Li Yundong’s glare struck Liu Chuan’s chest like a punch, leaving a dull ache thrumming beneath his ribs.

Liu Chuan recoiled in horror, afraid to meet Li Yundong’s eyes for another second.

He turned his face away, his chest tight with stifled anger.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out every bill from his wallet and flashed the garish stacks of money to a boy standing behind Zhou Qin.

“I’ll buy your spot.

Want to trade?” The boy’s eyes widened at the sight of what looked like several thousand yuan.

Money talks, and he quickly snatched the bills, grinning ingratiatingly at Liu Chuan.

“Boss, I’m sticking with you from now on!” Liu Chuan waved him off dismissively, gesturing for him to clear out.

Once the boy moved, Liu Chuan swaggered over and sank into the seat, his demeanor confident and triumphant, as if he had just accomplished something monumental.

Yet, he failed to notice the subtle scorn and disdain hidden in the quick glances Zhou Qin and Ding Nan exchanged over the seat in front of him.

Ding Nan muttered under her breath, secretly disappointed.

“I used to think this Young Master Liu, with his wealth, sunny disposition, and decent manners, was a suitable match.

Now I see he’s pure nouveau riche—not only ill-mannered but also unbelievably dense.

Tsk, tsk! It’s that usually understated Li Yundong who is truly impressive today.” Ding Nan nudged Zhou Qin with her elbow and whispered tentatively, “Hey, Young Master Liu is certainly flashing his cash.

Does this count as a point deduction or a bonus for his image?” Zhou Qin offered a noncommittal smile, casting a faint glance at Ding Nan.

That meaningful look seemed to strip bare every little secret in Ding Nan’s mind.

Ding Nan managed a sheepish grin.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Zhou Qin replied, “Nothing.

Let’s prepare for class; the teacher is here.” Just then, Liu Chuan leaned in from behind with an ingratiating smile.

“Qinqin, I’m hosting a party the day after tomorrow at my place.

You and Nannan should both come, okay?” Zhou Qin turned around, her posture and gaze radiating an icy distance and clear displeasure.

“Are we that close?” The question choked Liu Chuan, turning his face purple.

He forced a laugh.

“Qinqin… don’t be like that.

We’re friends, aren’t we?” Zhou Qin’s eyes grew colder.

She flicked a glance toward Ding Nan, who immediately took the cue and interjected with a sneer, “Listen, Young Master Liu, when our Zhou Qin makes her refusal this obvious, do you still need us to say something harsher before you get the message? People need to have some self-respect; don’t go looking for trouble!” Li Yundong, overhearing this, shook his head internally.

Ding Nan is certainly beautiful, but that sharp tongue of hers is going to cause her big trouble sooner or later—she’s too vicious! Still, scolding that idiot Liu Chuan feels quite satisfying! Before Ding Nan finished, Zhou Qin turned her head away, presenting Liu Chuan with a cold view of the back of her head.

Liu Chuan clenched his fists, his nails digging painfully into his palms.

His smile was hideously strained, but unwilling to accept the rejection so easily, he shifted tactics and addressed Ding Nan: “Nannan, then will you come?” Ding Nan glanced at Liu Chuan and smiled.

“If Zhou Qin isn’t going, why would I?” Liu Chuan’s eye twitched.

He patiently plastered on a pleasant expression.

“I’ve invited several A-list celebrities this time—Jiang Liren, Shen Yu, Cheng Weidong, and a fantastic rock singer, Dongfang You.

It would be a real shame if you two missed it.” Hearing the names, Ding Nan gasped inwardly, feeling genuinely tempted.

She turned back and looked at Liu Chuan with surprise.

“Wow, that’s impressive.

Those are all top-tier stars!” She then glanced at Zhou Qin and whispered, “Are you coming?” Zhou Qin’s lips parted slightly, and she uttered two words: “Not going.” Ding Nan shrugged helplessly toward Liu Chuan.

“No way! You’ll have to go have fun with those celebrities by yourself.” Liu Chuan’s anger flared, his face darkening instantly.

He stared at the backs of Zhou Qin and Ding Nan, grinding his teeth with hatred, cursing under his breath, “Damn bitches, acting so high and mighty! Mark my words, one day I’ll strip you bare, and we’ll see how noble you are then!” As Liu Chuan seethed, he felt a gaze studying him.

He turned his head to see Su Chan curiously observing him.

Liu Chuan stared greedily at Su Chan’s face, marveling inwardly: How can there be such a beautiful girl? Why haven’t I seen her before? Just as he prepared to flash what he considered his most charming smile to strike up a conversation, he heard Su Chan speak suddenly.

“Your Yintang [area between the eyebrows] is dark, your eyes are sunken, and your Ren Zhong [philtrum] is narrow—you must indulge in women too often, haven’t you?” Liu Chuan’s smile froze on his face, and he trembled with suppressed rage.

The low chuckles surrounding him only fueled his fury.

Li Yundong stifled a laugh and pulled Su Chan’s arm.

“Stop talking.

Go to sleep if you’re bored!” The rage in Liu Chuan’s eyes intensified, growing increasingly venomous.

He glared viciously at Li Yundong’s retreating back, thinking through clenched teeth, You little bastard, what are you showing off for? I’ll deal with you sooner or later! In a flash, an idea struck him.

