"What's this? Using seniority to bully the young?"
At Zhuge Lan's command:
"Brothers, show him our martial souls and let's see who's the real boss!"
Zhu Zhuqing obediently released her Netherworld Civet martial soul, with two yellow spirit rings pulsating.
Ning Rongrong followed suit, summoning her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, causing a wave of gasps from the crowd.
—This was the unique martial soul of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!
The two yellow spirit rings seemed much less noticeable in comparison.
Dai Mubai was a step behind, releasing his White Tiger martial soul, with two yellow and one purple spirit rings, drawing attention.
Another Soul Elder!
Seeing this, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Oscar also revealed their martial souls and spirit rings in succession.
This sight made Ye Zhiqiu's scalp tingle.
They all had the best combinations!
And there's even a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?
Especially the leader, who, despite his young age, was already a Soul Elder with such powerful first, second, and third thousand-year spirit rings!
What kind of god-tier setup was this?
Definitely a core disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!
*[Emotion Points +555]*
*[Emotion Points +555]*
*[Emotion Points +555]*
He had kicked a steel plate!
Even the hotel owner, who had just poked his head out, quietly shrank back into the kitchen.
He knew how to weigh life against money.
"Ahem!"
Ye Zhiqiu quickly retracted his martial soul, awkwardly laughing:
"Esteemed talents of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, it seems there has been a misunderstanding. My apologies!"
"I'll cover today's meal, and we'll disappear right away."
He grabbed the terrified boy beside him, ready to flee.
"Hold on!"
Ma Hongjun stood with his hands on his hips, using someone else's power to act tough:
"I said earlier, if you want to apologize, hand over that girl—"
"Smack!"
Ma Hongjun, clutching the back of his head, looked at Zhuge Lan in confusion.
What?
Why hit me?
"I stepped in, not to support your misdeeds," Zhuge Lan said in displeasure.
"That nonsense about not causing trouble being cowardly is absolute rubbish!"
"I stepped in because we are a team now, and I won't stand by and let you get bullied."
"But don't go overboard!"
"Otherwise, I'll deal with you myself!"
*[Emotion Points +1111]*
*[Emotion Points +5200]*
*[Emotion Points +999]*
*[Emotion Points +555]*
A series of emotion points flashed as Ma Hongjun stood there with a confused expression.
Huh?
The education he had long received couldn't process Zhuge Lan's words.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, looked at Zhuge Lan with bright, admiring eyes.
—A man who understands etiquette and takes responsibility, who wouldn't be attracted to that?
Especially with Ma Hongjun serving as a contrasting example, Zhuge Lan appeared even more impressive!
Having made his stance clear, Zhuge Lan stopped caring about Ma Hongjun—he wasn't his dad, after all, so he didn't need to teach him how to behave.
He turned back to Ye Zhiqiu.
"You heard what I said, teacher."
"Although our team made a mistake first, no one took action."
"Now, give us a solution."
*[Emotion Points +444]*
Ye Zhiqiu was caught in a dilemma.
Apologize?
He was a Soul King, after all.
But if he left...
If the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect targeted him, he'd lose more than just face—he'd be a dead man for sure!
After a brief hesitation, Ye Zhiqiu slumped in resignation. To save his life, he had no choice but to humble himself.
"Thud—"
He dropped to his knees in front of Zhuge Lan, bowing his head in a proper kowtow.
"It was my fault for being ignorant. Please, have mercy!"
"These students are just children. Please spare them!"
*[Emotion Points +999]*
*[Emotion Points +666]*
*[Emotion Points +555]*
Zhuge Lan was stunned by the kneeling.
He looked down—he hadn't even summoned his Li Jing Long Sword!
What?
Is the Green Turtle martial soul really this adaptable?
His attitude was so spot on that it left Zhuge Lan unsure of how to proceed.
As he hesitated, Ma Hongjun chimed in with an assist: "Just talking isn't enough. Let's see some real action."
Well done!
