Chapter 42: A Rat Has Its Hide, but a Person Without Dignity Has Nothing (III)

Ling Bai as a reincarnated person was well aware that Huo Yuhao had broken the rules more than once during his growth. In the original story, at least he only cheated in front of his acquaintances, Sect Master Tang Ya and his roommate Wang Dong. But what did he mean by blatantly cheating in front of him now?

Did he think the two of them were birds of a feather?

That he would cover for him as a matter of course?

"I..."

Huo Yuhao's facial muscles stiffened. Compared to the abusive servants at the White Tiger Duke's Mansion in his memory, who only knew how to roar and curse, the pressure Ling Bai exerted was undoubtedly as terrifying as a mountain collapsing or a tidal wave engulfing him. Just sitting there, Ling Bai seemed like a bottomless black well ready to swallow him whole, flesh and bones.

He only met those golden eyes for a second, but it felt like being stabbed by a sharp sword, the pain piercing deep. Compared to Ling Bai's usual composed demeanor, at this moment, he was as sharp as a blade.

"Bah!"

Wu Feng spat fiercely, her gaze toward Huo Yuhao filled with disdain. Arrogant by nature, she never liked Huo Yuhao to begin with, and now she looked down on him even more.

Ning Tian remained expressionless. Wu Feng could act without restraint, but she could not; her every word and action represented the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and Huo Yuhao was a disciple of the Tang Sect. The ten-thousand-year friendship between the two factions required her to maintain a superficial friendliness.

"Xiao Yuhao, you..."

 Tang Ya was flustered. If this matter were to spread, Huo Yuhao's reputation would plummet.

Huo Yuhao gritted his teeth, enduring the tearing pain in his Spirit Eyes and Spiritual Sea, and said painfully, "Teacher Xiao Ya, I wanted to help Senior Brother win, and Brother Ling, Xu Sanshi snatched your grilled fish. By helping Senior Brother win, I'm also helping you vent your anger!"

He had considered the possibility of being discovered by Ling Bai before using Spiritual Detection Sharing. However, he had assumed that Ling Bai would turn a blind eye because, when comparing Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, Ling Bai would surely favor the former more.

Huo Yuhao racked his brains but couldn't figure out why Ling Bai intervened to stop him.

The gorgeous twilight glow dyed the sky red, and a hint of coldness flickered in Ling Bai's golden eyes as he said:

"Help? That's just twisting the meaning of the word to justify your actions..."

Ling Bai stared intently at Huo Yuhao, hoping to see a trace of remorse in his expression. Unfortunately, there was only stubbornness and doubt in the other party's eyes.

"Huo Yuhao, the grudge between me and Xu Sanshi has been settled; it's not your place to 'help' me vent my anger. Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi are engaged in a fair duel; it's not up to a third party to break the rules and interfere.

Having poor talent doesn't matter; low spirit power is also fine. These can be compensated for later through fortuitous encounters. But if a person has no sense of shame, then they are truly beyond redemption.

A rat has its hide, but a person without dignity has nothing.

Huo Yuhao, ability and dignity—at least keep one for yourself."

The two locked eyes, but only disappointment remained.

Ling Bai cast one last glance at Huo Yuhao, who was clenching his teeth, and at Tang Ya, whose face was flushed with deep shame, and shook his head:

"Xiao Tian, Wu Feng, there's no need to watch any further. Let's go."

"Mm."

Ling Bai stood up first. Ning Tian and Wu Feng followed closely, and the three left the Spirit Dueling Arena together.

Standing on the wide avenue of Shrek Academy, Ling Bai gazed into the distance at the night view of Shrek City to the southwest. The flowing lights of this ten-thousand-year-old city reflected in his clear golden eyes, shimmering brilliantly like the sparkling stars in the sky.

"Bai-ge, are you angry?"

Ning Tian gently tugged at Ling Bai's sleeve and asked cautiously.

Before Ling Bai could speak, Wu Feng earnestly advised, "I say, Xiao Bai, getting angry over trash isn't worth it. My suggestion is, why not go out and get something tasty to eat?"

