Chapter 102: Small Town Conflict
After running for most of the day, the group finally arrived at the small town outside the Star Dou Forest in the evening.
"Huff, huff, Big Brother Dai, I can't go any further. I need you to treat us to a big meal so I can survive."
After running for so long, Fatty was out of breath and intended to ask Dai Mubai for a treat, as he was a Soul Venerable and received a monthly allowance of 100 gold soul coins.
As for Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, who both looked very wealthy, Ma Hongjun decided he still had some pride.
Dai Mubai didn't mind, waved his hand, and led everyone to a nearby hotel.
"No problem, tonight's meal is on me, Young Master Dai."
After the argument with Little Kitty, the perverted old tiger regretted his actions and planned to make amends for his terrible image.
Xiao Wu looked confused and asked Zhao Wuji, who was walking alone towards the second floor.
"Teacher Zhao, aren't you joining us?"
Zhao Wuji waved his hand and didn't answer her.
Seeing the confusion among the group, Dai Mubai explained.
"The academy's teachers don't take advantage of us. Don't mind Teacher Zhao."
When they entered the restaurant, Dai Mubai immediately threw the menu at Ma Hongjun.
"You're the one who can eat, you choose."
Everyone had no objections. No one dared to claim they could eat more than the fat man, whose whole body was made up of fat.
Ma Hongjun took the menu without hesitation, his plump fingers constantly pointing at items.
"This one... this one... and this one."
A few seconds later, Ma Hongjun closed the menu and threw it to a nearby waiter.
"Hello, just these, right?"
"Forget what I ordered earlier, just bring one of everything else."
"Huh?"
The waiter looked confused, but Ma Hongjun nodded affirmatively, then patted Dai Mubai on the shoulder.
"Young Master Dai is treating, don't just stand there."
"Alright, alright, please wait a moment."
The girls watched Ma Hongjun acting like a big spender and smiled slightly. Dai Mubai didn't hold back either, as long as it could improve his image.
Just as the waiter was setting food on the table, a group of students in uniform walked into the restaurant, accompanied by an elderly man, clearly also here for soul hunting.
Ma Hongjun began to size up the girls in their group.
"This girl looks pretty good, Big Brother Dai."
"Ahem, ahem."
Dai Mubai coughed twice but didn't reply to him since Little Kitty was still nearby.
The group was acting arrogantly, occasionally bumping into other customers as they walked, without apologizing.
Seeing that the other group had more people, the customers didn't dare to provoke them and quickly got up to leave.
"Looks like they're from Canghui Academy, right?"
"Hmph, a small Canghui Academy, what are they showing off for?"
Ma Hongjun snorted coldly, then stopped paying attention to them and began to devour his food.
Though Fatty's voice wasn't loud, it was clearly heard by the students from the other group.
"You fat guy, what are you saying? Do you want to die?"
Upon hearing the provocation, Oscar smiled excitedly.
"Looks like we're going to have a good show."
"A good show?"
Ning Rongrong looked confused at Oscar, not understanding why he was so eager.
"The Dean always says, soul masters who don't cause trouble are mediocre."
After hearing this, Ning Rongrong and the other girls sneered. The words sounded ridiculous—why not go cause trouble at the Spirit Hall's entrance? If you got turned into minced meat, at least I'd admire you for being a man.
Fatty acted as if he hadn't heard the challenge and continued stuffing his face with food, occasionally commenting on how good it tasted.
Seeing that Fatty was ignoring them, the other group got angrier and rushed forward, grabbing for Ma Hongjun's shoulder.
Before they could make contact, Dai Mubai squeezed their forearm.
"We said, a small Canghui Academy showing off? Did you hear us?"
With a slight force, he pushed the student a few meters back, slamming him onto the table.
Seeing their companion being pushed back, the students from Canghui Academy weren't going to back down and immediately summoned their soul rings, directing them at Dai Mubai and the others.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun snorted disdainfully.
"I thought you'd be impressive, but you've still got a ten-year soul ring? Brothers, let's show them our spirits."
The two immediately activated their best soul rings, and after a moment of hesitation, Tang San also released his mother's soul ring. He had a good impression of Dai Mubai, believing he was both bold and generous.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing didn't stand up. They were already contemptuous of the idea that non-troublemaking soul masters were mediocre.
Xiao Wu, however, was a bit moved. Her hands were itching lately.
Seeing that their soul rings were being overpowered, the Canghui Academy students felt as though they had been slapped in the face, but with the atmosphere reaching its peak, they couldn't back out. They rushed forward at Dai Mubai and his group.
However, they were no match for Dai Mubai and the others. With ease, they were knocked down in a row. Xiao Wu also occasionally used her Eight-Part Throw on passing students, finding it quite fun.
When they saw their students couldn't win, the elderly man accompanying them became anxious. He quickly stepped forward to stop the fight.
"I'm their teacher. Which academy are you from? And where is your teacher?"
"Hmph, we're from Shrek Academy."
Fatty, seeing the old man's stance, proudly addressed him.
"Shrek? Never heard of it."
"Then you're just ignorant! Be careful, or we'll beat you up too."
The old man thought for a moment and judged that they weren't from any major sect. He immediately entered his spirit form.
Five soul rings appeared on his body: one white, two yellow, and two purple, with a mysterious turtle floating behind him.
"Where is your teacher? This matter needs an adult to resolve."
"With just you, old turtle, do you think you can see our teacher? We're enough to handle you."
Fatty, thinking his side had more people, wasn't afraid and shouted.
"Fine, then I'll educate you on behalf of your teacher."
At this point, the hotel owner cautiously peeked his head out from the front desk.
"Please, gentlemen, please don't fight in my small shop."
"Alright, come outside. I, Ye Zhiqiu, will show you what respect for your elders looks like."
"We'll come out, don't worry about us!"
Tang San furrowed his brow. This situation was beyond his support, but he couldn't just stand by either. After some thought, he decided to help, at worst justifying it as self-defense.
The group walked outside the hotel and stopped. Though they verbally dismissed the old turtle, he was indeed a Soul King. When Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun faced him directly, they still felt a bit nervous.
"Kid, you can go first, but don't say I bullied you."
"Hmph, we'll see about that. Second Soul Skill: Phoenix of the Flames, First Soul Skill: Phoenix Fireline."
Fatty activated his spirit form, his body engulfed in flames, and a long fireline shot towards Ye Zhiqiu.
"Mystic Turtle Shield."
Seeing the flames coming, Ye Zhiqiu's first soul ring flashed, and a green ripple surrounded him, protecting him from Fatty's fire.
(END CHAPTER)
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