"Clap, clap, clap!"
Hearing Lin Xian's answer, Meng Shu immediately began applauding.
"Young man, not bad. Very few youths can show such backbone in front of me."
His tone suddenly turned cold.
"However, can you afford the price of provoking me?"
Lin Xian only smiled and shook his head.
"I do feel a bit guilty about taking two Spirit Beasts from Miss Meng. I happen to have a treasure—how about I offer it as compensation?"
Meng Yiran placed her hands on her hips, clearly unconvinced.
"Who wants your treasure? What could you possibly have that's worth anything?"
"Then how about we make a bet?"
Her interest was instantly hooked.
Whether she liked it or not was entirely up to her. Even if it turned out decent, she could simply deny it. Wouldn't that guarantee her win?
"Fine. How do we bet?"
"If you're not interested in this treasure, I'll break one of my own arms."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But if you are interested, then aside from settling everything, you'll have to give me a kiss."
Meng Shu and Snake Grandmother exchanged amused glances.
It reminded them of their younger days—something similar had once happened between them.
So they didn't interfere, leaving the decision to their granddaughter.
Meng Yiran blinked, confidence brimming in her eyes.
There was no way she could lose.
"Deal!"
Lin Xian extended his hand, and a small scepter appeared in his palm.
The expressions of the Dragon and Snake couple shifted instantly. They sensed something unusual and fixed their gaze on it.
"Take a look."
He casually tossed it over.
Meng Yiran curled her lips in disdain.
It looked like nothing more than a decorative trinket—too small to use, too plain to admire.
But the moment it landed in her hand—
Her pupils shrank.
In that instant, she understood its effect.
The disdain on her face vanished completely. Instead, she clutched it tightly, as if afraid it might disappear.
"Well? Satisfied?"
"I…"
After a brief struggle, she nodded.
"I lost."
She handed the scepter over to Meng Shu.
The old man's eyes widened as well.
A treasure capable of enhancing the quality of a Spirit—such a thing was beyond rare, practically heaven-defying.
Let alone two Spirit Beasts—even twenty would be worth it.
He hadn't expected Lin Xian to produce such an item so casually.
This alone spoke volumes about the terrifying background behind him.
Fortunately, he hadn't acted rashly earlier. Otherwise, he might have missed out on such an opportunity.
"Little friend Lin, won't your family object to you giving away something so valuable?"
"Not at all. You can rest easy. And if it doesn't work, feel free to come find me at Shrek Academy—I provide after-sales service."
Meng Shu chuckled, now completely polite.
"In that case, I thank you, little friend."
Meanwhile, Meng Yiran lowered her head, fingers nervously twisting the corner of her clothes.
She glanced at Lin Xian from beneath her lashes.
Setting everything else aside… he really was handsome. Far more than any boy she had seen before.
Fine.
She had never been one to hesitate.
Since she lost, she would accept it properly.
It was just a kiss, after all.
Taking a step forward, she leaned in and lightly pressed her lips against his cheek.
Before he could react, she darted back, hiding behind Snake Grandmother with a flushed face.
The elders burst into laughter.
"Youth truly is wonderful."
"Little friend Lin," Meng Shu asked, "would it be possible for my granddaughter to enroll at Shrek Academy?"
Lin Xian shook his head without hesitation.
"I'm afraid she no longer meets the admission standards."
"That's fine. Such things cannot be forced."
"Still," Lin Xian added, "a word of advice—it's dangerous here. The Titan Giant Ape has appeared and taken one of our companions. You should leave as soon as possible."
The Dragon and Snake couple stiffened.
"The Titan Giant Ape? The King of the Forest?"
They knew he wouldn't lie about something like this.
"Then we won't linger. Little friend Lin, take care."
With that, they departed swiftly.
Meng Yiran glanced back several times, her thoughts unreadable.
After they were gone, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and pinched Lin Xian's waist lightly.
"You seem quite pleased. Flirting again?"
"Not at all," he replied innocently. "I'm just happy I got another reward from the Star Abyss."
She shot him a sideways glance.
"Maybe wipe the kiss mark off your face first."
Only then did he realize.
He raised his hand and casually erased the faint trace.
He wasn't lying—Meng Yiran had indeed dropped a purple card.
[Mimic Puppet (Basic) ×1]
Effect: Perfectly replicates any creature within the Spirit Grandmaster realm. Capable of using Spirit Rings and Abilities. Even a Titled Douluo cannot detect the difference.
Restriction: Male targets only. Not for inappropriate use.
Lin Xian stared at it in silence.
What kind of reward was this supposed to be?
Useless. Completely useless.
Who would he even replicate?
Ma Hongjun? That would only be an eyesore.
Then suddenly—
An idea flashed across his mind.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang.
Perfect.
If he used this puppet to impersonate him and mess with Tang San…
Or perhaps use it for something more… strategic.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
Seems like… this could actually be quite interesting.
(Author's Note)
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