Chapter 415 - 295: Taking Seriously (Part 3)

"Alright, that’s all for today. You’re all dismissed."

Hua Guangcan waved his hand, and the crowd of New Disciples dispersed, whispering amongst themselves.

After collecting his Cinnabar from a Skill Transmission Disciple and eating dinner, Zhao Xuanqi walked back toward his room.

During this time, no other disciples came to chat with him. They just pointed and stared from a distance.

After all, these New Disciples couldn’t see the changes in his True Essence Skill. They just thought he’d gotten lucky and had a bit of a knack for drawing Techniques.

But that alone wasn’t enough. The man also carried a great deal of trouble with him.

As Zhao Xuanqi walked along the path, five figures suddenly blocked his way. The leader of the group was tall with sharp, masculine features. A playful smirk hung on his face as he strode toward Zhao Xuanqi. He slung an arm around his shoulders as if they were old friends. Who else could it be but Zuo Dongrui?

"Zhao, you were quite impressive today," Zuo Dongrui began. "As it happens, I have a few questions about drawing Techniques that I was hoping you could help me with. Oh, and by the way, how’s that Cinnabar the School gave you working out? We’re good friends, so I’m sure you wouldn’t mind lending it to me for some research. I’ll give it back to you tomorrow morning."

"Come on, this isn’t the place to talk. Let’s you and I, brothers, go over there and get better acquainted."

Zuo Dongrui said with a grin. He was a head taller than Zhao Xing and powerfully built. Gripping Zhao Xuanqi’s shoulder, he forcibly dragged him toward a small patch of woods beside the road.

The group’s figures quickly vanished into the shadows of the woods.

The others on the road saw this happen. Some showed a trace of indignation in their eyes, while others revealed a hint of schadenfreude.

Shen Hong, walking slowly down the path, took in the scene. He gave a slight, placid shake of his head, having no intention of getting involved.

Not far away, Sun Jiajin bit his lip, a complicated look in his eyes.

AHHH!!

Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream echoed from the woods, causing all the New Disciples on the road to stop in their tracks.

’This time... did Zuo Dongrui and his cronies go too far?! Aren’t they afraid of being punished by the Dharma Transmission Steward?!’

AHHHHHH!!

Soon, a series of different screams erupted from the woods, each more piercing than a pig’s squeal at slaughter, startling the birds into flight with a great RUSTLE of wings.

Everyone was stunned. They then realized that the screams didn’t seem to be coming from Zhao Xing.

The screaming continued for several dozen breaths before slowly fading away.

RUSTLE! RUSTLE! RUSTLE!

Soon, there was a stir in the woods, and Zhao Xing’s figure emerged, appearing before the crowd.

A trace of blood lingered around his mouth and nose, his clothes and topknot were disheveled, and beneath his rolled-up sleeves, his arms were covered in bruises. His eyes held a shockingly fierce and ruthless glint.

Of course, even with the weakness of Zhao Xing’s body, there was no way all five of Zuo Dongrui’s group could have harmed Zhao Xuanqi in the slightest. These injuries were all self-inflicted by Zhao Xuanqi.

It was all to make Zhao Xing’s "transformation" more plausible.

Seeing Zhao Xing in this state and sensing the ruthless glint in his eyes, the surrounding New Disciples were dumbfounded, unable to process what they saw.

Zhao Xuanqi paid them no mind. His gaze fell upon Sun Jiajin, who was standing frozen nearby. He walked over, pulled out two vials of Blood Strengthening Pills he had just taken from Zuo Dongrui and his cronies, and casually tossed them to Sun Jiajin.

Sun Jiajin snapped out of it and fumbled to catch the small vials.

"If anyone in the School bullies you from now on, come find me."

Zhao Xuanqi’s voice echoed in his ears. When he looked up again, all he saw was a lone figure walking away down the path, a carefree air about him.

’Interesting.’

Watching this scene unfold, Shen Hong, who had been observing the commotion from the side, felt the corners of his mouth lift into a slight smile.