Lin Chen Was Really Oblivious

Three burly men stood in front of the shop, their faces fierce as they looked down at Uncle Li, who was sprawled on the ground.

The leader spoke viciously. "Li, the wise know how to adapt. Nobody on this street has ever refused to pay protection money to me, Guang Long."

Lin Chen's sharp shout cut him off. He paused, then turned around with a scowl, his impatience and malice plain as he fixed his eyes on Lin Chen and the others.

Only after they turned did Lin Chen and Gu Yuena get a clear look at the leader.

He was a burly, powerfully built man with a menacing face. A lock of hair had been deliberately left hanging over one eye, giving him a flamboyant hairstyle that was almost comical.

Standing in a pose of thunderous might, he narrowed his eyes and gave Lin Chen and the others a sinister once-over. He lifted his thick neck, radiating arrogance.

Looking at Guang Long, Lin Chen felt that the man's face resembled someone—or something. A face-breaker, the Thunder King?

Guang Long gave a cold laugh. "Looks like nobody's left on this street. Now even little kids think they can show off. Get lost. I don't beat up children."

Tang Wulin had been born to commoners and couldn't stand bullies who preyed on the weak. He stepped forward and snapped, "How can you treat Uncle Li like that? Have you no humanity?"

Guang Long only sneered, his face full of contempt and brutality. "Humanity? Can you eat that? If you know what's good for you, get lost. Don't get in the way of my business."

Before he had finished speaking, he raised his burly hand and shoved at Tang Wulin, clearly intending to push aside the brat who didn't know his place.

A golden glint flashed in Tang Wulin's eyes. He clenched his right hand into a fist and slammed it into the palm coming at him.

With a thud, Guang Long staggered, his face instantly twisting with rage.

Seeing Tang Wulin in trouble, Xie Xie darted forward at once.

Lin Chen stepped over to Gu Yuena and shielded her behind him.

Caught off guard, Guang Long found Xie Xie's hand at his throat. Xie Xie fixed his eyes on him and said coldly, "Apologize to Uncle Li and pay for the damages, or I'll kill you."

The two underlings nearby started to move in, but Guang Long raised a hand to stop them. He glanced at Xie Xie, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking sneer.

"So you're a Soul Master? Just one Soul Ring, and you dare swagger in front of me? I've been running this street for ages. Did you really think I had no tricks up my sleeve?" His tone was dripping with contempt.

"Careful." Lin Chen furrowed his brow and immediately warned Xie Xie.

Guang Long's fist was already swinging hard at Xie Xie. A white and a yellow Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet, and a layer of iron-gray scales covered his body.

Xie Xie reacted quickly, flipping backward and narrowly dodging the blow.

Two Soul Spirits appeared on Guang Long's shoulders: one was a small, yellow-brown lizard, and the other was a larger lizard with the same iron-gray scales as his own.

The ferocious grin on his face grew even more brazen. He glared at the group. "Didn't expect you little brats to all be Soul Masters. No wonder you dared to stick your noses in."

Before he finished speaking, he lunged forward, charging straight at Tang Wulin. Clearly, he planned to subdue the brat who had been showing off.

In that split second, before Tang Wulin or Xie Xie could react, a streak of blue lightning tore through the air.

A cold glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes. His deep, forceful voice rang out. "First Soul Skill: Thunderous Might."

Violent blue lightning surged from his palm, transforming into a swift thunder dragon. Carrying the force to destroy heaven and earth, it blasted straight into the charging Guang Long.

With a thunderous boom, the raging lightning struck Guang Long. The iron-gray scales covering his body shattered at once, and he crashed heavily to the ground. After a few feeble struggles, he lost the ability to fight.

Xie Xie hurried to Lin Chen's side and thanked him. "Lin Chen, thanks for stepping in just now."

Lin Chen slung an arm over Xie Xie's shoulder. "What are you thanking me for? You would've had a tough time against him. Let's help Uncle Li up first."

At that, Gu Yuena and Xie Xie went over and carefully helped the injured Uncle Li to his feet.

Meanwhile, Tang Wulin righted the overturned stove. His gaze swept toward where Guang Long had fallen, but the spot was already empty. Clearly, while everyone was distracted, the two underlings had carried Guang Long away.

"Oh no, he got away!" Tang Wulin frowned and called out.

Xie Xie gritted his teeth in anger. "That bastard wrecked the place and hurt someone, then ran without paying!"

Lin Chen shook his head, calm and composed. "Let's head back first."

After saying goodbye to Uncle Li, Lin Chen and Gu Yuena exchanged a glance. Each of them quietly took out some money and tucked it beneath a chair that had been knocked over onto the table. Xie Xie also slipped Uncle Li some money, telling him to use it for now.

After bidding Uncle Li farewell, the four of them turned and headed toward Eastsea Academy.

Gu Yuena turned her head, worry written between her brows. "Guang Long got beaten up so badly. What if he holds a grudge and comes back to bother Uncle Li?"

Xie Xie waved a hand. "I doubt it. Lin Chen beat him to a pulp. But just to be safe, I'll call my family later and ask them to keep an eye on Uncle Li."

When they returned to Eastsea Academy, night had already fallen over the entire campus.

Lin Chen stopped and turned to Xie Xie and Tang Wulin. "Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, you two head back first. Na'er and I are going to talk for a while."

Xie Xie immediately exchanged a glance with Tang Wulin, a mischievous smile flickering in his eyes. He drew out his words, teasing them with mock jealousy. "Sure thing, big brother Lin Chen. You two take your time chatting."

The corner of Lin Chen's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Fine blue sparks flickered around him; Xie Xie had clearly gotten under his skin.

Tang Wulin's heart tightened. Afraid Xie Xie would keep adding fuel to the fire, he hurriedly grabbed him by the arm and bolted toward the dorms without looking back.

In the blink of an eye, only Lin Chen and Gu Yuena remained.

The evening breeze stirred the leaves in the trees with a soft rustle. The atmosphere quietly grew peaceful and gentle. Gu Yuena lowered her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly as a faint blush crept over her ears.

Gu Yuena turned her face slightly. Her voice was soft, with a hint of barely perceptible anticipation. "Lin Chen, what did you want to talk to me about?"

She wondered to herself, Could Lin Chen be about to confess his feelings to me? Xie Xie's teasing from earlier surfaced in her mind again. Her heart began to beat a little faster, and she unconsciously softened her breathing.

But the next moment, Lin Chen looked at her with complete seriousness and asked, "It's just... I was curious. What were you all talking about when I went out to buy drinks?"

The anticipation on Gu Yuena's face froze at once, the blush on her fair cheeks fading.

She stared at him for a moment, then felt both embarrassed and annoyed. Her long lashes flickered, and the little flutter of shyness in her heart vanished, replaced by a wave of mortification.

She turned her face away slightly, her voice edged with reproach as she muttered, "N-no... We weren't talking about anything. Xie Xie was just making stupid jokes."

They chatted casually about the fight and various trivial matters at the academy. The breeze was gentle, and the mood was relaxed.

After saying goodbye, they each returned to their dorms.

Gu Yuena had always been the only one in her dorm room. It was so quiet that not a sound could be heard.

She flopped onto the bed and buried her face in the soft blankets. Thinking about the anticipation she'd felt earlier, and Lin Chen's utterly serious expression, made her seethe.

She clenched her small fists, cheeks puffed out, and muttered indignantly, "Honestly, I got so excited for nothing. He's such a blockhead."

After saying that, the girl buried her head in her pillow, a faint blush rising uncontrollably over her ears.