Xu Sanshi forced out a smile uglier than crying, his mind flashing back to that night's absurd scene where a 4-ringed Seraphim violently thrashed a 6-ringed Evil Fire Phoenix.
"Big... Big Brother, is there a possibility that this is all just a misunderstanding?"
Facing imminent doom, he made a futile attempt to save himself.
"Is that so?"
Ling Bai calmly took the grilled fish tightly clutched in Xu Sanshi's hands and handed it to Han Ruoruo. After tossing a spirit gold coin to Huo Yuhao, he leisurely looked at Xu Sanshi:
"I'll give you three sentences to explain yourself. You'd better pray you can convince me. Otherwise, we'll settle both old and new scores together. Whatever spirit skill Ma Xiaotao used on me that day, your 'chrysanthemum' will experience it all over again."
The thought of Xu Sanshi's ghost-startling wails in the middle of the night made Ling Bai grit his teeth. If it hadn't been for Xu Sanshi disturbing his rest, that late-night battle with Ma Xiaotao wouldn't have been necessary.
Xu Sanshi, one of the Twin Stars of the Outer Courtyard, was being lifted like a helpless chick by the collar by a red-uniformed Inner Courtyard student who appeared even younger than him, and was even being threatened with his 'chrysanthemum' blossoming.
The surrounding Shrek Academy Outer Courtyard students glanced over but didn't say a word, as obedient as quails. Forget about mouthing off, they didn't even dare breathe loudly, fearing that Ling Bai's free left hand might grasp the back of their necks and seal their fates.
As another victim of the incident, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes when he saw Xu Sanshi's predicament. Although Xu Sanshi had paid ten times the price, his act of relying on strength to forcibly take the fish had aroused his anger. Regardless of Ling Bai's reasons for intervening, Huo Yuhao was sincerely grateful to him.
Han Ruoruo took small bites of the grilled fish, her slightly lowered eyes full of smiles. She knew Ling Bai had a clear sense of propriety and would not go too far. Moreover, she was happy to see him teach Xu Sanshi a lesson, thoroughly preventing the other party from committing such acts of bullying the weak in the future.
Xu Sanshi was stunned upon hearing Ling Bai's words, then blurted out, "Huh? Just three sentences?"
"Now it's two sentences."
Ling Bai smiled and patted Xu Sanshi's head. That incomparably kind and amiable smile only made Xu Sanshi feel a vague fear of his 'chrysanthemum' aching.
"Big Brother, I was wrong!"
In this moment of crisis, Xu Sanshi's mind raced like never before. Since he had cut in line and snatched Ling Bai's grilled fish, continuing to argue stubbornly would only result in his 'chrysanthemum' suffering, so he decisively admitted his mistake.
"I know."
Ling Bai's expression and tone were devoid of joy or anger. Xu Sanshi couldn't gauge his thoughts at all.
His brain's CPU was operating at full speed. Xu Sanshi realized that his next sentence was his last chance. If he couldn't move Ling Bai, the Ten Thousand Blades Radiant Glory would ensure he remained forever unobstructed!
"Big Brother, I..."
Facing Ling Bai's deep gaze, Xu Sanshi's voice trembled uncontrollably, almost unable to speak. Then, in a flash of inspiration:
"I'll compensate you!"
"Oh? Compensate me with what?"
Sensing that there might be hope, Xu Sanshi's hand slipped to the Storage Spirit Guidance Device at his waist. He retrieved a crystal-clear white jade bottle and offered it with a fawning smile:
"Big Brother, this is the Mysterious Water Pill, a unique pill of my Xuanwu Sect. Both last night and today were my fault. Please accept this as a small token of my apology!"
Ling Bai flicked open the jade bottle's stopper. Inside quietly lay a deep blue-colored pill the size of a cherry. Many white patterns crisscrossed its surface. A faint mist surrounded the pill, and a refreshing fragrance wafted out, invigorating the senses.
"Not bad. The matter between us two is settled."
