Isn't It Just Shrek Academy?!

Jiang Shengyu looked at Xiao Hongchen and said, "What are you afraid of? Don't you have Red Dust Protection?"

Red Dust Protection was a defensive Rank Nine Soul Tool Jing Hongchen had specially crafted for Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. It could withstand even the attacks of a Titled Douluo.

Although the Budget Version Buddha's Angry Fire Lotus Jiang Shengyu had cobbled together looked terrifying, it was still far from possessing the destructive power of a Titled Douluo.

Xiao Hongchen definitely would not be hurt by a blast from the fire lotus. As for Jiang Shengyu, he had even more defensive Rank Nine Soul Tools on him than Xiao Hongchen did!

But when Xiao Hongchen heard Jiang Shengyu's words, his expression changed. He cried out in alarm, "I didn't bring it!"

"Why didn't you bring it?" Jiang Shengyu asked in return.

Xiao Hongchen cursed, "Are you insane? Why would I bring a Rank Nine Soul Tool while I'm at the academy?!"

"Right!" Jiang Shengyu suddenly realized. He smacked his hand and told Xiao Hongchen, "Then hurry up and run. I've got a shield on me anyway."

Xiao Hongchen: "..."

"Jiang Shengyu, damn you!"

The Buddha's Angry Fire Lotus became extremely unstable. Its black-and-white petals trembled as they slowly unfurled, revealing the lotus seed core. At its center was a round black-and-white bead resembling a taiji symbol, and cracks had already appeared across its surface.

Without another word, Xiao Hongchen turned and jumped off the Arena, running toward Xuan Ziwen. Xuan Ziwen had already activated a barrier, separating the four sides of the Arena from the Audience Stand to prevent any casualties.

As for Xiao Hongchen, he knew how to run. There was no need to worry about him.

Not long after Xiao Hongchen leaped off the Arena, light burst from the cracks in the black-and-white lotus seed core. Boundless two-colored flames instantly erupted outward, exploding in every direction.

Everyone's vision was filled with blinding white radiance, while a tremendous roar rang in their ears.

At that moment, a massive hand descended from the sky and grasped the flames, blocking all the force of the explosion. Once the flames dissipated, the heat wave filling the air vanished as well, and everyone felt a wave of coolness.

Xiao Hongchen wiped away his sweat and raised his head to look at the halo in the sky.

Jing Hongchen appeared above the Arena, looking down at everyone below. Smoke still rose from his hand.

The appearance of Jing Hongchen, the headmaster of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, surprised the students in the Audience Stand once again. They applauded and cheered.

Jing Hongchen swept his gaze across the Audience Stand and said calmly, "Every student who skipped class will write a five-thousand-word self-criticism and submit it to the Dean's Office tomorrow."

The smiles and excitement vanished from the faces of the students who had skipped class. No more laughing for them.

"Did you make this fire lotus?" After announcing the punishment for the students who had skipped class, Jing Hongchen looked at Jiang Shengyu and asked.

Jiang Shengyu nodded honestly.

Jing Hongchen descended. After shaking his hand, he lightly patted Jiang Shengyu's shoulder, his tone full of praise. "Good boy. With only Two Rings of cultivation, you can unleash an attack with such power. Given time, once you become a Titled Douluo, I'm afraid I won't even be able to take a single move from you."

Jing Hongchen held the Buddha's Angry Fire Lotus in extremely high regard.

Xiao Hongchen ran over, looked at Jiang Shengyu, then at Jing Hongchen, and said helplessly, "Grandpa, why are you praising him? He nearly blew your grandson to death!"

Meng Hongchen walked over from behind and said, "Wasn't it Brother who insisted on dragging Shengyu into a fight?"

After shoving Xiao Hongchen aside, she looked at Jiang Shengyu and asked, "Shengyu, how are you? My brother didn't hurt you, did he?"

"I'm your brother!" Xiao Hongchen stared at Meng Hongchen, who had pushed him away, disbelief written all over his face.

"Precisely because you're my brother, I know you're fine!" Meng Hongchen smiled at Xiao Hongchen, then looked back at Jiang Shengyu, as though she had merely taken a moment to placate Xiao Hongchen.

Xiao Hongchen: "..."

Seeing Xiao Hongchen's silent expression, Jiang Shengyu laughed. He said to Meng Hongchen, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

"Of course he's fine," Xiao Hongchen muttered.

Jing Hongchen glanced at him and said, "You've got the nerve to say that? You're a Four Rings Soul Ancestor, yet you ended up like this. If you don't work harder, when Qingtong returns from Shrek Academy in a few years, you won't even be able to beat her!"

"Isn't it just Shrek Academy? Is it really that impressive?" Xiao Hongchen muttered under his breath.

"Do not underestimate Shrek Academy. A force that has endured for ten thousand years is not so simple. Underestimate it, and you'll suffer a great loss." Jing Hongchen reminded Xiao Hongchen.

Xiao Hongchen nodded and said respectfully, "Your grandson understands! Your grandson will definitely work hard and let those old-fashioned fools know that our Sun Moon Empire is the strongest!"

With a smile on his face, Jiang Shengyu walked around Jing Hongchen to Xiao Hongchen's side, slung an arm around his shoulders, and said, "Come on, let's go get a feast! Senior Brother, come with us too!"

Jing Hongchen shook his head. "I won't intrude on you young people's gathering. Ziwen, I have something to discuss with you. Let's find somewhere to talk."

"Alright." Xuan Ziwen nodded.

After Jing Hongchen and Xuan Ziwen left, the group of four, all around the same age, arrived at the food street outside the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

Meng Hongchen followed behind Xiao Hongchen. Suddenly recalling something, she looked at Huo Yuhao beside her and asked, "Yuhao, I heard that you sometimes sell grilled fish around here?"

"Yes, I occasionally sell grilled fish here to help support the household." Huo Yuhao nodded, not hiding it.

"Could it be that Jiang Shengyu doesn't give you money for food? It's fine, we'll stand up for you! If it comes to it, we'll get Silver Moon Crown to beat him up." Xiao Hongchen glanced back at Jiang Shengyu before saying to Huo Yuhao.

Jiang Shengyu raised a hand and shouted, "Heaven and earth bear witness, I'd sooner go without food myself than deny him a meal!"

Xiao Hongchen: "..."

"The weather has been nice lately, and the scenery outside Bright Capital is lovely too. When we have time, how about going for a stroll and having a picnic?" Meng Hongchen suddenly suggested.

Xiao Hongchen saw through Meng Hongchen's thoughts. He said, "You just want to eat Yuhao's grilled fish, don't you?"

Meng Hongchen said helplessly, "Brother, don't expose me when you see through it!"

"If Sister Hongchen wants some, then as long as I have time, I can grill it whenever you want!" Seeing Meng Hongchen's muttering expression, Huo Yuhao smiled.

Ever since Huo Yuhao had come to the Sun Moon Empire, both Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had cared for him deeply. Though they were not quite as close as family, they had looked after him in every way. This became even more so after they learned of Huo Yuhao's past.

Having rarely experienced such warmth, Huo Yuhao had long since regarded this place as his home. He silently resolved that he would protect everything he had gained here, no matter the cost!

Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy, Jiang Qingtong received a visitor who was unexpected, yet perfectly reasonable.

Looking at the young woman who had asked her to meet, she asked with a smile, "Sect Master Tang Ya, what did you want to see me about?"