Flying Flower Blade Scale, The Wager

The Heaven Dou Imperial City, a bustling long street.

Yu Xiaolong flipped a scale between his fingertips.

It was as thin as a cicada's wing, with edges sharp enough to cut.

Under the sunlight, it refracted an eerie, chilling gleam.

Flying Flower Blade Scale.

The signature technique of the Pisces Star Dragon among the Twelve Star Dragons.

The corners of Yu Xiaolong's mouth curled upward.

This trip to the Heaven Dou Imperial City had yielded quite a harvest.

He calculated the accounts of the Dragon God Temple in his mind.

"Old man, if the academy wants to expand, it's going to cost a lot of money!"

Beside him.

The busty Huo Wu crossed her arms over her chest.

She pouted and spoke.

Shui Bing'er stood to the side, looking well-behaved and silent.

She walked gracefully shoulder-to-shoulder with Yu Xiaolong.

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaolong.

Nodded.

He was secretly pondering the same thing.

Huo Wu is right; we are short on funds right now.

Shui Bing'er also nodded in agreement.

"If the Dragon God Temple is to develop, gold coins are the foundation."

"Although this Flying Flower Blade Scale is good..."

"It's better to exchange it for money than to keep it."

The two of them spoke.

Meanwhile.

From another direction.

A man sitting in a golden palanquin.

Leaned his head out.

He suddenly spotted the trio walking along the roadside.

In the hand of one of the middle-aged men.

A small blade he had never seen before was spinning.

Xue Beng watched in amazement.

Wait, isn't that the teacher of that Shui Bing'er?

I've run into him again!?

"Stop!"

An arrogant voice rang out.

Yu Xiaolong raised his eyes.

A youth dressed in luxurious attire blocked their path.

Xue Beng.

The Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.

His gaze was locked firmly onto what was in Yu Xiaolong's hand.

"It's you again. What is that in your hand?"

Xue Beng narrowed his eyes.

The aura emanating from that scale...

It was highly unusual.

"Greetings, Fourth Prince." Shui Bing'er remained calm.

She bowed to the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng.

The Fourth Prince's eyes darted around.

Today, his entire focus was on the small blade in Yu Xiaolong's hand.

He had seen it clearly just a moment ago.

This incredibly sharp little knife.

Just like that, it spun in his hand.

And turned into 9 pieces.

If only I could possess...

Yu Xiaolong's heart stirred.

Business was here.

He spread his palm, the Flying Flower Blade Scale spinning in it.

"A hidden weapon, the Flying Flower Blade Scale."

"Five hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins."

Xue Beng's eyes lit up.

Hidden weapon.

These two words made his heart race.

"Five hundred thousand? Deal."

Xue Beng didn't hesitate.

He tossed out a heavy bag of Gold Soul Coins.

Yu Xiaolong took it and weighed it.

Full weight.

The Flying Flower Blade Scale fell into Xue Beng's hand.

He felt the sharpness of the scale's edge.

A cold smile curved his lips.

Tang San...

This time, I'll make you pay.

Shrek Academy, in the side courtyard.

Tang San held a delicate metal box.

The Godly Zhuge Crossbow.

Triumph flashed in his eyes.

Xiao Wu leaned over, her brow furrowed.

"Third Brother, this thing..."

"Isn't it too vicious?"

Oscar also showed a pained expression.

"Yes, Little San, all sixteen crossbow bolts are poisoned..."

Tang San shook his head, his expression calm.

He gently stroked the Godly Zhuge Crossbow, his gaze peaceful.

"Hidden weapons are a means of self-preservation."

"The act of the wise, how can it be called vicious?"

Xiao Wu opened her mouth.

She wanted to retort but didn't know where to start.

Tang San's gaze was too forthright.

As if this were the most natural principle in the world.

"But what if the enemy also uses hidden weapons?"

Ning Rongrong suddenly asked.

Tang San smiled, his eyes chilling slightly.

"Then they are insidious and despicable, and victory is not honorable."

The courtyard fell silent for a moment at his words.

Xiao Wu blinked.

She felt something was off.

But seeing Third Brother's confident expression...

Perhaps she was overthinking it.

