Sparring with Li Yusong!

Flender took Fu Wen out of the academy and walked toward the village.

Shrek Academy was built in a village outside Suotuo City. The land was rented from the villagers, and the cleaning, repairs, and odd jobs were also handled by the villagers they hired.

Flender had been behind on these payments for a long time.

"Old Wang, come here for a second!"

Flender stood at the entrance of the village and shouted toward a middle-aged man working in the fields.

The middle-aged man looked up, saw Flender, put down his hoe, and walked over.

"Dean Flender, what is it?"

"This is the land rent and labor fees I owe you. See if it's enough."

Flender handed over a pouch of Gold Soul Coin.

The middle-aged man took it, opened it to look inside, and froze.

"This... this is so much?"

"It's for three months, paid in full at once."

Flender said.

The middle-aged man's eyes instantly turned red.

"Dean Flender, you... you are too kind."

"Don't talk nonsense, just take it."

Flender patted him on the shoulder and turned to leave.

Next, Flender went from house to house, settling all the debts he owed.

Every household that received the money was both surprised and delighted.

Some even had reddened eyes.

Flender watched their expressions, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

These villagers didn't have it easy.

He had owed them for so long, and it had always weighed on his conscience.

Now, it was finally settled.

Fu Wen followed behind, watching his old man pay off the debts house by house, and he couldn't quite describe what he was feeling.

This stingy old man wasn't actually stingy at all.

He was just poor.

Poor to the point of having no choice.

Now that he had money in his hands, the first thing he thought of wasn't his own enjoyment, but paying off his debts.

Such a man was worthy of respect.

After finishing with the last household, it was already noon.

Flender took Fu Wen back to the academy, sat on a stone stool by the playground, and let out a long breath.

"Finally finished."

He muttered.

Fu Wen sat beside him, looking at him.

"Old man, you'll be even richer in the future."

"Of course."

Flender pushed up his glasses, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

"Once my son becomes a Titled Douluo, what won't I have?"

Fu Wen rolled his eyes: "So you're counting on me?"

"Nonsense, you're my son. If I don't count on you, who would I count on?"

Flender laughed heartily.

Fu Wen laughed too.

The sunlight spilled over the two of them, warm and cozy.

In the distance, Oscar was sweating profusely as he trained on the playground.

Zhao Wuji was nearby, offering guidance and shouting every now and then.

Shao Xin was busy in the kitchen, with wisps of cooking smoke rising into the air.

Li Yusong sat in the shade of a tree reading a book, while Lu Qibin practiced his control techniques nearby.

Everything was very peaceful.

But Fu Wen knew that this peace would not last long.

In the future, more challenges would be waiting for him.

However, those were matters for later.

For now, he just wanted to eat well and cultivate properly.

"Let's go, time to eat."

Flender stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.

"Shao Xin made braised pork today. Eat plenty; you're still growing."

"Alright."

Fu Wen smiled and followed him.

Stuffed and satisfied, Fu Wen leaned back in his chair, rubbing his belly with a look of contentment.

The braised pork Shao Xin made was truly superb—fatty but not greasy, melting in the mouth. He had polished off three bowls of rice in one go.

Oscar was even more exaggerated, having finished four bowls, and was now slumped in his chair, hiccuping.

"Uncle Shao, your skills are getting better and better."

Oscar gave a thumbs-up, feeling listless.

"Enough talk, go walk it off. Don't just lie there."

Shao Xin smacked the back of Oscar's head.

Oscar stood up reluctantly and began pacing around the room.

Flender sat to the side, legs crossed, a toothpick dangling from his mouth, looking perfectly at ease.

The wages were paid, the debts were cleared, and his son was showing promise. Life was good.

Li Yusong set down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and looked at Fu Wen.

"Fu Wen, do you have anything to do this afternoon?"

"No, Teacher Li."

Fu Wen shook his head.

"Good, come with me to the training ground."

Li Yusong stood up. "I will spar with you personally to see what you're capable of."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room looked over.

Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up. "Old Li, are you serious?"

"Of course."

Li Yusong adjusted his glasses. "Innate Full Soul Power, a mutated martial soul, a first soul ring over four hundred years old..."

"It sounds impressive, but we won't know your actual combat strength until we test it."

"Makes sense."

Zhao Wuji nodded and looked at Fu Wen. "Kid, you dare?"

Fu Wen stood up and smiled slightly. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Good!"

Li Yusong nodded in satisfaction. "Don't worry, I won't bully you."

"I will only use my first soul skill, and I'll suppress my soul power to level thirteen, matching yours."

"As long as you can touch my body, you win."

Fu Wen raised an eyebrow. "Touching you counts as a win?"

"Correct."

Li Yusong nodded.

"Then Teacher Li, you had better be careful."

The corners of Fu Wen's mouth curled upward.

Li Yusong was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"Interesting."

Oscar leaned in and patted Fu Wen on the shoulder. "Little Wen, go for it! Let Teacher Li see what you're made of!"

"Don't embarrass yourself."

Flender sat in his chair, appearing nonchalant, but his ears were actually pricked up.

Shao Xin and Lu Qibin also set aside their tasks, ready to watch the show.

Zhao Wuji walked straight outside. "Come on, let's go to the training ground. I'll be your referee."

The group swarmed toward the playground.

The sun shone brightly over the playground.

Fu Wen and Li Yusong stood facing each other, ten paces apart.

Zhao Wuji stood in the middle and raised his hand.

"You both know the rules, right?"

"Understood."

Both nodded in unison.

"Good."

Zhao Wuji lowered his hand. "Begin!"

The moment the words left his lips, Fu Wen's eyes transformed.

Golden, vertical slit pupils—cold, sharp, and carrying the oppressive weight of a primordial era.

Divine Crocodile Possession!

His body visibly grew by several centimeters, his muscles bulged, and faint bronze patterns emerged across his skin.

A ferocious aura radiated from him, like an ancient beast that had just crawled out of a mire.

Oscar took a few steps back and swallowed hard. "This aura... it's terrifying."

Flender narrowed his eyes, remaining silent, but the curve of his lips betrayed his mood.

Li Yusong felt a jolt in his heart as well.

He had seen many assault-type martial souls, but never had one given him such a sense of oppression while only at the first ring stage.

"A mutated martial soul, indeed."

Li Yusong took a deep breath and released his own martial soul.

Dragon Pattern Staff appeared!

A long staff materialized.

A dragon pattern was etched onto the wood.

A single white spirit ring rose from beneath his feet.

He used only his first spirit ring, and his spirit power was suppressed to level thirteen.

"Come."

Li Yusong assumed his opening stance.

Fu Wen did not stand on ceremony; he kicked off the ground and launched himself forward like a cannonball.

His speed was immense!

The ten-pace distance was covered in the blink of an eye.

Fu Wen threw a punch, aiming straight for Li Yusong's face.

The fist whistled through the air, carrying a howling wind.

Li Yusong dodged to the side, evading it with ease.

But Fu Wen's assault did not stop.

As one punch missed, another followed immediately.

Left hook, right cross, knee strike, elbow strike...