Formation of the Combination

Formation of the Combination

A trace of impatience appeared on Ning Rongrong's face.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Yin Hao leisurely walked up to her and held out his hand.

"What I want to say is that no true powerhouse would deny themselves because of someone else's words. Rather than struggling with yourself here, why not prove to them just how wrong they are?"

Ning Rongrong looked at Yin Hao's outstretched hand. She did not know why, but she unconsciously placed her hand in his.

Yin Hao smiled.

"Then come with me. They're at the Great Spirit Arena right now. Let's go take a look too..."

"Mm..."

To be honest, Yin Hao had always felt that Flander's methods of education were rather lacking. Leaving aside everything else, the single line, "Those who dare not cause trouble are mediocre," said it all.

But even so, he had nothing to criticize when it came to how Flander treated his students. As a level seventy-eight Soul Saint, he had been willing to stand against a group of Titled Douluo in Spirit City for Tang San's sake. That alone was enough to make countless people feel ashamed of themselves.

Yin Hao did not particularly hate Flander either. Moreover, the System stipulated that a trade partner's strength could not exceed his by more than two Soul Rings. A Soul Elder could currently trade with a Soul Ancestor, but not with a Soul King. Thus, Yin Hao currently regarded Flander as nothing more than an ordinary Master. However, if Flander ever stood against him for some reason in the future, Yin Hao would show no mercy.

When they arrived at the Great Spirit Arena, everyone had already formed teams. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were one team, Dai Mubai and Tang San were another, while Ma Hongjun stood alone with an unhappy expression.

Dai Mubai had originally planned to team up with Zhu Zhuqing, but the moment he spoke, Zhu Zhuqing did not even glance at him before directly going to Xiao Wu to form a team.

This made Dai Mubai furious. I came to you first—wasn't that already giving you face? You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!

However, considering that they were at the Great Spirit Arena, Dai Mubai restrained his anger and planned to find her and question her after they left.

When Flander saw Yin Hao and Ning Rongrong arrive, he nodded as well. Although he had a letter from Ning Fengzhi that served as a "Shang Fang Sword," if he truly angered Ning Rongrong, she might very well summon the Titled Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

If that happened, he would be utterly dumbfounded. Zhao Wuji's miserable state was still vivid in his mind, and he had no desire to follow in Zhao Wuji's footsteps.

After greeting everyone in the resting area, Yin Hao turned to Ning Rongrong.

"Since everyone else has already formed their teams, the two of us should form one too."

The moment Yin Hao spoke, Ma Hongjun, who had been standing nearby and preparing to approach Yin Hao, froze. Who said everyone had formed a team? Wasn't there still one person here?

Xiao Wu, who was sitting beside Zhu Zhuqing, was equally unhappy. But since she had agreed to team up with Zhu Zhuqing, she could not say anything else.

Naturally, Ning Rongrong had no objection after hearing Yin Hao's words and agreed immediately.

The two then went to the front desk to apply to form a team.

Ma Hongjun was left standing there, looking at Flander with an unwilling expression.

Flander was somewhat embarrassed as well. He had originally planned not to let Ning Rongrong participate for the time being, then have Ma Hongjun and Yin Hao form a team.

He had not expected Yin Hao to team up with Ning Rongrong directly. But it did not matter. Ning Rongrong was, after all, merely a support Spirit Master in her twenties, so she would not be able to help Yin Hao much in Spirit Elder-level matches. Once the two of them lost, he could have Yin Hao team up with Ma Hongjun instead.

Having received that answer, Ma Hongjun sat at the very back behind everyone else with a displeased expression, but he did not say anything more.

When they reached the front desk, Yin Hao stated that he wanted to register a two-person team. The young woman at the counter immediately said, "The registration fee is ten Gold Coins. If you win a match, the two of you will receive ten Gold Coins in total."

Yin Hao took out ten Gold Soul Coins and handed them to her. Then, following the front desk's arrangements, they first tested their Soul Power. After the test, the young woman reminded them, "I need to remind you both that although this young lady is only in her twenties, if the two of you form a team, you will have to participate in Soul Elder-level matches."

Yin Hao smiled.

"That's fine. Please register us."

Seeing that Yin Hao refused, the young woman at the front desk did not try to persuade him further.

"Please give your combination a name."

Yin Hao thought for a moment before speaking.

"Let's call it the Rong Hao Combination." (I'm really terrible at naming things, don't blame me.)

"Alright."

After they finished registering, Xiao Wu came running over, grabbed Yin Hao's arm, and said, "Hao Ge, my solo Spirit Battle is about to begin. You can't not come watch..."

"Alright, alright, I'll go over right away."

"No, I want you to go with me."

Yin Hao looked at Xiao Wu helplessly, then said to Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong, let's head back to the resting area first."

Ning Rongrong nodded in agreement.

How could it be about to start? Xiao Wu had originally wanted to wait for Yin Hao to arrive before forming a team. But after waiting for half an hour without seeing any sign of him, she had finally formed a team with Zhu Zhuqing.

Because of that, she had delayed things. Her solo Spirit Battle would not begin for another half an hour.

Back in the resting area, Xiao Wu sat beside Zhu Zhuqing while hugging Yin Hao's arm, while Ning Rongrong sat on Yin Hao's other side.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced twice at Xiao Wu, who was holding Yin Hao, but said nothing.

"By the way, Rongrong, could I ask you for a favor?"

Hearing Yin Hao's voice, Ning Rongrong looked at him. Without hesitation, she nodded.

"What kind of favor?"

Yin Hao smiled awkwardly.

"I want to borrow some money from you."

Ning Rongrong froze for a moment, then immediately understood.

"You're not thinking of... betting at the Great Spirit Arena, are you?"

The Great Spirit Arena was much like a modern boxing ring, with wagers set up by the organizers. In the original story, Flander had won quite a few Gold Soul Coins through the Great Spirit Arena's betting pools.

Yin Hao nodded.

Ning Rongrong waved a hand generously.

"No problem. How much do you want to borrow?"

Yin Hao thought it over. Betting too much would not only draw the organizers' attention; rigging the results would be the least of his worries. What he feared was that even if he won, they might not be able to pay him. Given the Great Spirit Arena's influence, it was not as though they would not dare to do such a thing.

But betting too little would not work either. If he earned too little, when would he ever be able to trade for another pair of Mangekyō from that damned System?

Besides, he had a high-level Soul Sage like Flander with him. As long as the amount was not especially enormous, the Great Spirit Arena would not choose to play dirty.

After giving it some thought, Yin Hao said, "Then... one hundred thousand."

It had to be said, Ning Rongrong truly was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ordinary people would either be stunned senseless at the mention of one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins or simply be unable to produce the money. Ning Rongrong was only mildly surprised before taking out a Gold Card.