Chapter 57: Were You Looking for Me?

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After dealing with Mark and pocketing his money pouch, Lin Ye left the forest and made his way back to Nuoding City, returning straight to Nuoding Academy.

Once inside the academy, he headed for the dormitory building, climbed the stairs, and entered Dorm Seven. However, something was off. As Lin Ye stepped into the dorm, he noticed that the entire place was completely empty.

Though the academy semester had already started, and it was close to noon, the dorm was eerily quiet. According to the schedule, classes should have already ended, and everyone should be back by now. So why was there no one here?

Lin Ye frowned, confused.

Could they have all gone to eat?

Thinking this was likely, Lin Ye decided to check the cafeteria, as he was also feeling a bit hungry himself.

Just as Lin Ye was about to leave the dormitory, footsteps echoed from the corridor. A familiar figure soon emerged from the stairwell.

"Tang San? Why are you getting back just now?"

Seeing that it was Tang San, Lin Ye couldn't help but be surprised. He had spent quite a bit of time at the herbal shop and even ventured outside the city. Tang San should have returned much earlier, yet here he was, arriving after Lin Ye.

"Hehe, well, something unexpected happened. The blacksmith's shop wouldn't accept me at first, saying I was too young and couldn't even lift a hammer. So I picked up the hammer and forged a piece of iron right in front of them. That's when they finally agreed to take me in. But doing that delayed me quite a bit, so I ended up getting back late," Tang San explained, scratching his head in embarrassment.

"Ah, I see."

Lin Ye nodded in understanding.

"By the way, why is no one in the dorm? Where's Wang Sheng and Xiao Wu?"

After answering Lin Ye's question, Tang San realized the dorm was completely empty and asked curiously.

"I'm not sure either. They're probably in the cafeteria. Let's go check."

Lin Ye shook his head and suggested.

"That makes sense. It's about time for lunch. They're probably eating."

Tang San thought for a moment and agreed.

"Let's go."

...

Leaving Dorm Seven, Lin Ye and Tang San made their way to the cafeteria.

However, upon entering, they found that there weren't many people around yet since classes had only just let out.

Scanning the hall, Lin Ye didn't spot Wang Sheng, Xiao Wu, or any of the other work-study students.

"They're not here either? Where could they have gone?" Tang San asked, puzzled.

"We'll just ask around."

Seeing no sign of the others, Lin Ye scanned the room, spotting a few students eating in the hall. He walked over to them.

"Excuse me, have you seen the work-study students?"

Approaching the table, Lin Ye addressed the students directly.

Having seen Lin Ye defeat Lu Bing in the cafeteria before, the students were wary of him. Recognizing him, they quickly stood up.

"Y-Yes, we've seen them."

"Where are they?"

Lin Ye pressed on.

"You don't know?"

The students seemed surprised that Lin Ye was unaware of the situation.

"I don't."

Lin Ye frowned.

The students exchanged glances before one of them explained.

"Well, a few days ago, the work-study students from Dorm Seven got into a conflict with a group of day students. They scheduled a fight, and I think the meeting place is at the back mountain. Since classes just ended, everyone headed over there. It's probably already started by now."

"The back mountain? They're about to fight?"

Lin Ye and Tang San were both taken aback by the revelation.

"Thanks."

After thanking the student, Lin Ye immediately headed out of the cafeteria with Tang San, making his way toward the academy's back mountain.

According to what Wang Sheng had told him, the work-study students were generally weaker than the day students. Lin Ye couldn't figure out why they would start a fight, especially without him around.

As he rushed toward the back mountain, Lin Ye's brow furrowed in concern.

Moving swiftly, Lin Ye and Tang San quickly crossed the training grounds and arrived at the back gate of Nuoding Academy.

The academy was located on the outskirts of the city, and beyond the back gate lay the mountainous forest area known as the back mountain.

Passing through the gate, they entered the dense forest, where towering trees and thick undergrowth surrounded them on all sides.

Despite the lush greenery, there was no sign of Xiao Wu, Wang Sheng, or the others.

However, with his enhanced hearing, thanks to his Nine Yang True Qi, Lin Ye faintly picked up the sounds of commotion in the distance.

"Let's go!"

Following the noise, Lin Ye led Tang San as they dashed through the forest.

Sure enough, after passing through a grove, they reached a clearing where two groups stood in a standoff.

On one side was Xiao Wu, standing front and center, with Wang Sheng by her side. Xiao Wu's small face was puffed up in anger as she confronted a rather handsome young man from the opposing group.

"Heh, little girl, are you really going through with this? I advise you to surrender. Be my pet rabbit, and I'll make sure you live the good life. But if you insist on fighting, we won't hold back. You might get hurt."

The young man standing at the front of the day students' group arrogantly flicked his hair back, trying to appear suave as he taunted Xiao Wu.

"Big Brother Xiao, are you scared?"

Xiao Wu placed her hands on her hips, tilting her head back slightly with a defiant smirk.

"Afraid that when our boss returns, he'll teach you a lesson?"

Her small fist clenched, Xiao Wu bared her tiny tiger teeth, mockingly waving her fist at the young man.

"Heh, what a joke! Me, scared? Your so-called boss—who supposedly defeated Lu Bing—yeah, right. I don't buy it! I heard your boss knows the Grandmaster. Seems to me he had some help. If your boss is so great, let him come here and prove it!"

The young man, known as Xiao Chenyu, sneered disdainfully.

"Hmph! I told you, our boss went to the Spirit Forest to hunt soul beasts. When he becomes a spirit master and returns, he'll definitely teach you a lesson!"

Wang Sheng stepped forward angrily, pointing at Xiao Chenyu.

"Tch, who are you fooling? Do you think I didn't check? Your boss's spirit is a Begonia flower, a useless one! Even if he has innate full spirit power, what can he do with a trash spirit like that? Knock me out with its fragrance?"

Xiao Chenyu waved dismissively, his face full of contempt.

At first, Xiao Chenyu had doubted the rumors that someone had defeated Lu Bing. But after learning that Lin Ye's spirit was a supposedly useless flower, his doubts vanished.

And when he heard that the Grandmaster had appeared soon after the fight, seemingly acquainted with Lin Ye, Xiao Chenyu thought he had it all figured out.

Clearly, the Grandmaster had intervened to rig the fight in Lin Ye's favor.

Confident in his conclusion, Xiao Chenyu no longer feared Lin Ye, and bullying the work-study students became business as usual.

"If your boss is so amazing, then let him come over here!"

Xiao Chenyu sneered, shouting loudly as if daring Lin Ye to appear.

"Were you looking for me?"

Just as Xiao Chenyu's taunts rang out, a calm voice drifted from the forest. Immediately, everyone froze.

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