If You Want to Fight, We'll Accompany You

On the training ground, the two groups stood facing each other. Although the Work-Study Students had more people, their momentum was clearly weaker. The leader of the opposing side was Ning Tong. He was tall and straight-backed for his age; though only around ten, he already looked somewhat like a young man. Ning Tong was quite handsome, but whenever he wore that lofty, disdainful expression, people had the urge to punch him. And now, he was still being aggressively provocative.

Ze Ping took the lead and charged straight into the crowd, arriving before Ning Tong as he roared, "Ning Tong, you shameless bastard! Did our Work-Study Students provoke you or something? Why are you here bullying our people again?"

Ning Tong maintained his disdainful attitude. "What's wrong? Is it not allowed for me to find you bunch of poor wretches unpleasant to look at? Every one of you is just a pitiful loser who can only stay at the academy by working. You're not worthy of being Soul Masters at all. Oh, right, Ze Ping. I heard you got knocked off your position as the boss of the Work-Study Students by a new student a month ago. You're at least three years older than him, aren't you? And you still lost? You really are useless."

Ze Ping gritted his teeth in fury at Ning Tong's mockery. His fists clenched tightly, producing a series of cracking sounds.

Ning Tong spoke again. "Look at that pathetic expression. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give you a chance. Same old rules. Let's see if you dare accept."

To everyone's surprise, Ze Ping hesitated, as though he feared something. At that moment, a powerful hand landed on his shoulder.

"This doesn't seem like you, Ze Ping. If he wants to fight, we'll accompany him. This time, I'll make the call. Whatever he proposes, I'll take it all." At the sight of the newcomer, the Work-Study Students' momentum began to rise.

"Ah, could you be that new Work-Study Student?" Ning Tong was slightly shocked. The new Work-Study Student should only be six or seven years old, right? Yet the person before him was nearly as tall as he was, and looked exceptionally sturdy as well.

But Ning Tong quickly returned to his arrogant manner. "Ze Ping, it seems you're not as stupid as I thought. You even knew to find yourself a backer. I just wonder whether this backer is all show." Ning Tong was clearly convinced that Tang Chenfeng was merely a new Work-Study Student who happened to be bigger than average. What use was brute strength against a Martial Soul?

Tang Chenfeng's expression remained calm. "Whether I'm all show or not, you'll know after trying. Please enlighten me. What rules were you referring to?"

Ning Tong crossed his arms and said proudly, "Then I'll explain it again. Each side sends out five people, taking turns to fight. As long as a contestant wins, they can continue fighting the next opponent, until one side has been completely defeated."

It sounded like a fair rule, but there was something hidden within it. Ning Tong was actually a very cautious person. He knew that Ze Ping was the only relatively strong one among the Work-Study Students, while his own side was full of capable fighters. Although Ze Ping was merely the best among the weak in Ning Tong's eyes, he still chose the safest method: a gauntlet battle. Ze Ping had suffered greatly under this rule before, gradually being worn down until he could no longer fight, while no one else on his side could continue. They had lost miserably. Therefore, Ning Tong believed that even if Ze Ping had this new boss with him, they could never defeat his side. At worst, they could just slowly wear him down.

Ze Ping clearly knew what Ning Tong was planning, but before he could speak, Tang Chenfeng had already agreed. "Fine, no problem. It's settled."

"However, I have one condition. I wonder if you dare agree to it."

Ning Tong seemed interested as well. "Oh? Let's hear it."

Tang Chenfeng said, "Honestly, we're all students from the same academy. If we keep opposing each other like this every day, the relationship between classmates will only get worse. So I propose that if we win this match, you and your people will become our underlings. And if we lose, we'll do the same. What do you think?"

For a moment, the vast training ground fell completely silent. After that brief stillness, murmurs erupted everywhere.

Ning Tong burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha! Fine, I accept. That'll save me the trouble of dealing with you one by one later."

Ze Ping anxiously said from the side, "Boss, isn't this too hasty? If we lose, we'll really be finished."

Tang Chenfeng replied calmly, "Ze Ping, this doesn't seem like you. Have more confidence. Besides, are we certain to lose?"

If it had been anyone else, Ze Ping would probably have thrown a punch already. Yet for some reason, Tang Chenfeng's words filled him with an inexplicable confidence.

