if Xu Yuan made a move, Tian Yang would follow him forward.

"My Brother Wang!" Qin Yang felt his face burn hotter than if he'd drunk alcohol, wishing he could crawl into a hole.

Wang Huan was slightly more sober now. Seeing their varied expressions as they looked at him, he realized something was wrong. But now he was in too deep. Coupled with the alcohol, he stubbornly maintained his facade.

"Did I say something wrong? Some people, they just..."

A cold glint flashed in Xu Yuan's eyes, and just as he was about to step forward, he saw another person move faster than him.

Chen Sanli's palm landed squarely on Wang Huan's face. With a look of indignation mixed with disappointment, he said, "Wang Huan, how can you be this kind of person? Talking badly about Brother Xu behind his back. I really misjudged you!"