Chapter 23: Tino's Narrow Escape from Embarrassment

"Beibei, are you... serious?"

Liu Erlong was about to interject, but a glimpse of Jiang Beibei’s incredibly sincere gaze left her momentarily dazed. If her daughter insisted so firmly, she, as a mother, could only choose to provide the greatest possible support. At the very least, she could not allow Tai Nuo to harm Beibei.

"Mom, Beibei is serious!"

And why wouldn't she be? This was a slave and workhorse—no, a top-tier forging talent—delivered right to her doorstep! One would be hard-pressed to find such a prize even with a lantern across the entire Douluo Continent. She certainly couldn't just wait for a certain Blue Silver young master to descend and, armed with nothing but a pathetic little hammer lacking even a single spirit ring, stumble upon such a massive windfall!

"Very well. Mother respects your decision."

After confirming it a few times, Liu Erlong finally gave her solemn agreement. She straightened up and looked calmly at Tai Nuo.

"Big Gorilla, the test is fine, and I accept the wager. However, Beibei’s spirit is very special. You must agree to a few conditions, otherwise, the deal is off!"

This matter allowed for no joking around. Liu Erlong would never permit Beibei to be exposed before she had fully grown. Whether it was the innate spirit power of level 20, the two thousand-year spirit rings, or those two incredibly precious external spirit bones—the kind that might even make Titled Douluo covetous—these secrets had to remain buried in the minds of those who could be trusted.

"A special spirit?"

Tai Nuo looked with a strange expression at his son, who resembled a bruised pig head, and received an affirmative nod in return. Everyone had secrets. Since the other party had issued such non-negotiable demands, he would simply agree. He wasn't a blabbermouth anyway, and with the heavy workload of the Strength Clan, he had no time to interact with random people.

"Dean Liu, speak."

Seeing that he had agreed, Liu Erlong did not waste words.

"First, the trial will be held at the back mountain of our academy. I will clear out an area where we will not be disturbed for your use."

"Second, if I find that Beibei cannot handle it, or if there is any sign of physical distress, you must stop immediately."

"Finally, everything that happens here must remain only in the memories of the four of us. If I discover that a fifth person knows, I, Liu Erlong, will not hesitate to go to war with your Strength Clan!"

With these three requirements, she had considered every factor that could threaten Beibei’s safety. If Tai Nuo had any doubts about a single point, she would immediately halt the trial.

"Is it that serious? Aren't you a bit too protective of your little girl?"

The King of Strength had not expected Liu Erlong to set the rules so strictly. He couldn't help but mutter, but upon seeing her piercing, predatory gaze, he quickly composed himself.

"Cough, cough. Fine, those are the conditions. I, Tai Nuo, agree to them. Let's go!"

To be honest, after what Liu Erlong said, Tai Nuo was even more curious about Beibei’s situation. He wanted to see what kind of special spirit could cause his own bumbling son to fall before he even saw the attack coming. He knew Tai Long’s strength well; while not top-tier, he was quite outstanding among his peers. How could he lose so easily to a child so much younger than him?

"Hm."

Liu Erlong nodded slightly, picked up Jiang Beibei, and walked ahead, with Tai Nuo and his son following closely behind.

The four soon arrived at a clearing in the back mountain of the academy. The surroundings were secluded, with dense forests isolating the area from the outside world. Truth be told, even Beibei had never been here. As she reached this spot, a flicker of sadness crossed Liu Erlong’s eyes; this was her sanctuary for healing her heartache, a place she had never opened to outsiders.

"Big Gorilla, we agreed on one minute. If you dare to cheat, hmph, hmph!"

"Alright, you may begin!"

Using pressure to test willpower might be difficult for an ordinary spirit master, but Jiang Beibei was a spirit-type master. Liu Erlong was relatively at ease.

Under those two cold snorts, Tai Nuo, who had been slightly relaxed, felt cold sweat beading on his thick brows again. It was his first time feeling this nervous in front of a six-year-old girl, fearing that he might accidentally hurt her.

"Beibei, release your spirit first. I will, according to your... What?!!"

Previously, Tai Nuo had estimated that keeping the pressure at the Spirit Grandmaster level would be about right. After all, defeating Tai Long easily with a mental attack was likely around that tier. But the moment Jiang Beibei released her spirit and two purple spirit rings flashed, he was completely stunned.

"Am I seeing things?"

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but no matter how much he doubted, the two purple lights did not dim in the slightest.

"Uh..."

Seeing his father’s reaction mirror his own, Tai Long silently moved back a few steps. He was afraid his father would take his frustration out on him again. There was no helping it; he had also signed a "non-disclosure agreement." The secret of Beibei’s spirit and rings wasn't something he had wanted to hide from his father.

"Dean Liu, wait a moment. No, never mind—we agreed on one minute, so one minute it is. Beibei, I will begin the pressure at the Spirit Grandmaster level. If you can't take it, you must speak up. Don't force it!"

At this moment, Tai Nuo completely understood why Liu Erlong protected her daughter so fiercely. If his son Tai Long had this kind of talent, he would certainly protect him with his life as well! Therefore, he was no longer focused on the test; he genuinely wanted to see how many more surprises this gifted little girl could give him.

"Okay, thank you, Uncle Tai Nuo. Beibei is ready!"

After releasing her spirit, Jiang Beibei’s eyes shimmered with a pair of pink hexagrams, and her entire aura transformed. The term "femme fatale" didn't quite suit her; "breathtaking" was far more appropriate.

"Mighty Gorilla Spirit, possess!"

Yellow, yellow, yellow, purple, purple. Five spirit rings rose around Tai Nuo. Having developed a desire to nurture her talent, he kept his word and applied pressure at the level of a Spirit Grandmaster onto Jiang Beibei.

"Hm? Spirit Grandmaster level pressure? Is that all the power you have?"

Jiang Beibei, who had been slightly nervous, had expected it to be like the anime she had watched in her past life, where she might feel a physical constriction or some other strange impact. To her surprise, Tai Nuo’s pressure hit her, but it couldn't even break through her mental defenses! It seemed she had underestimated her own strength.

"Uncle Tai Nuo, when are we starting?"

Her nonchalant remark almost caused Tai Nuo to lose control of his spirit power. He was so startled he hurriedly adjusted his emotions and tried hard to maintain the pressure.

"It has already begun!"

The big gorilla let out a slightly annoyed roar to cover up his near-embarrassment.

"Oh, okay! Beibei is waiting for you~!"

Jiang Beibei stood there obediently, her relaxed expression completely genuine. She even began to brush her hair from time to time with great interest.