C4 So It's You

Du Changsheng was shaking with rage, his fingers quivering uncontrollably.

"Do you even realize whom you've crossed today? How many lives do you think you have to throw away so recklessly? How many lives does the Du family have for you to squander like this?!"

His words left the elders bewildered, Xiao Ying dumbfounded, and Du Tianhao utterly perplexed.

"He's just my ex-boyfriend, nothing but a broke loser..." Xiao Ying blurted out reflexively, as she always described Yang Chao.

But this time, catching Du Changsheng's murderous glare, Xiao Ying wisely clamped her mouth shut.

"How dare you speak about my teacher like that?!" Du Changsheng bellowed, his hand swinging in a fierce slap that sent Xiao Ying flying, blood spilling from her lips.

Teacher?

Soong Qingfeng nearly stumbled, taken aback. Was this elderly man also a student of the teacher?

He glanced over at the other five students, who were all avoiding eye contact, acting as if the matter was none of their concern.

"Teacher? Are you saying you learned cultivation from this nobody?" Du Tianhao exclaimed in disbelief, collapsing to the ground.

How could this be? Xiao Ying had insisted that Yang Chao was just a talentless, penniless nobody. How could he possibly have taught his grandfather?

In that moment, Du Changsheng turned and knelt before Yang Chao without a second thought, declaring, "Student Du Changsheng has brought shame upon his teacher."

With those words, Yang Chao had an epiphany. He recalled the system's mission: to invest heavily in the Senior University to grant these elders the power of cultivation. Initially, there were only six slots available, with greater rewards for the older participants.

Du Changsheng, having been referred for a course, had seen his abilities soar. Yet, being the youngest, his gains were minimal. Then Soong Qingfeng arrived, older and thus more valuable, prompting Yang Chao to decisively dismiss Du Changsheng from the program.

Certainly, Yang Chao had provided Du Changsheng with compensation for his expulsion—a piece of Sound-transmitting Jade that he recognized. This treasure came in a pair, and it appeared that Du Changsheng had kept one half with him, while the other was entrusted to his grandson, Du Tianhao. The two jades shared a mystical bond.

The old man was surprisingly generous, and it was evident he had a soft spot for his unfortunate grandson...

"Well, if it isn't you, old man. It's been a while, and to think your grandson has become such a big shot!" Yang Chao remarked with a light smile. Du Changsheng had been anything but willing when he was persuaded to leave, wailing and protesting as Yang Chao expelled him from the school.

Now, here he was, backing up his grandson.

"Sir! My grandson is naive! Please spare his life. I'm not here to stand up for him; I've come to apologize to you, sir! I want to return to class!" Du Changsheng pleaded with a pained expression, his eyes brimming with tears, nearly breaking down to cling to Yang Chao's legs.

His demeanor was a stark contrast to his earlier formidable presence.

In the meantime, Du Tianhao was huddled in a corner, too afraid to make a peep. He had fully realized that Yang Chao was way out of his league. Even Du Changsheng had to grovel before Yang Chao, begging to be allowed back into class—and he was the powerful tycoon of Eastern Sea City!

Ying stood by, her face ashen and expression blank, unable to come to terms with the situation.

...

Yang Chao stood at the lectern, hands clasped behind him, observing Du Changsheng who knelt before him, desperately pleading. "Your behavior has been far too flamboyant; your pursuit of the immortal path is precarious," he said with serene authority.

Hearing this, Du Changsheng's face fell, and he collapsed to his knees, imploring, "Sir, your guidance is wise! I sincerely wish to return to class, sir! I implore you!"

He didn't stop there; Du Changsheng proceeded to bow deeply, his forehead touching the ground three times in a traditional gesture of respect for a disciple.

Yang Chao inwardly sighed. He was open to accepting more disciples, yet the system had allotted him a limit of just six students.

"I can't take you on. You'll have to go back and work on your cultivation alone."

No sooner had he spoken than Du Changsheng began wailing for his parents, the elderly man collapsing to the ground, tears streaming down his face.

In that moment, Du Changsheng bore no resemblance to the city's wealthiest man; he was the picture of a child desperately seeking his mother's comfort.

