Gu Zhe didn't believe it at all.
He himself was a Grandmaster-level expert and knew Grandmaster-level experts too well.
Grandmasters were basically invincible once they appeared. With current technology, they couldn't be killed without paying a huge price, let alone have their cultivation crippled with a single move.
This was simply an insult to his intelligence from Pu Zaiye, unless the other party was at the level of a Celestial Being.
But how could such a person appear, and in the Dragon Group at that? It was absolutely impossible.
"Sect Master, there's no point in me lying to you. The fact that I ran back alone to report this is the best proof. If everything were fine, the Grand Elder wouldn't have let me return alone," Pu Zaiye continued to explain, seeing Gu Zhe's disbelief.
Analyzing it this way, Gu Zhe believed him a bit more. He looked at Pu Zaiye and said seriously, "Tell me the entire situation as it happened, don't miss any detail."
"Yes."
Pu Zaiye first recounted their trip to Shanghai to kidnap Jin Xiaochen. Then, two people emerged and fought with the Grand Elder and Third Elder. The Grand Elder called one of them Long Aotian.
Afterwards, the four fought fiercely. Suddenly, a young man arrived halfway and crippled a cultivation with one move.
Gu Zhe was stunned. If what was said was true, that young man's cultivation was likely at the Celestial Being level.
Being so young and having such cultivation, why would he appear in the mortal world? This left Gu Zhe utterly perplexed.
"Did he really say that?"
Gu Zhe, upon hearing Pu Zaiye tell him that Xia Feng had threatened to personally flatten the Laoshan Sect if they offended him again.
Those were big words. Their sect wasn't without Celestial Beings; the ancestor of the Laoshan Sect was of Celestial Being level, they just couldn't be contacted under normal circumstances.
Seeing that the Grand Elder and Third Elder were gone and not returning, Gu Zhe felt sad, but he didn't restrain himself. If only their ancestor could be contacted, then...
Gu Zhe didn't talk much with Pu Zaiye. He waved him away. Gu Zhe's eyes were filled with rage.
...
A few days passed quickly, and it was soon the weekend.
Xia Lin went to the high-speed train station to pick up Liu Jingru in the morning.
At the Shanghai High-Speed Train Station, Liu Jingru, dressed in a business suit and pulling a small suitcase, emerged. Her heroic and spirited appearance completely shed the pure and adorable demeanor of her school days, projecting the image of a professional manager.
Seeing Liu Jingru emerge, Xia Lin waved at her and shouted, "Jingru, over here!"
Liu Jingru saw Xia Lin waving and smiled happily, her steps quickening.
"Lin'er, it's been half a year since we last met, and you've become even more beautiful. How many young masters must be yearning for you," Liu Jingru said with a smile as she walked over.
"You too, in that business attire, you look much more mature," Xia Lin said, walking over and taking her hand.
The two linked arms and walked towards the subway station.
Actually, Xia Lin wanted to be honest with Liu Jingru, as they were good sisters. However, her situation was too bizarre for ordinary people to imagine. She didn't know how to start the conversation, so she could only take things one step at a time.
"Jingru, why don't you stay at my place tonight?"
Not knowing how to say it, Xia Lin decided to directly invite Liu Jingru to her home. Then, what Liu Jingru saw would be more convincing than anything Xia Lin could say.
"No need, the company reimburses expenses. You can't go back tonight either, so you have to accompany me," Liu Jingru said, trying to keep her.
"We'll see," Xia Lin replied.
"Seven or eight of our classmates are in Shanghai. The others are all over the country. I've already arranged for them to have dinner together tonight."
After Liu Jingru called Xia Lin that day, she had mentioned it in the class chat group, and several people had responded.
They had been out of university for two or three years, scattered to different places. That precious memory of the past was gone.
Many had already married and had children, no longer able to return to their beautiful youth. They were all busy with their lives and families.
People always have to grow up. When they were young, they longed to grow up quickly, then earn money and live independently. After growing up, they realized that innocence was the most precious period. Youth had passed, and what awaited them was survival, living for the sake of living.
The life of the rich is life, the life of the poor is to live and survive; the two words need to be read separately.
This is life, a life that everyone must experience.
"Okay, you're the activity organizer of our class, you decide," Xia Lin said with a smile.
The two chatted as they took the subway to Lujiazui. Upon arriving at the hotel arranged by the company, they entered the room.
"Jingru, how's your work at Alibaba? Is anyone bullying you? If anyone bullies you, I'll help you get justice," Xia Lin asked, sitting on the sofa and looking at Liu Jingru.
Liu Jingru worked at Jack Ma's company. She had worked there for two years and achieved some success. This year, she was promoted to team leader, managing a few subordinates.
"Hehe... My Lin'er is the one who cares about me the most."
Liu Jingru giggled upon hearing this. She didn't take Xia Lin's words seriously, believing Xia Lin was just deliberately showing concern.
After all, the workplace was like a battlefield, with all sorts of people. One could easily become a stepping stone for others.
Especially in a large group like Alibaba, the company valued individual ability and welcomed normal competition among colleagues, as this could improve work efficiency.
As for those who used underhanded tactics in competition, the company strictly prohibited such behavior. However, whether anyone did it privately was unknown.
Small companies were like this, let alone large corporate groups.
Alibaba's salary and benefits were good. Liu Jingru, as a team leader, had an annual salary plus bonuses of over three hundred thousand yuan, so she had to work hard.
"Jingru, would you believe me if I told you I know your big boss?" Xia Lin asked as a test.
"Haha... I'd believe anyone who said that. Who doesn't know Jack Ma?"
Liu Jingru laughed heartily. Jack Ma was a household name. Which young person didn't know him?
Xia Lin: ...
"That makes sense. Everyone knows Jack Ma."
"Okay, quickly tell me where we're having dinner tonight. You've been in Shanghai, so you know where the good food is," Liu Jingru said, changing the subject as she saw Xia Lin's surprised expression.
"Uh... I rarely go out to eat either. Maybe I can search on my phone and see where's suitable."
When Xia Lin was a streamer, she rarely went out to eat. For the past few months, she had been with the young master Wang at high-end restaurants. For a class reunion, such places were definitely not suitable.
Xia Lin really wanted to treat everyone at the Holiday Dynasty or the Grand Palace, but that would be too ostentatious.
Xia Lin had always been a very low-key person.
She didn't like showing off. Even though her life had undergone earth-shattering changes, she had always remained true to herself and never pretended.
Because showing off was something for the little ones.