Hearing his identity, Huo Wu let out a startled cry.
"The Heaven Dou Crown Prince?"
She stared at the young man in gold before her in disbelief.
The heir to the Heaven Dou Empire had actually appeared alone outside Blazing Fire Academy's lodgings late at night.
Chen Jin's expression barely changed. He merely nodded.
"So it is Your Highness."
"What brings Your Highness to see me?"
As Xue Qinghe watched Chen Jin remain unmoved by favor or disgrace, admiration flashed deep in his eyes.
He truly deserved his reputation as someone who could defeat Yu Tianheng with a single strike. His bearing alone was far beyond that fat fellow in the Great Soul Arena.
Xue Qinghe sighed, worry and sincerity showing on his face.
"Since you are a straightforward man, Brother Chen Jin, I will dispense with the pleasantries."
"To tell you the truth, I came tonight to ask a favor."
Xue Qinghe looked at Chen Jin, his tone sincere.
"Tonight at the Great Soul Arena, Shrek Academy's Ma Hongjun won seven consecutive matches. He behaved arrogantly, openly mocking the Heaven Dou Empire for having no one capable."
"Among the Soul Elders, not a single elite from any academy in Heaven Dou City is his match."
"If he is allowed to continue running wild, the empire's dignity will be swept into the dust."
At this point, a flash of resentment crossed Xue Qinghe's eyes.
"I have heard that your strength is exceptional, Brother Chen Jin, and that your Martial Soul is the Nine-Heaven Divine Phoenix, which possesses Ultimate Fire."
"Ultimate Fire reigns supreme over all flames."
"Before you, Brother Chen Jin, Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire is no more than a firefly's glow."
Xue Qinghe stepped forward, his words earnest.
"Therefore, I sincerely ask you to fight, Brother Chen Jin, and defeat Shrek Academy on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire in the Great Soul Arena."
"As long as you are willing to restore the empire's honor, Brother Chen Jin, I will certainly reward you generously."
The night breeze blew past.
Leaves rustled.
Huo Wu listened in a daze beside them, then turned toward Chen Jin.
Chen Jin stood beneath the moonlight, no hint of emotion showing on his handsome face.
Shrek Academy.
Ma Hongjun.
Those people who had once regarded him as a traitor and a weakling were now flaunting their might in Heaven Dou City.
Chen Jin narrowed his eyes.
He had already intended to teach Shrek Academy a lesson at the All-Continent Elite Tournament.
Yet he had never expected the Heaven Dou Empire's crown prince to come knocking of his own accord.
"You are being too grave, Your Highness."
Chen Jin spoke, his voice clear in the still night air.
"I now fight on behalf of Blazing Fire Academy. Shrek Academy is already our opponent."
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe's face lit up with delight.
"Then you agree, Brother Chen Jin?"
Chen Jin did not answer. He merely looked at Xue Qinghe, a gleam flashing in his eyes.
"I will naturally abide by the Great Soul Arena's rules."
"As for that Ma Hongjun..."
Chen Jin raised his chin, moonlight spilling over his handsome face and lending it an air of pride.
"He is nothing but a mongrel bird."
Moonlight flowed like water.
It spilled over the woodland path.
The trees cast dappled shadows.
Xue Qinghe stood still, quietly watching the young man before him.
Chen Jin stretched out his long legs and slowly walked up to Xue Qinghe.
The two were very close.
Chen Jin lowered his head, his gaze falling on Xue Qinghe's fair neck.
The skin there was as smooth as cream, giving off a faint sheen beneath the moonlight.
Even a barely perceptible orchid fragrance seemed to drift from it.
"Your Highness is truly pretty."
Chen Jin spoke.
"If you changed into women's clothing, I fear even Heaven Dou City's most beautiful courtesan would feel ashamed of her own looks before you."
At these words.
Xue Qinghe's body instantly stiffened.
Panic flashed deep within those gentle eyes.
Having disguised herself as the imperial crown prince for years.
Qian Renxue had relied on her exquisite disguise, and no one had ever detected a flaw.
Now.
She was being teased with such flippant words by a young man she had only just met.
Heat surged into her cheeks.
Xue Qinghe took an awkward step backward, putting distance between them.
"You jest, Brother Chen Jin."
"I am the empire's heir. How could I be compared to those painted common beauties?"
Though the voice remained calm, those trembling, featherlike lashes betrayed the turmoil within Qian Renxue's heart.
Watching the redness creep over Xue Qinghe's ears, Chen Jin curled his lips.
"It was only a joke. Please do not take offense, Your Highness."
"Since Your Highness has come personally to invite me, I will do you this favor. Chen Jin will help you."
"However."
Chen Jin changed tack.
"When Chen Jin takes action, it won't come cheap."
Hearing Chen Jin agree, Xue Qinghe inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as he agreed.
The price was nothing to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.
"Please name your terms, Brother Chen Jin."
"As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."
