Xiao Hongchen Wet Himself

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Kong Deming's deal was practically getting something for nothing. Once he broke through to Rank 95 and entered the ranks of Rank 10 Soul Engineers, he definitely would not grant anyone the privilege of freely choosing a Rank 9 Soul Tool.

Just how powerful was a Rank 95 Soul Engineer? It had been displayed vividly in the original work. Rank 95 Super Douluo Kong Deming had fought Xuan Zi after he broke through to Level 99, gained the upper hand, and forced Xuan Zi to retreat.

Perhaps Xuan Zi really was useless, but Kong Deming was genuinely formidable. At Rank 94, he had dared to withstand the ruthless Ye Xishui at Level 99 head-on without falling behind.

Jin Tianming felt that he could not suppress Kong Deming, this local tyrant, for the time being. To avoid causing trouble for his main body, he chose to refuse.

"Sorry, old man. The organization always honored its agreements. We have already made a deal with Hall Master Jing, so we will not be making deals with anyone else for now."

"This..."

Kong Deming was clearly surprised to hear that. He had thought the kid was merely arrogant and conceited, but he had not expected him to be so cautious.

He truly had wanted to get something for nothing, using his most ordinary Rank 9 Soul Tool in exchange for a treasure that could help him break through to Rank 95. Once he reached Rank 95 and became a Super Douluo, he could then deal with Jin Tianming and the forces behind him.

He had not expected this insolent brat to be so cautious.

His mind raced as Kong Deming turned his gaze toward Jing Hongchen. He knew the key to breaking the deadlock lay with Jing Hongchen. Jing Hongchen naturally understood that Jin Tianming's words were aimed at him, so he simply lowered his head and remained silent.

The interests of the Sun Moon Empire or personal interests—which would he choose?

Sorry, but Jing Hongchen had always chosen whatever was best for his own juniors. As for those so-called interests of the Sun Moon Empire, he was not familiar with them at all.

Kong Deming understood perfectly. At a glance, he saw through Jing Hongchen's little scheme. This fellow had always spoiled those two juniors of his beyond measure. With such a huge temptation before him, how could he possibly yield it to someone else?

"Ah..." Kong Deming sighed inwardly. He could only settle for second best. "Student Jin Tianming, I heard you need a Rank 9 Soul Engineer to guide you. What do you think of this old man?"

Since this brat would not make a deal with him, then he would become the brat's Soul Tool teacher. What kind of bond did Douluo Continent value the most?

Love? No, no, no. It was the bond between teacher and student!

Love came second; the bond between teacher and student naturally came first!

Ten thousand years ago, some ancestor of Shrek—Tang Something-or-Other—had broken through to godhood because of his teacher's guidance, making the bond between teacher and student surpass all other bonds.

As long as they shared that connection, he refused to believe Jin Tianming would not return the favor!

Upon hearing this, Jin Tianming did not rush to refuse. He stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and replied, "Old man, let me go back and consider it. That Spiritual Power spying of yours earlier really disgusted me!"

Kong Deming:

Is this never going to end?

This old man merely took a peek with his Spiritual Power, and you're going to keep holding onto it?

Jing Hongchen remained silent without saying a word. Right now, he only wanted to reduce his presence to the absolute minimum.

"What an old fox!"

Outside the Hall of Worship, Jin Tianming had already come out. Looking at Jing Hongchen beside him, he said, "Don't you agree, Hall Master Jing?"

"This is not the place to talk." Jing Hongchen transmitted his voice, then grabbed him and flew toward the Hongchen Family residence.

Not long after the pair left, Kong Deming and an old man appeared where they had just been standing.

"Why didn't you try threatening or bluffing him?"

The one who spoke was the old man who had come with Kong Deming. He stared curiously at Kong Deming, muttering to himself, unable to understand when his old classmate had become so timid.

Kong Deming kept his gaze on the direction in which the two had departed and answered the old man's question.

"I did want to. But just as I was about to speak, I sensed the aura of death drawing close."

The old man's face revealed his surprise at that answer. He understood what his old classmate meant. When the three of them had been talking earlier, there had been at least one Titled Douluo present.

"An agility-type?"

"Perhaps." Even Kong Deming was uncertain. "But that brat must be watched closely."

"He is not as ignorant as those three original nations. At the very least, he knows how powerful Soul Engineers become after Rank 95!"

The old man nodded upon hearing that and watched Kong Deming leave.

He knew how desperately his old classmate wanted to break through that cultivation level. Only then could he research a Rank 10 Soul Tool that surpassed Rank 9 Soul Tools.

In the end, fate had played tricks on him. To speed up his cultivation breakthrough, Kong Deming had consumed too many pills that drained his body and cultivation potential, leaving his body unable to withstand the pressure of his Second Martial Soul absorbing Soul Rings.

He was the same. Without some other stroke of fortune to help him break through, his cultivation could only remain forever at Rank 93.

Ah...--

Hongchen Family

Jing Hongchen brought Jin Tianming to the entrance of his family's compound. He swept the surroundings with his Spiritual Power, and after seeing that none of those people were watching, immediately led the youth behind him inside.

How should one describe the Hongchen Family compound?

Extravagant was the only word for it. Soul Tool Technology was everywhere, and even the Soul Tools used to test one's cultivation had been provided for every member of the family.

"Grandpa, you're back!"

When a young boy saw Jing Hongchen return, he immediately ran over and called out happily.

Standing behind Jing Hongchen, Jin Tianming studied the boy with interest. If he had not guessed wrong, this fellow should be Xiao Hongchen. This little guy really has a lot of fortune around him, he thought.

"Xiao!" The moment Jing Hongchen saw his eldest grandson, he immediately transformed into a kind old grandfather. He crouched down, rubbed his grandson's little head, and then introduced Jin Tianming behind him.

"Xiao, this is Jin Tianming. He is a talented Soul Master!"

"A genius?"

Upon hearing his grandfather's words, Xiao Hongchen tilted his head and curiously examined Jin Tianming. He was a genius with Innate Full Soul Power. This guy was only a few years older than him at most, and his Soul Power cultivation was probably only around a dozen ranks—at most, five ranks higher than his own.

"Hmph!" Xiao Hongchen snorted and said to his grandfather unhappily, "Grandpa, I'm the strongest genius!"

"The strongest genius?" Jin Tianming stared at the proud youth, his eyes filled with disdain. Dragon Might instantly locked onto Xiao Hongchen. "Little guy, it seems your grandfather hasn't taught you enough."

Jing Hongchen instinctively wanted to stop him, but after thinking about it, he chose to watch the show.

He really should let Xiao see how cruel this world was. Xiao truly was a genius—or rather, one of the greatest geniuses the Sun Moon Empire had seen in nearly a hundred years. But compared to the three original nations, especially Shrek Academy...

His grandson's talent simply could not compare. Innate Full Soul Power was everywhere there, as were Divine Beast bloodlines and geniuses with Twin Martial Souls.

Xiao Hongchen's eyes widened as his entire body trembled, leaving him frozen in place. Yellow liquid began to seep from his lower body, yet he did not even react.

You asked what he saw?

He saw a true dragon, while he himself was like an ignorant golden toad coveting a dragon's throne. It was truly laughable.