The villains are redeemed, and the heroines cry and beg for forgiveness.

Lin Gang only added some details to Xue Xiling's account, such as the exact time and minute it happened.

As a professional security guard, he was familiar with these details, which were very helpful in reconstructing the whole story.

After listening to Lin Gang's words, Xiao Chaofeng finally turned his gaze to Gu Ran and couldn't help but let out a "Huh".

Although he had already learned from Xue Xiling and Lin Gang that Gu Ran was a top-tier expert, he still discovered Gu Ran's extraordinary nature when he personally observed him.

At this moment, there was not a trace of spiritual energy fluctuation in Gu Ran's body.

Previously, Xue Xiling and Lin Gang believed that their strength was too weak to sense the spiritual power on Gu Ran's body. After all, some strange sects like to study how to conceal the fluctuations of their spiritual power. These sects are usually more proficient in assassination, and they thought Gu Ran belonged to this kind of sect.

However, Xiao Chaofeng is different from Xue Xiling and Lin Gang. He has already reached the pinnacle of martial arts mastery. Even the most skilled schools of martial arts who are good at concealing spiritual energy fluctuations cannot completely hide the spiritual energy fluctuations on their bodies once they have noticed the person.

But Gu Ran actually did it right in front of him, which he found incredible. At the same time, he accepted Xue Xiling and Lin Gang's guess that Gu Ran was a top expert.

As for Gu Ran's body, it originally had no spiritual power.

impossible!

Such words are utterly absurd!

Aside from truly "useless" individuals who are completely incapable of cultivating martial arts and possess no special talents, it's impossible for anyone in the world to be without spiritual energy fluctuations.

Because martial artists constantly absorb spiritual energy to purify their spiritual power, the fluctuations of spiritual power on their bodies are very obvious. Although ability users have ability crystals after awakening, which can store spiritual energy more easily and the leakage is not as great as that of martial artists, they will still emit spiritual power fluctuations to some extent.

In summary, whether they are martial artists or superhumans, they will all experience fluctuations in spiritual energy, and the stronger the individual, the more they will be able to sense them.

However, the stronger a person is, the more they can usually conceal the fluctuations of their spiritual energy. Only when they are in battle will their spiritual energy surge violently, because at that time, no matter how hard they try to hide it, they will not be able to hide it.

Thinking of this, Xiao Chaofeng harbored a slight intention to test Gu Ran.

The spiritual energy between heaven and earth surged and fluctuated, pressing down on Gu Ran as if it had materialized.

Gu Ran narrowed his eyes slightly.

This man is very strong, stronger than almost anyone he has encountered before; only Leng Feng might be able to defeat him.

Instead of attacking me directly... they used spiritual energy to pressure me. Were they testing my strength?

Gu Ran instantly understood what the other person was thinking.

This mysterious "bounty hunter" is highly suspicious. However, both Li Xiling and Lin Gang vouch for him, proving his innocence. Therefore, the other party cannot directly attack him. So, they can only use this underhanded method to test him and then make up an excuse.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Ran blended into his surroundings, becoming one with them. The seemingly tangible spiritual energy that had been pressing down on Gu Ran seemed to have encountered its own kind and simply let him go, passing right past him.

"Huh?" This was the second time Xiao Chaofeng had expressed surprise.

This time, he truly experienced Gu Ran's methods, but he couldn't understand what they were at all. This was obviously a blow to him, who had dominated Canglong City for decades.

He was familiar with every sect in Canglong City that was skilled at training assassins.

He had visited all these sects one by one, but he could guarantee that even among those assassin sects with thousands of years of history, no one could be like Gu Ran, who had no spiritual energy fluctuations and was completely unaffected by his spiritual energy pressure.

A few seconds passed quietly, and there was still no spiritual energy fluctuation emanating from the young man.

How on earth did he do it?

Xiao Chaofeng was filled with curiosity and an urge to fight Gu Ran. If it weren't for the inappropriate time and place, he would have definitely fought Gu Ran to test his true strength.

However, he could still distinguish between what was important and what was urgent. The most important thing now was to return to Canglong City and inform that stubborn old man about this matter.

Moreover, his niece has already shown her dissatisfaction and is probably about to scold him.

