Academy Tournament

"Cough, cough, little brother Tang."

The City Lord rubbed his hands together, his expression turning suggestive.

"I see that you are young and promising, yet there is no one by your side to care for you."

"My daughter is twelve this year. Though she is a few years older than you, she is cultured and sensible, and her Martial Soul is also quite good—a Hundred Spirits Bird..."

"If you do not mind..."

He wanted a marriage alliance!

The entire hall was stunned.

A dignified City Lord actually wanted to offer his daughter in marriage to the son of a blacksmith from a work-study student background?

This was the power of strength!

However.

Before Bai Tang San could speak.

Bang!

A loud crash rang out.

A delicate little hand slammed heavily onto the table.

Xiao Wu seemed to have popped out from nowhere. Like a little tiger with its fur standing on end, she stood in front of Bai Tang San.

"No!"

"Absolutely not!"

Xiao Wu glared at the City Lord with wide eyes.

"He... he belongs to me!"

"My... exclusive chef!"

"And my exclusive pharmacist!"

"He still has to grow carrots for me for the rest of his life!"

"No one is taking him away!"

The entire hall was dumbfounded.

Then, good-natured laughter erupted.

The City Lord was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter as well.

"Fine, fine, fine. It seems this City Lord was too presumptuous."

"So little brother Tang already has someone."

"Indeed, indeed. Miss Xiao Wu is naturally beautiful and truly a fine match."

Bai Tang San sat behind her, watching the little rabbit bare her fangs and claws to protect her food.

The corners of his lips lifted slightly.

He did not deny it.

In this world where profit came first.

Sometimes.

Someone who protected you simply for the sake of "carrots."

Was far more lovable.

Than those who entered marriage alliances for profit.

"City Lord."

Bai Tang San spoke at the right moment, changing the subject.

"There is no need for a marriage alliance."

"However, if I want to expand the Body Strengthening Liquid business throughout Fasnuo Province, I will need much support from the City Lord's residence."

"I will give up ten percent of the profits."

The City Lord's eyes instantly lit up.

Ten percent!

That was still an astronomical sum!

"Easy! Easy!"

"Little brother Tang's business is the business of my City Lord's residence!"

"Whoever dares cause trouble for the Tang Sect Merchant Association in Fasnuo Province will be making trouble for me!"

At that moment.

The collusion between officials and merchants... no, the alliance of the strong had officially been forged.

Bai Tang San's business empire.

Had taken its most solid first step.

[Real World]

Shrek Academy.

Dai Mubai watched Bai Tang San on the Sky Curtain, already chatting and laughing with a powerful regional official.

Then he looked at Hei Xiao Wu beside him, who only knew how to act cute and threw tantrums because the carrots did not taste good.

Then he glanced at Hei Tang San, who was still haggling with a vendor over a few Copper Soul Coins.

He suddenly felt.

This world was truly uneven.

"Same people, different fates..."

"They started laying out their plans for the world at six years old."

"While we..."

"Are still worrying about what to eat for our next meal."

The End-of-Term Tournament.

This was the grandest festival at Nuoding Academy at the end of every term.

It was the time to test the students' year of cultivation, as well as the critical battle that determined the allocation of resources for the next term.

The Sports Field was packed with people, banners flying everywhere.

[Black World]

The atmosphere on the arena was heated and tense.

Hei Tang San and Xiao Wu stood side by side. Across from them was the sixth-year boss, Xiao Chenyu.

Although the two sides had already turned enemies into friends, this was still a battle over the title of "Academy Chief," and neither side wanted to lose.

"Xiao San, Sister Xiao Wu, be careful!"

Xiao Chenyu shouted. His Green Wolf Martial Soul possessed him, and his eleventh-level Soul Power erupted without reservation.

"Wind Wolf Transformation!"

His body swelled in size as he charged forward with a foul wind.

"Xiao Wu, go!"

Hei Tang San called out in a low voice. The Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track activated, and his entire body became like a black phantom as he instantly cut into the flank of the battlefield.