Thud!

After a dull thud, Wu Feng immediately let out a miserable cry, squatting down and clutching her head.

Ling Bai blew on his fist, turned his head, and said, "No respect for your seniors! You're even calling me Xiao Bai now. But Wu Feng, you finally said something right for once. That little matter with Huo Yuhao indeed isn't worth putting to heart.

I rarely see him while studying in the Inner Courtyard. The two of you might run into him in your daily life; from now on, just treat him as a stranger."

Ning Tian gave a slight nod. She had considered whether to take care of Huo Yuhao out of respect for the Tang Sect, but now there was no need.

"By the way, Xiao Tian, how's the progress on the task the Clan Master entrusted to you?"

Ling Bai recalled an important matter.

Although the inherited Martial Spirit of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, was known as the world's number one auxiliary-type Tool Martial Spirit, it itself didn't possess the slightest bit of combat power and relied heavily on powerful external Assault Spirit Masters for protection.

Was there anywhere on the Douluo Continent easier to meet extraordinarily talented Assault Spirit Masters than Shrek Academy?

The answer was no.

Therefore, every generation, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan sent their direct disciples to enroll at Shrek Academy to train themselves and, more importantly, to recruit young talents in advance to provide future protectors for the clan.

As the Young Clan Head of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Tian naturally undertook this arduous task.

When it came to serious matters, Ning Tian immediately put on a serious expression and reported in detail, "Bai-ge, these past two days, I've been inquiring about the Martial Spirits and spirit power levels of students in each class. I've found that the overall talent level is much higher than in my mother's generation. Besides me, there are two eleven-year-old geniuses who have already broken through to Rank 30!

In the first two days of school, I've only managed to recruit a female Spirit Grand Master from my class with a relatively ordinary background. Her Martial Spirit is the Jasper Bluebird, and her name is Nanmen Yun Er."

"Mm, have you started making contact with the two Spirit Elders?" Ling Bai asked.

"I'm just about to. One of them, Dai Huabin, is from the White Tiger Duke's Mansion of the Star Luo Empire. The clan has no chance of attracting him. I can try my best with the other one named Xie Huanyue who has the defense-type Rubber Elephant Martial Spirit!"

Ling Bai pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Xiao Tian, I'll tell you about a few people I've learned about who are particularly talented among this year's students. They can be your main targets going forward.

Xiao Xiao with the Three Lives Soul Sealing Cauldron; Xie Huanyue with the Rubber Elephant; the long-haired twins Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo; Cao Jinxuan with the Time Elapsing Clock; Zhou Sichen with the Treasured Book; Cui Yajie with the Nine Tailed Fox; and Huang Chutian with the Vigorous Ape."

Ning Tian silently noted down their names, then suddenly realized that someone she had in mind wasn't on the list and asked in confusion:

"Bai-ge, there's a genius student in Class One with the Bright Goddess Butterfly Martial Spirit named Wang Dong. I was thinking..."

"No, you're not thinking!"

Ling Bai instantly extended two fingers, forming an OK gesture to pinch her lips, and said with unprecedented seriousness:

"That guy is a descendant of the Clear Sky Clan. You must keep a respectful distance!"

The biological daughter of God King Tang!

Only someone with Huo Yuhao's resilience could handle it; Ling Bai absolutely couldn't let Ning Tian wade into these muddy waters!

"Mm-hmm!"

Ning Tian nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick. Seeing this, Ling Bai promptly let go before Wu Feng pounced over to bite. He then took out two white jade porcelain bottles and handed them to Ning Tian.

"These are Mysterious Water Pills. Use these to recruit talented students from the Outer Courtyard. Give one of them to Xie Huanyue. This kind of new student with an ordinary background but exceptional talent is very suitable for the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."

"Got it."

Ning Tian agreed immediately. A mere Mysterious Water Pill worth 10,000 spirit gold coins—the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had always bought them by the box!

Eat as you like! Give as you wish!