Feeling the strength of Ling Bai's grip begin to relax, Xu Sanshi let out a long sigh of relief. But before he could be happy for a few seconds, Ling Bai suddenly changed his tone:
"But you've disturbed my Elder Sister's mood. Sigh..."
His voice trailed off abruptly, and Ling Bai revealed a perfectly timed look of difficulty.
"Elder Sister?!"
Xu Sanshi's peripheral vision caught Han Ruoruo focused on savoring Xiao Huo's grilled fish. His facial muscles twitched slightly. Gritting his teeth, he respectfully presented another Mysterious Water Pill with both hands.
"You shouldn't have gone to such expense."
Having gained two Mysterious Water Pills, Ling Bai smiled with satisfaction. Not only did he put Xu Sanshi down, but he also considerately brushed the dust off his shoulders.
"Oh my, how could little brother dare accept such kindness!"
Xu Sanshi demonstrated the essence of being able to bend and stretch. On the surface, he lowered his head and smiled ingratiatingly: That night, Big Brother saved me from a dire situation. A mere two Mysterious Water Pills are nothing worth mentioning. Please, take care, Big Brother and Senior Sister!"
But in his heart, he was secretly grumbling: Consider it my bad luck, spending money to avoid disaster!
"Then how many Mysterious Water Pills should you compensate for bullying my Junior Brother/Little Disciple!"
Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo were just about to leave when two angry voices suddenly joined in. A man and a woman pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, both faces frosted with anger. It was Bei Bei and Tang Ya.
Bei Bei got straight to the point: "Xu Sanshi, you bullied my Junior Brother. You owe me an explanation!"
Xu Sanshi frowned slightly and pointed at Huo Yuhao, "This kid is from your Tang Sect?"
"My newly accepted Little Disciple!"
Tang Ya had always been protective. She sneered, "Xu Sanshi, to forcibly seize things in broad daylight, how shameless of you!"
"I paid for it!" Xu Sanshi retorted.
Bei Bei scoffed, "Cut the nonsense. Hand over a Mysterious Water Pill, or we'll settle this in the Spirit Dueling Arena!"
Xu Sanshi curled his lip: "Then let's settle it!"
Having experienced Ling Bai's terrifying strength, he had no choice but to submit. However, as one of the Twin Stars of the Outer Courtyard alongside Bei Bei, he certainly wasn't afraid of facing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!
With that said, Xu Sanshi approached Jiang Nannan, who had been silent the whole time. All his expressions transformed into water-like tenderness as he said, "Nannan, I'm about to head to the Spirit Dueling Arena with Bei Bei. Will you come cheer for me?"
"Why should I?"
Jiang Nannan took a step back, her icy tone enough to freeze someone solid. Xu Sanshi stubbornly continued sticking his hot face to her cold butt, leaning in with a pitiful look, "I did it all for you, Nannan! I was extorted out of two Mysterious Water Pills just for buying grilled fish, and now I have to fight Bei Bei. Don't you feel sorry for me?"
"You deserve it. Don't bother me!"
Jiang Nannan remained completely unmoved. With a flip of her long hair, she left Xu Sanshi with a graceful and elegant back view.
"Nannan, no!!!"
Xu Sanshi looked up to the sky and wailed, as if countless snowflakes were falling around him.
"You're so dramatic. Let's go!"
Bei Bei grabbed Xu Sanshi and forcibly dragged him toward the Spirit Dueling Arena.
Meanwhile, Tang Ya brought Huo Yuhao over to thank Ling Bai. "Ling Bai, if it weren't for you and Senior Sister standing up for justice today, Yuhao's grilled fish would have been forcibly snatched by that guy Xu Sanshi!"
Huo Yuhao nervously wrung his hands together and stammered, "Th-thank you, Brother Ling."
He had always been wary of Ling Bai and had purposely avoided him on their way to Shrek Academy. He never expected that at a critical moment, Ling Bai would be willing to lend a helping hand.
Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo looked at each other and smiled. The former calmly said, "It's a small matter, no need to thank us. Come along, let's go watch their spirit duel."