"Well done, kid. Your strength really is unfathomable!"
"Could you stop counting Gold Soul Coins while you're praising me?" Lin Kong remarked, his eyes half-lidded.
"Hahaha!"
Under the lights of Suotuo City Great Soul Arena, a Gold Soul Coin tossed from Flender's hand gleamed, reflecting an enchanting golden light as it spun before landing back in his palm. "What a haul!"
Lin Kong had won ten consecutive matches in the Soul Fighting Arena.
Flender had won eight consecutive bets in the casino.
After Lin Kong easily defeated two opponents, Flender judged that he was strong enough to sweep through opponents in the Soul Grandmaster realm. He immediately ran off to place bets, wagering the maximum amount every time and making a hefty sum.
If not for the rules at Suotuo City's Soul Fighting Arena, Flender would have loved to wager the very last Copper Soul Coin in his pocket and earn enough to cover three years of Shrek Academy's expenses in one go.
"Hand it over. I worked hard to win those Soul Fighting matches. Give me half." Lin Kong held out a hand to Flender and curled his fingers, acting as though it were only natural.
What sort of man was Flender? A stingy miser. How could he possibly give away Gold Soul Coins that had already landed in his pocket?
But then again!
If he gave him nothing, he really would feel a little guilty and embarrassed. He had made a fortune off the other party. Wouldn't it be too shameless not to share any of it?
"Uh..." Flender's eyes darted around, and he immediately had an idea. "Do you know who I am?"
"Cut the crap. Pay up!"
"I'm the dean of Shrek Academy! Didn't you want to join Shrek? I approve."
After saying this, Flender planted both hands on his hips and raised his chin smugly, waiting for Lin Kong to be surprised, then stunned, then bow down before him and beg him to admit him to Shrek Academy.
Hehe, when that happened, wouldn't this whole business be behind us?
And he could even make demands, such as having him compete in Soul Fighting regularly and defeat opponents while he placed bets and won money. That would simply be wonderful.
However, things did not develop as Flender had imagined.
Lin Kong's gaze remained calm, his hand suspended in midair as he stared at him impassively. He said nothing, showed no expression, and made no movement, placing an invisible pressure on Flender.
"Y-you, what do you mean by that?"
"Nothing."
Lin Kong shook his head, withdrew his hand, and turned to walk toward Suotuo City Great Soul Arena.
Somewhat puzzled, Flender asked, "Why are you going back? Didn't you say you didn't have much Soul Power left? That you couldn't keep fighting?"
"To choose a place that'll give me Gold Soul Coins." That was Lin Kong's answer. Having won ten consecutive matches, he naturally had prize money coming-a considerable sum. As he walked, he continued, "I think they'll certainly be happy to keep working with me and make more money together."
Oh no!
Flender inwardly sensed trouble. With one stride, he crossed several meters and blocked Lin Kong's path. "Well... well, let's talk this through."
Earlier, Suotuo City Great Soul Arena had tried to speak with Lin Kong in private. Flender had seen it perfectly clearly and stepped in to stop it, so he understood very well how valuable Lin Kong's demonstrated strength was to Suotuo City Great Soul Arena. He was a money tree, a money tree that could rake in a fortune every day.
Under these circumstances, how could Flender possibly let Lin Kong return to Suotuo City Great Soul Arena?
Lin Kong tilted his head, his gaze conveying: Talk about what? You pocketed the Gold Soul Coins I deserved. What is there to discuss?
Lin Kong did indeed want to join Shrek Academy, but he did not want to lose the initiative, so he could not yield an inch now. He could do this with Flender, but if he were facing another Soul Saint, a Soul Grandmaster making such a fuss would probably be slapped to death.
"Just tell me this: are you joining Shrek Academy or not?" Flender's tone grew serious.
"Yes."
"Hehe, then I am the dean, after all, right? So..."
"I haven't joined yet."
"You'll be a member sooner or later anyway."
"Later is later. Now is now."
"Fine, fine, fine!"
In the end, Flender was the one who gave way.
Such a promising talent meant far too much to Shrek Academy. He could not bear to let him slip away!
"From this moment on, you're a member of Shrek Academy. Come on, let's head back to the academy."
"I have personal matters to attend to. I'll be a few days late."
Lin Kong shook his head and rejected Flender's suggestion. He did not dare go to Shrek Academy too early. He would definitely run into Tang Hao, and with the strength of a Titled Douluo, Tang Hao might very well notice that he was carrying Ah Yin. It was too dangerous.
So... I'll go a day later. Once Tang Hao has given Zhao Wuji a savage beating that night and left, I'll go to Shrek Academy the next day and avoid him perfectly.
Without Tang Hao around, with only the others there, they certainly would not discover Ah Yin on him.
Hmm... I wonder how long it'll take her to sprout and regain consciousness.
Flender agreed. "All right. Make sure you come!"
Lin Kong said, "I'll be staying at the Rose Hotel these next few days. If you need anything, you can find me there. Oh, right, keep that plate gold hair crystal. It's mine. You can't sell it to anyone else."
Flender said, "No problem."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Lin Kong's mouth.
Without the plate gold hair crystal, Tang San's strength would be slightly diminished. Hmm... the main thing was to annoy him a little, to let him experience the helplessness of having a treasure right before his eyes yet being unable to obtain it, while doing a good deed along the way. Lin Kong thought, Old Zhao, you'll owe me one!
With his defensive prowess, Zhao Wuji could ignore all of Tang San's attacks. His only vulnerability was the plate gold hair crystal. Now that Lin Kong had kept Tang San from obtaining it, Zhao Wuji would be spared some suffering.
Flender watched Lin Kong's departing figure, then lowered his head to look at the heavy money pouch in his hand. The crisp clinking of Gold Soul Coins was pleasing to the ear. He smacked his lips, then finally shook his head with a helpless smile.
"That kid... he's pretty stubborn. Still, he really is a promising talent. Shrek needs people like him, with minds of their own and the strength to back them up."
With a flip of his wrist, Flender put the money into his Storage Soul Tool. He was already calculating how to use this windfall to improve the academy's straitened circumstances-perhaps they could first patch the roofs of those old dormitories? Or get some decent tableware for the dining hall?
"The Rose Hotel... he certainly knows how to pick a place." Flender rubbed his chin. "He knows how to enjoy himself once he has money, choosing Suotuo City's most famous hotel. That place is for couples... Mubai often takes women there."
Flender did not delve into it. Geniuses always had their quirks and secrets. As long as they did not harm the academy, he had always given them plenty of space. Shrek already had a few fellows who could not do without women; one more would do no harm.
And the plate gold hair crystal? Although that stuff was unusual, since Lin Kong had asked for it, he would keep it for him. Compared with a rare material, a student with boundless potential was clearly worth more.