"…This…"
Hearing Qi Lin's words, a trace of hesitation flashed across Flender's face.
Don't get it wrong—he wasn't worried about Qi Lin. On the contrary, what he was really worried about… was his personal disciple, Ma Hongjun.
When it comes to geniuses—
No, when it comes to true monsters, you can never use common sense to judge them.
He didn't know much about Qi Lin, and although he was aware that Qi Lin was only an support-type soul master, the calm confidence in the boy's tone and demeanor made him abandon the idea of treating Qi Lin like any ordinary support.
Besides his own gut feeling, there was another reason.
Right after Qi Lin accepted the challenge, Xiao Wu—who had always been concerned about him—showed no sign of panic whatsoever.
Clearly, Xiao Wu had absolute faith in Qi Lin's strength!
Unfortunately, before Flender could say another word, Ma Hongjun had already jumped in impatiently.
"Heh! You said it yourself! Don't come crying when I beat you into the ground!"
Ma Hongjun seemed afraid that Qi Lin would back out or that Flender would step in to stop them. His eagerness was practically written all over his face.
Seeing this, Flender could only let out a disappointed sigh.
Well, maybe it's about time this fatty learned a hard lesson.
Let's hope this teaches him something.
"All right. Since Qi Lin's agreed, then Fatty, go ahead and have a soul duel with him," Flender said at last. "But remember—no serious injuries!"
Flender's expression was complicated. That warning wasn't just for Ma Hongjun—it applied to Qi Lin as well.
But his good intentions went completely over Ma Hongjun's head.
The boy was already cracking his knuckles, his face full of fighting spirit.
"Relax, Headmaster! I'll make sure to give Teacher Qi some face—I won't embarrass him too badly!"
Flender smacked his own forehead in frustration.
This fat kid's hopeless.
The others around them reacted in different ways.
Most of the Shrek teachers had the attitude of casual spectators.
These veterans could see things clearly—they probably shared similar thoughts with Flender. But they still didn't overestimate Qi Lin. After all, no matter how many hidden cards he might have, he was still just an support-type soul master.
Dai Mubai stood silently at the side, a wicked smile playing on his lips, as if he were already imagining Qi Lin's defeat.
Oscar, on the other hand, furrowed his brows, feeling vaguely uneasy.
Zhu Zhuqing nudged Xiao Wu's shoulder, only to find that the girl was looking at Ma Hongjun like he was an idiot. Her face carried a gloating smirk, with not the slightest hint of concern.
By now, Qi Lin and Ma Hongjun had already stepped into the center of the training field, facing each other.
Ma Hongjun's eyes involuntarily flicked up and down. Compared to Qi Lin's tall figure, clean-cut appearance, and refined aura… his own short and pudgy build made him feel just a little jealous.
"Pretty boy… Think looking that good means you get a free pass? Let's see how I deal with you!"
Ma Hongjun muttered under his breath, then shouted, "Phoenix Possession!"
The moment the word "Phoenix" came out, both Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu tensed up slightly.
After all, in the realm of beast-type martial souls, the Phoenix was among the most powerful and prestigious.
Who would've thought this chubby guy actually awakened such a top-tier martial soul?
He was really hiding his cards well!
But the very next second, when the two girls saw Ma Hongjun's hair grow into a bright mohawk and his hands turn into chicken claws, they couldn't help but crack up.
This is the so-called Phoenix?
Was he trying to be funny?
Meanwhile, across from him, Qi Lin didn't even bother activating his martial soul.
This fat little phoenix… didn't deserve it.
Qi Lin curled his finger toward Ma Hongjun in a beckoning gesture. His face showed no contempt, but his relaxed posture and casual movement made Ma Hongjun grit his teeth.
"Damn it! I've never seen anyone this arrogant!"
Even the onlookers were stunned.
A support-type dares act this cocky in front of Ma Hongjun?
"You're asking for it!"
"Phoenix Fire Wire!"
With a shout, Ma Hongjun's first soul ring lit up.
He opened his mouth wide and spat out a stream of purple-red flame directly at Qi Lin.
But in that very instant, Qi Lin's figure vanished like a blur of shadow.
The Phoenix Fire Line hit nothing but empty space, scorching a deep black line across the ground.
Ma Hongjun's pupils shrank—he barely caught the afterimage of Qi Lin moving.
Before he could react, Qi Lin had already appeared right in front of him—and then came a punch straight to the face.
BANG!
With a pitiful scream, Ma Hongjun was sent flying like a rubber ball, soaring several meters before crashing hard and skidding across the ground, leaving behind a long trench.
"That speed… that strength… Are we sure Qi Lin isn't an assault-type Soul Sect?!"
Everyone was left stunned, too shocked to even check on Ma Hongjun.
Elsewhere on the field, Ma Hongjun struggled to his feet, his head still ringing.
Just as his vision cleared, the first thing he saw was Qi Lin's calm, smiling face.
His heart skipped a beat. He opened his mouth, preparing to launch another Phoenix Fire Wire.
But before he could act, Qi Lin had already grabbed his mohawk with one hand and wound up the other—
SMACK!
The air crackled with a sonic boom.
Ma Hongjun's cheek instantly flushed red, swelling before their very eyes.
"Is this it?"
Smack!
"This is what you call a monster?"
Smack!
Qi Lin scolded him with each slap, hands flying like shadows.
Ma Hongjun's face quickly ballooned into a swollen pig's head. His already goofy expression was now completely deformed. His eyes had been squished into tiny slits, barely able to show his dazed confusion.
"Fatty… if you want to pick a fight, you better have the strength to back it up."
Qi Lin stopped, shook out his hand, and said calmly.
Then he grabbed Ma Hongjun by the mohawk and tossed him upward.
With a sudden burst of leg strength, he leaped into the air above him and came crashing down—
BOOM!
Ma Hongjun's plump body slammed into the ground like a cannonball, sending cracks across the training field like a spiderweb.
Qi Lin landed from above, stepping down hard just inches from Ma Hongjun's head.
CRACK!
The ground shattered beneath his foot, shards of rock flying, grazing Ma Hongjun's cheek.
Too scared to even breathe, Ma Hongjun lay there trembling—and a warm stream of liquid suddenly soaked the bottom of his robes.
The entire scene left everyone, except for Xiao Wu, completely stunned.
They stared at Qi Lin as if they were looking at a creature from another world.
This guy… a support-type soul master?
Yeah, right.
Who the hell was he trying to fool?