Getting Beaten Up (Please Read On)

Dugu Bo's gaze slowly shifted from Zhao Yun to Ling Feng as he carefully studied the youth beside him.

Though the boy was still young, he exuded an extraordinary, almost mystical aura that made even a well-traveled Soul Douluo like him wary. He did not dare underestimate him in the slightest.

The young man beside the boy, Zhao Yun, felt equally strange to him.

Zhao Yun stood there without emitting even the faintest trace of an aura, as if he were nothing more than an ordinary mortal.

Yet Dugu Bo knew perfectly well that an ordinary person could never venture this deep into Sunset Forest.

The depths of Sunset Forest were filled with powerful and dangerous soul beasts. Even formidable soul masters would not dare enter so casually.

All of this made Dugu Bo truly realize that the origins of these two people before him were anything but simple.

"Are you Dugu Bo?"

Ling Feng slightly curled his lips and asked Dugu Bo with a smile.

"Boy, who are you? Why do you know this old man's name?"

Dugu Bo's heart was filled with confusion and curiosity.

He was certain that he had never met this youth before, yet the boy had called out his name at once.

He thought to himself that this valley's location was extremely hidden within Sunset Forest. Other than himself, no one knew of it.

Yet this youth had come here deliberately and even called out his name so precisely.

If nothing unexpected had happened, this youth's ultimate destination had been this valley, not a chance passing by.

"Since you are Dugu Bo, that makes things easy. From today onward, this valley belongs to me. Do you have any objections?"

Ling Feng nodded slightly, then spoke to Dugu Bo in a serious tone, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Boy, who are you to speak so arrogantly? This is this old man's territory. I do not care who you are—leave at once, or do not blame me for being rude."

After hearing Ling Feng's insolent tone, Dugu Bo flew into a rage, unable to suppress his fiery temper any longer.

He had been peacefully suppressing the poison within his body at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well today and had not intended to argue with these two.

But how could he tolerate Ling Feng's blatant provocation?

Under normal circumstances, Dugu Bo would not have wasted so many words on them.

He would have directly unleashed his incomparably tyrannical poison, instantly turning the two of them into pools of blood and making them pay dearly for their arrogance.

"Oh? Is that so? I hope you can remain this tough."

Ling Feng's icy voice echoed through the air. "Zhao Yun, let him have a taste of how cruel the world can be!"

When Ling Feng heard that Dugu Bo firmly refused to hand over the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he snorted coldly and immediately signaled Zhao Yun to make a move and teach this fool who did not know his place a lesson.

Ling Feng had no intention of using the news of Dugu Bo's poisoning to gain an opportunity to enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

In his mind, as long as one possessed absolute strength, taking this small valley was nothing. Even killing Dugu Bo here would be as easy as lifting a hand.

Against an expert whose strength rivaled that of a Limit Douluo, how could Dugu Bo, who had yet to break through to the Titled Douluo realm, possibly contend with him?

"Hm?"

Hearing Ling Feng's insolent tone, Dugu Bo was about to retort when he suddenly sensed something unusual.

A sense of foreboding surged in his heart. He had never expected these two to be completely unafraid of his threats.

Could it be that they were far stronger than him?

Sure enough!

Immediately afterward, he felt the surging aura of a Limit Douluo spread from Zhao Yun's body.

Like raging tides, that aura crashed down upon him all at once.

With a muffled grunt, the unprepared Dugu Bo felt stormy waves rise in his heart beneath this Soul Power pressure that seemed to descend from heaven and earth.

He hurriedly summoned his Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul, attempting to resist this overwhelming might.

But how could Zhao Yun give him a chance to catch his breath? With a flicker of his body, Zhao Yun's powerful Soul Power pressure forced Dugu Bo flat onto the ground, leaving him unable to move in the slightest.

"Stop! Don't hit me anymore!"

Dugu Bo cried out in terror.

Yet Zhao Yun did not waver in the slightest. He directly raised a fist as large as a casserole and hammered Dugu Bo beneath his feet like a rainstorm.

Every punch contained astonishing force, each one landing solidly.

In the blink of an eye, Dugu Bo had been beaten black and blue and could only beg in a low voice.

"Well? Who do you say this valley belongs to?"

Looking at the pleading Dugu Bo, Ling Feng nodded slightly and slowly strolled over to stand before him, a strange smile appearing on his face.

"Of course... of course it belongs to you!"

Blood welled up in Dugu Bo's throat, but he could only force himself to swallow it.

At this moment, he felt utterly aggrieved.

He had never imagined that these two would be so shameless, pretending to be weak before revealing their strength and sending a top-tier Titled Douluo to bully a Soul Douluo like him.

Wasn't this bullying the weak with the strong?

But what could he do? No matter how much bitterness filled his heart, he did not dare utter a word.

If he said anything more, what awaited him next would likely not be mere physical suffering.

Thus, when Ling Feng asked who the valley belonged to, he chose to compromise without hesitation.

After all, if he continued to occupy the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he might truly end up losing his life.

At this moment, Dugu Bo no longer had any thoughts of revenge. He only wanted to know how he could make this Limit Douluo spare him and allow him to leave Sunset Forest safely.

"Wouldn't it have been better if you had done this from the start? Then you would not have had to suffer all this for nothing."

Only after hearing Dugu Bo's answer did Ling Feng nod in satisfaction.

Sure enough, before absolute strength, even someone as stubborn as Dugu Bo could only submit obediently.

This scene made Ling Feng's desire to improve his own strength grow even stronger.

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave."

Ling Feng saw through Dugu Bo's eagerness to flee and fell silent for a moment. After a short while, he slowly spoke.

"According to my investigation, it seems you have not joined any faction. How about joining my Soul Ring Pavilion?"

Though his tone sounded like a question, it contained unquestionable authority.

Soul Ring Pavilion was in need of people right now. Zhao Yun was responsible for Ling Feng's personal protection, while Ling Feng himself did not often remain at Soul Ring Pavilion.

They needed a powerful expert to guard Soul Ring Pavilion and prevent any accidents.

The implication was clear: if Dugu Bo dared say no, another beating awaited him.

"No. I have always liked an unfettered life. I would never join any faction..."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo hurriedly shook his head like a rattle drum and refused.

Though he did not know how powerful Soul Ring Pavilion was, he knew that no matter how strong a faction was, it would impose many restrictions on him. What he hated most was precisely this feeling of being constrained.

"Hm? You disagree..."

Ling Feng narrowed his eyes and murmured softly, his words carrying a trace of chill.

Zhao Yun immediately understood. He clenched his fists and made as if to hammer Dugu Bo again.