Firefly Journey

Chapter 361 Once a fleeting glimpse of beauty (1)

At the appointed time, Lin Yuanran arrived near the Nanlou Hotel. The hotel looked nice, with a classic decor, two large red lanterns hanging at the entrance, paper-covered windows, and several wind chimes on the eaves.

Wind chimes...

Well, Lin Yuanran's good mood about getting a free meal vanished instantly. Although even if he did dine and dash, he had the ability to easily smooth things over without anyone noticing.

Lost in thought, Lin Yuanran walked into the hotel, taking out his phone as he went. The phone displayed the specific address that Wu Jing had sent him.

Lin Yuanran took the elevator and arrived at the gathering place.

The party room was large and there were many people, all dressed smartly, making it look like an elite gathering, even though they were all a group of big kids who hadn't graduated yet.

Lin Yuanran glanced at himself and realized that he didn't have more than three hundred yuan on him, but he didn't feel ashamed, since he was used to it.

While attending school in St. Louis, he was a real pauper, but his classmates didn't look down on him because of it. On the contrary, they got along very well. Geniuses always share similar traits that resonate with each other, regardless of class differences.

Unfortunately, this is not St. Louis, and the people at the gathering are not geniuses, so naturally, some of them will develop a sense of superiority.

In fact, Zhao Dongcheng, a rich kid, looked down on Lin Yuanran, a poor student from a small county. The reason he invited him to the party was not out of friendship, but to make Wu Jing realize who was the person she should associate with.

What's even more unfortunate is that Lin Yuanran didn't realize this, and even if he had, he would have just smiled faintly.

Putting aside the fact that he didn't have any affection for Wu Jing, who only existed in his memories and with whom he had many interactions, he was already a cultivator. What harm could the provocations of an ordinary person possibly have?

An elephant will never stop for a waving ant, because it simply doesn't see it.

Lin Yuanran originally wanted to find a corner to eat his meal quietly. But Wu Jing, that young girl, was quite considerate; she patted the seat next to her:

"Lin Yuanran, come sit here!"

Zhao Dongcheng was right next to her. What a coincidence!

Unfortunately, although she and Lin Yuanran were classmates and from the same hometown, she knew to some extent what Zhao Dongcheng was thinking and had no intention of having Lin Yuanran come over.

They hadn't even initially planned for Lin Yuanran to come.

However, considering that Lin Yuanran and he were both from small towns, it would be good for them to broaden their horizons together.

Zhao Dongcheng was the organizer of the gathering. He repeatedly begged Wu Jing, using very flowery language, saying that Wu Jing didn't have many friends in Hangzhou and that she had finally found a high school classmate, so of course she should sit closer to her.

Wu Jing, who also had feelings for Lin Yuanran, agreed.

Lin Yuanran took one look and said, "Okay, I'll go then."

Lin Yuanran sat down next to Wu Jing.

Zhao Dongcheng was secretly delighted. Without comparison, there would be no harm. Perhaps everyone is equal in school, but once you enter society, it's all about family background. At least in Hangzhou, he wasn't afraid of anyone when it came to background.

When most of the people had arrived, Zhao Dongcheng instructed the waiter to start serving the dishes.

Those who could sit at Zhao Dongcheng's table were all from wealthy and powerful families, and naturally they were in cahoots with him. They had already discussed it before they came, planning to use conversation to flatter him.

A bespectacled, refined-looking man said, "Brother Dong, I heard your family has entered the Kyoto real estate market. How's it going?"

Asking about the situation was a pretense; the main purpose was to show off.

Zhao Dongcheng said calmly, "It's alright. We've secured a few projects, but whether they'll be profitable depends on how they're implemented."

"Wow, you're amazing, brother. I'll toast you."

"Where."

After the two had a drink, Zhao Dongcheng was a little depressed because Lin Yuanran didn't seem ashamed at all. He looked relaxed, picking up food here and there with his chopsticks, as if he was just there to enjoy the food.

Zhao Dongcheng decided to intensify his efforts and winked at his accomplice next to the bespectacled man.

His accomplice, understanding the situation, tried to start a conversation: "Brother Dong, I heard your dad gave you an imported sports car a few days ago. It must be worth a lot of money, right?"

Zhao Dongcheng calmly said, "It's not very expensive, only eight figures. I'll take you guys for a drive sometime."

"Haha, that's exactly what I've been waiting for. I'll be the one to benefit from it then."

Seeing that the time was right, Zhao Dongcheng looked at Wu Jing and said, "Jingjing, it's so comfortable to go for a drive in a sports car. Would you like to join me? That road in Dongcheng District is perfect for watching the sunset in the evening."

Wu Jing's eyes lit up. Most girls like romance, and she was one of them. This was an invitation that was almost impossible to refuse.

She nodded: "Okay."

Zhao Dongcheng was beaming, wanting to see Lin Yuanran's reaction, only to find that the guy was eating happily, with a pile of bones next to his bowl.

