Jiang Zhu's bold approach
didn't interest Tang Lan in the slightest.
—Not only did her style overlap with Zhu Zhuqing's, but her "assets" were far inferior.
"I need to see your headmaster. Can you tell me where her office is?" Tang Lan asked.
"Huh?" Jiang Zhu was surprised. "What do you need to see Teacher for?"
Teacher?
Oh—right.
Jiang Zhu had decent talent and had been taken in as Liu Erlong's disciple, possibly even as her adopted daughter.
"You know Yu Xiaogang?" Tang Lan asked directly.
Jiang Zhu's expression instantly changed!
"Who are you to that heartless man?" Jiang Zhu said coldly. "Teacher waited for him all these years—why is he suddenly appearing now?"
So, she knew about it.
That made things easier!
"That's none of your business. Just take me to her," Tang Lan replied.
Jiang Zhu hesitated.
She wasn't weak—after all, she was already a four-ring Soul Ancestor.
"You... who exactly are you?" Jiang Zhu asked again.
Does this woman not understand human speech?
"You're getting annoying." Tang Lan sighed. "If you won't take me, I'll just ask someone else."
He turned to leave.
Jiang Zhu gritted her teeth in frustration!
How could he be so oblivious?
She was a campus beauty, and yet he wasn't giving her any special treatment?
Worried that he might say something unnecessary, Jiang Zhu quickly grabbed his sleeve.
"Fine! I'll take you to Teacher."
"That's better." Tang Lan shook off her hand.
—For a woman he had no interest in, he wouldn't give her any false hope.
Jiang Zhu huffed, flipping her hair before striding toward the academy's restricted area.
Liu Erlong's Courtyard
A small pond, a thatched cottage, and a wooden fence.
The place was incredibly simple.
However—
Within the fence, flowers of all colors bloomed beautifully, creating a stunning display.
Among them,
a woman stood watering the plants with a serene expression.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, she turned.
Her gaze swept past Jiang Zhu and landed on Tang Lan.
Tang Lan also took a good look at her.
Liu Erlong appeared to be in her early thirties, her figure wrapped in a simple blue dress that did little to conceal her natural charms.
Her features were delicate and striking.
But most eye-catching of all—
was the sheer abundance hidden beneath her robes.
Voluptuous.
Majestic.
Peak maturity.
A textbook example of a gorgeous, mature woman.
Unfortunately—
Her heart was set on Yu Xiaogang, of all people.
And worst of all—she was a hopeless romantic.
What a waste of such an amazing body.
"Jiang Zhu? What brings you here?" Liu Erlong asked casually. Her eyes then flickered to Tang Lan. "And this handsome young man—is he your boyfriend?"
She thought Jiang Zhu had brought a boyfriend for her to check out.
Jiang Zhu hesitated, unsure how to explain.
But before she could speak—
Tang Lan moved first.
He retrieved a storage belt from Blue Silver King's domain, the one he had taken back from Xiao Wu.
"Clang—"
The watering can slipped from Liu Erlong's grasp, crushing some of her beloved flowers.
But she didn't even notice.
With a flash of movement, she appeared before Tang Lan, quickly examining the belt.
It was unmistakable.
"This is Xiaogang's soul tool belt!" Liu Erlong's gaze locked onto Tang Lan. "How did you get it? Where is he? Speak!"
Her tone was nervous and fearful.
After all—
Yu Xiaogang wasn't strong. If someone had killed him for his belongings, it would be completely reasonable.
"Liu Dean, don't panic. I'm not going anywhere," Tang Lan reassured, then glanced at Jiang Zhu. "Maybe she should leave first?"
Jiang Zhu glared!
She had guided him all the way here, hoping to witness some drama—
And now that she was no longer needed, he wanted to kick her out?
Scumbag!
"Jiang Zhu, go back," Liu Erlong said, her voice trembling slightly. "You—come inside."
She clutched the belt in one hand and grabbed Tang Lan's wrist with the other, as if afraid he'd run away.
Once the door shut—
Before Liu Erlong could bombard him with questions,
Tang Lan calmly explained everything.
"Grandmaster is alive and well. He's currently serving as an honorary elder of my Tang Sect and is right here in Heaven Dou City."
Liu Erlong let out a long breath.
He's alive—that's all that matters!
However—
Her eyes suddenly narrowed.
Tang Sect?
Honorary elder?
