"Shenqian, I think that senior Yuan You seems quite interested in you. Honestly, are you tempted?"

After the group left the martial arts association, Gu Zifang put her arm around Shen Qian's shoulder and laughed heartily.

Ouyang Fei and Chen Peng also looked over, but Ouyang Fei had a smile on his face while Chen Peng's expression was a bit complicated.

Just before the group left, Yuan You and Shen Qian talked alone for a long time. Because they were far away, they didn't know what they talked about, but Yuan You's sweet smile revealed her closeness to Shen Qian.

"Um?"

Shen Qian snapped out of his reverie, paused for a moment, then shook his head. "She does have a very elegant air about her, but I'm not attracted to her."

"Who would believe you? You guys are all the same, you just like... big ones. If they also have fair skin, a pretty face, and long legs, then they're practically perfect!"

Gu Zifang rolled her eyes, nudged Chen Qian somewhat resentfully, then smiled and waved to the others, "I'm off now, don't be late tomorrow!"

Gu Zifang left first with a cheerful stride.

Shen Qian thought of Yuan You and felt somewhat helpless.

This was truly the first time he had ever encountered a girl with such an intense curiosity, and how difficult she could be if she also possessed high intelligence.

Ding Yi is actually quite smart, but she doesn't like to care about things that don't concern her.

However, Yuan You noticed some clues when she returned, even though the direction she took was slightly different.

Of course, Yuan You probably never imagined that the bounty offered in the dark of night would be accepted by Shen Qian.

So Shen Qian gave a few perfunctory replies, and since Yuan You couldn't find any motive, she didn't press the matter further.

"Then I'll be going now, see you tomorrow."

If they were to venture deeper into the restricted area, there were still some preparations to be made. Since none of the people lived in the same direction, Shen Qian said goodbye to Ouyang Fei and headed towards the parking lot.

Ouyang Fei waved goodbye to Shen Qian. After Shen Qian's figure disappeared from sight, he turned around and saw Chen Peng still in a daze. He couldn't help but chuckle and nudged his shoulder.

"Surely not, do you really see Shen Qian as a rival in love?"

"What are you talking about? What rival in love..."

Chen Peng snapped out of his daze and hurriedly denied it.

"Come on, I can see through your little schemes. Actually, it's normal; Senior Yuan You is indeed very charming," Ouyang Fei laughed.

"And you, are you tempted?" Chen Peng asked, staring at Ouyang Fei.

"Me?" Ouyang Fei stared blankly in a certain direction for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "Right now, all I want to pursue is martial arts. Don't you think that compared to dating, being as dazzling as before, admired by countless people, is more interesting?"

Chen Peng seemed to be thinking about something, then sighed, "Indeed, if we could be like him, we wouldn't have to worry about these things."

...

The next morning, in a tea restaurant near the east gate of Jingcheng.

Shen Qian arrived here early, carrying a backpack.

In fact, most of the things he wanted to bring were already in the space crystal, but in order to avoid attracting attention, he still brought a bag.

It's always good to keep a low profile.

Even the ring on her hand had been recolored and repainted before the sinking, making it look like just a slightly ostentatious ordinary gemstone ring.

"Shen Qian, so early?"

As soon as he stepped into the tea restaurant, a slightly lazy, mature voice rang in Shen Qian's ears.

Shen Qian turned his head and saw Yuan Youzheng sitting at a table by the window, smiling and waving at him.

Today, Yuan You wore a neat high ponytail, and her black tactical uniform shimmered in the sunlight. The tight-fitting outfit accentuated her two best features.

The contrast between the intellectual air brought by a pair of frameless glasses and her sexy figure makes her even more charming.

Shen Qian was momentarily lost in thought, but quickly cleared her mind and walked over to greet her, "Sister Yuan, you're here so early too?"

"I don't sleep very well before leaving the city," Yuan You said with a smile. "We always meet at Zhang's Restaurant. Their small pot rice noodles and braised noodles are amazing. Want to try some?"

"I haven't had breakfast yet."

Shen Qian nodded and beckoned to the waiter, "Ten bowls each of small pot rice noodles and braised noodles."

“I almost forgot you’re a genuine intermediate martial artist,” Yuan You said, covering her mouth with a laugh. “But you seem to eat even more than He Weichen and the others.”

"So I don't really like eating out anymore."

Shen Qian also laughed.

The money is a minor issue; the main problem is that it's a waste of time.

Before sinking, he usually uses satiety pills to solve his problems, and occasionally he will eat a high-calorie meal.

The two chatted casually, and soon Ouyang Fei, Gu Zifang, and Chen Peng arrived one after another.

"Before they arrive, there's something I need to tell you all." Yuan You looked at the four of them, her expression suddenly turning serious.

"Please speak, Sister Yuan." Ouyang Fei and the others also became serious.

"The restricted area... is a very special place, and it holds some secrets."

Yuan You took out a handbook from her backpack and handed it to the four of them. "These secrets are not disclosed to the general public. Normally, only those who have been admitted to martial arts universities or are martial artists in the process of advancing to the next level are qualified to access them."

Shen Qian roughly knew what Yuan You was going to say; it was probably about the "gate".

He glanced at the manual on the table; the cover read "Guide to Restricted Areas," and there was an encrypted label next to it.

"However, since you've joined the slash-and-burn team, you've also gained this qualification. Take turns reading the manual and then return it to me. If you have any questions, keep them to yourself and ask me later."

Ouyang Fei and the other two looked puzzled. They exchanged glances, and Ouyang Fei picked up the manual and started flipping through it.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!