As they walked toward the lecture hall, Liang Huiyan continued, "Honestly, though, I'm not looking forward to the auction as much as you'd think."
Yi Chang raised an eyebrow, glancing at him. "Why's that?"
Liang gave a frustrated sigh. "It's the same every year. My cousins only organize it to get in good graces with my grandfather, especially now the oldman is literally almost dead, using the whole charity angle as a cover. Everyone who shows up is just the young generation of wealthy families, and all they do is flaunt their status and compete with each other. It's always the same crowd, we are all too—egoistic, pretentious, constantly trying to one-up each other."
Yi Chang could hear the genuine disdain in Liang's voice. It was clear the prospect of another self-serving display didn't excite him.
"And, of course, they all act like they're there to honor my grandfather, but really, it's just a way for them to show off. It's exhausting. That's why I'm hoping you'll come. You're… different." Liang cast a sidelong glance at Yi Chang. "You're plain—uh, I mean that in a good way! Like, you don't put on airs or pretend to be someone you're not. Sure, you come across as cold sometimes, but at least you're not fake like most of the people I know."
Yi Chang considered this for a moment. He had no interest in the internal family politics of these wealthy families, nor their superficial games. But he also understood the value of attending such events—not for their theatrics, Still, the fact that Liang Huiyan genuinely preferred his company over that of his ostentatious peers was... quite funny.
"I'll think about it," Yi Chang replied evenly.
Liang smiled, relieved. "Thanks, I'd really appreciate it. Even if it's just for the sake of not being surrounded by all those arrogant idiots." He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "With you around, at least I won't have to fake-smile my way through the entire evening."
They entered the lecture hall together, the conversation slipping away as the class began. But even as the lecturer's voice filled the room, Yi Chang's mind lingered on the upcoming auction and the potential opportunities it could bring. Despite Liang Huiyan's complaints, Yi Chang saw this event might not as a mere spectacle, as they took their seats, the lecture began, but Yi Chang's thoughts remained on his cultivation, the auction, and the path ahead.
After the class ended, students began to pack their things and file out of the lecture hall. Yi Chang and Liang Huiyan stood up, chatting idly as they made their way toward the exit.
"That wasn't so bad," Liang commented, stretching. "Though, I'd rather be anywhere else right now. How about you?"
Yi Chang gave a noncommittal shrug. "It was fine."
Just as they reached the door, they collided with Wang Liuyuan, who had been walking down the corridor, a look of mild surprise crossing his face as his eyes landed on Yi Chang. His expression faltered for a split second, though he quickly composed himself, offering a strained smile.
"Yi Chang! I didn't expect to see you here," Wang Liuyuan said, his voice laced with forced cheerfulness. "I didn't know you were back… thought you will away for a while."
Yi Chang's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the hidden meaning behind those words. His cold gaze swept over Wang, and though his expression remained neutral, there was a knowing glint in his eyes. The aura of tension that Wang Liuyuan had initially tried to mask now hung awkwardly between them.
"Yes," Yi Chang replied simply, his voice calm, but there was an underlying sharpness to it. "I just got back."
Wang Liuyuan, still recovering from the shock of finding out that Yi Chang hadn't met his intended fate, tried to keep up the friendly facade. He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "That's great! We should catch up, you know. Maybe go out for a drink tonight? It's been a while since we hung out."
Liang Huiyan, standing off to the side, raised an eyebrow. He could sense the shift in mood but wasn't quite sure what to make of it. The sudden eagerness in Wang's invitation felt off, but he didn't comment, waiting for Yi Chang's response.
Yi Chang, however, could see through Wang Liuyuan's intentions with ease. His thoughts were laid bare like an open book. The brief flicker of panic in Wang's eyes when he first saw him, the subtle hint of discomfort in his body language—it all spoke of someone who wasn't acting out of genuine friendship but out of something far darker. Wang Liuyuan wasn't just shocked to see him alive; he was also trying to mask his fear, probably thinking of trying again.
"No thanks," Yi Chang replied coldly, his gaze unwavering. "I have other things to take care of tonight."
Wang Liuyuan blinked, clearly caught off guard by the direct refusal. His smile wavered for a second before he quickly regained his composure, nodding awkwardly. "Oh, right, no problem. Maybe another time then."
"Maybe," Yi Chang said flatly, his tone making it clear that there would be no 'next time.'
There was an uncomfortable silence as Wang Liuyuan stood there, clearly unsure how to proceed. His mind raced, trying to figure out if Yi Chang had caught on to his previous attempt or if he was simply being dismissive. Either way, it was obvious that Yi Chang wasn't the same person he had once been. The old Yi Chang might have been fooled, but the current Yi Chang was seems off and from gullible, something seems wrong he just couldn't place his hand on it.
"Well, I'll be seeing you then," Wang Liuyuan said with an awkward chuckle before quickly excusing himself and disappearing into the crowd of students, his hurried steps betraying his unease.
Liang Huiyan watched him go, a puzzled expression on his face. "What was that all about? His action seemed… off."
Yi Chang's gaze remained fixed on the spot where Wang Liuyuan had just stood. "Nothing," he replied calmly, though his mind was already analyzing Wang's behavior. It wasn't hard to deduce that Wang Liuyuan had some connection to Yi Fan and his schemes. The man's obvious anxiety was proof enough that he had something to hide.
"Just an old friend," Yi Chang added, though the words held no warmth.
Liang glanced at him curiously but chose not to press the issue. "Well, if you say so."
As they left the university grounds, Yi Chang's mind was already churning with thoughts of his next steps. Wang Liuyuan's appearance had reminded him that there are still enemies of this body lurking, and there were still loose ends to tie up.
As Wang Liuyuan hurried away from the lecture hall, his strained smile faded, replaced by a grim expression. Once he was out of sight, he pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced down at the screen. His heart sank as he read the message:
"You haven't successfully performed the task. Yi Chang has returned to Shanghai. Make sure you handle this properly or forget about receiving any rewards."
His jaw clenched, and frustration flickered across his face. The pressure from the message was evident as his emotions shifted from mild panic to hardened resolve. He could feel the weight of failure pressing down on him.
Unbeknownst to Wang Liuyuan, Yi Chang had been observing him through his divine sense. Although a Qi Gathering cultivator wouldn't typically have access to such abilities, Yi Chang's powerful soul and experince allowed him to extend his divine sense just enough to sense Wang's actions from a short distance. He couldn't see the screen on the phone, but the rapid changes in Wang Liuyuan's expressions—the anxiety, the anger, and the forced determination—were enough to confirm that something sinister was brewing.
Yi Chang narrowed his eyes, his suspicion now further confirmed. Wang Liuyuan wasn't acting on his own; there was someone else pulling the strings and it would certain be Yi Fan or maybe his wife, Yi fan doesn't seem to have the confidence for this. While Yi Chang couldn't yet pinpoint who exact behind it all, he was certain that this loose end needed to be tied up. They weren't ready to give up.
He could sense Wang's agitation even as he walked farther away, his aura brimming with suppressed frustration. For Yi Chang, this was a sign that the threat posed by Wang Liuyuan and those behind him was far from over.
As he turned his attention back to the present, if they wanted to continue playing these games, they would soon learn just how outmatched they were.