"You mean the Tang Sect that sells the Tang Sect Encyclopedia for five copper soul coins?" Liu Erlong asked strangely.
Tang Lan blinked.
Five copper soul coins?
Wait—
He hadn't planned to profit from the encyclopedia, and he had told them to sell it at cost.
But he didn't expect it to be this cheap…
"Yes, I am the leader of the Tang Sect."
"I don't care who you are in Tang Sect!" Liu Erlong cut him off. "How is Xiaogang doing?"
Tang Lan sighed.
This woman doesn't even let people finish their sentences?
He got straight to the point: "I have a way to make you and Grandmaster end up together, and he won't run from you anymore."
"What did you say?!"
Liu Erlong's eyes locked onto Tang Lan, her breathing quickening.
"You can really do that? What do you want in return? Whatever it is—I agree!"
…So decisive?!
"I want Blue Tyrant Academy," Tang Lan said bluntly.
"No problem!" Liu Erlong didn't even hesitate. "From now on, Blue Tyrant Academy is yours! You can do whatever you want with it—just don't touch my students!"
Damn!
Tang Lan was genuinely speechless.
This really is a "love-brained" world.
Everyone is absolutely hopeless when it comes to romance.
All the dialogue he had prepared? Completely unnecessary.
Liu Erlong stared at him intensely, urging,
"Well?! What's your plan?"
"If this doesn't work, you'll pay the price!"
Blunt personality, fiery temper.
And yet, she was completely at Yu Xiaogang's mercy.
Tang Lan had no words.
But with someone like Liu Erlong, once she made a promise, there was no fear of her backing out.
"It's very simple," Tang Lan said. "Come with me, I'll take you to him."
"Good!"
Behind her, a fire dragon spirit emerged, and beneath her feet, seven glowing soul rings appeared—
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
A Soul Sage!
Liu Erlong grabbed Tang Lan's arm and launched into the sky, directly tearing off her own cottage's roof in the process.
Suspended in midair, she turned to him—
"Which way?"
Tang Lan: "..."
I knew you were desperate, but this is insane!
He pointed the direction.
Like a fiery comet, Liu Erlong blazed toward Heaven Dou Grand Hotel.
Heaven Dou Grand Hotel
The commotion was enormous.
As soon as they landed,
the Tang Sect members, including Yu Xiaogang, came rushing out.
Liu Erlong's tears spilled uncontrollably down her face.
"X-Xiaogang!"
"Is it really you?"
"Am I dreaming?"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes also turned red.
The woman he had longed for yet feared to face was standing before him.
His lips trembled, but he couldn't say a word.
Tang Lan looked on in disdain.
This guy?
What a damn excuse for a man.
Using mental communication, he ordered the others to clear the area.
"You two talk. If you can't sort it out, call me."
With that,
Tang Lan turned and left, quickly catching up to Zhu Zhuqing who was trying to slip away.
Before she could shut her door, he slipped inside.
From outside, Tang San and the others gave him a knowing look.
"I knew it."
Inside Zhu Zhuqing's Room
For the first time, Zhu Zhuqing's cold and aloof face showed rare panic and embarrassment.
"Wh-why are you here?!" she stammered, struggling to remain composed. "Was last night not enough?!"
After returning—
Zhu Zhuqing had learned the truth about the Nine Yang Divine Art.
Tang Lan needed to maintain a "pure Yang body" for cultivation.
Only then did she realize…
She had completely misunderstood the meaning of "dual cultivation."
Now, facing Tang Lan again,
she was so embarrassed she wanted to dig a hole in the ground.
Tang Lan noticed her discomfort.
He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her, and whispered into her ear—
"Why be shy, my brave little love-struck girl?"
"We aren't related by blood. You're unmarried, I'm unmarried—what's wrong with dating?"
Zhu Zhuqing's flustered heart gradually calmed.
But she didn't know what to say, so she simply remained silent.
Tang Lan just held her without making any further moves.
This surprised Zhu Zhuqing.
She thought he would…
Half an Hour Later.
"BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Loud knocking shook the door.
No need to guess—
Aside from Liu Erlong, no one else would dare knock like that.
Tang Lan stood up.
Time to trash-talk Yu Xiaogang one last time.
After today, with Liu Erlong backing him, that loser would be harder to mess with.
I'll have to leave him with a memory he'll never forget…
(End of Chapter.)