Flender's "Misunderstanding"

Flender stood on the rooftop across from the shop, watching the fight between the two sides.

After hearing Ma Hongjun's voice, he had already guessed the other party's purpose.

It had been his idea to send Ma Hongjun to places like brothels to suppress the evil fire of his Spirit.

Ma Hongjun was currently only a Soul Grandmaster and could only collect ten Gold Soul Coins from Spirit Hall each month.

Places like brothels were money pits. How could that little money possibly be enough?

The purpose of their visit was self-evident.

From their clothing alone, Flender could tell that Wu Qi and the other youth were wealthy. Naturally, he did not want to let such high-quality customers slip away.

When Ma Hongjun had misunderstood the two of them, he had been considering how to step forward and clear things up, lest he lose customers.

But when Ma Hongjun unleashed his Soul Skill, the Soul Power fluctuations emanating from the two of them piqued his interest.

"They're young, yet one is a peak Soul Grandmaster and the other a Soul Elder. These are two geniuses."

At that thought, a sharp glint flashed through Flender's eyes.

Suotuo City was not particularly famous on the continent, and there were no Advanced Spirit Master Academies nearby. The two geniuses had most likely come after hearing of Shrek Academy, hoping to enroll and meet more talented individuals.

They looked mature, so they might have exceeded Shrek Academy's admission age limit, but they could not be older than fourteen.

Considering their Soul Power Levels, it would not matter even if they were overage. They still met Shrek Academy's standards.

As he pondered, the fight had already reached its fiercest stage.

Wu Qi grabbed Ma Hongjun and rushed out of the shop, casually tossing him onto the street.

Poor Ma Hongjun possessed an avian Spirit, yet he himself had no ability to fly.

Thrown to the ground, he landed hard on his backside!

From their earlier exchange, Ma Hongjun knew that his opponent was strong.

Knowing he was no match, he decided to use his backing to intimidate them instead.

"A mere thief dares to be so arrogant? Do you know who my master is?!"

Comparing masters?

Wu Qi gave a mocking smile.

Azure Luan Douluo was a Level 97 Super Douluo. Even if Flender's Soul Power Level were reversed, he still would not be a match!

Still, in Suotuo City, Flender was unquestionably among the strongest experts—perhaps even the strongest.

It was no wonder Ma Hongjun had been so fearless.

"You fat bastard, what nonsense are you spouting?! We were merely picking out goods. Which eye of yours saw us stuffing anything into our pockets?" Qian Gu Changkong said indignantly.

It was not as though he lacked money. Being accused of theft would be an insult to his family!

Wu Qi's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "We are all Spirit Masters. Let strength decide everything. Don't say we're bullying you; you may choose either one of us as your opponent."

"If you win, we won't be stingy with compensation. How about it?"

Ma Hongjun's eyes rolled.

He had come here to ask Flender for money to visit the brothels.

Since they had voluntarily offered compensation, he could spend an entire day venting his fire at the brothel.

He might not be able to beat Wu Qi, but could he not beat Qian Gu Changkong?

After all, the latter looked like nothing more than a lackey. How strong could he possibly be?

Having been singled out, Qian Gu Changkong was both angry and delighted.

The reason for his anger went without saying, but the chance to personally teach this fat bastard a lesson dispelled much of the resentment in his heart.

The Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit appeared, and battle was about to begin.

Wu Qi stepped back while motioning for the nearby onlookers to leave, lest they be caught in the crossfire.

The current Ma Hongjun did not have many offensive methods.

Following Flender around, his cultivation as a Spirit Master had not improved much, but he had certainly not neglected eating, drinking, and whoring.

"First Soul Skill, Phoenix Fire Line!"

"Good."

Qian Gu Changkong swung his Coiling Dragon Staff while activating his First Soul Skill.

The Evil Fire Phoenix was merely a "mongrel" Spirit, and its flames were weak. How could it possibly rival the Coiling Dragon Staff?

