Fire Spring Conflict, Confronting Huo Zheng

Huo Lei had been meditating when he was suddenly interrupted. Fortunately, he had not suffered a deviation in his cultivation or a Soul Power backlash. Fury burned within him. As he turned, he summoned his Martial Soul and unleashed his fifth soul skill. A black Soul Ring instantly appeared, light flowing through his golden-red eyes as he stared directly into Huo Zheng's eyes from close range.

Before Huo Zheng could react, he was struck by the golden-red gaze. His expression changed instantly, then he stood there blankly with a dull look on his face.

Huo Lei raised his right hand and slapped him hard.

Slap!

Huo Zheng was sent flying more than two meters by Huo Lei's slap.

Bang!

The loud slap and the sound of Huo Zheng hitting the ground drew the attention of several students nearby.

The moment Huo Lei struck Huo Zheng, he withdrew his Martial Soul to avoid attracting too much attention. His eyes had already returned to gold.

"Second Uncle! Are you all right?"

With a cry, Huo Lie hurried forward to help Huo Zheng up from the ground.

By then, students had gradually gathered around, whispering among themselves.

Supported by Huo Lie, Huo Zheng stood up and rubbed the side of his face that had been struck. A bright red handprint was clearly visible. Though furious, there was also a trace of shock in his eyes. He could hardly believe that the boy before him had done that, but the pain in his cheek was all too real.

"You little bastard, you dared to hit me? Do you know who I am?" Huo Zheng glared viciously at Huo Lei, deliberately avoiding his eyes.

"Don't know. Hair standing straight up—you're either a hero or an asshole. Clearly, you're the latter."

Huo Lei mocked Huo Zheng.

"Ha ha ha!" Huo Lei's words drew a burst of laughter from the watching students.

"Huo Lei! You've got some nerve, hitting my second uncle!"

Huo Lie's eyes reddened as he shouted angrily.

"He's your second uncle, not mine. Didn't you see what he just did? Plenty of students here saw your second uncle's behavior. Academy rules state that spots at Fire Spring are first come, first served, and no one may fight over them. Don't tell me you don't know that."

Huo Lei fired back at Huo Lie.

"You... you...!" Huo Lie was left speechless by Huo Lei's retort.

"So you're Huo Lei? The kid Dean Huo Feng picked up. What a case of family failing to recognize family. The Flame Leopard Sect and Blazing Fire Academy have always worked together well enough. You're the same generation as Huo Lie, so that makes me your elder. An elder does not hold a grudge against a junior. Kneel and admit your mistake, and I won't pursue this matter." Huo Zheng recognized Huo Lei, but his words dripped with contempt as he assumed a lofty, overbearing air.

"Oh! So it's Huo Zheng, younger brother of the Flame Leopard Sect Master. Stop flattering yourself. Look at what you've done—does that resemble the actions of an elder? Since the Flame Leopard Sect is in a cooperative relationship with Blazing Fire Academy, you should respect the academy's rules and students instead of causing trouble here so unreasonably."

Huo Lei tore into Huo Zheng without holding back.

"You wild brat who was picked up off the streets, how dare you speak to an elder like me that way? This is outrageous! I don't give a damn about your bullshit rules. You hit me, so today I'll teach you a proper lesson." Enraged, Huo Zheng spoke arrogantly as he directly summoned his Martial Soul.

The phantom of a fiery-red leopard appeared behind Huo Zheng. Two yellow, three purple, and one black—six Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.

The watching students erupted into a commotion and began whispering among themselves. "Huo Lie's second uncle is actually a six-ring Soul Emperor! Huo Lei just slapped a Soul Emperor expert flying! The Flame Leopard Sect has become so arrogant that they dare run wild in our academy—this is outrageous. If Huo Lie's second uncle dares hit Huo Lei, the dean definitely won't let him off. I think I just saw a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring appear on Huo Lei..."

