Ma Hongjun Gets Taught a Lesson
The next morning, the Shrek Academy playground was still damp with dew when a woman's voice, trembling with sobs, broke the silence, coming from the direction of the grove of trees near the side gate of the academy.
"Ma Hongjun! Let go of me! It's really over between us!" A simply dressed girl tried to shake off Ma Hongjun's hand, her eyes red-rimmed, her face filled with determination and fear.
Ma Hongjun's face flushed red, and his Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul seemed to be subtly agitated due to his emotional agitation, emanating unstable heat from his body. "Cuihua! You think it's over just like that? I don't agree! Haven't I treated you well? Why do you want to break up?"
The girl, called Cuihua, bit her lip, her voice trembling. "You're good to me? Yes, you used to be very good... but now you get angry so easily, and your sexual needs are getting bigger and bigger. I... I'm scared! I'm just an ordinary person, I just want to live a peaceful life!"
"Afraid? That's because of my Martial Soul! I'm Soul Master! What's wrong with Soul Master having a temper?" Ma Hongjun raised his voice, tinged with anger and embarrassment at being hit where it hurt. He unconsciously increased the pressure on his hands, causing Cuihua to cry out in pain.
Just then, Yan Zu, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were on their way to the playground to meet up when they happened to pass by. Xiao Wu, being kind-hearted by nature, couldn't stand seeing the weak being bullied, especially men bullying women, and her eyebrows instantly furrowed in anger.
"Hey! Fatty! What are you doing? Didn't you hear the girl say she didn't want to? Let go!" Xiao Wu rushed forward, her pink scorpion braid drawing an arc in the air, and shouted at Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun was already furious. Seeing someone interrupting, especially Xiao Wu and the others who had humiliated him yesterday, his Evil Fire flared even more. He blurted out without thinking, "You stinking rabbit, get out of my way! This is my business, what right do you have to interfere? And you guys," he said contemptuously, his gaze sweeping over Yan Zu, Ning Rongrong Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhu Zhuqing, "What, you brought your little sweethearts to watch the show?" His gaze lingered on Ning Rongrong, filled with lewdness, "The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, is it? So delicate and tender, I wonder..."
"Shut up!" Yan Zu's face darkened, and he stepped forward to shield Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong behind him. Ma Hongjun's foul language had crossed his bottom line. Zhu Zhuqing's eyes also turned icy cold instantly, Nether Civet Martial Soul seemed to be stirring.
"What I do is none of your business to lecture me!" Ma Hongjun was completely enraged. Two yellow Soul Ring instantly rose from his feet, Evil Fire Phoenix Possession. His plump body was covered in a layer of purplish-red flames, First Soul Skill, "Phoenix Fire Line," was unleashed at Yan Zu without hesitation! "Today, I'll show you, you Xiao Bai, the consequences of meddling!"
The blazing fire, carrying an eerie aura, rushed towards them, making the surrounding air scorching. Cuihua screamed in fright and retreated.
"Watch out!" Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong exclaimed at the same time.
However, facing this Evil Fire that could melt gold and corrode stone, a cold glint flashed in Yan Zu's eyes, and instead of retreating, he advanced! He showed no intention of dodging at all. With his right hand slightly open, a pure and extremely refined Nine Yin True Qi instantly enveloped his palm, giving it a warm and jade-like luster, and he grabbed directly at the Phoenix Fire Line!
"Laugh--!"
The fire stung Yan Zu's palm, producing a piercing scorching sound, but the expected scene of his palm burning did not occur. The Evil Fire, powerful enough to burn even Soul Elder, twisted and struggled wildly in his palm as if hitting an invisible ice wall, but could not advance an inch. In just a moment, it was crushed and annihilated by the extremely yin and gentle true energy, turning into a few wisps of green smoke and dissipating!
He crushed the Phoenix Fire Line with his bare hands!
This scene brought the entire arena to a standstill. Ma Hongjun's sinister smile froze completely, his eyes filled with disbelief and horror. His strongest ranged attack had been caught so easily by his opponent with his bare hands?
"Just because you have a bit of Evil Fire, you dare to act recklessly and harm the innocent?"
Yan Zu's voice was as cold as ice. He took a step forward, his figure seemingly shrinking to an inch, instantly closing in on Ma Hongjun. His speed was so fast that Ma Hongjun didn't have time to react before feeling a sharp pain in his abdomen.
Yan Zu's fist contained irresistible power, striking Ma Hongjun precisely in the lower abdomen. The Evil Fire Phoenix's Soul Power instantly stagnated, and its fiery aura dissipated as if doused with cold water. Ma Hongjun curled up on the ground in pain, feeling as if all his strength had been drained away.
The whole process took less than a second; Yan Zu didn't even release his Martial Soul before subduing Ma Hongjun with a single punch.
