C24 How Should I Thank You?
Moments later, Ye Luo tossed the stool aside, wiped the fresh blood from his hands, and walked over to Principal Lee Wenqing.
"Principal, these troublemakers came to our school, and I've subdued them. It's your call whether we should notify the police or take another course of action."
"Alright, alright, I'll have someone take care of it immediately," Lee Wenqing responded, feeling the sweat on his back. Reflecting on how he had intended to support Zhu Jian in troubling Ye Luo just the night before, he felt fortunate to still be standing unharmed.
"Young Master Ye, if you ever need anything, just one phone call, and I, Zhu Chengrong, will go through fire and water for you," Zhu Chengrong said eagerly, handing his business card to Ye Luo.
Zhu Chengrong's previous apology at the school had been a forced gesture due to Guu Tianxiong's influence, but now he was truly frightened and sincerely convinced of Ye Luo's strength.
Ye Luo took the business card without rejection and slipped it into his pocket.
Seeing Ye Luo accept his card, Zhu Chengrong let out a relieved breath, taking it as a sign of respect.
Ye Luo then turned to Ziyuan and smiled faintly. "Thanks for your help just now."
He had clearly heard her earlier conversation with Uncle Feng and knew that Ziyuan genuinely wanted to help him. Though he didn't need it, Ye Luo was grateful for her kindness.
"Hmph, you didn't need my help. I probably just overstepped," Ziyuan retorted, her pout reminiscent of a young girl quarreling with her boyfriend.
Ye Luo chuckled and touched his nose. "I still owe you thanks."
"How do you plan to thank me?" Ziyuan suddenly asked with a playful smile, her expression akin to a girl flirting with her boyfriend.
Ann Xin, who had been watching, seemed to pick up on Ziyuan's altered mood. She bit her lip, stepped forward, and took Ye Luo's arm, then said with a smile, "Ye Luo, Ziyuan really did you a favor; you should definitely thank her properly. Why don't we treat her to a meal?"
After finishing her sentence, Ann Xin turned to Ziyuan with a smile. "Ziyuan, to thank you for helping Ye Luo, we'd like to treat you to lunch today."
Her choice of words was quite interesting. She made it clear that 'we' were inviting Ziyuan to lunch, not just Ye Luo. It was a subtle assertion of her relationship, almost as if she were reminding Ziyuan that Ye Luo was hers.
Ziyuan glanced at Ann Xin. As fellow campus beauties at Linhai University, they knew each other quite well and even had a good relationship.
"Sounds great, it's a date then. See you at noon, and don't be late!" Ziyuan replied with a smile.
Shortly after, Ziyuan left.
Arm in arm with Ye Luo, Ann Xin pouted and asked, "How do you know Ziyuan?"
Ye Luo looked genuinely puzzled. "I don't know her, honestly."
"Hmph, who are you kidding? If you didn't know her, why would she stand up for you? Everyone knows Ziyuan is famously aloof. It's hard for most guys to even get a word in with her, and she's never been known to stand up for any guy before, especially not in a situation involving the Xiangshi Group," Ann Xin said.
"So, she's the campus belle? She is quite pretty," Ye Luo said to himself.
Ann Xin let out a cold huff. Even with her easygoing nature, it was uncomfortable to hear her boyfriend praise another woman's looks right in front of her.
"Are you jealous?" Ye Luo asked with a smile. "I was just making a comment. Campus belle or not, no one is as beautiful as my Ann Xin. To me, you're the only belle that matters."
"Flatterer, when did you learn to be so smooth?" Ann Xin blushed, both embarrassed and pleased.
"I'm speaking the truth, I swear by the lightbulb above us," Ye Luo said, earning a burst of laughter from Ann Xin.
"I'm just curious, I've heard Ziyuan comes from a very powerful family. How did you come to know someone like her?"
"I've told you, I really don't know her," Ye Luo reiterated.
Despite his outward indifference, Ye Luo harbored a keen interest in Ziyuan. In his past life, he had encountered Mu Ziyuan in the Martial Arts Realm and had some interactions with her. Although Ziyuan appeared delicate and beautiful now, she was destined to shine brightly in the Martial Arts Realm in the future, not because of her looks, but due to her formidable strength and ruthlessness.
However, these matters were of little consequence to Ye Luo. What truly mattered was that within the Mu Family of the Martial Arts Realm, there was a treasure that could be of great use to him. His humble origins and weaker abilities had barred him from obtaining it in his previous life, but now, granted a second chance, he had no intention of missing out.
This was the reason Ye Luo was determined to get closer to Ziyuan and why he accepted the lunch invitation.
By the next morning, Linhai University was abuzz with the news of Ye Luo single-handedly defeating over thirty members of the Xiangshi Group. The principal even brought Zhu Chengrong to apologize to him.
Those who knew Ye Luo could hardly believe that the once meek and insecure young man could unleash such terrifying power. Those who had bullied him felt as if a fire had been lit under them, restless and fearful of Ye Luo's potential revenge.
"Ye Luo, you're amazing, truly amazing! Did you find some kind of secret martial arts manual? The Nine Yin Scripture or the Greater Universal Shift? I'm so impressed. Have you considered taking on a disciple? How about me? My Second Uncle once told me I'm a one-in-a-million martial arts talent, just lacking the right mentor. Ye Bo Le, think it over," Hsu Danian said, sitting next to Ye Luo with an expression of pure admiration.
Ye Luo looked at Hsu Danian and nodded. "I have indeed obtained a cultivation technique."
"Holy smokes, holy smokes..." Hsu Danian was ecstatic. "Really? I..." He had been spouting nonsense, never expecting Ye Luo to actually admit to it.
"I can let you take a look at the technique, but whether you can cultivate it is up to you. It's not suitable for everyone," Ye Luo said.
After searching his memory, Ye Luo thought of a suitable cultivation method for Hsu Danian, called Barbarian God Fury—a strength-focused technique that prioritizes physical conditioning.
Ye Luo didn't hesitate and quickly wrote down the cultivation technique, then handed it to Hsu Danian. "This is a cultivation method you can try. But remember, don't rush it. While you're practicing, make sure to actively strengthen your body. Otherwise, if your physical condition can't keep up, it could do more harm than good."
Hsu Danian was stunned to receive the technique from Ye Luo.
"Is this really okay? I was only joking earlier. A treasure like this must be worth a fortune, and you're just giving it to me?" Hsu Danian had no reason to doubt the authenticity of the technique, especially after witnessing Ye Luo single-handedly take down thirty strong men with such ease.
"You're my brother, and no treasure is more precious than the bond we share," Ye Luo said, patting Hsu Danian on the shoulder reassuringly.