Chen Jin held up one finger.
"First, ten thousand Gold Soul Coins."
Xue Qinghe nodded.
"That is simple. Tomorrow, I will send someone to deliver them to Blazing Fire Academy's lodgings."
Chen Jin raised a second finger.
"Second, I want ten-thousand-year whale glue."
Hearing this demand.
Xue Qinghe's expression, which had already returned to normal, became quite a sight.
Ten-thousand-year whale glue.
As Spirit Hall's holy maiden, Qian Renxue naturally knew what that was.
It was a rare substance produced by Soul Beasts.
Although it could strengthen the body and improve its resilience.
Among the Heaven Dou Empire's nobility, it was more often treated as a potent aphrodisiac that enhanced virility.
He had asked for ten-thousand-year whale glue right off the bat.
Xue Qinghe looked at Chen Jin's handsome, refined face, disdain entering his eyes.
So young.
Yet he already needed such medicine to keep going.
He was a thoroughgoing lecher.
Xue Qinghe's cheeks grew hot again, and his voice stiffened.
"Ten-thousand-year whale glue is extremely precious, but the imperial treasury does indeed have some in stock."
"Since you need it, Brother Chen Jin, I will have it delivered along with the rest tomorrow."
Watching Xue Qinghe's strange expression from beside them, how could Huo Wu fail to realize that the crown prince had misunderstood?
Huo Wu had personally watched Chen Jin absorb whale rubber to cultivate in the forest.
"Your Highness, do not listen to Chen Jin's nonsense."
Huo Wu could not help speaking up.
"Chen Jin only wants it to practice an unusual body-tempering technique."
"It is not what Your Highness thinks."
After speaking.
Huo Wu also shot Chen Jin a fierce glare.
Chen Jin remained perfectly composed, utterly unconcerned by Xue Qinghe's misunderstanding.
"Since we have a deal, thank you, Your Highness."
Chen Jin cupped his hands toward Xue Qinghe.
"Chen Jin accepts tonight's Soul Fighting match."
Xue Qinghe steadied his mind and nodded.
"Then I will await your good news in the VIP seats, Brother Chen Jin."
With that.
Xue Qinghe turned and hurried away with his attendants.
His hurried steps made it seem as though he feared Chen Jin would tease him again.
Watching Xue Qinghe's retreating figure.
Huo Wu folded her arms and looked at Chen Jin jealously.
"Were you deliberately taking liberties with him just now?"
"Even if he is a man, why were you staring at his neck?"
Chen Jin clasped his hands behind his head and walked toward the Great Soul Arena.
"Who knows?"
"Perhaps His Highness the crown prince was never a man to begin with?"
Huo Wu froze where she stood.
She could make neither head nor tail of it.
She hurriedly jogged after him.
Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.
The clamor nearly lifted the dome off.
On the enormous Soul Fighting Platform.
Golden lights converged.
Ma Hongjun stood in the center, scorching purple-red flames radiating from his entire body.
With the flames setting it off, his obese figure looked savage.
"Who else?!"
"You trash from Heaven Dou City! Is there not a single one of you who dares to come up?!"
Ma Hongjun shouted at the top of his lungs.
Wrapped in Soul Power, his voice reached every corner.
Those provocative words.
Turned every Heaven Dou Empire noble in the stands livid.
However.
The matchmaking display flickered rapidly across the giant screen, never settling on a single name.
"Cowards!"
"Every last one of you is a coward!"
Ma Hongjun smugly slapped his belly.
Below the stage.
Dai Mubai stood with his arms folded, his face full of arrogance.
"Fatty has really slapped Heaven Dou Royal Academy's face swollen with this fight."
Oscar snickered beside him.
"Of course. Those flowers raised in greenhouses cannot possibly withstand the Evil Fire Phoenix's explosive power."
Just as everyone from Shrek was basking in their triumph.
The referee on the Soul Fighting Platform suddenly froze.
He looked down at the Soul Guidance Communicator in his hand, which had relayed a shocking message.
He drew a deep breath.
The referee strode to the center of the Soul Fighting Platform and announced loudly:
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"We have just received an urgent notice. A mysterious challenger has completed registration!"
"This Soul Fight will continue!"
As soon as he said this.
The subdued stands erupted.
"Someone actually dared to go up there?"
"Who is it? Could it be the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's hidden trump card?"
Ma Hongjun stopped his taunting as well, looking toward the entrance to the passage in surprise.
"Hmph, whoever it is, I'll cripple every last one who comes!"
Under everyone's gaze.
A tall, straight figure slowly emerged from the dark passage and stepped onto the Soul Fighting Platform.
Golden light fell over the newcomer.
His black hair stirred gently in the breeze.
A faint air of composure rested on his handsome face.
It was Chen Jin.
Once they saw the newcomer's face clearly.
Dead silence fell over Shrek Academy's resting area.
Flender's gold-rimmed glasses nearly fell to the floor.
Zhao Wuji's eyes widened even further.
"Chen Jin?!"
"What's that brat doing here?!"
Furious flames blazed in Dai Mubai's sinister eyes.
"That traitor actually dared to show his face in Heaven Dou City!"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes trembled, and once her gaze landed on Chen Jin, she could no longer look away.
Her hands twisted together, her palms slick with sweat.
Tang San sat to one side.
He narrowed his eyes as he watched Chen Jin on the stage.
For some reason.
Tang San kept feeling that Chen Jin now possessed an unfathomable air that he had lacked back at Shrek Academy.
On the Soul Fighting Platform.
After a brief moment of shock, Ma Hongjun could not help letting out a strange laugh.
"Well, look who it is."
"The trash Shrek threw away."
Ma Hongjun looked Chen Jin up and down, his eyes full of disdain.
"What's wrong, Chen Jin? Couldn't find a way forward after leaving Shrek, so you came here to make yourself feel important?"
Ma Hongjun's gaze shifted to Huo Wu, who was watching below the stage.
"Oh, you even brought a pretty chick."
"A few days ago, I heard you and this chick went into the forest outside the city and stayed tucked away there for days and nights."
"Tsk, tsk, Chen Jin, are you aching and weak all over now, barely able to stand?"
"You're pretty good at finding women to vent your lust on. I just wonder whether your fighting skills measure up to your skills in that department."
His filthy words.
Echoed through the Soul Fighting Arena.
Some of the Heaven Dou nobles below the stage frowned.
Shrek Academy's way of conducting itself was truly revolting.
Chen Jin stood where he was.
There was no trace of anger on his handsome face.
He merely looked at Ma Hongjun as though he were looking at garbage.
"Brothel Phoenix. You certainly live up to your name."
Chen Jin spoke unhurriedly, yet his voice reached every ear clearly.
"I stand straight and walk upright, unlike certain people who spend all day wallowing in filthy places, their Martial Soul so corroded by evil that it's become unrecognizable."
"A head full of filthy thoughts. You really are a mongrel bird."
As soon as he said this.
Ma Hongjun's expression turned utterly foul.
Frequenting brothels.
Was Ma Hongjun's sorest spot.
Because of the influence of his Evil Fire, Ma Hongjun had no choice but to visit such places to resolve the problem. Although this was no secret within Shrek, having Chen Jin expose it in public was no different from receiving a slap across the face before everyone.
"You're courting death!"
Ma Hongjun roared furiously.
The fat all over his body began to shake violently.
The fury in his eyes almost spewed out.
"Today, I'll tear that mouth of yours apart!"
Boom!
A mass of purplish-red flames burst from Ma Hongjun's body.
Behind his fat body, the enormous phantom of a plump bird faintly appeared.
As the flames rose.
Two yellow, one purple.
Three Soul Rings rose from beneath Ma Hongjun's feet, rapidly circling his body.
The pressure of a top-tier Power Attack System Martial Soul was fully revealed at that moment.
In the stands.
Many people cried out in astonishment.
"What an intense fiery aura!"
"So that's the fatty's Martial Soul? It really is impressive!"
Below the stage.
Dai Mubai shouted:
"Fatty, show Chen Jin what you're made of!"
"Let him know what happens when he offends us at Shrek!"
Oscar chimed in as well.
Tang San sat to one side without speaking.
But his gaze remained fixed on Chen Jin.
Suddenly.
Tang San noticed something wrong.
The Heaven Dou City spectators around them who were cheering for Ma Hongjun were looking at him with a strange sort of pity.
As though they were looking at a dead man.
Tang San's heart sank.
Could it be...
Does this Chen Jin really have something to rely on?
On the stage.
Chen Jin watched the enraged Ma Hongjun, his expression calm.
Since I intend to deal with Shrek...
I'll start with this mongrel bird.
Chen Jin's body shuddered.
A surge of sacred, pure golden flames swept out from within him.
The pressure of the Nine-Heaven Divine Phoenix.
Though deliberately suppressed at that moment, the supreme aura from the deepest reaches of its bloodline pressed down on every inch of air over the Soul Fighting Platform.
Beneath Chen Jin's feet.
Three Soul Rings slowly rose.
Yellow.
Yellow.
Purple.
The instant those three Soul Rings appeared.
The Evil Fire within Ma Hongjun inexplicably trembled.
As though it had encountered its natural nemesis.
"Putting on airs!"
Ma Hongjun roared, forcibly suppressing the tremor within him.
The third, purple Soul Ring around his body.
Blazed with light at that moment.
Third Soul Skill, Phoenix Wings Soaring!
The purplish-red flames formed a pair of enormous wings behind Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun shot into the sky.
He looked down at Chen Jin from midair.
"Die!"
Trailing scorching waves of purplish-red fire, Ma Hongjun hurtled toward Chen Jin like a meteor.
Purplish-red flames churned in midair.
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