Chapter 22: The Gorilla Takes the Bait

“Beibei, the gorilla is a Soul King! Mom will handle this matter. You should hurry back. Rest assured, as long as Mom is here, no one will dare to bully you!”

Jiang Beibei’s intervention fully ignited Liu Erlong’s protective instincts.

The formidable Fire Dragon Soul Emperor was now on the verge of exploding, ready to strike at Taino at any moment.

The gorilla, who was being firmly suppressed by her, was filled with regret.

“How has she grown so much stronger in just a few years?”

Originally, he thought that although there was a significant gap in their soul power, he could still rely on the strength of his martial soul to hold out for a while.

After all, he came here just to save face, not really to fight.

But the situation developed far beyond his expectations.

Liu Erlong had not wasted these years; not only had her soul power increased substantially, but her martial soul had also undergone significant changes.

That legendary mutated martial soul was no longer something his mighty gorilla martial soul could confront.

He would probably have to wait until his soul power reached level 80, find a giant golden gorilla soul ring over 80,000 years old, and awaken the hidden ability of the Force Clan’s martial soul, the Giant Golden Gorilla, before he could stand a chance against her.

“Mom, Beibei knows Uncle Taino is very strong, but Beibei truly believes he is a good person.”

Seeing the cold sweat pouring down Taino’s forehead, Jiang Beibei quickly gave him a “good person” vote of confidence.

It is said that children’s hearts are the purest, and they see good and evil in human nature most clearly.

Her “good person” card indeed worked.

Liu Erlong slightly eased her pressure, giving Taino a rare chance to catch his breath and speak.

“Director Liu, Taino did not come here to be your enemy. He simply didn’t want to see this brat make a fool of himself. If you insist on keeping the events of that day a secret, then we can let it drop.”

The tension in the air was already thick; even the stubborn gorilla knew that if they added fuel to the fire, it would explode completely.

The Force Clan was indeed powerful, but was the Blue Tyrant Academy’s backing any less?

A battle between them would be foolish and would only invite ridicule and advantage for others.

Jiang Beibei’s words made him look at this six-year-old girl with new respect.

To stand firm against a Soul Emperor and a Soul King showed courage far beyond most children her age.

Of course, Taino’s willingness to take a step back was not entirely selfless.

After all, his troublesome son was still carrying a more embarrassing bet: running three laps around the academy would make him lose all face at Blue Tyrant Academy.

Erasing this matter was completely acceptable to him.

“The gorilla, you’re dreaming! Blue Tyrant Academy isn’t a place you can just come to cause trouble and then leave when you want. Tairong lost the match, and now that he’s back at the academy, the bet should be fulfilled, right?”

Unfortunately, Liu Erlong saw right through his small scheme.

Wow, quite brazen!

You really know how to protect your own, huh?

“Ahem... Director Liu, why don’t you propose a solution? I believe you wouldn’t want our long-standing relationship to break over some childish quarrel.”

Seeing his little plan exposed, Taino gave up pretending.

He understood that with Liu Erlong’s temper, since no fight had broken out yet, it likely wouldn’t start as long as he didn’t make a move.

“This was originally a small matter, but your foolish gorilla insisted on making it bigger. Fine, I won’t argue further. Tairong will complete the bet honestly, and I will have Beibei keep the other children from causing trouble. From then on, we’ll stay out of each other’s way.”

This proposal was already a concession for the fiercely protective Mom Erlong.

If it were someone else, like her elder brother Flandre, the Force Clan would have suffered greatly.

“Fine! I agree! You damn brat, behave yourself at the academy and listen to your master. Cause trouble again, and I’ll break your legs! Well then, Director Liu, I won’t bother you anymore...”

Taino slapped Tairong hard on the back of the head again, wanting nothing more than to be rid of his unworthy son.

As for the embarrassment...

As long as the two factions were not at the point of irreconcilable conflict, there was no need to care—it was definitely not because he couldn’t beat Liu Erlong...

“Uncle Taino, please wait!”

Just as Taino finished gathering his son and prepared to leave, Jiang Beibei’s clear, youthful voice rang out.

“Beibei.”

Liu Erlong thought her daughter couldn’t swallow her anger and wanted to demand more, so she quickly gave her a warning look, shaking her head to signal silence.

The debts owed would be made up later with the Force Clan.

“Mom, Beibei truly wants to accept Uncle Taino’s challenge. Beibei wants to experience firsthand what kind of strength a Soul King possesses! It will help Beibei grow!”

“Besides, Beibei believes Uncle Taino wouldn’t hurt her. Mom, please let Beibei try!”

After causing such a commotion, Beibei wasn’t going to let this big, foolish gorilla off the hook so easily.

Of course, there was more behind this, such as her sudden recollection that besides their family strength and powerful martial souls, the Force Clan also had a “traditional skill”: forging!

They were considered the continent’s best forging family. Though they lacked a divine craftsman for now, they were undoubtedly the finest... a true powerhouse.

“Beibei, Uncle Taino is very busy. If you want to experience the power of advanced soul masters, Mom can practice with you. The effect will surely be better than Uncle Taino’s...”

Jiang Beibei’s reason relieved Liu Erlong, who had been tense.

Gaining experience and feeling the strength of advanced soul masters firsthand was an easy matter.

Could a small Soul King like Taino really be stronger than her, a high-level Soul Emperor close to a Soul Saint?

Unexpectedly, her usually obedient daughter grabbed her hand and shook it a few times.

“Mom, you’re too good to Beibei and always take care of her during practice. Beibei believes Uncle Taino won’t do that!”

“Also, Beibei wants to make a bet with Uncle Taino. If Beibei loses, Senior Tairong’s bet will be canceled. If Beibei wins, Uncle Taino must agree to one of Beibei’s requests.”

Jiang Beibei, afraid that Taino wouldn’t bite or that Mom Erlong’s persuasion would ruin her plan, quickly threw out this hard-to-refuse hook at lightning speed.

Sure enough, her words made Liu Erlong fall into brief contemplation.

Meanwhile, hearing that the embarrassing bet could be canceled, Taino agreed without hesitation.

“Beibei’s proposal is good. We accept!”

Now the gorilla looked at Jiang Beibei with increasing fondness. This little girl was remarkably sensible!

As for her so-called single request...

What a joke. What outrageous demand could a six-year-old possibly make that even he, a proud Soul King, couldn’t fulfill?