C5 I will Help You Get Rid of the Scars

Whether one is a novice or an experienced hand, remaining steadfast allows one to adapt to any situation. I've encountered plenty of seasoned individuals eager to take me out for a meal, but you've squandered such a prime opportunity.

Lin Baobao nodded in agreement. "Fine, I'll treat you to a meal next time."

"No, it has to be now!"

What a ridiculous notion! Offering help only after the crisis has passed is like offering coal when it's no longer cold. A sated tiger wouldn't bother hunting.

"Now?" Lin Baobao was incensed. "Haven't you noticed the wound on my neck? Are you going to take responsibility if it scars?"

That didn't sound quite right. Even if it did scar, he shouldn't be the one to take responsibility. That would be too easy on him. There were plenty of others willing to step up for her.

"A scar?" Ye Rong examined the injury on the girl's neck. Was this the reason for her urgency?

He could never quite grasp the motives of people in this world.

Ye Rong exhaled deeply, feeling utterly drained. If he had to take a loss, so be it.

"I know what to do."

He leaned in close to the girl's wound, concentrating his spirit, and blew gently on it, to no avail.

After a moment's thought, he pressed his lips to the wound, breathing softly against it.

Ten seconds later, Ye Rong pulled back, revealing skin that was now smooth and unblemished, the scar completely gone.

"It's a shame that I used up a fifth of the spiritual energy I've gathered over the past two days," Ye Rong lamented.

During his recent cultivation, he discovered that he could still absorb spiritual energy in this place. Maybe it was because his soul had traveled a great distance, or perhaps it had undergone some mysterious transformation, or it could be related to his legendary ancient tomes. If he practiced long enough and reached a deeply focused state, he could still draw in some spiritual energy.

Though the amount was minimal and the process arduous.

"Regardless, I'm currently in the body refining phase, so I don't need much spiritual energy. It's fine to use some of it."

Ye Rong murmured to himself, clearly knowing when to pick his battles.

"What... What are you doing?!" Lin Baobao's face flushed as if she were about to bleed.

How could anyone be so utterly shameless?

"I'm helping you remove the scar."

"Remove the scar? You expect me to believe that? Do you think you're some kind of deity, that a kiss from you could..." She paused, touching her neck, and was suddenly taken aback. The pain was gone, and there was no sign of blood.

She pulled out her phone, switched on the front camera, and examined her neck for a long while. To her astonishment, there wasn't the slightest hint of a wound. Forget a scar; there wasn't even a bloodstain!

"Can we go eat now?" Ye Rong said, his stomach growling. Having expended his spiritual energy, he was completely drained.

They ended up at a barbecue joint, opting for the all-you-can-eat buffet priced at a hundred per person. Ye Rong devoured his meal with gusto, as if he hadn't eaten in days, causing Lin Baobao to cringe. She considered disavowing any connection to him several times.

He ate with such speed and urgency that they attracted stares from nearby diners. Lin Baobao felt dragged into the spectacle and regretted bringing him here to test whether he was a legendary driver. The truth was glaringly obvious: this man was anything but conventional! His insistence on her agreement before stating his terms must have been a moment of madness or sheer hunger.

"Is it good?"

"Mm, yeah, it's decent," Ye Rong replied between mouthfuls. The food in this world was quite good, even if it couldn't compare to the delicacies of his own realm, which were beyond his reach anyway.

Lin Baobao nibbled on some pastries and vegetables, finding them less impressive.

She had been ready to leave for a while but couldn't shake off her curiosity about how her neck had healed so quickly.

"Was I never really hurt? But that doesn't make sense; where did the blood come from? If I was injured..."

She watched him, this man who was so engrossed in his meal he barely acknowledged her presence, and couldn't help but sense a mysterious aura about him.

Lin Baobao shook her head, dismissing the thought. This must be one of those senior driver tactics from Qiushan Mountain, and she was determined not to be swayed by it.

He wasn't exactly what you'd call handsome, and his frame was so slight, he made a monkey seem robust by comparison. This was no 'Beauty and the Beast' scenario. At least King Kong had a solid build that felt substantial to the touch.

