The Duty of an Elder Brother

The battle had barely ended when cheers erupted from below the stage.

The reversal had come far too quickly.

Wang Dong's eyes widened as he looked at Beibei standing on the stage after withdrawing his stance, then turned to Lu Chen with disbelief written all over his face. "You really called it? How did you know Beibei would win?"

"That's a secret."

Lu Chen hooked an arm around Huo Yuhao's neck and secretly transferred some Soul Power into him.

After helping Beibei just now, Huo Yuhao had expended quite a bit of Soul Power.

The only reason he was still standing was that he had been forcing himself to endure.

Sure enough, with Lu Chen's Soul Power flowing into him, Huo Yuhao's complexion improved considerably. He tentatively whispered, "Brother Lu."

Lu Chen glanced at Huo Yuhao and gave him a look that said he had seen through everything without exposing it.

Huo Yuhao immediately understood. His little move earlier had already been noticed by Brother Lu.

"Tch, tell me or don't."

Seeing that Lu Chen was unwilling to explain, Wang Dong said sullenly.

Soon, after the battle ended, the crowd of spectators gradually dispersed as well.

Beibei withdrew his Martial Soul and walked over.

"Brother Lu, you're here too."

"I was just about to look for you."

Seeing Lu Chen there, Beibei was pleasantly surprised.

The Qinglan Marrow Cleansing Pills Lu Chen had sold him a few days ago had worked far better than expected.

They had significantly improved the cultivation efficiency of both Huo Yuhao and Tang Ya.

Today, Huo Yuhao had also brought over some Body Tempering Pills refined by Lu Chen.

He had sampled one, and its effects were far better than the mainstream products on the market.

If they were sold, they would definitely be popular.

Thus, he had been considering establishing a long-term partnership with Lu Chen.

His little girlfriend wanted to strengthen the Tang Sect, and money was an indispensable resource.

Though he had money, it would still be woefully insufficient if he wanted to support the expenses of an entire sect.

Take the Qinglan Cleansing Marrow Pills Lu Chen had sold him last time, for example.

He had only managed to buy two for eighty thousand Gold Soul Coins because Lu Chen had given him a bargain.

Therefore, the best solution was to find a way to provide the Tang Sect with a steady stream of income.

Working with Lu Chen was undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity.

"I happen to have something to discuss with you too, Senior. Let's talk over there."

Lu Chen pointed to a relatively quiet spot in front of the Spirit Duel Zone.

Beibei wanted to establish a long-term partnership with him, and Lu Chen felt the same way.

He was unfamiliar with the place and had set his sights on the influence behind Beibei as well.

Getting Beibei onto his own side would undoubtedly improve his ability to withstand risks.

The two hit it off immediately and quickly finalized their partnership.

The Tang Sect would provide the materials needed for refining pills.

At the same time, they would purchase the Body Tempering Pills at ninety percent of market price, and Lu Chen could also settle the cost of the medicinal materials with Body Tempering Pills.

Lu Chen had no objections to this proposal.

It might seem as if he was earning one layer less, but he would not have to bear any risks and only needed to focus on refining pills.

It could be said that both sides benefited.

This was a win-win situation.

"Then it's settled. I'll have Yuhao deliver the materials for future pill refining to you."

"If you want to refine any new kinds of pills, just tell me what you need."

The smooth partnership, coupled with his victory over Xu Sanshi in the Spirit Duel just now, put Beibei in quite a good mood.

"There is indeed something I need to trouble you with, Senior."

"Could you help me acquire some Whale Glue? It doesn't need to be Millennium or ten-thousand-year quality. Hundred-year quality will do."

Lu Chen took the opportunity to ask Beibei.

After hearing Wang Dong explain the effects of Whale Glue yesterday, he had specifically looked up its exact uses in the library today.

Whale Glue did indeed strengthen the muscles and bones, but its side effects and drawbacks were also extremely obvious.

For example, after consuming Whale Glue, a Spirit Master had to enter a focused cultivation state and refine it immediately.

Yet Whale Glue also possessed an extremely powerful aphrodisiac effect.

It was quite a challenge to a Spirit Master's willpower.

