Wager Prize

"You can rest assured about this. Xiaoyuan, release your martial soul."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan nodded and immediately began his martial soul manifestation.

"A thousand-year soul ring." Nan Shuisui gasped, her pupils dilating.

Could this thousand-year soul ring belong to a different Tyrannosaurus with a much higher cultivation level?

If that were truly the case, Nan Qiuqiu would have no chance of winning.

"Don't worry, this useless disciple of mine is all show and no substance."

"His martial soul is of inferior quality; he risked his life to absorb a very weak thousand-year soul ring. If you don't believe me, feel it for yourself."

Hearing Cao Xin's words, Nan Shuisui fixed her gaze on him.

Although Lin Yuan's martial soul manifestation was a rare purple-black dragon type, the strength of the dragon bloodline within it was indeed not high.

This meant that once the fight began, his martial soul would be heavily countered by Nan Qiuqiu's, which could completely make up for the gap of a hundred-year soul ring.

"Xiaoyuan, use your soul skill."

As soon as Cao Xin finished speaking, Lin Yuan activated his Will of the Dragon on the spot.

Based on Nan Shuisui's experience, this child's thousand-year soul ring should be a status-type soul skill.

But how could it be...

"How can it be so weak? It doesn't even compare to some ten-year soul rings." Nan Shuisui frowned in surprise.

This was the weakest thousand-year soul skill she, Nan Shuisui, had ever seen in her life.

The boost was as good as non-existent; by her judgment, Lin Yuan's improvement was around five percent.

"You see it too." Cao Xin wore a pained expression.

"My disciple was eager for quick success and, for the sake of some illusory reputation, forcibly absorbed a thousand-year soul ring from an insect-type soul beast. This led to his soul skill regressing to such a weak level."

"As his master, I am heartbroken; his foundation is effectively ruined."

Nan Shuisui couldn't help but ponder. If this were the opponent, Nan Qiuqiu could indeed fight.

If Lin Yuan were truly a thousand-year soul ring master suited to his own soul, Nan Qiuqiu would undoubtedly be defeated.

Such a tragic defeat would inevitably damage her state of mind, leaving her unable to muster any spirit for a long time.

But this Lin Yuan was different.

Although he was a soul master, he was weak enough.

Although he had a thousand-year soul ring, the soul skill was trash.

Whether she won or lost, it would be beneficial for Nan Qiuqiu's tempering.

Winning could help build her confidence, as the Rouge Dragon martial soul was powerful and she would inevitably face higher-level battles in the future.

Losing would count as gaining some experience, helping her understand what battles between soul masters were truly like.

However... Nan Shuisui looked at Cao Xin suspiciously.

Could things really be this simple?

Aside from a few brainless idiots, every Douluo was extremely shrewd.

Even if his disciple was a failure who had absorbed a soul ring incompatible with his martial soul, Cao Xin had no reason to let his disciple serve as a stepping stone for someone else's child.

But she couldn't refuse.

It was against the rules for elders to intervene in the battles of the younger generation, but refusing this fight would cause trouble for her as an adult facing this mysterious Douluo.

"Wow! No way, you're a thousand-year soul ring user, yet your soul skill is this trash?" Nan Qiuqiu shouted.

Lin Yuan scratched his head helplessly, his gaze flickering toward Nan Shuisui.

He saw her expression turn visibly gloomy; perhaps he could sell her some whips with a better grip later.

It was only because Cao Xin's attitude had been consistently polite that she didn't lash out in front of this powerful Douluo.

"How about it, little girl? My disciple is pitiful, weak, and powerless. Do you want to challenge him?" Cao Xin fanned the flames.

"Fine! You soul-ring thief, are you willing to accept my challenge?" Nan Qiuqiu pointed at Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan turned his head helplessly to glance at Ning Tian, who was absorbing a soul ring nearby; he had no choice but to take the heat for the real target.

"Little girl, since we're competing, how can we do it without a wager?" Cao Xin continued to happily stir the pot.

Nan Qiuqiu thought about it and realized that was indeed the case, so she looked up and asked Lin Yuan, "Then what do you want to bet?"

Lin Yuan spread his hands and turned to look at Cao Xin.

Since this cheap master of his had started the whole thing, he must have his own ideas.

"How about this: once my disciple reaches level thirty, let him sit in that forbidden area of your Earth Dragon Sect for a while?"

Nan Shuisui's brows tightened; she hadn't expected this mysterious Douluo to know the secrets of her Earth Dragon Sect.

Lin Yuan thought about it and realized this was indeed a matter of importance; once he went there, he could plot to obtain the Ten Thousand Year Cold Marrow.

"Fine." Nan Qiuqiu agreed without seeking Nan Shuisui's consent.

Because she had not yet reached the level required to cultivate there, she had no concept of her family's secret treasury.

"If I win, you must apologize to me. And kneel down and lick my feet!"

"Huh?" Lin Yuan's expression was one of bewilderment.

This was a punishment?

Wasn't this a reward?

"You brat, if you want to compete, then compete! Why bring up such an insulting condition?" Nan Shuisui angrily pinched Nan Qiuqiu's cheeks, making her cry out in pain.

"Senior, I will take this girl back and educate her properly. This condition is not entirely out of the question, but since it's a wager, I must ask you to put up something of equal value, right?"

She didn't mind Lin Yuan going there to cultivate for a period of time, but the terms of the bet between the two were far too lopsided.

"That makes sense." Cao Xin waved his hand, and a piece of partially cut Millennium Whale Glue appeared in his palm.

"Then I'll use this piece of Millennium Whale Glue to bet against you. That shouldn't be treating you unfairly, right?"

Nan Shuisui nodded, acknowledging the wager.

Only then did Lin Yuan realize that this was truly a battle of old-timer Pokémon trainers.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Nan Qiuqiu had been led by the nose by Cao Xin, and the final wager had nothing to do with the two of them.

Cao Xin genuinely found Nan Qiuqiu cute; she and Wu Feng were the only ones acting like six-year-old children should.

Lin Yuan and Ning Tian were both far too calm, making them not very fun.

Lin Yuan and Nan Qiuqiu stood on opposite sides to prepare.

Since it was a sparring match, it would continue until one side conceded or lost the ability to fight.

Lin Yuan could understand the first part of the rule, but was the latter part—fighting until someone lost all combat capability—really just sparring?

Cao Xin had forbidden Lin Yuan from using his swordsmanship; otherwise, there would be no fight at all.

Lin Yuan would have relied on his weapon advantage to avoid direct combat with Nan Qiuqiu, kiting her until she was exhausted.

"Alright, both sides, prepare!" Nan Shuisui stood in the center of the arena to act as the referee.

Her eyes darted left and right, confirming that both children were ready.

"Begin!"

Following Nan Shuisui's command, Lin Yuan and Nan Qiuqiu immediately activated their Martial Soul Avatars.

After Lin Yuan's purple spirit ring flashed, his right arm manifested its dragon transformation.

"Dragon transformation?" Nan Shuisui exclaimed, then looked at Cao Xin, who was shrugging his shoulders.

"So this is your trump card, Senior? Judging by the dragon transformation, absorbing this millennium spirit ring wasn't such a bad deal after all."

There was not a trace of worry on Nan Shuisui's face; a dragon transformation was not invincible.

Nan Qiuqiu's Martial Soul Avatar manifested faint pink dragon scales across her body, and her eyes turned into vertical slits as she lunged toward Lin Yuan with a punch.