Conflict

After learning that the Breaking Clan's current base was in a small city of the Star Luo Empire, Ming Lunyu made the decision. They would continue south, pass through the outer and middle regions of the Star Dou Great Forest, and reach the Star Luo Empire.

After three days of traveling at full speed, the group arrived at a town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

There were many similar towns, most of them built around the Star Dou Great Forest. They provided logistical services for Soul Masters preparing to enter the forest, such as food and lodging, selling weapons, and even housing Soul Master teams or mercenary Soul Masters stationed there year-round. They made a living by hunting Soul Beast materials and selling their combat strength. Merchant caravans also came and went to conduct business... forming a unique commercial ecosystem.

"Brother, I'm hungry." Ma Hongjun tugged on Ming Lunyu's sleeve, his eyes constantly darting toward a restaurant.

Ming Lunyu could not help laughing. "All right, let's get something to eat."

With that, he led the way into the restaurant.

The four of them were dressed and carried themselves like no ordinary people. The waiter immediately realized that they had to be Lord Soul Masters and hurriedly welcomed them in with nods and bows.

Ming Lunyu was clearly the leader, and the waiter's flattery was mainly directed at him.

"Thank you," Ming Lunyu said casually.

"You're welcome, you're welcome! It's my duty!" The waiter was flattered.

"Hmph! Just some silver spearhead with a wax shaft. Who knows what rich young master he is? Does he think the Star Dou Great Forest is some tourist attraction? That he can come whenever he wants? And even bring young ladies along?"

At that moment, a discordant voice full of mockery drifted over.

Though the speaker had lowered his voice, Ming Lunyu's group were Soul Masters. Their five senses far surpassed those of ordinary people, so they heard every word clearly.

Ming Lunyu looked toward the source of the voice, his brows furrowing slightly. It was a group of six, and the speaker was a burly blond youth.

Besides them, another group wearing Canghui Academy uniforms also had ugly expressions.

"They're too arrogant! Not only did they start judging us and spouting nonsense the moment they arrived, now they're openly mocking others too!" one youth from Canghui Academy said indignantly.

The middle-aged Teacher leading them whispered a few words to him. The Canghui Academy youth nodded and revealed an ill-intentioned smile as he prepared to stand.

But Ma Hongjun was faster.

"Bitch face, say that again if you've got the guts! Who the fuck are you calling a young lady?" Ma Hongjun strode to their table and shouted.

Seeing this little girl actually dare to come looking for trouble, and even curse at him right away, the blond youth Dai Mubai felt instantly annoyed. He shot back, "Whoever dresses like such a slut is a young lady!"

"I'll say it plainly: you're a young lady, and that man hiding behind you is a useless piece of trash!" Dai Mubai's eyes were filled with contempt.

The moment those words came out, not only did Ming Lunyu's face darken, but even Zhu Zhuqing, the cool, long-haired girl traveling with him, looked displeased.

"Xiao San, this is going to be entertaining," the youth named Oscar whispered to the boy beside him, Tang San.

"Why?" Tang San asked in confusion.

"The dean said this is part of cultivation too. As the saying goes, 'Those who dare not cause trouble are mediocrities.' When monsters encounter something they cannot accept, they must use their strength to convince the other side. Those people look about our age, so they definitely won't be a match for Boss Dai."

Oscar had a strange confidence in their title of monsters.

"It seems our great dean's words really could be compiled into a book called Monster Sayings," Tang San said with a laugh.

But when he activated his Purple Demon Eyes and tried to check Ma Hongjun's Soul Power Level, his heart jolted.

His Purple Demon Eyes could only examine people whose Soul Power was lower than his own. Yet now, he could not see through this girl at all. How could that not shock him? She looked about the same age as him!

The next second, an overwhelmingly powerful spiritual force appeared from nowhere and slammed into Tang San's sea of consciousness like a heavy hammer.

Tang San let out a muffled groan and staggered back half a step, his heart filling with even greater fear.

"Who is it? Who possesses such powerful spiritual force?" When he looked up, he saw Ming Lunyu's faintly smiling face.

A bad feeling spread through his heart.

On the other side, Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai had already traded insults for several rounds, their attacks gradually escalating from each other to each other's families.

Due to his unusual family situation, Dai Mubai cared little for family. But Ma Hongjun was different. The moment the other side brought that up, he exploded like a high-yield powder keg set alight.