What's going on? Shouldn't he be clenching his fists, looking arrogant, shouting "Don't underestimate a young man's potential," and storming off, only to be beaten down by reality and end up as a security guard or deliveryman?

That's not scientific; that's how it's written in novels.

Could it be... that the intelligence was wrong?

He had absolutely no interest in Wu Jing.

That's impossible. Wu Jing is the kind of woman who is naturally alluring. Who wouldn't be captivated by her? How could someone who spends every day with her not like her? Is she a eunuch?

If Lin Yuanran knew Zhao Dongcheng's thoughts, he would definitely spit out a mouthful of blood. It's one thing for Chi Liuzi to give me a nickname—she's powerful herself and has a powerful backer—but who do you think you are?

Even if Lin Yuanran knew, he wouldn't do anything to him; he might just smile slightly. After all, if a modern person well-versed in Tang poetry tried to show off his talent in front of Li Bai, the latter would probably just smile nonchalantly. As for why, there's no need to know why. It's like the saying: would an elephant care if an ant danced around in front of it?

Of course, some idle elephant might walk over and step on him, but Lin Yuanran won't; he still has many things to do and is busy.

Lin Yuanran's calm demeanor infuriated Zhao Dongcheng. He felt inexplicably annoyed, so he disregarded the fact that Lin Yuanran had not actually offended him and just wanted to put him down.

As a wealthy young master from Hangzhou, Zhao Dongcheng's social circle was beyond the reach of ordinary people, and he naturally knew some of the world's secrets.

For example, cultivators really do exist.

Even the lowest-ranking cultivators are far more powerful than ordinary mortals like them. Zhao Dongcheng has always dreamed of cultivating, and through his wealth, he has gotten to know some low-level cultivators, one of whom happens to be present today.

He took out his phone and sent a message.

"Brother Han, please teach that kid next to Jingjing a lesson, just don't kill him."

Han Yi nodded, pondering in his mind how much force to use.

Han Yi was just a rogue cultivator who, by chance, obtained a magical bottle, which led him to embark on the path of cultivation.

However, the cultivation world is far from as wonderful as ordinary people imagine. All the resources needed for cultivation, such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, must be purchased with money.

For money, he had no choice but to rely on a playboy like Zhao Dongcheng; the two had a mutually beneficial relationship.

The cultivation world of Great Xia is managed by a major sect. Whether you are a formally appointed disciple of a sect or a wild, unruly cultivator who grew up in some remote corner, the powerful sect that has a thousand-year-old reputation does not allow cultivators to kill mortals at will.

The cultivation world is full of deceit and treachery. If someone dies, it's because of a lack of strength and luck. But if someone harms a mortal who is powerless, they are considered an evil cultivator and will be hunted down by the Taiping Sect, a major sect that protects the nation. Cultivators from all over the world will join forces to hunt them down and ensure that the person is never seen again.

Even if Zhao Dongcheng hadn't reminded him, Han Yi wouldn't have dared to kill a mortal. The rules say that mortals cannot be killed indiscriminately, but they don't say that indiscriminate injury is also prohibited. Giving them a lesson secretly is no big deal.

Han Yi secretly reached out from under the table and shot an invisible magical force at Lin Yuanran, attempting to shock him into internal injuries so that he wouldn't be able to get out of bed for at least ten days to half a month.

Unfortunately, he encountered the wrong opponent.

Lin Yuanran didn't even need to take action himself. When he sensed the external force rushing towards him, his powerful fire-type magic automatically launched a defensive rebound, and then Han Yi was sent flying backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Only then did Lin Yuanran belatedly realize Han Yi's abnormality. "No, fellow Daoist, we have no enmity, why are you trying to harm me?"

Zhao Dongcheng was shocked: "Brother Han, are you alright?!"

Han Yi stood up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and said calmly, "N-nothing..."

As he spoke, he sat down again, unable to look Lin Yuanran in the eye any longer.

What happened? I'm a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining, about to reach Foundation Establishment. At this age, I'm a rare talent even in the entire Jiangdong wild cultivator world. How could I... be brutally beaten by a mortal?

If he knew that Lin Yuanran was a Void Realm expert, he wondered if he would admire his own courage. After all, there was a difference of three or four realms between them, and he actually wanted to challenge someone of a higher level. Putting everything else aside, just that courage alone would be enough for him to brag about for a lifetime.

Zhao Dongcheng thought of getting up to check on Han Yi's condition, since it had been quite frightening just now. At this moment, he noticed that Lin Yuanran's expression had finally changed.

However, there is no need to panic.

Instead, it was surprise, a surprise mixed with... a hint of joy and disbelief?

His gaze was fixed on the other side of the door.

There was a blonde, blue-eyed girl by the door.

She was fairly tall, wearing ripped jeans and a blue top.

The blonde girl had a small waist, which was not only secured by a belt to hold her pants in place, but also adorned with small accessories.

It was a string of wind chimes.