Ma Hongjun

The setting sun slanted westward.

Golden-red sunlight spilled down, and Shrek Academy returned to its usual tranquility.

Of course, that tranquility was mainly thanks to its excellent location.

Shrek Academy was located in a small village outside Suotuo City, surrounded either by vast stretches of farmland or other small villages.

At this hour, when every household ought to be eating, it would be stranger if it weren't quiet!

Inside the dormitory.

Lu Yuan had just finished making his bed when he heard a knock at the door.

He walked over and pulled it open, only to find Flender standing outside.

"Little Monster, you caused me quite a bit of trouble today."

Flender gave Lu Yuan's shoulder a hard pat, his tone carrying a hint of complaint.

Tang San was Grandmaster's disciple.

Although his relationship with Grandmaster was rather complicated, if Tang San had been injured too severely, it would have been difficult for him to explain himself to Grandmaster.

Fortunately, the Little Monster before him had not beaten Tang San to death.

Tang San's injuries looked serious, and in truth, they were indeed serious.

But in the Soul Master World, as long as one had not died on the spot and a powerful Support-type Soul Master was found in time, they could basically be saved.

Still, while Tang San had been saved, he would need to lie in bed for at least ten days to half a month.

Lu Yuan spread his hands innocently.

"Dean, you really can't blame me for this. Back then, I only promised you that I wouldn't kill anyone or cripple their Soul Master career."

"This really has only the tiniest little bit to do with me. Besides, I didn't break my promise, did I?"

Flender was nearly amused by Lu Yuan's sophistry.

This Little Monster truly had not killed Tang San, nor had he cut off Tang San's path as a Soul Master.

But when Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had carried Tang San, barely clinging to life, before him, one of Tang San's feet had already crossed the threshold of the Gates of Hell.

However, Flender did not pursue Lu Yuan's sophistry any further.

First, the Soul Master World had always followed one rule: whoever had the bigger fist was in the right.

Second, the matter had already happened. He could not possibly throw this genuine monster out of Shrek Academy for the sake of Tang San alone.

Third...

The one who had been beaten up was not his disciple, Ma Hongjun.

Besides, Lu Yuan's argument did hold up. This Little Monster truly had not broken his promise.

Thus, Flender said meaningfully, "Let it go this time. Be more careful next time."

Lu Yuan smiled and nodded.

Clearly, Flender had no intention of digging deeper into this matter.

Naturally, neither did Lu Yuan.

Now that he had vented the anger in his heart, he felt much better.

All that remained was for him to suppress Tang San step by step, then gradually devour the resources Tang San should have received.

Just like boiling a frog in warm water.

After all, Tang San might be a transmigrator, but Lu Yuan was one as well!

Though the worlds they had lived in before transmigrating were different, wasn't it perfectly normal for fellow countrymen to stab each other in the back when they met?

How could that be called despicable and shameless?

After a brief but pleasant conversation with Flender, Lu Yuan headed to the cafeteria.

Then, from Ma Hongjun, he learned a tragic piece of news—the Shrek cafeteria was nothing more than an empty shell.

The main reason was that, at Shrek Academy, neither the teachers nor the students had any habit of eating properly or on time.

Dai Mubai spent every day drinking and carousing in Suotuo City.

Ma Hongjun could go to Cui Hua's place for a private meal.

Oscar could produce and sell his own goods.

Before Lu Yuan and the others arrived, the three most outstanding students of Shrek Academy had all been like this. One could easily imagine just how low the status of the Shrek cafeteria was.

Of course, it could still fill one's stomach.

But if one wanted to eat well, that was probably impossible.

Otherwise, Ma Hongjun, as the disciple of Shrek Academy's dean, would not have been driven to seek private meals elsewhere.

Though it was also possible that he had gone there to deal with his evil fire.

Lu Yuan rubbed his chin and sensed the Flying Thunder God Kunai he had placed in Suotuo City.

"Hongjun, how about I treat you to a meal in Suotuo City?"

Ma Hongjun glanced at the sky outside the window.

If they left now and came back after eating, wouldn't it be midnight by then?

"Boss, I'm afraid there isn't enough time!"

"It's fine. There'll definitely be enough time."

Seeing Ma Hongjun's hesitation, Lu Yuan waved a hand. "Anyway, just tell me whether you want to go."

"Of course I do!"

"Then stand steady."

Lu Yuan reached out and grabbed Ma Hongjun by the shoulder. With a mysterious smile, the two vanished without a sound.

"Truly incredible!"

Flender adjusted his glasses and sighed softly before disappearing into the forest.

Burp~

Sitting in a restaurant, Ma Hongjun patted his round belly and let out a satisfied burp.

How long did it take to get from Shrek Academy to Suotuo City?

If it had been before, Ma Hongjun would definitely have answered: he didn't know.

A Soul Grandmaster had a Soul Grandmaster's speed.

A Soul Saint had a Soul Saint's speed.

A Titled Douluo had a Titled Douluo's speed.

Their speeds were all different. How was he supposed to calculate it?

But if someone asked Ma Hongjun that question now, he would answer decisively and with absolute certainty:

An instant!

It really had been just an instant!

He closed his eyes, then opened them again, and they had arrived in Suotuo City.

Although the intense dizziness had made Ma Hongjun dry-heave for quite a while, he had to admit that his boss was truly fast!

"To be honest, I think you should be afraid of me."

Lu Yuan wiped his hands clean, picked up the fruit juice in a wineglass beside him, and slowly swirled it.

It was clearly fruit juice, yet he somehow made it seem as though he were savoring fine wine.

His exceptional looks, neat and well-fitting clothes, and the noble, elegant aura that unconsciously showed in every gesture made Lu Yuan look more like a refined young nobleman.

No one could possibly connect him with the fact that half a day ago, this very youth had beaten another youth to within an inch of death.

"Boss, honestly, I'm not afraid at all, and there's no reason for me to be."

Ma Hongjun's gaze drifted toward the window, as if he could see his former self.

"I'm not some genius."

"Sometimes, even I can't tell whether I'm a phoenix or just a barnyard chicken."

"I don't have the perseverance or confidence a genius should have. Even my Martial Soul is flawed, unable to compare with those true geniuses."

"But I believe in my own judgment!"

"A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor, with all four soul rings being Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings..."

At this point, Ma Hongjun could not help pausing, seemingly trying to find words to describe his feelings.

But in the end, his lack of vocabulary left him unable to find any.

Ma Hongjun could only gesture wildly through the air, symbolizing his current excitement.

"Before I heard what you said to Tang San afterward, I wanted to follow you."

"After hearing those words, I still want to follow you."

"I want to follow you and learn from you, to become better, more perfect, and eventually become someone like you!"

Lu Yuan smiled and asked in return, "Then what kind of person do you think I am?"

"Powerful, decisive, cold on the outside but warm within, resolute, strong."

At this point, Ma Hongjun hesitated before slowly voicing the rest. "...And someone who never lets a grievance go unanswered."

"You really think highly of me."

Lu Yuan gave a self-deprecating smile and waved his hand, stopping Ma Hongjun before he could continue.

"Although I don't know whether I'm really as perfect as you say, I wish you the best. I hope you can become the kind of person you just described."

The two wineglasses clinked crisply in midair.

Please recommend, bookmark, and comment.

A transitional chapter.