Scoundrel Path Person

Among their peers in this world, they could be considered among the best, yet they had been defeated so completely. Even those geniuses of the Inner Court could not have exerted such overwhelming suppression so quickly.

"Meng Li is a very strong student. Even among Shrek Academy's students, it is difficult to find someone with talent like his. And that girl as well—her control over the elements is exceptionally powerful for her age."

The white-haired woman watched Meng Li walk away and offered her assessment.

"Did you raise these children so that you could send them to the academy in the future, entrust them to Teacher, and make up for it?"

Wu Changkong said nothing.

Shen Yi sighed. "You're wrong. Some things cannot be atoned for by anyone else in your place. If you want to make amends, only you can do it yourself. After all, you're still alive. It's time you came out of it."

Only after a long while did Wu Changkong mutter, "Shen Yi, I went to see her a few days ago."

Shen Yi's gaze shifted slightly. "You went back to Heaven Dou? Do you truly never intend to return to the academy?"

"I've wronged Teacher. I have no face to return," Wu Changkong said.

"Did you come this time to ask me to take Meng Li away?" Shen Yi asked. "His talent is sufficient. Teacher will like him."

"Perhaps. That depends on whether he agrees," Wu Changkong said.

After returning to the hotel room, Meng Li habitually touched the silver pendant around his neck. Defeating a Shrek Academy student brought him no spiritual joy. He had lost to Wu Changkong too many times, and he had defeated too many others.

Fighting felt as ordinary as eating.

He improved his strength so that he would have the ability to protect himself and his friends in the future. Only when he was strong enough could the people around him go farther and be safer.

Meng Li sat alone by the windowsill. Beyond the window stretched the endless sea.

"Feeling down again?" Xie Xie sat down beside him at some point.

"I really don't understand. You're so strong, and someone likes you too. What could you possibly be troubled about?"

"I miss home." Meng Li's expression changed slightly.

"Where is your home?"

"I don't know." Meng Li shook his head. Wherever one's family was, that was home.

Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition, Youth Division.

Meng Li fought alone against students from other academies. Nothing unexpected happened, and he won with ease.

The Soul Masters here were weaker—even weaker than Xie Xie. He could not help wondering why.

The five-versus-five matches were much the same. Meng Li did not do much; Tang Wulin almost single-handedly settled the battles.

On the second day, Meng Li encountered an opponent who surprised him. It was Ye Xinglan, whom he had defeated the day before yesterday!

"Hello!" Meng Li greeted her with a smile.

"I don't know what method you used to win that day, but this time, I'm challenging you again!" Ye Xinglan's pretty face was full of determination.

"Sure. I'll be fully prepared as well," Meng Li said.

At the referee's command, Ye Xinglan was the first to move.

Two hundred-year Soul Rings lit up beneath her feet, and a longsword appeared in her hand. The entire sword was bright yellow, its blade seemingly glittering with countless stars.

Ye Xinglan herself seemed to vanish. Her aura had completely fused with the sword. She and the sword had become one!

"If you lose, you're treating me to a meal," Meng Li said.

The aura in the air shifted slightly. Clearly, Ye Xinglan had been affected by Meng Li.

Seizing the opportunity, Meng Li revealed his Martial Soul. The wings of the Sacred Winged Angel unfurled in magnificent splendor.

Fifth Soul Skill: Myth! Meng Li silently recited. A golden spear inlaid with blood-red gemstones appeared in his hand, identical to the one held by his Martial Soul.

The golden spear swept horizontally through his hand, forming a golden crescent. Amid the clash of weapons and an explosion, Ye Xinglan was sent flying straight off the arena.

Again, one move. She could not even withstand a single move from Meng Li. Ye Xinglan rose to her feet, her eyes somewhat dazed as she could not help questioning whether she was truly a genius.

But she did not know Meng Li's true strength. If she had, who would still challenge him one-on-one? After all, who in their right mind would challenge a Soul King while only in their twenties? Wasn't that just asking to be beaten?

The competition progressed smoothly. In the end, Meng Li won the individual competition championship with an overwhelming advantage, while Gu Yue took second place because she had conceded before Meng Li did.

This left Tang Wulin, who came in third, utterly speechless. The top two had been so modest in their match that his third place felt somewhat lacking in value.

With the youth individual competition over, it was time for the youth team competition finals.

As the final match of the team competition, it naturally drew a large audience. Many had come specifically to see Meng Li, holding up signs bearing two words: "Scoundrel!" to express their dissatisfaction with the outrageously infuriating things Meng Li had done during the competition.

Sneak attacks from behind, door-knocking sticks, complete disregard for martial ethics—regardless of gender or appearance, every participant had experienced at least one of them.

"Brother Meng, you've completely ruined our team's reputation," Xie Xie complained.

"That's only what you see on the surface." Meng Li smiled.

The inside is the same, Xie Xie grumbled inwardly.

"Mind your own business!" Gu Yue said coldly.

"Say, where are the people on the other side? Why haven't they come yet?" Tang Wulin looked at the empty opposing side.

Half an hour later.

No one had arrived. According to the rules, Eastsea Class Zero could only be declared the winners of this match!

"Did they get lost...?" Xu Xiaoyan guessed.

Just then, five people entered the arena, dressed in matching blue-and-white school uniforms.

"Mm, this is the place. There's no mistake!" The speaker was Mo Ling, whom they had seen before.

"Of course it's this place. You've come here so many times and still can't remember? You're directionally challenged—just admit it." One of them, a rather pretty girl, said.

"You're the final team participating in the finals, right? I'm sorry, but because you were thirty minutes late, you have been disqualified," the referee said coldly.

"Ah, oh!" Mo Ling nodded. He seemed not to care, yet also seemed to care. His eyes went blank for a moment before he led the others away.

What a strange group. They did not resemble normal people at all.

Mo Ling and the other four entered the hotel. In an instant, the other four vanished, leaving only him behind.

It seems to be getting worse and worse. He clutched his head and muttered to himself.

"Seriously, you're having another episode!"

There was another person in the room: Zhou Hansheng, the owner of New Soul Tool Technology Company and a member of a secret organization.

"Give me tea!" Mo Ling tapped his head, his expression twisted in pain.

"Here. I really don't know why you like tea so much. All you do every day is drink tea, space out, and sleep," Zhou Hansheng complained mildly as he handed over a freshly brewed cup.

Mo Ling accepted the tea and took a sip. His expression returned to normal.

"The feeling of drinking tea is familiar. It seems to help me remember something, but what exactly do I remember... I don't know either."

At the Tianhai Grand Competition, Tianhai Academy successfully obtained its so-called honor: first place in the youth five-versus-five competition. From then on, more and more people came to Tianhai Academy, and Meng Li's reputation spread as well—though it was a bad reputation. His nickname was Scoundrel Path Person. Even his impressive feat of defeating a Shrek Academy student was overshadowed.