Breakthrough

Bibi Dong glanced at him, somewhat surprised. She could not tell that this disciple of hers had such lofty ambitions.

"Is there really nothing you want?"

Dongfang Yu shook his head slightly. "This disciple has already said it. I only wish to help Teacher and seek no reward."

Hearing this, Bibi Dong gazed into the distance, her eyes falling into deep thought.

Help me? Why did he not say it was for Spirit Hall? Or was he... trying to make me understand that he was loyal to me personally?

Seeing Bibi Dong deep in thought, Dongfang Yu smiled to himself. What did I want? Sorry, I had already gotten it.

In the end, Bibi Dong had no choice but to settle for the next best thing and give him a card, saying that part of the monthly profits would be deposited into it.

This time, Dongfang Yu did not refuse, because this was also within his expectations. If she had truly offered nothing at all, then he would have misjudged her.

He could refrain from asking, but she had to take the initiative to give. That was the most basic art of winning people over.

A few months later.

Spirit City, inside a tavern.

Three men and one woman were chatting merrily.

"Hey, Xiaoyu, when are you planning to go hunt for your Soul Ring?" Yan asked carelessly after taking a gulp of wine.

"I'll wait for Teacher's arrangements." Dongfang Yu took a small sip as well and smiled.

After several months, Dongfang Yu's soul power had reached level 30. Hu Liena and the other two were celebrating for him.

Hu Liena was genuinely happy for her junior brother. "You're almost catching up to us. How am I supposed to save face as your senior sister?"

Hu Liena's eyes sparkled. This junior brother of hers might be lecherous, but he truly had real ability. She also knew that sanitary pads had been invented by him. Although it was somewhat improper for a boy to be researching such things, he had ultimately solved a huge problem for Spirit Hall.

Besides, he had solved such a major problem for women. She had yet to thank him properly, so how could she blame him for studying such things?

"No matter how fast I cultivate, I'm still your junior brother," Dongfang Yu replied.

Xie Yue, who rarely spoke, said, "Xiaoyu really is talented."

The corner of Dongfang Yu's mouth twitched. Why did that sound like an insult?

"Alright, alright! Tonight, we won't go home until we're drunk!" Yan raised his cup and said drunkenly.

"Alright!"

"Come on!"

"Cheers!"

Before long, they had gone through several rounds of drinks.

The four returned to Spirit Hall and prepared to head back to rest.

Standing before his residence, Dongfang Yu looked up at the sky. Countless stars dotted the heavens, and a bright moon hung overhead.

What a beautiful night. Unfortunately, in a few years, I'm afraid we won't be able to see it anymore.

"What are you looking at?" Hu Liena suddenly appeared behind him.

Dongfang Yu turned back and smiled. "Why hasn't Senior Sister gone to rest yet?"

"I saw that you drank too much, so I was worried about you." Hu Liena walked over and casually found a place to sit beside him.

Dongfang Yu looked dazed. "I'm looking at the stars."

Hu Liena raised her head toward the starry sky and said happily, "Yes, the moonlight is truly beautiful tonight."

Seeing her carefree appearance beside him, Dongfang Yu smiled softly. He was growing more and more fond of cultivating with his senior sister and the others, because it was fun.

The four of them had a very good relationship now. They rarely separated and were basically always training or playing together.

But... the better his relationship with them became, the more uneasy he felt, because their endings would not be good.

He had already come to regard them as true friends, which was why he felt pressured. It also made him increasingly eager to gain Bibi Dong's trust.

"Senior Sister, what do you think of Yan?" Dongfang Yu asked.

Hu Liena rolled her eyes at him. "Stop trying to play matchmaker."

Seeing that she had seen through him, Dongfang Yu smiled awkwardly.

"I only see him as an older brother, nothing more," Hu Liena said to herself, which also answered Dongfang Yu's question.

Dongfang Yu sighed inwardly. There was truly nothing he could do about that. It seemed Hu Liena was just like in the original story—she would never like Yan.

"But you!" Hu Liena suddenly changed the subject and glanced sideways at Dongfang Yu.

"Me?"

"Don't you have a girl you like? I've seen quite a few people pursuing you at the academy. Is there really not a single one you fancy?" Hu Liena asked.

Dongfang Yu did not know how to answer. As one of the four most outstanding people at Spirit Academy, and the most handsome among the three men, he had quite a few admirers at the academy. But they were all just little girls!

How could he possibly like little girls? Thus, Dongfang Yu had always kept his distance from those pursuing him.

"No," Dongfang Yu answered.

Hu Liena froze, then looked at Dongfang Yu with a strange expression.

Dongfang Yu felt somewhat uncomfortable under her gaze. "What is it?"

"Junior Brother, you... you don't happen to dislike women, do you?" Hu Liena said something utterly shocking.

Dongfang Yu's face darkened at once. His orientation was perfectly normal, alright? He simply thought those girls were too young. If he made a move, he would feel guilty. That was a normal man's way of thinking.

But he could not say that reason aloud. Dongfang Yu merely said with a dark expression, "Senior Sister, your junior brother's orientation is perfectly normal! Besides, I'm still so young!"

Hu Liena immediately burst into laughter, her clear, bell-like laughter ringing out as her shoulders shook.

"Haha... I was just joking."

"Alright, time to sleep." After saying that with a dark face, Dongfang Yu entered his residence and ignored Hu Liena. Otherwise, who knew what she might say next?

Seeing Dongfang Yu flee in embarrassment, Hu Liena laughed even harder. She had not expected her usually thick-skinned junior brother to have such a side to him.

The next morning, Papal Hall.

Bibi Dong looked at the two people below the platform and spoke calmly. "This time, Elder Yue will once again take you to Star Dou Forest to hunt for a Soul Ring."

Yue Guan said respectfully, "As you command."

"Xiaoyu, your target this time is a Sky-Steed with a cultivation of around 1,700 years. Elder Yue will help you find it."

Dongfang Yu nodded and said respectfully, "This disciple understands."

"Since that is the case, you two should set out immediately." After saying that, Bibi Dong reclined lazily on the Papal Throne and closed her eyes again.

"This subordinate (disciple) takes his leave."

The two lowered their heads and bowed before leaving Papal Hall.

Once again seated in the carriage bound for Star Dou Forest, the two exchanged smiles.

Yue Guan smiled. "Xiaoyu, I didn't expect you to be hunting for your third Soul Ring so soon. How fast."

The more Yue Guan looked at this junior, the more he felt that his decision to bring him back to Spirit Hall had been wise.

Not only was he peerlessly talented and possessed a powerful martial soul, but he also had a head for making money. Where else could one find such a child?

Dongfang Yu did not feel particularly joyful. He was only level 30, and still had a long road ahead before reaching that realm. On top of that, he had no cheat abilities. The hard days were still ahead of him.