Chapter 28: Jubao Pavilion Conflict with Xu SanshiSeveral days later, Dai Youheng finished his day's classes and, upon returning to his dorm, immersed himself in cultivation.The threshold from level thirty-eight to level forty was not so easy to cross; even with his cultivation speed and the efficiency of that unique cultivation method, time was far from enough.Normal cultivation would require at least several more months of accumulation.However, if external aids were available, the situation would naturally be different.Just as he was concentrating on circulating his spirit power, two clear, pleasant, almost synchronous female voices rang out from outside his dorm room."Youheng Gege...""Are you there?"It was the Lan Sisters, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo.Shrek Academy's male and female dorms were in the same building, with the female dorms on the upper floors and the male dorms on the lower floors.Normally, males were not allowed to go to the female dorm floors at will, and violating this rule would result in expulsion.However, females had no such restriction; they could come whenever they wished.Dai Youheng reined in his aura and got up to open the door.Seeing him, the Lan Sisters outside the door immediately broke into joyful smiles.The elder sister, Lan Susu, held a beautifully crafted, gold-edged invitation card in her hand and, as if seeking praise, handed it to him, "Youheng Gege, look! The thing you asked us to get for you before, we got it!"This was precisely the invitation to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion's Treasure Appreciation Fair.Such an item was not difficult for noble youths with certain connections to obtain; Dai Youheng was simply too lazy to bother himself and casually entrusted it to this pair of sisters who seemed very eager to do things for him."Thank you," Dai Youheng took the invitation and briefly expressed his gratitude."No need to thank us!" The younger sister, Lan Luoluo, laughed lively, and with perfect tacit agreement with her sister, she naturally linked arms with Dai Youheng, one on each side, "Youheng Gege, let's go quickly! The Treasure Appreciation Fair is about to start; if we're late, all the good things might be snatched up by others!"With that, the two pulled Dai Youheng, who was still somewhat dazed, out the door without further ado.Zhou Sichen, in the dorm, watched this scene with a strange look in his eyes.How did he feel that the Lan Sisters were much more enthusiastic and intimate with Dai Youheng than before the holidays?In fact, the Lan Sisters previously had a good relationship with Dai Youheng, but that was more based on team camaraderie and a hint of gratitude; they had a good impression, but it was certainly not intimate, and they would never have made such a proactive gesture of linking arms.After all, the former Dai Youheng always carried an indelible "simp" aura, which subtly created a sense of distance.However, the Dai Youheng who returned to school this time had undergone a drastic change in temperament.Although he still seemed outwardly good to Huo Yuhao, he was now indifferent to Wang Dong and never proactively sought out his former targets of flattery like Tang Ya, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan.He became taciturn, always exuding an aloof and distant aura, rarely communicating with anyone except his dormmate, Zhou Sichen.This "lone wolf" aura, carrying a sense of mystery and strong self-confidence, was, for some young girls, even more attractive than the previous "warm guy simp" persona.Moreover, in his recent few times helping Huo Yuhao, the biggest beneficiaries were always himself, earning a fortune.He had, in turn, made Huo Yuhao his tool, and this calmness and calculation, in the eyes of the Lan Sisters, was a sign of maturity.After removing the negative filter of "simp," the two sisters, who already had a good impression of Dai Youheng, naturally became more proactive and enthusiastic.Following the map, the three walked to the central area of Shrek City.Treasure Gathering Pavilion, as a famous establishment in the city, was not hard to find.A magnificent, brightly lit building soon appeared before them.Before they even reached the entrance, a warmly dressed greeter girl smiled and approached them, respectfully saying, "Welcome, three Spirit Master adults, to Treasure Gathering Pavilion."Their Shrek Academy uniforms were the best proof of their identity.Dai Youheng presented the gold-embossed invitation, and after verifying it, the girl's attitude became even more respectful, leading them inside the pavilion.Today was the Treasure Appreciation Fair, with many guests, and the staff were exceptionally busy, so there was no dedicated person to attend to them; guests could only browse on their own, and if they found a treasure they liked and could afford, they would go to the counter to complete the transaction.Inside the pavilion, a dazzling array of resources needed by Spirit Masters was available: rare metals, finished elixirs, highly aged medicinal herbs, various spirit tools, and even a few Spirit Bones emitting an alluring glow!This attracted many students and Spirit Masters, who stopped to marvel.Such a grand event naturally attracted the prominent figures of the Academy.Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi were also present."Sigh, Bei Bei, what do you think I should buy that Nannan would like?" Xu Sanshi frowned, fanning himself.He was here purely for Jiang Nannan.He knew Jiang Nannan came to every Treasure Appreciation Fair, but she only "appreciated" and could not afford anything.Xu Sanshi wished he could buy the entire Treasure Gathering Pavilion and give it to her, but unfortunately, Jiang Nannan never accepted any of his gifts.Bei Bei said helplessly, "How would I know what Jiang Nannan likes? I only know that my Xiao Ya likes to study all sorts of Hidden Weapons.If you really want to know... why don't you ask him?"With that, he gestured with his eyes towards the three who had just entered.Xu Sanshi looked in the direction Bei Bei pointed, and his gaze landed precisely on Dai Youheng and his companions.Among the people the former Dai Youheng flattered, Jiang Nannan was naturally included; as long as they were part of the protagonist group, he never failed to flatter them.And Jiang Nannan, who never accepted gifts from anyone, had only accepted a gift from Dai Youheng once.Because at that time, Dai Youheng had given Jiang Nannan a tonic that could help her mother regulate her body.To flatter someone, one must prescribe the right medicine.Jiang Nannan wasn't that concerned about her own affairs, so she wasn't very interested in those who tried to please her, but in her heart, the most important person was her mother; nothing was more important than her mother.This made Xu Sanshi extremely jealous of Dai Youheng; even though Dai Youheng also flattered him greatly, he still disliked him."It's that dead simp!" Xu Sanshi snapped his fan shut and strode over, blocking Dai Youheng's path, his tone carrying a condescending accusation, "Dai Youheng, long time no see, huh? Since school started, why haven't you come to pay your respects to this young master?"Dai Youheng looked up at him, knowing it was another historical issue left over from the previous guy.He couldn't be bothered with pleasantries and merely uttered one word, "Busy."Being rebuffed so concisely, Xu Sanshi felt his pride wounded.He snorted coldly, "Hmph, it's good to be busy, saves you from circling around me and Nannan all day, being annoying!However, since we've met today, this young master wants to ask you, what exactly did you give Nannan that she accepted?"Dai Youheng glanced at him, speechless in his heart; how would he know what that simp had given?He deliberately showed a playful expression and said, "Want to know? Simple.One hundred Profound Water Pills, plus one hundred Profound Tortoise Pills, and I'll tell you."Profound Water Pills and Profound Tortoise Pills were both secret medicines passed down in Xu Sanshi's Profound Nether Sect, and both were extremely precious."What?" Sure enough, the next moment Xu Sanshi's face instantly turned ashen, "Do you think Profound Water Pills and Profound Tortoise Pills are cabbages?"Profound Water Pills could cleanse impurities and enhance innate spirit power, making them incredibly precious; last year, Bei Bei went to great lengths just to get two from him.Profound Tortoise Pills were even more a secret medicine of the Profound Nether Sect's direct lineage, with even stronger effects; back then, Jiang Nannan also...Just thinking about that incident made Xu Sanshi's heart bleed."If you can't afford it, move aside, don't block the way." Dai Youheng couldn't be bothered to entangle with him further; he simply reached out, seemingly casually pushing, and actually made the Spirit Ancestor-level Xu Sanshi stumble, clearing the path, then walked straight inside.Xu Sanshi was stunned, utterly disbelieving!This guy, who used to be so submissive and always went to great lengths to flatter him, actually dared to push him away today? And humiliate him like this?A strong surge of anger instantly clouded his mind, and his spirit power instinctively began to stir!Just then, two voices rang out almost simultaneously."Xu Sanshi! Don't bully classmates!" A cold voice tinged with anxiety came, it was Jiang Nannan, who had just arrived.Seeing Xu Sanshi blocking Dai Youheng, she subconsciously assumed Xu Sanshi was causing trouble again."Sanshi, calm down! This is Treasure Gathering Pavilion!" Bei Bei also stepped forward in time, pressing Xu Sanshi's shoulder and reminding him in a low voice.Jiang Nannan's defense actually only added fuel to the fire; her speaking up for Dai Youheng further angered Xu Sanshi.But Bei Bei's reminder instantly sobered Xu Sanshi a bit.Treasure Gathering Pavilion's background was unfathomably deep, reportedly closely related to Sea Gods Pavilion; causing trouble here would have unimaginable consequences.However, the core disciple selection should be soon, and he would show this Dai Youheng a thing or two there.
