Upon hearing "one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins," the teacup in Flender's hand hit the stone table with a clatter. Tea splashed all over him, but he did not even notice.
His eyes widened as he stared fixedly at the storage Soul Tool in Lin Feng's hand, so envious and jealous that his eyes turned red.
"Old Zhao, tell me, why? Why does this brat get to meet such a beautiful and wealthy teacher? The two of us work our tails off for a whole year and still can't save up one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins."
"Flender, let it go. Isn't it just one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins? This kid will probably get even more in the future. Nothing we can do about it. That's fate!"
Nearby, Ma Hongjun's chubby little face scrunched up as he muttered enviously under his breath.
"Exactly, exactly. Why? I want a beautiful, rich teacher too."
The moment he finished speaking, a hand silently pressed down on the top of his head. Flender spoke gloomily, his tone carrying a chill.
"What? Is having me as your teacher that much of a grievance for you?"
Ma Hongjun's hairs instantly stood on end. His entire body stiffened, and without daring to turn his head, he took off toward the training field, shouting as he ran.
"Headmaster, I suddenly remembered that I ran one lap too few earlier. You and Uncle Zhao take your time talking. I'll go train first."
"Ten laps!"
Flender gritted his teeth and shouted at his retreating back,
"If you run one lap short, don't even think about eating tonight."
He then turned to Oscar at the side and instructed him,
"Xiao Ao, stay here and keep an eye on him. Count carefully."
"Yes, Headmaster."
Oscar hurriedly nodded. Looking at Ma Hongjun's miserable figure sprinting away with all his might, his eyes were full of sympathy.
As Ma Hongjun ran wildly, he inwardly felt like crying without tears.
Wasn't this something everyone wanted? He refused to believe Flender did not want it too. Was it a crime to tell the truth? What kind of world was this?!
Traveling day and night from Heaven Dou City to Suotuo City was no short journey. Even though she could fly, Qian Renxue still felt exhausted, a faint trace of fatigue impossible to hide between her brows.
She put away her sword and gave a calm instruction.
"Alright, we'll stop training here for today."
Lin Feng quickly stepped forward and said considerately,
"Teacher, you came all this way, so you probably haven't settled on a place to stay yet, right? I prepared a place for you long ago. Come with me."
Qian Renxue paused slightly, somewhat hesitant.
She raised her eyes toward the sunset, which had already sunk more than halfway below the horizon. Tired as she was, she did not want to go searching for lodging anymore. In the end, she lightly nodded and answered.
"Mm."
Following Lin Feng all the way, she eventually stopped before the two-story wooden house. Qian Renxue halted and looked at him with puzzlement in her phoenix eyes.
"Isn't this the house you live in?"
"It is. Teacher, you'll stay on the second floor, and I'll stay on the first."
Lin Feng nodded.
"I built the second floor specifically for you, Teacher. Don't worry, I guarantee no one has ever stayed there."
"If Teacher lives here, whether it's practicing swordsmanship tomorrow or guiding my cultivation, there'll be no need to make a tiring trip back and forth. It'll be much more convenient."
How could he possibly let such a perfect chance for close contact slip away? He had to seize it firmly. If he got along well with his teacher, would there be any shortage of gold coin... investment funds in the future?
Seeing that Qian Renxue was still hesitating, Lin Feng steeled himself for the sake of future gold coins and grabbed her soft, delicate hand, leading her toward the wooden house.
"Teacher, I only want to do my best as your student and treat you well. Come in and have a look first. If you truly don't like it, I definitely won't force you to stay."
At his words, Qian Renxue's body trembled faintly, but she did not pull away. She allowed him to hold her hand as he led her into the wooden house.
She casually swept her gaze around. The first floor was spotless, with every item arranged neatly and not even a speck of dust in sight.
Even the place where he lived was kept so properly. The second floor surely would not be bad either.
They went up the wooden stairs to the second floor. Lin Feng pushed open the innermost door and stepped aside.
"Teacher, have a look. Are you satisfied?"
