"You…"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered with a trace of anger. But as she saw Ye Chen's bloodstained chest, she hesitated. The clawed hand she had raised slowly dropped.
"If you're not going to kill me, could you at least get off?"
Pinned beneath Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Chen could barely breathe.
Gasping, he said with difficulty, "If you don't get up soon, something... might happen."
Faced with such a stunning woman pressed against him, Ye Chen didn't know what to say. All he could do was urge her to move, or the fire stirring in his heart would consume him.
His words seemed to work. Zhu Zhuqing frowned, glanced at Ye Chen's chest, and realizing his injuries weren't serious, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. She then got off him.
The hostility that had filled the air just moments ago now gave way to a strange awkwardness. Neither of them said a word. They simply stared at each other—one glance, then another.
"You okay?"
In the end, it was Zhu Zhuqing who broke the silence.
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
"That wasn't concern. I just…"
Felt a little guilty, she thought, though being seen like that… maybe it wasn't such a big deal after all.
"Alright, alright. I'm really fine, don't worry."
Ye Chen smiled and casually tore a strip of cloth from his shirt to bandage the wound. Then he glanced at Zhu Zhuqing again.
Without exchanging another word, the two began walking back to the academy, their movements in perfect sync, as if they'd rehearsed it.
Their chase through the woods had taken a while. By the time they returned to Shrek Academy, it was nearly noon.
Back in the boys' dormitory, Ye Chen lay on his bed, replaying everything that had happened.
Zhu Zhuqing was completely different from Ning Rongrong. She was like a perfectly ripened apple—constantly radiating a tempting allure.
"Ye Chen, the Headmaster asked me to come get you. Time for training."
The door burst open with a bang. Dai Mubai walked in, grabbing the reluctant Ye Chen and dragging him to the academy's grassy training grounds.
Everyone else—Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others—were already there, with Flender personally overseeing the session. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw Ye Chen.
"Hmph! Cultivating your spirit power isn't just about talent. Physical conditioning is just as important—it strengthens your body and makes meditation more effective. So, start by running 20 laps around Soto City!"
With a wave of his hand, Flender sent the students off jogging. For them, this was routine.
Especially for Rongrong—pampered since birth by two powerful Title Douluos—she needed this kind of discipline.
"Come on, Rongrong! I'll be waiting at the finish line with snacks!"
Ye Chen called out in encouragement, then glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, pumping his fist in her direction as a gesture of support.
Suddenly, Flender walked up and clapped Ye Chen on the shoulder. "How about joining in too, kid? You might be surprised what you gain from it."
"No thanks. Too exhausting. I'm more suited for... lying around."
With a shrug, Ye Chen flopped down on a thick patch of grass, pulled out a novel, and began reading with great interest.
Flender twitched with frustration. He couldn't understand why someone with Ye Chen's monstrous talent would waste it like this.
"I can't let this prodigy go to waste right in front of my eyes."
Muttering to himself, Flender tried to think of a plan. Just then, Zhao Wuji walked over.
Flender pulled him aside and the two whispered conspiratorially, plotting how to get Ye Chen into the training program.
Had Sword and Bone Douluo witnessed this, they'd probably be doubled over with laughter. After all, they'd spent six years trying every trick in the book—and still failed miserably.
After a long huddle, Flender and Zhao Wuji approached Ye Chen again, confidence in their eyes.
"If you don't trust us, how about a little bet?" Flender offered.
Ye Chen didn't even look up. "Not interested. Last time Dai Mubai tricked me, and I'm not falling for the same ploy again. If you want to bet, at least offer something worthwhile."
"Uh…"
Zhao Wuji scratched his head. Shrek Academy didn't have much—no wealth, no rare treasures. But then an idea hit him.
"Headmaster, how about using your secret stash of money? Otherwise, our plan won't work."
"No way!" Flender refused instantly.
"I'll wager 1,000 gold soul coins," he finally said, as if cutting off a piece of his soul. "That enough for you?"
Ye Chen rolled his eyes and tossed over a pouch. "There's 10,000 gold soul coins in there. Keep it. Just stop bothering me."
Ten thousand?!
Flender opened the pouch, and his grin stretched ear to ear. But Zhao Wuji elbowed him, whispering, "Remember the plan. Stay focused."
Flender's expression turned serious. He sat beside Ye Chen and said, "Fine. I'll raise the bet to 20,000 gold soul coins."
Clink!
Ye Chen pulled out another pouch. "There's 50,000 in here. Do I look like I need your money?"
"…You think you're better than me?! Fine! 100,000 gold soul coins! If you accept the bet, I'll give you 100k!"
He practically roared the last part. Zhao Wuji leaned over and asked quietly, "Do you even have that much?"
Ye Chen finally smiled. "Alright, I'll take the bet. But you'll have to sign a binding contract—no tricks."
As he spoke, a contract appeared, clearly outlining the bet, especially the 100,000 gold soul coin wager.
Flender's beard practically curled with anger. But he slammed his name onto the document anyway, shouting, "Ye Chen, you little fox—you'll regret this!"
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