Soul fighting: A sparring match

As Jiang Nannan and the female students behind her walked farther into the street,

the crowd parted of its own accord, opening a path for them.

"Nannan, that smells so good! What is it?" a female student beside Jiang Nannan asked curiously.

She was exceptionally beautiful too, but compared with Jiang Nannan, she lacked some of that breathtaking charm.

Jiang Nannan had also caught the aroma. They soon arrived at Huo Yuhao's stall, since it was the most conspicuous spot and had the largest crowd.

"Junior, how much is your grilled fish?" Jiang Nannan asked gently.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao had just handed over all eighteen grilled fish that customers had paid for. Only the last two remained on the grill, reserved for Tang Ya.

"Sorry, senior, but all my grilled fish have sold out today. If you'd like some, please come back tomorrow!" Huo Yuhao said apologetically.

"What a shame." A trace of disappointment flashed through Jiang Nannan's bright eyes, and her snow-white throat bobbed as she swallowed.

"Beautiful, I have an extra grilled fish here. Would you do me the honor of sharing a meal?"

Suddenly, a voice both familiar and unfamiliar reached Jiang Nannan's ears from behind, making her tremble involuntarily.

Her thoughts flew back to the little boy who had brought a ray of dawn into her despair-filled world two years ago. That scene seemed as vivid as ever—he had once said, "We'll definitely meet again." Those words had branded themselves deep into her heart, leaving her longing day and night for their reunion.

Yet as time passed, no matter how long she waited, that familiar figure never appeared. She began pouring all her energy into cultivation, hoping to grow stronger. She told herself that only with enough strength could she take the initiative to find him and fulfill their promise. From then on, that conviction accompanied every day of effort, gradually becoming part of her life.

Jiang Nannan slowly turned around, her gaze settling on the source of the voice. In that instant, a complex mix of emotions flashed through her eyes—surprise, uncertainty, and a trace of excitement she could hardly conceal.

"You're... Tian Chen!" Jiang Nannan's voice trembled slightly. Looking at Tian Chen's somewhat changed appearance, she seemed unable to believe that the person before her was the little boy in her memories.

"It's been a long time, Miss Nannan!" Tian Chen said gently.

Wang Dong watched quietly from the side, but an ominous feeling rose in her heart once again. Is this guy really that charming? He even knows a senior from the outer court.

Hearing that voice, Jiang Nannan's heart jolted, and she was just about to say something.

Suddenly, a deep voice brimming with anger rang out. "Brat, you dare refuse to sell?"

Immediately afterward, a streak of golden light shot straight toward Huo Yuhao's stall.

Clink! The golden light struck the grill precisely and embedded itself completely inside. It was a Gold Soul Coin.

Faced with this sudden turn of events, Huo Yuhao looked rather stunned.

The next second, a tall, handsome young man dressed in a black school uniform, who looked about Bei Bei's age, strode past Jiang Nannan and reached for the two grilled fish on the grill.

But with Spiritual Detection, Huo Yuhao snatched up both fish first and retreated several steps. He had saved these for Tang Ya. How could he let someone else take them?

Xu Sanshi's hand missed the fish and grabbed several pieces of burning charcoal instead.

"Brat, are you courting death?" He crushed the charcoal in his hand in a single squeeze, sending sparks flying, yet he seemed completely unaffected by the burning heat.

Seeing Huo Yuhao evade him, Xu Sanshi grew even angrier and reached straight for Huo Yuhao's chest.

Just then, Tian Chen decisively kicked Huo Yuhao's stall, flipping it up to block Xu Sanshi's hand. As the grill overturned, it slammed into Xu Sanshi's stomach. The tremendous impact forced him several steps back, and his face instantly turned livid.

After the stall Tian Chen had kicked over struck his stomach, Xu Sanshi clutched his abdomen and staggered backward several steps, his expression twisting in pain.

Tian Chen planted a foot on the grill to stop it, then straightened and looked coldly at Xu Sanshi. "Senior, openly bullying someone on campus like this is going a little too far, don't you think?" he said slowly. He had not wanted to get involved in this mess either, but recalling Xu Sanshi's various disgusting actions in the original story stirred an irrepressible revulsion within him.

At those words, some people in the surrounding crowd began murmuring, clearly admiring Tian Chen's willingness to call out Xu Sanshi's behavior directly.

Xu Sanshi stared at Tian Chen, his words stoking his anger even further. And this brat had actually dared flirt with his Nannan just now. Clutching his stomach, he said through gritted teeth, "You pretty boy, I hadn't even come after you yet, and you came looking for me instead. You actually dared flirt with Nannan!"

Unintimidated by Xu Sanshi's aggression, Tian Chen replied calmly, "Oh! So you're just trying to show off in front of a girl! Do you think everyone is as shallow as you? Or is bullying the weak and cowering before the strong the only crap you know how to pull? How utterly ridiculous. Do you really think you rule this place? That you can come whenever you want and make trouble whenever you please? I've truly never seen anyone so brazenly shameless!"

By then, the students watching had begun whispering among themselves. Someone said quietly, "This junior is incredible. He actually dares talk back like that to Xu Sanshi, the outer court's number one."

Another agreed, "Exactly. Xu Sanshi is always throwing his weight around because he's strong. He's finally met his match today."

Hearing these remarks, Xu Sanshi's expression grew even uglier. He said through clenched teeth, "How dare you! Looks like I need to teach you a proper lesson in respecting your seniors."

Just then, Jiang Nannan stepped in front of Tian Chen. "Xu Sanshi, enough! I don't like you at all. Stop pestering me!! (╬◣ω◢)" She continued, "If you truly care about my feelings, then please respect my choice."

"Nannan, I really do love you! Why won't you give me a chance? Why do you always avoid me?" Xu Sanshi cried, losing control of his emotions.

As the two sides remained locked in a standoff, Bei Bei suddenly walked over at an unhurried pace. His gaze swept over Tian Chen, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan, and his voice was calm but carried a hint of authority. "What happened? Why is everyone gathered here?"

Tang Ya then recounted what had just happened.

After hearing the whole story, Bei Bei's gaze immediately turned stern. He stared at Xu Sanshi, a chill entering his voice. "Xu Sanshi, you bullied my junior brother from the Tang Sect. You must answer to me for what happened today, or we'll go to the Soul Fighting Zone and settle this with a match!"

Xu Sanshi gave a slight start and pointed at Huo Yuhao. "He's your junior brother?"

Bei Bei nodded expressionlessly.

Xu Sanshi sneered. "So what? If he refuses to show Jiang Nannan respect, then he's disrespecting me. It's only two grilled fish, and I've already paid. Fine, isn't it just a trip to the Soul Fighting Zone? I'll go with you, but don't wet your pants when we get there."

Just as Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi were about to head to the Soul Fighting Zone, Tian Chen suddenly stepped out of the crowd and said calmly, "A soul fighting match between the outer court's strongest offense and strongest defense? Sounds interesting. I wonder if I might have the honor of sparring with you two seniors!"