The black-tinged red evil fire landed on the Coiling Dragon Staff and was easily swallowed by the flames covering the staff.

The scene he had expected, of Qian Gu Changkong being roasted black, never appeared. Ma Hongjun could not help widening his eyes.

He wanted to activate his Second Soul Skill to increase his Soul Skill's power, but Qian Gu Changkong had already closed in.

Flender had never taught him close-quarters combat techniques. Of course, even if he had, with Ma Hongjun's carefree manner, he had likely forgotten them long ago.

In Qian Gu Changkong's hands, every swing of the Coiling Dragon Staff flowed seamlessly into the next, without a single opening.

Ma Hongjun could only take the beating, unable to fight back.

"Don't hit the face!" Ma Hongjun said mournfully.

Had he known the other two were this strong, he never would have dared to pick a fight.

Flender had not shown himself. How could Ma Hongjun possibly stop two "thieves" on his own?

Flender wanted to save Ma Hongjun, but since it was a spar between people of the same age, it was not appropriate for him to interfere.

Moreover, Qian Gu Changkong's control over the Coiling Dragon Staff Technique was already no worse than that of his old friend—Li Yusong.

"With them joining the academy, Old Li is truly fortunate."

Both possessed staff-type Spirits, and Qian Gu Changkong's talent was quite good. Li Yusong would surely cherish him dearly.

As for Wu Qi, since he too possessed an Avian Spirit, Flender would naturally take him as his own.

The instant the Azure Luan Spirit appeared, its bloodline suppression made even him feel a trace of apprehension.

Wasn't such a high-quality Spirit exactly the sort of disciple he had been searching for?

Ma Hongjun was quite good as well, but compared to Wu Qi, he fell far short.

If Wu Qi became his disciple, he would be the senior disciple. Ma Hongjun could only be wronged and become the junior disciple.

Seeing that Qian Gu Changkong had fought to his heart's content, Wu Qi flashed to his side and grabbed his arm.

"Alright, stop there."

Wu Qi could guess that Flender was most likely watching everything from the shadows.

If they beat the man's disciple half to death, they would probably face no small amount of trouble.

Besides, this was inside the city. Soul Masters fighting in the street was already a serious public security incident. If one side were seriously injured, it might even alert the City Lord Mansion.

Wu Qi did not want to draw attention over such a meaningless matter, lest word reach the Worship Hall and leave a bad impression.

Qian Gu Changkong was slightly startled.

Once someone entered his attack rhythm, even a Soul Elder would find it difficult to escape his entanglement.

Yet Wu Qi had interrupted him so easily. If they fought, his staff technique would hold no advantage whatsoever.

"Fine."

He dearly wanted to know the answer, but with outsiders present, would asking aloud not expose his own weakness?

The moment the attacks stopped, Ma Hongjun did not dare linger. Scrambling and rolling, he fled more than a hundred meters in one breath.

"That damn fatty can really take a beating. Looks like I went too easy on him!"

Wu Qi said irritably, "Enough. If it's just a simple lesson, his elders won't say anything. But if you really beat him seriously injured, do you think his elders would just stand by?"

Qian Gu Changkong did not dwell on it and instead asked, "By the way, how did you interrupt my attack rhythm?"

To Wu Qi, it was very simple.

Whenever the Coiling Dragon Staff swung, it would inevitably stir up airflow. In Wu Qi's eyes, the arm wielding the Coiling Dragon Staff was like a vortex of air. If he "punctured" it, swinging the staff again would encounter enormous resistance.

Once Qian Gu Changkong's arm slowed down, Wu Qi could easily grab it.

Furthermore, most soul skills disturbed the airflow when cast. With this ability, he could easily neutralize them.

Qian Gu Changkong could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. This was a special ability of Wu Qi's Spirit, one that others could not replicate.

"Good thing you're one of us. If outsiders learned of the Coiling Dragon Staff Technique's weakness, Grandfather and Seventh Grandfather probably wouldn't be able to sleep."