Chapter 25 Cao Youqian's Broken Heart
"Of course you can."
Chu Feng answered without a second thought.
"This seat never said you couldn't go down the mountain. Just remember to keep a low profile with your current cultivation.
If anyone tries to beat you up, remember to throw out your senior brother's name."
Cao Youqian felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing that.
Back when he was in the Alchemy Dao Institute, he had countless people flocking around him.
But those people only called him 'Young Master Cao' because of his spirit stones. After he was sent to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, they all vanished. Only his ancestor truly cared about him.
Now he had gained two more people who cared.
His master and his senior brother—though they had only spent a few days together—their words and actions truly warmed his heart.
"I understand, Master. I won't bring shame to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute while I'm out."
Half a month later—
Cao Youqian bid farewell to Chu Feng and headed to Wendao City. Back when he still had money, he had a few small businesses there.
Even if he didn't carry any spirit stones now, he could withdraw them from Wendao City once he got there.
Then he could go back to living freely again.
No—he had to bring back some interesting things for his master too.
Even if his master didn't think much of them, it would still be a token of his gratitude.
The more he thought about it, the happier he got. In less than half an hour, he had arrived in Wendao City.
His first stop was Qunfang Pavilion, where he planned to withdraw some spirit stones.
As soon as he stepped through the door, Yuan Shuxiao from Qunfang Pavilion came up to greet him.
"Young Master Cao, what brings you here?"
Cao Youqian put on a stern face. "What, I'm not allowed to come here anymore?"
Yuan Shuxiao was a veteran of the pleasure scene, calm and graceful. She replied without a change in expression, "I just heard that you were sent to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute to suffer. I didn't expect you to leave the mountain."
"Who spread such nonsense? I just went there to relax for a few days. Anyway, I'm here to collect last month's dividends."
Cao Youqian said seriously.
Upon hearing that, Yuan Shuxiao looked troubled. "To be honest, Young Master Cao, your dividends were already taken by Young Master Youde."
"What?"
Cao Youqian exploded with rage the moment he heard that.
"Who let you give it to him? I'm the one who owns shares in Qunfang Pavilion!"
Yuan Shuxiao quickly explained, "Young Master Cao, Young Master Youde said he came under orders from the Flamefire Alchemy King. I didn't dare refuse, especially since he's now an inner institute disciple."
Cao Youqian's face turned dark. "Good job, Cao Youde. You even dare take my money? If I don't beat you senseless today, my name isn't Cao!"
He cursed out loud, then turned to Yuan Shuxiao. "If that guy comes for dividends again, don't give him anything. Got it?"
"Yes."
Yuan Shuxiao watched Cao Youqian's retreating figure and muttered, "This guy still doesn't know his place.
He really thinks he's still the Flamefire Alchemy King's most favored junior."
The more Cao Youqian thought about it, the angrier he became. He quickly made his way to the Alchemy Dao Institute and barged straight into the inner institute disciples' area, shouting:
"Cao Youde! You shameless bastard, get out here!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, several people walked out from the courtyard.
When they saw it was Cao Youqian, their faces filled with disdain.
From the crowd, someone sneered sarcastically:
"Well, if it isn't our Alchemy Dao Institute's number one spoiled brat. What are you doing in the inner institute today, throwing a tantrum?"
"Don't say that. This guy's not one of us anymore. He's a prized disciple of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute now."
"Hahaha…"
The story of Cao Youqian being sent to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute by the Flamefire Alchemy King had already spread through the Alchemy Dao Institute.
No one knew about the bet between the Flamefire Alchemy King and Chu Feng.
To everyone else, it looked like Cao Youqian had lost favor and been abandoned.
No one had expected this so-called useless failure to come back acting all arrogant.
Still, no one made a move. They were all waiting to see how Cao Youde would deal with this disgrace.
A moment later—
Cao Youde walked out surrounded by a group of people.
Though he was only at the peak of Dao Foundation ninth layer, as a direct descendant of the Cao family, he had considerable status in the Alchemy Dao Institute.
Even some True Fate Realm inner disciples regarded him as a leader.
Cao Youde sneered contemptuously. "Oh? I was wondering who was making all that noise. So it's just you, a worthless piece of trash. What do you want from me?"
"Hmph!"
Cao Youqian let out a cold snort. "You shameless scum. You actually sent someone to steal my dividends from Qunfang Pavilion. Have you no shame?"
The surrounding crowd instantly revealed looks of realization—so it was a battle between these two over the Cao family's assets.
"What do you mean your dividends? That's the Cao family's share in Qunfang Pavilion. You're not even part of the Alchemy Dao Institute anymore. What right do you have to take anything?"
Cao Youde's tone suddenly changed. "Let me make this clear today—not just the dividends from Qunfang Pavilion, but all your shares in Wendao City from now on belong to me."
His eyes lit up at the mention of Wendao City's profits.
Back when Cao Youqian was still favored by their ancestor, he took a massive cut from the family businesses.
A good-for-nothing like him was taking more than even the Cao clan's top talents—that had always made him furious. Those assets should've been his from the start.
Thankfully, their ancestor had sharp eyes and sent Cao Youqian to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
That allowed him to rightfully inherit those businesses. While most of the profit had to be handed over to the clan, the rest was still a sizeable income for him.
"Let's go. We'll take this to the ancestor and let him decide."
Though Cao Youqian was angry, he wasn't foolish. He knew he couldn't beat Cao Youde.
His only hope was their ancestor. And this was the Alchemy Dao Institute—he couldn't drag his master or senior brother into it.
Cao Youde chuckled. "No need to bother the ancestor. He's already gone into seclusion. This matter was arranged by the Grand Elder. If you don't like it, you're welcome to come speak with him."
Cao Youqian's expression changed slightly. This timing… it felt far too convenient.
Still, he knew Cao Youde wouldn't dare lie about something like the ancestor going into seclusion. It wasn't hard for him to verify the truth.
"Fine, then let's go!"
"After you."
Cao Youde spoke without fear.
The group quickly arrived at the Alchemy Dao Institute's main hall.
Normally, the Flamefire Alchemy King presided over this hall. But today, the Grand Elder was handling affairs in his place.
Seeing the group of disciples file in, the Grand Elder asked, "What brings all of you to the main hall?"
"Reporting to the Grand Elder, the matter is as follows..."
Cao Youde stepped forward and explained everything that had happened.
After listening, the Grand Elder turned to Cao Youqian and said, "Youqian, in this matter, you are in the wrong. You are no longer a disciple of the Alchemy Dao Institute. The resources you previously enjoyed as a member are no longer yours to claim. This is a rule set by the chief."
Cao Youqian wasn't stupid. The moment he heard this, he understood everything clearly—his ancestor had already given up on him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been avoiding him.
With a defeated look, he cupped his fists and said, "Understood."
Without another word, he turned and left the Alchemy Dao Institute.
Cao Youde and the others followed soon after.
One of the bootlickers beside Cao Youde asked, "Senior Brother Cao, should we teach that guy a lesson?"
"No need. There are plenty of people who'd love to give him trouble. All we have to do is spread the word."
As he spoke, a cold glint flickered in Cao Youde's eyes...
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