Teacher, Betting Is Gambling, and That's Not Good

The words "lose money" struck Jiang Yunzhou's most sensitive nerve like a bolt of lightning.

He wavered. Perhaps Ning Rongrong joining the fight was not absolutely necessary after all.

What if? If it really came to losing money, this deal would be a huge loss!

No, he could not let that happen.

"It won't, Rongrong."

Zhu Zhuqing voiced her opinion at just the right moment. "I tested your damage reflection effect. With your current control over the Glazed Wall, you can reflect at most fifty percent of the opponent's attack power. As long as they aren't too fragile, or don't deliberately throw their life away by hitting your shield with all their strength, no one will die."

Jiang Yunzhou nodded thoughtfully.

If the risk was only at this level, then it seemed acceptable again!

One more participant meant one more opportunity to place bets and make money!

He even began considering whether to come up with some attack methods for Ning Rongrong so she could take the initiative herself.

But seeing how she was busy from morning until night and exhausted every day, he felt somewhat reluctant.

"Fine, then it's settled!" He made the decision outright.

"Besides the individual matches, the two of you should form a duo and enter the two-on-two matches. That way, I can place three bets."

He made no effort to hide his true purpose.

He was still very confident in the two girls' strength.

Moreover, he had long planned for the future. He intended to form a team and win the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition three years from now. After all, the reward was three soul bones.

Soul bones were incredibly valuable. If there was a chance to obtain them, he naturally had to seize it.

With Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, plus Xiao Wu, they could win even if they brought along a few dogs.

And Ning Rongrong was an excellent candidate for team captain.

She now possessed extremely strong self-preservation abilities. The cultivation technique she practiced allowed her to remain calm at all times, while Spiritual Connection could establish a mental link. She was perfect for holding down the rear and coordinating the overall situation.

Participating in more battles was crucial for honing their reaction speed and teamwork.

Spiritual Connection was such a useful skill, and modifying it was simple. Jiang Yunzhou had already decided that everyone under his tutelage would get one.

Ning Rongrong was not worried about Jiang Yunzhou's decision. She knew very well how much she had transformed lately, and confidence came naturally to her.

She was no ordinary support-type Soul Master now. She did not need others to divide their attention to protect her.

Thinking about how her teacher was so eager for her to compete, yet actually wanted to place more bets and make money...?

A bold thought suddenly surfaced in her mind: Should I just ask Teacher whether he'd consider living off a woman?

She really wanted to stuff all her sweet, soft things directly into his mouth!

Zhu Zhuqing was more straightforward, firing a direct question. "Teacher, betting is gambling, and that's not good."

She knew that her teacher was betting to make money.

But nearly all of the academy's expenses were currently covered by Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong often asked her to help with some small task, then casually stuffed a large handful of gold coins into her hands as thanks.

When she sent their teacher to buy ingredients, Ning Rongrong had allocated one thousand gold coins per month.

Logically speaking, their teacher should not be short on money.

She worried inwardly: Teacher absolutely must not develop a gambling addiction. Nine out of ten gamblers lose. I'm worrying myself sick over this family.

"Hm?"

Jiang Yunzhou retorted righteously, "Why would I refuse money that's practically free?"

Those words left Zhu Zhuqing speechless. She could only sigh silently.

She secretly wondered, Should I give Teacher the two thousand gold coins I've saved up as private funds?

Without realizing it, her little stash had skyrocketed from the initial few dozen gold coins to more than two thousand in just half a month, thanks to Ning Rongrong constantly rewarding and reimbursing her.

Almost everything she ate, wore, and used was paid for by Ning Rongrong.

She had to admit, having a thoughtful, rich junior sister was truly wonderful!

Most importantly, refusing was not an option.

Ning Rongrong would always put on an expression that said, "If you don't take it, I'll throw it away." Who could bear that?

Thus, Zhu Zhuqing could only accept it with a clear conscience.

Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong was seriously considering another question: should she keep throwing money around? What if her teacher really became a wealthy man someday? Would he lose interest in her gold-coin offensive?

A thought emerged: What if I deliberately lose tonight's match? Make Teacher lose every coin he bet? Make him poor again, so he'll need me even more?

As she thought about it, a sly smile unconsciously appeared on her face.

Jiang Yunzhou and his two disciples were holding their weekly meeting in the small courtyard.

Just as they were discussing how to make a fortune at the Soul Fighting Arena,

over at Shilaike Academy, someone Tang San had long been waiting for arrived.

It was the Master, Yu Xiaogang.

His arrival was like a shot of adrenaline for the depressed Tang San. Much of the gloom on his face was swept away.

Yu Xiaogang had always been extremely strict with Tang San.

He had heard from Hulande about Tang San's dispirited behavior over the past half month, and he was greatly displeased.

Naturally, he knew about Tang San's feelings for Xiao Wu, though he did not know how far things had progressed between them.

What surprised him even more was that Xiao Wu, who had always clung to Tang San, had begun to keep her distance as well.

The two had once been inseparable. How had things become like this?

When he learned that the root of it all seemed to be the newly opened Supreme Academy across the street, and that the two sides had even clashed, Yu Xiaogang's expression became particularly grim.

So he sought out Tang San for a private conversation.

"Xiao San, do you know what you did wrong? What have I taught you?"

Yu Xiaogang's voice was stern. "Your Soul Power has not improved at all these past two weeks, and that alone would be bad enough. Are you planning to continue wallowing like this? Just because Xiao Wu no longer revolves around you like she used to, you've even abandoned your cultivation?"

"Cultivation is your own responsibility. If you keep this up, you'll be ruined."

Tang San was left speechless. He lowered his head, not daring to argue.

Seeing him like this, Yu Xiaogang knew that his guess was probably correct.

It had to be said, the dazzling world was enough to bewilder anyone.

It was not only boys who could be led astray. Girls could easily be lured away by blond punks from outside as well.

His impression of Xiao Wu worsened by a few degrees.

He had never particularly liked Xiao Wu's flighty personality. In his eyes, her presence had always affected Tang San's cultivation.

Now that she had consciously begun keeping her distance, perhaps that was a good thing instead.

If Tang San could let go, he would be able to focus more on cultivation.

"Teacher, I was wrong," Tang San admitted quietly.

Seeing Tang San's sincere attitude, Yu Xiaogang's expression eased considerably.

"It's good that you know your mistake and can correct it. Go prepare yourself. I'll also be going to the Soul Fighting Arena tonight to see how you perform."

Perhaps because of Jiang Yunzhou's interference, the original course of events had shifted subtly.

Tang San's cultivation progress was clearly much slower than expected.

After dinner,

when Xiao Wu learned that Jiang Yunzhou and the other two were also going to the Soul Fighting Arena, she joined their group without hesitation and headed to Suotuo City with them.

Jiang Yunzhou had already noted the Soul Fighting Arena's location during his last stroll, and Xiao Wu had been there several times as well. The four of them quickly arrived at their destination.

"This place is so impressive!"

"Yeah, I felt the same way the first time I came here." Xiao Wu nodded in agreement.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded calmly. "I heard it can hold over ten thousand spectators. It must be huge and lively inside."

"Hmph~"

Ning Rongrong lifted her little face proudly. "Compared to our sect, it's just so-so!"

Having grown accustomed to the prosperity of big cities, she could not muster much amazement for the Soul Fighting Arena in this small city.