Causing trouble?

China.

It was quite a coincidence.

When Tuoba Yan and Spirit Eagle Douluo passed by an alley, they happened to see Flender handing out leaflets to about six people.

Someone handed a leaflet to Tuoba Yan.

The leaflet contained information that Shrek Academy was recruiting students, along with the academy's address and a brief explanation of its strength.

The academy had been established for twenty years and had only admitted forty-two students in total.

One of the most outstanding among them was now the youngest elder in the Martial Soul Hall.

Every student who graduated from the academy was granted a title by the empire.

"Yan, what are your plans for today?"

"Let's wander around Soto City!"

Soto City was a major economic hub of the Balak Kingdom, with merchants coming and going constantly.

Yesterday, Tuoba Yan had stumbled upon a good deal at Flender's shop. He wanted to try his luck and see if he could find anything else.

"Yan, when you graduated from the Junior Soul Master Academy, you were rewarded with 1000 Merit Points and a White Badge. I must remind you that Xie Yue and Hu Li Na have already earned White Badges, and they've been focusing on improving their cultivation recently."

Those chosen in the trials would directly enter the Seed Candidates list, preparing for the Continent-Wide Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament in five years.

The Martial Soul Hall's teaching style was completely different from other academies.

They prioritized practical application over theory.

The Simulated Training Grounds were unlike anything he'd experienced before.

The Pontiff's methods were also unconventional.

He didn't care about the students' grades or rankings.

Instead, he focused on cultivating their true strength.

"It seems you're quite the prodigy, Yan." Flender smiled.

Tuoba Yan chuckled. "Just trying to make the most of my opportunities."

He glanced around Soto City. The bustling crowds and vibrant atmosphere were a welcome change from the academy's rigorous training.

"By the way, did you hear about the Qian Clan?" Tuoba Yan asked casually.

"The Qian Clan? What about them?" Flender replied.

"They've been causing trouble again. Apparently, they've been trying to bribe officials in the Tiandou Empire to gain an advantage in the tournament."

Flender's expression darkened. "Those greedy dogs. They never learn."

"It's a shame they haven't been dealt with properly," Tuoba Yan said. "Their actions could disrupt the balance of power."

"The authorities are aware of their activities," Flender assured him. "They're just waiting for the right moment to strike."

Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby. A group of guards were trying to subdue a man with golden hair.

"What's going on here?" Tuoba Yan asked.

"That's a Title Douluo from the Balak Kingdom," Flender explained. "He seems to be causing a disturbance."

The Title Douluo was shouting and waving his arms, demanding to see the city governor.

"He's been accusing the guards of corruption," Flender continued. "But I suspect he's just trying to stir up trouble."

Tuoba Yan narrowed his Double Pupils. "He seems agitated."

"Indeed," Flender agreed. "It's best to avoid getting involved in this mess."

Just then, Dai Mubai and a few other students from Shrek Academy walked past. They spotted Tuoba Yan and Flender and hurried over.

"Flender, Tuoba Yan! What are you doing here?" Dai Mubai asked.

"Just taking a stroll," Flender replied. "We ran into a bit of a situation."

Dai Mubai glanced at the commotion. "Looks like someone's causing trouble."

"That's a Title Douluo," Tuoba Yan said. "He's making a scene."

"Let the guards handle it," Dai Mubai said dismissively. "We don't want to get mixed up in their affairs."

The guards finally managed to restrain the Title Douluo. He was dragged away, protesting loudly.

"Well, that was exciting," Flender said with a chuckle. "Let's continue our tour of Soto City."

Tuoba Yan nodded. "Sounds good."

As they walked, Tuoba Yan couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. The Title Douluo's behavior seemed too theatrical, too deliberate.

He suspected that there was more to the story than met the eye.

The golden-haired boy held a girl in each arm.

The girls were dressed beautifully, appearing to be just over twelve years old. They were tall for their age and possessed a certain youthful shyness.

The most astonishing thing was that they looked exactly alike – they were twins.

When Spirit Eagle Douluo's gaze fell upon the pair of twins held by the golden-haired boy, a look of disgust flashed in his eyes.

Facing the other man's questioning stare, Tuoba Yan straightened his chest and asked proudly, "What exactly are you implying? Did I bump into you?"

The boy scoffed, "Hmph, are you trying to cause trouble?"

"Please. Who's trying to cause trouble here? I'm a Soul Master too, and if you want a fight, I'm game!"

As Tuoba Yan finished speaking, the golden-haired boy released his hand from the slender waist of the twin sisters, his eyes narrowed, a sinister glint in them.

Suddenly, the golden-haired boy's right fist shot up, launching a surprise attack towards Tuoba Yan's chest.

His movements were simple, devoid of any unnecessary flourishes.

At such close range, it was impossible to dodge.

"Bang!"

The fist, reaching the peak of power and speed, landed squarely on Tuoba Yan's chest.

Tuoba Yan staggered back half a step, the Blood Essence within his body violently churning.

A flicker of surprise crossed the boy's eyes.

He clearly hadn't expected that this boy, who looked several years younger than him, would withstand his punch, only retreating half a step.

Tuoba Yan gathered strength in his abdomen, arching his back slightly, and clenched his fists. Suddenly, his chest lunged forward with ferocious force.

The forward thrust was subtle, but combined with his leverage and accumulated power, it unleashed a considerable combat effect.

The golden-haired boy, whose fist was still pressed against Tuoba Yan's chest, was jolted backward, stumbling three steps.

"Hmm?"

The golden-haired boy frowned slightly. He hadn't anticipated that the boy in front of him would possess such adaptability.

Immediately, he suppressed his contempt and charged towards the boy again, his fist once more hurtling towards him.

Having absorbed the impact of the charge, this punch had been brought to its absolute limit by the golden-haired boy.

How could someone without extensive combat experience achieve this?

At this moment, Tuoba Yan couldn't retreat.

If he did, it would only allow his opponent's momentum to soar.

Tuoba Yan planted his feet firmly, clenched his right fist, and the fist was enveloped in a crimson flame.

Not only did he not retreat, but he also surged forward, meeting force with force, fist against fist.

A dull thud echoed as the golden-haired boy's forward momentum abruptly stopped. A counterforce formed, sending him stumbling backward, taking four or five steps before he regained his balance.

And Tuoba Yan remained unmoved.

Dai Mubai's eyes widened with even greater surprise. He clearly hadn't expected that this boy, who looked several years younger than him, would be even a little stronger in terms of raw power.