"Sorry..."
Xiao Wu didn't look back. Her expression resolute, she followed Lin Fan, leaving Tang San so devastated that he dropped onto the ground.
Even when he lost to Dugu Yan, Tang San hadn't been upset. After all, in his eyes, he was younger than her, so losing was only natural.
But watching Xiao Wu follow Lin Fan without even looking back, Tang San completely broke down.
"Why? Why is this happening?"
"No!"
Tang San threw his head back and howled, but sadly, there was no "snowflakes drifting" background music.
There was no helping it. Xiao Wu and Tang San hadn't yet shared any deeply moving experiences, so in her heart, Da Ming and Er Ming were naturally far more important.
"Enough."
Yu Xiaogang furrowed his brow and barked, "She's just a woman. What's there to be sad about? And you—what did I teach you?"
"Hmph. Tell me, how do you feel about losing to Dugu Yan today?"
"..."
"I'm furious!"
Tang San wore an impatient expression.
Yu Xiaogang lectured him, "Then put all those thoughts aside. In a moment, go after Lin Fan and apologize to him."
"What?"
Tang San stared in shock and blurted, "He's taking Xiao Wu away, and you still want me to apologize to him?"
At that moment, if Tang San hadn't known how close Flender and Yu Xiaogang were, he would have wanted to kill his teacher!
"That's right."
Yu Xiaogang said gravely, "The Dugu Yan who just defeated you was an ordinary Soul Elder not long ago. Her Martial Soul was the Jade Phosphorous Serpent. But after meeting Lin Fan, her Martial Soul became the Jade Jade Dragon in a very short time, and her Soul Power surged!"
"Qin Ming saw it all with his own eyes."
"No matter what, Lin Fan has the ability to make people stronger."
"She's just a woman. Why care about her? Once your Soul Power rises and you become a Titled Douluo, you can have as many women as you want."
Yu Xiaogang gazed intently at Tang San and sighed. "Little San, have you forgotten your father's parting words? Have you forgotten what you told me before?"
"Really? He can actually advance someone's Martial Soul and make them stronger?"
Before Tang San could answer Yu Xiaogang, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes had already lit up.
Especially when she thought about how Ning Rongrong had left shortly after meeting Lin Fan, a different idea took root in her heart.
"That's right."
Flender said gravely, "Your senior Qin Ming wouldn't lie. And after advancing someone's Martial Soul, Lin Fan can even make up for its flaws!"
"..."
"I'll go apologize right now!"
Hearing this, Ma Hongjun grew excited and hurried after Lin Fan. But before he could get there, Zhu Zhuqing unleashed her Soul Power. Her body moved with astonishing agility, and she quickly overtook him, vanishing without a trace.
All that remained were Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others, staring in stunned silence.
"Fine. If he can make me stronger, I don't mind admitting I was wrong."
Tang San gritted his teeth. "As for Xiao Wu? Since she abandoned me, I'll train hard, and one day I'll make her regret it!"
"..."
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang and Flender exchanged a glance, then called for the other students to follow.
After all, their students' feelings weren't important to them. As long as they could grow stronger and bring fame to Shrek Academy, that was enough.
As for Yu Xiaogang, his reasoning was even simpler: if he raised Tang San into a powerful expert, he could prove his theories and make life easier for himself in the future.
And so, a scene that shocked everyone unfolded in the street.
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun knelt right in front of Lin Fan, bowing respectfully and apologizing for what they had done earlier.
Tang San, in particular, kowtowed several times. His forehead was covered in red marks, leaving the onlookers astonished.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, since she hadn't attacked earlier and had been the first to catch up just now, Lin Fan hadn't made her kneel.
"Ahem."
Flender chuckled. "Director Lin, as you can see, these children are sincerely sorry. Please be magnanimous and forgive them this once."
"As for the money we promised earlier, we'll get it to you soon."
"Fine."
Seeing Tang San and the others kneeling and kowtowing, Lin Fan didn't mind making some money—and taking their Martial Souls for himself while he was at it.
However, Lin Fan turned to Zhu Zhuqing and suddenly smiled. "Advancing a Martial Soul isn't something that can be done easily!"
"Since this young lady was the first to come to me today, I'll advance her Martial Soul first."
At this, Zhu Zhuqing's face lit up with delight.
Their feelings weren't that deep yet, so Zhu Zhuqing was naturally pleased to get her Martial Soul advanced first and improve her strength.
Flender and Yu Xiaogang didn't object either. In their eyes, once Lin Fan agreed to help one person, he would soon do the same for the others.
"Then you can head back first."
Lin Fan said calmly, "The young lady will come with me."
"..."
"All right!"
Since Tang San and the others had clashed with Lin Fan earlier, Flender and Yu Xiaogang worried he might lose his temper again, so they didn't follow.
After all, Qin Ming was still there!
Flender trusted Qin Ming.
And so, Lin Fan returned to the hotel with a large crowd following him.
Qin Ming called Dugu Yan and the others away, saying they needed to review their battle against Tang San's group.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing followed Lin Fan into the room.
As soon as they entered, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged puzzled glances.
"C-could you ask Zhu Zhuqing to leave first?"
Xiao Wu bit her lip. "I have something else to tell you."
"You seem to have gotten something wrong," Lin Fan said calmly. "You're the one asking me for help. You don't get to order me around."
"Leave. When I'm done, I'll come find you."
"Y-you don't want those secrets to become common knowledge, do you?"
When Xiao Wu looked ready to speak again, Lin Fan's words finished her off. She left the room, looking utterly aggrieved, and shut the door behind her.
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing ignored Xiao Wu and asked gravely, "How do you advance a Martial Soul?"
"It's simple. Take off your clothes, and I can advance your Martial Soul."
Lin Fan answered casually.
"Take off my clothes?"
Though it was her first time, Zhu Zhuqing was well-informed and knew plenty about such things. She immediately crossed her arms over her chest and asked nervously, "Why do I have to take off my clothes just to advance my Martial Soul?"
"Advancing a Martial Soul requires thoroughly guiding the Martial Soul and Soul Power inside your body. Clothes would get in the way."
Since Zhu Zhuqing was an outsider, Lin Fan wasn't about to make it easy for her to gain something for nothing. Seeing that she was about to ask more questions, he immediately said, "Don't you want to grow stronger and surpass Dai Mubai?"
"!!!"
With a determined look in her eyes, Zhu Zhuqing reached out and undid her buttons in front of Lin Fan.
"That's more like it... Come, I'll advance your Martial Soul!"
Lin Fan smiled faintly and stepped forward, reaching to touch Zhu Zhuqing's forehead. But he didn't activate his Evolution Light Martial Soul. Instead, his Soul Bone activated, and Mind Control took effect!
Now that he finally had the chance, how could Lin Fan not test the full capabilities of Mind Control?
His eyes were filled with anticipation!
Before you continue