Ma Hongjun's Relentless Pursuit

"It's not like we're just going to let it go like that," Lin Chen said with a faint smile, offering his proposed solution.

"Tai Long is also a friend of mine, so I have to get my revenge. Uncle, given your status, it's not convenient for you to intervene. I'll handle it."

"You?" Tai Nuo looked up abruptly.

"Hmm." Lin Chen nodded, his tone calm. "I'll go to Shrek to meet Tang San under the guise of being sworn brothers with Tai Long. It'll be a friendly spar between peers, stopping short of a draw. If I win, it'll be Brother Tai Long getting his revenge; even if something goes wrong, it's still a competition between juniors, and no one can find fault with 'bullying the younger generation'."

He paused, then added, "Uncle, don't worry, I absolutely won't let the Strength Clan down."

Sworn brothers?!

Tai Long's eyes lit up instantly, he almost jumped up, and his voice rose eight octaves, "Lin, Lin Chen, you... you're willing to become sworn brothers with me?!"

He idolized Lin Chen, constantly mentioning "Lin Chen" and dreaming of becoming his sworn brother. He thought it was just wishful thinking, but unexpectedly, such a great opportunity fell from the sky.

"It's no big deal," Lin Chen smiled. "I'm just worried that Brother Tai Long will think I'm trying to climb the social ladder."

"I don't mind! Absolutely not!" Tai Long shook his head vigorously, his face flushed with excitement, rubbing his hands together, at a loss for words. "It's the greatest blessing I, Tai Long, have accumulated over eight lifetimes to be sworn brothers with you!"

Tai Nuo looked at Lin Chen, a wave of emotion washing over him. This young man was not only highly capable, but also incredibly insightful.

It gave himself a way out, helped him vent his anger, and also saved face for the Strength Clan. It was a perfect example of how to handle every aspect without missing a beat.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded emphatically. "Alright! Then I'll trouble you, Young Master Lin. It's indeed more appropriate for you to handle this. In a friendly competition between juniors, winning or losing doesn't matter; it's just about venting one's anger."

He also understood that Lin Chen going was the best solution.

His status speaks for itself; he's a core genius of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. No one can find fault with him sparring with Tang San, who's of the same generation. Moreover, he's personally witnessed Lin Chen's abilities—once his domain is activated, he's virtually invincible among his peers. Against Tang San, he's guaranteed to win.

"Come on! I'll take you there!"

Tai Long was rubbing his hands together, incredibly excited, walking with a swagger. All the frustration he felt earlier had vanished. Now, all he could think about was Lin Chen standing up for him and beating Tang San black and blue – just thinking about it made him feel so good.

Xiao Wu sidled up to Lin Chen and whispered with a smile, "Brother Lin Chen, are you really going to have a match with Tang San?"

Lin Chen smiled faintly, his gaze drifting towards the south of the city. "It's a good opportunity to go and investigate just how capable Tang San really is now."

He also harbored a degree of curiosity.

Without the opportunity presented by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and without the blessing of Immortal Herb, what level is Tang San at now? How many of his trump cards, such as the Clear Sky Hammer and Tang Sect Hidden Weapons hidden weapons, have he revealed? And does he actually possess the monstrous External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances?

The four walked along the official road south of the city. The morning light filtered through the poplar trees along the roadside, casting dappled shadows.

Tai Long chattered incessantly, talking about the training at the academy and the strange methods Tang San used to beat him up; Tai Nuo followed behind, occasionally reminding him not to talk nonsense later.

Sunlight filtered through the branches of the jacaranda trees, scattering golden light across the Shrek Academy's garden. Tiny purple-blue flowers carpeted the ground, morning dew clung to the blades of grass, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air.

As Lin Chen and his three companions entered the school gate and walked along the bluestone path toward the training ground, they had just rounded a flower hedge when a female voice filled with anger suddenly came from the side.

"Let me go! I said I don't want to!"

Her voice carried a hint of urgency and embarrassment, though it was soft.

Tai Long stopped abruptly. "It's Jiang Zhu's voice!"

He knew that voice all too well; before he could finish speaking, he had already strode into the garden.

Lin Chen, Xiao Wu, and Tai Nuo exchanged a glance and followed them into the flower hedge.

Deep within the garden, beside a cluster of roses, Ma Hongjun stood blocking Jiang Zhu.

He clutched a bunch of gaudy roses in one hand, his other hand gripping Jiang Zhu's wrist tightly. A self-satisfied smile plastered on his chubby face as he slickly said, "Jiang Zhu, this is the third time I've given you these flowers. Just say yes, and I'll protect you. No one in the academy will dare bully you. Let me tell you, I have a mutated Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul; I'll be incredibly powerful in the future..."

Jiang Zhu's wrist was gripped so tightly it hurt. She struggled several times but couldn't break free. Her cheeks flushed red, and her eyes were red-rimmed. She was gentle by nature and had never encountered someone so persistent. She was both angry and anxious, yet unable to break free.

"You fatso! Let go of me!"

With a loud roar, Tai Long rushed forward, grabbed Ma Hongjun's arm, and yanked him aside violently.

He was strong, and Ma Hongjun was caught off guard. He staggered back several steps, and the rose in his hand fell to the ground, covered in dust.

"Tai Long? What are you doing here?" Ma Hongjun steadied himself, looked up and saw it was Tai Long, immediately scoffed, and dusted off his sleeves. "What, didn't you get enough of a beating last time, so you're here to cause trouble again? I'm chasing girls, what's it to you?"

He glanced at Tai Long sideways, a mocking smile playing on his lips. He had witnessed Tang San beating Tai Long up last time, and thought the big guy was all show and no substance.

"You think you're right to be a scoundrel?!" Tai Long clenched his fists so tightly they cracked, and took a step forward, shielding Jiang Zhu behind him. "Jiang Zhu is our classmate. If you keep bothering her, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"You're welcome? I'd like to see how you're going to be impolite." Ma Hongjun curled his lip, looking disdainful.

Tai Nuo, who was standing nearby, saw his son being insulted and the chubby boy relentlessly bullying the little girl. He immediately flew into a rage, stepped forward, and released his Soul Power slightly, unleashing the pressure of a level 58 Soul King: "Where did this brat come from, daring to act wildly here?"

He already had a fierce appearance, and when he released his imposing aura, Ma Hongjun's face instantly turned pale, and he took half a step back.

"Uncle Tai Nuo, no."

Lin Chen reached out and stopped Tai Nuo, his tone calm, "Let the younger generation resolve their own affairs. If you, as an elder, intervene, you'll only give others cause for criticism."

Tai Nuo frowned, but eventually withdrew his oppressive aura, snorted sullenly, and stood aside with his arms crossed. He understood that it wouldn't sound good for a Soul King like himself to argue with a child.

Only then did Ma Hongjun notice Lin Chen and Xiao Wu standing in front of him.

Ma Hongjun was stunned at first, then recognized him—Oh no, it's Lin Chen! Recently, the whole Heaven Dou City has been talking about Lin Chen's deeds: the captain of the Imperial Fighting Team, a thirteen-year-old Four-Ring Soul Ancestor, and the personal disciple of Poison Douluo! And that Xiao Wu next to him is no pushover either; she seems even more ruthless than Lin Chen when she fights.

His heart skipped a beat, but he refused to back down, stubbornly saying, "Lin Chen! What are you doing here? This is our Shrek Academy, not your Heaven Dou Royal Academy. What kind of behavior is this, trespassing? Leave now, and I might pretend I didn't see you."

Although the words were spoken forcefully, their underlying confidence was somewhat weak.