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nThat was how much she disliked this man. If he hadn’t been her fellow schoolmate, she would have punched him in the face.

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n“You’d better not run into me in the street, or I’ll slap you until you have no teeth left!” Vin spat at Manos.

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nManos acted as if he didn’t hear those words. “Go gentle on me, then. The competition won’t start until tomorrow. Besides, we should focus on the present. Do you really think you can catch a second fish?”

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nVin blushed. She really had no idea if she could do that. However, the honorable guest had suggested, and she couldn’t say no. She didn’t know it would give Manos an opportunity to laugh at her.

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n“Either way, it’s none of your business. What would you do if I caught one and what if I didn’t?” Vin said.

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nFirey walked up to Vin’s side. She sneered at Manos and pointed a finger at his face. “Bitchy man, what Vin can or cannot catch is none of your business.

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n“You fart so loudly that I thought there’s a butt on your face!”

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nThe people nearby were shocked. They wanted to laugh, but they had to suppress the impulse. Manos was a core member of Elixir School just like Vin.

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nHearing those words, Manos couldn’t keep up that fake smile anymore. His face turned livid. He had never been humiliated like that before.

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n“You!” Manos pointed at Firey but didn’t know what to say. As an important figure in the school, swearing wasn’t an option. He could only reply sarcastically. However, this girl was so lovely that he was at a loss for words.

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n“You ignorant girl! I won’t dignify your insult with a reply!

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n“Vin, if you can catch a second fish today, I’ll jump into the river. If you can’t, you must become my cultivation partner!”

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nFirey snorted. “That’s not a challenge at all!

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n“I’ll accept the challenge for Vin. I can’t wait to see you jump into the river!”

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nThe people around them were astonished. A bet between two important students was established just like that. Having either one of them involved in such an affair was shocking news, let alone two.

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nThe news spread like wildfire. Before long, hundreds of students gathered around, and more people were on their way.

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n“Who’s that girl? That was so bold of her, accepting the challenge for Vin.”

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n“Two fish in one day? That’s impossible!”

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n“Not exactly. The principal and Frost have done it before. Why can’t Vin?”

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n“Don’t be ridiculous! The principal is at the Emperor stage, so of course, she can catch two. Frost is born with that cold energy; this river is like her home. It’s not the same for Vin!”

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n“Then Vin is in trouble! How could that girl accept the challenge for her? That’s just dumb!”

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n“Why could that girl accept the challenge? Shouldn’t it come from Vin herself?”

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n“Didn’t you see? Vin didn’t say anything. It’s as if she’s given her consent!”

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n“Of course she does! Don’t you know what girl has passed all nine levels in the tower? That man next to her is the principal’s guest! Do you think Vin wants to offend them?”

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nEverybody sighed. No one dared to offend the principal’s guests. That must be why Vin hadn’t said anything.

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nVin was indeed baffled. She frowned and couldn’t say anything. If she did, she would offend Firey. They might have gotten along well, but she knew she wasn’t her match.

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nHowever, what if she didn’t catch anything? She knew things had gotten out of hand. Even if the principal were here, she couldn’t have come up with a perfect solution.

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nAll she could was remain silent and pin her hope on her fishing rod.

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n“Please let me have some luck!”

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nFifteen minutes passed, but nothing happened. Vin retracted the fishing wire and saw the essence stone was still attached.

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n“How is this possible? Although I haven’t caught anything, the essence stone should be gone by now.”

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n“Is it possible that you haven’t left it there long enough?”

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n“No, it’s been fifteen minutes, and the essence stone should have disappeared. This is so strange!”

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n“Is there no fish left in the river?”

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nThe speculation made everybody go quiet. The essence fish was an important resource, the reason why the Elixir School was built here. Without the fish, the impact on the school would be unthinkable.

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nVin sighed. She was ready to lower the stone into the water again. Himmel Soan rubbed his chin and suggested, “Use a top-grade essence stone.”

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nVin was surprised. “What? Isn’t the low-grade one enough? A top-grade one sounds like such a waste.”

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nEven if she caught a fish with a top-grade fish, it still wouldn’t be worthwhile. However, she soon realized something. That shouldn’t be her concern now. Her future happiness was on the line here!

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nShe changed the essence stone.

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nHimmel Soan spoke again, giving her an explanation, “All living things have spirit, which can turn them into spiritual beings. After that, they become intelligent and develop thoughts of their own.

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n“The essence fish is an intelligent species. The less intelligent ones will absorb the essence stone directly, and they’ll get hooked.

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n“The more intelligent ones will observe before making their move.

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n“The essence stone didn’t disappear because some more intelligent fish chased away the smaller ones.”

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