What Do You Want?

Zhu Lu was naturally glued to his side, never leaving an inch.

Cui Yajie leaned against the table, smiling as she filed her nails, radiating the clear intent of someone looking for a free meal.

In the row behind them, Wang Dong'er sat in her seat, looking thoroughly indignant.

Her powder-blue short hair was slightly disheveled, and her fair face was etched with unconcealed frustration.

She had shamelessly followed him to Class Nine today, hoping to find an opportunity to uncover Dai Huabin's secrets and, while she was at it, find an excuse to beat the kid up to reclaim the dignity she'd lost when her male disguise was exposed.

Xiao Xiao sat next to Wang Dong'er with her chin resting in her hands, her large eyes sparkling as she stared at Dai Huabin—clearly a textbook case of someone who judged people by their looks.

Ning Tian followed Dai Huabin's gesture, sweeping her gaze across the group before smiling faintly.

"Naturally, we should all go together. We're all classmates; the more, the merrier."

She turned her head to look behind her. "Wu Feng, Yun'er, you two come along as well."

Wu Feng was still seated, having not yet fully recovered. She grumbled as she stood up; though she remained unconvinced, she had to obey now that the Young Mistress had spoken.

Nanmen Yun'er also nodded silently.

The group of eight marched out of Shrek Academy in a grand, imposing procession.

The number of heads turned by Dai Huabin's entourage was staggering.

Setting aside his own signature blond hair, the group of girls trailing behind him varied in beauty and grace, each possessing their own unique charm.

There was the cold, taut elegance of Zhu Lu, the bewitching allure of Cui Yajie, the peerless beauty of Wang Dong'er, the imposing nobility of Ning Tian, and the two young girls, Xiao Xiao and Nanmen Yun'er.

The male students passing by nearly had their eyes pop out of their sockets.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the most prosperous commercial street in Shrek City.

A magnificent four-story building stood in the center of the street, its outer walls paved with precious white jade bricks that shimmered under the sunlight.

The massive golden sign above the entrance bore the characters "Nine Treasures Pavilion."

This was an enterprise of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, specializing in high-end luxury. In a place like Shrek City, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, the ability to operate such a massive store was a testament to their immense financial power.

In the top-floor private room, the group took their seats in order.

Expensive dishes were brought out like a flowing stream.

Roasted ribs made from century-old soul beast meat, snowfish transported from the Far North, and rich, medicinal nourishing soups.

The atmosphere during the meal was incredibly subtle.

Wu Feng didn't say a word the entire time, treating the roasted ribs on her plate as if they were Dai Huabin, crunching through them with audible force.

Wang Dong'er held a glass of fruit juice, pretending to study the murals on the wall, while the corner of her eye remained locked on Dai Huabin.

She couldn't wrap her head around it: this guy was clearly around her age, not only was his soul power twelve levels higher than hers, but his Martial Soul Fusion Skill could actually evolve?

"If you keep staring at me like that, I'll move this plate of peanuts in front of you so you can eat and stare to your heart's content."

Dai Huabin suddenly turned his head, bluntly calling Wang Dong'er out.

Wang Dong'er was startled, nearly choking on her fruit juice.

"Who... who's looking at you! I'm looking at the vase behind you! Stop flattering yourself!" Wang Dong'er retorted, her face flushing red as she stubbornly stood her ground.

Cui Yajie picked up a piece of fish, laughing until she shook.

"Oh my, classmate Wang Dong'er, our class monitor is already taken. If you keep looking like that, Lulu's claws might just lose their restraint."

Hearing this, Zhu Lu, who had been eating quietly, raised her right hand.

Soul power flickered faintly on her slender fingers, and her nails instantly elongated by two inches, gleaming with a chilling, ghostly light. She tapped them against the edge of the porcelain plate on the table twice, producing a crisp, sharp sound as a warning.

"Hmph! Who cares!"

Wang Dong'er crossed her arms and turned her head toward the window, ignoring them entirely.

Xiao Xiao covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, finding the interaction between these people truly amusing.

The meal soon drew to a close.

Ning Tian set down her chopsticks and took out a silk handkerchief to gently dab the corners of her mouth.

She swept her gaze around the table and spoke.

"I believe everyone has had their fill. Wu Feng, take them to the mall downstairs to browse; a new batch of jewelry just arrived today. Put it on my tab."

The group was stunned.

It was obvious she was trying to get rid of them.

Although Wu Feng was reluctant, she knew the Young Mistress had serious business to discuss, so she stood up with a muffled grunt.

Cui Yajie, the most perceptive of the lot, immediately grabbed Zhu Lu's arm.

"Let's go, let's go, Lulu. I saw some imported face cream on the first floor when we came in; let's go try it out."

Zhu Lu didn't agree immediately, instead turning to look at Dai Huabin.

