Liu Yuan was not short on money. Over the years, while studying at Shrek Academy, he hadn't forgotten to use his knowledge that transcended the era to earn extra income, and he had long accumulated a considerable fortune.
To him, money was far less important than high-quality connections.
Moreover, sometimes a favor that costs no money is often the most expensive kind. To befriend figures like Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen of the Sun Moon Empire, giving away these horns was well worth it.
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were stunned; they never expected Liu Yuan to be so generous.
Those were rare Materials worth two hundred gold coins, and he was just giving them away?
Once they snapped out of it, surprised and happy smiles instantly broke out on the siblings' faces.
Xiao Hongchen's favorability toward Liu Yuan skyrocketed. He gave Liu Yuan a heavy cupped-hand salute and said gratefully:
"Brother Liu Yuan is so generous, it truly makes me feel ashamed! Good! I, Xiao Hongchen, have definitely made you my friend! If you ever need help in the future, just ask!"
Meng Hongchen also gave a sweet smile, her impression of Liu Yuan greatly improved. "Thank you, Liu Yuan! You're such a good person!"
"It's just a small favor." Liu Yuan smiled and personally set to work, using a clean technique to cut the pair of Black Gold Horns off completely and hand them over.
Having accepted such a valuable favor, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen became even more enthusiastic.
Xiao Hongchen insisted on pulling Liu Yuan out of the Sunset Forest, determined to treat him to a grand feast at a nearby town as a token of gratitude.
Liu Yuan had intended to befriend them anyway, so he naturally did not refuse.
In the town's most upscale restaurant, Xiao Hongchen displayed his bold and generous nature, ordering a table full of delicacies from land and sea. They were all expensive, high-end dishes; this meal would have cost at least a hundred gold coins.
During the meal, the three of them chatted happily.
Xiao Hongchen raised his wine cup and expressed his admiration for Liu Yuan once again. "Brother Liu Yuan, I truly admire you. My sister and I used soul tool cannons and binding nets, yet that fellow still got away. You killed it all by yourself—this strength is undeniable! I toast to you!"
Liu Yuan smiled and clinked cups with him, saying modestly, "It was just luck, just luck."
Meng Hongchen, who had been quietly eating, put down her chopsticks and asked curiously, "By the way, Brother Liu Yuan, how old are you this year? You look about the same age as us?"
"I just turned fifteen." Liu Yuan answered truthfully.
"Fifteen?!" Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were shocked once again.
Xiao Hongchen remarked with emotion, "I am also fifteen, and Meng'er is fourteen. We siblings prided ourselves on being exceptionally gifted among our peers, but meeting Brother Liu Yuan today, I realize we underestimated the Spirit Masters of the world!"
In the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, the conversation gradually deepened. Xiao Hongchen finally asked the question he cared about most: "With strength like yours, Brother Liu Yuan, you must come from an extraordinary background. I wonder... which academy are you a top student of?"
Liu Yuan put down his wine cup and calmly uttered four words: "I was from Shrek."
"Shrek Academy?!" The siblings looked at each other, both seeing a look of realization in the other's eyes. So he was a monster from that number one academy on the continent; no wonder he was so powerful!
But Meng Hongchen quickly caught the keyword and asked in confusion, "'Was'? Why 'was'? Have you already graduated from Shrek? No, that's not right, you're only fifteen."
A faint, mocking smile curled on Liu Yuan's lips. He saw no need to cover up Xuan Zi's misdeeds, so he briefly recounted what had happened.
Xuan Zi's actions could be described as reaching a level that would provoke universal indignation.
Any normal person, after hearing about the 'good deeds' Xuan Zi had done, could not possibly remain unmoved.
And so...
"What?!"
"This is outrageous!"
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen both slammed the table and stood up, their faces filled with shock and anger.
"This is clearly using public office to avenge a private grudge!" Meng Hongchen's face turned red with anger. "Just because you refused his invitation, he used such despicable means to expel you? That man named Xuan Zi is far too overbearing and shameless!"
Xiao Hongchen's face also darkened, and he snorted coldly. "I didn't expect the prestigious Shrek to actually commit such an unjust act. Especially toward a Genius Disciple, Shrek Academy showed Brother Liu Yuan absolutely no respect at all."
Xiao Hongchen added, "With talent like yours, Brother Liu Yuan, for them to just cast you aside is utterly foolish! I dare say that the future Shrek will surely regret this stupid decision today immensely!"
The siblings' righteous indignation warmed Liu Yuan's heart; he knew half of his goal had already been achieved.
Sure enough, after venting their frustration on Liu Yuan's behalf, a sharp light flashed in Xiao Hongchen's eyes, as if he had grasped a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He leaned forward slightly, looking at Liu Yuan with burning eyes, and issued a solemn invitation:
"Brother Liu Yuan, since a decaying place like Shrek cannot accommodate you... I wonder if you have any interest in coming to our Sun Moon Royal Academy?"