Taking Ma Hongjun Away

Finally, Fu Shiyan paused, her gaze sweeping over Ma Hongjun, who was listening intently and whose face had turned pale, and Flender, whose face was ashen and whose fingers were trembling slightly, before she made her final judgment:

"So, the so-called 'solution' designed for this child by that 'theoretical Grandmaster ' you mentioned is actually a wrong path that will completely sever his Martial Soul potential and may even endanger his life!"

This statement, like the final gavel falling, settled all the previous analysis.

The color drained completely from Ma Hongjun's face, replaced by a deathly pallor of lingering fear.

He glanced instinctively at Flender beside him, his heart pounding in his chest, as if he could already feel the terrifying pain of ice and fire clashing and Martial Soul being torn apart.

Flender's face grew even darker, his lips pressed tightly together, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged.

He suddenly looked up, his gaze meeting Fu Shiyan's calm eyes, then quickly sweeping over Fu Ze, who stood silently beside him, his aura unfathomable. In the end, all his resentment, doubts, and the urge to protect his friend were forcibly suppressed.

His throat bobbed, but he ultimately didn't dare utter another word in rebuttal.

Ma Hongjun already had an unwavering trust in Fu Shiyan due to the dream.

After hearing this meticulous analysis, I felt a strong sense of dissatisfaction and lingering fear towards that theoretical Grandmaster, Yu Xiaogang.

To cut off someone's path to cultivation—in the Douluo Continent, where Soul Master are revered—is no different from killing one's parents.

What's more, this "wrong path" could very well cost him his life!

However, Flender's care for him these days was genuine, and his willingness to help him hunt for Spirit Ring was out of kindness.

Ma Hongjun harbored resentment towards Yu Xiaogang, but he didn't hold much grudge against this somewhat stingy but kind-hearted dean.

He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his wildly beating heart and chaotic thoughts. His small face showed both trepidation and hope as he looked up at Fu Shiyan, his voice trembling slightly as he asked:

"Then... Teacher Fu, do you... do you have a way to solve my problem of this 'Evil Fire '?"

Fu Shiyan met his gaze, nodded without hesitation, and said clearly:

"Can."

Ma Hongjun didn't show much surprise at this answer; instead, he seemed relieved.

From the moment he saw Fu Shiyan with his own eyes, the overlap between his dream and reality made him believe it without a doubt.

He firmly believed that the person before him was the one who could lead him to the future he envisioned in his dreams.

Therefore, he didn't even rush to ask how to solve the problem. Instead, he turned his head with a complicated expression and looked at Flender, who was silent beside him.

He bit his lip, a hint of apology flashing in his eyes, but he still spoke firmly:

"Dean Flender... thank you for taking care of me during this time."

"However... I agree more with Teacher Fu's statement. So... I'm sorry, Dean Flender."

Before Flender could react, Dai Tianyu, who was standing to the side, was already displeased.

He raised an eyebrow, looked at Ma Hongjun, and said with obvious displeasure:

"Hey, Fatty, what do you mean by this?"

"My master only said he could solve it, but he hasn't agreed to help you yet!"

Dai Tianyu's words, blunt yet childishly challenging, instantly dispelled the slightly melancholic atmosphere of parting between Ma Hongjun and Flender.

Ma Hongjun's face flushed bright red instantly, his embarrassment evident.

Yes!

Teacher Fu only said "okay," but didn't say he agreed to take me in or help me!

My presumptuous farewell was far too hasty!

He stood there helplessly, his chubby little hands nervously clutching the hem of his clothes, looking expectantly at Fu Shiyan, then glancing at Flender, whose face seemed even more unpleasant, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Flender also came to his senses at this moment.

He didn't rush to say anything to Ma Hongjun, but instead turned his gaze to Fu Shiyan, his eyes filled with complex emotions, including resentment at having his theory refuted to his face, as well as genuine concern for Ma Hongjun's future.

Ma Hongjun also held his breath nervously, waiting with Flender for Fu Shiyan's decision.

Fu Shiyan did not immediately express her opinion, but instead turned her gaze to the uneasy Ma Hongjun and asked in a calm tone:

"So, kid, you haven't properly introduced yourself yet."

"How old are you? What's the specific name of your Martial Soul? How much Innate Soul Power do you have?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Hongjun's face instantly shifted from embarrassment to ecstatic joy. He was so excited he became somewhat incoherent, quickly straightening his small frame and loudly replying:

"My name is Ma Hongjun! I'm six years old! My Martial Soul is the ' Evil Fire Phoenix '! My Innate Soul Power is... level nine!"

After saying that, he stared intently at Fu Shiyan with his hopeful, shining eyes, awaiting the judgment of fate.

After listening, Fu Shiyan nodded calmly under the focused gaze of everyone.

"Um."

Then, he simply instructed, "Come with us in a bit."

The moment the words were spoken, the reactions of the individuals were completely different.

Flender' face turned ashen; his last glimmer of hope had been extinguished.

His lips moved slightly, but he ultimately said nothing. His shoulders slumped slightly, as if he had aged considerably in an instant.

He knew that he had not only lost a promising student who could have made it to the university, but had also suffered a complete defeat in the "theory" that Xiao Gang was so proud of.

Ma Hongjun was overjoyed. His round face instantly blossomed into a radiant smile, his eyes crinkling into crescents. He jumped up and down in excitement, bowing repeatedly to Fu Shiyan.

"Teacher Fu! Teacher Fu! I will definitely be good!"

Dai Tianyu's face immediately darkened, his lips curled into a deep sneer, and he glared at the beaming Ma Hongjun with obvious displeasure. He let out a few muffled "humphs" through his nose and muttered under his breath, "Another one... troublesome..."

After his initial elation, Ma Hongjun didn't forget Flender, who was standing nearby.

He turned around and faced the dean who had brought him out and taken good care of him, his little face showing a complex mix of gratitude and apology.

He bowed again and said earnestly, "Goodbye, Dean Flender... Thank you!"

Flender looked at the child who was about to leave, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He forced a somewhat stiff smile, reached out and patted Ma Hongjun's chubby shoulder hard, his voice a little hoarse:

"Hmm... that's good that it truly solves your Martial Soul problem. Go with them..."

"From now on, cultivate diligently."

After saying that, he didn't say anything more, turned to Fu Shiyan and the other two, and solemnly cupped his hands in farewell as a final goodbye.

Then, he turned around and walked alone towards the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest with slightly heavy steps. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a long shadow of his back, conveying a sense of loneliness and desolation.