Chapter 5 – ATM Lord

Su Ming: “No way, Old Turtle is that special? He doesn’t even need skills?”

Su Ming suddenly recalled buying an Ice Crystal Turtle from the spirit beast market two years ago for over twenty thousand. Because it slept all day long, the boss couldn’t sell it and gave it to her at twenty percent off.

Su Ming couldn’t help but doubt the Ice Crystal Turtle’s identity: “Is this still the Old Turtle I remember?”

System: “The Ice Crystal Turtle possesses a special bloodline within his body. This should also be the important reason he can manipulate water at will.”

Su Ming suddenly imagined a dramatic plot of a talented young master coming down to experience life…

System: “All ghosts or beasts can awaken skills. This is related to daily cultivation, bursts of power on the battlefield, and unity with their master.”

Su Ming: “So does that mean someone as strong as Sword Ghost can also awaken more skills?”

System: “In theory, yes, but the higher the realm, the harder it becomes. Blood Soul Ghost’s potential is extremely vast.”

Su Ming thought about how Blood Soul Ghost was given by the system—anything the system produces must be top quality, that was an iron rule.

Su Ming looked at the Ice Crystal Turtle. Ever since the refrigerator at home broke, she had him serve as a mobile fridge every day. At the thought that this guy might have connections, she suddenly felt a chill down her spine. What if his parents came knocking…

“Hey system, do you have any ability to produce spirit beasts? Next time, could you give me a female turtle…”

“This system cannot provide any spirit beasts.”

“Fine…”

Soon it was time for school to start. As a day student, Su Ming officially stepped into the Vermilion Bird Academy, known as one of the Four Great Academies.

As everyone knew, Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise were the four sacred beasts.¹ The country built the corresponding academies in the order of East Azure Dragon, West White Tiger, South Vermilion Bird, and North Black Tortoise.

However, because Su Ming only had the Ice Crystal Turtle before, her strength was universally acknowledged as the lowest.

Su Ming was speechless. This lazy turtle was truly useless. If not for knowing he had some deep background, she would definitely make him work harder.

At this moment, the Ice Crystal Turtle was still sound asleep inside Su Ming’s body. Su Ming couldn’t understand how a turtle with such strong desires could sleep so much.

Blood Soul Ghost and Sword Ghost were both hidden inside Su Ming’s body. With the system’s assistance, ordinary people couldn’t sense their presence at all.

Du Liang ran over excitedly: “Brother Su, we’re at the same school again, hahaha.”

Su Ming: “I didn’t expect that. I’ll need Brother Fatty to look after me from now on.”

Du Liang laughed heartily, then whispered: “Brother Su, you don’t know this, but my family got me a Peak Second Realm ice wolf. It’s especially strong.”

Su Ming felt a bit awkward. That didn’t seem all that strong…

Du Liang asked: “Brother Su, Brother Su, did you solve that problem of not being able to cultivate?”

Su Ming didn’t know whether it was solved or not. If she switched to her loli form, she was already too strong to cultivate…

Just as Su Ming was wondering how to answer, a person walked past the two of them. Su Ming looked closely—wasn’t this the girl who had tried to extort her before?

Although she hadn’t seen her face back then, the figure was very similar. She just needed to confirm the voice and it would be easy to handle.

Blood Soul Ghost gave Su Ming a hint: “Master, I sense that person is not that girl.”

Su Ming: “What do you mean?”

Blood Soul Ghost: “I sense the blood qi is somewhat different. This person seems even stronger than that girl.”

Su Ming was puzzled: “Could they be twins?”

The Blood Soul Ghost did not answer; she was also pondering the matter.

Du Liang watched Su Ming staring blankly at that girl and immediately put on an “I see through everything” expression:

“Brother Su, that girl’s name is Shi Zhen. She’s incredibly strong—both a ghost tamer and a beast tamer, with strength at the early Fourth Realm. The love letters sent to her could line up all the way from here to the Black Tortoise Academy.”

Su Ming snapped back to reality: “Come on, Fatty, you think I’ve got my eye on her?”

