Provoking Me on My Own Turf

"Is the dean of Blue Tyrant Academy going to Heaven Dou Royal Academy too?" Fang Fan's gaze settled on Liu Erlong. His tone was casual, as though he were discussing something trivial.

At that, everyone turned to look at Liu Erlong.

Liu Erlong's heart jolted, but she gave nothing away. She merely narrowed her alluring eyes and studied Fang Fan.

Who is this boy? I've never met him. Hardly anyone in Heaven Dou City knows I'm the dean of Blue Tyrant Academy. How did he recognize me at a glance?

"I'm going to Heaven Dou Royal Academy with my nephew. Is that a problem?" Liu Erlong folded her arms, her voice wary and appraising.

"Not at all. I was just asking." Fang Fan smiled faintly, said no more, and turned away.

Liu Erlong watched his retreating figure, her brow furrowing slightly.

She gave a cold snort and followed the group.

Together, they headed toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Heaven Dou City's streets bustled with activity. Shops lined both sides, and vendors' cries rang out without pause.

Yet this group drew frequent glances from passersby—

Sword Douluo, white-haired and white-robed, walked with steady steps, a long sword on his back;

A boy in white led the way, with three stunning young women, each beautiful in her own way, beside him;

Behind them came a green-haired elder radiating a sinister chill and a voluptuous woman in red. The sight of them alone was intimidating.

Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong kept asking Fang Fan questions.

Fang Fan answered now and then.

Zhu Zhuqing followed a step behind him, her cool face unreadable. Only her dark eyes occasionally swept over Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan.

She wasn't worried that someone would steal her husband away. She simply found the two women too noisy, fluttering around him like butterflies.

But Fang Fan was willing to talk to them, so she said nothing.

To Yu Tianheng, however, the sight made him grind his teeth.

He walked at the rear, watching Dugu Yan stand beside Fang Fan, her green eyes sparkling in a way they never had for him.

She's actually seeking that brat out to talk, and smiling so beautifully. He had known Dugu Yan for years. They had trained together at the academy through countless days and nights, fought side by side, and shared plenty of laughter.

Back then, he had thought her smiles belonged to him alone.

But now? She hasn't looked me in the eye once. Her green eyes follow Fang Fan everywhere, as if I don't exist.

What's so great about Fang Fan? He's just a little fairer and better-looking. He already has that stunning, aloof girl and Ning Rongrong beside him. Why does he have to go after my Little Goose too?

Yu Tianheng clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. Every step seemed to feed the fire in his chest.

It's fine. Just hold on a little longer.

Once we reach the training ground, I'll challenge that brat in front of everyone.

On my own turf, right before Dugu Yan, I'll knock him flat and show Little Goose who the real powerhouse is.

Then, when that brat scrambles up from the ground in disgrace, Dugu Yan will remember who's been by her side all along.

Liu Erlong walked beside Yu Tianheng and took in every change in her nephew's expression. She said nothing, merely nodding with satisfaction.

Tian Heng finally has some fighting spirit. This is how a man should act: fight for the woman he loves and crush his rival underfoot.

Let his fists do the talking. That's how a soul master should be.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin walked at the very back with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on Ning Rongrong.

This cherished jewel of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always had high standards. What promising young man in the sect hadn't tried to win her attention?

Yet she barely gave any of them the time of day. Even Tang San had only earned a few extra glances from her.

Now she hovered around Fang Fan like a little sparrow, vying with Dugu Yan for a chance to speak to him. Her eagerness was more than even her Sword Grandpa could bear to watch.

More troubling still, the girl beside Fang Fan, Zhu Zhuqing, was plainly close to him. She called him "husband" at every turn. Does Rongrong mean to share him with her? I must speak to Fengzhi about this when we get back. I can't let Rongrong be deceived.

"Oh, right."

Ning Rongrong suddenly remembered something and asked curiously, "Outside Suotuo City, Dai Mubai said Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul wasn't this strong before, and that it grew stronger after she joined you. Is that true?"

Zhu Zhuqing paused slightly and turned to look at Ning Rongrong. Her cool expression did not change. "Yes."

Fang Fan offered no explanation. He merely nodded in confirmation.

Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. She wanted to ask more, but Zhu Zhuqing had already turned away, making it clear she had no wish to discuss it.

Ning Rongrong had no choice but to swallow her questions. Her curiosity about Fang Fan only grew stronger.

To make someone's Martial Soul stronger was unheard of. Even her two grandfathers in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect couldn't do it.

How many more secrets does Fang Fan have that I don't know about?

As they talked, Yu Tianheng led them through several corridors and straight to the training ground.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy's training ground stretched several hundred meters across. Hard Qinggang Stone paved the ground, and the Spectator Seats around it could hold hundreds of people.

At that moment, more than a dozen elite-class students were training and sparring. Soul Rings flashed across the field, and the sounds of colliding Soul Skills rang out without pause.

Fang Fan stood at the edge of the training ground with his hands behind his back, surveying the students in combat.

They were about Yu Tianheng's age and genuinely strong, most of them above level thirty. Among their peers, they were outstanding.

Yet Fang Fan only nodded faintly. His expression remained calm, and he offered not a word of praise.

"Well?"

Seeing Fang Fan so unmoved only made Yu Tianheng more indignant. He pointed at the students fighting on the field, unabashed pride in his voice:

"These are the elite-class students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Every one of them is a rare talent, far stronger than others their age."

He turned to face Fang Fan, a challenging smile curling his lips:

"Brother Fang, would you dare spar with me? I possess the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the greatest Beast Martial Soul on the Douluo Continent. I hope you'll do me the honor."

At once, every gaze fell on Fang Fan.

Dugu Yan's expression changed. She finally understood Yu Tianheng's true purpose today—

The tour of the academy and the training had all been excuses. He wanted to use a sparring match to humiliate Fang Fan.

He meant to knock down someone she respected right before her eyes and leave Fang Fan disgraced.

"Yu Tianheng, Young Master Fang is our guest. Asking him to spar as soon as he arrives is inappropriate."

Dugu Yan spoke at once, her tone colder than before.

Seeing her defend Fang Fan sent Yu Tianheng's jealousy and anger surging higher. He forced them down and managed a smile.

"Don't worry, Little Goose. It's only a sparring match. We'll stop short of hurting each other. I won't injure your friend."

"Exactly."

Liu Erlong chimed in from the side. Arms folded and chin raised, she cast Fang Fan a disdainful glance,