C18 A Brave Man Who Dares to Give His All

As Ye Rong journeyed on, he couldn't stop fiddling with the butterfly knife, thoroughly enamored by it.

"What a delightful surprise. The precision and design are top-notch. This level of craftsmanship might just withstand a Spirit Crossing!"

The more Ye Rong examined the knife, the more elated he became. If he could actually perform a Spirit Crossing, he could easily win his duel with Zhao Qi in mere minutes, not to mention that taking on Gao Wanteng and his crew wouldn't be an issue at all! His only concern was the possibility of accidentally taking a life.

Oops? It seemed he had inadvertently let something slip!

Scratching his head sheepishly, Ye Rong acknowledged that he wasn't yet capable of defeating a group as large as Gao Wanteng's. His body was akin to a highly unstable machine, consuming vast amounts of energy with diminishing returns, some of which even became a burden. Otherwise, why would he have sustained injuries?

"If I can pull off a Spirit Crossing successfully, my combat power will skyrocket! Plus, I doubt there are any other Spirit Crossing weapons in this world. Mine is one-of-a-kind, sure to have an element of surprise!"

Spirit Crossing is a technique that imbues a weapon with a spirit, integrating a soul into it so that it resonates with its owner's intentions, almost as if it were alive. If the weapon is a celestial treasure, over time, this spirit could even crystallize into its own soul, becoming an extension of the owner.

This weapon refinement method is widely used in the Cultivation World. Ye Rong's own black iron flying sword had undergone Spirit Crossing, reaching a level of intuitive connection with him.

However, not just any object is suitable for Spirit Crossing, particularly in this world.

Ye Rong had noticed that the spiritual energy here was exceedingly rare, with most items possessing minimal spiritual affinity. They were also composed of materials that couldn't sustain a Spirit Crossing, often disintegrating mid-process.

Initially, Ye Rong simply thought the butterfly knife was decent, without considering its potential for Spirit Crossing. But upon closer inspection, he realized the knife's craftsmanship was exceptionally precise. Despite subpar materials, the knife possessed a unique stability in its form, giving Ye Rong hope that it might just endure a Spirit Crossing.

"Let's give it a shot!"

Upon reaching the school entrance, Ye Rong stowed his butterfly knife and headed toward the dormitory.

There was no rush. He felt genuinely exhausted today and needed some quiet time to meditate and cultivate.

"Mr. Sun, what was the deal with you and Ye Rong yesterday? You guys don't usually interact like that. It's got us worried. We've been here for so long, and it's awkward to have you do our laundry. But now that no one is helping, it feels like something's missing. You need to reclaim your role quickly!"

In the dormitory, the group munched on peanuts while casually chatting about Little Tian.

"Don't worry, the dog just slipped its leash. I'll have it back under control soon. I called my brother today, and he's agreed to help me get even. My brother's got some clout in this part of town, so we're going to give that kid a proper lesson. Hmph, the kid doesn't know his place! I've been too lenient with him before! This time, he's going to learn to bark like a dog!"

"Mixing it up in the underworld? Haha, this time the mutt's bitten off more than he can chew! With Han Xiaotian before and Mr. Sun now, he's in for it!"

"Here's to you, Mr. Sun, let's do this!"

"Cheers!"

They each raised a glass and downed their drinks. As they toasted, no one noticed the flicker of fear in Lee Chao's eyes.

He was relieved he hadn't asked Sun Yunlong to do his laundry; otherwise, he might have been in trouble too.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Who did that country bumpkin think he was, trying to turn the tables? He had nearly picked the wrong side!

"Mr. Sun, isn't making him bark like a dog letting him off too easy? I've noticed the restroom in our dorm is a bit dirty... and somewhat clogged."

"You're suggesting..."

"Make him clean it until it's spotless and unclogged, to the point where he can use his tongue to prove how clean it is!"

"That's a brilliant idea!"

"Isn't it? Mr. Sun, you also..." Mid-sentence, Lee Chao paused, a realization dawning on him. This voice... it didn't sound like Sun Yunlong's.

Ye Rong stood at the dormitory door, smiling as he watched him. His expression wasn't menacing, yet it sent chills down one's spine.

"The bathroom has been somewhat dirty lately, but cutie has already taken on the laundry duties for the dorm. It seems a bit much to ask him to clean as well. Luckily, a brave soul willing to make a sacrifice has stepped forward."

"Where did you scrounge up that beggar's getup? It's quite fitting for your station. To think you need to make a show of it just to clean the bathroom! Brother Long handling the laundry? Hmph, you'll still be the one washing clothes in the end!" Lee Chao had been unaware that Sun Yunlong had a powerful local figure backing him. Now that he knew, the lines were clearly drawn. Despite this kid acting a bit off lately, surely they weren't afraid of him with so many on their side.

"Right, Mr. Sun?" Lee Chao looked to Sun Yunlong for extra reassurance.

Sun Yunlong remained silent.

For one, Ye Rong's sinister demeanor the previous night had left a deep impression on him.

Secondly, his gaze was fixed on Ye Rong's waist. The glimpse of the object's shape was all too familiar, and it gave him an uneasy feeling.

"Mr. Sun?" Lee Chao's question hung unanswered, prompting him to look at Sun Yunlong with a puzzled expression.

Then, a phone rang.

It was Sun Yunlong's.

He pulled out his phone and saw the name "Brother Yao Wei" clearly displayed.

"Cutie, my clothes are dirty. Go wash them for me. There are a few holes; see if you can mend them. If not... well, if not, just leave it be!"

"Hey, you think you can boss people around? Acting like some kind of lord?" Lee Chao burst out in anger.

Sun Yunlong instinctively accepted Ye Rong's clothes without discarding them and answered the call.

"Damn it! You're the one who got me into this mess. You call this a normal college student? Just a bit odd? Damn it, we were armed and still got taken down! He even took my knife. Do you have any idea how much that costs? Money can't even buy another one! I got chewed out by the boss, too. You better have a plan for when I see you, or even if you're my brother, I'll give you a beating! Can't beat him... can't even gauge his strength!"

Sun Yunlong didn't dare respond and hung up the phone, looking lost.

Then, he silently went to do his laundry.

"Mr. Sun?"

"Take a lesson from the cutie over there; see how well-behaved she is. What are you up to? You signed up to clean the toilets and yet here you are, idling away?" Ye Rong pulled a butterfly knife from his waist, flicked it with one finger, and the blade spun through the air. With a deft motion, he caught it between two fingers.

Ye Rong was quite pleased with his body's stability. It seemed that taking a risk this time had paid off handsomely.

"A knife... the knife? You..." Lee Chao turned and bolted.

With a swift kick to the chest, Ye Rong pinned him against the wall. "Trying to run off? Fancy a trip to the afterlife?"

He swung the knife, and Lee Chao's legs shook as he let out a cry.

The knife slid back into its sheath at Ye Rong's waist with precision. His hand hovered in front of Lee Chao's neck.

"Remember your words. You're to clean thoroughly, spotlessly, until you could prove it's clean with your tongue! Otherwise..."

"Next time, this knife won't be returning to its sheath."

Chapter 18 - The Secrets of the Blade