Looking at Dai Mubai's three Soul Rings-yellow, yellow, and purple-and seeing that everyone else had two Soul Rings, Ye Zhi Qiu realized this group was no simple bunch. They were all Soul Grandmasters or Soul Elders despite being so young. He asked, "I'm Ye Zhi Qiu, the director of instruction at Blue Sunshine Academy. Which sect or academy are you from? Where are your teachers?"
"Hmph, trying to sound us out?" Dai Mubai said with a sneer.
Zhao Zilong came forward, trying to smooth things over. He cupped his fists and said, "Teacher, my companion was just itching for a fight and wanted to spar with your students. He meant no ill will toward Blue Sunshine Academy. Please forgive him."
Hearing Zhao Zilong's words, Ye Zhi Qiu felt a little better. After all, these youngsters were far too young-probably only twelve or thirteen, and the oldest seemed to be no more than fifteen-yet they were already Soul Grandmasters or even Soul Elders. There were surely powerful forces behind them. But after being provoked like this, Ye Zhi Qiu was still furious. "Just itching for a fight? That fatty was obviously picking a fight on purpose. Now I want you to apologize to my students, or else..."
"Or else what?" The fatty was clearly the type who loved stirring up trouble. He taunted, "I'm telling you, I picked a fight with you on purpose. So what? Our teacher said that a Soul Master who doesn't dare cause trouble is a mediocrity. Only Soul Masters with poor talent meekly keep their heads down and dare not cause trouble!"
Ye Zhi Qiu was instantly incensed. Zhao Zilong, who had been planning to break up the fight, silently retreated behind the others, feeling a little helpless. This fatty was a born troublemaker!
Ye Zhi Qiu gritted his teeth and demanded, "Which sect are you from? Give me your names."
Seeing that the other man kept asking, Ma Hongjun grinned. "We're from Shrek Academy."
"Shrek? I've never heard of it." Ye Zhi Qiu was slightly taken aback by the academy's name.
Dai Mubai said confidently, "That just shows how ignorant you are."
A cold smile tugged at Ye Zhi Qiu's lips. Having confirmed that although these Little Monsters had exceptional talent, they did not seem to have any powerful backing, he let a cold glint flash through his eyes and immediately summoned his Mystic Turtle Martial Soul. Five Soul Rings lit up beneath his feet in succession: white, yellow, yellow, purple, purple.
Even Dai Mubai was a little surprised. The man's Soul Ring Configuration was terrible, but he was indeed a Soul King. Ye Zhi Qiu said coldly, "Where are your teachers? Get them out here. Someone needs to answer for this."
Ma Hongjun, the born troublemaker, immediately called out, "You old turtle think you can meet our teacher? We can handle you ourselves."
"What did you say?" Ye Zhi Qiu was completely enraged. He said coldly, "You reckless fools! Since you've asked for it, I'll teach you a proper lesson on behalf of your teachers."
"Fatty, you really know how to cause trouble!" Zhao Zilong couldn't help remarking.
"Of course..." Ma Hongjun said proudly.
"I wasn't praising you." Zhao Zilong was speechless at the fatty's reaction, but he still took his place beside Dai Mubai and the others.
Although Zhao Zilong thought Ma Hongjun's habit of provoking people for no reason was asking for a beating, he also wanted to use this opportunity for some real combat practice.
Just then, the shopkeeper called out fearfully, "Honored Soul Masters, this is a small business. If you're going to fight, could you please take it outside?"
"Hmph, I'll wait for you outside." With that, Ye Zhi Qiu led his students out.
As Ye Zhi Qiu left, the Martial Souls of the group vanished one after another. Tang San said seriously, "His Martial Soul is a Mystic Turtle, so he's definitely a defensive Soul Master. His offense is weak, but his defense is strong, and his weakness is obvious. Even though his Soul Power is much higher than ours, he lacks attacking power, so it should be difficult for him to defeat us with a single blow. The eight of us can wear him down with successive attacks."
