"It's a deal!"

Li Qingzhao was overjoyed. One million for this adorable little snake? She was more than willing.

Tu Xiao'an opened his eyes and looked at the young woman. "A deal? Do you even know how much I'm asking for?"

Li Qingzhao put on a proud air. "I can afford a mere million. You can't go back on your word."

One million?

'She sure is dreaming,' Tu Xiao'an thought, rolling his eyes. 'One million for my awakened Mutant Moon Snake?'

"Who said anything about one million? Does one finger automatically mean one million?"

Li Qingzhao's confidence suddenly wavered. "You... you don't mean ten million, do you?"

Even for a rare Snake Species, ten million was a bit much. Besides, her entire savings didn't add up to that much.

"Add another zero to that, and I might consider it."

"What?!" Li Qingzhao shot up from her seat as if a firecracker had gone off under her. "You want one hundred million? Are you insane? Why don't you just go rob a bank?!"

'Could a robber even get a hundred million?' Tu Xiao'an ignored Li Qingzhao's theatrics. The girl simply didn't know a priceless treasure when she saw one.

This Mutant Moon Snake could even bring the dead back to life. What was a hundred million in comparison?

Its entire body was a priceless collection of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. It was the only one in all of Snake Valley, and the chances of another Taiyin Snake like it ever appearing again were practically zero.

The Supreme Profound Snake itself was a Snake Species rarely seen in a generation. This one was a mutation of a Supreme Profound Snake, making it extraordinarily rare. Countless fortuitous opportunities had to align to produce this single Taiyin Snake.

Otherwise, Tu Xiao'an wouldn't have kept it by his side.

Of course, Tu Xiao'an was just teasing the girl. He didn't actually expect her to come up with a hundred million.

"Alright, if you can't afford it, just behave yourself and give up on the idea."

Tu Xiao'an turned to look out the window, enjoying the passing scenery.

Feeling wronged, Li Qingzhao subconsciously bit her lower lip with her pearly white teeth. She looked utterly resentful. She realized now that he was just messing with her.

She looked at the Taiyin Snake sitting upright in her hand, her affection for it plain to see. But alas, the snake could never be hers.

The young woman was heartbroken.

"Hmph, you're really too much."

She shot Tu Xiao'an a harsh glare, seething with frustration.

The bus drove steadily down the highway. After listening to some music for a while, Tu Xiao'an turned his head to look at the suddenly quiet Li Qingzhao.

The girl had unknowingly drifted off to sleep, looking peaceful and adorable.

The Taiyin Snake was resting on her snow-white thigh, behaving itself.

"Come."

Tu Xiao'an held out his hand, and the tiny Taiyin Snake suddenly appeared in his palm.

"This girl really likes you. How would you feel about staying with her for a couple of days?"

Tu Xiao'an asked as he stroked the Taiyin Snake's little head.

The Taiyin Snake was full of spiritual intelligence; its wisdom surpassed that of many adult humans. Furthermore, despite its miniature size, its age was definitely greater than that of Li Qingzhao's grandfather.

The Taiyin Snake let out a soft cry and nodded its head.

'It seems even snakes have a thing for beautiful women,' Tu Xiao'an thought.

"Alright, then you can stay with her for a few days."

Tu Xiao'an was new to Wencheng and didn't know his way around. 'I might actually have a use for this girl.'

Running into her three times had to be some kind of fate. He might as well grant her wish.

With a flick of his hand, Tu Xiao'an sent the Taiyin Snake floating lightly back onto her snow-white thigh.

An hour later, the bus entered the Wencheng city limits. It wasn't long before the girl woke up and, filled with joy, immediately started playing with the Taiyin Snake again.

She couldn't help but secretly wish for the bus to go slower, and slower still. Once they got off, she would have to return the snake to its owner.

SCREECH...

The bus came to a stop. Wencheng Bus Station.

Tu Xiao'an and Li Qingzhao got off the bus. The girl showed no intention of returning the little snake. Instead, she put on a fawning expression and said, "Hey, didn't you say you wanted to see my school? Let's go now."

"Okay."

Li Qingzhao hailed a rideshare. Twenty minutes later, the two of them got out of the car.

「The Entrance to Wencheng University.」

"See? This is my university. It's the biggest and most famous school in all of Wencheng, an elite academy for the children of officials and the super-rich."

Li Qingzhao said with a proud expression. It wasn't easy to get into this school, but of course, she had gotten in entirely on her own merit.

It was an achievement that brought honor to her ancestors. Even in all of Bai Town, you could count the number of students who got into this school on one hand.

It was now September, which was not only the admissions period for new university students but also when returning students came back to campus.

The university entrance was bustling with people as students streamed in and out, filling the air with a vibrant, youthful energy.

Tu Xiao'an gazed out at the campus. The school was massive, luxurious, and high-end. The grounds were full of burgeoning life, radiating vigorous vitality.

Many handsome young men and beautiful young women walked toward the school, their youthful beauty and vigor on full display under the campus sky.

"It's nice."

Tu Xiao'an said lightly, then asked, "Can we go in and take a look around?"

"Of course! The semester hasn't officially started yet; they're still in the new student recruitment phase."

Acting as a tour guide, Li Qingzhao chattered like a lark as she led Tu Xiao'an onto the campus.

Wencheng University was famous far and wide. Tu Xiao'an had naturally heard of it before; its admission standards were very high, making it extremely difficult to get into.

He hadn't expected the girl to be so capable, getting into such a good school.

This counted as a sort of return to campus life for Tu Xiao'an. Ever since he finished high school, the world of academia had been completely unrelated to his life.

Now, as he walked quietly with Li Qingzhao through the serene corridors of this old campus, he could feel the presence of past generations from decades ago seeming to flow around him—a presence that was profound, deep, and wise.

The moment you stepped onto the campus, you felt a complete change in atmosphere, a faint sense of surging passion amid an ocean of scholarship. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Let me tell you, ordinary people can't just walk into my school. You only got in because a returning student like me brought you,"

Li Qingzhao said, trying to take credit, her bright eyes twinkling slyly.

"You can play with the Taiyin Snake for two days."

How could Tu Xiao'an not see through her little scheme?

"Hee hee, smart! You get it. In that case, why don't you just lend me the little snake for a year or two? I'll introduce you to my best friend."

'This girl is a classic case of "give her an inch and she'll take a mile,"' Tu Xiao'an thought, choosing to simply ignore her.

Selling out her own best friend for a snake.

'Her best friend must have had some seriously bad luck for eight lifetimes to end up with her.'

"My best friend is gorgeous, you know. Her looks are definitely on par with mine," Li Qingzhao tempted Tu Xiao'an slyly.

Tu Xiao'an said flatly, "I haven't noticed your looks being anything special."

"Are you blind? I have suitors all over this school!"

Li Qingzhao stomped her foot in anger, looking rather cute and funny.

Tu Xiao'an went back to admiring the sights of the prestigious university. Li Qingzhao, seeing that he didn't want to talk to her, occupied herself by playing with the little snake.

The Taiyin Snake's cool body slithered freely back and forth on her arm, causing the young woman's bright eyes to light up again and again.

She was absolutely smitten.