When Lu Yu went to the cafeteria for a meal, he found that people around were all discussing him.

During mealtime at the Divine Weapon Pavilion's dormitory cafeteria, quite a number of other disciples from the Divine Weapon Pavilion could still be seen, along with stewards and guards, who are part of the Pavilion's peripheral members, also dining there.

Stewards, guards, and such had their meals on the first floor hall, while the official disciples of the Divine Weapon Pavilion ate on the second floor.

As Lu Yu walked along, he saw many stewards and guards chatting, with the conversation mostly revolving around today's events within the Divine Weapon Pavilion.

Although they stopped chatting and pretended to seriously eat when Lu Yu appeared, he had already heard their conversations while outside.

It was nothing more than discussions about today's battle in the Divine Weapon Pavilion and Lu Yu raising a sea tribe girl. Compared to the battle, more people were interested in Hai Wei.

In just one day, almost all members of the Divine Weapon Pavilion in Yunhai City knew about Lu Yu and Hai Wei.

As for this matter, Guan Hai could do nothing to restrain it.

Considering the sheer number of people present, including the He family members, even if he prohibited the Pavilion's stewards from spreading it, he couldn't stop the He family from doing so.

When Lu Yu ate, he could hear other Divine Weapon Pavilion disciples chatting.

Unlike the stewards who revered official disciples, upon seeing Lu Yu, they only lowered their voices a bit, without caring that the person involved was present.

"Is he the one raising a sea tribe girl?"

"How bold, to get involved with the sea tribe, they're so ugly. I couldn't do it, I want to puke just looking at them."

"You've got it wrong, that sea tribe member is a mermaid; her lower half is covered, and the upper half is just like a human."

"Is there really such a thing?"

"Stop speaking, I heard that disciple of the Divine Weapon Pavilion is Senior Sister Huang's junior disciple. If you don't want to offend Senior Sister Huang, keep your mouths shut." someone warned.

Upon hearing that Lu Yu was Huang Ying's junior disciple, others swiftly changed the topic, not wanting to touch upon Lu Yu anymore.

Nevertheless, rumors still continued, and soon someone talked about the other person, Lin Tao.

Lu Yu couldn't be discussed, but Lin Tao was fair game; he had no background, everyone in the pavilion could freely discuss, as long as they could overpower Lin Tao, they wouldn't fear him.

"I heard it was that guy named Lin Tao who led people in."

"Lin Tao? Isn't he the one often seen practicing martial techniques at the training field? I've heard he holds a deep hatred for the sea tribe, his parents were killed by them, could it be why he led the He family in hoping to get that mermaid tribe killed?"

"You're behind the times with that info. Don't you know? Lu Yu and Lin Tao are actually friends; not long ago, they were often seen together."

"Also, Lin Tao didn't inform the He family out of hatred for the sea tribe, he wanted the He family's bounty." someone confidently asserted.

"Hiss~ isn't that choosing profit over loyalty? Lu Yu treated him as a friend, yet he did such a thing..."

Bang! Lin Tao threw his bowl onto the table, walking away from the cafeteria with a grim face.

The chatting disciples of the Divine Weapon Pavilion were startled by the sudden sound of the bowl being thrown, watching Lin Tao's retreating figure, some annoyed said, "What's the tantrum for? Done is done, no point saying otherwise, who would still be friends with him?"

Lin Tao's steps halted, the words hit a sore spot, for various reasons, he had very few friends.

When Lu Yu spoke to him, he had already regarded Lu Yu as one of his few friends.

Now, because of his greed, he lost a friend who was willing to speak truthfully to him, making Lin Tao immensely sad, his heart feeling cut like by a knife.

The fewer friends one has, the more they cherish those friendships.

"I'm not wrong!" Lin Tao turned, shouting at that disciple.

"The mistake was her being from the sea tribe!" As Lin Tao shouted, his gaze involuntarily turned to Lu Yu, seeing Lu Yu calmly eating, not even glancing his way, he showed a mournful look.

