Chapter 537 - 537: Exchanging Techniques?

Hao Li shamelessly praised, "Little Brother Zhao doesn't just know a thing or two about Tripod Food, he's a master at it!"

Cheng Haoyu couldn't help but marvel at him. He had thought Zhao Yuan being proficient in both Talismans and Elixirs was already freakishly impressive, but he never expected the guy to have even dabbled in the knowledge of the Tripod Cuisine School.

Seeing his astonished expression, Ying Ji said with a smile, "Why don't you ask Zhao Yuan for some advice on Dual Cultivation?"

Cheng Haoyu was even more shocked. "He knows Dual Cultivation, too?"

Ying Ji said with sincere admiration, "It doesn't matter if he understands it or not. As long as you discuss the topic with him, he's guaranteed to offer suggestions for improvement. What's more, his suggestions will be brilliant, and the resulting improvements will be immense. He once helped our Ying Family improve our learning methods and pronunciation for Ghost Talk. And mind you, before that, he had never encountered Ghost Talk in his life!"

"For real?" Cheng Haoyu couldn't help but cry out in astonishment.

Ying Ji replied, "If you don't believe me, you can go ask my ancestor."

Seeing that she had brought up the Ying Family Ancestor, Cheng Haoyu no longer harbored any doubts. Instead, he was simply left in profound shock at Zhao Yuan's prowess.

At the same time, a sense of anticipation filled his heart.

Cheng Haoyu's Dual Cultivation Technique had been passed down from a Daoist master. Unfortunately, after leading him past the threshold of cultivation, that master had vanished without a trace.

For all these years, Cheng Haoyu had been relying on his own trial-and-error to practice. Although his Cultivation had reached the Peak of Marrow Cleansing, his understanding of many key concepts wasn't deep, and his grasp on them wasn't firm. It might not be a huge problem now, but as his Cultivation advanced, it would surely stunt his progress, and could even lead to Qigong Deviation!

If Zhao Yuan was truly as miraculous as Ying Ji claimed, able to clear up his doubts and help him improve his Dual Cultivation Technique, then he wouldn't have to worry about these problems at all!

At this thought, Cheng Haoyu said excitedly, "Brother Zhao, when you have a moment, let's discuss the Dual Cultivation Technique, shall we? I'm really looking forward to it!"

Cheng Haoyu's looks and disposition were already quite effeminate, and in his excitement, he was panting delicately. Coupled with that expectant, lovesick expression, Zhao Yuan's mind instantly went to the gutter. He broke out in a cold sweat and goosebumps, frantically waving his hands. "Forget it! I'm not interested in men!"

'I want to discuss the Dual Cultivation Technique with you, not your sexual orientation. Why are you bringing that up?'

Cheng Haoyu was stunned for a moment, then he realized Zhao Yuan had misunderstood him. He quickly explained, "It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! Brother Zhao, I'm a real man, through and through! And one hundred percent straight! I just want to ask for your guidance on my Dual Cultivation Technique, nothing more. It's because I've always been figuring it out and cultivating on my own, so my understanding of many concepts isn't very deep…"

Before he could finish, a handsome young man suddenly walked over, gave him a shy smile, and said, "Hello, beautiful. Can we be friends?"

The scene instantly fell silent, only to erupt into roaring laughter a moment later.

Not Ying Ji, not Cheng Haoyu, not even Zhao Yuan could hold it in. They were laughing so hard they were doubled over. Even the Bone Woman couldn't help but chuckle along.

The handsome young man was baffled by the laughter, but Cheng Haoyu's expression was absolutely foul.

'Son of a bitch, I just said I'm a real man, a straight man, and you come over to hit on me? You're not hitting on me, you're slapping me in the face!'

Cheng Haoyu roared in anger, "Go get a pair of glasses and take a good look! I'm a... wait, no, I'm a man! A real man!"

"Huh? You're a man?" The handsome young man was shocked. His gaze subconsciously darted downward and, sure enough, he saw a mysterious bulge. His expression changed in an instant. "Sorry, my mistake," he said quickly. He then spun around and fled as if his life depended on it.

Watching his retreating back, Hao Li said sympathetically, "He's done for. That kid is going to be severely traumatized. He might even be scarred for life and start suspecting every pretty girl he meets is actually a guy."

"He's traumatized and scarred? What about me? You think I'm not?" Cheng Haoyu said, grinding his teeth.

In the end, it was the kind-hearted Zhao Yuan who consoled him for a bit and promised to discuss the Dual Cultivation Technique with him in the future.

Zhao Yuan was actually quite interested in this special method of Cultivation.

After saying their goodbyes, Zhao Yuan took out his phone and dialed Lin Xue's number.

"You're back?" Whether through telepathy or some other instinct, Lin Xue immediately guessed his whereabouts.

Hearing Lin Xue's voice, the corners of Zhao Yuan's mouth involuntarily curled up. The sweetness in his heart was truly beyond words.

"I'm back. Just got off the plane. Where are you? I miss you."

"I miss you too," Lin Xue whispered, her voice a mix of shyness and excitement.

Zhao Yuan understood in an instant. "Someone's with you?"

"Mhm, a high school classmate's birthday…"

Before Lin Xue could finish, Zhao Yuan heard an unfamiliar girl's voice.

The girl was asking Lin Xue, "Who are you talking to?"

Lin Xue answered gracefully, "My boyfriend."

The girl was flabbergasted, her voice jumping several octaves. "What? Boyfriend? Xuexue, you actually have a boyfriend? Since when?"

Suddenly, a chorus of voices, both male and female, erupted from the other end of the line, all exclaiming and asking questions.

After the commotion died down, the first girl's voice spoke up again. "Xuexue, you have to bring your boyfriend over and introduce him to us! We want to see just what kind of outstanding man it took to capture the heart of our goddess Xiaoxue."

As soon as she said it, a crowd of others chimed in with their agreement.

Unable to refuse them, Lin Xue could only ask Zhao Yuan, "Are you free?"

Zhao Yuan laughed. "When you call, I have to be free, no matter how busy I am. Where are you guys? I'll head over right now."

'At a time like this, of course I have to go and back my girlfriend up. Otherwise, how could I be considered a proper boyfriend?'

Lin Xue was delighted and immediately gave him the address.

"Wait for me, I'll be there soon."

After hanging up, Zhao Yuan immediately ordered a private car and headed to where Lin Xue and the others were.

Meanwhile, as soon as Lin Xue hung up, she was immediately surrounded by her high school classmates, who gossiped and pried about her love life—like how she met Zhao Yuan, how far their relationship had progressed, and so on.

Only one young man didn't join the commotion. His expression was grim to the extreme.

His name was Hu Dajun. He had pursued Lin Xue all through high school, but unfortunately for him, she wasn't interested and had repeatedly rejected his confessions. He had originally planned to confess his feelings once more at today's birthday party, but instead, he was met with the devastating news that Lin Xue already had a boyfriend.

Hu Dajun clenched his fists, grinding his teeth as he vowed in his heart, 'Lin Xue is mine! You dare try to steal my woman? I swear I'll make you regret it!'