Why Seek Abuse (Part 2)

Fang Qingshan stared at the Soul-Sucking Battle Axe for a long while before signaling for Duan Fan to put it away.

His eyes were already bloodshot, clearly stirred by memories of an old friend.

Duan Fan immediately released his Fantasy Pen, and a yellow century-old Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet, followed by a purple thousand-year Soul Ring, once again capturing Fang Qingshan's gaze.

Fang Qingshan stared unblinkingly at the thousand-year Soul Ring on Duan Fan, seemingly unable to believe his own eyes, and even rubbed them.

"In all my time as a Soul Master, this is the first time I've ever seen a Soul Master whose second Soul Ring was a thousand-year one. It's incredible!"

As he spoke, Fang Qingshan circled Duan Fan, even crouching down to examine the thousand-year Soul Ring closely.

Finally, Fang Qingshan's gaze settled on Duan Fan, looking him up and down: "To be able to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring, your body is truly extraordinary!"

While eating dinner at the cafeteria, Duan Fan had already told Fang Qingshan the entire process of obtaining his second Soul Ring.

Naturally, he had mentioned the strength and uniqueness of his body, noting that it was only because of Ghost Leopard Douluo's assessment that he had been able to absorb the thousand-year ring.

However, hearing someone describe it and seeing it with one's own eyes were two entirely different experiences.

Only after seeing the thousand-year Soul Ring on Duan Fan did Fang Qingshan involuntarily begin to imagine the true extent of Duan Fan's physical prowess.

Taking another look at the thousand-year Soul Ring, Fang Qingshan continued, "Show me your second soul skill, Nine-Tails."

"Understood."

Duan Fan nodded and immediately activated his second soul skill, Nine-Tails.

As the purple thousand-year Soul Ring on his body lit up, he gripped the Fantasy Pen and drew with force.

Black lines danced through the air before dispersing like ink; in no time at all, Duan Fan had drawn a Black Flame Demon Fox, and this one possessed nine tails.

The moment the Nine-Tailed Black Flame Demon Fox was finished, it immediately "came to life," its three-meter-long body landing on the ground with a deafening roar.

Fang Qingshan's eyes lit up at the sight.

Duan Fan then demonstrated the Nine-Tailed Black Flame Demon Fox's offensive capabilities, as well as its appearance after growing in size through its fire-bathing transformation.

Fang Qingshan clicked his tongue in wonder, the bright gleam in his eyes never fading.

After seeing the second soul skill, Fang Qingshan even had Duan Fan use his first soul skill, Life from the Brush, to summon a swarm of Dream-Weaving Spiders.

As Duan Fan's strength had progressed, the Dream-Weaving Spiders had grown even larger, increasing in size by a full margin compared to their original table-like stature.

According to Fang Qingshan's estimation, the Dream-Weaving Spiders Duan Fan summoned now possessed a cultivation age of nine hundred years, and the Giant Spiders created by their weaving ability possessed the size and combat power of a near-thousand-year Soul Beast.

This truly shocked Fang Qingshan once again.

Even after seeing all of this and walking out of the soul skill practice area, the look of astonishment on Fang Qingshan's face had yet to fade.

"Little Fan, your uncle is no longer a match for you. I doubt I could even beat your Dream-Weaving Spiders, let alone the Nine-Tails summoned by your second soul skill. You are growing so fast—so fast it's beyond my imagination!"

"I've already started looking forward to how powerful your soul skills will be when you reach the Soul Douluo or even the Titled Douluo level."

"By then, if you draw a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast, I won't even be surprised; I'll just think it's only natural!"

Fang Qingshan sighed with a smile as he walked with Duan Fan toward the exit of the Soul Fighting Arena.

Just as the uncle and nephew were about to leave the arena, they ran into a middle-aged male teacher, and an expression of surprise immediately appeared on Duan Fan's face.

Duan Fan recognized the man; this middle-aged teacher was the current substitute teacher for Junior Class Ten, named Zhang Nanfeng.

"Hello, Teacher Zhang!"

Even though he had skipped Zhang Nanfeng's practical combat class on his very first day, Duan Fan still greeted him politely.

Zhang Nanfeng was also surprised to see Duan Fan, but he quickly revealed a smile: "Student Duan Fan, I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Teacher Fang is here as well!"

Zhang Nanfeng's gaze fell on Fang Qingshan, and he greeted him with a smile.

"Yes, what a coincidence, Teacher Zhang!"

Fang Qingshan was currently a librarian at Spirit Hall Academy, so he had indeed met Zhang Nanfeng a few times.

He had a fairly good impression of this teacher; he was humble and very polite.

"Are you heading to the Soul Fighting Arena to spar with someone, Teacher Zhang?" Fang Qingshan asked with a smile.

Zhang Nanfeng shook his head slightly, offering a wry smile: "No, even if I wanted to spar, no one is willing to accompany me."

"I was planning to go to the soul skill practice area to train. My soul power level has been stuck at level thirty-nine for a long time, and I want to further understand my martial soul through my soul skills so I can break through sooner."

Fang Qingshan said: "Then go ahead, Teacher Zhang. I believe you will be able to break through before long!"

"Indeed."

Zhang Nanfeng nodded and brushed past Fang Qingshan and Duan Fan.

Fang Qingshan and Duan Fan continued on their way.

But who would have thought that after walking only a few steps inside, Zhang Nanfeng would suddenly turn back and call out to Duan Fan: "Student Duan Fan, you were absent from today's practical combat class. Seeing as it's still early, would you be interested in making up for the class you missed today?"

Duan Fan turned back and offered a polite smile: "Not interested."

Zhang Nanfeng would not give up, continuing: "I am very interested in your martial soul, Student Duan Fan. I heard you have already obtained your second Soul Ring, so I am even more curious to learn about it. Let's forget about the practical class; consider it a friendly exchange of pointers. Is that acceptable?"

Duan Fan refused politely once more: "Let's skip it, Teacher Zhang. I won't delay your soul skill training any further; I need to return to my dormitory to rest."

Fang Qingshan stood to the side, listening in silence. He did not speak, nor did he have any intention of making the decision for Duan Fan.

Duan Fan had assumed that after his repeated refusals, Zhang Nanfeng would let the matter drop.

However, the moment he turned around, Zhang Nanfeng's voice rang out once more.

"Student Duan Fan, it may take Teacher Li another two or three days to return. I will be the substitute teacher for Junior Class Ten for the next few days."

"I know you don't have much interest in combat classes. If we spar and exchange pointers today, allowing me to gauge your strength, it won't matter if you skip my future combat classes. You won't need to ask for leave; you can arrange your own time."

Duan Fan turned back around and finally agreed, "Alright then, let's go, Teacher Zhang!"

As he spoke, Duan Fan looked at Fang Qingshan and asked, "Uncle, are you interested in watching for a while?"

Fang Qingshan nodded, "I am."

The uncle and nephew then entered the Soul Fighting Arena with Zhang Nanfeng and found an available Soul Fighting Platform.

Duan Fan and Zhang Nanfeng stood facing each other on the Soul Fighting Platform, while Fang Qingshan watched from the sidelines.

"Zhang Nanfeng, Martial Soul Ghost Vine, Level 39 Soul Exalt!"

"Duan Fan, Martial Soul Writing Brush, Level 24 Great Soul Master. Please offer your guidance, Teacher Zhang!"

Upon hearing Zhang Nanfeng declare his Martial Soul to be the Ghost Vine, a strange feeling couldn't help but rise within Duan Fan.

Why bother? Why insist on seeking a beating?