He got beaten up.
Money was paid.
And the man left.
Meanwhile, things on Qianyu Academy's side were getting lively.
"Dean is awesome!"
"Why haven't I ever seen him this cool before? Is it because he has money now, so he feels confident?"
"Tsk, just as expected. Men with money really are more attractive!"
"Why do I feel it's because someone powerful has his back now, so he's acting bold?"
"Shh… the Dean hasn't left yet!"
"Hahaha, such nice weather today…"
Clatter!Clap clap clap!
Ten golden soul coins clinked as they hit the ground.
Everyone paused, stunned, as they saw Cai Xu pick ten golden soul coins from a bulging money pouch, confused.
"You. Yes, you. Don't try to hide!"
Cai Xu's eyes locked onto a figure—it was the student who'd just commented about him acting all bold.
"D-Dean…"
The student trembled, face full of fear.
"You saw that pit at the entrance, right?"
"Y-Yes…"
"Good, then. As long as you saw it. If you dare to slander me again, that will be your fate!"
"Ah? Dean, I'm sorry!" The student instantly dropped to his knees and kowtowed.
"Hmph!" Cai Xu gave a cold snort and strode away grandly. "Also, those ten golden soul coins are public funds to repair the property. This matter is yours now! If the repairs don't match or look different from before, I'll hold you accountable!"
"Ah!"
The student wailed.
That pit was huge—it wasn't something that could just be patched with dirt. It had been specially reinforced with treated stone blocks!
Ten golden soul coins? Nowhere near enough!
"What, is there a problem?" Cai Xu's voice turned cold.
"N-No problem! Leave it to me, Dean! You can count on me!" The student quickly patted his chest to reassure him. Each pat felt like it landed directly on his heart, and tears welled up as he kept slapping.
Maybe… he was just too touched.
The rest of the students looked at him with sympathy, wearing bittersweet smiles.
Cai Xu had left.
Naturally, he saw and understood everything. He knew those ten coins weren't enough.
But slandering him had to come with consequences!
As for that student he punished—he came from a wealthy family, had more than enough pocket money, and was often seen frequenting brothels!
If he had spent that time on cultivation instead, the Qianyu Academy battle team wouldn't just have Wang Changzhi as the only male member...
"Sigh, you guys just don't understand how much I do for your own good…" Cai Xu muttered as he returned to his office.
In truth—
The students weren't wrong.
He really did have someone backing him now, so he no longer had to be afraid.
He dared act this way only because Xue Qinghe had given the order.
After he relayed the news of Tang San's visit to Xue Qinghe, the exact words of the reply were:
"If he doesn't cause trouble, don't bother. If he does, beat him half to death and throw him out."
So, Cai Xu acted accordingly.
He'd waited in the dark for two full hours.
He swore—had he known Zhu Zhuqing's mere few words would push Tang San to lose control and act out, he would've called Zhu Zhuqing over earlier…
Instead of pretending not to know anything and staying hidden the whole time.
But what Cai Xu didn't know was—
That reply from "Xue Qinghe" had actually come from Li Yu.
As far as Li Yu was concerned—
His dislike for Tang San far surpassed that of Dai Mubai and the others.
When it came to Dai Mubai, Li Yu contempt lay more in his shameless debauchery, dirty tactics to compete for the throne, and cowardice in running away...
There were many reasons, sure—but none invoked as strong a reaction as Tang San did.
Which is why—
For the two visits from Shrek, Li Yu adopted completely different responses.
Of course, his increased strength also played a role.
Just as Tang San had calculated the right time to come alone,
Li Yu had also chosen not to kill Tang San immediately—the time wasn't right yet.
For one, the preliminary rounds had just ended. A talent like Tang San would undoubtedly be under intense scrutiny.
Also, it seemed Emperor Xue Ye had secretly made a move involving Tang San.
Disciplining him a little—finding some fault and giving him a lesson—as long as it didn't endanger his life or cripple him, would be fine.
But if Tang San were to be killed outright, that would cause real trouble.
Especially since everyone knew Cai Xu was one of their people—such an incident must not happen.
At least not until the tournament ended.
Which meant—
Tang San was quite clever to pick such a timing.
"Haha, this Cai Xu really is quite the talent!"
Li Yu lay nestled in Qian Renxue's arms, listening to her recount the news from Cai Xu.
"Indeed. He's worth grooming," Qian Renxue nodded in agreement.
Though Cai Xu was old, he was sharp and strong.
And his Martial spirit was rather peculiar too.
Li Yu nodded, inhaling the faint fragrance around him. Suddenly, a thought struck his mind like a bolt of lightning—
Wait!
Emperor Xue Ye and Prince Xue Xing had made secret moves involving Tang San…
What could their goal be?
What else could it be!
To win the tournament—or at least to stop the team backed by Qian Renxue, Qianyu Academy, from taking the championship!
That way—
Qian Renxue would be missing this final piece of merit.
And the Xue Ye faction would, naturally, "win."
Considering Tang San had already revealed his identity in the battle arena at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and given his performance so far…
What could entice someone like Tang San to enter this game willingly?
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud!
Li Yu mind suddenly recalled Emperor Xue Ye words: "…the national treasure… will eventually…"
Could Emperor Xue Ye be using the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud as a bet, trying to get Tang San to foil Qian Renxue's plans?
Though just a guess—
Li Yu immediately became certain of it!
Inside the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was a sliver of the Sea God's divine consciousness. In the original story, it played a crucial role in Tang San inheriting the Sea God's divine position!
Could it be that the Sea God was manipulating things from behind the scenes?
It was hard not to reach this conclusion.
These so-called "gods", every single one of them, were cunning and manipulative.
Just look at the original plot—everyone who got close to a god's inheritance had always been influenced by that god in secret!
And now…
"So it's already begun?"
Li Yu muttered softly.
But in truth, he still didn't quite understand.
If his guess was right…
With the talents he had shown, under the influence of the Crossdressing System, Li Yu and Li Yu's alternate identity could easily confuse the gods' perception.
And yet, all those powerful elemental abilities—
Water, fire, poison, life, lightning, space.
He had displayed all six under his real identity, without even crossdressing!
There was no way the gods hadn't noticed!
And yet…
Not a single god had reached out to him.
This was beyond abnormal. It was bizarre.
He couldn't help but doubt—
"Looks like I'll have to take matters into my own hands…"
Li Yu thought to himself, eyes flashing with a cold light.
"What's wrong?"
Qian Renxue noticed the subtle shift in his mood. She gently cupped his face and asked in a soft voice.
"Ha!"
Li Yu snapped out of it. Looking at the delicate face inches away, he smiled, then hooked his arm around Qian Renxue's neck.
Their shadows merged.
Li Yu voice followed, "Just a small annoyance."
"How small?"
"Not as important as what I'm doing now."