Henghai Provincial City.

Central Hospital.

As soon as Luo Xiu and Li Chaoqun entered the hospital room, Zhang Yong and his wife Gu Fang quickly stood to greet them.

"Divine Doctor Luo, you've finally arrived!"

"Please, take a look at Xiao Yi. Why hasn't she woken up yet?"

Luo Xiu gently waved his hand, signaling them to calm down. He then walked over to the bedside to observe the still-unconscious Zhang Yi.

The reason for Zhang Yi's unconscious state was actually his Counter Curse Seal. If the seal hadn't been applied, the immense power of the Spirit Martial Markings would have caused her to lose control, just like the previous night, making her highly aggressive and unable to recognize anyone.

"Such powerful Mystic Yang Daoist Energy! It seems the mayor's esteemed daughter has truly absorbed all the Taoist energy within the Xuan Qing Fruit!" Li Chaoqun, who was standing beside Luo Xiu, suddenly exclaimed while Luo Xiu was still observing Zhang Yi. "This is heaven's will! It's truly heaven's will!"

Luo Xiu turned to look at Li Chaoqun, finding the old man extremely excited, as if he had just discovered one of the world's rarest treasures.

Then, Li Chaoqun quickly strode over to Zhang Yong and said earnestly, "Zhang Shizun, I have an impudent request."

Zhang Yong was startled and replied hurriedly, "President Li, please, go ahead."

Li Chaoqun glanced at Zhang Yi on the bed and stated directly, "I wish to take your esteemed daughter as my disciple and bring her to the Proud Sun Sect to learn top-tier Taoist Arts!"

He continued, "To be frank, over a hundred years ago, my Proud Sun Sect initiated a project called the Mystic Yang Project. The goal was for our disciples to use the Xuan Qing Fruit to restore the incomplete Mystic Yang Dao Art left behind by Elder Xuan Yang. However, for more than a century, every time the Xuan Qing Fruit ripened, the sect would have our most meticulously trained disciples attempt to absorb its Taoist energy... Alas! Not a single one succeeded. Those genius disciples, cultivated with the sect's immense effort and resources, all died when their bodies exploded, unable to withstand the fruit's energy. Out of necessity, the sect decided to offer the Xuan Qing Fruit as a prize in the Martial Champion Grand Rites. But I never imagined that the mayor's esteemed daughter would actually absorb all the Taoist energy contained within the Xuan Qing Fruit! Regardless of how she managed to do it, this is nothing short of heaven's will!"

Listening to Li Chaoqun's explanation, Zhang Yong and Gu Fang were completely bewildered. Although they didn't fully understand, they could tell it was something extraordinary.

Gu Fang asked cautiously, "So, you're saying my daughter is a Martial Way prodigy?"

"Precisely!" Li Chaoqun laughed heartily, stroking his beard. "Simply based on the fact that your daughter absorbed the Mystic Yang Daoist Energy, she will be prioritized for training the moment she steps into the Proud Sun Sect. What's more, she will be my final disciple, and I am the Sect Master."

The couple exchanged a look, their eyes shining. They were clearly tempted.

Then, Zhang Yong said with a serious expression, "President Li, please allow Fang and me to discuss this thoroughly. Besides, we can't make this decision on our own; we must also consider Xiao Yi's wishes."

"Of course, of course. That is as it should be!"

At that moment, Luo Xiu, who was standing by the bed, reached out and swiped a hand across Zhang Yi's forehead, instantly lifting the Counter Curse Seal.

A few seconds later, Zhang Yi's eyes slowly fluttered open. Luo Xiu kept his hand on her forehead, worried that she might still be out of control.

"Brother Luo Xiu..." Zhang Yi murmured. "Where am I? Weren't Sister Xiao Li and I captured by..."

Fortunately, she had returned to normal. However, upon waking, Zhang Yi's memory only extended to the moment Zeng Xin had captured her to inject the serum. She had no knowledge of what happened afterward, only possessing a few vague, fragmented memories. But Luo Xiu didn't hide anything from her, telling her the entire truth. After learning everything, Zhang Yi was filled with both lingering fear and self-reproach. She only began to feel better after Luo Xiu comforted her for a while.

Next, Li Chaoqun repeated his offer to take her as his disciple and bring her to the Proud Sun Sect to learn the Mystic Yang Dao Art. She, however, had no interest and refused him outright, wanting to stay with her parents. Li Chaoqun could only sigh and give up for the time being.

After a bit more conversation, Luo Xiu said to Zhang Yong and Gu Fang, "I'll be taking Xiao Yi with me now."

"Yes, yes, we're troubling you, Divine Doctor Luo."

"Divine Doctor Luo, thank you so much for your help!"

The couple thanked him repeatedly, almost afraid he would change his mind and leave Zhang Yi behind. Su Shenyun had already spoken with them. The choice was simple: either Luo Xiu would temporarily look after Zhang Yi, or the Audit Bureau would take her into custody. Zhang Yi possessed immense power that she couldn't reliably control, so the Audit Bureau couldn't simply ignore her. Furthermore, the Holy Boi Religion had expended great effort to awaken her Spirit Martial Markings; they certainly wouldn't give up and would undoubtedly try to recapture her. She needed protection.

