Chapter 65

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Chapter 65: Change of Heart

Xia Zhilan accepted without the slightest objection the cultivation methods and weapon techniques personally chosen for her by Lou Yun. Meanwhile, the sweetness in her heart was beyond description.

After escorting Xia Zhilan back to her room, Lou Yun departed for Han Tianxiao’s quarters. The academy had allotted seven days for this student mission. As Lou Yun’s team had completed it ahead of schedule, with many students yet to return, classes remained suspended. Students who had finished were free for the time being.

Knocking on the door, Han Tianxiao’s voice called out, "Come in!"

Seeing it was Lou Yun, Han Tianxiao set down his book and smiled. "Is Little Lan alright now?"

"Yeah," Lou Yun replied. Though Xia Zhilan was fine, a trace of guilt lingered in his heart—the responsibility for the mishap lay with him. He spoke somewhat sheepishly, "Teacher Han, regarding this mission…"

"A D-level First Class mission, successfully completed by your team. Rewards will be distributed collectively once all students have returned."

"Huh?" Lou Yun looked up, surprised. He had expected punishment.

Teacher Han understood his surprise. "Lou Yun, you did nothing wrong on this mission. On the contrary, your quick analysis of changing situations and strategic allocation of combat power are commendable. As for Little Lan’s injury, it has nothing to do with you. The blame lies with me, or rather with that Boss Zhao being too formidable—managing such a powerful attack even after you pierced his body!"

"Lou Yun, remember this: plans can never fully anticipate how events unfold. You must always remain vigilant and adaptable."

"I understand, Teacher Han."

"Good, don’t carry that burden anymore!" Han Tianxiao suddenly lowered his voice. "Though I’ve heard Little Lan is now your fiancée. Heh, she’s a fine girl indeed. You must hold onto her!"

Lou Yun was speechless. He hadn’t expected even Han Tianxiao knew about this. The informant needed no guessing—it had to be Old Man Feng.

Admitting Xia Zhilan was his fiancée had originally been a desperate move to convince Granny Bai Cao to save her life. Now, however, he vaguely sensed he’d fallen into a scheme set up by Old Man Feng himself.

Just as Lou Yun thought of him, Old Man Feng’s voice echoed outside the door, "Lou kid, you there? The old witch is leaving and wants to see you!"

Granny Bai Cao was leaving! Lou Yun quickly acknowledged and bid farewell to Han Tianxiao before rushing out.

Old Man Feng grabbed Lou Yun and headed towards the academy gate. "The old witch wants to leave; I can’t stop her. She wishes to see you before she goes."

Arriving at the entrance of Chaoyun Valley, they saw Xia Guanqiu and Xia Zhilan talking with Granny Bai Cao. Spotting Lou Yun, Granny Bai Cao smiled and beckoned him over.

Lou Yun hurried forward, bowing respectfully. "Granny, won’t you stay here a few more days?"

"Your fiancée is recovered. I have matters to attend to and won’t linger," Granny Bai Cao replied with a smile. "Lou Yun, drop by to see me when you have time. Also, when you young lovebirds marry, be sure to invite me! I’ll come for a celebratory drink!"

Xia Zhilan flushed from her neck to the tips of her ears. Lou Yun also felt a slight blush but dared not refuse, only nodding repeatedly.

"Treat Little Lan well. She’s a good girl! If I hear you bully her… hmph, don’t expect me to let you off easy!"

This mix of praise and warning utterly silenced Lou Yun. Beside them, Old Man Feng grinned until his eyes nearly disappeared into slits, inwardly applauding his brilliant plan.

Granny Bai Cao turned to Xia Zhilan. "Little Lan, rest assured. If Lou Yun dares mistreat you, tell me! I’ll stand up for you!"

Xia Zhilan’s head dipped so low it almost touched her feet. She managed a soft, "Mm."

"Well, I’m off!" Granny Bai Cao waved at them all. Her form flashed and vanished—her speed of movement no less impressive than Old Man Feng’s.

Then Old Man Feng approached, clapping Lou Yun’s shoulder. "Lou kid, you heard the old witch. Don’t bully Little Lan! Or I won’t forgive you either!"

Without waiting for a reply, he turned away, humming a tuneless little song as he headed towards his small thatched hut.

Lou Yun glanced wryly at Xia Zhilan. At that very moment, she looked back at him, her face crimson-red. Their gazes met in mid-air, sending a slight tremor through Lou Yun. A thought suddenly struck him: Why deny that Little Lan was his fiancée?

A woman who’d risked her own life for him—what more could a man hope for than a wife like that?

The realization instantly broadened Lou Yun’s perspective. His eyes softened as he regarded Xia Zhilan. Sensing the change, her heart fluttered like a startled fawn. She shyly lowered her head, yet boundless joy surged within her.

…

Over the following few days, Lou Yun resumed his diligent cultivation.

Because this mission’s execution had nearly cost Xia Zhilan her life, he needed to hurry and make himself stronger.

All the students who had carried out the missions gradually returned to the academy.

Besides a few injured students, most were unscathed.

The mission completion rate even exceeded ninety-five percent.

The academy rewarded each person based on their performance during the mission.

But Lou Yun did not accept his reward.

He had inquired in advance that all rewards could be pooled together to exchange for a larger one.

Chang Xiang expressed a bit of puzzlement toward Lou Yun’s approach.

