100.7 million Federation Coins!
Even with Lin Mo's experience from two lifetimes, seeing that number made his breathing quicken involuntarily.
This money was enough for him and his mother to buy a top-tier luxury home in Jiangcheng's most prosperous district, with enough left over to live worry-free for the rest of their lives!
More importantly, with this money, he could purchase better cultivation resources to give wings to his martial arts journey!
And that "Mental Power Secret Technique—Nine Refinements of Focused Spirit (Beginner Volume)" was an unexpected bonus.
For martial artists, mental power was just as important as elemental energy cultivation. Powerful mental strength not only enhanced perception and comprehension, but also allowed warriors to anticipate attacks in battle and even cultivate special mental techniques.
In his previous life, Lin Mo had missed many opportunities due to insufficient mental power.
Now, the system had directly rewarded him with a mental power technique—talk about timely assistance!
On the platform, Lin Mo slowly opened his eyes. His formerly calm pupils now seemed to contain flowing galaxies, deep and bright.
He felt the surging elemental energy within his body and the mysterious "Nine Refinements of Focused Spirit" in his consciousness, his heart filled with soaring ambition.
"From today forward, I, Lin Mo, will control my own destiny!"
"Student Lin Mo! Student Lin Mo!"
On the main platform, the principal was so excited his voice trembled as he personally came down to warmly shake Lin Mo's hand. "B-rank! B-rank! You're truly the pride of Jiangcheng First High! The pride of our entire city!"
The surrounding school leaders and guests crowded around, their praise endless.
Homeroom teacher Li Gang was beaming, looking ten years younger, his gaze toward Lin Mo full of relief and... a touch of gratitude. Grateful he hadn't truly buried this priceless gem.
"Lin Mo, well done! Your teacher knew you had it in you!" Li Gang patted Lin Mo's shoulder, his voice full of pride.
Lin Mo politely responded to everyone's congratulations while his mind focused on something else.
Regarding the underground betting pool—would they willingly pay out such a massive sum?
100 million Federation Coins wasn't pocket change, even for underground operations.
New trouble was probably coming soon.
Just then, a commotion arose at the hall's entrance.
Several men in black suits with cold expressions and dangerous auras, led by a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses with an effeminate air, pushed through the crowd and walked straight toward the platform.
"It's Black Gold Group!"
"What are they doing here?"
Low murmurs rippled through the crowd, their eyes showing fear as they looked at these uninvited guests.
Black Gold Group—one of Jiangcheng's underground powerhouses and the force behind that betting pool.
They'd come after all!
Lin Mo's eyes narrowed slightly. He'd expected this.
The man with gold-rimmed glasses walked to the main platform, first politely nodding to the principal and others, then turning his gaze to Lin Mo with a formulaic smile. "This must be student Lin Mo. Truly a young hero with extraordinary aptitude."
"And you are?" The principal frowned, sensing something wrong.
"I'm Ma San, manager of Black Gold Group's Jiangcheng branch." The gold-rimmed man bowed slightly. "I'm here today to discuss a matter with student Lin Mo."
"Oh? What matter?"
Ma San's gaze swept over Lin Mo, his smile unchanged but his tone carrying undeniable authority. "Student Lin Mo participated in a small entertainment game at one of our establishments yesterday and was quite lucky, winning a considerable prize."
He paused, continuing: "However, due to a system malfunction, there was a small error in the odds calculation. My group, operating on principles of honest business, is willing to pay student Lin Mo one million Federation Coins as compensation. We ask that student Lin Mo graciously return yesterday's betting slip to us, and we can call this matter settled. How does that sound?"
One million?
They wanted to pay off a hundred million prize with just one million?
This Black Gold Group really knew how to "operate honestly"!
The surrounding crowd erupted in uproar.
Though they didn't know exactly how much Lin Mo had won, Black Gold Group's massive mobilization for a mere one million payout meant Lin Mo's winnings were definitely astronomical!
The principal and Li Gang's faces darkened.
Black Gold Group was clearly trying to bully their way out of paying their debts!
Lin Mo sneered inwardly but kept his expression neutral. "Manager Ma, I remember yesterday's betting slip clearly stated in black and white that the odds were 2000 to 1. How did that become a system malfunction in your version?"
Ma San's smile faded slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Student Lin Mo, it's wise to leave room for future meetings. Some money isn't so easy to take. Black Gold Group has been established in Jiangcheng for many years, and we don't rely solely on luck."
A naked threat!
The tension in the air became explosive.
Everyone watched Lin Mo nervously, wondering how he'd respond.
On one side was the wealthy and powerful Black Gold Group, on the other a martial arts genius just coming into his own.
Ma San's threat was like dropping a boulder into a calm lake, creating massive ripples.
The atmosphere in the martial arts hall instantly became charged.
The principal's face was iron-dark, about to speak out in anger, but Lin Mo stopped him with a look.
"Manager Ma means Black Gold Group is planning to openly violate contracts and swallow my rightful winnings?" Lin Mo's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the hall, with a hint of icy mockery.
"Student Lin Mo, let's not put it so harshly." Ma San adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze growing colder behind the lenses. "I'm simply stating facts. Some rules exist to be followed; others exist to be broken. The key is having the power to break them."
His meaning was clear—Black Gold Group had the power to break rules.
"Power?" Lin Mo chuckled coldly. "Is Manager Ma using Black Gold Group's 'power' to pressure an underage high school student? If word of this gets out, wouldn't it damage Black Gold Group's reputation?"
"Reputation is earned through strength, not words." Ma San shot back. "Student Lin Mo, I advise you to be more practical. One million Federation Coins is enough for you and your family to live quite well. Excessive greed often comes with heavy consequences."
"Consequences?" A cold light flashed in Lin Mo's eyes. "I'd very much like to know what consequences Black Gold Group can make me face."
He took a step forward, an invisible sharp aura emanating from his body that actually made Ma San and his black-suited bodyguards unconsciously step back!
This aura wasn't elemental energy fluctuation, but pure mental pressure!
This was the result of his initial cultivation of "Nine Refinements of Focused Spirit" enhancing his mental power!
Ma San was shocked. He hadn't expected a teenager who'd just drawn qi into his body to possess such powerful mental presence! This kid was definitely more complex than he appeared!
"Student Lin Mo, it seems you insist on refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit?" Ma San's face completely darkened, his voice filled with killing intent.
His black-suited bodyguards also stepped forward, their cold gazes locking onto Lin Mo, ready to act at the slightest provocation.
Just at this critical moment, an aged but authoritative voice suddenly rang out from behind the viewing platform.