Qian Renxue's phoenix eyes were filled with surprise.
The room was far more spacious and bright than she had expected, nearly twice the size of Lin Feng's room downstairs.
Everything was arranged perfectly, without a speck of dust.
A dressing table stood against the wall, its mirror polished until it gleamed. By the window sat a broad desk, even stocked with brand-new paper and pens.
The bed was covered in fresh brocade bedding. The balcony had been specially tidied as well, with a small tea table and a rocking chair beside it. Sitting there in the evening, one could see the setting sun and rosy clouds perfectly.
"Teacher, if you don't say anything, I'll take that as you liking it!"
Lin Feng said with a cheerful smile as he turned and headed downstairs.
"You rest first. I'll make dinner. Today, you absolutely have to taste my cooking. I guarantee this trip won't have been for nothing."
For today's meal, he had painfully followed Shao Xin for a full two months to learn cooking.
As the old saying went, to win a woman's heart, first win her stomach. For the sake of his investment funds, this much effort was nothing.
Qian Renxue walked onto the small balcony. At this moment, she shed every last bit of vigilance in her heart and lazily reclined in the rocking chair.
The orange-red sunset scattered over her like crushed gold, outlining the contours of her peerlessly beautiful profile. She looked as holy as an Angel who had wandered into the mortal world by mistake.
A smile unconsciously curved her lips.
"I didn't expect this guy to be so thoughtful."
As night deepened,
The warm yellow light in the wooden house spread a gentle glow.
Lin Feng picked up a piece of richly stewed braised pork and placed it into the white porcelain bowl before Qian Renxue, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Teacher, try it!"
Qian Renxue lowered her gaze to the braised meat in her bowl, glistening red and fragrant. She picked up her silver chopsticks, took a small piece, and put it into her mouth.
The rich flavor of the meat instantly spread across her tongue. It was fatty without being greasy, lean without being dry. Her eyes lit up as she looked at Lin Feng in surprise and gave a slight nod.
"It's delicious."
"As long as Teacher likes it!"
Lin Feng immediately beamed. His chopsticks did not stop moving as he placed another serving of crispy-skinned, tender braised fish and a glossy, fragrant chicken drumstick into her bowl, enjoying himself immensely.
"Teacher, try this fish. I removed the bones especially for you. And this roast chicken..."
"Alright."
Qian Renxue looked at him, warmth filling her heart. She picked up her chopsticks and sampled the dishes on the table one bite at a time. Her appetite felt especially good today, and her whole body relaxed along with it.
There were no cumbersome rules here, nor was there the disguise she had to maintain in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace for fear of exposing a flaw. She did not need to be Xue Qinghe. Right now, she was only Qian Renxue, only a teacher being thoughtfully entertained by her student.
Before this, she had never understood why Lin Feng was so attached to such a rundown, simple Shrek Academy.
But at this moment, she suddenly seemed to understand a little.
After dinner,
Lin Feng darted back to his own room.
He impatiently dumped all one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins from his storage Soul Tool ring at once.
The glittering Gold Soul Coins instantly piled into a small golden mountain on the floor. Looking at the dazzling coins, Lin Feng grinned so hard he could not suppress the corners of his mouth.
The Small Money Bag appeared in his palm. Its opening widened, and the Gold Soul Coins on the floor were swallowed inside like a flowing stream.
A clear line of numbers appeared in his mind.
[Mall Gold Coin: 10000]
Lin Feng's consciousness sank into the Godly Gear Mall. Looking at the dazzling array of Godly Gear, he was practically drooling.
"Crimson Lotus Cloak: high physical defense, triggers burning and grievous wounds in close combat, and can suppress the opponent's health regeneration. But it doesn't seem very useful right now..."
"Blood Demon's Fury? Activating Blood Rage grants a shield and attack power. A life-or-death Godly Gear for warriors. This one's pretty good. And Guardian of Eternal Night, First Light of the Rising Sun... They're all good stuff..."
Before you continue