Soul Battle Wager, Xue Nianbing Intended to Establish His Authority

"Beibei, move aside!"

"Today, I'm going to teach this brat who doesn't know his place a proper lesson and let him learn what it means to respect his seniors!"

Xu Sanshi glared hatefully at Xue Nianbing, gritting his teeth.

That kick from Xue Nianbing had nearly shattered his bones. How could he possibly let such humiliation go?

"Sanshi, calm down."

Beibei repeatedly tried to persuade him, then looked at Xue Nianbing. "Brother Xue, why don't you apologize to Sanshi? You were the one who struck first, after all."

"Heh heh."

Xue Nianbing chuckled and ignored Beibei. Instead, he turned to Jiang Nannan and Wang Dong. "Well? Are you full? Is there anything else you want to eat?"

Jiang Nannan shook her head.

Wang Dong looked around, then pointed in a certain direction. "When I came back yesterday, I saw a dessert shop over there. Let's go take a look."

"Alright."

Xue Nianbing nodded with a smile.

The three of them made no effort to avoid being overheard.

Everyone could not help admiring Xue Nianbing. He was actually ignoring the Outer Academy's two great geniuses.

Xue Nianbing's dismissive attitude made Beibei frown as well, but he still tried to persuade Xu Sanshi. "Sanshi, forget it. Calm down first."

"Calm down my ass!"

"Beibei, can't you see how arrogant this brat is? Today, I'm definitely taking this up with him!"

Xu Sanshi shoved Beibei aside and strode straight up to Xue Nianbing and the other two. He roared, "Kid, do you dare come with me to the Soul Battle Area and have a real fight?"

He was still somewhat rational. He knew that bullying a freshman in public as an upperclassman would invite criticism and might even violate the rules.

However, it would be different if both sides went to the Soul Battle Area "voluntarily."

Xue Nianbing looked at the young man before him and said calmly, "Xu Sanshi, a Level 36 Soul Elder. A member of the Xuan Ming Sect, with the bloodline of the Dou Ling Empire's imperial family. Your Martial Soul is the Xuan Ming Turtle, and it contains the bloodline of the Divine Beast Xuanwu..."

The moment those words came out.

Xu Sanshi's pupils contracted, and his mind shook violently.

He stared at Xue Nianbing in disbelief and blurted out, "You... who exactly are you?"

Xu Sanshi was utterly horrified inside.

His background, the secret of his Martial Soul—Xue Nianbing had actually seen through them all.

Who exactly was he?

Xue Nianbing... his surname was Xue?

Xu Sanshi suddenly recalled that his mother had been a princess of the former Dou Ling Empire dynasty.

His mother's surname was also Xue. So was this man's, and he knew everything about him...

Seeing the change in Xu Sanshi's expression, Xue Nianbing said lightly, "I have nothing to do with your imperial family. My surname just happens to be Xue. Understand?"

Xu Sanshi frowned, still suspicious.

Everything Xue Nianbing had just said was his greatest secret.

Once a secret was known by someone else, it was no longer a secret.

Especially since Xue Nianbing was an enemy, not a friend. What had initially been mere friction between students could now escalate into a personal grudge.

At that thought, the coldness in Xu Sanshi's eyes deepened.

Xue Nianbing had humiliated him and knew his secrets. Based on those two points alone, this man already deserved death.

"Looking at you, it seems you're still unconvinced."

"If you want to go to the Soul Battle Area, of course you can. But fighting without stakes is boring. Let's add a wager to make it more interesting."

A faint glint flashed through Xue Nianbing's eyes as he imperceptibly glanced at Xu Sanshi's Storage Ring.

As the young sect master of the Xuan Ming Sect, Xu Sanshi's assets could not possibly be meager.

Besides, Xu Sanshi had ruined the atmosphere so badly that Xue Nianbing did not want to let things end so easily. This was the perfect chance to give him another thorough beating in the Soul Battle Area.

"As if I'd be afraid of you."

Xu Sanshi's face darkened. He said coldly, "You tell me. What are we betting?"

"Simple. We'll wager our respective Storage Rings." Xue Nianbing's lips curled up in a "kind" smile.

"Storage Rings!"

Xu Sanshi's expression changed as he instinctively looked at his Storage Ring.

It contained more than just Gold Soul Coins. There were also precious treasures like Xuan Shui Pills.

If he lost... No, how could he possibly lose?

He was a dignified fifth-year student. How could he fear a freshman?

Although this freshman was the Newcomer King, a Level 36 Battle Soul Master, how could his combat experience compare to Xu Sanshi's?

He, Xu Sanshi, was a famous genius of Shrek Academy's Outer Academy.

"A grown man, yet you're hemming and hawing. Just say it if you're scared. We won't laugh at you to your face." Xue Nianbing showed no mercy with his words, directly provoking him.

Sure enough, Xu Sanshi immediately became agitated and roared, "As if I'd be afraid of a freshman like you! Come on, let's go to the Soul Battle Area right now!"

"Sanshi, don't!"

At that moment, Beibei happened to arrive.

He had not heard Xue Nianbing and Xu Sanshi's earlier conversation, but he did hear that they intended to wager their Storage Rings in a battle at the Soul Battle Area.

He had witnessed Xue Nianbing's strength, so he knew just how powerful he was.

Xu Sanshi was only about as strong as him. How could he possibly be Xue Nianbing's opponent?

Beibei walked over to Xu Sanshi and whispered a few words.

Xu Sanshi's expression changed upon hearing them.

"Really?" Xu Sanshi's voice was full of doubt.

Beibei nodded heavily.

Seeing that, Xu Sanshi immediately felt that things were going badly. He stared at Xue Nianbing with an extremely solemn gaze.

Damn it, he was going to capsize in a gutter.

However, he had agreed to fight at the Soul Battle Area in front of so many people. If he backed down now, everyone would mock him from now on.

Xu Sanshi was truly being roasted over the fire now.

Xue Nianbing saw this too. To prevent Xu Sanshi from really becoming a cowardly turtle... well, he actually was a turtle.

In any case, Xue Nianbing did not want to miss this chance to beat someone up and make some money at the same time.

"What's wrong? Scared?"

"Fine, you can be scared. Kneel down and admit your mistake now, and perhaps I'll be merciful enough to treat your earlier bold words as nothing but wind in my ears."

"Of course, you can also find some help. For example, Brother Bei at your side seems pretty good."

Xue Nianbing looked at the two with a smiling face.

At that moment, he looked just like a great villain bullying others.

It had to be said, this feeling was really satisfying.

"Brother Xue, stop fooling around. How could Sanshi and I join forces to bully a freshman?" Beibei shook his head helplessly.

Although Xue Nianbing was strong, if he and Xu Sanshi joined forces, Xue Nianbing would undoubtedly lose.

He and Xu Sanshi were good brothers. One attacked while the other defended, and they worked together seamlessly. The Outer Academy even referred to them as the "Twin Stars."

Xue Nianbing smiled and deliberately raised his voice. "Doesn't Shrek Academy often repeat a saying: 'Those who dare not cause trouble are mediocrities'?"

"Bullying the weak with strength is indeed shameful, and it may even earn punishment from the Academy."

"But if two upperclassmen do not dare accept the challenge of a freshman, how will others see you when word gets out?"

"How about this? I'll be the bad guy. Let it be said that I, a freshman, deliberately started trouble and proactively challenged the two of you. What do you say?"

The moment those words fell.

The entire place fell silent as everyone stared at Xue Nianbing in disbelief.

Some students who had merely been passing by also caught the scent of gossip and gathered around, their faces full of eager curiosity.