Where Is My Money

Bibi Dong looked at the child before her, stubborn as a little calf, and as she heard him say, "What if you don't want me anymore either," the anger in her heart was extinguished as if doused by a basin of ice water, turning into a thread of extreme complexity and bitterness.

This wasn't about greed for money?

This was clearly self-protection born from an extreme lack of security.

It was like a young beast that had once been abandoned; even after being brought into a warm nest, it would instinctively hide away food for the winter in a corner, always prepared to wander again.

Because he dared not gamble.

He was afraid that if he lost the gamble, it would be eternal damnation.

In this world where the strong prey on the weak, possessing such extreme crisis awareness and self-protection instincts wasn't a bad thing for an orphan. It could even be said that it was precisely this sense of crisis that would allow him to go further in the future.

But that didn't mean she could tolerate him creating such a bad atmosphere in the academy.

"Forget it."

Bibi Dong sighed softly, resuming her cold, papal demeanor. "Since you have your own philosophy for survival, I won't bother trying to forcibly change your views. But there's one thing you remember."

She extended a finger, pointing it at Xuan Hao's forehead, her tone stern:

"I can turn a blind eye to what happens at the academy and not interfere. But you need to curb yourself! This is Spirit Academy, a place for cultivating elites, not your bandit's den!"

"You can collect protection fees, but don't make your methods too unsightly. If anyone complains to me again, saying you've made the academy a mess, even affecting the normal teaching order..."

Bibi Dong's eyes sharpened. "At that time, don't blame me for confiscating all your little stash and throwing you into the Misty Gorge to fight for food with those real Spirit Beasts!"

"You are my disciple, and your every word and action represents my reputation. If you ruin your own name and end up being cursed by people for being a negligent teacher, it will be me, your teacher!"

Xuan Hao shrunk his neck. Although he was being lectured, hearing the words "turn a blind eye" made his heart bloom with joy.

Wasn't this tacit approval?

As long as he didn't go too far, this protection fee business could continue!

"Understood, Sister! I promise to keep a low profile in my actions and a high profile in my work! I'll strive for sustainable development and never embarrass you, Sister!"

"...Shut up."

Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him exasperatedly, then stood up. "Come with me."

She led Xuan Hao through several corridors to a side hall located on the flank of the Papal Palace.

Although this side hall was not as luxurious as the main hall, it was still very spacious and even equipped with a small, simulated training ground, clearly intended for cultivation.

"For the next three days, you will stay here honestly and are not allowed to go anywhere."

Bibi Dong pointed at the empty hall. "This will be your punishment. Reflect properly and calm your mind."

"Ah? House arrest?" Xuan Hao grimaced.

"What? Think it's too light? Want to go to the Hall of Punishments to get a few planks?"

"No, no, no! This place is great, quiet! Suitable for contemplating life!" Xuan Hao quickly waved his hands and darted into the side hall.

Before leaving, Bibi Dong seemed to suddenly remember something, stopped, and turned back to ask:

"By the way, how is the Spirit Power meditation technique I gave you coming along?"

"It's going well," Xuan Hao replied. "I feel my Spirit Power circulation is much smoother than before, and that... that feeling of my two Spirits fighting each other has also lessened considerably."

Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow slightly. This meditation technique was specially modified by her for the characteristics of Twin Spirits, and it was extremely difficult, especially requiring significant Spiritual Power.

This kid had only been practicing for less than a month and could already feel the effects?

Bibi Dong walked into the side hall and closed the door. "Now, right here, activate your Spirit and circulate the meditation technique for me to see."

"Okay."

Xuan Hao didn't hesitate. He sat cross-legged on the cushion, took a deep breath.

With a low dragon's roar, brilliant golden light instantly covered his entire body, fine dragon scales appeared, and a domineering sense of power filled the hall.

Immediately after, he closed his eyes and began to guide the Spirit Power circulation within his body according to the special route taught by Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong stood by, her powerful Spiritual Power instantly enveloping Xuan Hao, carefully sensing the direction of every trace of Spirit Power within him.

