The White Tiger Pagoda Combination Is Formed

Dai Mubai told the others, "A Soul Master can only take part in one Soul Battle of each type per day, but you can enter different types on the same day. In other words, after signing up for a one-on-one match, you can form a team and sign up for a two-on-two match as well."

"In that case, Third Brother, let's sign up for a two-on-two!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she grabbed Tang San.

Tang San nodded, and the two of them went back to the registration desk.

Ning Rongrong glanced at Dai Mubai beside her and pressed her lips together. Then she stepped forward and asked shyly, "Boss... Boss Dai, what about me? Can I team up with you for a two-on-two Soul Battle?"

Her question immediately drew everyone's attention.

Ma Hongjun let out an "Ooh," his little eyes gleaming with curiosity. Oscar looked ready to enjoy the show.

Zhu Zhuqing paused. She gave Ning Rongrong a cold look, feeling a sour pang as if someone were trying to steal what was hers. Then she fixed her gaze on Dai Mubai, as though to say, Just you dare.

A chill ran down the back of Dai Mubai's neck. He gave an awkward smile. "Well... Rongrong, the Great Soul Arena matches teams based on their highest-level member. Our levels are too far apart, so we'd face Soul Ancestors. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to protect you. Our chances would be slim."

An idea struck him, and he pointed at Ma Hongjun. "Why don't you team up with Fatty? You're both Soul Grandmasters, so your opponents would be Soul Grandmasters too."

"No!" Ning Rongrong said without a moment's thought. "I'm not teaming up with Fatty! I might catch his Evil Fire!"

"Tch!" Ma Hongjun rolled his eyes. "I don't want to team up with you either! A support-type Soul Master is just dead weight in a two-on-two!"

"You!" Ning Rongrong moved as if to hit him, regardless of how strong he was.

"All right, all right." Dai Mubai hurried to smooth things over and turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "Then how about teaming up with Zhu Qing? You're both girls."

Ning Rongrong looked aggrieved. "But Zhu Qing's an Agility Attack Soul Master. Without anyone to take the hits for me, I wouldn't last a moment on the arena platform..."

Zhu Zhuqing shot Ning Rongrong a cold glance. She didn't like it, but Ning Rongrong seemed to have a point.

Dai Mubai was at a loss. "Uh... well... Maybe you should sit today out and get familiar with the place first."

"Boss Dai, just try teaming up with Rongrong! So what if you lose? You've already got a Golden Soul Badge. One loss won't cost you many points. She worked up the courage to ask you herself. You can't turn her down like that, can you?" Oscar was only too happy to stir things up.

Ma Hongjun joined in. "Exactly! Boss Dai, don't tell me you're scared?"

Cold sweat ran down Dai Mubai's forehead. He glanced at Zhu Zhuqing without thinking, but her beautiful, icy face gave nothing away.

Before Dai Mubai could think of a polite refusal, Ning Rongrong took matters into her own hands.

She wrapped both hands around his arm. Her warmth reached him through the thin fabric as she dragged him toward the registration window without giving him a say.

"Come on! I'm not scared, so what are you scared of? I'll boost you!"

"Hey! Rongrong, wait!" Dai Mubai stumbled after her, caught between laughter and despair.

He wailed inwardly, I'm not afraid of losing. I'm afraid of the tigress!

He looked back at Zhu Zhuqing with an innocent expression.

But Zhu Zhuqing only gave a cold "Hmph," turned on her heel, and walked toward the waiting area alone.

Dai Mubai's heart sank. I'm in serious trouble now!

Oscar and Ma Hongjun stared at each other, baffled.

Oscar scratched his head. "Fatty, was Zhu Zhuqing angry just now?"

"Seemed like it? Why would she be angry about Boss Dai and Rongrong entering a Soul Battle together?" Ma Hongjun was just as confused.

They exchanged another look and shook their heads.

"Forget it. Who can figure out what a woman's thinking?"

With a sigh, Ma Hongjun threw an arm around Oscar's shoulders, and they headed for the waiting room.

Ning Rongrong pulled Dai Mubai up to the registration desk and tapped the counter. "We'd like to enter a two-on-two Soul Battle."

The young man behind the desk looked up, recognized Dai Mubai at once, and smiled. "Oh! Young Master Dai. Long time no see!"

He noticed Ning Rongrong clinging to Dai Mubai's arm and took in her pretty face. His expression turned knowing. "And this is... your girlfriend? She's beautiful. The two of you make a perfect couple!"

Only then did Ning Rongrong realize how intimate they looked. She let go of Dai Mubai's arm at once and lowered her head, her fair face flushing to the ears.

Dai Mubai smiled helplessly and set his Golden Soul Badge on the counter. "Don't get the wrong idea. She's my classmate. Sign us up for a two-on-two Soul Battle."

"Of course, of course!" Realizing his mistake, the clerk quickly took the badge. "Young Master Dai, what would you like to call your combination?"

At the mention of a name, Ning Rongrong raised her head again and declared brightly, "The White Tiger Pagoda Combination!"

Dai Mubai sighed. "Go with what she said."

The clerk's fingers flew across the keys.

"All done! The White Tiger Pagoda Combination is registered, and I've entered you in the match." The clerk returned the badge with both hands, smiling broadly. "Best of luck to you and the young lady, Young Master Dai!"

Dai Mubai nodded, put away his badge, and handed over a Gold Soul Coin card. "Place a bet of ten thousand Gold Soul Coins each on Thousand Hands Asura, Soft Boned Enchanting Rabbit, and the Three-Five Combination."

Tang San and Xiao Wu were newcomers, so the odds on them were excellent. He might as well take advantage while he could; they would never be this high again!

Though stunned by the size of Dai Mubai's bets, the clerk processed them quickly and handed over three betting slips.

Dai Mubai put the slips away and turned to Ning Rongrong. "Come on, Miss Ning. Let's wait in the lounge."

"Let's go!" Ning Rongrong lifted her chin triumphantly and headed for the lounge.

The lounge was on the second floor of the Soul Arena.

Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong pushed open the door. Sharp-eyed Ma Hongjun immediately waved. "Boss Dai! Over here!"

They looked over. Everyone else was already there.

Zhu Zhuqing sat by herself. At the sound of the door, her gaze swept over Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong.

"Boss Dai, what did you call your combination?" Ma Hongjun sidled up, eager to know.

Ning Rongrong answered first. "The White Tiger Pagoda! Sounds good, doesn't it?"

"White Tiger Pagoda?" Oscar and Ma Hongjun exchanged a look and smiled knowingly.

Beside them, Dai Mubai broke out in a cold sweat.

Ning Rongrong noticed nothing. She animatedly told Xiao Wu about their registration, including how the clerk had mistaken her for Dai Mubai's girlfriend. Xiao Wu burst out laughing, while Ma Hongjun and Oscar joined in the teasing.

The air around Zhu Zhuqing seemed to grow a few degrees colder, with a hint of jealousy in it.