"Uncle Xiao, what are you doing? Leng Ran is a good person. He saved me, and so did Captain Lin!" Xue Xiling stepped forward and blocked Xiao Chaofeng's path.

"Haha, I was just joking with Brother Leng Ran. After all, you know I'm a huge martial arts enthusiast, and I always want to spar with a strong stranger. But now's not the right time. Let's spar another day." Xiao Chaofeng walked past Xue Xiling and looked at Gu Ran with a smile. "So, Brother Leng Ran?"

Although he hadn't yet tested Gu Ran's true strength, Gu Ran's "special" behavior at this moment was already worthy of his respect, so Xiao Chaofeng wasn't too arrogant and his attitude was much warmer than when he treated Lin Gang.

Gu Ran could roughly guess Xiao Chaofeng's thoughts, but he had no intention of fighting him, so he smiled faintly and said, "Hello, Commander Xiao Chaofeng. If Commander Xiao is in the mood someday, I would be happy to oblige. However, the reason I agreed to protect the research team was because Captain Lin Gang promised me sufficient compensation. Although I couldn't save all the team members because the opponent was too strong, I think I still managed to save the most important member. I wonder when Lanxin University will be able to pay my reward?"

Xiao Chaofeng said somewhat embarrassedly, "As for the reward... of course, Brother Leng Ran, you will be rewarded. However, since it needs to be approved by the finance department, we will have to wait for a while. I wonder if Brother Leng Ran would be willing to return to Canglong City with us to wait?"

The "value" of Li Xiling is not denied...

They also wanted me to return to Azure Dragon City for further investigation...

Although Xiao Chaofeng acted somewhat simple-minded, like a martial arts fanatic, Gu Ran dared not underestimate him.

I don't know if I can beat the other person now?

Gu Ran was actually quite curious about his current strength.

His current ability is neither a superpower nor martial arts, and it seems that no one in history has ever cultivated it. Can his current "psychic power" defeat Xiao Chaofeng, who is one of the top few even among martial arts masters?

Although Gu Ran was also itching to show off his skills, he knew that once he started fighting, there would be a lot of trouble, such as how he would explain his ability.

If he were to reveal this ability, would it attract unnecessary trouble? For example, would Lanxin University become interested in his abilities and want to "invite" him to study them there...?

“I am also very curious about the renowned Lanxin University, and I am naturally delighted to have the opportunity to see it for myself,” Gu Ran said.

When Xiao Chaofeng said this, Gu Ran knew that his real intention was not what he seemed; he was just politely inviting him to Canglong City to cooperate with the investigation.

If he doesn't go, it will seem very suspicious, and Xiao Chaofeng might not have the same attitude then.

After thinking it over, Gu Ran agreed.

Anyway, he didn't kill or set fire to Canglong City. He was just accidentally involved in this incident. He cooperated with the investigation, and he also happened to be close to "Li Xiling" investigating the anomalies of the triangular crystal cone.

Xiao Chaofeng arrived at the destination long before the rescue team because he was worried about Xue Xiling. Now that he has brought Xue Xiling back, he has no mind to clean up the scene.

After handing the matter over to the later convoy, he then drove back to Canglong City with Xue Xiling and the others.

It has to be said that Gu Ran found it quite novel that a strong person like Xiao Chaofeng would drive himself, because Xiao Chaofeng was really down-to-earth and unpretentious.

Faced with Gu Ran's question, he said very confidently that he came because he was worried about his niece's safety, so he had to run over as fast as he could. But now that his niece was safe and sound, and there were two more people with her, it was naturally the most convenient and fastest way to drive back.

Then, once Gu Ran got into the car, he saw another side of the martial arts master—his love of racing.

Is it because driving is the most convenient and fastest way to do that?

I can't even be bothered to point it out.

Faced with Xiao Chaofeng's "moving" driving skills, fortunately, the three people in the car were all in good physical condition and did not vomit—even though Xue Xiling actually had some martial arts cultivation.

"By the way, think about it, did that Angry Apostle ever mention anything about the Dragonblood River to you? Even if he didn't say it directly, did he mention any related information indirectly?" Xiao Chaofeng, who was driving, suddenly asked.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Xue Xiling asked with some surprise, "Uncle Xiao, what happened to the Dragon Blood River?"

