Douluo Continent: I can overdraft the future in advance

The days that followed returned to calm.

Luo Yun's daily life was very regular—cultivation, attending classes, and occasionally going to the inner courtyard to help Ma Xiaotao suppress her evil fire. He would also occasionally use the Soul Guidance Department's crafting workshop to practice his skills.

Chen Jiyong became much more well-behaved, no longer wailing every day about how "Brother Yun's life is too perfect," and started burying himself in training. In his own words, "Once I find the Earth Marrow Martial Soul and evolve it, I want to be the protagonist too."

Luo Yun couldn't bear to discourage him.

That noon, Luo Yun finished eating in the cafeteria and was about to return to his dormitory when he ran into two people.

Beibei and a boy.

Beibei still had a gentle and refined appearance, but now she was wearing a purple college uniform and had a smile on her face. The boy next to her was tall, half a head taller than Beibei, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, and a bit of a roguish air about him.

"Junior," Beibei spoke first, "long time no see."

"Hello, senior." Luo Yun nodded, then looked at the boy next to him, whom he didn't recognize.

Beibei stepped aside to let him pass, then pointed at him and introduced, "This is Xu Sanshi, my friend, also a fourth-year student in the Foreign Languages ​​Department."

Xu Sanshi looked Luo Yun up and down, grinned, and extended his hand: "I've heard so much about you, Luo Yun, a second-year student. You're really making waves lately."

Luo Yun shook hands with him: "You flatter me, senior."

"Don't flatter me, I'm just telling the truth." Xu Sanshi chuckled, then suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Ma Xiaotao's been feeling unwell, hasn't she?"

Luo Yun was stunned for a moment.

Xu Sanshi straightened up, patted his shoulder, his tone casual but his eyes carrying a hint of experience: "Don't be nervous, I was also conscripted. When her evil fire flares up, anyone who gets close will tremble. The fact that you can suppress it shows that your extreme ice is indeed quite capable."

Luo Yun didn't reply, but just smiled.

Xu Sanshi leaned closer again, this time lowering his voice even further: "By the way, are you from the Luo family of Wuyun City?"

Luo Yun's heart skipped a beat: "Yes."

"What a coincidence!" Xu Sanshi's eyes lit up, and his tone became more enthusiastic. "We even have business dealings. Last year, your family bought four Xuan Shui Pills directly, so you're quite a big customer. Our Xuanming Sect also frequently buys your soul tools; the quality is indeed excellent, much better than those no-name brands on the market."

Luo Yun nodded; he had heard his father mention this before. The Xuanming Sect's annual production of Xuan Shui Pills was not high, and they were usually sold to the highest bidder. In recent years, the Luo family's soul tools had also been sold to various places in Douling, and the Xuanming Sect, as a major sect, would also buy some.

"Let's keep in touch more in the future." Xu Sanshi patted his shoulder, smiling meaningfully. "Maybe there will be opportunities to collaborate in the future."

Luo Yun nodded: "Definitely."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Luo Yun took his leave.

Xu Sanshi stood there, watching Luo Yun's figure disappear at the cafeteria entrance. The smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a serious expression.

Beibei stood beside him and glanced at him: "What's wrong?"

"This Luo Yun's family is no ordinary family." Xu Sanshi said unhurriedly, "The Luo family of Wuyun City has made rapid progress in the Douling Empire in recent years. They make all kinds of civilian soul tools, such as lights, heaters, and communicators. They are of good quality and low price, and they have a certain influence in the entire Douling Empire."

Beibei nodded thoughtfully.

"Now their descendants are also rising to fame at Shrek Academy." Xu Sanshi glanced in the direction Luo Yun left. "Ultimate Ice, Ice Phoenix Martial Soul, was personally received by Dean Yan, and even had Ma Xiaotao cultivate with him—this configuration clearly shows that he is a key figure that the academy wants to cultivate."

