Of course, Tu Xiao’an wasn’t really so depraved as to want human-flesh noodle soup; he was just teasing her.

But to his surprise, the widow-faced woman said with utmost seriousness, "If you really want to drink some, I’ll catch a Martial Cultivator for you another day. I’ll make you a soup and let you drink your fill."

"Haha, thanks, but don’t go to the trouble."

An awkward smile hung on Tu Xiao’an’s face, while she, on the other hand, laughed with a flirtatious flourish.

"I’m leaving."

It was clear Tu Xiao’an wouldn’t achieve his goal today. He couldn’t use Insight to figure out her identity, and the woman just kept playing Tai Chi with him. ’She’s getting more and more mysterious, a complete enigma.’

"Even though the bowl of noodles was spilled, you still had a sip. Last time was my treat, but this time, you have to pay. That’ll be 499," she said, looking at Tu Xiao’an with a playful smile.

Tu Xiao’an shrugged. He hadn’t planned on dining and dashing, and he certainly didn’t think it was expensive. A single sip of soup made from an Awakened Creature was well worth the price.

"I’ll take three more orders to go. Add it to my bill," Tu Xiao’an said brazenly.

’These noodles are pretty good. I should bring some back for the Human Demon Love couple and Celestial Master Zhang for dinner.’

The moment he said this, the other customers in the shop stared at the young man in astonishment, as if thinking, ’Is this guy crazy?’

’Doesn’t he know the rules here? No one can get a second bowl; you have to wait until next week. And this guy has the nerve to ask for three orders to go.’

But what left everyone even more flabbergasted was that the widow-faced owner didn’t have the large doorman toss the clueless young man out. Instead, she smiled pleasantly and said, "No problem. I’ll go pack them for you right away."

’Huh... Did the owner have a change of heart today?’

"Ma’am, I’d like three orders to go as well!"

"What did you say?" The burly doorman suddenly appeared in front of the older man from before, his expression menacing.

The older man immediately forced an awkward smile. "I was just kidding."

A short while later, Tu Xiao’an paid and left with three orders of noodle soup.

"If you ever want more noodles, or perhaps just want to come see me, you’re welcome anytime."

As Tu Xiao’an reached the door, the widow-faced owner’s flirtatious voice echoed in his mind.

It was a telepathic message; her lips hadn’t moved.

’Weirdo.’

Tu Xiao’an stepped out of the noodle shop, the three takeaway containers in his hand attracting a great deal of attention. The people waiting in line stared, dumbfounded.

The shop’s rules were nearly as famous as its noodles; anyone who came to eat here knew them.

The moment he stepped out the door, Tu Xiao’an found himself surrounded by a group of people.

"Hey, buddy, how did you manage that? Getting three orders to go!"

They all looked at him with expressions of shock and admiration.

Tu Xiao’an smiled faintly. "It’s simple. All you have to do is go over and give the owner a kiss, and she’ll make an exception for you."

"A kiss?"

Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces instantly paled. The thought of kissing the owner, with her face full of wrinkles and freckles, was truly a tall order.

"Is that really what you did?"

Tu Xiao’an nodded solemnly. "I kissed her three times, so I got three orders to go."

"Buddy, you’re a real trooper."

"You can do it too."

Tu Xiao’an flashed a mischievous grin and sauntered away.

Afterward, many customers who went in to eat noodles were promptly thrown out by the burly doorman. The reason was simple: harassing the owner was a heinous crime.

Tu Xiao’an returned to the Chen Family Mansion. The night passed quietly, and then it was the next day.

The streets were serene in the early morning. As the first ray of dawn pierced the thin mist, the city welcomed a peaceful new day.

At a little after seven, Tu Xiao’an got a call from Dr. Snake. It was time to go be a bodyguard for his client’s son.

’And maybe check out the Ancient Academy while I’m at it.’

Ten million had been deposited into Tu Xiao’an’s account. A full ten million. This was his payment.

Seeing that long string of digits first thing in the morning was certainly a pleasant experience.

At the entrance of Wencheng University, Dr. Snake, Chen Mo, sat in his wheelchair. Standing beside him was a stout, round young man who, in his own way, looked rather cute.

"Uncle Chen, who’s this person you said was going into the Ancient Academy with me? Why isn’t he here yet?"

Dongfang Yuan asked curiously, then added, "Is this guy any good? Can he really protect me? I heard the people inside the Ancient Academy are all monsters. If I go in there before I’ve even awakened, it’ll be like a lamb to the slaughter."

"Xiaoyuan, you can rest assured," Dr. Snake said. "Once you’re in the Ancient Academy, just focus on your Cultivation and try to awaken as soon as possible. You don’t need to worry about anything else."

Dongfang Yuan pouted. ’How can I not worry? I’ve already heard through the grapevine that accidental deaths are a common occurrence at the Ancient Academy.’

He was Wencheng’s number one heir, with an inheritance of who-knows-how-many-billions waiting for him. If he died a mysterious death in there, it would be a cosmic injustice.

"He’s here," Dr. Snake said suddenly.

Dongfang Yuan followed his gaze and saw a handsome young man approaching on foot at an unhurried pace.

"Huh? Isn’t that my brother-in-law?"

Dongfang Yuan was stunned to see the handsome young man.

Tu Xiao’an walked over. Dr. Snake looked between the two of them. "You know each other?"

"I guess you could say that," Tu Xiao’an said.

’Because of Li Qingzhao, this fatty is actually calling me his brother-in-law. How shameless.’

Dongfang Yuan threw an arm around Tu Xiao’an’s shoulder, saying warmly, "Know him? Of course, I know him! We go way back!"

"Brother-in-law, you’re the one going into the Ancient Academy with me?" Dongfang Yuan had been happy to see Tu Xiao’an at first, but the thought of this guy being his escort soured his mood.

’Right now, I don’t need a brother-in-law. I need a super-badass bodyguard.’

"Xiaoyuan, trust the arrangements your father and I have made. Once you’re inside, you listen to him," Dr. Snake insisted.

Perhaps no one knew the true extent of Tu Xiao’an’s freakish abilities better than Dr. Snake.

"Brother-in-law, are you really up to the task? Don’t tell me you’re some kind of legendary master?" Dongfang Yuan scrutinized Tu Xiao’an from head to toe, but for the life of him, he couldn’t see anything impressive about him.

Just then, a man wearing a Tang suit emerged from the campus. Seeing him, Dr. Snake said, "You two follow him. He’ll take you into the Ancient Academy."

The Ancient Academy was located behind Wencheng University.

"From here on, I’m counting on you to look after Xiaoyuan." Chen Mo nodded earnestly at Tu Xiao’an.

Tu Xiao’an simply smiled in response.

"You two, with me."

The man in the Tang suit spoke flatly, then turned and walked off.

Tu Xiao’an and Dongfang Yuan followed the man, winding through the campus until they finally entered a hidden passageway.

They walked for about a kilometer through the passage. When they emerged, the scenery changed completely.

A grand, ancient gate stood before them, its cyan stone steps carved with the marks of time. A solemn, sacred aura washed over them. The traditional, antique buildings within seemed like a different world compared to the one they had just left.

"This is the Ancient Academy." The man in the Tang suit handed them two cards. "These are your acceptance letters. Take them to the registration office."

After giving his instructions, the man in the Tang suit strode off without another word.