Tang San put away the Godly Zhuge Crossbow and clasped his hands behind his back.

He spoke this logic with absolute naturalness.

It was as if the world had always been this way.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, training grounds.

Xue Beng strode forward, followed by several students.

His gaze landed on the Shrek group.

To be precise, it landed on Tang San.

"Tang San, we meet again."

Xue Beng's voice was calm.

But hatred surged in the depths of his eyes.

Last time, Tang San had made him lose all face.

Using that ridiculous wager.

Tang San turned around, his expression indifferent.

He recognized Xue Beng.

Back when he came to Heaven Dou Royal Academy for an exchange...

He had clashed with this person.

"Something you need?"

Tang San's tone was nonchalant.

Xue Beng restrained the anger in his heart.

He gripped the Flying Flower Blade Scale hidden in his sleeve.

"I want to have a match with you."

Tang San raised an eyebrow slightly.

"On what grounds?"

Xue Beng took a breath.

Following the plan, he cast out the bait.

"If I lose, I will kneel and apologize to all of you."

A sharp glint flashed in Tang San's eyes.

This condition...

Not bad.

He liked it.

The method of wagering, it never fails.

Tang San muttered to himself.

Over these years, how many people had he defeated with wagers?

Every single time, he had left the other party in total ruin.

This time would be no exception.

"Fine."

Tang San nodded, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

He stepped toward the center of the training grounds.

The Shrek group exchanged glances.

Xiao Wu felt a bit worried.

But thinking of Third Brother's skills...

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Xue Beng walked forward slowly.

The two stood in confrontation, no more than ten paces apart.

The training grounds fell silent.

"Begin--"

Before the referee's voice had even faded.

Xue Beng suddenly raised his hand.

A cold glint tore through the air!

Flying Flower Blade Scale!

Tang San's pupils constricted sharply.

He had not expected Xue Beng to strike first.

The scale carved a bizarre arc through the air.

The speed was too fast.

Tang San dodged to the side.

The scale grazed his left arm.

Fresh blood splattered.

Tang San let out a muffled groan and retreated several steps.

The sleeve of his left arm was shredded.

The wound was deep enough to reveal bone.

Xue Beng's expression was icy.

The Flying Flower Blade Scale returned to his hand.

The training ground fell into a deathly silence.

Tang San clutched his left arm, his face turning livid.

He stared at the hidden weapon scale in Xue Beng's hand.

Fury surged in his eyes.

"You!"

"Using a hidden weapon for a sneak attack?"

Tang San's voice trembled with rage.

He pointed a finger at Xue Beng, rebuking him sharply.

"Insidious and despicable!"

"Winning without honor!"

Xue Beng was stunned.

He stood frozen in place, clutching the Flying Flower Blade Scale.

These words...

Why did they sound so familiar?

Xiao Wu opened her mouth and looked at Ning Rongrong.

The two exchanged glances.

They both saw shock in each other's eyes.

Just a moment ago, Brother San had said that hidden weapons were the "tools of the wise."

Now that Xue Beng used a hidden weapon...

It had become "insidious and despicable"?

Tang San pressed against his wound, cold light flickering in his eyes.

"A fine Xue Beng indeed."

"To resort to such base tactics."

His tone was filled with disdain.

As if he had forgotten that inside his own robe...

He was currently carrying a case of poison-tipped bolts.

Xue Beng regained his composure.

The corners of his mouth curled into a mocking smile.

"Tang San, what did you say?"

"You call my methods base?"

"Then the Godly Zhuge Crossbow you're carrying"

"What does that count as?"

Tang San's expression shifted.

He was rendered speechless.

In the training ground, everyone's gaze fell upon him.

Within those eyes...

There was confusion, shock, and realization.

Tang San gritted his teeth.

He had never felt so humiliated.

Losing a bet could be overcome.

But this principle, torn apart on the spot...

How could it be mended?

Blood dripped down his arm.

Splattering on the ground, blooming into a dark red stain.

Much like Tang San's complexion at this moment.

Terrifyingly grim.

And Xue Beng stood there, holding the Flying Flower Blade Scale.

He looked at Tang San's contorted, furious face.

And suddenly felt that these five hundred thousand gold coins...

Were worth every single one.