Several stones shot from his hand—he had not used Sleeve Arrows to avoid injuring anyone—sealing off Xiao Chenyu's retreat.

"First Soul Skill: Waist Bow!"

Using Tang San's cover, Xiao Wu's boneless body instantly coiled around Xiao Chenyu's arm.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

It was a brilliant team battle.

Hei Tang San controlled the rhythm and disrupted his opponent's vision.

Xiao Wu handled close-range attacks, using Soft Skill throws.

Although Xiao Chenyu held the advantage in Soul Power, he was soon hard-pressed under their seamless cooperation.

They fought for the time it took an incense stick to burn.

Then, accompanied by a dull thud.

Xiao Chenyu was hurled heavily off the arena by one of Xiao Wu's shoulder throws.

"Ow... I lost, I lost!"

Xiao Chenyu rubbed his backside and raised his hand with a wry smile to surrender.

"Yay! We won!"

Xiao Wu excitedly high-fived Hei Tang San.

Thunderous applause erupted from below the stage.

Yu Xiaogang stood among the crowd, nodding with a face full of satisfaction.

"Not bad."

"They know how to use teamwork and play to their strengths while avoiding their weaknesses."

"Xiao San's Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon is becoming more and more skilled. This is the overall awareness a Control System Soul Master should possess."

It truly was a beautiful victory.

It was filled with youth, passion, and sweat.

It fit every definition of a "young genius."

But.

When the audience turned their eyes toward the right side of the Sky Curtain.

They finally understood.

What... Dimensional Strike meant.

[White World]

The same arena.

The same sunlight.

Yet the atmosphere here was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Bai Tang San stood with his hands behind his back at the Center of the Arena.

He did not assume any fighting stance.

He had not even released his Martial Soul.

Across from him, Xiao Chenyu stood with a group of lackeys, bowing respectfully.

"Young Master Tang, I surrender."

Xiao Chenyu's face was plastered with a fawning smile.

"You are the president of our merchant association, and you are also our boss."

"Fight you? Wouldn't that just be asking for a beating?"

"All of us sixth-years voluntarily forfeit the challenge!"

An uproar broke out beneath the stage.

Surrendering before the fight even began? This was the End-of-Term Tournament!

Yet, seeing Xiao Chenyu's completely natural expression, it somehow seemed perfectly reasonable.

After all, who would dare fight that ruthless man who had killed a Man Faced Demon Spider as though it were a spicy snack?

"Boring."

Bai Tang San spat out two words indifferently and turned to leave.

Just then.

"Wait!"

A deep, powerful voice rang out.

Director Su, the academic director, walked over with a burly middle-aged man.

The man's muscles were like iron, his gaze sharp, and powerful Soul Power Fluctuations radiated from his body.

"Tang San, since no student is your match."

"The academy has decided to arrange a special assessment for you."

Director Su pointed at the man beside him.

"This is Wang Dali, a newly hired practical combat teacher."

"Martial Soul: Iron Armored Rhinoceros."

"Level: thirty-one Defense Type Battle Soul Elder!"

Thirty-one!

The entire crowd sucked in a breath of cold air.

They were making a Soul Grandmaster who had only just reached level twenty-two fight a level thirty-one Soul Elder?

And one renowned for defense, with an Iron Armored Rhinoceros Martial Soul?

How was this an assessment?

This was clearly making things difficult! The academy wanted to knock this "genius" down a peg!

"Tang San, do you dare accept?"

Teacher Wang Dali twisted his neck, producing a series of crisp cracks like popping beans.

As he looked at the boy famous throughout Nuoding City, a trace of defiance flashed through his eyes.

No matter how strong a six-year-old child was, how strong could he possibly be?

Could he turn the heavens upside down?

Bai Tang San stopped.

Slowly, he turned around.

There was not a ripple in those dark golden pupils.

There was only one kind of... impatience at having his midday nap disturbed.

"Level thirty-one?"

"Thick-skinned and tough. You'd make a fine target."

Bai Tang San walked back to the Center of the Arena.

"Come on."

"I'm not in a hurry, but I hate working overtime."