The time it took for an incense stick to burn passed quickly.

The surprise in Bibi Dong's eyes grew stronger.

Although it still appeared somewhat immature, this child's talent in using Spiritual Power was terrifyingly high. He seemed to instinctively know how to find a balance between ferocity and calmness.

"That's enough."

Bibi Dong spoke, interrupting Xuan Hao's cultivation.

Xuan Hao slowly opened his eyes, let out a long breath, the dragon scales on his body receded, and he looked at Bibi Dong with some anticipation: "How was it?"

"Barely passable."

Although Bibi Dong was amazed inwardly, she maintained a calm and indifferent expression, even appearing somewhat critical. "Your adaptation is indeed quite good, and the path of your Spirit Power circulation is basically correct."

"However, your control over Spiritual Power is still too crude, even unstable. Just now, there were several times when, if not for your luck, that surge of Spirit Power would have gone astray."

"Cultivating Twin Spirits allows for no room for luck."

Bibi Dong lectured with a stern face, "For these three days of confinement, besides reflecting, you'll focus all your energy on honing your Spiritual Power. Only when you can multitask will it be considered a basic grasp."

"Alright, I'm leaving. Someone will bring you food these few days, don't even think about sneaking out."

Half a month later.

The gates of Spirit Academy came into view once more.

What was originally a three-day token confinement had been dragged into half a month of devilish training by Bibi Dong.

During this half month, Bibi Dong was like someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Even the slightest deviation in Xuan Hao's meditation or a minor fluctuation in his Spiritual Power would result in her dragging him out for extra practice.

Fortunately, this hellish torment was finally over.

Xuan Hao took a deep breath of free air. He didn't rush back to the dormitory or his classroom. Instead, with his eyes glowing green like a wolf starved for half a month, he headed straight for the third-year teaching building.

His mind was filled with only one thing right now—money!

That day in the plaza, Bibi Dong had grabbed him like a chick and left. She had left in too much of a hurry, and the large iron chest filled with money was still at the scene!

The junior and intermediate departments of Spirit Academy combined had nearly a thousand students.

According to the previous assessment, Great Soul Masters at level twenty and above made up about a quarter, which was around two hundred and fifty people.

Ten gold soul coins per person meant two thousand five hundred gold soul coins!

For the remaining seven hundred and fifty rookies, one each, that was seven hundred and fifty gold soul coins!

Together, that was three thousand two hundred and fifty gold soul coins!

What did this concept mean?

He had almost fought to the death with that restaurant boss over three gold soul coins before.

Now, he could earn over three thousand in a month!

That would be thirty-six thousand a year!

And three hundred and sixty thousand in ten years!

And this was just the current scale. Once he reached Great Soul Master and developed the over two hundred senior students in the advanced department into "members," the monthly revenue would double!

With dreams of a bright future, Xuan Hao rushed to Hu Liena's classroom.

It was currently break time.

Xuan Hao ignored the teachers who hadn't left the classroom yet. He clung to the doorframe, poked half his head in, and shouted towards the short golden-haired figure sitting in the front row:

"Senior Sister!!"

Hu Liena, who was organizing her notes, was startled by the shout and her hand trembled, dropping her pen.

She turned around abruptly and saw the familiar face with a brilliant smile. She was stunned for a moment, then a flicker of surprise welled up in her eyes.

"Xuan Hao?!"

Hu Liena forgot about picking up her pen and quickly got up and ran out, pulling Xuan Hao to examine him from head to toe, her eyes full of concern. "You're finally back! Why did you take so long? Didn't they say it was only three days?"

"You look thinner... Did the teacher punish you severely? Did they hit you?"

Seeing Hu Liena's genuine concern warmed Xuan Hao's heart.

But the next second, this warmth was washed away by the stench of money.

He grabbed Hu Liena's wrist in return, his eyes shining, and asked eagerly:

"Senior Sister, that's not important!"

"Where's my chest?!"

"Where's my money?!"

Hu Liena: "..."