Chapter 18: No Calling for Help If You Cannot Win

"Very well. Since you are so confident, I grant permission for this duel. However, before the match begins, there are a few things that must be stated upfront."

Tai Long's reaction was entirely within Liu Erlong's expectations. Once she had spoken, Tai Long and his group nodded in understanding. Given the vast disparity in age and soul power, if no restrictions were imposed, it would truly be a case of the strong bullying the weak. This approach was for the best, and the students cast admiring glances toward their dean.

"First, to avoid any hard feelings, this duel should be conducted by the strongest representative chosen by each of your two parties."

Liu Erlong held a bit of a personal bias in setting the rules. As for her daughter, Jiang Beibei, besides her, the other children had only just awakened their spirits; if they were to step into the ring, it would be nothing more than a beating.

"Only one match?" Hearing that the so-called duel was not a "group brawl" but a single bout, the frustrated followers behind Tai Long were somewhat displeased. They had been counting on getting into the arena to teach those brats a real lesson!

"One match is one match. A battle of king versus king is more convincing!"

"That's right! We have Brother Tai Long on our side; it's basically a guaranteed win!"

"I have no objection to a single match, but since it is a contest, there must be some sort of wager, right?" As the designated fighter, Tai Long thought more deeply than the others. Since everyone had pent-up anger to vent, there had to be some compensation; otherwise, this soul master confrontation would be meaningless.

"Of course," Liu Erlong replied. "Beibei promised me just now that, Tai Long, if you win, they are willing to wash your clothes and socks for three months and apologize to you in front of all the teachers and students of the academy."

A pledge of this nature carried much more weight when spoken by Liu Erlong than by Beibei, making it far more convincing. Of course, this was actually a little scheme between mother and daughter, intended to get Tai Long to "take the bait."

"Agreed! That is perfectly fine! I accept this wager on behalf of everyone!" During the process of soul master cultivation, one sweats a great deal, especially male soul masters. Having someone willing to take over the chore of washing clothes was a godsend. Furthermore, with the opponent willing to apologize in the most formal setting, what could possibly be wrong with that?

"Senior Tai Long, Beibei has already placed her bet. What about you?" Jiang Beibei, who had been silent until now, blinked her large, adorable eyes and asked with an air of curiosity.

"Us? Hahahaha, I would lose? Jiang Beibei, you're overthinking it! Don't go crying later, okay?" The question she posed made the students burst into laughter. Seeing their attitude, a sly curve touched the corner of Jiang Beibei's mouth. She then pulled a wooden sign from behind her that was nearly as tall as she was.

"That wouldn't be fair, would it? How about this: if Senior Tai Long loses, you must carry this sign and run three laps around the entire academy, shouting 'I lost' as you run. Is that acceptable?"

When making the request, Jiang Beibei unleashed her legendary "eight-fold pout," and combined with her charming and adorable image, the gazes of Tai Long and his group instantly went misty.

"Sure, sure..." Just as Tai Long agreed, Beibei immediately shoved the wooden sign into his hands, retracted her charm, clasped her hands behind her back, and returned to Liu Erlong's side with satisfaction.

The dazed Tai Long, upon sobering up and looking at the sign in his hand, saw his expression turn ugly. Scrawled crookedly on the wooden sign were the words: *[I am the loyal lackey of Sister Beibei]*

*Wow!* Carrying this sign around the academy for three laps? Wouldn't they lose all their dignity? It was too shameful!

Just as Tai Long was about to speak, Jiang Beibei used that innocent face of hers once more to ask a question he could not refuse: "Senior Tai Long, you wouldn't be afraid to take this bet, would you? That would be so disappointing for Beibei~"

*Ho!* An overt provocation! The hot-tempered Tai Long could not hold back any longer.

"Fine, it's settled! Dean, you are the witness. Regardless of who loses, I hope you will judge fairly and supervise the completion of the terms." With Liu Erlong present, he believed no one would dare violate the wager; he just needed the Dean to nod in agreement.

"Since both sides have agreed on the terms of the loss and the rewards, let me state the second rule." The plan had "succeeded." Liu Erlong glanced at her mischievous daughter and sent her a doting, loving look. "Due to certain special reasons, this soul master duel will not be held in the academy's arena, but near my residence. The ground there is more open, allowing you to better display your full strength."

"Huh?" This rule left everyone bewildered.

A soul master duel not held in the arena, but moved to the back mountain? That was a restricted area of the academy; without the Dean's permission, even some senior teachers were not allowed near it! They claimed the space was more open, but why did it all feel so strange? What did she mean by "certain special reasons"?

Full of questions, Tai Long bit the bullet and asked, "Dean, may I ask the reason for this?"

"You will know in a moment. You are right to be suspicious; only the duelists may enter the back mountain. The process will be supervised by me... and Teacher Ji Yunfei to ensure absolute fairness and impartiality."

Initially, Liu Erlong intended to watch the duel herself, but realizing that Tai Long might not agree to that, she had to bring in Ji Yunfei. This old gentleman had witnessed Beibei's awakening and was her absolute confidant; there was no need to worry about leaks.

"This... I suppose that's fine, but Dean, I have one small request." As expected, Tai Long had his reservations. Although Liu Erlong's public image was one of absolute impartiality, the subject of this duel was her daughter, which forced Tai Long to think twice. Only when he heard that Teacher Ji Yunfei would also be participating in the supervision did he feel slightly more at ease.

"Hmm, go ahead." Before Jiang Beibei appeared, Tai Long had always been Liu Erlong's most prized student. Seeing that his mind was more meticulous than before, Liu Erlong felt quite gratified.

"Dean, I hope that for both sides of this duel, whoever loses is forbidden from complaining to their parents!"

"Pfft!" Hearing Tai Long's request, Jiang Beibei, who had scurried behind Mother Erlong, could not help but burst into laughter. The students behind him were holding back their laughter so hard their faces turned purple. Who in the Lanba Academy didn't know the relationship between Jiang Beibei and Liu Erlong? Wasn't this clearly taking a jab at the Dean?

"Remember your words." Unexpectedly, Liu Erlong, having been poked in such a way, did not fly into a rage. She merely dropped this sentence in a calm tone, took Beibei by the hand, and turned to walk toward the back mountain.

"Still standing there like fools? Let's go." Just as Tai Long was at a loss, Teacher Ji Yunfei appeared beside him, gently patted his shoulder, gave him a strange, "blessed" look, and signaled for him to follow.