Ze Ping gritted his teeth. "Fine, Boss. Then I'll go first." With that, Ze Ping stepped forward and stood before the Work-Study Students.

The other side also sent out a tall student, likely a fourth-year student. The moment Ze Ping saw him, he could not help feeling stirred up. The other student was called Chang Yun, and his Martial Soul was the Light Cloud Spear. He was Ze Ping's old rival. Ze Ping had never beaten Chang Yun.

Ze Ping stepped forward and shouted, "Come on!"

As he spoke, Ze Ping released his Martial Soul. His arms rapidly expanded, metallic-sheened fur sprouting from them as sharp claws extended from his fingertips. Ze Ping's arms had transformed into a pair of tiger claws.

White Soul Power glowed in Chang Yun's hands, and a white spear over two meters long appeared in his grip. "Ze Ping, haven't I beaten you enough already? This time, I'll make sure you lie in bed for days and can't get up again."

"Fine. Let's see who ends up unable to get out of bed." With that, Ze Ping charged forward first, his right hand striking directly at Chang Yun.

Chang Yun did not choose to confront him head-on. Instead, he slid to the side and dodged Ze Ping's attack before gripping his spear with both hands and sweeping it toward Ze Ping's ribs.

Ze Ping reacted swiftly as well. Soul Power flashed across his body, and he let out a tiger's roar. His left hand shot beneath his right arm and actually caught the tip of the Light Cloud Spear. Though Soul Power protected his body, the spear blade still left two bloody marks across his tiger claws. Immediately afterward, Ze Ping yanked Chang Yun toward him by the spearhead, drew back his right hand, and punched directly at Chang Yun's head. The control and attack flowed in one seamless motion.

A brief flash of panic appeared on Chang Yun's face, but it quickly vanished. "Don't forget, this is my Martial Soul."

The Light Cloud Spear suddenly turned into particles of light and disappeared. Freed from Ze Ping's control, Chang Yun bent down to evade the tiger claws. Then, with a spin, the Light Cloud Spear reappeared in his hand. The spear swept horizontally, knocking Ze Ping backward. Yet Ze Ping seemed not to feel any pain at all. He merely took two steps back before charging forward again.

Chang Yun had used the side of his spear rather than its blade in that attack. While the academy did not forbid students from sparring, it strictly prohibited them from seriously harming one another. Based on past experience, that strike should have been enough to make Ze Ping suffer. As long as Chang Yun pressed his advantage and used the Light Cloud Spear's superior reach to keep Ze Ping at bay, Ze Ping would not last long. But this time was different. Not only did Ze Ping not retreat, he charged forward instead. His momentum was immense, and the more he fought, the braver he became.

Chang Yun's rhythm was completely disrupted. The Light Cloud Spear in his hands swung again and again, but he himself kept retreating. Now, it was actually Chang Yun who was being driven back step by step.

Everyone on Ning Tong's side was shocked. They could not understand how Ze Ping had suddenly become so strong. In their eyes, Ze Ping had always been nothing more than a punching bag. But now, he seemed to completely ignore Chang Yun's attacks as he relentlessly closed in on him.

As for why Ze Ping had suddenly become stronger, that had to do with Tang Chenfeng's special training. While training Ze Ping, Tang Chenfeng discovered that Ze Ping's talent was actually quite good. He could endure hardship and work hard, and his Martial Soul was not bad either. The reason his cultivation was slow was a lack of resources. Tang Chenfeng believed Ze Ping lost to Ning Tong and the others for two reasons. First, there was a certain gap in cultivation between Ze Ping and them. Second, Ze Ping's fighting style was too conservative, preventing him from fully utilizing his Steel Claw Tiger Martial Soul. Therefore, Tang Chenfeng designed special training for Ze Ping. Ze Ping had to attack Tang Chenfeng head-on through Tang Chenfeng's attacks, until he was no longer afraid of them. Ze Ping had lived up to expectations and completed the training within a month. To the current Ze Ping, Chang Yun's attacks were nowhere near the same level as Tang Chenfeng's fists.

"Hah!" A tiger's roar rang out. Ze Ping's furious shout stunned Chang Yun, and Ze Ping immediately pounced at him. Faced with the almost crazed Ze Ping, Chang Yun completely panicked. He thrust the Light Cloud Spear directly toward Ze Ping's head, but Ze Ping remained utterly calm. He twisted his neck and avoided the spear, leaving only a wound on his face. By then, Ze Ping had already arrived in front of Chang Yun.