Yan Zu stood with his hands behind his back, his tone still calm. "The power of Soul Master is not for bullying the weak. If you continue to act recklessly, there will surely be a day when it backfires." He turned to the still-shaken Cuihua and said gently, "Miss, it's alright now, you should go."
Cuihua glanced gratefully at Yan Zu, then fearfully looked at Ma Hongjun, who was slumped on the ground, and quickly ran away.
Xiao Wu made a face at Ma Hongjun: "Serves you right! See if you dare to bully people again!" Ning Rongrong also snorted coldly, her eyes full of disdain. Zhu Zhuqing took a deep look at Yan Zu. That move just now was fast, accurate, and ruthless. The timing and control of the power were exquisite. This was definitely not something an ordinary Soul Elder could do.
[Ding! Key event check-in successful! Defeat Ma Hongjun to trigger rare reward!]
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Martial Soul Resonance - Glazed Tile Resonance!]
[Reward Description: Achieve Preliminary Martial Soul Resonance with the holder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Martial Soul (Ning Rongrong). The basic effect is a 50% increase in Ning Rongrong's amplification effect on you. As your bond deepens and your Soul Power increases, the resonance can be gradually upgraded, unlocking "Glazed Tile Auspiciousness - Twin Amplification"]
Yan Zu was surprised. Another Martial Soul Resonance. He felt that even his Twin Martial Souls were not enough.
Ning Rongrong also sensed the unusual movement of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda within her body. The pagoda's light flickered slightly, as if forming an invisible connection with Yan Zu, making her perception of Yan Zu's Soul Power fluctuations clearer and instantly increasing the accuracy of her amplification. "This is... Martial Soul Resonance?" She widened her eyes in surprise, clearly feeling that the amplification effect she was having on Yan Zu was much stronger than usual.
However, now was not the time to speak, Ning Rongrong planned to ask Yan Zu later that evening.
Ma Hongjun lay on the ground, wincing in pain. Seeing the strange interaction between Yan Zu and Ning Rongrong, he was filled with anger and resentment, but he didn't even have the strength to get up.
Just then, Flender walked out of the academy banging on an iron basin. Seeing Ma Hongjun lying on the ground, and then looking at Yan Zu and the others, he frowned. "What's going on? What's all the commotion about so early in the morning?"
Ma Hongjun cried out in pain, "Dean! Yan Zu... Yan Zu ambushed me!"
"A sneak attack?" Flender glanced at him, then looked at Yan Zu. "Yan Zu, tell us."
"He tried to sexually assault women, verbally abused others, and even proactively released his Martial Soul to provoke them. I was just defending myself and teaching him a lesson," Yan Zu explained calmly.
Flender instantly understood what was going on and yelled at Ma Hongjun, "You little brat! You're always up to no good, bullying girls and still being stubborn! Get up! You're punished to run laps when you get back today, and you're not allowed to eat until you finish!"
Ma Hongjun dared not refute, and could only get up in frustration, glaring fiercely at Yan Zu, but dared not make any further moves, only clutching his stomach and groaning.
Flender ignored him, his gaze sweeping over everyone with an unusual seriousness on his face. "No physical training today. Everyone, head to the Suotuo City Great Soul Arena!"
Flender's gaze swept over everyone. "Practice makes perfect. The Great Soul Arena is a melting pot of people— Soul Master, mercenaries, and clan scions. It will allow you to encounter different types of opponents, hone your Soul Skill, and accumulate experience. Remember, once you get there, put away your arrogance, and don't disgrace Shrek Academy—losing is acceptable, but you can't back down!"
"Let's go!" Flender waved his hand and took the lead.
The eight of them set off in a grand procession. Xiao Wu asked curiously, "Dean, how does the Great Soul Arena work? Are there any rules?"
"The rules are simple," Flender explained as he walked. "After registering for the Soul Fighting Badge, you can choose between solo, duo, or team matches. Each person can participate in a maximum of one solo, one duo, and one team match per day. Winning earns points and prize money; the higher your points, the stronger the opponents you can challenge. Remember two things: First, except in the Deathmatch Arena, you are not allowed to intentionally kill anyone, but no one will care if you are injured; second, don't make excuses if you lose, just learn from your mistakes. Also, there are referees supervising the Soul Fighting Arena; violations will result in disqualification and even being blacklisted."
Tang San listened silently, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the Hidden Weapon in his sleeve, a hint of eagerness flashing in his eyes. Dai Mubai, on the other hand, crossed his arms, his expression gloomy, clearly still holding a grudge against Yan Zu for obstructing him yesterday.
Zhu Zhuqing walked beside Yan Zu, her steps light yet tense. Provoked by Dai Mubai yesterday, and mindful of her own lack of strength, she desperately needed a victory to prove herself. Xiao Wu, sensing her thoughts, patted her arm. "Zhu Zhuqing, let's cheer each other on later!"