Chapter Twenty: Looking for Trouble

Hearing Feng Lingling’s voice, Yun Yi hurriedly brushed his nose. Seeing the bright red blood, he scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "My internal injuries haven't fully healed yet!"

Feng Lingling, of course, did not believe him. She rolled her eyes at him, turned around, and walked toward Gu Qinghan.

"Senior Sister, if there's nothing else, I'll be off!" Knowing it was time to leave, Yun Yi turned and walked away.

***

At the entrance of Tianyuan No. 1, Qian Duoduo sat gnawing on a chicken leg, staring at the gate. "Old Qian, do you think it’s appropriate for us to be hanging around here?"

"Why wouldn't it be? If our big brother gets thrown out later, missing an arm or a leg, we’ll be here to carry him back!" Qian Mo’s mouth curled into a grin at the thought of playing the hero and saving Yun Yi.

Suddenly, a figure appeared, and the two were left momentarily stunned.

"What are you two lurking around for?" Yun Yi asked, looking at their surprised expressions.

"Uh, Boss, you're okay?" Qian Mo circled Yun Yi, checking him up and down.

"What could possibly happen to me? Don't you know who your boss is?" Yun Yi said proudly, though he suddenly frowned as he looked at Qian Mo. "Old Qian, your cultivation speed isn't bad. You've reached the perfection of Qi Refining!"

"What? Old Qian, are you outperforming me again?" Hearing this, Qian Duoduo was displeased and stared at Qian Mo in shock.

"Hehe, I just had a breakthrough!" Qian Mo laughed bashfully.

"Let's go! I'll treat you to a celebration!" Qian Duoduo, immediately interested, wanted to have a feast.

"I think you're just craving the food at Yixian Restaurant!" Yun Yi saw right through him. Yixian Restaurant was one of the few external establishments in the academy; the food was delicious but quite expensive.

"Boss! Don't forget to invite sister-in-law!"

Upon hearing Qian Duoduo’s words, Yun Yi paused, remembered something, and smiled as he shook his head. He began sending a message to Lei Ling'er using his waist token.

***

An hour later, the sky had darkened, and the group was already seated at a table.

"Brother Yi!" A sweet voice rang out amidst their laughter. Everyone looked up. Yun Yi was momentarily dazed; was this really Lei Ling'er?

She had become even more stunning than a month ago. Her skin was fair and delicate, and a noble aura radiated from her, her entire temperament transformed.

"What? Haven't you ever seen someone as beautiful as me?" Seeing Yun Yi’s dazed expression, Lei Ling'er sat down beside him and covered her mouth with a light giggle, though she felt as sweet as honey inside.

"Haha, Ling'er, you've broken through to the peak of Qi Refining too!" Yun Yi, not wanting to admit he had been staring, quickly made an excuse and laughed.

"Sigh! It's truly infuriating to compare yourself to others! Even little sister Ling'er has broken through, while I'm still at the eighth level of Qi Refining!" Qian Duoduo sighed, then began ordering dishes.

***

"Brother Lei, do you have your eye on that little girl?" Hearing his lackey's words, Zhao Kuanglei looked toward a nearby table, his eyes drunk and fixed on Lei Ling'er.

"That... of course I do!"

"Brother Lei, I see those few are freshmen. Why don't we go toast that girl later? She wouldn't dare refuse, would she? Once you reveal that you're from the Zhao family of the Eastern Territory, that little beauty will be crawling to you by tonight."

Zhao Kuanglei’s eyes brightened at the suggestion. "Little Niu, you've got a sharp mind. Well played."

***

Three rounds of drinks later, the four of them were having a merry time. Yun Yi felt a sense of profound emotion; he finally had friends. Lei Ling'er had also had a few too many, her cheeks flushed like a pink peach as she stole glances at Yun Yi while they talked.

Just as they were enjoying the atmosphere, Zhao Kuanglei swayed over with his lackey, clutching a wine cup. Staring at the beautiful Lei Ling'er, he spoke before even reaching the table, "Hello, beauty. Shall we have a drink?"

The four of them stopped instantly.

"Sorry, we're done drinking," Yun Yi stood up before Lei Ling'er could speak, shielding her behind him as he looked coolly at Zhao Kuanglei.

The restaurant was crowded, and people stopped drinking to watch. "That kid's girl is in trouble!" "What a pity! So unlucky to run into this ruthless guy!" The onlookers whispered, clearly feeling sorry for Yun Yi.

"Kid, don't be ungrateful! There isn't a girl Brother Lei has his eye on who ever gets away!" Little Niu, the lackey, shouted harshly to build momentum for Zhao Kuanglei.

Zhao Kuanglei looked at his lackey with appreciation, then turned to Lei Ling'er with a gentlemanly facade, "Hello, my name is Zhao Kuanglei, from the Zhao family of the Eastern Territory!"

"Sorry, I don't know you," Lei Ling'er said with disgust, looking at his drunken attempt at being a gentleman.

"You stinking wench, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit...!" Before Little Niu could finish, Qian Mo, standing before Yun Yi, slapped him away.

"Your mouth is ugly, and your face is thick!" Qian Mo shook his hand and boasted loudly.

"You dare touch my people! You're looking for death!" Zhao Kuanglei was furious; Little Niu was his right-hand man. In an instant, his spiritual power erupted, revealing his full Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivation, and he threw a punch at Qian Mo.

"Boss, save me!" Qian Mo had wanted to test his strength, but he knew he couldn't withstand this punch.

Yun Yi’s eyes turned cold. He stepped forward in front of Qian Mo and met the punch with one of his own.

*Boom!*

A roar echoed through the room. To everyone's astonishment, Zhao Kuanglei stumbled back three steps, while Yun Yi remained unmoved.

"Qi Refining clashing with Foundation Establishment! My god!" The onlookers were stunned. Though only a thin barrier separated the two stages, the gap in combat power was vast. Foundation Establishment was the true threshold of cultivation, with ten times the spiritual energy storage of Qi Refining.

Feeling the recoil, Zhao Kuanglei was enraged, "Kid, die!" He lunged like an angry bull, aiming a strike at Yun Yi’s head.

"That kid is done for!" The crowd expected to see blood splattered everywhere.

Yun Yi knew this blow was fierce, but he wasn't afraid. With his spiritual power surging, he let out a roar and blocked with another punch.

"ROAR!" A tiger’s growl resounded through the tavern.

"My heavens! The perfected Tiger Fist is actually this strong!"

As the two fists collided, Zhao Kuanglei was sent flying, smashing through tables and chairs, spitting blood as he collapsed. Yun Yi didn't fare much better, a trickle of blood leaking from his own lips.

With icy eyes, Yun Yi walked toward the fallen Zhao Kuanglei, his killing intent suffocating.

"Kid... what are you doing! I am... from the Zhao family!" Zhao Kuanglei felt a pang of regret; he had just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage and hadn't yet stabilized his cultivation.

"I don't care whose family you're from!" Yun Yi’s killing intent solidified, and he brought his foot down toward Zhao Kuanglei’s head.

Suddenly, a cry rang out: "Young hero! Spare him!"