"Master, this won't do! It simply won't do! Since you advised me to step back, my cultivation has stagnated. Despite deploying the Du family's fortune to scour the world for rare and powerful treasures, it's all been for naught! I can't be without you, Master!"

Onlookers gaped at the spectacle, visibly stunned.

With a look of bemusement, Soong Qingfeng quietly asked a classmate, "What on earth could make this old man act so disgracefully?"

The other five just shook their heads, while Du Tianhao was too afraid to even let out a breath, shocked to see his grandfather, a figure revered like a deity at home, reduced to such a state before Yang Chao.

Yang Chao couldn't help but smile at the remark. Du Changsheng's plight was indeed a reality; the world's Spiritual Qi was so diluted that even the so-called treasures of heaven and earth were subpar. Without his system to aid their cultivation, to purify their meridians and gather Spiritual Qi, Du Changsheng's cultivation level would likely never advance in his lifetime.

In this world of scarce Spiritual Qi, his system was akin to a miraculous artifact from beyond, capable of granting ordinary people the power to ascend to the heavens and the opportunity to live as long as the gods themselves. Given this, Du Changsheng's groveling was somewhat understandable.

After all, the pursuit of immortal cultivation was a universal dream, coveted by rich and poor alike, and worth every ounce of their fervor.

Yet, with his student slots filled, Yang Chao was powerless to accommodate Du Changsheng any further.

With a gentle shake of his head, Yang Chao fell silent. Soong Qingfeng, the class monitor, caught the hint and moved to show the visitor out.

"Du Changsheng, it's time to go. There's no opportunity left for you here."

Hearing this, a look of utter despair washed over Du Changsheng. Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, he scrambled to his feet, seized his grandson Du Tianhao by the ear, and dragged him before Yang Chao, bellowing, "You disgraceful grandson, apologize to the master this instant! Otherwise, I'll disown you from the Du family!"

Du Tianhao was shaking like a leaf, his face contorted with fear as his own grandfather threatened him.

At that moment, Ying, who had been silently observing, could no longer stand idly by.

She had been with Tianhao solely for the wealth of the Du family. If he were cast out, she'd be left with nothing.

This was a scenario she was determined to prevent at all costs.

Biting back her frustration, Ying stepped forward and asserted, "Grandfather Du, this man has deceived you. He's my ex-boyfriend, and I know him better than anyone—he's nothing but a con artist!"

"To think you would disown your own grandson over a fraud! Have you lost your senses in your old age? Is this the behavior of the wealthy?"

Yang Chao observed Ying's resentful intervention and knew better than to expect any words of wisdom from this materialistic woman. His temperament had changed; he was no longer the man he once was and chose to ignore her.

Du Changsheng, on the other hand, was livid, his fury palpable as it radiated from him. His icy gaze fixed on Tianhao, he declared, "Is this the kind of bride you choose for our family? End it with her now! Otherwise, you cease to be a grandson of mine."

Tianhao's resolve solidified upon hearing this. His grandfather had provided everything for him, and in his heart, he revered the elder as if he were celestial. His grandfather's word was law, and besides, Ying had long since worn out her welcome.

Facing Ying with an icy demeanor, Tianhao saw clearly that she was the only one present he could confront without consequence. She was the perfect target for his pent-up frustration.

He addressed Ying, who looked at him with feigned concern, and said icily, "Foolish woman, are you blind to the reality before you? Do you actually believe I love you? Give it a rest. If you hadn't trapped me with your scheming and thrown yourself at me, I wouldn't have spared you a second glance! Take a good look at yourself. Are you really in my league?"

"Our relationship was nothing but a game. Did you really think you mattered that much?"

The tables had turned yet again. Yang Chao leaned casually against the blackboard, watching the unfolding drama with a mocking gaze.

Ying's complexion drained of color as Du Tianhao's words sank in. She stared at him, her expression a mix of disbelief and realization that he was ready to burn bridges with her completely.

The stares of everyone present seemed to cast her dignity aside like unwanted garbage, trampled underfoot without mercy.

Overwhelmed by a potent wave of humiliation, Ying trembled, her fists clenched tightly. With a voice tinged with both defiance and desperation, she declared, "You're breaking up with me? I'm pregnant!"