This was all thanks to that story.
Three years later, at only ten years old, Yao Chuan somehow became the youngest bestselling author on the continent.
His royalties had piled up into a fortune, and he earned money even faster than he did from all that hard work hammering iron. Uncle Mu Chen was stunned.
During this period, Na'er had indeed left, just as she had in the original story.
But thanks to Yao Chuan's subtle influence over the past three years,
she didn't seem to have gone to the Sea God Pavilion. Instead, she had gone to Leng Yaozhu's side, in a way becoming a disciple of the Spirit Pagoda.
And unlike in the original story, she hadn't gone missing. She and Yao Chuan had stayed in touch.
Every few days, she would even write to Yao Chuan of her own accord.
She chattered on about her life and cultivation at the Spirit Pagoda.
If anything, she seemed even more clingy than she had been when she was with Yao Chuan.
She basically video-called Yao Chuan every day.
Three years later, Na'er had grown even more beautiful, but she still called him "Big Brother" every time, her voice sweet and clear.
On the other end of the call, she was always finding new ways to act coy.
She just wanted to hurry Yao Chuan into keeping his promise and setting off for the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters to meet her as soon as possible.
"Big Brother, Big Brother, it's not just me. Master Leng Yaozhu welcomes you too."
"Master asked about you last time. She wanted to know if you'd forgotten that kiss you promised her three years ago."
"Come register sooner, Big Brother. Wouldn't it be nice if the three of us could be together?"
Na'er reminded him, her big eyes wide and innocent.
As she spoke, she even took out a photo of Leng Yaozhu and set it on the table.
Looking at Leng Yaozhu's revealing glamour shot,
Yao Chuan couldn't help drawing a small, sharp breath.
"Well..."
But today's call wasn't over yet.
Mu Xi, who had also grown into a graceful beauty and become even prettier, stood nearby with a dark expression and cut in.
"Don't even dream about it!"
"Yao Chuan absolutely isn't going to the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters anytime soon. Na'er, give up already. He needs to stay in Eastsea City and go to school with me. That's what matters."
Na'er heard her through the video call and immediately bristled.
"With you? What's so great about being with an old woman like you?"
"Who are you calling an old woman, you little seductress? I'm telling you, give up already. Don't even think about seducing our Yao Chuan!" Mu Xi fumed.
"What do you mean, 'your Yao Chuan'?" Na'er raised her voice, indignant.
"You..." Mu Xi trembled with anger.
Just as Na'er and Mu Xi were about to start their usual jealous squabble again,
Yao Chuan watched them and felt a headache coming on. He hurriedly ended the call before either of them could get another word in.
Though this sort of thing had happened more than once over the past three years,
it still gave him a headache every time he heard it.
Fortunately, although Na'er and Mu Xi couldn't stand each other and always clashed whenever they met,
they were both very gentle toward Yao Chuan himself.
Just like now.
Mu Xi was still gritting her teeth at the screen after the call ended, but then she turned around.
When she spoke to Yao Chuan, her tone immediately softened.
She reminded him that his enrollment documents were all ready. He absolutely couldn't forget that he was going to study at Eastsea Academy.
"I know, I know. You've reminded me so many times, Sister Mu Xi. How could I forget?"
Yao Chuan hurriedly nodded.
At the thought of Eastsea Academy, where he would soon be heading, a hint of anticipation glimmered in his eyes.
After three years of hard cultivation, Yao Chuan's Soul Power Level had already reached around 31.
Far beyond that of his peers.
But he still had to go to school.
After all, the main purpose of school wasn't to learn basic knowledge.
It was also a platform for obtaining the resources essential at his age and expanding his network.
Especially for someone like him, who planned to build his own forces later on and embark on the path to godhood.
There was no faster, more convenient way to recruit the foundation of his future faction than going to an academy and "poaching" its students.
That was an important reason why he insisted on attending Eastsea Academy and even planned to visit Shrek Academy later on.
As Yao Chuan thought about his plans for the future, he slung his schoolbag over his shoulder.
He politely declined Mu Xi's offer to go with him and chose to report to the school alone.
There was no helping it. He had written Soul Breaking the Firmament, which had taken the entire continent by storm, and he had a face that was almost too handsome for his own good.
He hadn't even officially enrolled yet, and he was already the undisputed talk of the school forums.
Apparently, the entrance was already packed with upperclassmen and underclassmen who claimed to be his fans.
With no other choice, Yao Chuan put on a mask, pulled down the brim of his cap, and sneaked—or, rather, discreetly slipped—into the school.
After finally finding the dormitory building for first-year students,
Yao Chuan breathed a sigh of relief.
He pushed open the door marked with his dorm number and walked inside.
It was a four-person dormitory, and there was no one inside at the moment. It seemed he was the first to arrive.
He looked around. The place was fairly tidy.
He went to a lower bunk by the window, intending to set down his bag and rest for a moment while catching his breath.
Suddenly,
a noisy argument came from the hallway, apparently from a dormitory next door or somewhere nearby.
The voices were loud, mixed with the sounds of shoving and something hitting the floor with a dull thud.
"...country bumpkin... thing... pick it up! You hear me?"
"...Why should I?! You guys..."
A boys' dormitory?
Bullying?
Yao Chuan's brow furrowed slightly.
He almost immediately thought of a famous scene from the original story.
He had a hunch.
Curious, Yao Chuan set down his bag and turned toward the door.
He intended to go over and see what was happening.
Just as he'd thought.
It was indeed Zhou Changxi and Tang Wulin who had gotten into a conflict.
But in this life, because Yao Chuan had gotten to Na'er first,
the thing Zhou Changxi had pinned underfoot was only the quilt his mother had prepared for him.
Tang Wulin glared furiously at Zhou Changxi, telling him to lift his foot.
Zhou Changxi stuck out his chin and refused.
Tang Wulin's fists clenched with a cracking sound. He looked ready to explode.
Before he could make a move,
Yao Chuan reached the dormitory doorway.
He cleared his throat.
He coughed.
Everyone's eyes instantly turned toward him.
Yao Chuan reached up and removed his cap, revealing his highly recognizable face.
"There's no excuse for throwing your weight around."
He looked at Zhou Changxi, his tone calm but carrying an unmistakable edge.
"How much time has passed, and you still haven't learned? Zhou Changxi, as classmates, we should help one another and treat each other with kindness. That's the right way to do things."
"I think you should apologize to this student right now."
At those words, the air in the entire dormitory froze.
Zhou Changxi looked as if someone had cast a binding spell on him. He went rigid on the spot, the color draining from his face in an instant.
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