Tang San, Don't Be Rude

Ma Hongjun rushed forward in a hurry, his eyes fixed on Hu Liena. He nearly tripped, then caught himself and straightened up.

"Ma Hongjun, what are you doing?" Zhao Wuji felt a headache coming on. It wasn't that he didn't trust Ma Hongjun's strength. If his opponent were someone else, Ma Hongjun might have been dependable. But did he even realize who was standing across from him?

Faced with Zhao Wuji's helpless look, Ma Hongjun only seemed more resolute. "Teacher Zhao, don't worry. Leave this to me."

As if afraid Zhao Wuji would send him back, Ma Hongjun quickly turned and shouted, "Shrek Academy's Ma Hongjun will be your opponent!"

Well, that settled it. There was no taking it back now.

Hu Liena frowned, disdain in her eyes. She had seen plenty of people act infatuated with her, but no one had ever been as brazen as Ma Hongjun.

A beautiful woman's displeasure should have made an ordinary man feel ashamed, but to Ma Hongjun, Hu Liena's frown only made her more dangerously alluring.

He had spent years frequenting brothels in towns and villages. How could he have ever seen a beauty like Hu Liena?

Perhaps in the eyes of those young boys, Hu Liena was a little less beautiful than Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong. But to him, Hu Liena's flirtatious charm made her ten thousand times more beautiful than either of them.

"State your names."

Though she felt sick at heart, she had come to win the match. She spoke coldly. "Hu Liena, Demon Fox Martial Soul, twenty-ninth-rank Soul Grandmaster."

When she revealed her rank, the Shrek students actually breathed a sigh of relief. At least this opponent, formidable as she was, wasn't as absurdly powerful as Qian Yun.

They would soon realize they had celebrated too soon.

Ma Hongjun struggled to calm his restless heart, using what little self-control he had to keep himself composed.

"My name is Ma Hongjun. My Martial Soul is the Phoenix, and I'm a twenty-fifth-rank Soul Grandmaster." His voice brimmed with confidence when he spoke of his Martial Soul.

Hu Liena grew serious. Among Beast Martial Souls, there were a few exceptionally powerful ones, and the Phoenix was one of them.

She hadn't expected a small academy like Shrek to have both a White Tiger and a Phoenix—two of the most powerful Beast Martial Souls. Truly a gathering of hidden dragons and young phoenixes.

Even Hu Liena, whose Martial Soul was also one of the top Beast Martial Souls, felt a little less confident.

She was wary, but not enough to make her back down. So what if he had a Phoenix Martial Soul? She could still defeat him!

"Come on! Martial Soul Possession." Hu Liena gave a cold laugh, and a suggestive pink aura spread around her.

Her already slender figure became more alluring, and a fluffy tail swayed behind her. Her eyes shimmered with a deadly charm.

The Shrek students stared, stunned. Even without facing Hu Liena directly, they were stirred by her alluring aura, which awakened their most primal urges.

Ning Rongrong hastily looked away and turned to Xiao Wu's delicate profile beside her. Hu Liena's allure felt even stronger than Xiao Wu's. She wanted to call her a little vixen, but couldn't bring herself to. Despite her overwhelming charm, Hu Liena's eyes were clear.

That stark contrast was captivating, yet it also made people feel ashamed of their own impure thoughts.

Ma Hongjun had completely lost his composure. Even as Hu Liena summoned her Martial Soul, he barely reacted, staring at her in a daze as if he'd lost his soul.

Zhao Wuji couldn't stand it any longer. At this rate, there was no need for a fight. Hu Liena would only have to say a word, and Ma Hongjun would probably obediently forfeit.

"Ahem!" Zhao Wuji coughed loudly, sending a thread of Soul Power into Ma Hongjun's ears with the sound.

Ma Hongjun's plump body shuddered at the sound, and he finally snapped out of it. When he looked at Hu Liena again, his eyes held something besides infatuation.

"Hu Liena, can I call you Xiao Na? We've only just met, but could I ask you to be my girlfriend? Even though we haven't known each other long, I think we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other." Ma Hongjun put a hand to his chest, felt his heart pounding, and made his heartfelt declaration.

That was right. After repeatedly confirming it just now, Ma Hongjun was certain he had fallen in love with Hu Liena.

It had happened so suddenly that even he was startled. But a moment later, he accepted it. Maybe this was what they called love at first sight.

"Oh, the prodigal son returns?" Oscar stroked his chin, looking surprised. Ma Hongjun might have been a regular at brothels, but this was the first time he'd ever made such a passionate confession.