Du Liang wore a look of someone enjoying the drama: “Tsk tsk tsk, tsk tsk tsk…”

Su Ming: “Fatty, you mother—(bleep)—”

Du Liang: “Hehehe, Brother Su, no need to rush.” Then he pulled out a Second Realm blood qi pill from his chest.

“Brother Su, I figure you’re going for body cultivation, right? This is some good stuff.”

Su Ming hesitated to accept it: “This is too generous, isn’t it? After all, these go for a thousand yuan a piece on the market.”

“Why give trash like him something like that?”

A voice rang out. The two turned around and saw it was Zhao Bei of the Zhao Family, flanked by two lackeys.

Du Liang had never thought much of the Zhao Family to begin with, and this provocation instantly set him off:

“You (bleep)—ing (bleep)—, keep barking and see what happens. I’ll beat your ass.”

Zhao Bei pointed at Su Ming: “Tch, you dare to fight me one-on-one?”

Du Liang: “If you want a one-on-one, come at me. Mess with my brother, and I’ll have someone drag you into a dark alley and finish you off.”

Su Ming was taken aback. Were these words really something you could say out loud?

Zhao Bei, meanwhile, was sweating a little on the inside. Du Liang’s family background—how to put it—well, the Du Family had its own independently established foundation in all Four Great Academies. And don’t let Du Liang’s claim of only having a Second Realm ice wolf fool you; he might be hiding some terrifying killing weapon…

Du Liang: “Come on then, come on! One-on-one!”

Zhao Bei pointed at Su Ming: “I only want to compare with this guy who ranked first in high school. Let’s see if he’s just a bookworm.”

Du Liang: “That’s not right—I remember you ranked second from last in your class. Why are you so hung up on him being first?”

Hearing that, Zhao Bei’s heart raced. It was the classic case of poking at a sore spot. What Zhao Bei hated most was people saying he got into the Vermilion Bird Academy through connections…

By now, more and more people were gathering around. There was no helping it—Zhao Bei acted too arrogantly. Though to be fair, he did have the capital to be arrogant. In terms of family background, the Zhao Family ranked in the top five. But he just had to run into the Du Family, who ranked first…

And Zhao Bei had a serious grudge against Su Ming. Their high school had a system where better grades meant bigger scholarships. The Zhao Family would donate money, and it would end up in Su Ming’s hands right after, earning Su Ming the nickname “Su Ming the ATM” from many.

Su Ming was also in an awkward spot right now. He didn’t believe any new student could beat the Sword Ghost, but he couldn’t exactly bring the Sword Ghost out—any single skill from it would leave them dead without a burial place…

The Blood Soul Ghost said, “I sense that person’s spirit beast is at the peak of the Second Realm or early Third Realm. I can take him out.”

Su Ming: “No need, no need. After all, that guy gave me a lot of money—he’s basically paid for almost all my high school tuition.”

The Ice Crystal Turtle opened his eyes: “Let me do it. I think I can.”

Su Ming was puzzled: “Don’t you not fight?”

The Ice Crystal Turtle: “Can’t help it. That guy covered my food expenses back in high school. I have to properly thank him.”

The Blood Soul Ghost was speechless. She hadn’t expected even the Ice Crystal Turtle to have benefited from that guy. But just how poor was her master, anyway?!

The Ice Crystal Turtle appeared: “Hello there, Su Ming, the ATM.”

Fatty couldn’t help but laugh, and those at the scene who had gone to the same high school as Su Ming also burst into laughter. After all, this story had been circulating for three years. Those who didn’t understand asked around, and soon the whole crowd was laughing, drawing even more onlookers.

“Hahaha, so it’s Lord ATM. My apologies, my apologies.”

“Who would’ve thought there was such a history behind this. No wonder she’s so cocky—turns out she’s ready to throw money around, hahaha.”

“Ha-ji-bei, you bastard…”

Zhao Bei quickly composed himself: “Impatience is a cardinal sin in warfare. Can’t get worked up, can’t get worked up…”

Du Liang added fuel to the fire: “This guy’s been an ATM for three years, everyone, laugh at him.”

The laughter from the crowd grew even louder, so much so that the ground seemed to tremble.

Zhao Bei: “Fatty, you (bleep—)”