Only when Dai Huabin gave a slight nod did she obediently stand up and follow Cui Yajie out.

Wang Dong'er remained glued to her chair, having no intention of moving. Her intuition told her that whatever was about to be discussed was an earth-shattering secret.

"I'm not leaving, I haven't finished eating yet." Wang Dong'er grabbed an apple and took a bite.

Xiao Xiao hurriedly leaned in, pulling and tugging at Wang Dong'er to drag her out:

"Oh, Dong'er, they have serious business to discuss, let's go, let's go! I saw a necklace I liked, you have to help me pick one out!"

"Alright, alright! I'll go myself!"

Accompanied by Wang Dong'er's protests, the door to the private room was slammed shut.

In the vast space, silence fell instantly, leaving only Dai Huabin and Ning Tian sitting face to face.

Ning Tian crossed her hands on the table, sitting upright, the easygoing demeanor from before completely swept away.

"Dai Huabin, let's not beat around the bush." Ning Tian looked straight into Dai Huabin's eyes.

"You transferred to Class Nine with your fiancée. You're here for me, aren't you? Or to be precise, you're here for the support of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect behind me."

This was entirely consistent with the logic of how children from wealthy families operated.

Although the White Tiger Duke Mansion held heavy military power, they certainly needed the support of a top-tier auxiliary sect when it came to the foundation of high-level spirit master resources.

It was reasonable and logical for Dai Huabin to try to win her over.

After hearing this, Dai Huabin chuckled.

He didn't answer immediately, instead picking up the teapot to pour himself a cup of tea to aid digestion.

Wisps of steam rose, blurring the smile in his eyes.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip, tapped his fingers on the table twice, and asked in return:

"Ning Tian, are you really content?"

Ning Tian was stunned for a moment.

She had anticipated that Dai Huabin would admit it or propose conditions, but she had never expected to hear such an out-of-the-blue question.

"Content? What do you mean by that?" Ning Tian frowned.

Dai Huabin set down his teacup and leaned forward slightly.

"I mean, on the Douluo Continent ten thousand years ago, there were the renowned Upper Three Sects. The world's number one tool spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer; the world's number one beast spirit, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon; and the world's number one auxiliary spirit, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

"In that era, even if the sect master's spirit could never break through to the eighth ring, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could still firmly occupy a seat among the Upper Three Sects. Two Super Douluos were willing to work for you, and you were the absolute center of attention wherever you went."

Speaking to this point, Dai Huabin suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed intently on Ning Tian.

"And what about ten thousand years later? The Body Sect acts recklessly, Shrek Academy dominates, and the Sun Moon Empire produces Level 9 soul engineers one after another. And you?"

Dai Huabin's words were like a knife, mercilessly slicing through the facade:

"The current Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, aside from throwing money around to recruit a few freelance powerhouses with different surnames, where is your true core combat strength?

The world's number one auxiliary from ten thousand years ago can't even keep a Titled Douluo of its own."

These words were nothing short of sharp, directly tearing away the biggest fig leaf of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

The sect's spirit had flaws, they couldn't cultivate top-tier powerhouses themselves, and they had to rely on wealth to hire them—this was the most painful thorn in Ning Tian's heart.

After hearing these words, Ning Tian's expression shifted. But unexpectedly, she didn't fly into a rage.

After a brief silence, Ning Tian laughed instead. She leaned back into her chair, folded her arms across her chest, and struck back without showing any weakness.

"Everything you said is true. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is indeed in a period of decline. But so what?"

Ning Tian lifted her chin, staring at Dai Huabin:

"As the second young master of the White Tiger Duke Mansion, what right do you have to pity us?

Ten thousand years ago, your Dai family was the royal family of the Star Luo Empire; the entire country belonged to you. And now?"

She sneered, hitting the Dai family's sore spot:

"Now the throne is lost, and the masters of Star Luo City have been replaced by the Xu Family. Aside from eating sand while leading troops at the border, what can your Dai family do? Coming to me to talk about being down-and-out, you aren't qualified."

Ning Tian had quite a fiery temper and refused to suffer even the slightest loss.

Dai Huabin didn't get angry; instead, he clapped his hands and laughed.

"Hahahaha, well said."

Dai Huabin shook his head, his tone as relaxed as if he were discussing the weather.

"However, you got one thing wrong."

He stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window of the private room, overlooking the bustling streets of Shrek City below.

"To be honest, I don't care at all who is the emperor of the Star Luo Empire. That broken chair—whoever wants to sit on it can sit on it; I have zero interest in it."

Ning Tian's heart jolted.

If these words were to get out, it would be a grave crime! This kid actually didn't care at all about the imperial power the Dai family had lost?

"You don't care about the throne?" Ning Tian asked, her face full of disbelief, "Then what exactly do you want after going to such lengths to make a bet with me?"