The Oriole Lurks Behind?

However, Jiang Xuan merely sneered and shook his head after hearing him out:

"Someone a little kinder might actually let you off because of your current attitude..."

Hearing this, Ma Hongjun, his survival instincts in overdrive, nodded repeatedly. But he soon realized that something seemed off about Jiang Xuan's words...

"But unfortunately, I'm not a good person."

The instant those words fell, unprecedented coldness spread throughout Ma Hongjun's entire body.

His instinct to survive made his body subconsciously try to move, attempting to resist.

However, within the range covered by the Innate Eight Trigrams Formation, Jiang Xuan only needed a thought to teleport freely to any location, unless a higher-level power forcibly sealed off this space...

This time, Jiang Xuan did not teleport behind his enemy. Instead, he appeared to Ma Hongjun's right and raised a leg, kicking him in the side of the waist and sending his entire body flying.

The immense impact embedded him directly into a crack in the wall. The tremendous noise of the collision was clearly heard by everyone in the building, yet few dared to leave their rooms and speak up.

After all, this was clearly a dispute between soul masters. If ordinary people without soul power rashly interfered in a conflict between soul masters, then unless they were tired of living, no one would be stupid enough to do something so foolish and thankless.

Although Jiang Xuan had not used his full strength in that kick, he had still broken several bones in Ma Hongjun's body.

Seeing the fear in his eyes, Jiang Xuan slowly approached.

"You don't actually know that you were wrong. You simply know that you're about to suffer. Don't blame me for being ruthless. If our positions were reversed, I'm sure you wouldn't be in the mood to listen to me beg for mercy either, would you?"

For a moment, Ma Hongjun truly wanted to nod along.

After all, what Jiang Xuan said really did match what he was thinking.

But one thing was one thing. Although those words suited his character, he absolutely could not nod and admit it!

This peerless genius who had appeared from nowhere was far stronger than him. Just one move had nearly taken half his life. If he took a few more hits, he might truly die here today.

Therefore, Ma Hongjun struggled desperately, trying to shake his head in denial.

Unfortunately, Jiang Xuan's kick had embedded him completely in the crack in the wall. The strength remaining in his body was nowhere near enough to let him struggle free on his own.

Watching helplessly as the person capable of ending his life drew closer and closer, the fear in Ma Hongjun's heart gradually intensified, and his heartbeat grew faster and faster. Just as he was about to fall completely into despair, a familiar voice that reassured him rang out:

"Young friend, that's enough. These two youngsters have already learned the lesson they deserved. Why must you take things so far? Take this old man's advice: it is better to resolve enmity than deepen it. Spare them, and you will also be sparing yourself. Take a step back on both sides, and your futures will be as vast as the sea and sky!"

Hearing that voice, Ma Hongjun struggled to crane his head toward the sound. Once he saw who had come, he instantly breathed a sigh of relief. Only one thought remained in his mind:

I'm saved!

His master had come—the Six-Eyed Cat Eagle, Flender, a Soul Saint!

No matter how strong this brat was, he was ultimately only a three-ring soul master. How could he possibly defeat his master?

With someone to rely on, unprecedented grievance flooded Ma Hongjun's heart, and he immediately burst into tears.

"Master! You finally showed up! If you'd come any later, your precious disciple would have been beaten to death by this guy! You have to avenge me!"

Ma Hongjun had not taken Flender's words to heart at all.

What a joke!

What did he mean, both sides taking a step back for a brighter future?

Now that his master was here, if he still swallowed his anger, wouldn't his master have come for nothing?

Yet after hearing him, Jiang Xuan merely gave him a cold glance. He said nothing, but the look still scared Ma Hongjun badly.

After waiting for a moment, Ma Hongjun finally came back to his senses. Instantly becoming furious, he failed to notice that Flender's expression was off and continued playing the victim, fanning the flames.

"Master, look! He's so arrogant that he still dares glare at me even after you arrived. It's obvious he has no respect for you at all! You have to teach him a harsh lesson! Make him understand what it means to respect his elders!"

However, Flender did not react as Ma Hongjun had imagined, blindly taking his side. Instead, he rolled his eyes at him and rebuked him directly:

"Shut up first and be quiet! Look at the state you're in. I'd be embarrassed if you went around telling people you were my disciple! How have I taught you all these years? And look at what you've done! Have you learned everything I taught you into a dog's belly?"

Flender had personally raised Ma Hongjun by his side ever since his martial soul awakened at the age of six. It would not have been an exaggeration to call him Ma Hongjun's second father.

Thus, upon hearing Flender's rebuke, Ma Hongjun instantly wilted. He lowered his head in shame and did not dare say another word.

After silencing Ma Hongjun, Flender looked at Jiang Xuan with a kindly expression and took the initiative to speak in the friendliest tone he could manage.

"Enemies are better reconciled than made. Since you've already exchanged blows, I imagine your anger has mostly subsided. How about giving this old man some face and ending the matter here?"

Seeing that Jiang Xuan remained silent, Flender did not get angry. He immediately slapped his forehead and continued.

"Ah! I'm getting old, look at my memory! I nearly forgot to introduce myself... This old man is Flender, a level seventy-four agility-attack battle Soul Saint. I would like to make friends with you here, young friend. What do you say? What is your name? Where are you from? And how old are you?"

A string of questions, just short of asking for his identification number...

Jiang Xuan did not need to think to know that this old fellow had taken a fancy to his talent and wanted to recruit him into Shrek Academy.

But he truly had no interest.

With two peerless innate spiritual treasures as his martial souls, on top of the Rebate System,

even if he cultivated slowly by himself, he would sooner or later reach the pinnacle. Why would he go to that shabby, impoverished Shrek Academy and make trouble for himself?

Thus, Jiang Xuan's response was far from polite:

"No need. I have no interest in being friends with you. Take these two pieces of trash away, and remember to discipline them properly. Otherwise, if we meet again next time, I can't guarantee whether they'll survive."

After leaving those words behind, Jiang Xuan turned around and prepared to return to his room.

Watching his retreating back, Flender's expression instantly darkened, and he narrowed his eyes.

He was considering whether this brat was merely putting up a front or truly had enough confidence not to fear him.

Should he gamble on it?

From his close observation just now, he could tell that this brat was around ten years old.

At such an age, he already possessed such formidable strength. If Flender could lure him into Shrek Academy, he would surely greatly improve the academy's reputation and overall strength in the future!