"It's nothing. It's just that the special characteristics of the Dragon Blood River have disappeared, and it has become an ordinary river." Xiao Chaofeng's tone didn't seem to care much. "Although many people in the city are overthinking it, I don't think it's a bad thing. That river always makes me feel a bit strange. Even though I've gone down there so many times to investigate, I haven't found anything. I didn't expect that there would be a sudden disturbance last night, and it was quite a big one. I guess the whole of Canglong City felt it."

"When we arrived at the location of the sound, we found no other traces or clues at the scene. There was only one very obvious strange thing: the strange characteristics of the Dragon Blood River had disappeared."

125. The president of Lanxin University wants to see me? Has my secret been exposed? 4k

Gu Ran's expression remained unchanged, but he began to pay attention in his heart.

Has the Dragon Blood River become a normal river?

So, is the root of the Dragonblood River's uniqueness because the triangular crystal pyramid is no longer there?

Will the powerful figures of Azure Dragon City notice something and trace it back to me?

Gu Ran began to reconsider leaving.

"Brother Leng Ran, do you know anything about this?" Xiao Chaofeng, who was driving, suddenly asked Gu Ran.

"I don't know. When I went to check yesterday, the Dragon Blood River was still fine, and quite a few people were even challenging it," Gu Ran replied calmly.

The people from the Ni Yuan Martial Arts Academy from yesterday should remember him. If Lanxin University or the Canglong City authorities really want to investigate him, they are very likely to trace it back to the Ni Yuan Martial Arts Academy. If he lies and says he has never been to Canglong City, there is a great risk that he will be exposed, and then he will appear even more suspicious. It would be better for him to take the initiative to reveal that he has been to Canglong City now.

"Oh? Brother Leng Ran actually went to the vicinity of Dragon Blood River yesterday?" Xiao Chaofeng asked with interest. "Were you going to the inner city to visit an old friend? Brother Leng Ran's old friend must also be a top-notch expert. Brother Leng Ran, could you introduce me to your friends? I'm very interested in meeting different experts."

Gu Ran said calmly, "No, I am a bounty hunter who has always been a loner. How could I have any old friends in Canglong City? I was just passing through Canglong City and wanted to see it for myself. After seeing the challengers finish, I left Canglong City."

"Oh, is that so? So Brother Leng Ran is actually a lone bounty hunter. I apologize for my rudeness." Xiao Chaofeng's tone became serious, as if he were expressing solemnity for his apology.

Gu Ran's lips twitched slightly.

A bounty hunter with one testicle?

Why does it feel like this guy is insulting me?

Sitting in the passenger seat, Xue Xiling couldn't understand the exchange between the two. She thought Gu Ran and Xiao Chaofeng were just having a normal conversation and even had smiles on her face.

"By the way, Uncle Xiao, how did you know I was in this research team? I don't remember telling my dad." Xue Xiling asked curiously.

“You haven’t told anyone else, but your father and I wouldn’t investigate, would we? Besides, you’ve always been at Lanxin University, so it’s easy to find out your whereabouts. Of course, your father and I didn’t interfere with your exams. We don’t need to get involved in such trivial matters, and we believe you can handle it on your own,” Xiao Chaofeng said steadily as he drove.

Lin Gang, sitting in the back of the car, felt somewhat uneasy.

At this moment, a thought that was hard for him to believe arose in his mind, but if it wasn't this possibility, he couldn't think of any other. And if it was this possibility, he couldn't understand why "Li Xiling" would do this. Why would she give up being a proper young lady and come to be an ordinary researcher, only to be harassed by a vicious boss...

"Researcher Li's surname shouldn't be Li, right? His real surname should be Xue, right?" Lin Gang asked bitterly.

"Ah! That's right, I forgot to tell you, my real name isn't Li Xiling, it's Xue Xiling. My surname is indeed Xue, but because this surname is more conspicuous at Lanxin University, I used my mother's surname." Xue Xiling turned around and said apologetically.

Xuexi Ling?

Really surnamed Xue...

Lin Gang confirmed his suspicions and fell silent.

At this moment, he was quickly recalling whether he had ever had any bad thoughts about Xue Xiling.

If he had a choice, he felt he would rather have died in the attack.