Even his pretty face had turned red.

A girl's blush was more powerful than any curse.

"Trash, what's the point of trading words with me? If you've got the guts, fight me one-on-one!"

Dai Mubai refused to back down. "You said it. Don't beg me to spare you after you lose!"

"Tch!" Ma Hongjun spat and headed outside first.

Dai Mubai followed close behind.

Rather than being frightened off by the coming Soul Master duel, the people in the restaurant crowded forward to watch. A battle between Soul Masters was a rare sight in ordinary times! How exhilarating! Even getting caught in the crossfire would be worth the price of admission!

The street outside was sparsely populated and wide enough for the two of them to fight freely.

Ming Lunyu's group, Tang San's group, and the people from Canghui Academy all watched from the side.

"Boss Dai, teach her a harsh lesson!" Xiao Wu, the girl with a scorpion braid, waved her delicate fists and shouted, looking eager for chaos. If Tang San had not held her back, she might have rushed forward to help herself.

The Canghui Academy group looked worriedly at Ma Hongjun's back, hesitating over whether to step in and help. In a sense, they were all on the same side.

"I'll give you a chance. You and your companions can all come at me together," Ma Hongjun said arrogantly.

Dai Mubai's face darkened. "You dare humiliate me!"

As the saying went, never touch a tiger's ass. As the owner of the Evil Eye White Tiger Martial Soul, Dai Mubai was not known for his good temper.

He immediately let out a tiger's roar and activated Martial Soul Possession!

His hair grew longer and turned black and white. The character for "king" appeared on his forehead, fur sprouted from his hands, and sharp claws extended.

Three Soul Rings in the optimal configuration—yellow, yellow, purple—spread out around him.

"Dai Mubai, White Tiger Martial Soul, level thirty-eight assault-type Battle Soul Master!"

But before he could reveal a smug grin, a clear phoenix cry filled with majesty and nobility rang out, instantly suppressing the White Tiger's imposing aura.

Dai Mubai's face was full of disbelief.

Golden-red wings emerged, and a noble crown descended onto Ma Hongjun's head. Four pitch-black Soul Rings rose one after another. Ma Hongjun stood there like an untouchable phoenix princess high above all others.

"Ma Hongjun, Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, level forty-five assault-type Battle Soul Master!"

"Im... impossible!"

That was the thought in the minds of everyone present aside from Ming Lunyu's group.

"No, that's not right! You... how could you possibly have four ten-thousand-year Soul Rings? Impossible!" Dai Mubai cried out in shock.

"Nothing is impossible. Your horizons are simply too narrow, trash!" Ma Hongjun sneered.

Below the stage, Tang San was equally shaken. This was different from Teacher's theory! The limit for the first Soul Ring was clearly four hundred and twenty-three years! The second Soul Ring should be seven hundred years! The third Soul Ring should be...

This scene caused so much shock among those present that it was impossible to describe it all.

After the shock came greed for many.

"If we can capture her and force her to reveal the method for absorbing Soul Rings beyond one's level..." For a moment, many of the Soul Masters present began to stir.

Ming Lunyu sneered and paid them little attention. They were merely a rabble.

"I'll give you one more chance. All six of you can come at us together."

This time, Dai Mubai gritted his teeth but did not dare refuse so easily. Any fool could see that if he fought Ma Hongjun one-on-one, he was guaranteed to lose.

"Boss Dai, agree to her request." Tang San stepped forward with a calm expression and said loudly, "Six of us will fight on this side, but we won't take advantage of you. You and him can come together."

The other person he pointed to was Ming Lunyu.

The moment those words were spoken, everyone present looked at him with disdain.

Since when did six against two count as not taking advantage?

Tang San's expression remained unchanged, unaffected in the slightest. After all, this was their only way to win with some dignity.

Ming Lunyu was not angered. He walked out gracefully. "Fine, we'll do as you say. But if we win, you!" He pointed at Dai Mubai. "Get on your knees and apologize to me! Think it through. Either we don't fight, or else..."

"I accept! But if you lose, you must admit that you're trash! And never appear before me again!" Dai Mubai's blood was boiling, and he agreed without thinking.

"You all heard him?" Ming Lunyu gave Tang San and the others a gentle smile.

"Of course."

They all expressed their agreement.

However, from an angle none of them noticed, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's faces suspiciously reddened for an instant.