Chapter 114 : Favor

Chapter 114: Favor

‘The Concealing Jade Pendant’s concealment effect was indeed impressive.’ Chen Beiwu thought inwardly.

The teachers instructing second-year high school classes were basically early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, making it difficult for them to see through the pendant’s disguise—unless a teacher had cultivated some special spirit-eye secret technique.

‘This is simply outrageous!’

During Wang Kui’s lecture, classmates’ gazes occasionally drifted toward Chen Beiwu, their eyes filled with complicated and indescribable emotions.

“Li Jing, do you think if I had boldly pursued Chen Beiwu back then, I would’ve succeeded?” A female classmate passed a small note to her deskmate.

“Definitely.” Li Jing replied with exasperation, scribbling on the note.

Though the girls in the class all looked dignified and gentle, their hearts were, in fact, far less proper.

If not for Xu Ziqing and Xu Lingling blocking the way like two great mountains, the girls would have long since swarmed forward, snatching this “Tang Monk’s flesh” into their own bowls.

“……”

As the bell rang, Wang Kui briskly announced the end of class.

This lecture had been dull for him. The students all had heavy thoughts on their minds, with no mood to listen.

Clearly, Chen Beiwu’s breakthrough to the Eighth Level of Qi Refining affected not only him but the entire class.

‘A declining family can actually produce a cultivation genius!’ On his way out of the classroom, Wang Kui still found it unbelievable.

If Chen Beiwu could maintain this momentum, perhaps he might even charge straight into the Thirteen Immortal Sects.

The moment the homeroom teacher left, the classmates surged forward, crowding around Chen Beiwu’s desk.

“Beiwu, what Companion Beast did you contract with? Can you give us a suggestion?”

“With such fast cultivation speed, did you take pills or directly consume spiritual herbs? Any recommendations?”

“Beiwu, want to come to my house for tea tonight? My family’s golden cat can do a backflip.”

“……”

Faced with a barrage of questions, Chen Beiwu could not help releasing the pressure of his Eighth Level of Qi Refining. The noisy surroundings instantly quieted down.

He had come to school to present his recent self-study results, with the ultimate goal of applying for more self-study time—not to flaunt his cultivation.

“Everyone, ask your questions one at a time. Don’t all pile them together.” Chen Beiwu said.

At his words, Liu Yan could not hold back his doubts and was the first to ask: “What pill did you take to break through to the Eighth Level of Qi Refining?”

Upon hearing this, the surrounding classmates suppressed their excitement, all showing expressions of curiosity.

Clearly, they too wanted to know the answer to this question.

“I took a Spirit-Nourishing Pill.” Chen Beiwu said.

“Are you sure? I’ve also taken a Spirit-Nourishing Pill before, and the effect felt rather mediocre, not suitable for breaking through bottlenecks.” Liu Yan still felt Chen Beiwu was hiding something.

The Spirit-Nourishing Pill was a second-tier low-grade spiritual pill, worth one hundred Spirit Yuan apiece. For him to afford one was normal, but how could a bumpkin like Chen Beiwu possibly buy it?

“Yeah, I’ve taken the Spirit-Nourishing Pill too. Honestly, its effect was worse than a first-tier Exotic Pill.” Someone chimed in.

“Beiwu, if you don’t want to say, you don’t need to. No need to lie to your classmates by casually naming some pill.” Another spoke mockingly.

Seeing someone stir up trouble, Li Jing stepped forward angrily: “You all think the Spirit-Nourishing Pill’s effect is mediocre, but have you ever considered the problem might be with yourselves?”

“Did you forget the Spirit-Nourishing Pill’s true effect?”

At these words, everyone fell silent.

The higher a cultivator’s Spiritual Root Purity, the greater the pill’s effectiveness.

But Chen Beiwu only had an Earth-Grade Root.

While this root was indeed stronger than their True Roots, it still did not reach the level of a Heavenly Root.

“Excuse me.”

At the sweet voice behind them, the girls surrounding Chen Beiwu quickly stepped aside.

Their eyes nervously turned toward Xu Lingling, who had appeared without them noticing.

At the sight, Li Jing instinctively glanced at Chen Beiwu, then quietly moved aside as well.

“You came?” Chen Beiwu’s eyes lit up.

Xu Lingling cast Li Jing a glance, then softly said: “Seems I came at the wrong time.”

“No, you came at the perfect time.” Chen Beiwu stood, using the opportunity to escape his classmates’ crowding.

“Haven’t been to school in a while—why don’t we go out for a walk?” he suggested.

“Sure.”

Watching the two leave, Liu Yan clenched his whitening fists, realization dawning on his face.

No wonder Chen Beiwu could afford a Spirit-Nourishing Pill. So, he had latched onto the Xu family’s lofty branch.

What a despicable man!

Recalling Chen Beiwu’s earlier words, Liu Yan’s teeth nearly cracked from grinding.

On the surface, he brushed it off, saying he had no use for the Five Foundation-Establishment Spirits. Secretly, however, he had his eyes on Xu Lingling—this fragrant, ready-made meal ticket.

……

“Rare to see you coming to find me.” Xu Lingling stepped onto the lawn, looking up at the formation that covered the campus sky.

“Had to thank you somehow. Without your help last time, my business might’ve collapsed.” Chen Beiwu said.

At this, Xu Lingling turned to face him, her eyes soft as she asked: “Is it just a simple thank you?”

Chen Beiwu froze slightly, suddenly feeling that the atmosphere was somewhat off.

When he remained silent, Xu Lingling’s eyes flashed with disappointment before she smiled: “You won’t even treat me to a meal? Such a dry thank you really lacks sincerity.”

Sensing the atmosphere return to normal, Chen Beiwu seized the chance: “Then, would Miss Xu do me the honor of sharing a meal?”

“Pah, what Miss Xu? That sounds awful.” Xu Lingling pouted, though her mood lightened considerably.

Rolling up her sleeves, she pretended to look fierce as she warned: “Later, I’m going to eat as much as I want. If I don’t empty your wallet, it won’t count.”

Chen Beiwu waved boldly: “I made a little Spirit Yuan recently. Eat as you please.”

“Being a boss really is different.” Xu Lingling stopped, then pointed toward a nearby private restaurant. “How about Li’s Teahouse just beside the school?”

“Why not Yueyang Private Banquet?” Chen Beiwu suggested.

Though he had never once accepted either girl’s invitations, he knew Xu Lingling and Xu Ziqing often dined at Yueyang Private Banquet, never at the cheaper Li’s Teahouse.

Not that he himself had ever gone either.

To him, no matter how cheap Li’s Teahouse was, it still wasn’t nearly as affordable as the school cafeteria.

“Already sick of Yueyang Private Banquet. Let’s just go here.” Xu Lingling shook her head.

She had only been joking earlier. A meal at Yueyang Private Banquet cost at least a hundred Spirit Yuan.

If she ate without restraint, most of Chen Beiwu’s hard-earned money would be gone.

Entering Li’s Teahouse with him, Xu Lingling instinctively wiped her chair with a napkin before sitting down.

Just as she was about to rinse the utensils with tea, her eyes froze on the gift box Chen Beiwu took out, her hand abruptly halting.

“This is a thank-you gift I prepared.” Chen Beiwu directly offered the box.

“What is it?” Xu Lingling’s eyes brightened with joy.

“Why don’t you open it and see?” Chen Beiwu gestured.

He had owed so many favors, and now he could finally start repaying some.

“So mysterious.” Xu Lingling muttered, untying the box. What met her eyes was a familiar iridescent radiance.