You're a Fine Lady-So Why Play the Thief?

Huo Yuhao's assessment was over, but the fallout had yet to die down.

Ignoring the awe-struck looks around him, he walked straight toward Dai Huabin, who was trying to hide in the crowd, flanked by Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao.

The people nearby moved aside on their own, exposing Dai Huabin.

Zhu Lu hurriedly stepped in front of Dai Huabin and shrieked, "Huo Yuhao, what are you trying to do? Are you going to attack us in front of all these teachers and students?"

Her words did nothing to slow Huo Yuhao. He kept his eyes fixed on Dai Huabin and taunted him. "Dai Huabin, a bet's a bet. If you're still a man, stop hiding behind a woman."

Dai Huabin clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, but he still didn't have the nerve to face Huo Yuhao's slap.

In front of everyone, being slapped by Huo Yuhao would be a lifelong humiliation. It would feel worse than being killed.

But he had made the bet in front of all these people. If he went back on it, he probably wouldn't be able to stay at Shrek Academy.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, he suddenly had an idea and hurried forward. "Huo Yuhao, if you're willing to call off the bet, I can..."

Before he could finish, Huo Yuhao slapped him, cutting off the rest of his words.

"Can what?" Huo Yuhao asked, as if he had only just realized what he'd done.

"You..." Blood trickled from the corner of Dai Huabin's mouth. He spat out a tooth and glared at Huo Yuhao with venom and murderous hatred.

"Don't bother. That slap was worth every coin. I wouldn't trade it for anything." Huo Yuhao sounded apologetic. "I just didn't control my strength and knocked out a tooth. If there's a next time, I'll be more careful."

He had struck at Dai Huabin's heart as well as his face!

Dai Huabin nearly choked on his own rage.

Zhu Lu lunged at Huo Yuhao, claws out, intent on avenging Dai Huabin.

But Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed, and an immense burst of spiritual power instantly pinned Zhu Lu in place, leaving her unable to move.

He gripped Zhu Lu's chin and forced her to look up at him, then chuckled. "You're a fine lady—so why play the thief? Dai Huabin's a useless piece of trash who happens to have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with you. Is that really enough to make you follow him so devotedly? Why not come with me instead? I'm much better than he is."

Dai Huabin's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets, murderous intent practically tangible in his gaze. He had suffered such humiliation today, and now Huo Yuhao was trying to steal his fiancée right in front of him. If looks could kill, Huo Yuhao would have died countless times over.

But Huo Yuhao didn't even glance his way. He strode off with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao.

As Huo Yuhao left, the spiritual pressure on Zhu Lu lifted. She hurried to support the unsteady Dai Huabin. "Huabin, are you all right?"

Dai Huabin's lips trembled as he ground out, "I'm going to kill him, no matter what it takes..."

"Class monitor, did you mean what you said just now?" Xiao Xiao asked nervously.

"What?" Huo Yuhao asked, not understanding.

Xiao Xiao said, "What you said to Zhu Lu just now. Do you like her?"

"I was just trying to get under his skin." Huo Yuhao reached out and patted Xiao Xiao's head. "Zhu Lu's nowhere near as cute as our Xiao Xiao."

At his words, Xiao Xiao's heart skipped a beat. Her face flushed to her ears, and she froze completely.

What does Class Monitor mean by that? Does he like me too? Xiao Xiao's heart raced. She looked at Huo Yuhao walking ahead of her, and her love for him nearly spilled over.

Only Wang Dong was left feeling dejected, doubting herself. I can accept that I don't measure up to Senior Sister Xiaotao, but do I have to lose to Xiao Xiao too?

After the promotion assessment, life returned to normal.

Huo Yuhao's days followed a strict routine. He attended classes during the day and cultivated the Power of Haodong with Wang Dong. At night, he went to Sea God Island to help Ma Xiaotao suppress her Evil Fire.

Whenever he had some free time, he also tinkered with outfits that made even Ma Xiaotao blush and her heart race, effectively improving the results of their dual cultivation.

Then, one day, Wang Dong hurried back to the dormitory with two gold-embossed invitations.

"Yuhao! Invitations to the Treasure Appreciation Fair at Treasure Pavilion! Only core disciples get them!"

"We haven't had a chance to relax in ages. How about we go take a look?" Wang Dong suggested.

Huo Yuhao was interested too. "Sure. Let's bring Xiao Xiao."

"Xiao Xiao this, Xiao Xiao that. You mention her all the time. Don't tell me you've really fallen for her?" Wang Dong pouted, her voice dripping with jealousy.

Huo Yuhao chuckled and gave Wang Dong a smack on the forehead. "What are you thinking? I think of Xiao Xiao as a little sister."

"Yeah, right. As if I'd believe that." Wang Dong clearly wasn't convinced.

The three of them met up and headed to Shrek City.

The city, built around the academy, was extraordinarily prosperous. Its bustling streets and traffic rivaled the capitals of the three great empires.

Treasure Pavilion was a dazzling sight of gold and splendor. The young women welcoming guests at the entrance were all around seventeen or eighteen, dressed in skirts, with sweet faces and slender figures.

Their bare shoulders and the deep cleavage visible above their bodices especially kept Huo Yuhao's eyes from wandering.

Inside Treasure Pavilion, two more rows of young women stood along either side of the hall. They wore even skimpier golden miniskirts that revealed their long, fair legs. Their graceful figures made it feel like they'd stepped into a heavenly pleasure garden.

A young woman in a white dress came forward to greet them. "Welcome, honored guests, to the Treasure Appreciation Fair at Treasure Pavilion. If anything catches your eye, you can buy it on the spot. If you'd like to buy on credit, we can also assess your eligibility. The results will determine your discount and credit limit."

Seeing the three of them look confused, the young woman in white smiled. "This must be your first time attending the Treasure Appreciation Fair. Treasure Pavilion sets different credit allowances for each honored guest based on their individual circumstances. We assess your current cultivation, age, and other factors. If you'd like, I can take you to have that done now."

Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao looked to Huo Yuhao, clearly waiting for him to decide. Huo Yuhao nodded. "Then we'll trouble you."

They went to a counter and filled out a form. It wasn't long before their assessments were ready.

Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao both received purple VIP cards. Each could buy up to one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins' worth of goods on credit per year and enjoy a ten percent discount.

Just as the two of them were congratulating themselves, a staff member respectfully handed Huo Yuhao a crimson VIP card.

"Welcome to Treasure Pavilion, Mr. Huo. You are one of our esteemed top-tier red VIPs. You have no credit limit at Treasure Pavilion. With your current VIP privileges, you're entitled to choose any one item from the Treasure Appreciation Fair each year and take it with you free of charge."

"W-what?!" Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were instantly stunned. The purple cards in their hands suddenly seemed far less impressive.

"Class Monitor is so amazing!" Xiao Xiao gushed, looking at him with adoration.

"So this is what it means to be a dual-core disciple?" Wang Dong muttered enviously.

Huo Yuhao gave her another smack on the head. "Can't stand seeing me do well, can you?"

Wang Dong covered her head with watery eyes and looked aggrieved. "When did I ever say that?"

"You're still talking back?" Huo Yuhao raised a hand, his threat clear. "If I say you are, then you are."

Wang Dong fell silent, looking like a bullied little wife.

"Wow, Class Monitor is so domineering."

Wang Dong thought Xiao Xiao was going to stand up for her, but then Xiao Xiao's tone suddenly changed. "I love it!"

Wang Dong sighed. She'd never had a chance. "Hopeless."