Universe Infinite Canteen

Cao Youyi had been on guard against the two new hires from the very beginning, so whether it was Enlightenment Cola, the cultivation methods on the turtle shell, or the Nine Talismans from the Dragon Palace, she kept them hidden from the two.

The main force studying the cultivation methods and the Dragon Palace Nine Talismans were still Zhou Zuolin, Dai Lianliang, and other seniors. They only consulted Gu Peilun and Sheng Tongwen on the more obscure and complex parts, whereas the matter of the iron box became known to all teachers and students because Ma Lu planned to go fishing.

After discovering Gu Peilun's disappearance, Cao Youyi immediately checked the Principal's Office and found that the drawer storing the iron box had been pried open. The iron box had vanished, but the two bank drafts inside, each worth a thousand big ocean, were still there.

This also indirectly proved that the person who stole the iron box did not do it for the money.

"Oh, the people from Hero move quickly, don't they?" said Ma Lu, "It seems they really want the contents of the box."

Cao Youyi pulled out a gold-embossed invitation.

"This was delivered an hour ago. The big boss of Hero, Luo Xiangshi, is hosting a banquet at the Six Nations Hotel and would like to invite you."

"He's not planning to take me down under the guise of the banquet, is he?" Ma Lu took the invitation and asked.

"It's unlikely. As far as I know, apart from you, Luo Xiangshi also invited the Ping City Mayor, the Head of the City's Education Bureau, the Chief of Police, the Salt Gang Gang Leader Wang Qi, and many local gentry and entrepreneurs.

"With so many notable local figures gathered together, even with Hero Group's power, it would be difficult to behave improperly in front of so many witnesses."

"So I can go meet Luo Xiangshi, then?"

"No, quite the opposite." Cao Youyi said, "I don't recommend you go. I thought before that Hero Group didn't have much influence in Ping City, only a bit of connection with the railway bank, but now it seems that I underestimated them. Even after leaving Xindu, Luo Xiangshi's influence is not small.

"Tonight's banquet, almost all the business and political figures of Ping City will attend. Since these people are willing to show their faces, even though not all of them are from Hero, most are likely aligned with them.

"If you have any conflicts with Luo Xiangshi at the banquet, you would also offend these people. Offending any single one of them would be one thing but combined, they could make it so Hou De cannot continue to operate in Ping City."

"Interesting, Luo Xiangshi appears to have changed his tactics to playing politics after not gaining the upper hand in our previous encounters." Ma Lu stroked his chin, thoughtfully.

"That makes me even more determined to go, otherwise wouldn't that just let him pull all the local forces to Hero's side?"

Seeing that Ma Lu was resolute, Cao Youyi did not advise further. She simply said, "If you're attending the banquet, you'll need a female companion. I can accompany you. I may not know all of Ping City's major forces, but I can at least be acquainted with them. Given the old principal's face, they shouldn't trouble us too much."

"That's fine."

Before heading to the banquet, Ma Lu took the time to review the scientific achievements of the past week. His newly selected three technologies were "Study Heaven and Earth," "Everlasting Life," and "Evil Cannot Suppress Justice."

"Study Heaven and Earth" targeted the educators, increasing their lesson preparation efficiency by 100%.

Ma Lu prioritized this technology so that the school's educators could master the cultivation methods on the turtle shell and the Dragon Palace Nine Talismans sooner to teach the students.

Under the enhancement of "Study Heaven and Earth," Zhou Zuolin and others did not disappoint, mastering one of the Nine Talismans named Command Token in less than a week.

This talisman allowed control over water-bound creatures within a radius of one mile when cast, which was very useful in areas with rivers and lakes.

The other two research projects, "Everlasting Life" and "Missed and Hit," were for cleaning up the catastrophe belt.

"Everlasting Life" allowed the teachers and students engaged in battle in the catastrophe belt to regain half of the physical strength and spiritual power they expended.

In other words, from now on, Hou De's teachers and students would only need to expend half their physical strength and spiritual power when clearing the catastrophe belt, effectively negating the negative effects from "Weight Training."

"Missed and Hit" was designed to counteract the panic effect caused by "surrounded." Its function was to have a 75% chance that a wrong combat decision or action would yield 150% effectiveness.

When Ma Lu first took over at Hou De, he had to find alternative methods to quickly collect education points and improve his power, sacrificing Hou De's combat capabilities as a price.

After initially earning a good amount by clearing the catastrophe belt, he knew he could not stay in this Plane forever. Now, under his leadership, Hou De had gradually developed and was on the right track.

Ma Lu hoped the school could continue to operate normally after his departure, so he also consciously made preparations for leaving, enhancing the strengths of Hou De's teachers and students in the catastrophe belt.

After checking the research projects from the last week, Ma Lu arranged the next week's as well. Seeing that it was almost time, he prepared to leave for the Six Nations Hotel with Cao Youyi.

Then a figure burst hurriedly into his office.

"Principal Ma, are you going to attend Boss Luo's banquet? Take me with you, I'll be your female companion!"

The person who entered was Lu Yingying.

Today, she wore a Western-style dress with wavy curled hair and open-toed little shoes, looking both modern and stylish. She also wore a net veil hat that half-covered her face, adding a mysterious, somewhat elusive charm.

"Don't be silly," Ma Lu said, "I have serious business there, I'll play with you another time."

However, Lu Yingying had already moved forward a step, and coquettishly grabbed his arm, "No, I promise I'll be good and won't cause you any trouble. Please take me with you. I heard that Xindu's most popular actress, Chen Meng, will be there tonight, and I want her autograph."

Ma Lu was somewhat helpless and laid out the situation, "I have an unresolved issue with Hero Group's Boss Luo, and tonight's banquet is likely not going to be peaceful. You'd better stay away from me."

However, contrary to his expectations, Lu Yingying did not release his arm but instead winked at him.

"I know most of tonight's guests are from Hero, so you need me by your side even more. My dad may not be a very important figure, but his outgoing personality has won him a wide network of friends. If someone with the surname Luo tries something, having me there might make him think twice."

Ma Lu was surprised; he had not expected the seemingly carefree, fun-loving Lu Yingying to be not only perceptive but also loyal.

She talked about going for fun, but she was really worried about him.