Chapter 3

Even though she had ruined Xu Chen's entire family, Xu Chen didn't care; he was truly good.

But this time, she had the choice, and she would definitely treat Xu Chen well.

Xu Chen gave an awkward smile; he had to admit, this girl's acting was perfect.

He had just failed to see it; where was the flaw in her act?

Afterwards, he acted wildly, making Li Ruoling tremble with laughter, covering her mouth as she giggled.

After all, disgusting as it was, the act had to continue.

Nothing was more important than him returning to reality and obtaining immortality and billions in wealth.

About thirty minutes later, the auction finally began.

The three great families started with five thousand taels of silver, then the bidding soared all the way to ten thousand taels.

For a mere third-grade elixir, ten thousand taels of silver was indeed a high price.

Xu Chen watched lazily; according to the plot, it was Ye Xuan's father, Ye Wushuang, who would win the Human Spirit Elixir.

After Ye Xuan consumed the Human Spirit Elixir, his talent would be restored, and he would once again astonish everyone.

He estimated that Li Ruoling wouldn't disrupt the plot, after all, she was Ye Xuan's person.

"Twenty thousand taels."

Unexpectedly, just as the auction was about to be sealed with a gavel strike, Li Ruoling raised her hand lightly and said.

Xu Chen was stunned; they bid ten thousand taels, and you just go straight to twenty thousand?

Do you even know how to bid, sister?

Damn it! This life's Li Ruoling must have a hole in her brain.

Xu Chen looked at Li Ruoling with a pained expression, only to find her beaming with joy.

It seemed as though those twenty thousand taels were of no importance to her at all.

He glanced around the auction hall again and saw that everyone else was equally stunned.

A price of ten thousand taels was already rare; bidding straight up to twenty thousand was an astronomical sum.

Who would spend twenty thousand taels just for a small third-grade elixir?

Ye Wushuang's face darkened: "The Jixia Academy is indeed wealthy. This old man yields."

Although he could have raised the bid further, actually buying it would be a huge loss.

It wasn't worth it. Not worth it at all.

Members of other families also clicked their tongues in disbelief; better to let it go.

That price could buy a fourth-grade elixir; only a fool would buy it.

For a moment, silence fell over the entire auction hall.

"Twenty thousand taels, once!"

"Twenty thousand taels, twice!"

"Twenty thousand taels, thrice!"

"Congratulations to the Holy Maiden of the Jixia Academy, Li Ruoling, for winning this Human Spirit Elixir. The auction is concluded."

The auctioneer announced loudly.

Just as Xu Chen was wondering what the hell kind of broken plot this was, something even more unexpected happened.

He saw Li Ruoling stand up and say loudly: "Please have the auction house deliver this Human Spirit Elixir to Young Master Xu Chen. This Holy Maiden has no need for it."

Xu Chen: "..."

Xu Chen's mouth hung open. Was this auction for me?

Big sister, I'm just a villain! You don't need to spend such a huge price just to get close to me.

The people around were nearly dumbfounded. Was the Holy Maiden really willing to go to such lengths for a mere Xu Chen?

Even Ye Xuan, who had just gained a considerable amount of money, felt no joy whatsoever.

His fists clenched tightly, filled with jealousy. How could a Holy Maiden go to such lengths for a Xu Chen?

Damn it, why did he feel such heartache?

It was as if something had been inexplicably snatched away from him.

The auctioneer chuckled lightly: "Whatever you bid for is naturally up to you. We will personally deliver it to Xu Chen."

Li Ruoling nodded in satisfaction: "That is fine."

Having spoken, Li Ruoling sat down beside Xu Chen again, her beautiful eyes shifting gently.

As if to say, I have given you this gift; do you like it?

Xu Chen couldn't help but ask: "Miss Li, doesn't your Jixia Academy have many such Human Spirit Elixirs?"

Li Ruoling smiled brightly: "Many, but the only one I personally bid on for you is this single pill."

She possessed Human Spirit Elixirs, and even more precious ones than that.

But all those elixirs could not compare to the sincerity of her gesture.

Xu Chen: "..."

He remembered that in his past life, he had also fawned over Li Ruoling in exactly this way.

Damn, has this woman taken the wrong medicine?

He asked the system: "System, what is going on with the female lead's personality?"

System: "Unknown, but the system detects that this world does not need to be reset, and the plot can still continue."

Xu Chen bared his teeth. The plot has collapsed this badly, yet no reset is needed?

Wow, it seems this life is truly a bit special!

Does this mean that as long as the major plot points remain unchanged, he can still return to reality?

Therefore, Xu Chen tried: "Holy Maiden, this is not quite appropriate. After all, we are not well acquainted."

This statement was not fawning at all; in fact, it carried a hint of rejecting Li Ruoling.

Xu Chen was testing whether the system would issue a warning.

If a warning appeared, it would mean he could not speak such words and must fawn instead.

Li Ruoling smiled: "It is no problem. As the Holy Maiden of the Academy, I can do as I please within Qingyang City."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chen found that the system gave no warning whatsoever.

That meant the plot could still proceed.

He rejoiced. Did this also mean he no longer had to act as a simp? In this life, he only needed to complete the major plot points?

If that were the case, it would be truly wonderful.

He had fawned over his Li Ruoling to the point of vomiting; he really did not want to fawn anymore. He couldn't take it.

Therefore, Xu Chen said: "Thank you, Holy Maiden. However, the Holy Maiden should return to the Jixia Academy to avoid any accidents."

Li Ruoling, being sensitive in her thoughts, froze on the spot upon hearing this.

She seemed to sense that Xu Chen was perhaps a bit impatient with her.

Or was Xu Chen deliberately maintaining propriety?

She gritted her teeth. It must be the latter. In his past life, Xu Chen had been very respectful toward her, having almost never even touched her hand.

She explained: "It is no problem. I came out this time because my Master sent me to select new disciples to enter the Jixia Academy."

Xu Chen nodded. This was indeed the purpose of Li Ruoling's journey.

According to the plot, both he and Ye Xuan would be selected, but Ye Xuan, playing the pig to eat the tiger, would surpass him by a margin.

He still had to follow the plot at this moment, so naturally he would not refuse Li Ruoling.

Therefore Xu Chen said, "May I ask, Miss Li, I also wish to enter the Jixia Academy. How did you get selected?"

Li Ruoling hurriedly replied, "The rules are very simple; you will definitely get in."

Xu Chen looked utterly confused. Simple? It wasn't simple at all.

He remembered that in the plot, there was a fight to the death, and in the end, he was even injured by Ye Xuan. How could that be called simple?

However, this time, Li Ruoling seemed unwilling to elaborate.

He helplessly said, "Alright."

Li Ruoling playfully added, "The Academy has a rule that the selection criteria cannot be revealed for now. You will know tomorrow."

Xu Chen nodded lightly, "Mm."