A Duel at Back Hill, Keeping Emotions Hidden

Wang Sheng hurriedly called out to stop Xiao Wu.

"Xiao Wu, this is the Second Floor Cafeteria. A lot of teachers are eating here, so we can't just start fighting."

After hearing that, a frustrated look appeared on Xiao Wu's little face.

Having just been beaten up by Yang Yuan, she was still fuming.

Yang Yuan's Double Pupil casually swept over Xiao Chenyu and his group, and he smiled meaningfully.

I was just worried about not having enough money to spend. Aren't they eagerly coming over to deliver it?

Yang Yuan fixed his gaze on Xiao Chenyu, his calm tone revealing neither anger nor pleasure.

"You're the leader of this bunch, aren't you?"

As he spoke, Chaos Light flickered within Yang Yuan's Double Pupil.

A wisp of pressure shot from his eyes.

Across from him, Xiao Chenyu's body suddenly trembled. His expression shifted slightly as he looked over in alarm and confusion.

"What was that move just now?"

Could it have been a soul skill? Xiao Chenyu wondered.

When that unfamiliar face looked at him, his body had suddenly felt an invisible pressure.

Instinctively, he overlooked the other boy's questioning tone and answered.

"That's right!"

"And who are you?"

Yang Yuan pointed at Wang Sheng and the others behind him.

"From now on, they..."

"Are under my protection!"

The last traces of caution Xiao Chenyu had felt immediately vanished.

"So you're another one of those country bumpkins from Dorm Seven?"

He sneered disdainfully.

How strong could a new student from Dorm Seven possibly be?

Was he, an eleventh-level, one-ring Battle Soul Master, supposed to fear a freshman?

"You really are arrogant."

Yang Yuan did not seem angry. He merely smiled lightly and turned to Wang Sheng.

"Where do you usually fight when you arrange brawls with them?"

Wang Sheng froze, immediately understanding Yang Yuan's intention. His expression turned anxious.

"Boss, don't act on impulse."

"Xiao Chenyu obtained his First Soul Ring some time ago. We'd be at too much of a disadvantage if we fought them now."

Yang Yuan smiled and reassured him.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. Just tell me where."

Only then did Wang Sheng relax a little. "Usually, it's in the woods at the academy's Back Hill."

But as soon as he finished speaking, Yang Yuan turned to Xiao Chenyu.

"After lunch, Back Hill. Don't be late."

"Oh, and whoever doesn't show up is a coward."

After tossing out those two lines, Yang Yuan waved his hand.

"Let's go!"

Without caring about the expressions on Xiao Chenyu and the others' faces, he headed straight for an empty table nearby.

The Dorm Seven students behind him paused in surprise before following after him belatedly.

There was only one thought in everyone's minds.

That was it? He had declared war?

Once Wang Sheng came to his senses, he looked at Yang Yuan in shock.

Hadn't he just said he knew what he was doing?

Yang Yuan smiled. "Don't worry, I've got everything under control!"

With that, he sat down as calmly as if nothing had happened.

In the distance, Xiao Chenyu and his group also snapped out of it, each wearing an indignant expression.

"Boss Xiao, that new country bumpkin has some nerve, actually daring to challenge us first."

"Exactly. I think he's asking for a beating."

"And Wang Sheng really is useless. He actually let some newcomer take his position as boss."

Xiao Chenyu was equally furious.

To him, Yang Yuan's challenge was a blatant provocation.

Didn't they know whose territory Nuoding Academy was?

"I hadn't even gone looking for trouble with Dorm Seven yet, and they actually came to us themselves."

"Since they want to fight, then we'll fight!"

"Ling Feng, go gather all the brothers who can fight. We'll meet at Back Hill after lunch."

Xiao Chenyu snorted and gave an order to a small, thin student beside him.

The latter nodded before leaving to gather people as Xiao Chenyu had instructed.

At that moment, by the staircase.

A thin figure walked up to the second floor, his gaze quickly settling on the Dorm Seven students.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Tang San immediately stood up and respectfully called out.

"Teacher!"

That cry immediately drew astonished looks from Wang Sheng and the others.

They all knew Yu Xiaogang.

He was the academy's freeloader.

Nearly fifty years old and still stuck at Level 29, he likely had no hope of breaking through for the rest of his life.

"Xiao San, I didn't expect you to be here too."

Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly at Tang San, a stiff smile appearing on his face.

His gaze swept over the Dorm Seven students, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.

These Work-Study Students usually ate on the first floor. How did they have money to eat on the second floor today?

Tang San explained, "Yang Yuan is treating us today, so he brought us to eat at the Second Floor Cafeteria."

"Yang Yuan?"

Yu Xiaogang looked at Yang Yuan and examined him. A glint of "wisdom" flashed through his eyes.

He had already seen through Yang Yuan's little scheme and could not help shaking his head with a laugh.

This child was trying to use this meal to win over the others in Dorm Seven.

At such a young age, not only was he calculating, but he was also so skilled at scheming.

If that personality was not corrected, he could forget about becoming Yu Xiaogang's disciple.

"Master, would you like to sit down and have something with us?" Yang Yuan asked with a smile.

Although Yu Xiaogang had been the character he disliked most in the original work,

he had no intention of showing his disgust for Yu Xiaogang openly.

Only a Stupid Rabbit like Xiao Wu would wear her emotions on her face.

Yu Xiaogang laughed upon hearing this.

Was Yang Yuan trying to curry favor with him through this meal?

Or was he apologizing for what had happened earlier?

Trying to dismiss him with one meal? The boy certainly had a good plan.

Unfortunately, with his unparalleled wisdom, how could he fail to see through such petty thoughts?

Yu Xiaogang waved his hand. "You all eat. I won't intrude."

After saying that, he looked at Tang San again.

"Xiao San, come find me after you finish eating."

Tang San hurriedly replied, "Yes, Teacher."

After Yu Xiaogang left, Tang San said apologetically, "I might not be able to go with you later."

Wang Sheng and the others hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

After all, they had all seen Tang San's strength.

Although he could not defeat Yang Yuan, he could still exchange more than a dozen moves with him without a clear victor.

With him there, he could help relieve quite a bit of pressure when the fight started.

Thus, Wang Sheng said, "Boss, how about we change the time and fight Xiao Chenyu's group after Tang San comes back?"

Yang Yuan shook his head.

"There's no need to make it so troublesome. I'm fairly confident about dealing with that bunch."

Seeing this, Wang Sheng did not say anything more.

It would not matter even if they lost. At worst, they would take a beating.

Not long afterward, dish after dish was brought over.

Wang Sheng and the others stared wide-eyed, unable to stop themselves from swallowing.

When did they ever get the chance to enjoy food from the Second Floor Cafeteria?

Seeing this, Yang Yuan waved his hand.

"Everyone, eat your fill!"

Xiao Wu muttered quietly among the crowd.

"How come this feast doesn't even have a single carrot?"

The moment she said it, she saw that the dish which had just been served was disappearing at a visible rate.

Xiao Wu immediately cried out and hurriedly reached over with her chopsticks.

"Eat slower! Save some for me!"