That was also why those nobles ten thousand years ago had never discovered Whale Glue's true use.

After all, they used it to enhance bedroom pleasures. Who would restrain their desires?

However, he now had a bold idea: combine Whale Glue with Body Tempering Pills.

Take its essence and discard its impurities, refining Body Tempering Pills with even greater effects and fully bringing out Whale Glue's potential.

"Whale Glue, huh."

After hearing this, Beibei frowned slightly.

Whale Glue was quite a rare commodity now.

But if Lu Chen only needed hundred-year-quality Whale Glue, he should be able to obtain some.

"I'll do my best."

Beibei did not dare guarantee it and could only promise to try his best.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior."

Lu Chen did not say anything more.

If even Beibei could not procure it, then with Lu Chen's current connections and information, he would have even less chance of buying it.

After saying goodbye to Beibei and Tang Ya,

Lu Chen, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao returned to their dormitory.

The three walked all the way to the front of the dormitory building. Lu Chen stopped, turned to Wang Dong, and said, "Wang Dong, go upstairs first. I need to say a few things to Yuhao."

Though Wang Dong was somewhat curious, he did not ask further. He pursed his lips, then turned and entered the building.

After Wang Dong left, Huo Yuhao looked up at Lu Chen, his tone carrying uncertain unease. "Brother Lu, did you want to see me... because of what I did to help Eldest Senior Brother earlier?"

"Yes, that's exactly it." Lu Chen's tone was calm but carried a hint of seriousness. "I understand that you wanted to help Beibei. No one wants to watch one of their own suffer a loss. But you used the wrong method."

Whether as Huo Yuhao's class monitor or his elder brother, he had the duty to guide Huo Yuhao down the right path.

Not turn him into someone willing to use any means for victory.

Lu Chen watched the boy lower his head slightly. His tone softened, but every word was clear. "Today, Beibei and Xu Sanshi were having a fair spar, not fighting to the death. The purpose of sparring is to see your own weaknesses, polish your techniques and Soul Power, make up for your shortcomings after losing, and sum up your experience after winning."

"But today, you secretly interfered from outside the arena. It may have looked like you helped him win, but in reality, you prevented him from seeing his real problems. In the long run, you were holding him back instead."

"And have you considered the consequences?" Lu Chen's tone grew heavier. "Fortunately, no teacher specializing in Mental Power was present today. If someone had seen through your little trick, outsiders would not blame only you. They would only say Beibei's victory was dishonorable, that he won through cheating.

"Once labels like 'petty' and 'sore loser' were slapped onto him, Beibei's reputation as a core disciple of the Outer Court would be completely ruined. Even if you stepped forward and took all the blame, others might not believe you."

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao's face gradually turned pale, and a thin layer of cold sweat spread across his back.

He had only thought that Eldest Senior Brother treated him so well and that he could not let Eldest Senior Brother lose. In a moment of impulse, he had secretly acted without thinking any deeper.

But after Lu Chen laid it out so clearly, he finally realized the weight of the matter. If Beibei's reputation had truly been ruined because of him, he would never be able to live with himself.

"I know I was wrong, Brother Lu." The boy raised his head, his eyes slightly red, but his tone was solemn. "I'll never do it again."

"It's good that you know you were wrong." Seeing that he had taken it to heart, Lu Chen's expression eased. He raised a hand and patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder. "I'm not saying you can't help others. You just need to distinguish the occasion. During a fair spar, you should be upright and open. Win or lose, accept it honestly. That is how you develop real skill."

Lu Chen paused before adding, "But if it truly comes down to life and death, and the other side intends to kill you, then there's no need to follow any rules. Ambushes, ganging up on them, catching them off guard—do whatever lets you survive. When it comes to that, staying alive is the prerequisite for everything."

Huo Yuhao froze for a moment, then nodded vigorously, his eyes much clearer. "I understand, Brother Lu."

The unease and guilt in the boy's heart gradually faded, replaced by a resolve to carve those words firmly into his heart.

"Come on, let's go back and rest. We still have training tomorrow."

Lu Chen smiled, then turned and led him into the dormitory building.