Jiang Nannan: Xiao Yi, I'm your sister!

"Cough, cough..."

Jiang Yi stepped back, putting some distance between himself and Ning Tian, and did not take the gold card.

Accepting favors makes one soft-spoken; taking gifts makes one short-handed.

He was a man like a soaring eagle; how could he let himself be hung by a single tree?

Joining a family as a son-in-law was absolutely out of the question.

"Then... forty thousand a month?"

Ning Tian pulled out another card, her beautiful eyes blinking.

Jiang Yi shook his head. "This isn't about the money!"

Ning Tian tilted her head, a hint of probing in her tone. "Fifty thousand?"

"I am not that kind of person."

Jiang Yi looked solemn, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

"Sixty thousand..."

"Deal!"

Jiang Yi reached out, gripped Ning Tian's hand tightly, and with lightning speed, snatched the cards from her palm.

If this was an insult, then let her insult him hard; if this was a shackle, then let her bind him tight!

He, Jiang Yi, could endure hardship!

Sixty thousand Gold Soul Coins were enough for him to buy several Mystic Water Pills!

"Very well! Just come once a month for practical training... I'll leave Feng Mei to you."

Ning Tian nodded with a smile, her gaze glancing inadvertently at the hand Jiang Yi was still holding, a flicker of small triumph in her eyes.

As expected, she was a master of social interaction.

She still had plenty of charm, after all.

"No problem."

Jiang Yi agreed readily.

It wasn't like he was selling a kidney; earning money by working wasn't shameful, and this was much easier than competing in matches, plus it paid more.

As for the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect... he would just pull up his pants and run when the time came.

Shrek Academy, Outer Court, office.

"I have understood the situation. I will report it to the Academic Affairs Office and help you secure a spot as a core disciple."

Mu Jin nodded toward Jiang Yi.

This child's Martial Soul had already exceeded her understanding; it had to be reported to the academy. Of course, this would also be beneficial for Jiang Yi.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Jiang Yi expressed his gratitude.

He had done this intentionally; otherwise, he could have easily had Tian Meng mask the color of his spirit rings.

He had no sect or background, and Shrek was the easiest place for him to get ahead; there was no need to hide.

Regardless of anything else, Mu En could be considered decent in the era of Douluo II.

As long as he didn't expose the true strength of Tian Meng, it would be fine. Besides, in the original story, even when Mu En guessed the Ice Empress's identity, he didn't do anything about it.

Before Mu En died, he would scrape together whatever he could from Shrek, wait and see once Yan Shaozhe took over, and if things went south, he would just run.

That was his goal for coming to Shrek.

"Mm, go back and wait for the news."

Mu Jin waved her hand with a smile.

With Jiang Yi, plus Ning Tian, she would definitely beat that bitch in this year's freshman assessment.

After leaving Mu Jin's office, Jiang Yi did not return to the dormitory but headed straight for the Shrek City district.

Treasure Gathering Pavilion, second floor.

"Twenty thousand? Wasn't it said to be ten thousand each?"

Jiang Yi looked at the three Mystic Water Pills in front of him, his face turning slightly dark.

The price doubled? Why didn't they just go rob someone?

He had seen Xu Sanshi toss out two of them as if they were nothing in the original story; he hadn't expected to underestimate these wealthy snobs.

Rich people really deserve to die!!!

"Mystic Water Pills are priceless! This is already a discounted price for you..."

The maid in the white dress explained in a soft voice.

The Mystic Water Pill was rarely circulated on the market; the Treasure Gathering Pavilion only had stock due to its own private channels.

"Fine! But you have to get that for me as well!"

Jiang Yi glanced at the counter nearby and pointed his finger at the dim, lusterless black crystal inside.

"This... this Millennium Whale Rubber is worth six thousand Gold Soul Coins, I'm afraid..."

The maid in the white dress looked troubled. The amount was too large; this was not something she could decide on her own.

"Give it to him!"

A hoarse voice suddenly came from the staircase. An old woman with white hair walked down slowly. She glanced at the school uniform Jiang Yi was wearing and waved her hand.