As Ye Zhiqiu pulled out his money pouch, prepared to pay to avoid disaster, Zhuge Lan stopped him.
"We're not robbers. What use is money?"
He cast a side glance at Ma Hongjun.
*[Emotion Points +2222]*
Ma Hongjun's face was filled with grievance.
No flirting with girls, no swindling for money—what was left?
Zhuge Lan ignored him, continuing:
"We are all soul masters, so let's resolve this in a soul master's way."
"You and I will duel. No matter the outcome, this will settle everything."
"How about it?"
*[Emotion Points +2333]*
*[Emotion Points +1111]*
*[Emotion Points +666]*
*[Emotion Points +233]*
Everyone was shocked!
A three-ring Soul Elder challenging a five-ring Soul King?
Even if you have a thousand-year first, second, and third ring, there's still a two-rank difference!
Are you serious?
Ye Zhiqiu hesitated for a moment, probing:
"As a member of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, you mean what you say, correct?"
Zhuge Lan nodded confidently.
—He was only guaranteeing his own words.
Whatever Ye Zhiqiu imagined had nothing to do with him.
'As expected!'
'He's really a prodigy of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!'
'Alright, I'll just focus on defense, let the kid vent, and exhaust his spirit power.'
With his plan set, Ye Zhiqiu proposed:
"There's not enough room here. Let's take this outside."
His intention was to gather witnesses—young people don't like losing face in public.
This played right into Zhuge Lan's hands.
—The more people, the better to farm emotional points!
"Let's go!"
Zhuge Lan strode to the door, stopping Zhu Zhuqing as he passed.
"You guys stay here. Don't be curious and peek outside."
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong exchanged a glance, immediately understanding.
—He's going to use that move!
*[Emotion Points +1111]*
*[Emotion Points +1111]*
"Be careful," Zhu Zhuqing said with concern.
"Go easy on them; they're quite pitiful," Ning Rongrong added sympathetically.
They then linked arms and went upstairs without a second glance.
Their decisiveness made Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai, who had experienced it before, sense danger.
*[Emotion Points +666]*
*[Emotion Points +555]*
*[Emotion Points +444]*
They stood their ground.
"We'll wait here for your return," Dai Mubai said.
Tang San and Xiao Wu nodded in agreement.
Though Oscar wasn't in the know, he trusted Zhuge Lan and stood beside Dai Mubai.
Only Ma Hongjun, eyeing the mature women across from him, followed Zhuge Lan outside, acting as if he hadn't heard a thing.
But...
*[Emotion Points +233]*
*[Emotion Points +233]*
*[Emotion Points +233]*
Emotion points only triggered when reactions were caused by Zhuge Lan.
Ma Hongjun clearly had no place in this!
He heard it but chose not to listen.
Zhuge Lan didn't bother persuading him and quickly left the hotel.
—It's hard to reason with those looking for trouble.
The news of a Soul Elder challenging a Soul King drew a crowd of onlookers.
They surrounded the area in layers, leaving a clearing in the center.
Ye Zhiqiu quietly stood at one end, waiting.
"Are you ready?" Zhuge Lan asked. "The rule is, whoever loses their fighting capability first loses."
Ye Zhiqiu silently summoned his Black Turtle martial soul. After his martial soul possessed him, he crouched on the ground, tucking his limbs and head into his shell.
He was fully prepared to take a beating.
In a muffled voice, he said, "Go ahead!"
Wow!
So cooperative?
With such an easy target, there was no rush to unleash his plan—let the word spread and draw in more people.
But before that...
Time to create some showmanship and draw in more unlucky spectators!
Zhuge Lan didn't even summon his martial soul.
Instead, he coated his fist with spirit power and threw a basic punch.
*[Emotion Points +99]*
Ye Zhiqiu smirked inwardly—this kid was underestimating him...
"Boom—"
"Crack—"
Ye Zhiqiu's martial-soul-possessed turtle shell shattered!
And more than that...
"Ugh—"
---
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