Chapter 49: You’re Worth Only Five Thousand

  Transtor: Krukist

  Shuitian’s gaze deepened with thought. What Lin Yu saw, he’d already pieced together—the Seve Houses were too cautious to openly defy him like this.

  Yet He Wu’s challenge bore Situ g’s fingerprints.

  “Looks like you’re a bold student, using Situ g as your springboard,” Shuitian said, pinning He Wu in an awkward spot.

  The seven House reps darted g He Wu—eveu delegate edged back, distang himself. Suddenly, He Wu stood alone, isoted.

  He Wu shrugged it off, bowing slightly to Shuitian. “Thanks for the praise, Puye, but I still he Vice Head’s answer…”

  He stepped forward, looming over the seated Lin Yu. “I’m challenging you now—your Dining Pavilion Vice Head seat’s the stake. Do you dare?”

  Lin Ling’er nudged Han Ya’s arm, worry fring as her brother seemed ered.

  Han Ya, though, watched ily, gauging Lin Yu’s move. This was a test—if he faltered, Shuitian might s him out. The Vice Head gig wasn’t a cushy throne.

  Under scrutiny, Lin Yu stayed unruffled, his calm masking any rage. He Wu’s smug face grated, though. Raising a hand, he spread five fingers.

  He Wu blinked. *A sp to kill me? Or… just five?*

  Lin Yu’s voice cut through. “Five thousand Spirit Stones. I lose, you get the seat. You lose, I get five thousand.”

  Even Shuitian’s eyes flickered with exasperation.

  The seven deas burst out ughing. “Vice Head, you’re drowning in lust!”

  “Five thousand Spirit Stones against the Vice Head post?”

  “ Puye, your eye’s off this time…”

  Though wary of Shuitian, their taunts flew free. His face darkened, a twinge ret creeping in. *Did I pick a miser?* M’s haul from Situ Deng was two thousa here he was, haggling.

  Wait—

  It clicked. M’s ordinary Lin Yu, now a Body Fer—those two thousand Spirit Stones fueled it. For cultivation, five thousand wasn’t bad! But too cheap? The Vice Head seat dwarfed that. Shuitian sighed—Lin Yu could’ve demanded more with this fidenbsp;

  Lin Yu rose, grinning. “You’re He Wu, right? Think five thousand’s peanuts?”

  “Haha…” He Wu’s ugh rang wild. “Five thousand’s no trifle—three years’ worth of resources for me. But the Vice Head seat? tless five thousands ’t touch it!”

  Shuitian nodded—He Wu . Beyond the Pavilion’s deeper stakes, the post’s yearly take aloopped five thousand. Lin Yu lowballed, but his pluck—fag He Wu head-on—won Shuitian over. Vision could grow; guts couldn’t.

  Lin Yu pressed on. “You want this seat? That’s if you win in three months—won’t happen. Me wanting five thousand? That’s what I’ll get when I beat you. You’re just handing me cash—why not ask for more?”

  A thunder clear skies—silence crashed down. All eyes locked on the lean youth. His tone was ft, but the arrogance soared.

  First-Grade, Sed-Tier, tauntih-Tier He Wu? Even with Shuitian’s aid, matg He Wu in three months didn’t justify this swagger. Didn’t he know an enraged foe would train harder? A lion hunts rabbits full-for angry oears them apart.

  Shuitian ughed aloud for the first time, grasping Lin Yu’s lens—oppos were Spirit Storics! Situ Deng, pride of the Situ , pegged at a mere thousand! After decades g with the Houses, Shuitian couldn’t hold it—his hearty ugh echoed, urained.

  He Wu sucked in a cold breath, floored. He’d pictured Lin Yu fuming under his challe this! “Vice Head’s got outh alone earns my nod,” he said, steadying himself. “Three months then—I’ll see what guts you’ve got!”

  Lin Yu’s voice stayed level. “You think I hree months fhth-Tier? You uimate me.”

  He thrust up one finger, eyes bzing, a pn hatg. “One month! I’ll hit at least Eighth-Tier—then I’ll challenge you myself, door-to-door!”

  “He Wu, Body F Institute, Elder Situ g’s disciple, right?” Lin Yu’s wildest jab nded, his grin wide and fierce. “grats—you’re the first male Academy student I’ve marked!”

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