"Yes!"

Seeing this, the maid in the white dress bowed respectfully and began to pack the items for Jiang Yi.

"Hm?"

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. He was just about to express his thanks, but the white-haired old woman had no intention of engaging in conversation and turned to leave.

Even so, Jiang Yi still bowed slightly in the direction she had departed.

"Many thanks, Senior!"

When out and about, it pays to be sweet-tongued.

After paying, Jiang Yi was once again penniless. However, he didn't feel the pinch; money only becomes real when it is converted into strength.

The night grew deep, and just before the curfew, Jiang Yi hurried back to the academy.

Dormitory 110.

Jiang Yi opened the door and walked in.

There was already someone inside. A golden-haired girl was sitting on the edge of his bed, needle and thread in hand, sewing a piece of men's undergarment.

The dim, yellow light fell upon her profile, outlining a soft and gentle silhouette.

"You're back?"

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Nannan looked up, set down the clothing in her hands, and walked over to greet him.

"Sister Nannan!"

Jiang Yi called out, his tone carrying a hint of intimacy.

"Little Yi, you called me over so late at night—is there something the matter?"

Jiang Nannan looked at Jiang Yi with curiosity.

She had just finished class today when Tang Ya told her that Jiang Yi was looking for her. Besides, how did Tang Ya know Little Yi?

"Sister Nannan, I have a gift for you."

Jiang Yi reached into his robe, pulled out a jade box, and handed it over.

"This is... a Mystic Water Pill?"

Jiang Nannan took the jade box, opened it, and stared at the round, smooth pill inside for a long time before recognizing it.

Although she had never taken one, the Martial Soul department had courses on pharmacology, and she recognized some of the more famous pills.

"I don't want it!"

She immediately pushed the jade box back.

Although she didn't know where Jiang Yi had gotten it, the Mystic Water Pill was far too precious. Furthermore, Jiang Yi's Innate Soul Power was only level six; he needed the Mystic Water Pill more than she did.

"Take it, I have more."

Jiang Yi insisted, shoving the jade box back into her hands with a stubborn tone.

He would never be stingy toward a sister who treated him with genuine kindness; this was one of the few relationships he acknowledged in the Douluo world.

"You really have more?"

Jiang Nannan looked at him.

"I really do!"

Jiang Yi pulled another jade box from his robe and shook it, but did not open it.

However, Jiang Nannan only glanced at it before reaching out to take one Mystic Water Pill and pushing the other jade box back.

"I only need one."

No matter what Jiang Yi said, she refused to take any more.

She understood Jiang Yi; there was at most one pill in that box, otherwise, Jiang Yi would have opened it to show her already.

One can only benefit from taking at most two Mystic Water Pills, so taking one for herself was enough.

"Alright, I'm already over level thirty; the effect of this Mystic Water Pill is limited on me, so don't waste it."

Jiang Nannan looked at Jiang Yi, smiling as she ruffled his hair and coaxed him in a gentle, soothing tone.

"As long as you keep your sister in your heart, that's enough. Go on and refine it; I will stand guard for you."

"Alright!"

Jiang Yi sighed helplessly and nodded.

Instead of consuming the Mystic Water Pill immediately, he first fetched several buckets of hot water from downstairs and poured them into the bathtub.

Jiang Nannan sat to the side, watching Jiang Yi bustle about while she toyed with the smooth, warm Mystic Water Pill in her hand, her heart filled with gratification.

Her little brother had grown up.

She did not care where the Mystic Water Pill had come from; she only knew that Jiang Yi had always kept her, his sister, in his thoughts.

That was enough!

"Hm?"

Jiang Nannan suddenly widened her beautiful eyes.

She thought she saw Jiang Yi toss a pitch-black object into the tub, and that thing... looked somewhat familiar?

"Whale Rubber?"

She blinked, the term suddenly popping into her mind, and a flush of crimson immediately rose to her pretty face.

She finally understood why Jiang Yi had called her over in the middle of the night.

But—

Little Yi, I am your sister!!