With Lou Yun’s current status, he could easily obtain anything just by asking, whether it was requesting favors from Xia Guanqiu or seeking pills to repair magical weapons, avoiding unnecessary trouble.

However, Lou Yun did not think this way.

He did not want to acquire things through any connections.

He intended to earn them with his true strength.

Moreover, he believed his father would surely support him in this!

Lou Yun returned to his room.

His backside had barely warmed the seat when the door was violently slammed open from outside.

Lou Qian’s loud voice rang out immediately: "Lou Yun, are you all right!"

Without waiting for a response, Lou Qian had already pulled Lou Yun up.

She inspected him from head to toe.

Then she let out a long sigh of relief and said: "Old Man Feng just told me you almost died! You scared me to death! By the way, is Little Lan all right too?"

Lou Yun had not expected Old Man Feng to inform Lou Qian about his ordeal.

But upon second thought, he realized it made sense.

Lou Qian was his own cousin, sharing the blood of the Lou Family.

Naturally, she needed to know about his relationship with Little Lan.

With that in mind, Lou Yun pressed Lou Qian into a chair.

He said with a smile: "Little Lan is fine now. But Qian, what else did Old Man Feng tell you?"

Lou Qian’s face suddenly stiffened.

She slammed the table hard and said: "Lou Yun, you’re getting bolder and bolder! Without parental consent, you dare to acknowledge an unmarried wife outside! Hmph! Although your father isn’t here, I, your sister, am by your side! You didn’t even tell me! Do you want to make me furious?"

Lou Yun knew his sister’s personality well and was aware she wouldn’t truly be angry.

So he replied with a grin: "I was just about to ask for your permission, dear sister!"

Lou Qian couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out laughing.

Then she extended a finger to gently poke Lou Yun’s forehead and said: "I can’t do anything with you. But I’m really curious—how did you end up agreeing to be with Little Lan?"

Lou Yun then recounted everything that had occurred during the mission.

He explained all the changes in his feelings toward Xia Zhilan honestly.

Lou Qian listened intently.

Only after Lou Yun finished speaking did she truly put away her smile and say seriously: "Brother, although I’m not very familiar with Little Lan, through all this time, I can tell she’s a good girl. Besides, her feelings for you have been evident to us all, especially this time. She risked her life to save you without caring about her own safety. That truly shows how much she loves you. Such a girl definitely qualifies as the Lou Family’s daughter-in-law! Since you’ve clarified your own feelings, treat her well. I will absolutely support you. Don’t worry—during the winter break, when we return home, I’ll explain it to your father on your behalf. I’m sure he and the others will be delighted too!"

With his own sister’s support and encouragement, Lou Yun felt much more at ease inside.

Simultaneously, he finally began to take this relationship seriously.

Lou Yun then briefly asked about Lou Qian’s mission experience.

He learned that her team’s mission was only the fifth level, first tier, offering no real challenge beyond taking a bit more time.

After chatting a little longer as siblings, Lou Qian went to rest.

Lou Yun reflected on his relationship with Xia Zhilan for a while.

Then he sat on the bed to start cultivating.

However, after cultivating for a short time, Lou Yun opened his eyes.

He let out a long sigh, naturally disturbing Chang Xiang: "Kid, why aren’t you cultivating? Why the sighing?"

Lou Yun felt a bit irritated and said: "It’s not that I won’t cultivate. I just feel the pace is too slow. Sigh, I really miss those three second-grade spiritual crystals from before!"

Actually, Lou Yun had some spiritual crystals in his ring now.

But his real purpose in saying this was to provoke Chang Xiang.

He hoped Chang Xiang would find a way to help him improve his cultivation faster.

After all, most of the spiritual energy from those three spiritual crystals had been enjoyed by Chang Xiang.

How could Chang Xiang not see through Lou Yun’s little trick?

Chang Xiang said: "Want spiritual crystals now? Easy—just go buy them! "

"My money! How many spiritual crystals could that buy!"

"Then find a way to earn money!"

"That sounds simple, but how? First, I can’t come and go freely here. Second, even if I could, I don’t have contacts or methods to make money outside!"

Hearing this, Chang Xiang’s anger flared.

He manifested directly and pointed at Lou Yun: "Kid, being trapped here is your own doing! I told you to quickly have Xia Guanqiu intervene or ask him for pills. You refused! As for making money, I already taught you—forge weapons to sell!"

Lou Yun scratched his head and said: "Let’s not argue about going out. You say forging weapons makes money, I admit that. But it earns petty cash. Compared to the money needed to buy spiritual crystals, the gap is huge!"

"Petty cash? Primary common weapons aren’t worth much. But what about intermediate common weapons, high-level common weapons, or even mystery rank common weapons? Those should cost a lot!"

Lou Yun paused: "Could I forge intermediate common weapons, high-level common weapons, and mystery rank common weapons now?"

"Yes! When that spear you forged was completed, I said it clearly! If the materials were suitable and your heavenly and earthly marks were correctly formed, it could forge into a mystery rank common weapon. Didn’t you hear me then?"

Lou Yun had indeed heard it.

But at the time, he was too overjoyed to think more deeply.

Moreover, he always believed a common weapon’s rank should match his magical weapon’s rank.

Only now, after Chang Xiang’s scolding, did his mind finally catch on.

He chuckled: "In that case, I’ll head to Tianrang City, find a spot, and open a common weapon shop!"