Can I Struggle a Little?

Jia Nan Academy is located in the heart of Black-Corner Region.

Skull City is located in the southern part of the Black-Corner Region.

It takes a long time to get from Skull City.

After passing through Dusk City, Sky Yin City, and Thousand Speck City, you will arrive at Peace Town, which means you have entered the territory of the Jia Nan Academy.

Yang Shan believed that Xiao Xun'er must have an extremely high-class mount.

But the players didn't.

So we've been moving rather slowly along the way.

As evening approached, they were still on their way to the Dusk City.

Although the human race is the "Supreme Race," the Dou Qi Continent is too vast. Apart from the settlements established by the human race, the rest of the land is still a natural territory more suitable for the survival of magical beasts.

So the team is now in the mountains and has already been attacked by monsters several times.

However, the monsters were generally weak, and there were no casualties.

An NPC veteran said:

"Everyone, rest here for a bit and try to reach Dusk City before nightfall."

Yang Shan was quite responsible throughout the journey, and would occasionally chat with players like Mei Yangyang.

However, Yang Shan did not show much enthusiasm towards Xiao Xun'er.

It's basically useless.

This girl is really different from ordinary girls.

The education I received from childhood and the things I was exposed to are unimaginable to others.

Compared to Xiao Xun'er's background, Nalan Yanran seemed like a country girl. There were just too many people who were enthusiastic towards Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Xun'er had long since become numb.

So Yang Shan did the opposite! He walked up to Xiao Xun'er.

At this moment, Xiao Xun'er was standing next to a tree eating food.

This food is similar to a roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), and it tastes pretty good.

Xiao Xun'er naturally saw Yang Shan approaching, but Xiao Xun'er noticed that Yang Shan's gaze was not on her, but on the roujiamo (Chinese meat sandwich) in her hand.

Yang Shan: "Senior, could you share some food with me?"

Yang Shan had a lot of food in his Storage Ring, looked like he hadn't eaten for two days. He couldn't help but swallow hard as he looked at the roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) in Xiao Xun'er's hand.

This acting skill is something those young, pretty-boy actors who only know how to exploit their fans could never learn in twenty years!

Xiao Xun'er was now genuinely puzzled.

Back in the Ancient Clan, everyone of her generation treated her with utmost respect, and no one even dared to look her in the eye.

After venturing out to gain experience and arriving at the Jia Nan Academy, she encountered countless people who offered her all sorts of gifts to express their admiration or desire to befriend her.

But Yang Shan's demeanor made it seem as if the roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) looked much better than her! How can one make an impression on a girl who seems to have no desires or ambitions?

Three elements:

Contrast!

Contrast!

It's still the same old story—a stark contrast! She gets whatever she rarely sees! Yang Shan just hopes that Xiao Xun'er will give him something to eat for Ruo Lin's sake.

NPCs need to take initiative for a story to unfold.

But for NPCs to take the initiative, there needs to be a reason.

You might do a lot of things for an NPC, but it won't increase their favorability at all.

But these efforts were not entirely in vain.

NPCs have their own memory bank, and these actions may one day become the "reasons" for NPCs to take initiative.

Yang Shan seized upon a small flaw in Xiao Xun'er's personality:

polite.

Xiao Xun'er was the most popular character among players in her previous life, not only because of her appearance and her status as the female protagonist in the original novel.

Also, because many of her actions were out of politeness.

Therefore, if any student of the Jia Nan Academy encounters Xiao Xun'er on the street and calls out "Senior Sister," Xiao Xun'er will at least smile and nod in response.

A smile is the most common expression on Xiao Xun'er's face.

So, if a junior student is hungry and wants something to eat, would you give it to them out of politeness?

Normally not.

Because there are other senior students on Xiao Xun'er's side, they can also give [something].

But Yang Shan is a genius student that mentor Ruo Lin cherishes! As Ruo Lin's most valued student and also her senior, it's only natural for her to take care of her.

So Xiao Xun'er didn't hesitate much and naturally took out another roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) from her Storage Ring, even asking, "Is this enough?"

Yang Shan: "That's enough, that's enough. I don't have a big appetite. Thank you, senior!"

After taking the roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), Yang Shan seemed to be thinking about something.

He then put the roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) in his mouth, freed his hands, took off his Fire Cloud Robe, and spread it behind Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Xun'er just quietly looked at Yang Shan.

"You've traveled for so long, aren't your legs sore? Everyone else is sitting, but you insisted on standing. Now you can sit down."

Yang Shan chewed on a roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) and said unclearly, "I ate your food, so I can't just owe you a favor like this. Otherwise, I'll be too embarrassed to take anything from you in the future. Now we're even."

Xiao Xun'er really wanted to say that she didn't sit down simply because her legs weren't sore!

