Upon hearing Yu Xiaogang's proposed bet, Lin Mu almost burst out laughing.
Although 100,000 Gold Soul Coins no longer held much appeal for him, given his considerable savings and a monthly salary of 20,000 coins, why should he refuse free money from Gangzi?
Even though the guy hadn't revealed his disciple's identity, Shrek Academy only had a handful of students. A little guessing was all it took to figure out who it was.
Ma Hongjun possessed the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul. As a top-tier fire-attribute martial soul, its suppression of plant-type martial souls was undeniable. That was the only reason Yu Xiaogang could be so confident.
However, Ma Hongjun's martial soul wasn't a pure Fire Phoenix; it possessed significant flaws.
Compared to Yu Xiaogang's own failed mutation, Ma Hongjun's situation was significantly better. At least his martial soul's quality had improved several levels, reaching the tier of a top-level Beast Martial Soul.
If his opponent were wielding ordinary Blue Silver Grass, Ma Hongjun would naturally counter it completely.
But Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was no longer what it used to be. Not only had its quality greatly improved, but it also possessed fire immunity.
Coupled with Tang San's overwhelming soul power, the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
"I accept this bet."
Seeing Lin Mu's quick agreement, Yu Xiaogang's heart skipped a beat, and a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes.
He quickly dismissed these concerns, forcing himself to calm down. 'How could Blue Silver Grass possibly be a match for the Fire Phoenix? I will win this time.'
"It's a deal!"
Yu Xiaogang raised his chin slightly, trying his best to maintain the dignity of a Grandmaster.
Seeing this, Lin Mu smiled meaningfully, said nothing more, and left with Ye Lingling.
After the two had completely disappeared, Flender could no longer suppress his dissatisfaction and anger. He grabbed Yu Xiaogang by the shoulder and growled, "Xiaogang! What are you trying to do? I went to great lengths to settle this matter, and now you're betting with him again? Can you even beat him?"
Flender looked utterly exasperated. He had wanted to help his good brother escape his predicament, but instead, they had only dug themselves deeper into the pit.
Zhao Wuji, standing nearby, couldn't hold back any longer and complained, "Yu Xiaogang, I told you before how monstrous Tang San is! Three months ago, he was already able to defeat Dai Mubai. He is definitely stronger now!"
In his opinion, although Ma Hongjun was exceptionally talented, he was no match for Dai Mubai, let alone Tang San.
Faced with their doubts, Yu Xiaogang smiled confidently. With his hands behind his back, his face radiated composure.
"Brother Flender, Old Zhao, you don't understand. The more critical the situation, the more courage you need to go all in. I wasn't prepared before, but this time is different. I am absolutely certain."
He paused, then stepped forward, brimming with confidence. "You must trust my theoretical research. Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix is a top-tier martial soul. Once I help him solve the Evil Fire problem, there will be a qualitative leap."
"At that time, not only will he be invincible among his peers, but even against higher-level Soul Masters, Hongjun will be able to defeat them. Mere Blue Silver Grass is utterly insignificant in front of a Phoenix!"
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's unwavering demeanor, Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.
In the past, Flender would have undoubtedly believed Yu Xiaogang's theories. But seeing Yu Xiaogang's recent humiliations, his image as a master was tarnished. He didn't seem as formidable as Flender had once imagined.
However, the matter was already settled. Flender could only sigh helplessly, rubbing his still-aching chest.
Compared to Flender, Zhao Wuji had little affection for Yu Xiaogang; his willingness to help was entirely out of respect for Flender.
And what was the result? The guy remained unrepentant.
"Damn it, all talk and no action. If we lose again, I'm not Zhao Wuji if I ever get involved in this mess again," Zhao Wuji muttered, giving Yu Xiaogang a fierce glare.
Meanwhile at the Suotuo Grand Soul Arena, Oscar, supporting the heavily injured Ma Hongjun, chanted a spell: "I have a big sausage!"
With a flash of light, a recovery sausage appeared in his hand, which he quickly stuffed into Ma Hongjun's mouth.
Not far away, Dai Mubai lay on the ground like a corpse, still unconscious.
"To be beaten like this... what a disgrace!"
Ning Rongrong glanced at Dai Mubai, her face filled with undisguised disgust, and sneered.
Zhu Zhuqing, standing to the side, remained silent, but a trace of disappointment and indifference flashed in her cold eyes.
After feeding Ma Hongjun the sausage, Oscar finally spoke. "Fatty, you actually dared to team up with Boss Dai for a two-person Soul Battle? You've got guts!"
"And who was your opponent? Boss Dai is a Level 38 Soul Elder after all. Even with you as a burden, he shouldn't have been beaten like this, right?"
Under the healing effects of the sausage, Ma Hongjun's injuries were brought under control.
He raised his head, spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, and glared fiercely at the unconscious Dai Mubai. "Pah! What Boss Dai? Oscar, let me tell you, all my injuries were caused by this bastard!"
"Boss Dai did it? Is he crazy?"
"It's all because he ate your damn sausage!" Ma Hongjun's fat jiggled with anger as he pointed at Oscar and cursed. "After eating that stuff, the guy went berserk like a mad dog! He almost ripped me open!"
"Uh..."
Hearing the fat man's complaints, Oscar instantly thought of his Mutated Mushroom Sausage, and his face filled with embarrassment.
He never expected that Boss Dai would be forced to use that. What he couldn't understand was why Boss Dai still lost the competition after eating the mutated sausage.
Just then, Tang San and Xiao Wu happened to walk over.
Upon seeing the two figures, Ma Hongjun shuddered in fright and hurriedly begged for mercy, "Big brother! No, Sir! You've already appeased your anger, right? Besides, this is the rule of Shrek Academy! I was forced into it!"
At that moment, a figure approached from the distance. It was Qin Ming, who was looking to rejoin his group.
Hearing the words "Shrek Academy," he paused, his gaze fixing on the direction the voice came from.
Besides Tang San and Xiao Wu, the other five were unfamiliar faces. However, they were all very young, appearing to be around twelve, with the oldest no more than fifteen or sixteen.
Moreover, all five possessed considerable soul power. Combined with what he had just heard, he had a vague idea of the situation.
Qin Ming strode over, sizing up Oscar and the others, and asked with a hint of excitement, "You... are students of Shrek Academy?"
Sensing the stranger's incredibly profound soul power, Oscar was startled. He quickly stood up, asking somewhat warily, "And you are...?"
Qin Ming didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked in a deep voice, "Is your Dean... named Flender?"
Seeing that this person seemed to know Dean Flender, Oscar's expression shifted slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded. "You know our Dean?"
A trace of reminiscence and emotion appeared on Qin Ming's face, and he said gently, "More than just knowing him. I also graduated from Shrek Academy. Dean Flender was my mentor."
Hearing this, Oscar and Ma Hongjun were stunned. Even Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing cast surprised glances at him.
"Teacher Qin... you actually graduated from such a trash academy?"