Chang Yun followed the path of an Agility Type Battle Soul Master, and the Light Cloud Spear he used possessed little defensive ability. With a close-combat Battle Soul Master possessing a Beast Martial Soul getting within range, the outcome was obvious.

Bang! Ze Ping struck Chang Yun's chin with an uppercut from his tiger claw, sending his entire body flying. Then Ze Ping performed a sideways flip and savagely kicked Chang Yun in the back with his right leg, smashing him heavily into the ground. Chang Yun did not possess Ze Ping's resistance to damage. That fall knocked him unconscious.

"Hah!" Ze Ping excitedly roared toward the sky. His entire body was covered in wounds and still bleeding, but none of that affected his pride over his first victory.

The expressions on Ning Tong's side, however, were ugly. Chang Yun ranked among the top three of Ning Tong's subordinates in strength and was especially skilled in battle. If Ning Tong did not already possess a Spirit Soul, he could not guarantee that he would defeat Chang Yun easily. Ning Tong waved his hand, telling the others to carry the unconscious Chang Yun away for emergency treatment. They were only junior Soul Masters; with that little Soul Power, no lives would be lost.

Tang Chenfeng said with satisfaction, "Senior Ning Tong, we won this round. Ze Ping, you fought very well. Come back and rest first."

Ze Ping was covered in blood, and even half his clothes had been dyed red, but he still had not fully emerged from the joy of victory.

"Boss, I can still..."

"Enough, enough. Hurry back and rest." Ye Hongling suddenly appeared on the field, grabbed Ze Ping's hand, and pulled him back. Ze Ping's face grew slightly hot. This was the first time a girl had ever held his hand. This is Boss's little sister's hand. It feels so soft and comfortable. Even the wounds on my body don't hurt as much anymore. (It wasn't an illusion.)

"Hmph. You've only won one round. Don't celebrate too early."

"Next round, Lin Tian, you're up."

The second person Ning Tong sent out was a fourth-year student of average height but an extremely slender build. He looked frail, as though he suffered from severe malnutrition, yet his gaze was exceptionally sharp.

Other than Ze Ping and Tang Chenfeng, there was no one capable of fighting on the Work-Study Students' side. Naturally, Tang Chenfeng stepped forward.

Tang Chenfeng was probably four years younger than Lin Feng, but judging by appearances alone, he was more than a little sturdier than his opponent. He was even much taller.

"You're a Work-Study Student? Why do you look stronger than some eighth-year seniors?" Lin Feng looked at Tang Chenfeng, his eyes revealing a trace of jealousy and doubt.

Tang Chenfeng nodded at him. "I really am only a Work-Study Student. Please enlighten me."

This battle would determine who became the leader of the junior students. Lin Feng did not overthink it. He leaped sharply into the air, and a small white bird appeared alongside a white Soul Ring. Lin Feng's arms transformed into a pair of wings, and he actually took flight, swooping toward Tang Chenfeng.

A Beast Martial Soul, and a One-Ring Soul Master capable of flight. From Lin Feng's Martial Soul, Tang Chenfeng could tell that it was some kind of bird. Judging from its appearance, it was not a bird of prey like an eagle, but more likely a swallow or seagull. He should be an Agility Type Battle Soul Master.

Since he was an Agility Type Soul Master, there was no need to worry too much. Tang Chenfeng watched Lin Feng swoop toward him, yet acted as if he had not seen him at all, showing no concern for the incoming attack.

Lin Feng was extremely fast and possessed a Spirit Soul. Even among fifth-year students, he was among the best, and he was also Ning Tong's close friend. His movements were highly agile. Just as he was about to crash straight into Tang Chenfeng's face, he suddenly flapped his wings and flew directly over Tang Chenfeng's head, reaching Tang Chenfeng's back. His First Soul Ring lit up, and a layer of metallic sheen appeared on Lin Feng's wings. This was his First Soul Skill, Steel Wings.

Lin Feng had already used his Soul Skill, and his speed was astonishing. Tang Chenfeng looked as though he had not reacted at all, without even making a move to dodge.