Dai Mubai had already returned to the Shrek group. At that, he scoffed. "What prodigal son returns? He's just lusting after her looks!"

Qian Yun frowned at the sight. He was sure Hu Liena was furious inside, but even hearing someone else call her Xiao Na made him feel a little jealous.

Hu Liena's expression darkened as she fell silent for a moment. Then, with no sign of anger, she smiled and said, "I'll think about it."

Ma Hongjun was overjoyed. He'd never imagined Hu Liena would agree.

But before his smile could bloom, a bone-chilling killing intent spread from Hu Liena. "My name is Xiao Na, sure—but on Hell Road, call me by my full name. My name is Hu Liena!"

A gleaming dagger sprang into her hand. She pushed off with one foot, and, moving at a terrifying speed, brought the blade down at Ma Hongjun, wrapped in boundless killing intent.

In that instant, Ma Hongjun seemed to see death itself.

"Wait." At the sound of a calm voice, Zhao Wuji stopped in his tracks.

To Hu Liena's horror, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't drive her blade any farther. She couldn't move a muscle, either.

Qian Yun turned to look at Flender and thought, So this is the strength of a Soul Saint? He really is powerful!

As the others watched in astonishment, Flender slowly stepped forward. Wings sprouted from his back, and his usually drooping eyelids lifted. His eyes no longer looked vacant; instead, they gleamed with a startling intensity.

He walked up beside Hu Liena and Ma Hongjun, glanced at Ma Hongjun, then at Hu Liena, who was still struggling defiantly. With a sigh, he released his hold on her.

Even in the face of a Soul Saint, Hu Liena still looked displeased when she landed. She gripped her dagger tightly and said nothing.

"Teacher..." Ma Hongjun lowered his head guiltily. He had acted terribly just now. If Flender hadn't intervened in time, he would probably have been seriously injured by now.

Flender withdrew his Martial Soul and raised a hand to stop him. His large palm came to rest on Ma Hongjun's head, and he turned to Hu Liena. "This student of mine is troubled by the nature of his Martial Soul. His words were disrespectful, and as his teacher, I failed to discipline him properly. I apologize."

Then something unbelievable happened. As everyone watched in shock, Flender's tall frame slowly bent toward Hu Liena, who stood there with a stunned expression.

"Teacher!" Ma Hongjun wrapped his arms around Flender and tried with all his might to straighten him up. But Flender seemed rooted to the spot; no matter how hard Ma Hongjun tried, he couldn't move him at all.

Tears poured down Ma Hongjun's chubby face. How could he not understand? Flender had never bowed his head even to Spirit Hall, yet now he was bowing to a Soul Grandmaster. It was all because of him!

Hu Liena's eyes trembled as her anger faded. She bowed to Flender as well. "Your Excellency, there's no need to be so polite. A Spirit Master's affairs should be settled in the way of Spirit Masters."

Flender straightened up and said, "Well said. A Spirit Master's affairs should be settled in the way of Spirit Masters!"

He called to Zhao Wuji, "Old Zhao, continue the match."

"Sure thing." Zhao Wuji agreed, then shouted at Ma Hongjun, "You little brat, what are you standing there for? Waiting for dinner?"

"Oh, right." Ma Hongjun quickly gathered himself. He had seen everything Flender had done for him.

Even a good-for-nothing like him knew that a student should reclaim the face his teacher had lost. So this time, he had to win!

His eyes blazed with determination as he faced Hu Liena, who had resumed her stance. "Watch out. Martial Soul Possession."

An eerie light, purple-red in color, surged from Ma Hongjun's body. It rose like flames and formed a crest over his fiery red short hair. His body itself seemed unchanged, but long feathers grew on his thick, bare arms, and his plump hands became claws.

Hu Liena eyed his appearance skeptically. "Are you sure that's a Phoenix Martial Soul?"

Her contemptuous look didn't escape Ma Hongjun. He might have been deeply attracted to Hu Liena, but the flaws in his Martial Soul were a sore spot he couldn't tolerate anyone poking at. He snapped, "Don't underestimate me."

The First Soul Ring beneath Ma Hongjun's feet lit up. "First Soul Skill, Phoenix Fire Line!"

A stream of deep purple flames burst from his mouth. The air warped wherever the flames passed, and the temperature in the arena rose sharply.

