"Whoever loses has to do a handstand, shit, and eat it in front of everyone, on top of the stakes we just agreed on!"
Hearing Dai Mubai's proposed stakes, Shi Meng couldn't help twitching at the corners of his mouth.
Oh, come on, bro. Do you even hear yourself?
How did you come up with something like that?
Had Old Eight possessed Dai Mubai? Why was he trying to scam himself some free food and drink?
"Holy shit, that's wild! Young Master Dai, that's downright vicious!"
"Hahaha, how's the loser supposed to show his face ever again? That's Young Master Dai for you-he really knows how to play."
Everyone laughed over it, even Hu Liena and Xiao Wu. But they weren't laughing at Shi Meng; they were laughing at Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai had been swaggering around on the strength of his status as a prince and Shrek's boss, utterly unaware that shit was about to hit him in the face.
Seemingly caught up in the atmosphere, Dai Mubai looked at Shi Meng with a grin.
"Well, brat? Do you dare?"
Seeing Dai Mubai still acting so arrogant, Shi Meng nearly lost his composure at the thought of what would happen next.
"Sure. It's settled, then."
Dai Mubai froze, then burst out laughing.
"Good! You've got guts!"
"But I'm sure you can see that you've already lost this bet before it even started."
He turned to the manager.
"Manager, just have your men throw him out!"
The manager nodded repeatedly, his eyes brimming with flattery.
"Don't worry, Young Master Dai. That's easily done!"
"Guards!"
As a group of burly men rushed in, Shi Meng merely lifted the corners of his mouth, raised a finger, and began counting down.
"Three, two..."
Seeing the boy begin his countdown, the burly men froze in place.
He could stay this calm while surrounded? Was he about to unleash some ultimate move?
"What the hell are you scared of? He's just bluffing! Get him, boys!"
Hearing this, the men had an epiphany as though a clogged latrine had suddenly cleared, and charged again.
Shi Meng sneered at the sight and continued counting. "One... That should be about time."
The moment he finished speaking, a clear female voice rang out from the entrance.
"Stop!"
Holy shit! Another expert?!
The men immediately stopped, and everyone turned toward the entrance at once.
A striking young woman with long pink hair and a white dress walked in.
Behind her followed a stern-faced old man with white hair and white robes.
The old man walked slowly, but with every step, an invisible pressure spread outward.
Every Soul Master present paled as they felt that pressure.
This oppressive presence...
Only a Titled Douluo could possess it!
Who on earth was he?!
"Look! Isn't that Dream Academy's crest?"
Dream Academy?
Quite a few people stole a look.
They saw that a whole group followed behind the young woman, dressed in neat white uniforms embroidered with an exquisite crest.
Dream Academy!
At the sight, everyone present sucked in a breath of cold air.
"Dream Academy? The academy that just opened in Suotuo City? I heard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is backing it!"
"That old man... Is he Sword Douluo Chen Xin?!"
Dai Mubai's pupils abruptly contracted.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Sword Douluo.
Neither was someone a mere Shrek student like him could afford to provoke.
He was indeed a prince of the Star Luo Empire, but here in the Heaven Dou Empire's territory, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's influence was far beyond that of a down-and-out prince like him.
The onlookers stepped aside, clearing a path for Ning Rongrong.
But the next moment, something shocking happened. Ning Rongrong walked straight up to Shi Meng and bowed slightly, her posture respectful.
"Brother Shi Meng, Rongrong is late."
Shi Meng gave a cold nod without saying a word.
Holy shit! What had they just witnessed?
The esteemed young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was actually treating this boy who had appeared out of nowhere with such respect, and he was still being so cold to her?
Who the hell was this kid? How was he this badass?! Was he really not afraid of Sword Douluo chopping him into mincemeat?
Yet Shi Meng's expected demise never came. Not only did Sword Douluo show no anger, he was just as respectful as Ning Rongrong.
At the sight, everyone's jaws dropped, and profanities poured from their mouths.
Hu Liena noticed Ning Rongrong too and curled her lips.
Why was it her again?
A month earlier, Ning Rongrong had accompanied her father and the Sword and Bone Douluos to Spirit Hall to discuss cooperation. After the talks ended, she refused to leave, circling around Hu Liena's junior brother every day.
