Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: So This Is What You Call Keeping a Low Profile

Ruan Yunlong quickly scolded her. Only after hearing his grandfather’s words did Ruan Mei reluctantly lower her fists.

“Young man, I did not expect someone your age to possess such cultivation. May I ask where you trained?”

Ruan Yunlong stepped forward, covering five meters in a single stride. This terrifying speed made Li Ya's eyelids twitch.

No wonder he was a master at the pinnacle realm; every movement exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure!

“I have no sect or school,” Ruan Yunlong replied.

“Since you prefer not to say, I won’t press further. It is a blessing for Luocheng to have a talented youth like you,” the elder said.

Ruan Yunlong looked at Li Ya with admiration.

So young, yet possessing remarkable martial strength and a mature, steady demeanor.

He lacked the arrogance of a privileged official’s son and the extravagance of a noble heir.

“Old sir, as I said before, my word still stands. If your family ever encounters trouble, you can come to me,” Li Ya said before turning to leave.

He did not want to linger and feel uncomfortable after bullying someone’s granddaughter in front of the Northern War God.

Watching Li Ya’s departing figure, Ruan Mei stomped her foot in anger.

“Enough, Mei. I told you, you were no match for that young man, but you insisted on overestimating yourself. If you suffer losses, it’s only because you were too proud.”

“His speed far surpasses yours, and he can accurately predict your attack trajectory. I believe when you two first fought, you already realized his realm is higher than yours.”

“Your stubborn nature will only cause you great harm.”

Ruan Yunlong shook his head, looking helplessly at his precious granddaughter.

Ruan Mei pouted. “Grandpa, it’s clearly his fault. Why do you still side with him?”

“I admit he has some martial prowess, but his words are inscrutable, no different from a street vendor’s spiel!”

Ruan Yunlong said nothing in response. After a moment, he spoke softly, “Mei, you’re not young anymore. You mustn’t be so arrogant and impulsive. The world is far more complicated than you imagine.”

...

Back at the villa, Li Ya focused on his cultivation, a massive surge of spiritual energy circulating within him.

By dusk, accompanied by a wave of spiritual power, Li Ya broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, his strength now equivalent to that of an innate realm warrior!

A faint smile curved Li Ya’s lips. At last, he had enough power to defend himself.

In the martial world, an innate realm warrior was considered a formidable fighter.

---

Checking the time, Li Ya then drove toward the Luoshen Group.

He remembered that this morning, Xiao Yudie had been riding in his car and so hadn’t taken her own keys.

Besides, he planned to swap out his Rolls-Royce, which was far too conspicuous and didn’t fit his low-profile style.

Just as Xiao Yudie stepped out of the elevator, she met Li Ya arriving at the company. A dazzling smile brightened her face.

“Boss... why are you here?”

Xiao Yudie hurried beside him.

“I was just about to get off work, so I came to pick you up.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yudie felt a secret joy and bit her lip shyly.

Looking at this cold, aloof female CEO suddenly showing such a tempting expression created a striking contrast that made Li Ya’s breath quicken.

“All right, let’s go swap cars first.”

Xiao Yudie nodded and, despite her high heels, led Li Ya across the street to the company garage.

She pressed the key fob, and the headlights of a low-spec black Maybach lit up immediately.

“Boss, this is your car. How do you like it? If it’s not satisfactory, we have even better ones.”

Li Ya was taken aback.

“This is the ‘low-profile’ car you mentioned?”

Though a low-spec model, the Maybach still cost over two million yuan.

At least when Li Ya was with Su Yunjin, they couldn’t afford such a luxury car.

“Boss, this is the cheapest car the company assigned you,” Xiao Yudie said helplessly.

The Luoshen Group’s financial strength was immense. Across all of Luocheng, few could challenge its influence through wealth alone.

Whether a villa in Yunhu Elegant Garden or a Maybach sedan, it was nothing to the Luoshen Group.

Xiao Yudie realized her boss didn’t act like a typical wealthy heir.

Others might not know Li Ya’s true identity, but she was very clear.

The Li family was one of the four great clans of Tianzhou, a powerful lineage with over a thousand years of history and a vast business empire worth trillions.

Not to mention the Li family, even famous rich heirs in Luocheng drove sports cars worth tens of millions, spending their days wooing women.

Yet her boss actually complained that a two-million-yuan car was too expensive...

---

Li Ya felt helpless but accepted the keys.

Although the Maybach wasn’t cheap, it was far more understated than his custom Rolls-Royce worth over twenty million.

This was the cheapest car the Luoshen Group had assigned him, but it was still a Maybach.

The black body resembled a mobster in a suit, its over five-meter length radiating dignity.

Pressing the accelerator, Li Ya suddenly sensed something amiss and noticed Xiao Yudie wearing a mischievous smile.

“How’s that, boss? You didn’t realize, did you? I specially had the engine and parts swapped out. Now this beast has a V12 heart—a truly powerful ride!”

Hearing her proud laugh, Li Ya nodded inwardly.

No wonder this woman was a renowned CEO in Luocheng; she was indeed meticulous.

On the way home, Xiao Yudie noticed Li Ya’s distracted gaze, often glancing toward the roadside.

“Boss, is something on your mind?” she asked, puzzled.

Li Ya shook his head and said calmly, “Nothing. Just hold onto the handle tightly.”

Xiao Yudie was puzzled by his words but instinctively obeyed, gripping the window handle.

The next second, she spotted three fast-approaching SUVs behind them.

This was the road to Yunhu Elegant Garden, a wealthy district far from the bustling city center, usually with little traffic.

Suddenly, three identical black SUVs appeared, clearly with hostile intent.

“Boss, what’s going on?” Xiao Yudie’s voice grew urgent.

Li Ya gently patted her hand, soothing her nerves.

It seemed the Heavenly Dragon’s Eye was working perfectly.

That morning, when Li Ya activated the Heavenly Dragon’s Eye, he detected a faint trace of black energy on Xiao Yudie.

Concerned for her safety, he had deliberately come to pick her up from work, and now trouble was indeed following them.

As dusk deepened, only their four vehicles sped along the deserted road.