Picking Fights, Taking a Beating, Making Threats

"Kid, where did you come from?"

Ten Soul Masters, around twelve or thirteen years old, blocked Ouyang Ling's path. The boy leading them looked Ouyang Ling up and down before fixing his gaze on his somewhat youthful face.

Ouyang Ling raised an eyebrow slightly. "..."

Picking a fight out of nowhere? Now this was interesting. But seriously, they were still using such an old routine?

"Hey—I asked you a question!"

Seeing that Ouyang Ling not only said nothing, but that his eyes had gradually turned half-lidded, radiating boredom inside and out, the leading boy suddenly felt an inexplicable surge of anger.

Why does this kid look so punchable?!

But before he could lose his temper—

"Can't you see for yourself?"

His indifferent tone carried a hint of disdain. Ouyang Ling tugged at his goose-yellow school uniform and the badge marked "Heaven Ultimate." "I'm technically your senior. Mind your status."

Obviously, none of the people surrounding him had broken through level 25. Otherwise, their badges would not have read "Heaven Subtle."

"M-Mind my status!? You want me to!?"

"And senior?! You're younger than me!"

In an instant, the leading boy's face turned bright red with rage.

"What else?"

A sharp glint flashed through Ouyang Ling's eyes, though his expression remained calm.

"Enough."

Ouyang Ling used his tray to push the leading boy aside without even sparing him another glance. "A good dog doesn't block the road. Move."

He walked forward, passing the leading boy from the side.

"Whoosh—"

A tearing sound suddenly cut through the air, followed by—

"Clang—"

A fist delicate enough to be called dainty was firmly blocked by a suddenly frozen, completely undamaged tray. Even the fist itself had frozen to the tray and could not be pulled free.

Under the leading boy's stunned gaze, the frozen tray slowly moved aside, revealing Ouyang Ling's "silent" eyes.

"You attacked first."

"S-So what!?"

Cold sweat immediately broke out on the leading boy's forehead. He repeatedly glanced at his lackeys, who stood frozen in place without moving, and could only put on a fierce front. "I did attack you! What can you do about it!?"

"Besides, I'm—"

Before the leading boy could finish, a fist filled his vision. Before he could even react—

"Bang—"

"Ow—"

Amid the leading boy's scream, a dark bruise instantly appeared around his left eye, giving him a panda eye. After staggering back and finally steadying himself, he touched his eye socket in disbelief.

The next second, intense pain swept through him.

"Ahh—you dared to hit my face!"

"Obviously."

Ouyang Ling rolled his wrist, his face ferocious.

"If you started a fight, be prepared to get beaten."

"Y-You... what are you trying to do!? I'm—"

"Who cares who you are! Take this!"

Interrupting the leading boy once more, Ouyang Ling went at him again. Then—"Bang bang, boom—ahh—"

A continuous stream of impacts, groans, and screams rose and fell throughout the cafeteria, quickly drawing a large crowd of students.

As for the group behind the leading boy, when they saw their "boss" getting beaten, they either hurriedly backed away for fear of getting caught up in it, or covered their eyes and turned away, unable to bear watching any longer. Not one of them intended to lend a hand.

This kid was too brutal!

The same thought quickly surfaced in all their minds.

The timing was about right. More people would be coming soon, and he had vented enough anyway, so Ouyang Ling stopped while he was ahead.

He bent down and tore the tray off the leading boy's fist. Amid a sharp intake of breath, he brushed off the ice chips and torn skin stuck to it. He looked as though nothing had happened, and there was not even a wrinkle on his uniform.

As for the troublemaker...

He was lying on the ground. Aside from his head being swollen into a pig-like shape, both of his eyes were now symmetrical, and blood stained the corner of his mouth as he panted heavily.

It looked serious, but Ouyang Ling had held back. No matter how anyone examined him, they would find only superficial injuries. A Great Soul Master-level healing soul skill would even erase every trace of injury.

This was still someone important. It would be troublesome if he got seriously hurt.

"Y-You'll... regret this!"

The leading boy was helped to his feet by the lackeys behind him. Fear flickered in his eyes even as he spat out a slurred threat.

But Ouyang Ling happened to understand him clearly.

"Hm?"

His gaze swept over, dropping to the boy's pointing finger.

"I don't like people pointing at me."

He shot out his hand, again not giving the boy time to react.

"Crack—"

"Ahh—" Seeing his index finger bent upward at nearly ninety degrees, the leading boy immediately let out a pig-slaughtering scream.

Of all his injuries, this was probably the most serious.

"You bunch of useless trash, get him!"

The group of lackeys behind him: "..."

"Huh!? You want us to go!?"

They looked at one another, but not one dared step forward.

Just then, "What are you all still standing around here for?"

A voice suddenly rang out. A tall young man with long black hair approached. Ouyang Ling looked over and noticed that his uniform also bore a badge marked "Heaven Ultimate."

The black-haired young man walked up, completely ignoring the leading boy. Folding his arms across his chest, he faced the group who did not dare attack yet did not dare leave. "What do you want? Want to have a chat with me?"

As he spoke, he subtly positioned himself in front of Ouyang Ling.

Ouyang Ling raised his brows. "..."

This guy was kind of interesting.

The beaten leading boy: "..."

What did we want to do?

Couldn't he see that I was the one getting beaten this badly?!

"Get lost!"

Recognizing who the newcomer was, the leading boy could only swallow his anger. Supported by his lackeys, he staggered around...

Fine, we'd leave!

With the beaten group gone and no more spectacle to watch, the crowd quickly dispersed, leaving only Ouyang Ling and the black-haired young man.

"All right, little brother. Are you okay?"

The black-haired young man turned and spoke to Ouyang Ling.

"Of course I'm fine."

Ouyang Ling jerked his chin toward the other side.

"I was the one who beat that guy up, and those cowards didn't dare make a move."

"And..."

He removed his badge and held it up before the black-haired young man.

"I'm your classmate, not your little brother."

"Oh?"

The black-haired young man focused on the badge, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

Heaven Ultimate!

That meant this kid, who looked several years younger than him, had already broken through level 25!? Was this a joke!? Could it be because of his martial soul that he hadn't grown much and only looked eight or nine?

Mm, that was possible.

While the black-haired young man's mind raced, Ouyang Ling stood beside him with a strange expression, watching shock, astonishment, contemplation, and realization flash across his face in turn.

What was this guy thinking about?

Ouyang Ling shook his head, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

He merely looked at the tray in his hand and shook his head regretfully.

"Looks like I'll have to get another one." With that, he prepared to leave.

But when he saw the black-haired young man still standing there, he could not help reminding him, "Hey—have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"Not yet." The black-haired young man answered instinctively.

"Then want to eat together?"

Ouyang Ling's invitation startled him. Then he smiled.

"Sure."