Travels Across the Continent Once More

Jiang Mingyang and Qian Renxue spent every day wrapped up in each other, never apart.

After careful thought, Jiang Mingyang decided they could not go on like this.

In a few years, the powers of the continent would be reshuffled. He ought to make good use of the time to grow stronger.

That way, he could find firm footing in the coming upheaval and shelter the people he loved and wanted to protect.

Once Jiang Mingyang made up his mind, he did not hesitate. He immediately told Qian Renxue he was leaving.

Qian Renxue nodded when she heard. Her eyes reddened slightly. "You... you're leaving, then..." She leaned in and kissed him.

Jiang Mingyang wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply before turning to leave.

He then went to Jiang Tian. After a moment's thought, he said, "Foster Father, I want to travel the continent again. I came to say goodbye."

Jiang Tian patted him on the shoulder. "Go! I can see there's a question in your heart you haven't resolved. I don't know what it is, but questions like that usually demand that you find the answer yourself.

"Traveling the continent will do you good. Just remember to come back safely!"

Jiang Mingyang nodded and strode away.

Watching him go, Jiang Tian murmured, "I heard he walked all the way back and saw how ordinary people live. Is this about how the realm is governed?

"I chose to submit back then. The continent has been troubled these past few years, and resentment runs deep among the people. Little Mingyang, I wonder what you'll choose. If... if that's truly what you intend, I'll help you even if it costs me my old life."

Tianqiao Town

As Jiang Mingyang walked down the street, he spotted a boy who looked about ten years old. The boy was a little plump, but his eyes gleamed as he looked around.

He seemed desperate to find something. Then purple flames sprang up around him.

The boy appeared to lose his composure, growing agitated. He summoned his Martial Soul—a phoenix.

At first, Jiang Mingyang merely watched with curiosity. But when the boy grew frantic and released his Martial Soul, Jiang Mingyang knew who he was: Ma Hongjun.

Knowing it was the Evil Fire, Jiang Mingyang promptly summoned his own Martial Soul. His fourth Soul Skill, Myriad Swords Return to the Sect, formed a sword array, its flying blades trapping Ma Hongjun inside.

He then used a weakened version of his Self-Created Soul Skill, Divine Sword Lightning-Controlling True Art, to purge the Evil Fire from Ma Hongjun's body. The effect was slight, but it worked.

Jiang Mingyang had acquired his fourth Soul Skill with Dugu Bo's help when he broke through to Soul Ancestor.

He had named it Myriad Swords Return to the Sect. It could summon nearly a thousand flying swords in an instant, and their number would grow as his cultivation advanced. By the time he reached Soul Saint, he would likely be able to summon ten thousand.

Suddenly, Jiang Mingyang's expression changed as he maintained the sword array.

Someone flew in from behind Ma Hongjun, who was still suppressing the Evil Fire. The newcomer was a bespectacled Soul Master with a slightly flat, stiff face and an owl Martial Soul.

With all those clues, Jiang Mingyang recognized him at once: Flender, headmaster of Shrek Academy.

So Flender took Ma Hongjun to Shrek Academy after this. Jiang Mingyang's eyes lit up.

Flender flew over and asked Jiang Mingyang, "What's wrong with the little fellow?" At the same time, his eyes narrowed. A Phoenix Martial Soul!

Before long, Ma Hongjun woke up.

He hurriedly thanked Jiang Mingyang. Just then, Flender asked, "What's your name? I'm Flender. Do your parents have Phoenix Martial Souls too?"

Though Flender asked, he was already certain this was probably a Mutated Martial Soul.

After all, if the boy's parents had Phoenix Martial Souls, how could they have made no name for themselves?

Ma Hongjun looked at Flender. "I'm Ma Hongjun. Both my dad and my mom have barnyard chicken Martial Souls."

"Then yours must have undergone a Martial Soul Mutation," Flender told him. "That strange fire is a flaw left by the mutation. As you grow stronger, it will keep consuming you.

"Come with me. I'm a Seven-Ring Soul Sage and the headmaster of Shrek Academy. Become a student there, and I'll find a way to help you!"

Before Ma Hongjun could answer, Jiang Mingyang narrowed his eyes. "Senior, there's no fixing a flaw like this, no matter what you try. The only option is to have someone keep suppressing it, isn't that right?"

Flender nodded. Jiang Mingyang smiled. "Senior, I understand what you're thinking. A Phoenix Martial Soul is among the finest, and he'd certainly make an excellent student.

"But with your strength as a Soul Saint, there will come a day when you can no longer suppress Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire. Why not let him come with me?"

Only then did Flender realize Jiang Mingyang was trying to poach the boy. Hah. Can you compete with the teachers and resources we have?

Flender said, "Shrek Academy has an exceptionally strong faculty. Besides me, we have two more Soul Saints and two Soul Emperors.

"That's a faculty among the best in the entire Heaven Dou Empire."

Jiang Mingyang nodded, conceding the point before countering it. "That has nothing to do with Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire. No matter how strong your faculty is, they won't be able to suppress it forever!

"His Martial Soul is of the highest caliber. If the Evil Fire can be kept under control, there's no telling how far he'll go."

Jiang Mingyang turned to Ma Hongjun. "Come with me! I'll ask a Titled Douluo to help suppress it!"

Flender's eyes narrowed. "A Titled Douluo? Are you sure?"

Ignoring Flender, Jiang Mingyang looked firmly at Ma Hongjun and nodded. "I'm a marquis of the Empire. My foster father, Jiang Tian, is now the Heaven Dou Empire's First Military Commander. And I know an elder, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. I think I can keep your Evil Fire under control!"

Flender stared at Jiang Mingyang in surprise. "A marquis of the Empire! Poison Douluo!" He managed a strained smile, but his face could not hide his dejection.

In the end, Ma Hongjun decided to go with Jiang Mingyang.

For one thing, their debate had convinced Ma Hongjun that Jiang Mingyang truly had the means to deal with his Evil Fire.

For another, if Jiang Mingyang could bring in a Titled Douluo, Ma Hongjun would surely be treated well. Someone with that kind of connection had no need to exploit him; Jiang Mingyang must genuinely value his potential.

Most importantly, Jiang Mingyang had stepped in to help suppress his Evil Fire without being asked. Ma Hongjun considered himself someone who remembered a kindness.

The three of them shared a meal, and Jiang Mingyang and Ma Hongjun soon grew familiar with each other.

Jiang Mingyang smiled at him. "If you don't mind, I'll call you Hongjun from now on."

Ma Hongjun nodded. "Sure, Brother Jiang."

Jiang Mingyang smiled at that.

In truth, Ma Hongjun and Oscar were both at the bottom of the pecking order at Shrek Academy.

Before Tang San arrived, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun had not been especially close.

When Tang San first entered Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai's harsh tone toward Oscar said plenty. Oscar came running the moment Dai Mubai called, despite the utter lack of respect in his words, and did not dare object. That was domination, not friendship.

Jiang Mingyang had taken Ma Hongjun with him for two reasons:

First, his Phoenix Martial Soul gave him truly outstanding talent.

Second, Ma Hongjun was normal. Yes, normal.

At Shrek Academy, the two with normal temperaments were precisely the ones who got pushed around: Ma Hongjun and Oscar. What Jiang Mingyang admired most about Ma Hongjun was his loyalty.

Walking along the broad street with Ma Hongjun, Jiang Mingyang felt this trip had already been worth it. More than worth it.

The Grand Ancestor had traveled the land several times in his youth and seen how the people lived. Only then had he brought about the prosperity they enjoyed today.

"The Grand Ancestor's Youth and Its Connection to the Age of Prosperity"