This was a common failing of every sect.
Although the Tang Sect had fallen into decline, as its sect master, Tang Ya naturally knew about the customs of various other sects.
Tang Ya was about to say more when Beibei quietly drew her aside.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao looked at Xu Sanshi, the corner of his mouth curling slightly.
"Me, fight you? I'm only a one-ring Soul Master, while you've got three rings, right? How am I supposed to fight you? That's clearly bullying."
As he spoke, Huo Yuhao took a deep breath and silently considered how to deal with Xu Sanshi.
He was going to make sure Xu Sanshi paid dearly.
As soon as Huo Yuhao finished speaking, he revealed his gleaming white first Soul Ring.
Xu Sanshi froze when he saw Huo Yuhao's white Soul Ring, then sneered. His heart filled with delight.
"A ten-year white Soul Ring. I'll fight you at the Soul Fighting Arena. You're a one-ring Soul Master, right? I'll only use one ring too. Do you dare? If you're a man, don't back down."
Huo Yuhao looked troubled.
A moment later, he gritted his teeth. "Fine. But I don't like the odds. What if I win? We should put something on the line."
Xu Sanshi's eyes lit up at that. He had an idea, and immediately said, "If I win, you stay away from Jiang Nannan. If I lose—well, that's impossible—but if I do, you can name any condition you want."
Huo Yuhao's lips curved slightly at his words.
Xu Sanshi had finally taken the bait.
Huo Yuhao replied, "I won't use Jiang Nannan as a wager. But if I lose, I'll leave Shrek City."
He paused briefly, then continued, "Also, if I'm lucky enough to win, I want all the money you have on you, including that Storage Soul Tool. How does that sound?"
Xu Sanshi glanced instinctively at the Storage Soul Tool on his wrist.
The gold coins inside were a secondary concern.
There were a hundred thousand gold coins.
That amount was astronomical to an ordinary Soul Master, but for Xu Sanshi, it wouldn't even be enough to buy a few things at Jubao Pavilion. His status made all the difference.
But there were also two precious Mystic Water Pills inside.
Huo Yuhao's lips curled slightly as he continued, "What? Lost your nerve?"
"Are you scared of me, a one-ring Soul Grandmaster?"
How could Xu Sanshi stand for such provocation? He immediately replied, "Fine, I agree!"
Then he added, "Come on, let's go to the academy's Soul Fighting Arena."
Huo Yuhao frowned slightly and asked, "Does the academy's Soul Fighting Arena allow bets?"
Xu Sanshi realized what Huo Yuhao was getting at. He burst out laughing and looked at him with open disdain.
In his eyes, Huo Yuhao wanted to bet so he could make a quick profit. The boy had quite some nerve.
Just then, Jiang Nannan stepped in front of Huo Yuhao and said, "Yuhao, Shrek Academy stands for positivity and goodwill. We want to set a good example for Douluo Continent, so gambling isn't allowed here."
She paused, then continued, "But there is a Soul Fighting Arena in Shrek City.
"Besides that, almost every major city has a Soul Fighting Arena. They're all run for profit, so those venues do host Soul Fighting matches."
Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow.
On the surface, the arrangement made perfect sense.
After all, Shrek Academy had to keep up appearances.
Huo Yuhao turned to Xu Sanshi and said, "Then let's go to the Soul Fighting Arena in Shrek City."
Xu Sanshi took a deep breath.
He was known as the Outer Academy's strongest defender. How could he pass up such a good chance to show off?
Besides, they were all young and eager to show off.
And there were plenty of girls there who admired him.
Xu Sanshi was certainly going to live up to the fine reputation Sanshao had given him: a man who was both affectionate and devoted...
Huo Yuhao thought about it and was about to refuse. Making money was important, after all.
But just then, Beibei said that a small wager was harmless, and that the academy sometimes turned a blind eye to gambling.
There just had to be limits.
Beibei said he could take care of the betting arrangements.
Huo Yuhao heard this and saw that Xu Sanshi was determined to go to the Soul Fighting Arena in Shrek City.
He also thought of the Storage Soul Tool on Xu Sanshi's wrist.
So Huo Yuhao nodded in agreement.
The group then left together.
Liu Erlong and Jiang Nannan naturally decided to go with them.
Bai Feng, who had arrived a little earlier, joined the group as well.
Earlier, Bai Feng had taken the gold card Huo Yuhao gave her and gone out to buy some daily necessities.
Now, seeing what was happening, she was a little confused.
Fortunately, along the way, Jiang Nannan quietly explained what had happened to her mother, Bai Feng, as they walked at the back of the group.
A moment later.
"Nannan, given the rules, we've been with Yuhao long enough to know some of what he can do.
"If Xu Sanshi really only uses one Soul Ring, he won't stand a chance against Yuhao."
As Bai Feng spoke, she fell into brief thought.
On the way to Shrek City, Bai Feng and Huo Yuhao had often sparred.
Huo Yuhao had shown her his Violent Step, Bajibeng, and the incredibly powerful Heavy Profound Ruler. It had all taken her by surprise.
Even against a two-ring Soul Grandmaster, Huo Yuhao could win.
But Xu Sanshi had the Mystic Ice Turtle Martial Soul and was the Outer Academy's strongest defender.
If Xu Sanshi used all three of his Soul Rings and went all out, things could get dangerous.
Then Bai Feng continued, "If Xu Sanshi pulls some trick and Yuhao suddenly loses, what will you do if he has to leave?"
Jiang Nannan answered without hesitation, "I'll go with Yuhao. At worst, I'll take a leave of absence."
"Yuhao helped me. He saved you, Mother. And following him will be no worse than staying at Shrek Academy."
Bai Feng nodded and said nothing.
She looked at Huo Yuhao, worry in her eyes.
Huo Yuhao had no idea what Bai Feng and Jiang Nannan were discussing behind him.
And so he followed Xu Sanshi, step by step, toward the Soul Fighting Arena in Shrek Academy's Outer Academy.
It was around ten at night. At that hour, most of the students were already in bed.
Of course, some young men and women were sneaking off to the groves in the academy's scenic spots.
The academy had no strict rules against students dating at a young age.
Walking ahead with Xu Sanshi, Huo Yuhao activated Spiritual Detection. He naturally spotted a few intertwined figures in the grass.
Some people really did enjoy that kind of atmosphere and setting.
Huo Yuhao said nothing and kept walking.
Before long, the group reached the Soul Fighting Arena.
Before you continue