"A six-ring Soul Emperor? His Soul Rings aren't even optimally configured, yet he's this arrogant?" Seeing Huo Zheng's overbearing manner, Huo Lei felt a trace of disdain.

Huo Lei calmly looked at Huo Zheng across from him and said, "You want to fight? I'll gladly oblige, but this isn't the place. How about we go somewhere else?"

Huo Lie quietly said beside Huo Zheng, "Second Uncle, fighting isn't allowed here. Let's change locations! There are quite a few nobles cultivating here. We shouldn't offend them all."

Huo Zheng turned to glance at his nephew, reluctantly withdrew his Martial Soul, and said, "Fine, we'll change locations. Let the brat enjoy himself a little longer."

Huo Lei gave a disdainful smile and snorted. "Let's go to the academy's front plaza!"

After saying that, Huo Lei strode out of Fire Spring Plaza.

"You little bastard, I'll make you pay in a moment." Huo Zheng muttered as he got up and followed Huo Lei.

Huo Lie followed closely behind Huo Zheng, grumbling inwardly, Second Uncle really is something else. When you steal a spot, can't you at least watch who you're provoking? You just had to provoke Huo Lei. Once Huo Wu finds out, she'll definitely have a worse impression of me.

The students who had been watching had long since lost any desire to cultivate and all followed along to see which side would emerge victorious.

The group made their way grandly toward Blazing Fire Academy's front plaza. Along the way, some curious students joined the procession.

Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang had originally intended to cultivate at Fire Spring Plaza, but when they saw such a large crowd heading toward the academy's front plaza, they could not help but grow curious.

"Brother, is there some event at the academy? Why are so many people gathered together?" Huo Wu curiously looked at Huo Wushuang beside her.

"I haven't heard anything! If the academy had an event, we'd know in advance. There's no way we would have missed the news." Huo Wushuang was equally confused.

"Let's go take a look and see what happened!" Huo Wu's curiosity flared. Excited, she grabbed Huo Wushuang and chased after the crowd.

The siblings quickly caught up with the crowd and stopped a student to ask about what had happened. By chance, this student had witnessed the entire incident. "Huo Lie's second uncle stole Huo Lei's cultivation spot, and Huo Lei slapped Huo Lie's second uncle. The two got into a conflict, and now they're going to fight at the academy's front plaza. That's roughly what happened. Oh, and Huo Lie's second uncle is a Soul Emperor. Huo Lei will probably be at a disadvantage, so hurry and think of something!"

After hearing their classmate's account, both Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang were filled with anger.

"This Huo Zheng has gone too far. He actually came to our academy to throw his weight around. When I get the chance, I'll definitely teach Huo Lie a good lesson."

Huo Wu said angrily.

"Little sister, go help Huo Lei. I'll notify Father right away."

Huo Wushuang instructed her.

Huo Wu nodded and ran toward the crowd. Huo Wushuang, meanwhile, strode toward the dean's office.

A short while later, a large circle of people had gathered at Blazing Fire Academy's front plaza. Inside the circle, Huo Lei and Huo Wu stood together, facing Huo Zheng.

"Huo Zheng, you stole my younger brother's cultivation spot and even demanded that he apologize to you. You're utterly shameless and unworthy of being an elder. Now you want to bully the young with your age and oppress the weak with your strength. That's even more despicable. If you've got the guts, fight both of us together."

Huo Wu unleashed a torrent of sharp words at Huo Lie's second uncle.

Every word Huo Wu said was true, drawing a wave of approval from the surrounding students. "Senior Huo Wu said it well! We support Sister Huo Wu!"

Huo Wu's fervent fans shouted in unison.

Huo Zheng's face had turned ashen, and the slap mark on his face had yet to fade. After being berated by Huo Wu, the fury in his heart burned even hotter, and malicious thoughts rose within him. This little chili pepper really is fiery, and her tongue is vicious enough. No wonder that brat Huo Lie can't handle her. If Huo Lie can't do it, then I'll handle her as his uncle! When the time comes, I'll make this little chili pepper beg for life and pray for death.