"A fire-type Spirit Master?" Hu Liena was surprised, but she didn't panic. She slid backward, dodging Ma Hongjun's stream of flames.

Ma Hongjun pressed his advantage, continuously spitting flames as he advanced on Hu Liena. The searing heat kept roasting her cheeks.

"These flames really are troublesome." Hu Liena realized that Ma Hongjun's flames weren't ordinary. They were hotter than normal, and had a slightly viscous quality.

Hu Liena dodged calmly. After observing him for a while, she realized that although Ma Hongjun's stream of flames was dangerous, its range was limited—no more than about five meters.

She gradually formed a plan. She had fought fire-type Spirit Masters before. At Martial Soul Academy, there was one fire-type Spirit Master she couldn't stand. She would deal with Ma Hongjun the same way she had dealt with him.

"First Soul Skill, Charm."

Hu Liena gave a cold shout, and pink mist appeared out of nowhere around her. Her figure disappeared within it.

Ma Hongjun hesitated for a moment. He'd lost sight of his target, and didn't want to really hurt Hu Liena, so he gradually lowered the temperature of his flames. At that moment, Hu Liena's Charm quietly enveloped him.

"Ugh!"

In the thin mist, Ma Hongjun suddenly felt his head grow heavy. His awareness began to blur, and he could no longer sustain his stream of flames.

Something's wrong. This isn't right. I have to get out of here. Ma Hongjun's instincts urged him to flee this dangerous place.

Unfortunately, anyone caught in Hu Liena's Charm was like prey fallen into a trap. The harder they struggled, the deeper they sank.

Hu Liena's mental power grew stronger within the Charm. Watching Ma Hongjun stumble as he tried to escape, she gave a cold laugh. "Trying to run now? Too late!"

She closed in on him, just as she had against that fire-type Spirit Master at Martial Soul Academy, and kicked him!

Hu Liena's kick was powerful enough to send even Ma Hongjun's hefty body stumbling out of the Charm.

The fight was over.

"Ah." Zhao Wuji had lost count of how many times he'd sighed. He wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do. Qian Yun and Hu Liena were simply much stronger than the Shrek students.

"Second match, Hu Liena wins." After announcing the result, Zhao Wuji shook his head.

And so the two matches in the friendly competition between Shrek Academy and Martial Soul Academy had both gone to Qian Yun's side!

It was a pity Tang San hadn't had the chance to fight. Zhao Wuji would have liked to see how Tang San fared against Qian Yun. But the result was already settled, so there was no point dwelling on it.

Ma Hongjun got to his feet, holding his head, his face full of confusion. "What just happened? How did I lose?"

Hearing that, Zhao Wuji couldn't help laughing at his foolish look. "What do you mean, what happened? You kept charging into someone else's Spirit Skill, and now you're asking me what happened?"

"Oh..." Ma Hongjun rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. As the Shrek students gathered around him, he looked guilty. "Sorry, everyone. I lost."

Dai Mubai patted him on the shoulder and said casually, "So you lost. It happens. A real man owns up to what he does. But you... are you serious?"

Ma Hongjun knew what he meant. He looked toward Hu Liena, who was celebrating with Qian Yun, and desire flickered in his eyes once again.

He nodded firmly. "Yeah."

Dai Mubai was speechless.

Zhao Wuji shrugged to show he'd done his best. Flender nodded, also feeling that it was a pity.

From Qin Ming's letter, he'd already understood what the latter meant. Was he really introducing Shrek Academy? Clearly, he was trying to poach students from Martial Soul Academy!

When he saw Qian Yun and Hu Liena, he had been tempted, but he hadn't shown it.

They had good talent, but was Shrek Academy really a place where just any nobody could enroll?

That was why he had suggested a friendly match, to gauge their strength. He hadn't expected Qian Yun and Hu Liena to be so powerful. Now he had no face to invite them to enroll.

With a sigh, he walked over to Qian Yun and Hu Liena. "Heh, Qian Yun, I'm sorry you had to see that. The students of Martial Soul Academy are certainly impressive."

Qian Yun merely smiled at the praise. "Dean Flender, you're too kind. Though there's no clear first place among scholars or second among warriors, I can still see a bright future for the students of your academy. We've also learned a great deal from them."

"Mm." Flender nodded repeatedly. Qian Yun was a good young man—neither arrogant nor impatient, and far better than his own disappointing student.

"Dean, I'd like to have a match with Qian Yun."

Flender turned toward the blue-clad boy who had stepped forward, frowning. "Tang San, don't be rude."