But Yang Shan insisted on bringing up "favors" in this matter, Xiao Xun'er really didn't want others to think that she owed them a favor because of such a small thing.

With a calm and composed nature Xiao Xun'er chose to go with the flow and sat down.

The Purple Word Seal, Hundred Refinements Grade equipment is something countless players dream of.

But now that Xiao Xun'er has sat on it, given the nature of some players, the price of this equipment could increase three or four times! Yang Shan didn't push his luck and sit on the Fire Cloud Robe with Xiao Xun'er, but instead sat opposite Xiao Xun'er, with a perfectly reasonable distance between them.

Yang Shan held the roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) in both hands and ate it with great relish, as if it were the most delicious thing in the world.

He didn't even look up at Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Xun'er continued chewing the roujiamo in her mouth, and after swallowing it, she said, "Junior Brother Yang Shan."

Yang Shan: "Hmm?"

Xiao Xun'er: "Is that thing very important to you?"

"Of course it's important. Without that, I can't handle the affairs of the Jia Ma Empire."

Xiao Xun'er: "I heard from Mentor Ruo Lin that if you stay in the Jia Ma Empire Jia Ma Empire, you will be constrained and find it difficult to reach the real peak."

"There's nothing we can do; the Jia Ma Empire is facing numerous crises right now."

Yang Shan spoke casually, "There is a force called Azure Cloud Association over there, which has been causing trouble in the shadows for a long time. Once, I passed by a village and saw that the scenery was beautiful. I wanted to cultivate in peace there for a while."

Xiao Xun'er: "A village? Is a village pretty?"

Yang Shan: "You don't know about villages?"

Xiao Xun'er: "I've read about it in books, but I've never seen it. The books say that villages are mostly small settlements established by ordinary people who, because they can't cultivate, choose to avoid cities where there is fierce competition for resources. They are located in areas not too far from cities and where there are few monsters."

Yang Shan nodded. "Yes, because they live a peaceful life, most of the people in those villages are very simple and honest."

Yang Shan seemed particularly enthusiastic about this:

"Senior, do you know, I stayed in that village for a whole month! A whole month! The ordinary people in the village didn't ask me for a single penny!"

"They were always smiling and said that the village hadn't had any guests in a long time, and they hoped I would have a good stay. They would also often bring me bags and bags of their homemade cured meat, as well as local eggs and vegetables."

"Sometimes when I'm lazy, I can even go to those villagers' homes for a free meal!"

Xiao Xun'er has extremely high standards. Being from the Ancient Clan, what kind of good things hasn't she seen?

However, Xiao Xun'er had never actually seen the lives of the lowest-ranking humans on the Dou Qi Continent.

Curiosity stems from the unknown, Xiao Xun'er listened attentively. "It seems they are truly kind."

"Yes, but sometimes good people don't necessarily get good rewards."

Yang Shan's smile gradually faded.

Even though I'd already put the roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) in my mouth, it didn't seem so appetizing anymore.

Xiao Xun'er was incredibly clever and immediately guessed the reason for Yang Shan's unusual behavior:

"Azure Cloud Association?"

Yang Shan nodded:

"Do you think I, Yang Shan, am someone who eats and drinks for free? When I returned to the city, I bought several truckloads of livestock calves and seeds and sent them to the village. They are ordinary people, and these are the most useful to them."

Yang Shan stuffed the half-eaten roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) into his mouth and chewed it with all his might.

Xiao Xun'er didn't urge him, and quietly waited for Yang Shan to finish eating.

After Yang Shan swallowed, Xiao Xun'er handed him water.

Yang Shan didn't stand on ceremony, took the drink and gulped down a few mouthfuls before saying:

"Everything is gone. The houses have all collapsed. The old people and children have all been taken. That Dou Emperor from the Azure Cloud Association said that the souls of ordinary people can also be used. Just collect more."

"Soul?"

Xiao Xun'er accurately grasped this word.

Yang Shan took another swig of water, as if trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol:

"If I hadn't escaped quickly back then and managed to avoid disaster with a Aura Concealing Pill that I obtained by chance, I probably wouldn't be alive now."

Xiao Xun'er blinked. "You're very lucky."

Yang Shan spent a lot of time explaining this story.

But the story is true!

It happened in a previous life.

However, the villains were not the Azure Cloud Association, but the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate of the Chuyun Empire.

Yang Shan stayed in that village for a month at the time because he was looking for an opportunity.

When he finally got his chance and prepared to return to the village to settle down, all the NPCs in the village had already been taken by the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate to experiment with poisons.

Enraged, Yang Shan stormed the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate, but he was no match for the Dou Zong's Grand Elder, who was at the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate level.

Yang Shan was never able to avenge that grudge until his rebirth.