Zhao Zilong couldn't help saying, "Fatty, you'd better not go out in the morning or evening from now on. If you have to go out, make sure it's at noon. With a mouth as foul as yours, you're bound to get beaten sooner or later."
Hearing Zhao Zilong's resentment, Ma Hongjun was also a little displeased. "Hey, Long Ge, you just got to Shrek Academy, so you don't understand. Our academy's rule is that a Soul Master who doesn't cause trouble is a mediocrity. We're Monsters!"
Zhao Zilong was even more speechless. Flender was only a Soul Saint, so how could he dare say something like that? He said coolly, "I'm afraid I can't agree with the saying that a Soul Master who doesn't cause trouble is a mediocrity."
Ma Hongjun was also very unhappy. "Zhao Zilong, what do you mean by that? Are you questioning our dean?"
Seeing that Zhao Zilong was clearly unhappy with the fatty picking fights for no reason, and that the fatty did not seem to have a mild temper either, Tang San immediately tried to smooth things over. "All right, stop arguing. Let's deal with Ye Zhi Qiu first. He's a Soul King, and we can only beat him if we work together."
Dai Mubai agreed. "Exactly. There are eight of us. As long as we work together, we can definitely win."
Tang San spoke up. "All right, Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Boss Dai, and I will hold him off from the front. The Mystic Turtle belongs to the water element, and water and fire counter each other, so Fatty can provide air support. Xiao Ao, give us Sausages. Brother Zilong, since we haven't seen your fighting style, why don't you act as the opportunity arises?"
"Mm." Zhao Zilong nodded.
"Tang San, what about me?" Ning Rongrong was a little displeased that Tang San had left her out.
Tang San was clearly still irritated by Ning Rongrong's proud nature the night before, and he was somewhat inclined to exclude her. "Your Martial Soul is special, so just adapt to the situation."
Zhao Zilong spoke up. "You're a support-type Soul Master, so you'll stay at the back and give us buffs."
"What are buffs?" Ning Rongrong asked, looking adorably confused.
Zhao Zilong explained, "They're support effects that make us stronger and faster."
"All right, let's go," Dai Mubai said.
The eight of them went outside. Ye Zhi Qiu and the people from Blue Sunshine Academy were already waiting there. Ye Zhi Qiu said coldly, "So you came out, you brats! Today, I'm going to teach you how to behave."
"We're not people. We're Monsters," Ma Hongjun said, still looking proud.
"Brothers, release your Martial Souls..." Dai Mubai said.
Everyone then released their Martial Souls and Soul Rings. The others all had two yellow Soul Rings, while Dai Mubai's were two yellow and one purple.
"Attack..."
"First Soul Skill: Entanglement..." Tang San launched his Soul Skill first, immediately binding Ye Zhi Qiu.
"First Soul Skill: Phoenix Fire Line..." Ma Hongjun followed with his attack, sending flames straight at him.
Dai Mubai's attack landed right after. "First Soul Skill: White Tiger Fierce Light Wave..."
Then Soul Power erupted from Ye Zhi Qiu. He growled, "First Soul Skill: Mystic Tortoise Possession, Second Soul Skill: Mystic Tortoise Ice Seal..."
Ye Zhi Qiu instantly used one defensive Soul Skill and one offensive Soul Skill, sending them toward the Shrek group. None of the Shrek students dared take the attack head-on, and they all dodged.
"Bamboo Leaf Sword Rain..." Zhao Zilong stood on the Blue Silver Grass. Countless leaves of Blue Silver Grass turned razor-sharp and shot toward Ye Zhi Qiu, but his defense was too sturdy. The bamboo-leaf swords struck him with metallic clangs and bounced off.
"First Soul Skill: Hell Stab..." Zhu Zhuqing launched a sudden upward attack, instantly breaking through Ye Zhi Qiu's defense.
Then Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun attacked together. For a moment, even Ye Zhi Qiu, a Soul King, was forced onto the back foot, able only to defend desperately.
Before you continue