What Have I, Lin Fan, to Fear!

"Please, you two, wait!"

Zhao Wuji called out, his expression grave.

"What is it?"

Lin Qingfeng smiled. "Does the Immovable Wisdom King have some advice for us?"

"I wouldn't presume to give advice."

Zhao Wuji shook his head. "I only wanted to ask whether your young master had joined the academy."

"He hasn't."

Lin Qingfeng's gaze swept over Tang San and the others. He narrowed his eyes and asked softly, "May I ask which academy you're from?"

Earlier, all his attention had been on Lin Fan selling Martial Souls, and he'd been busy talking with Chao Tianxiang. Now that he took a closer look, he immediately sensed something was off.

Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others behind Zhao Wuji were all young, yet their Soul Power far surpassed that of their peers.

Hearing Zhao Wuji's words, Lin Qingfeng understood at once that they were from an academy. He began to consider the possibility.

The academy looked pretty good. Why not let Lin Fan study there too?

"Wonderful!"

Zhao Wuji beamed and grinned. "On behalf of Shrek Academy, I'd like to invite your young master to study at our academy."

After Meng Yiran had truly absorbed the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent from Lin Fan, Zhao Wuji had also recognized how unusual Lin Fan's Martial Soul was. Even though Lin Fan hadn't yet reached the required age or Soul Power level, Zhao Wuji still took the initiative to invite him.

He was sure that even Flender wouldn't pass up a genius like this.

"Really?"

Lin Qingfeng was delighted and was just about to accept when Lin Fan interrupted him.

"Father, I don't want to go to an academy."

Lin Fan chuckled. "After we get back this time, I want to go out and train on my own. Let's forget about the academy."

"..."

Lin Qingfeng was dumbfounded.

In this era, Soul Masters had very few ways to inherit knowledge and improve their strength.

Compared with the other paths, an academy was already the best and most open option.

Not only Lin Qingfeng, but even Zhao Wuji and Chao Tianxiang were stunned.

"Wait."

Zhao Wuji knew Lin Fan had extraordinary talent. He wasn't angry at being rejected, but gave a wry smile. "Young man, don't be fooled by Shrek Academy's lack of reputation. I can assure you that our teaching is excellent."

"Students from many advanced academies can't compare with the youngsters behind me. Once they reach the right age, they'll leave those others far behind."

"If you're willing to come, I guarantee you'll reach the Soul Emperor rank by graduation, and your cultivation will be smooth sailing from then on."

"..."

Lin Fan couldn't help rolling his eyes. If they wanted to recruit someone, shouldn't they offer some benefits?

Did they really think a few words would be enough to get someone to join?

What a pipe dream!

"Forget it."

Lin Fan said calmly, "I'm not interested in Shrek Academy."

"You..."

The moment he finished speaking, everyone except Oscar, who was absorbing his Soul Ring, glared at Lin Fan.

Zhao Wuji furrowed his brows. He still wanted to make another attempt.

There was no helping it. Lin Fan's talent wasn't limited to cultivation. He could help them obtain Soul Rings more effectively!

That was far more valuable than having another powerful fighter.

"Let's go."

Lin Fan couldn't be bothered with Tang San and the others. He'd already earned his money, so it was time to leave.

"Wait!"

"Stop!"

Tang San and Dai Mubai shouted together. "You insulted Shrek Academy, and now you think you can just leave?"

"Insulted you?"

Lin Fan halted and turned to look at them. Then he gave a mocking smile. "So refusing your forceful recruitment counts as insulting you?"

"If that's how it is, then I've insulted you. What are you going to do about it?"

Lin Fan knew the story. Zhao Wuji was the strongest person with Tang San and the others right now, and his own father was no weaker. Why should they show them any respect?

Especially since Tang San and Dai Mubai had started this in the first place!

Since when was refusing to join someone an insult?

Thinking about some of Tang San's later actions, Lin Fan's gaze grew colder.

But he didn't plan to say more.

What was the point of arguing with a hypocrite?

If Tang San dared to fight, Lin Fan would beat him until he couldn't get back up!

"You..."

"Our teacher kindly invited you to join the academy. How could you refuse?"

Tang San snapped, "Refusing someone's kindness is insulting them and looking down on them!"

"I see."

Lin Fan grinned. "Wait a minute. I see several beauties among you. How about this, guys? You're all Soul Masters, so focus on your cultivation. Women will only slow your progress."

"If you don't want to cultivate, then leave these girls to me. I'll take good care of them!"

"I'm only giving you friendly advice. By your own logic, you should accept it. Otherwise, you'd be insulting me and looking down on me, right?"

"You..."

Tang San might have been a transmigrator, but he hadn't come from an era as open-minded as Lin Fan's. He couldn't even think of a comeback like that.

For a moment, Tang San trembled with rage, yet he couldn't find a single flaw in Lin Fan's argument.

"Pfft."

Meng Yiran couldn't hold back a laugh. She wasn't stupid. She could tell Lin Fan wasn't actually interested in Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and the others. He'd only said it to turn Tang San's earlier words back on him.

Even Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing furrowed their brows. They didn't like being talked about that way, but they could also tell that Tang San's earlier argument made no sense.

Only Xiao Wu stood firmly on Tang San's side. She pouted and said, "Third Brother, if he looks down on us, why waste your breath? Just beat him up!"

Zhao Wuji remained calm and didn't try to stop them.

Clearly, after Lin Fan had rejected him again and again, Zhao Wuji was angry too. He kept his eyes fixed on Lin Qingfeng, making sure Lin Qingfeng had no chance to step in.

"Disgusting."

Lin Fan sighed. "When your forceful invitation fails, you're ready to resort to violence. What are you, students or bandits? With an academy like this, I wouldn't just refuse to study there—I'd feel sick even standing near it!"

Lin Fan wasn't some saint. Since Tang San had picked a fight, he wasn't going to hold back. He fired right back.

"What?"

"Are you planning to force us into a fight?"

Lin Qingfeng looked at Zhao Wuji, his expression icy.

"I wouldn't call it forcing you."

Zhao Wuji wasn't a decent man either. He immediately sneered. "Your young master doesn't want to join Shrek Academy because he hasn't seen what we can do. Why not let the youngsters have a friendly match?"

"If my students win, your young master joins Shrek Academy. How about it?"

"If we lose, we'll leave at once!"

"If I lose, I have to join your academy, but if you lose, all you have to do is leave?"

Lin Fan spat on the ground. "Who do you think you are? You're the only ones who stand to gain!"

"Enough. I know you're shamelessly hypocritical. There's no need to make excuses!"

"Tang San, Dai Mubai, and that fatso—come at me together. What have I, Lin Fan, to fear?"