「A week passed in the blink of an eye.」

During this time, Zhang Yi was her usual self, full of life and energy, with no issues whatsoever. In fact, she had already returned to her classes at school three days prior.

「That Day.」

At the entrance of Henghai Film and Television Academy, Luo Xiu sat in an SUV worth over a hundred thousand yuan, holding his phone while on a video call with Su Shenyun.

Su Shenyun was still lounging in her villa at Feiyun Villa. Although her injuries had fully healed, she, like Luo Xiu, was feigning illness, hoping he would continue to take care of her.

Through the SUV's windshield, a parade of beautiful women could be seen entering and exiting the academy gates. As for the men, Luo Xiu completely ignored them. The students accepted into the Film and Television Academy were almost all beautiful women with excellent figures and faces, each dreaming of stardom. One after another, they appeared in their Korean-style school uniforms—pleated miniskirts, slim-fitting blazers, black stockings, and small leather shoes... the entire scene was drenched in hormones. Luo Xiu was so captivated by the sight that he had no time to chat with Su Shenyun.

"Hey, baby, stop looking. When you get home, big sister will wear that for you."

Luo Xiu just smiled and said seriously, "What are you thinking? Am I that kind of person? I'm scanning for members of the Holy Boi Religion."

Su Shenyun's tone turned cold. "Behave, boy."

Luo Xiu's face instantly darkened. "Su Daji, you've gone too far! I've been a bodyguard all day. Now that I finally have a moment to spare, what's wrong with admiring some beauties to please my eyes and cultivate my spirit?"

Su Shenyun snorted coldly. "I can't be bothered to argue with you. I'll deal with you when you get back."

Luo Xiu shrugged nonchalantly. "We'll see who deals with whom."

Su Shenyun changed the subject. "By the way, Little Mule, Duan Chunfeng came looking for you again just now."

Luo Xiu was speechless at the mention of Duan Chunfeng. Over the past few days, the man had been more persistent than Liu Bei during his three visits to the thatched cottage, arriving each day with lavish gifts. Naturally, Duan Chunfeng's goal was to get Luo Xiu to treat his ailment. For a man, especially a very wealthy one, you could break your arms and legs, but you absolutely couldn't have *that* leg be broken.

"Alright, alright, I'm hanging up, Su Fox. Xiao Yi is about to come out."

After ending the video call, Luo Xiu shamelessly continued to enjoy the view.

Before long, Zhang Yi walked out of the school gate carrying her bag. The moment she appeared, all the other beauties faded into the background in Luo Xiu's eyes. She wore a miniskirt with black stockings and small leather shoes, her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and a crystal butterfly clip was pinned by her ear. Her ethereal temperament made her look like a little fairy descended from the heavens or a heroine straight out of an anime.

"Brother Luo Xiu, where are we going for dinner today?" Zhang Yi ran over cheerfully, opened the passenger door, and hopped in.

Luo Xiu started the car and smiled. "I'm not familiar with the provincial city. You pick a place."

"Um... let's go to Xin Yu Restaurant then. My classmates all say it's really good." She glanced away, her cheeks blushing slightly. In reality, it was a restaurant where couples went on dates, but she had no intention of telling Luo Xiu that.

Luo Xiu set the navigation and slammed his foot on the gas. He was now a handsome guy with a driver's license, which Su Shenyun had, of course, arranged for him.

Suddenly, his phone rang. It was an unknown number. Luo Xiu slowed the car and answered. "Hello, who is this?"

"Divine Doctor Luo, it's me! It's me, Duan Chunfeng!"

Luo Xiu was silent.

"Uh, Divine Doctor Luo, are you free right now?"

After a moment's thought, Luo Xiu replied, "I'll send you the location."

"Great! Great, great, I'll be right there!" Duan Chunfeng sounded overjoyed.

Luo Xiu hung up the phone, a slight smile playing on his lips. He had come to terms with it; since Duan Chunfeng was constantly pestering him, he might as well just treat him. After all, the one thing Duan Chunfeng didn't lack was money.

「A short while later.」

Luo Xiu arrived at Xin Yu Restaurant. He had just parked the car when a McLaren 570S sports car pulled up right beside him. A young man in a school uniform blazer stepped out.

"Xiao Yi, what a coincidence. Are you going in for dinner too?" the handsome young man asked as he approached, shooting a disdainful glance at Luo Xiu.

He couldn't recognize Luo Xiu as the Martial Champion because Luo Xiu didn't want to be famous or recognized on the street. He had used a secret technique from Ghost Valley, covering his head with Spiritual Energy, which made his face appear blurry to outsiders.

Zhang Yi shot the young man a look of disgust. Without a word, she grabbed Luo Xiu's hand and started walking toward the restaurant. She knew it wasn't a coincidence; this guy had been following her from the moment she left the school gate.

"Let's go in, Brother Xiu."

"Sure."

But the young man stepped forward and blocked their path. "Sorry, but Xin Yu Restaurant only serves VIPs."

He looked at Luo Xiu with contempt. "Buddy, where are you from? You think you can take our school's campus belle to a high-end restaurant like this in that beat-up clunker of yours? You can be shameless, but our Xiao Yi has a reputation to uphold!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.