There's Gold Beneath a Man's Knees! Real Gold!

"W-What? That awful guy could die?!"

Wu Feng cried out in alarm beside her. She stared at Ning Wuque, her face full of shock and disbelief. She had never imagined that someone who trained so diligently every day could have some "terminal illness" that might kill him at any moment.

This...

Well, it was true that she did not particularly like Ning Wuque, but she did not want the guy who listened to her complaints and bickering to leave either.

Wu Feng was only thoughtless. She was still a child, after all; she had not become heartless yet.

Ignoring Wu Feng's shrill cries, Ning Wuque silently met Ning Tian's gaze. Both could see the other's attitude and thoughts in their eyes.

Ning Tian did not want Ning Wuque to die so soon.

Ning Wuque also did not want to become too entangled with Ning Tian. It would not benefit either of them.

"I've officially developed the first stage of this soul skill. When the Quarterly Assessment comes, I'll show it to you."

"What?"

Across from him, Ning Tian did not understand what Ning Wuque meant. What did he mean by showing it to her? What was he trying to say?

Ning Wuque did not like speaking in riddles either, so his next words answered Ning Tian's doubts.

"This soul skill is very dangerous. You'll directly experience its power, as well as... the damage it inflicts on me. If, by then, you still want to keep company with a dead man like me... do as you please."

After saying that, Ning Wuque closed his eyes and quietly waited for the two of them to leave.

A smile appeared on Ning Tian's face. She forgot everything else and only heard Ning Wuque's final words—if she still wanted to keep company with a dead man like him, she could follow her heart!

"Alright!"

She nodded heavily, already determined to remain friends with Ning Wuque no matter what. Slowly, she raised her hand and revealed the Gold Card glittering under the warm sunlight, then promised him:

"Then, if your soul skill really satisfies me, this card contains all the New Year money and allowance I've saved over the years. Ten million Gold Soul Coins in total.

I'm buying your life! No matter the cost, you'll work for me until you die of old age. Do you hear me?!"

"..."

Ning Wuque fell silent, wearing an expression of someone unmoved by money.

In truth, he was practically ready to kneel before Ning Tian. There was gold beneath a man's knees—and this gold happened to be worth ten million taels!

It was only his vanity and desire to look cool that stopped him. Otherwise, he would definitely have said, "It's a deal!"

However, after hearing the latter half of Ning Tian's words, Ning Wuque's heart wavered as well.

Her words carried another meaning:

I'll do everything I can to keep you alive!

"Honestly, I'm so touched I could cry."

Only after Ning Tian and Wu Feng's footsteps had faded into the distance did Ning Wuque slowly lower his head and mutter to himself. Then, he entered his cultivation state once more.

And just after Ning Wuque returned to cultivation—

Just as he had suspected from the beginning, a figure who had witnessed everything flashed away.

He was the recorder Ning Tian's father had sent. He would report everything to Ning Fengxiao exactly as it had happened.

Including the part where Ning Wuque showed off his acting skills and Ning Tian saw through him.

Time was like a hardy whore—after a while, it always changed partners. In the blink of an eye, an entire month had passed.

The Quarterly Assessment at the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Junior Soul Master Academy began as scheduled.

Ning Wuque did not skip class today. Instead, he quietly waited in the classroom for the teacher to lead them to the competition grounds.

Unlike Shrek, the Quarterly Assessment was meant to sort students into different streams, so it used a one-versus-one elimination format. Support System soul masters, however, could either form teams or be matched with a teammate for two-versus-two battles.

The initial matches had the bottom half of each grade challenge upward according to their simulated rankings. For example, rank fifty-nine would fight rank fifty-eight, and the winner would advance.

Those in the top half of the rankings received a direct bye. Then, in the second round, starting from the weakest, they would fight the students who had advanced until every second-round qualifier had fought. Those ranked higher would still advance directly.

This format ensured that students with decent martial souls but no diligence would be eliminated, while talented students eager to climb higher would not be overlooked. At the same time, it spurred both sides onward. It truly killed three birds with one stone!

The third round was a draw-based Elimination Round. Opponents were completely random until the final winner was decided.

Besides rankings, there were also performance scores. These scores were judged by the teachers who came to watch.

For example, if you encountered someone with Soul Power five levels higher than yours and had no chance of defeating them no matter what, you could still earn a promising future as long as you performed well.

After hearing this, Ning Wuque was surprised by how humane the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was. It simply did not fit the cannibalistic atmosphere of Douluo Continent.

Just look at the Freshman Assessment next door at Shrek. That was a true clash of the strong! Those at the bottom were expelled immediately!

Having deep pockets really was different.

"Alright, time's up. Let's go."

Soon, under their class teacher's lead, Ning Wuque left with the main group. He walked at the very back of the line, looking forward to showing off in the arena.

Hehehe, in order to put on a grand performance before everyone, he had spent a full hour writing the script!

He could hardly wait!

However, Ning Wuque was somewhat disappointed to find that his grandfather, Zhang Can, seemed to have revealed to the clan that he had obtained a thousand-year first soul ring and could even overpower thousand-year soul beasts. He had been assigned to the Genius Group, which advanced directly.

His name was absent from both of the first two rounds.

So he could only sit in the spectator seats and watch the other students in his grade fight like rookies.

They were all children with only one soul ring, or not even one. Their fights were truly boring. Often, a single sneak attack or underhanded trick could end a match by surprise.

Time quickly passed amid battle after battle.

In one morning, the entire Weak Group had finished their matches. There were only one hundred and twenty-three children in the whole grade, so it did not take long.

That afternoon, the competition reached the third-round random Elimination Round. Ning Wuque's name was called for the very first match!

"First match of the third-round Elimination Round: Ning Wuque versus Yu Xiaoxiao."

"Finally, it's time for me to take the stage. No, hold it in—I can't smile yet!"

Ning Wuque forcefully suppressed the smile on his face. He rose slightly, stepped down from the stands, and headed toward the Azure Jade Arena.

He lifted his head and swept his gaze around. This grand event was attended not only by clan elders, but also by every clan disciple who had yet to graduate, all accompanied by parents or teachers.

Ning Wuque even spotted someone—Zhang Can. He was seated among the distant Elder Seats, watching Ning Wuque with a smile.

"Although I don't know how a freak like you got assigned to our group, but... are you ready to welcome defeat?"

The moment he stepped onto the arena, the blue-haired little girl opposite him could not resist beginning her pre-battle taunts and provocation.