Huangfu Yunxiao stood up and cupped his fists towards Zhou Yan, then turned to leave.
...
After finishing lunch, Zhou Yan walked towards the city gate.
"Young man, where are you going?"
"Out for a stroll."
Zhou Yan replied with a smile.
"You're a new student from outside, aren't you?" the young woman asked.
"Yes, I am. My name is Zhou Yan. I hope you'll take good care of me in the future."
"Don't worry, young man, I'll certainly take good care of you!"
The young woman said with a smile.
"Haha, thank you very much. Zhou Yan will remember your great kindness."
Zhou Yan laughed heartily.
"By the way, what is your surname?"
"My surname is..."
"My surname is..."
"Your surname is Zhou?"
"Yes."
Upon hearing the surname, Zhou Yan paused for a moment, then understood.
He finally knew why these girls were so enthusiastic; it turned out they wanted to strike up a conversation with him.
A slight curve formed on Zhou Yan's lips as he said, "My surname is Zhou."
"That's wonderful! My surname is also Zhou, and my name is Zhou Xue."
"Zhou Yan, I'll remember your great kindness!" Zhou Xue said happily.
"It's nothing, we're even now," Zhou Yan smiled slightly and then walked out of the restaurant.
...
"Quick, look, that's Zhou Yan!"
"He's so handsome!"
"Yes, his cultivation is also very powerful!"
"He's so amazing!"
"Zhou Yan..."
"Zhou Yan..."
As Zhou Yan stepped out of the restaurant, a murmur of discussion reached his ears.
Zhou Yan smiled slightly and continued to walk forward.
This world was always filled with various kinds of gazes.
These gazes were not of mockery or disdain, but of envy and astonishment, admiration, and even a hint of awe.
After all, Zhou Yan was only seventeen years old, yet his cultivation far surpassed that of cultivators of the same level.
What a terrifying existence he was!
In his presence, those who had cultivated for hundreds or even thousands of years were simply no match!
...
At this moment, within the mansion of the Huangfu family.
"Yunxiao, we must ensure Zhou Yan wins the Spirit Medicine Grand Meeting this time."
"I'm aware of that, father. Don't worry." Huangfu Yunxiao said with a smile.
"By the way, Yunxiao, we have also invited many disciples from other sects and families to witness this Spirit Medicine Grand Meeting."
"Although Zhou Yan is strong, he might not necessarily win," Huangfu Yunxiao remarked.
"Regardless, we must try our best. After all, this is hosted by our Huangfu family. If we lose, won't we be looked down upon?" the elder said.
"I understand, father. Please rest assured!"
"I promise, I will definitely make Zhou Yan look foolish!" Huangfu Yunxiao said with a cold smile.
"Heh heh, I believe you. By the way, who do you plan to have accompany Zhou Yan to the competition?" the elder asked.
"I had forgotten about that."
"Why not let Yunxiao accompany Zhou Yan?" an old woman beside them suggested.
"Isn't that inappropriate? Yunxiao is the eldest young master of the Huangfu family, how can he do such a thing!" the elder said.
"Father, please stop talking. My son has made up his mind. Let's do as I say!" Huangfu Yunxiao stated firmly.
"This..."
The patriarch of the Huangfu family hesitated but ultimately said nothing more.
They also wanted to see if the eldest young master of the Huangfu family was truly qualified to accompany Zhou Yan to the Spirit Medicine Grand Meeting.
As the most powerful force in the Tianwu Empire, the Huangfu family naturally had many disciples participating in the Spirit Medicine Grand Meeting.
And as a direct descendant disciple, Huangfu Yunxiao was naturally qualified to participate.
...
"Zhou Yan, where are you going now?"
Huangfu Yunxiao looked at Zhou Yan and asked.
"To the Spirit Medicine Grand Meeting, of course," Zhou Yan said with a smile.
"Oh?"
"By the way, what is your name?" Huangfu Yunxiao asked.
"Zhou Yan."
"Zhou Yan? I haven't heard of you before?" Huangfu Yunxiao frowned slightly.
"It's normal that you haven't heard of me."
"Most of you cultivators like to act low-key and keep yourselves hidden."
Zhou Yan shook his head.
"Alright, Zhou Yan, I'll take you. Coincidentally, I also have a friend who will be participating in this Spirit Medicine Grand Meeting."
"What is your friend's name?"
"Her name is Zhao Xue!" Zhou Yan replied.
"Zhao Xue?" Huangfu Yunxiao frowned. "Is this a girl? Could it be that girl Zhao Xue?"
"What, do you know her?" Zhou Yan asked in surprise.
"Of course I know her, and... you two were involved once!" Huangfu Yunxiao said.
"Involved?"
"She confessed her feelings to you, and after you rejected her, she vanished in anger," Huangfu Yunxiao explained.
"Are you sure?"
"Nonsense, of course I'm sure. Moreover, as far as I know, she's a girl I met at the academy," Huangfu Yunxiao stated.
"Is that so."
Zhou Yan nodded. "Since she's a friend of Junior Sister Zhao, I can't afford to be negligent!"
"Alright, I'll take you there."
Huangfu Yunxiao said with a smile, and then the two walked out of the restaurant.
In a private room on the second floor of the restaurant, a man in green, holding a cup of tea, looked out the window with a playful smile.
"These two little fellows..."
This was Lin Fan's enemy – Huangfu Yunxiao.
Lin Fan had also seen Huangfu Yunxiao at the academy. He had suspected then that Huangfu Yunxiao was his enemy, but he never expected to see him here again today.
"As expected of Zhou Yan. It seems I need to prepare myself well," Lin Fan mused.
"Yunxiao, this is my home. After we enter, I'll take you to meet my friend. He's the number one genius of our Huangfu family, named Zhou Yan!"
"He also has considerable expertise in spirit medicine, but he's not participating in this Spirit Medicine Grand Meeting. And because of his reclusive nature, he rarely interacts with others. I fear you might not enjoy chatting with him," Huangfu Yunxiao said.
"Don't worry, with me here, it will be absolutely fine," Zhou Yan said, patting his chest.
"Mmm."
Then, the two entered the hotel.
Zhou Yan followed Huangfu Yunxiao, weaving through the crowd, and then he felt the surroundings suddenly become quiet.
"What's going on?"
Zhou Yan was puzzled and looked around. He found the surroundings to be completely silent, as if everyone's gaze was focused on one spot, as if observing something.
Zhou Yan followed the direction of everyone's gaze.
He saw that not far ahead, a stage had appeared.
On the stage, three people were fighting.
The stage was surrounded by a crowd, and people were constantly discussing, creating a noisy scene.