A sinister smirk played on his lips as he snorted twice and slumped back into his seat, finally ceasing his attempts to engage anyone.

The class was Social Psychology.

Although the professor lectured well, the little fox, Su Chan, found herself growing drowsy.

She simply collapsed onto her seat, tucked her head down, and began to sleep soundly.

Zhou Qin, having listened halfway through the lecture, suddenly stood up, bending over as she passed Li Yundong to head to the restroom.

The little fox, half-asleep, let Zhou Qin pass, then curled up completely in her seat, continuing her deep slumber.

Li Yundong also felt bored with the lecture.

He turned his head and saw the little fox sleeping soundly, a slight snore escaping her nose, her small ears twitching adorably.

He chuckled softly, finding himself spontaneously recalling the energy circulation technique she had taught him.

Feeling a playful curiosity, he closed his eyes and began to circulate his qi.

However, he was completely unaware that this circulation method was extremely perilous; the slightest misstep could lead to a critical deviation—a Zou Huo Ru Mo [going astray into demonic deviation].

He had only succeeded previously because the little fox was watching over him.

If anyone startled him now, unimaginable disaster would strike instantly! The little fox Su Chan was deep asleep, and Li Yundong, ignorant of the hidden danger, started his practice in a dazed state.

As his qi reached the Tanzhong acupoint on his chest, Zhou Qin suddenly returned.

She needed to pass Li Yundong again and whispered softly to him, “Li Yundong, please move aside a little.” But Li Yundong was deep in his cycle of the Minor Heavenly Circulation and couldn't hear her words; naturally, he remained perfectly still.

Zhou Qin frowned, unwilling to forcefully squeeze past him, so she reached out and gently patted his shoulder.

That touch nearly resulted in his death! Li Yundong’s entire body convulsed.

The qi in his chest suddenly surged outward like an unbridled wild horse, scattering everywhere! This was the most terrifying event in cultivation: Zou Huo Ru Mo—which, at best, leads to paralysis and madness, and at worst, instant death! Li Yundong shook violently, the internal energy raging uncontrollably.

His meridians swelled taut, and he felt as if his entire body were about to explode.

Noticing that something was terribly wrong, Zhou Qin leaned closer and patted his shoulder again.

“What’s wrong with you?” With that second touch, Li Yundong violently lifted his head and opened his eyes.

Bloodshot veins crisscrossed his pupils; his eyes were crimson, terrifying and demonic.

Zhou Qin’s legs gave out, and she tumbled down, landing right in front of Li Yundong.

Even though Li Yundong was afflicted by Zou Huo Ru Mo, he hadn’t entirely lost consciousness.

He struggled to control the rampaging qi within him and managed to whisper painfully to Zhou Qin, “Get away, quickly.” Zhou Qin couldn’t comprehend what catastrophe had befallen Li Yundong to make him look this way.

Terrified, she sat on the ground, stunned and staring at him, unable to react.

Li Yundong was losing control rapidly, letting out a pained shriek.

“Get away! Get out of here!” Zhou Qin snapped back to reality and scrambled backward.

Li Yundong stood up.

He felt like a burning fireball, desperate to find a running tap to douse himself.

But Liu Chuan, watching from behind, saw the entire spectacle.

Liu Chuan thought this was heaven-sent opportunity to play the hero saving the damsel.

He jumped up, slapped his hand onto the back of Li Yundong’s head, and snapped, “Damn it, acting so rough toward a beautiful girl? Where’s your dignity?” That slap landed precisely on Li Yundong’s Baihui acupoint at the crown of his head.

All the circulating qi inside Li Yundong seemed to find an instant, violent outlet, surging madly toward his brain! Li Yundong could no longer restrain it.

He let out a bestial roar, his face turning deep purple-red, veins bulging like cords, looking ready to detonate at any second.

Most horrifyingly, blood was slowly oozing from his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth! The precursor to Zou Huo Ru Mo is chaotic qi flow, followed by bleeding from the seven orifices.

The final stage is when the unrestrained energy batters the Gaohuang acupoint, at which point the person is finished—beyond saving, even by a Great Golden Immortal.

Seeing Li Yundong’s terrifying state, Liu Chuan instinctively stepped back.

But he quickly thought he shouldn't retreat; surely this guy wouldn't dare kill him? Liu Chuan puffed out his chest and sneered, “What are you shouting about? Come at me if you have the guts!” The fierce light in Li Yundong’s eyes grew stronger.

All he wanted was to vent his fury on the person he found most offensive; he couldn't spare a single thought for any other consequence.

At this moment, the teacher and all the students in the classroom watched Li Yundong in stark horror.

The teacher forgot his lecture, and the chalk in his hand clattered to the floor.

They watched as Li Yundong launched himself at Liu Chuan with a tiger-like pounce, hauling him up with one hand.

He then leaped again, carrying the fully grown man over three rows of seats from the back, slamming him against the wall.

With his other hand clenched into a fist, Li Yundong grinned menacingly and brought the punch down toward Liu Chuan.

If that blow connected, Liu Chuan would be reduced to a pulp in an instant! Fortunately, the little fox Su Chan was jolted awake from her sleep at that critical moment, letting out a sharp cry, “Stop!”