It was "Brother Shi Meng" this and "Brother Shi Meng" that, until Hu Liena's ears were practically growing calluses.
Hu Liena instinctively moved half a step closer to Shi Meng, her shoulder nearly touching his arm.
See? This is my junior brother!
Xiao Wu noticed Ning Rongrong as well.
In her previous life, she had known that Ning Rongrong liked Shi Meng. Back then, though, Shi Meng had always worn a cold expression and kept everyone at a distance.
But in this life, Ning Rongrong was being so forward, and had even gotten to know Shi Meng before she did.
It seemed Ning Rongrong had been reborn too.
Although Ning Rongrong was her best friend...
Love rivals +1.
Shi Meng glanced over the stunned audience and shook his head helplessly.
Shi Meng, oh, Shi Meng, didn't you promise to keep a low profile? Why did you go showing off again?
Looks like this world just won't let me keep a low profile.
Sure enough, Ning Rongrong turned around the next moment and looked at the manager.
"I bought this hotel for Brother Shi Meng. As of now, you're fired."
The manager's face turned deathly pale. His knees buckled, and he dropped straight to the floor.
"Y-young lady! I didn't know this gentleman was your honored guest! Please spare me!"
Ning Rongrong ignored him and turned to Shi Meng with a sweet smile.
"Brother Shi Meng, will this do?"
Still calling him that so affectionately? Did she think I was invisible?
Watching Ning Rongrong's smile, Hu Liena began to grind her teeth.
Junior brother, don't let her fool you. One look at that smile tells you she came prepared!
She couldn't resist giving Shi Meng's sleeve a light tug, neither too hard nor too soft, just enough to catch his attention.
Feeling the pull on his sleeve, Shi Meng sighed inwardly. Senior sister, that vinegar jar of yours is about to spill jealousy all over me.
Still, adhering to his "three noes"-no initiating, no rejecting, and no taking responsibility-Shi Meng had not accepted Ning Rongrong's advances.
For now, he and Ning Rongrong were merely getting along as brother and sister.
So, as her older brother, Shi Meng was delighted with the face-slapping opportunity his younger sister had delivered. He looked at Dai Mubai.
"I won. It's time you honored the bet."
Dai Mubai's face turned livid, his lips trembling without producing a word.
Shitting upside down?
He was a prince of the Star Luo Empire. If he really did something like that, his entire life would be ruined.
If he refused, he would lose both face and dignity, and no one would ever show him respect again.
Watching Dai Mubai's expression from the side, Hu Liena finally felt some of her jealousy subside.
Serves you right for making trouble for my junior brother. Feeling good now?
The people who had been cheering Dai Mubai on earlier now lowered their heads, each immediately distancing themselves from him.
"I knew it. One look at this young gentleman, and you can tell he has an extraordinary bearing..."
"Exactly, exactly. Who does Dai Mubai think he is?"
One spectator, eager to stir up more trouble, actually pulled out a paper packet and approached with a grin, offering it to Dai Mubai.
"Young Master Dai, my name's Shi Xiaoba. How about this secret-recipe mini burger I just made?"
Dai Mubai froze. What secret-recipe mini burger?
But the moment he opened it...
"Bleeergh!"
Dai Mubai's stomach churned like a raging sea, and he couldn't stop himself from vomiting a long rainbow.
The surrounding spectators hurried aside as well, holding their noses and retreating far away.
Holy shit, this Xiaoba was truly ruthless. How had he come up with such a nasty trick?
Seeing Dai Mubai's reaction, Shi Xiaoba brightened immediately.
"Young Master Dai! Judging by your reaction, do you like what I made for you?"
Dai Mubai's face went white.
"Stay away from me!"
Watching Shi Xiaoba, Shi Meng silently gave him a thumbs-up.
Okay, down the hatch, brother Dai Mubai.
As Old Eight drew closer and closer, Dai Mubai finally lost his nerve. He greased his soles and tried to flee.
Ning Rongrong glanced at Sword Douluo.
Sword Douluo nodded slightly. With a lift of his hand, a sharp streak of sword energy condensed out of thin air and lashed straight out!
Before you continue