It was over.
That was Ma Hongjun's first thought.
Then a sharp pain hit him. His body was sent flying backward before crashing into the railing beneath the Great Spirit Arena.
He passed out instantly.
Zhu Zhuqing hadn't held back at all.
After all, they weren't exactly good people.
The battle had started quickly—and ended just as fast.
Many spectators were still immersed in the beauty of Lin Xian's Spirit. No one expected the match to conclude so abruptly.
The ability he used just now… it should've been a control-type Spirit Ability, right? And a very powerful one at that.
Under the starlight, Lin Xian looked even more handsome, his presence noble and refined.
It was as if the starlight itself gathered around him.
Like a child blessed by the stars.
In comparison, Dai Mubai—lying on the ground—looked no better than a beaten stray dog.
The contrast was painfully obvious.
He clenched his fists tightly, his heart filled with unwillingness.
But… the gap in strength was simply too great.
He hadn't even reacted before his defense was completely shattered.
If only he could obtain that kind of power…
From that moment on, a new obsession took root in Dai Mubai's heart.
No matter the cost, he would capture Zhu Zhuqing—and take the power of her bloodline.
As for how…
The method would be crude. Brutal.
But those thoughts were far off for now. At this moment, he was frantically searching for Oscar.
If he didn't show up soon, he really might not make it.
Lin Xian clapped his hands, drawing the referee's attention.
"Referee, can you announce the result now?"
Snapping out of his daze, the referee immediately declared the Dark Night Star Combo as the winners.
The audience erupted into applause once again.
Regardless of whether those three purple spirit rings had been real or fake, their strength was undeniable.
Their opponents—a Spirit Elder and a Spirit Grandmaster—had been utterly crushed.
Like paper before a blade.
---
Just then, a disheveled figure rushed onto the stage.
His appearance was… rough, to say the least.
Messy clothes, and hair so long and tangled it looked like a bird's nest.
"Boss Dai, are you okay?"
"I'm not dead yet… Little Ao, hurry—give me two sausages!"
Oscar nodded. Two yellow spirit rings rose beneath his feet.
"I have a big sausage!"
"I have a small sausage!"
Lin Xian burst out laughing.
Hearing Oscar chant it in person felt completely different.
Especially with that tone—it was oddly hilarious.
Zhu Zhuqing, meanwhile, simply watched coldly from the side.
Oscar didn't care about appearances right now. Saving Dai Mubai was his priority.
Dai Mubai, still on the ground, said nothing and stuffed both sausages into his mouth.
Even though there was no poison, Oscar thoughtfully added a detoxifying one.
After eating, Dai Mubai recovered slightly. With Oscar's help, he barely managed to stand.
---
Lin Xian stepped forward and stopped in front of them.
Oscar immediately grew alert.
"You… what do you want?"
"Relax," Lin Xian said calmly. "I'm just here to collect what's mine. You're not planning to go back on your word, are you?"
"How could I?" Dai Mubai forced out. "I, Young Master Dai, never break my promises. It's just… I'm a bit short on gold right now. How about I give you half first, and the rest later?"
He kept his head lowered, not daring to meet Lin Xian's eyes.
This outcome… was nothing like he had imagined.
He should have been the one standing tall.
Instead, he was lying there like a dog.
Utterly humiliating.
"Fine," Lin Xian said casually. "I'll come collect the rest in two months. Let's count interest at thirty percent. That'll be 6,500 gold coins total."
Dai Mubai had no choice but to agree.
But in his heart, he was already scheming.
Avoid payment? Hide? Or simply gather people and kill them outright?
Right now, though, he had no choice but to hand over the 5,000 gold coins.
Suppressing his anger, he waved his hand.
An exquisite wooden box appeared before Lin Xian.
As a prince of the Star Luo Empire, a spatial storage item was nothing unusual.
Lin Xian didn't even bother checking. He tossed it straight into his card space.
The system confirmed it—5,000 gold coins.
Dai Mubai hadn't lied.
"Next time," Lin Xian said lightly, "don't look down on others. If you're weak, train more. If you can't afford to play, then don't play."
With that, he took Zhu Zhuqing's hand and walked off the stage.
Dai Mubai's eyes burned with hatred as he stared at their backs.
Then—
Lin Xian suddenly turned around.
Their gazes met.
Lin Xian smiled.
"See you at Shrek Academy in two months."
Then he wrapped an arm around Zhu Zhuqing's waist, leapt down, and left the arena with ease.
---
Walking along the street, Zhu Zhuqing glanced at him.
"We're not going back to the Spirit Arena?"
"We already have money. Why bother? Let someone else win those matches."
"That makes sense. Then… are we heading to the Star Dou Forest tomorrow?"
"Let's rest a day first. Maybe do some sightseeing."
"You really can't stop thinking about playing, can you?"
"Can't help it. You'll come with me anyway."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes softened slightly.
She didn't refuse.
She simply nodded.
---
What they didn't know…
At the very top of the Spirit Arena, someone was watching them leave.
Standing silently, like a ghost.
"The thousand-year spirit ring that defies theory… was just a trick."
"This investigation is complete. We can report back to Her Majesty the Pope."
"To verify a useless theory, we had to come all this way."
A second figure appeared behind him.
A brilliant chrysanthemum bloomed as he stepped forward.
His voice was sharp, almost feminine.
"You know how much Her Majesty values him."
"Tch. Disgusting. I really want to cut him down."
"Save it, Old Ghost. Don't overthink it. Let's return."
In the next instant—
Both figures vanished.
As if they had never been there at all.
(Author's Note)
Hey, My Handsome and beautiful readers.
Author here,As you know as usual there will be two chapters released daily as the regular update schedule.
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