Yang Shan finally smiled, though it looked somewhat forced:

"So, senior, I will do everything I can to take that thing from you. I might pester you, but I promise I won't use force or any underhanded methods."

Xiao Xun'er: "Junior, there are actually other ways to become stronger. There's no need to be obsessed with things you can't do."

Yang Shan: "Senior, do you think that in the end I'll be the one to give you the things?"

Xiao Xun'er nodded. "Yes, your chances are probably very slim."

Yang Shan smiled wryly, "Then can I struggle a little?"

"This is your right."

Xiao Xun'er stood up, maintaining her proper smile, "Thank you, junior, for sharing these things with me. This has given me a better understanding of the village."

Yang Shan: "You can use your ears to hear and recognize, but it's best to recognize with your own eyes. You can visit some villages when you have time."

Xiao Xun'er: "Okay."

Yang Shan picked up the Fire Cloud Robe and dusted it off:

"Alright then, senior, I'll be troubling you a lot from now on!"

Now that the roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) is finished, it's no longer appropriate for Yang Shan to stand next to Xiao Xun'er.

He had to make sure that Xiao Xun'er felt completely at ease in her interactions with him.

So Yang Shan returned to the freshmen's group.

Xiao Xun'er's gaze did not linger on Yang Shan for long.

She pondered in her heart:

"Village. Azure Cloud Association. Could it be that the Soul Hall is constrained in the Central Plains, so it has secretly sent people to other regions?"

[Ding! Player, please note that Xiao Xun'er is grateful for the player's help in improving her understanding. Xiao Xun'er's favorability +1, current favorability: 1!]

Hearing the system notification, Yang Shan breathed a sigh of relief.

How difficult it is to raise Xiao Xun'er's favorability is something many players in the past have shared on forums as examples of how difficult it is.

Gaining some favor in a brief encounter is already a pleasant surprise.

After all, usually, the increase or decrease in favorability only occurs when NPCs take the initiative to interact.

When Mei Yangyang saw Yang Shan return, she whispered, "Great God Yang, why did you talk to Xiao Xun'er for so long?"

Yang Shan: "What's wrong?"

Mei Yangyang: "We've been following Xiao Xun'er all the way. Xiao Xun'er basically only says a few words. Be careful, it's okay, we should hurry on our way."

Yang Shan: "I naturally have special communication skills."

Mei Yangyang's eyes were full of stars. "Wow, Great God, you're so amazing!"

Yang Shan was quite pleased with the little fan girl's adoration.

Who would have thought that Mei Yangyang's next words were, "Could you teach me so I can use it to seduce Lin Xiuya?"

Just then, a rustling sound suddenly came from the forest.

The experienced senior students have already drawn their weapons:

"Watch out, someone's coming!"

In the Black-Corner Region, especially outside the city.

When people meet, they usually don't nod and smile, but rather draw their knives and say "Robbery!"

From the four directions—east, west, south, and north—there were about ten people on each side, rushing towards the Jia Nan Academy student group at an extremely fast speed.

All four teams were led by experts at the Dou Ling level! This humble employee has finally gotten the job done.

Yang Shan and the others had been waiting for this moment for far too long.

Sometimes, when there are no opportunities, you need to create them.

The assassins of the Bloodshed Hall have always been mercenary, not people-oriented.

Except for the Jia Nan Academy!

There was no way around it; even Hu Qian, the dean of the Outer Courtyard of the Jia Nan Academy, couldn't defeat Luo Xie, the Bloodshed Hall Tower Master.

However, the assassins of the Bloodshed Hall usually have another identity in the Black-Corner Region.

There must be people from the Blood Sect among them.

Yang Shan's task of giving Su Yitang was very simple.

Carrying 200,000 Spirit Stone, they went to the Bloodshed Hall and sent two people whose public identities were those of the Blood Sect to find Fan Ling, the young sect leader of the Blood Sect, and vividly described to him that they had encountered an unparalleled beauty in Skull City.

Most men like beautiful women.

Fan Ling is the same.

Moreover, he enjoys using the innate yin energy of women to hone his Dou Qi after entering sage mode.

After all, the Blood Sect's signature technique is Blood Attribute that follows the path of Yin and cold.

A stunning beauty is about to pass through Dusk City, how could he miss it? If she were an Inner Courtyard student of the Jia Nan Academy, Fan Ling might have to think twice.

However, if they are only students from Outer Courtyard, and there are many prospective students in the group who have not yet officially registered.

Then there's no need to hold back! There are indeed many geniuses at the Jia Nan Academy.

But even if there are geniuses in the Outer Courtyard, they haven't fully matured yet.

"Kill them all, and take the beauty with you!" Four groups of men surrounded the students of the Jia Nan Academy. Fan Ling, riding a gray wolf, looked at Xiao Xun'er with a lewd grin creeping onto his face. "She really is a stunning beauty! Hehe."