Chapter 81: Pregnancy Countdown
Just as Yu Xiaogang was about to show off his knowledge—oh no, prepare to display his theoretical skills—someone else spoke before he could.
"Soul bones are divided into six types: left leg bone, right leg bone, left arm bone, right arm bone, skull, and torso bone. Among them, the torso bone is the strongest, followed by the skull, then left arm, right arm, left leg, and right leg."
"External soul bones are a special existence apart from the six regular types I just mentioned. If the chance of an ordinary soul bone dropping from a soul beast is one in a thousand, then the chance of an external soul bone appearing isn't even one in ten thousand."
"Also, in order to absorb an external soul bone, the first condition is that the soul master must have absorbed the soul ring from the soul beast that dropped the bone. Unlike the other six types, once an external soul bone fuses with its owner, it becomes indistinguishable from the host and cannot be removed."
"External soul bones have always ranked second on soul masters' dream list—right behind the almost unobtainable hundred-thousand-year soul ring."
"This external soul bone that Zu Zong possesses was taken from the leg of a thousand-year spider-type soul beast."
The one speaking was Zhu Zhuqing. When she finished, she noticed everyone staring at her with disbelief.
Flushing slightly under their gazes, Zhu Zhuqing asked cautiously, "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Ning Rongrong said, "Zhuqing, you're amazing. You actually know so much. I've only heard my father talk about the six main soul bones—I've never even heard of external soul bones."
"Xiaogang, you're well-read. Is what Zhuqing said true?" Flender looked toward Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang's stiff face turned a shade of green. He awkwardly nodded, then turned to Zhu Zhuqing, "Zhuqing, where did you learn all that?"
"Zu Zong told me," Zhu Zhuqing replied calmly.
Yu Xiaogang's expression turned from green to pale. "No wonder Zu Zong wasn't willing to become my disciple," he thought to himself. "So he already knew all this. Otherwise, how could he cultivate the 'mutated Blue Silver Grass' martial soul to such a level? Does he already have a teacher?"
"But what does this external soul bone have to do with the poison in Tang San's body?" Meng Yiran asked.
Despite her dislike for the Huangdou Battle Team that had beaten up Tang San so badly, the most important thing now was her boyfriend's physical safety.
Zhu Zhuqing answered, "Zu Zong's external soul bone is called Eight Spider Lances. Aside from releasing deadly poison, it can also absorb it. Zu Zong plans to use it to draw the poison out of Tang San."
As Zhu Zhuqing explained, the group finally understood.
Meanwhile, Zu Zong had already pierced the Eight Spider Lances into Tang San's body, beginning the process of absorbing the poison.
Of course, Zu Zong wasn't one to suffer a loss—while extracting the poison, he also absorbed a portion of Tang San's soul power.
A short while later, Zu Zong withdrew the Eight Spider Lances into his body. Glancing at his tattered shirt, he thought, "These Eight Spider Lances are useful, sure—but they ruin clothes way too fast."
Soon after, Zu Zong changed back into his usual black combat outfit. Around the same time, Tang San also woke up.
After hearing Yu Xiaogang explain what had happened while he was unconscious, and learning that Shrek still lost, Tang San couldn't help but show a disheartened expression and began to question his life.
Zu Zong couldn't be bothered with him. He was in a great mood after the victory over the Huangdou team—first, he got to beat up Tang San, and second, he won tens of thousands of gold coins through betting.
He had made the bet with Dugu Yan, using Dugu Bo's name, and with that reputation backing him, no one dared default on the payout.
Zu Zong was pleased. Zhao Wuji was pleased. Both of them had made a fortune.
Flender, on the other hand, was miserable—he had just lost his entire savings.
"Hey, Old Zhao, about tomorrow's student meal budget..." Flender turned to Zhao Wuji with a fawning smile.
Zhao Wuji glanced at Flender. As far as he was concerned, he had no money to lend, and even if Flender wanted his life, he wasn't giving that either. After all, he had only won a few thousand gold coins—his lifeline.
"Get lost. No money. And I'm not giving up my life either."
Suddenly, Zhao Wuji's small eyes shifted slightly, as if an idea had struck him. He leaned over and whispered to Flender, "When I went to place my bet, I saw that Zu Zong kid placing a huge wager too. He's probably made at least several hundred thousand gold coins this round."
Flender's heart clenched. He kept murmuring to himself, "Hundreds of thousands of gold coins… hundreds of thousands…"
Naturally, Flender and Zhao Wuji's conversation didn't escape Zu Zong's ears.
Watching Flender's face twist with pain, Zu Zong finally understood—Flender wasn't upset about the students getting injured, he was mourning the money.
Though Zu Zong had no intention of sponsoring Shrek, the little kitty was going to stay here for a while longer. He couldn't really let her live on gruel with Flender, could he?
With that thought, Zu Zong casually strolled over to Flender, brushing past him as if nothing happened. At the same time, he slipped a gold card worth ten thousand coins into Flender's hand—just like before.
He whispered, "Dean Flender looks like he lost miserably. But don't go gambling away Zhuqing's meal allowance again."
Flender froze. He stared at Zu Zong's departing back, momentarily dazed.
This time, Flender had really lost face—he'd actually taken money from a kid. But despite the shame, he had no intention of refusing the money.
Flender muttered to himself, "It's true—money really does humble even a hero."
"Alright, alright. Since the soul battle is over and we've come to know each other through combat, once we finish calculating the points, dinner is on me tonight," Qin Ming declared.
Having just reunited with his alma mater's headmaster, and with all his students having earned the Gold Soul Badge, Qin Ming couldn't have been happier.
Upon hearing this, both the Emperor Team and Shrek Team erupted in cheers.
"Yay! Long live Teacher Qin! (Qin Ming-senpai!)"
"Qin Ming, you rascal, then I won't hold back," Flender and Zhao Wuji chimed in eagerly.
Only Dugu Yan gave Zu Zong a half-smiling glance, which made him feel an ominous premonition.
Sure enough, in the next second, Dugu Yan raised her right hand with a charming smile and said, "Teacher Qin, you're not the one treating today. Someone else should be."
"Oh? And who would that be?" Qin Ming's curiosity was piqued.
Dugu Yan called out loudly, "Of course it's our little Zu Zong! You all may not know, but today he dragged me along to bet on the Emperor Team's win. He probably made at least hundreds of thousands of gold coins!"
In an instant, all eyes turned toward Zu Zong.
Some were full of envy, some were shocked, and others were just happy—like Xiao Wu and Zhuqing. Although they didn't have much concept of money, they had already regarded Zu Zong as the pillar of their future household. Having savings was undoubtedly a good thing.
Under everyone's gaze, Zu Zong's mouth twitched slightly. He knew he was about to get bled dry.
Helplessly, he said, "Fine, let's find a place and drink!"
Wait… drink?
A sly grin crept onto Zu Zong's face. That meant—he could stir up some mischief again. Like… making Yu Xiaogang pregnant.
With that thought, Zu Zong didn't feel so bad about being extorted anymore.
After all, that old man Yu Xiaogang had the nerve to yell at him during the soul battle. But Zu Zong wasn't the type to hold grudges—if there was a chance for revenge, he'd settle it the same night.
PS: Fourth chapter made up. Ahem… Yu Xiaogang's pregnancy is coming up next. As for the promised 10,000 words, still a few hundred short. I'll owe it for now—can't stay up any longer. Still have work tomorrow. Begging for tickets! (not my note)
[End of Chapter]
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