Bang! That disciple angrily slammed the table, shouting, "Why the hell are you shouting at me? Want to die?"

The table burst with his slam, dishes and broth splattering everywhere, most of the disciples present were at the Qi Control realm, they released spiritual power to block the splattering broth, slightly displeased looking at the table-smasher.

Feeling the gazes, that disciple immediately became infuriated, believing all blame lay with Lin Tao.

To prevent himself from being blamed by others, he proactively attacked Lin Tao, yelling, "If you want to die, I'll grant you that!"

Boom! That person was directly launched from the second floor, crashing into the hall, breaking a dining table.

His strength was Qi Control realm fivefold, not Lin Tao's match.

But he still had several friends, and they exchanged looks, feeling it wouldn't be right to watch their friend being knocked by Lin Tao without acting; they didn't want to become someone like Lin Tao who betrayed others.

Thus they all acted, teaming up to injure Lin Tao, leaving blood dripping from the corner of Lin Tao's mouth.

Beaten and realizing he couldn't stand against the crowd, Lin Tao instinctively looked towards Lu Yu, hoping for his friend's aid.

Lu Yu had already left his seat, standing afar, not wanting to be caught in the fight.

He silently watched Lin Tao being besieged by those few, feeling neither joy nor sorrow.

From a rational standpoint, he could understand Lin Tao's mindset; in Lin Tao's worldview, the sea tribe deserved death, an enemy to humanity, with no room for reconciliation.

Yet emotionally, Lu Yu could not accept this, although he had mentally prepared himself long before, Lin Tao betrayed his trust at the least expected moment, delivering a deadly blow.

He was a sentimental person, otherwise, he wouldn't have saved Hai Wei simply because she resembled Little Tail.

"Damn it! Ugh!" The disciple covered in food from the broken table cursed harshly, jumping up to the second floor to join the attack on Lin Tao.

A few of them weren't fighting with all their might, but the second floor of the cafeteria was about to be torn down. Lu Yu and other unrelated people had already left the cafeteria.

Lu Yu left the cafeteria and returned to his accommodation. Most people stayed in the cafeteria to watch the commotion, and some weren't afraid of stirring up trouble; they even set up a gambling den, betting on how long Lin Tao would hold out before admitting defeat.

Yunhai City lives up to its name as a city of gambling; if someone dares to run a gambling den, there are countless people ready to place bets.

The disciples of the Divine Weapon Pavilion staying in Yunhai City are either skilled in water combat, taking on tasks related to the collection of oceanic resources, or they enjoy the city's casinos and like gambling.

There are many cities to choose from for disciples skilled in water combat, and many of these places are better than Yunhai City. After all, Yunhai City's selling points are the cloud-shrouded city in the morning and the magnificent casinos at night, with the entire city surrounded by the sea.

So, most of the ones who stay are those who like the Yunhai City casinos.

"I bet 100 Spirit Stones that Lin Tao will concede in no more than 5 minutes."

"I bet 50 Spirit Stones that Lin Tao won't concede and will be beaten badly."

"I bet..."

"What's going on?" Guan Hai arrived at the cafeteria after getting the news and was stunned to see the crowd peeking around the cafeteria and the already tattered cafeteria.

Some disciples were annoyed that the cafeteria's walls blocked their view, so they tore them down. From afar, Guan Hai could see Lin Tao and others fighting inside.

The others were like watching a stage play, surrounding and watching Lin Tao and the others fight.

Guan Hai's face darkened, and he shouted, "Stop it, all of you!"

The pressure from the powerful master of the Spiritual Ocean realm filled the cafeteria, causing many people's faces to turn pale. Lin Tao and the others immediately stopped fighting, their internal spiritual power suppressed, rendering them unable to move.

"Hu Haidong, how dare you open a gambling den; everything is confiscated!" Guan Hai took all the Spirit Stones from Hu Haidong's stall in front of everyone.

Hu Haidong's face soured, but he dared not say anything. Guan Hai did not hold him accountable, so he was already grateful.