Lin Baobao scrutinized Ye Rong with a critical eye, yet she couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for him. Kids these days are well-fed and clothed. A driver's skills can be honed through experience, but his frailty was unmistakably genuine.

His clothes were worn and ragged, patched up in places, and grimy—clear signs of poverty. She had been so focused on his pretentiousness and loathsome behavior that she had overlooked his plight. Lin Baobao felt a stir of empathy.

"I'm full, let's head out," Ye Rong declared after managing to eat enough to cover both his and Lin Baobao's expenses. His body was fragile, and it wasn't often that he got treated to a meal, so he had used his spiritual energy to regulate his bodily functions, allowing him to absorb the nourishment more efficiently. But he had reached his limit and couldn't eat another bite.

"Then this is where we part ways," Lin Baobao said as they stepped out of the restaurant.

"Sure, we'll collaborate again sometime," Ye Rong replied with a wave before departing.

"Collaborate?" Lin Baobao pondered when they had ever worked together. She found this boy to be quite the oddity.

"But is that really it? He doesn't have any other intentions toward me?" she wondered.

If he truly had no ulterior motives, perhaps she had been too harsh on him.

The image of the boy's frail silhouette lingered in her mind. Lin Baobao shook her head, dismissing the thought. She hadn't even asked for his name, and it was unlikely they'd meet again. She prided herself on her pure-hearted nature, and if he had gained any advantage from her, it was his good fortune—he just didn't know how to appreciate it.

Glancing at her watch, she exclaimed, "Oh no, the school gate is about to close. It's all because of those city inspectors, raiding even the small alleys unexpectedly. They've spoiled my chance for a snack, and I was almost robbed. Now I need to rush back to school."

"Where to now?"

Ye Rong had taken the lead in leaving, yet he found himself without a clear destination. Being new to this world, two days had hardly been enough to get his bearings.

The Cultivation World was expansive, fraught with peril, yet also brimming with hidden treasures. The spiritual energy was abundant, making every step an opportunity for cultivation. But this place was different.

"I need to delve deeper into this world. There might be spots that could accelerate my cultivation or even ways to return home." Cultivation was still at the forefront of Ye Rong's mind. He had experience in this area, and he knew that strength was the key to avoiding oppression.

The body he now inhabited belonged to a top student, but the knowledge it held was of little use to Ye Rong's goals.

"Hmm... Let me think. How can I gain a deeper understanding of this world?" After pondering for a moment, an idea struck him. "The library!"

Diaton University's library boasted an extensive collection, ranking among the top ten in the nation. It was a treasure trove of information, frequented not only by students but also by faculty seeking knowledge. Ye Rong decided it was worth exploring.

With that in mind, he made his way back to Diaton University.

"Hmm? Is someone there?"

Two blocks from Diaton University, Ye Rong's keen senses picked up on prying eyes. There was more than one onlooker. One of them quickly dashed off in the direction of the school, while another continued to watch him.

"Could it be Han Xiaotian?" Ye Rong wasn't fond of making enemies, but he wasn't about to shy away from a confrontation either. From Ye Rong's memories, he understood that in this law-abiding society, one wouldn't typically face lethal retaliation unless they had committed a serious offense, particularly within the confines of a campus.

With so many options available, there was little to fear. Moreover, it wasn't necessarily Ye Rong who would be at a disadvantage.

He had noticed that the locals, unversed in cultivation and often plagued with minor ailments, lacked experience and skill in combat. Although his own body was frail and he was only beginning the Flesh Forging process, Ye Rong was confident in his fighting edge.

"Great, let's make the most of today by having a hearty meal before meeting them," Ye Rong declared, puffing out his chest and striding forward with a confident air. Having replenished so much energy, he felt invigorated and brimming with confidence.

To his surprise, the women in this world weren't as disappointing as he had imagined. Although one had tried to beguile him by clutching at his neck, she had at least offered him a meal that he could enjoy to his heart's content. On his way there, he had been concerned about the typically meager portions served in restaurants, as per the original Ye Rong's memories.

Chapter 12 – The Greatest Restaurant in the World