Chapter 109: The Hunchbacked Elder

In truth, Zhuo Yuqing was unaware that Luo Chen’s spiritual resistance was merely a natural, instinctive counterattack. Even he himself did not realize it, mistaking it for a mere illusion. Naturally, he never suspected Zhuo Yuqing.

While pondering this, Zhuo Yuqing casually replied, "Hmm, I'm alright."

Luo Chen smiled and said, "Heh heh, that’s good. Oh, by the way, I cooked some noodles. Why don’t you have breakfast before you leave?"

Zhuo Yuqing dared not linger any longer. "No need for breakfast, I’m on a diet. Thank you for letting me stay last night, Luo Chen. Goodbye!"

With that, she opened the door. At that moment, a bespectacled fellow from the opposite dorm happened to walk out. Upon seeing Zhuo Yuqing, he widened his eyes in shock.

Wow, did I really see that right? Early in the morning, the most beautiful girl in the academy, Zhuo Yuqing, appeared in front of me.

He even adjusted his glasses to be sure. Yes, it was indeed Zhuo Yuqing. This overwhelming beauty and pride—who else could it be but her?

Wait a minute, why was Zhuo Yuqing coming out from the boys’ dorm at this hour? Early morning was prime time for cultivating breathing techniques; no one would be so thoughtless as to visit then. There was no doubt—Zhuo Yuqing had stayed overnight in the boys’ dorm!

And room 210 across from them—that wasn’t the notorious “lecherous duo’s” dorm?

Not long ago, the academy’s top beauty publicly expressed interest in Luo Chen. Could it be that Luo Chen was so powerful he truly conquered even Zhuo Yuqing? No, no—she must have come to him willingly!

Watching that endlessly beautiful figure disappear, the fellow finally recovered from his daze. Incredible, truly incredible. The Blue Emperor Academy’s number one beauty had been taken less than half a month after enrollment!

He already sensed that this explosive news would soon cause an earthquake throughout the academy.

Zhuo Yuqing walked quietly along the academy road, yet there were hardly any onlookers around her—an uncommon sight.

After all, not everyone, unlike Luo Chen and Zhuo Yuqing, could complete their breathing exercises within just an hour. At this time in the morning, many were still practicing, making Blue Emperor Academy unusually quiet with only one or two people about.

She entered the maple grove within the academy, as if stepping into a sea of blazing red. Suddenly, she spread her arms wide, dancing joyfully among the trees like a child, like a canary freed from its cage. No matter how beautifully adorned the cage was, it could never compare to the boundless sky beyond.

But then she abruptly stopped, the joyous expression fading. Her gaze fixed on a corner of the maple grove as she spoke in a low voice, "Come out."

A figure emerged silently from the maple leaves, treading without making a sound.

It was a hunched old man, his face lined with wrinkles, his hands and feet shriveled like bird claws, appearing frail and aged—like a dying candle flickering in the wind. Yet anyone who had witnessed his lightness skill would never mistake him for as weak as he seemed. Instead, he was a dangerous and threatening presence.

Zhuo Yuqing showed no surprise at his appearance, only sighing softly. "Xiao En, Xiao En, you’ve finally found me again."

The old man’s voice was hoarse. "Miss, I’m sorry. I am only following orders. The masters worry about your safety, which is why they sent me."

"Worry about me?" Zhuo Yuqing sneered. "I’m no child. What is there to worry about? By the way, Xiao En, can you tell me how you keep finding me? Time after time, no matter what I do, without exception. I even thought that by running so far away this time, I could finally shake you off. I never expected..."

The old man replied, "Sorry, Miss, I cannot tell you. If I did, next time I might not find you."

Zhuo Yuqing had already anticipated this answer. She snorted. "Fine. Then what are you planning to do with me this time? Still capture me and take me back?"

"Miss, you speak too harshly. The masters only want what’s best for you. They wish to give you a better education. Although Blue Emperor Academy is not bad, it still pales in comparison to what the masters can offer. The education they can provide is ten times better."

Though his tone was calm, his words brimmed with arrogance. The Blue Emperor Academy, the continent’s premier martial school, was insignificant to him. But he had the right to say so—his masters were among the world’s most formidable super experts.

"Shut up!" Zhuo Yuqing jumped up, hysterical. "I, Zhuo Yuqing, don’t need the best—I only want what I love!"

"Very well, Miss, please calm down. Perhaps you are right. But the masters sent me to bring you good news this time."

"Good news?" Zhuo Yuqing laughed as if hearing a joke, her laughter shaking her delicate frame. "Heh heh, Xiao En, when have you ever spoken any good news since I was a child?"

"Yes, but Miss, you should know I have never lied to you. So you should trust me."

Zhuo Yuqing was silent for a moment. "What news? Speak."

"The masters will not send you back for now. They think perhaps you’ve been under too much stress lately, so they’ve decided to let you relax outside for two months."

Zhuo Yuqing frowned. This was indeed good news. Usually, whenever those old immortals from the Holy Martial Hall found her, they immediately captured her. This time, they had been surprisingly lenient. Yet she frowned in disbelief. "Are those old immortals really so kind?"

"Miss, the masters have always cared for you," the old man continued, "but they said you can only stay for two months. After that, you must return to the sanctuary."

Those old immortals would never truly let Zhuo Yuqing fly free. Yet for them, this was already a generous compromise. And Zhuo Yuqing had no choice—they were far too powerful.

Though she could not completely escape the cage, this time allowed her life to feel somewhat fuller.

The old man went on, "The masters have compromised, but Miss, during this time, you should listen to them somewhat. Don’t cause them too much trouble, alright?"

"Sounds nice enough!" Zhuo Yuqing scoffed. "Just say what conditions you have."

"There aren’t many conditions. The masters simply hope that during these two months, you won’t do anything unbecoming. For example, your recent behavior has been somewhat reckless. If the masters knew, they would be displeased. They hope such things won’t happen again."

"Recent behavior?" Zhuo Yuqing frowned deeply. From the steward’s words, he must have been here at Blue Emperor Academy for several days, hiding in the shadows. She was furious. "Xiao En, you’ve been spying on me!"

"Miss, although the masters agreed to let you stay here for two months, they are still a bit worried because of your occasional recklessness. That’s why they had me watch over you."

The old man suddenly stopped, alert. "Someone’s coming. Miss, we shall part here. Remember what I said, and your two months at the academy will be much more pleasant."

With that, he turned and walked into the maple grove. Though slow in appearance, he vanished within a few steps.

Watching him leave, Zhuo Yuqing clenched her fists tightly, but after a long while, she let go. A trace of sorrow flickered in her eyes.

Every girl envied her—for her unparalleled beauty, for being a super genius, for everything she had. Yet Zhuo Yuqing never felt happiness. She was merely an experiment—an experimental subject of the Holy Martial Hall.