After activating his Spirit Avatar, Zhao Wuji's body swelled to an even larger size. This unfortunately brought him closer to Tang Hao, and the scent emanating from him became even more potent.
Tang Hao quickly retreated two steps, the formidable Clear Sky Hammer materializing in his hand as nine spirit rings rose from beneath his feet. The overwhelming pressure of a Titled Douluo washed over the clearing.
Instantly, the furious expression on Zhao Wuji's face froze. "A Titled Douluo!" he breathed, his anger evaporating into fear. He immediately humbled himself. "May I know why Your Excellency has called me out here?"
Before Tang Hao could answer, he glanced warily at a spot behind Zhao Wuji. "Since you're here, you might as well come out."
Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy, walked out from behind another tree, looking thoroughly embarrassed. He was also frowning, wrinkling his nose at the powerful stench coming from his subordinate.
When Zhao Wuji saw Flender, he felt a surge of confidence. He had backup now. He subconsciously moved closer to his dean for support.
"Don't come over!" Flender yelped, instinctively pushing Zhao Wuji away. The moment his hand made contact, he realized his grave mistake. He shouldn't have touched him! The filth would stick to his hand! But it was too late. "Ah!"
A look of pure agony crossed Flender's face.
Ding!
[Resentment from Flender +22!]
"Old Zhao, I..." Flender couldn't bring himself to say anything more. It was just too disgusting.
"Boss..." Zhao Wuji began to speak again.
Flender's figure flashed, and he reappeared several meters away, frantically rubbing his right hand against a tree trunk. "Stay away from me!"
Ding!
[Resentment from Zhao Wuji +23!]
Flender then bowed respectfully to the imposing figure. "Greetings, Your Excellency Clear Sky."
Tang Hao nodded curtly. "I've come to find you today because I need you to do something for me. Tang San is my son. I'm entrusting him to your care." From a safe distance, Tang Hao offered Zhao Wuji a few pointers on his cultivation. "Consider this your reward. Thank you for your trouble."
After explaining everything, Tang Hao quickly left. He didn't want to stay in this place for another second. It was disgusting, truly disgusting. It wasn't Zhao Wuji's fault if he had an accident in his sleep, but it was most certainly his fault for walking around like this.
...
The next morning, Ye Yin and Xiao Wu walked out of their dorm. After spending several hours on a new, high-intensity training routine, they were only just now recovering. The exercise required complete mental and physical immersion, but it was far more effective than any lower-intensity training. Ye Yin decided that from now on, this was the only way he would train.
"Let's go find something to eat," Ye Yin said. He had two goals in mind: find food, and "accidentally" run into Ma Hongjun to collect some resentment points.
They hadn't walked far when they saw Tang San, so the three of them decided to go together.
"Yin Ge, we're almost outside the academy, aren't we?" Xiao Wu asked, looking around.
Ye Yin waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. What if the best food is outside? Don't you agree, Little San?" Tang San nodded.
As soon as they stepped outside the academy gates, they heard a young couple arguing loudly. One was a simple-looking country girl named Cuihua. The other was a short, round boy who resembled a fat rat, complete with small eyes and a lewd-looking mustache. This was Ma Hongjun.
The two were in a heated argument. As Ma Hongjun spoke, he grew angrier, and he suddenly grabbed Cuihua's arm, trying to forcibly pull her along.
Xiao Wu's expression changed instantly. "How dare you! Forcibly abducting a girl in broad daylight!"
Ma Hongjun's leering gaze shifted to Xiao Wu, and his eyes lit up with lust. "What a beautiful girl! You want to be my girlfriend? I agree!"
Ye Yin shook his head in disgust. "You should take a look in a mirror. You're useless as a person and wouldn't even make a proper ghost. You're as wide as a barrel but not nearly as tall. A fat-headed, big-eared rat like you wants Xiao Wu to be your girlfriend? You don't deserve her."
The sharp insults left Ma Hongjun stunned for a moment. Then, his face twisted in rage. "You're asking to die!"
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +20!]
He lunged forward, throwing a punch at Ye Yin. The little fatty's short legs churned surprisingly quickly, but speed was useless. Ye Yin's arm was longer, and a crisp slap landed squarely on Ma Hongjun's face before his punch could even get close.
Smack!
The slap stunned Ma Hongjun, making his head buzz.
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +25!]
"You're making me furious!" he roared. "Phoenix Possession!"
Two spirit rings, both yellow, rose from beneath his feet. Long, fiery feathers sprouted from his muscular arms, and his hands morphed into sharp claws.
"What an ugly chicken, hahahaha!" Ye Yin burst out laughing.
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +22!]
"Who are you calling a chicken?!" Ma Hongjun screamed. "First Spirit Ability, Phoenix Fire Wire!"
He raised his clawed hands, and his first spirit ring lit up. He opened his mouth wide and spat a thin, purplish-red line of fire toward Ye Yin.
Ye Yin reacted instantly. A black light shot from his own spirit ring and landed on Ma Hongjun.
"Second Spirit Ability, Soul Skill Curse."
He had applied a curse to the Phoenix Fire Wire.
Enhancement: Phoenix Fire Wire's attack range and damage are increased.
Side effect: Not firm.
Duration: Three hours.
Not firm? What does that mean? Ye Yin wondered. He soon found out.
The Phoenix Fire Wire that shot from Ma Hongjun's mouth was indeed a "wire" of flame. Under normal circumstances, it should have shot forward in a straight line. Instead, it drooped like a soft rope, affected by gravity, and dangled limply from his mouth to the ground, where it began to burn the grass.
"Hahaha!" Ye Yin howled with laughter. "Little Fatty, you're a bit soft! No wonder that girl broke up with you. You're too soft! No, this is completely unacceptable! Hahahaha!"
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +19!]
Ma Hongjun's eyes turned red with fury. How dare he say he wasn't firm! It was too infuriating! Anyone else could be called soft, but not him, Ma Hongjun! "Nonsense!" he shrieked. "Who says I'm not firm!"
Despite his anger, he was also confused. Why did his Phoenix Fire Wire become like this? Could this guy be responsible?
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +23!]
"Long-range attacks are no good," Ma Hongjun snarled. "Then let's see you handle my second Spirit Ability, Phoenix of Lust! Let's see how long your arms are now! As long as you touch the flames, you'll take damage. It's a skill that combines offense and defense!"
He charged forward, his second spirit ring flashing. Ye Yin's second ring flashed in response.
"Second Spirit Ability, Soul Skill Curse."
He applied a curse to the Phoenix of Lust.
Enhancement: Phoenix of Lust's damage range and damage are increased.
Side effect: Undiscriminating.
Duration: Forty minutes.
The Phoenix of Lust activated, and Ma Hongjun's entire body began to glow like a small, red sun. He looked at the powerful aura surrounding him and became incredibly excited. "When did my Phoenix of Lust get so strong?! With such a large attack range, it can almost be used as a long-range attack! I, Ma Hongjun, am truly a genius!"
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You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion