Chance Encounter with Flender

Lan Hong's speed suddenly increased, and the chill emanating from the Ice Soul Sword grew even deeper.

He did not dodge at all. Instead, he chose to confront Bull Warrior head-on.

But fighting head-on did not mean clashing with brute force. With his exquisite sword techniques, borrowing the opponent's strength against him was effortless.

In the eyes of the audience, the small Lan Hong was actually evenly matched against Bull Warrior after he had gone Berserk, leaving everyone astonished.

Some spectators had already begun cheering for Lan Hong. The audience in the soul arena was just that fickle.

As the battle continued, Bull Warrior's body became covered in icicles, and his speed grew slower and slower.

"Time to end this battle! Hundred Phoenixes Return to Nest!"

As this move was unleashed, icy winds swept across the entire soul arena. In the end, all that cold gathered upon the Ice Soul Sword before it thrust forward. Bull Warrior was blasted straight off the stage, his life and death unknown.

After a brief silence came thunderous cheers, the audience shouting the name Hong Mao.

Lan Hong remained extremely calm. This victory had been expected from the start.

After leaving the stage, Lan Hong went to collect his money. He had placed a bet on himself to win, and since he was a newcomer, it counted as an Upset Victory, so the payout was substantial.

He now had a foundation of a hundred Gold Soul Coins to his name.

Lan Hong planned to stay in Suotuo City for one or two months. He would participate in one soul battle each day, spending the rest of his time cultivating and broadening his horizons.

While cultivating, the Ice Soul Heart Method and Changhong Heart Method confirmed and complemented each other, actually increasing the speed at which he cultivated Soul Power.

At Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena, Lan Hong had maintained a perfect record against Soul Grandmaster-level opponents these past few days.

He had also witnessed the variety of Spirits. There were Tool Spirits such as sabers, swords, hammers, scythes, shields, and more, as well as Beast Spirits such as cats, dogs, wolves, tigers, lions, and so on.

As his combat experience accumulated, Lan Hong's understanding of the Ice Soul Sword Style deepened further and further.

That day, Lan Hong sat at a table in a teahouse as usual. He would tell stories there to attract customers, while the owner provided him with food and drink.

At the same time, he could listen to the experiences and stories of others.

At that moment, a middle-aged man approached. He wore glasses, had a full beard, and a tuft of white hair in the middle of his head. At a glance, he looked shrewd, worldly, and calculating.

"Little Brother Hong Mao! Want to hear my story?"

"Of course I do if it's a good story. Please, Brother, go ahead!"

Lan Hong naturally knew who he was: Four-eyed Cat Eagle Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy and Yu Xiaogang's little brother.

He was not surprised that Flender was in Suotuo City, but he had not expected him to seek him out.

Lan Hong wondered what he should do if Flender tried to drag him into Shrek Academy. He could not deal with a Soul Saint yet.

Meanwhile, Flender had already begun telling the story of his early adventures with Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang.

When he finally spoke of how lovers had become siblings, Flender gave a bitter laugh.

"Very interesting story. Thank you for sharing it, Brother!"

"Tell me, can those two siblings be together?"

"Why ask me?"

"Just asking. It's fine if you don't answer!"

"Whether they can be together depends on themselves. If they have the courage to break their shackles, then they should be together. If they lack that courage, then they should forget each other in the martial world!

There is rarely a way to have it all in this world, neither failing the Buddha nor failing one's beloved!"

"There is rarely a way to have it all in this world, neither failing the Buddha nor failing one's beloved. Good! I don't really understand what it means, but it sounds cultured!"

Suddenly, Flender grabbed Lan Hong's hand. Lan Hong frowned and quickly pulled it back.

"You're only seven years old! You really are just a child! Ah! What a pity! What a pity! Such a pity!

Your first two Spirit Rings are both white, so you're already ruined. Little friend, do you want to study at my academy? I'm a Soul Saint!"

Flender's seven Spirit Rings—two yellow, two purple, and three black—lit up, frightening the other customers in the teahouse into scattering in all directions.

When Soul Masters fought, even if commoners died, they died for nothing. It was that tragic.

Seeing that Lan Hong was not surprised in the slightest and even calmly took a sip of tea, Flender was even more astonished.

"Sir Soul Saint, I have no intention of studying at your academy. My apologies!"

"Ah! Then forget it! Will you remain in Suotuo City?"

"No. I have my own plans!"

"What an interesting child! We'll meet again if fate allows!"

After walking out of the teahouse, Flender was still muttering to himself.

"What a pity! Two white rings. Otherwise, he would have been another monstrous genius!"

Lan Hong shook his head as well.

"This disguise of white rings is really useful. Soul Masters value Spirit Rings even more deeply than I thought."

After finishing his tea, Lan Hong continued to the Great Soul Arena for a soul battle. This time, his opponent was a level 29 Agility Attack System Soul Grandmaster. His Spirit was a Scarlet Leopard, and his codename was Scarlet Leopard as well.

As the soul battle began, Scarlet Leopard attacked first. Agility Attack System Soul Masters truly were fast, but Lan Hong's Lingbo Weibu could completely keep up.

At the same time, the Ice Soul Sword released cold air, reducing his opponent's speed.

"First Spirit Skill, Red Leopard Charge!"

Scarlet Leopard's speed abruptly increased, and his sharp claws slashed toward Lan Hong's vital points.

Seeing this, Lan Hong used Hundred Phoenixes Return to Nest. His spinning body, carrying freezing air, completely blocked his opponent's attack. Then, he thrust out a sword condensed with icy energy.

"Not good! Second Spirit Skill, Shadow Dodge!"

Scarlet Leopard's body instantly sank into the shadows, evading Lan Hong's sword.

Scarlet Leopard then swiftly approached Lan Hong through the shadows and launched another attack.

"First Spirit Skill, Red Leopard Charge!"

Scarlet Leopard rushed out from the shadows, confident that this strike would secure victory.

But Lan Hong sheathed his sword, stepped back, and struck with his palm in one fluid motion. This move was Sunlight Illuminates the Nine Provinces, yet it was driven by the Ice Soul Heart Method, producing a completely opposite effect.

Scarlet Leopard was sent crashing to the ground, vomiting blood from Lan Hong's palm strike. The blood that fell to the ground immediately turned into ice shards.

Lan Hong still won this battle, but Scarlet Leopard's eyes were filled with venomous hatred as he watched Lan Hong's departing back.

That night, Lan Hong discovered that he was being followed. There were two people, and from their auras, he knew one of them was Scarlet Leopard, whom he had injured.

The other had a stronger aura and was most likely a Spirit King. Lan Hong did not know who this Spirit King was, but he knew he could not avoid this calamity.

They had clearly set their minds on teaching him a lesson, perhaps even killing him.

He sped up and turned toward the outskirts of the city.

"Big Brother, that brat is running out of the city. Did he discover us?"

"Hehe! Isn't it perfect if he runs out of the city? Chase him!"

After leaving the city, Lan Hong stopped in an open area.

"Come out!"

"Haha! Brat, weren't you arrogant? You actually injured me so badly!"

Lan Hong did not pay any attention to Scarlet Leopard's taunts. His focus was entirely on the Spirit King.

"So it's him!"

Lan Hong vaguely remembered this Spirit King. Bu Le, an extremely lecherous fellow whose end had been rather miserable. He was nothing more than experience fodder for the protagonist's group.

"Young thing, hehehe! Being male isn't a problem either. Let me play with you!"

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