He paused, a hint of wistfulness in his voice: "The Douling Empire is likely to see another new powerful family emerge in the future. So it won't hurt for me to be on good terms with them in advance."

Beibei didn't reply, remaining silent for a moment, but her mind was on something else.

No wonder Luo Yun was unwilling to join the Tang Clan.

Looking back now, he didn't need it at all. What could the Tang Sect offer? In terms of cultivation resources, while the Luo family wasn't among the top-tier wealthy families, they could more than support a Soul Master's cultivation. In terms of background, he was the young master of a newly emerging family. In terms of future prospects, the academy's higher-ups had already set their sights on him, and preferential treatment in resources was only a matter of time.

The Tang Clan has nothing right now, so what can they offer to impress others?

Beibei sighed softly.

Poor Xiaoya, she still wanted to carry forward the Tang Clan, but in this world, enthusiasm alone is not enough.

---

The days continued to move forward.

Until one night.

He was meditating cross-legged in his dormitory, his soul power slowly circulating within his body. The chill emanating from his martial soul caused the temperature in the entire room to drop several degrees.

The door was suddenly pushed open.

Chen Jiyong strode in, waving two gold-embossed invitations in his hand, his expression a mixture of excitement and mystery.

"Yun-ge! Are you going to the treasure viewing party tonight?"

Luo Yun opened his eyes, withdrew his soul power, and the temperature in the room slowly rose.

"What kind of treasure hunt?"

"The Core Disciple Treasure Appreciation Gathering!" Chen Jiyong plopped down on Luo Yun's bed and slammed the two invitations on the table. "I've already inquired about it. Our academy has three types of treasure appreciation gatherings: one for the entire academy, one for core disciples, and one for the inner academy. This core disciple treasure appreciation gathering is only for core disciples. I just received the invitation this afternoon, and I heard there are a lot of good stuff."

Luo Yun picked up the invitation and looked at it. The cover was embossed with gold and bore the Shrek Academy logo. Inside, the time and location were listed, along with a line of smaller print: "Core disciples are requested to present this invitation for entry."

"Where did you get it?" Luo Yun asked.

"They were given out by the homeroom teacher," Chen Jiyong said matter-of-factly. "I brought yours with me too."

Luo Yun leaned against the headboard, his mind beginning to reminisce.

The Core Disciples' Treasure Appreciation Gathering—he'd seen this scene in the original novel. At the gathering Huo Yuhao attended, there was a piece of ten-thousand-year-old whale glue, mistaken for a thousand-year-old whale glue due to its unusual color. That stuff was incredibly beneficial for cultivation, especially for strengthening the physique, its effects being many times stronger than ordinary whale glue. He wondered if he'd encounter it this time.

And it's not just the elixir of the ancient whale.

He could also use his knowledge of the original work to see if he could find any other bargains. At the very least, with the family's current financial resources, he could still buy some suitable items.

"Okay, go."

Chen Jiyong slapped his thigh: "Alright! Let's set off in a bit. I'll go change my clothes first."

"Why are you changing your clothes?" Luo Yun asked, looking at him.

"It's a treasure appreciation event, what if some pretty senior female student goes too?" Chen Jiyong straightened his collar and said seriously, "I have to pay attention to my image."

Luo Yun's lips twitched, but he didn't say anything.

Chen Jiyong hummed a little tune as he entered the bathroom and began rummaging through drawers and cabinets looking for clothes.

After they finished getting ready, the two of them headed to Shrek City together.

The Treasure Appreciation Event is held at the Treasure Pavilion in Shrek City.

The Treasure Pavilion is an asset of Shrek Academy and is normally only managed by the Sea God Pavilion.

The invitation also included a map, and since the two had already lived in Shrek City for a year, they knew the roads like the back of their hand.

As they walked, the two arrived at the Treasure Pavilion. From a distance, the Treasure Pavilion was a huge four-story building with a magnificent golden exterior, resembling a treasure basin.

Luo Yun and Chen Jiyong walked inside.