17: Chapter 17 Gold Tier 1! Earth Xuan Turtle!

Jiang Yun's hand hung steadily in front of Xiao Ling, his tone flat yet carrying an undeniable certainty.

The surrounding air instantly froze.

All gazes fell upon Xiao Ling like spotlights.

Every single word of the earlier bet had been heard clearly by all the Core Students present.

Now was the moment to formally test the Xiao Family's Bearing.

Xiao Ling's face flushed crimson, then turned from crimson to a purplish hue.

Five hundred Spirit Stones might not be much for the well-off Xiao Family, but for him, that was an entire month's worth of beast taming cultivation resources.

Enough to allow his Magic Claw Wolf to advance from Black Iron Second Tier to Black Iron Third Tier, or even Fourth Tier.

If the Family found out he had lost five hundred Spirit Stones to a talentless waste... his future beast taming resources would likely be cut.

"It was just a joke, why take it so seriously?"

Xiao Ling suddenly turned his face away, his voice deliberately nonchalant as he subtly took half a step back: "Jiang Yun, you've already gained enough glory by winning the match, don't push your luck."

"A joke?"

Jiang Yun raised an eyebrow, as if he had anticipated this very situation.

He deliberately raised his voice so everyone present could hear: "Who was it that just slapped his chest and promised to let me crawl between his legs if he lost, and give me five hundred Spirit Stones if he won? Now that you've lost, you want to pretend it never happened?"

These words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

"Exactly, Xiao Ling agreed to the bet. Now he's actually reneging? Does the Xiao Family have no honor?"

"Even I believe in keeping one's word. Xiao Ling's behavior is just cheap."

"He called Jiang Yun a waste before, but it seems Young Master Xiao is just a sore loser."

Whispers came from all directions.

The hangers-on who had been clustered around Xiao Ling all lowered their heads, afraid of being implicated.

Xiao Ling's ears were ringing.

He suddenly looked up and glared at Jiang Yun, his eyes full of resentment: "Don't push me!"

"I'm not pushing you."

Jiang Yun spread his hands, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness: "I just didn't expect that the esteemed Young Master of the Xiao Family would be a man who goes back on his word."

"Forget it. Since Young Master Xiao can't afford it, I won't take it."

Jiang Yun said with an indifferent expression.

"What did you say?!"

Xiao Ling trembled with rage, wanting to lash out.

But he had no way to do so.

After all, he was not only no match for Jiang Yun now, but the situation was also clearly his fault.

If he truly violated the bet and refused to pay, it would likely disgrace the Xiao Family's reputation.

And make his own future even more difficult.

Xiao Ling gritted his teeth, and finally pulled out a jade box carved with lightning patterns from his Storage Ring, hurling it at Jiang Yun's feet: "Five hundred fire spirit stones, take them! Don't think winning once makes you special. Sooner or later, I'll make you pay back double!"

Jiang Yun bent down to pick up the jade box. As his fingertips touched the surface, he could clearly feel the dense thunder-attribute energy emanating from within.

He nodded in satisfaction and casually stored the jade box into his Beast Taming Space.

Although these Spirit Stones weren't fire or water attribute, and couldn't be used to enhance the Fire Dragon Fish's strength,

they would still be a considerable fortune if sold.

"I'm ready anytime."

Jiang Yun responded lightly. The indifference in his tone infuriated Xiao Ling more than direct mockery.

Xiao Ling clenched his fists hard.

He turned and recalled his still-panting Magic Claw Wolf back into his Beast Taming Space.

He practically fled the field in disgrace.

As he passed Jiang Yunyun, she gave him a haughty glance: "You lost, just admit it. Trying to renege is so shameful!"

Xiao Ling's steps faltered, but he didn't dare retort.

In his heart, he had already engraved Jiang Yun's name on his blacklist — he would remember this debt.

"Brother, you're amazing!"

Jiang Yunyun bounced over to Jiang Yun's side, excitedly pulling his arm: "All those people who were mocking you before don't dare speak now! And that Xiao Ling, his face turned green! So satisfying!"

As she spoke, she turned to look at the few students who had mocked him the most, putting her hands on her hips and snorting: "Who said my brother was a waste? Who said his beast was just an ornamental fish? Why are you quiet now? Want to make another bet?"

Those students looked embarrassed, stammering and unable to speak, and could only lower their heads and quickly walk to the back of the line.

The other students' gazes towards Jiang Yun had completely changed.

No longer dismissive, but filled with awe and curiosity. A few students were even secretly considering whether to actively befriend Jiang Yun.

"Alright, the match is over. Settle down."

At this moment.

Coach Lin clapped his hands to get everyone's attention: "The farce ends here. Class begins now."

His gaze swept across the room, finally landing on Jiang Yun, his eyes holding a hint of appreciation: "Student Jiang Yun's beast is outstanding, but the training for Core Students is not as simple as just winning one match."

Everyone immediately composed themselves and stood in a neat row.

Coach Lin looked at the students before him and said solemnly: "The courses I lead for Core Students have no boring theory, no basic technique guidance — there is only one core: actual combat."

"Actual combat?"

A student couldn't help but speak up: "But most of our beasts are Black Iron Rank, and some have just been contracted and haven't even reached Black Iron First Tier. Who are we supposed to fight?"

A serious smile curled at the corner of Coach Lin's mouth: "Me."

"What?!"

Hearing this answer.

The entire room erupted in an uproar.

Jiang Yun was also slightly taken aback.

He had originally thought the core curriculum would involve resource allocation or specialized guidance for beast skills. He never expected it to be direct combat with the coach?

This training method... was wild enough!

However, Coach Lin's strength as a coach was naturally far greater than theirs.

Did he really have the ability to engage in actual combat with him?

"Don't be surprised."

Coach Lin explained: "Only by confronting a stronger opponent can a beast's reaction speed and combat power be improved the fastest, and can the synergy andtacit agreement between you and your beast be honed."

As he spoke, he waved his hand towards an empty space.

A burst of earthy yellow light suddenly bloomed, accompanied by a heavy tremor of the ground.

A massive beast slowly appeared before everyone.

It was a giant turtle, its body a full five or six meters long.

Its carapace was like thick rock, covered in deep brown patterns resembling naturally formed defensive Formations. Each scute was the size of a millstone, the edges shimmering with a faint earthy yellow glow. Its four thick legs were like iron pillars, leaving clear indentations on the ground where they stepped. Its head was bluish-gray, its eyes like two deep obsidian stones, turning slowly with an air of dignity. The folds on its neck were layered, as if covered in hard scales.

The entire giant turtle exuded a heavy, steady aura. Just standing there, it seemed immovable.

The moment the giant turtle appeared, Jiang Yun's "Manifestation of All Things Entries" talent triggered, lines of information clearly appearing before his eyes:

[Race]: Earth Profound Turtle (Earth Attribute)

[Realm]: Gold First Tier

[Aptitude]: Gold Rank Peak Aptitude

[Innate Talent Skill]: Giant Rockfall · Rare, Earth Evasion · Uncommon, Earth Spike · Uncommon, Copper Wall Iron Defense · Common

[Evolution Path]: Can evolve twice; ① After one evolution, evolves into Mountain-Crushing Turtle · Amethyst Elementary Aptitude; ② After two evolutions, evolves into Heavenly Spirit Turtle · Diamond Elementary Aptitude

[Hint]: The Earth Profound Turtle's defensive capabilities are extremely strong, excelling at prolonged battles and area attacks. Its weakness is its relatively slow movement speed...