Scanning the individuals in the cafeteria with a blackened face, Guan Hai said, "You guys, clean the cafeteria tonight. I want to see the cafeteria restored by breakfast tomorrow."

The few hung their heads, not daring to look at Guan Hai. It was fortunate enough not to be punished by the Divine Weapon Pavilion's regulations.

Lin Tao was covered in blood, his body stained with various soups and vegetable leaves. Upon hearing Guan Hai's words, he could only reply in a low voice, "Yes."

Looking at the people opposite, he couldn't help clenching his fist. If it were one-on-one, the others would definitely not be his match.

Though they were disciples of the Divine Weapon Pavilion, they held no special privileges in front of Guan Hai, a master of the Spiritual Ocean realm.

An Envoy of the Qi Realm may show favor to every disciple of the Divine Weapon Pavilion out of respect, but as a Steward who had parted from the usual outer ranks, there was no need to curry favor with a disciple.

At their level, appointed by the elders of the Divine Weapon Pavilion, the identity of a Steward is not vastly different from that of a disciple, only that they are responsible for the Pavilion's industry, their duties differing from formal disciples.

Guan Hai showed favor to Lu Yu because Lu Yu could bring him enormous benefits. For these ordinary disciples of the Divine Weapon Pavilion, there was no need for him to be obsequious, flattering each and every one.

If he were to do so, there would be no need for him to be a Steward of the Divine Weapon Pavilion.

A Steward ought to manage; if he kneels before a disciple of the Divine Weapon Pavilion, how is he to manage them? How is he to manage the business?

"Disperse, all of you. Go back to train. If you're still hungry, go out and eat on your own."

Guan Hai withdrew the spiritual pressure, and everyone felt the pressure around them vanish, letting out a sigh of relief. Without saying much, they all scattered and left.

Prompted by Guan Hai, they remembered that they were still half-eating their meal and not yet full, so they invited each other for a late-night snack, while some felt they had eaten enough and returned to their rooms to cultivate.

When Lu Yu returned to his room, Hai Wei had already finished the dinner he provided.

Hai Wei was easy to care for; when hungry, she would ask Lu Yu for food. She would also handle any other needs herself, without Lu Yu having to worry about anything.

After Lu Yu returned, Hai Wei clamored to return to the barrel of water. She still found it uncomfortable on the bed; it was more comfortable in the water.

Having checked her wounds and found them healed under the effect of the Black Jade Healing Ointment, he allowed her to return to the water. He changed the water for her with a fresh bucket, and Hai Wei eagerly dove in, salting it to the right salinity herself.

Watching Hai Wei's actions, Lu Yu's eyelids twitched; soaking a wound in saltwater seemed like pouring salt on a wound, didn't it?

Seeing her unresponsive, he relaxed. The effects of the Black Jade Healing Ointment were indeed amazing; her wounds had healed in one afternoon.

The Black Jade Healing Ointment, costing 2 million Points for just a matchbox-sized amount, had an astonishing effect.

Hai Wei lay on her back in the barrel, floating easily, humming a melodious tune.

The sound reached Lu Yu's ears as a faint noise; watching Hai Wei's lips move slightly, he concentrated on hearing the so-called "song of the mermaid," but his mind was unconsciously drawn into an ocean world.

Lu Yu observed the school of fish around him, the giant whale overhead, the distant sea turtle, and the magical and beautiful underwater forest beneath his feet. His vision automatically advanced, revealing a vast city nestled on the ocean floor...

Before he could clearly see the city's appearance, Lu Yu withdrew from the ocean world of the song, looking at Hai Wei, who had already fallen asleep, submerged at the bottom of the barrel, the water inside rising and falling with her breathing.

Lu Yu still savored the scenery of the underwater world just now, but he did not disturb Hai Wei, quietly leaving the room and gently closing the door without making any sound.

Could that city be the underwater city where Hai Wei lived?

Lu Yu couldn't help but think.

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