Lorydia?
This name sounded somewhat familiar.
Su Linfeng suddenly remembered something, and his eyes instantly widened as he looked at Lorydia.
He remembered now.
Lorydia was the Soul Douluo that the Spirit Hall sent to chase down Tang San, the tragic man who was repeatedly interrupted by Yueguan and sent flying during the mission.
He turned out to be Zhang Ping's uncle and also a teacher at the Spirit Hall Academy.
How coincidental.
Su Linfeng never expected to run into him here.
A trio of figures—one large, two small—walked toward the Spirit Hall Academy.
"You are Su Linfeng?"
Lorydia puffed out his chest, a face full of calmness and pride. He spoke as they walked, "I heard your martial soul is also a bird-type, right?"
Although Su Linfeng's talent was incredible, Lorydia, as a teacher at the academy and an elder, had to show a bit of decorum.
Despite Lorydia's seriousness, Su Linfeng couldn't help but smile at his appearance.
However, he restrained himself. Before he could reply, Zhang Ping eagerly jumped in to explain, "Uncle, Su Linfeng's martial soul is a black firebird, and it's extremely powerful."
"A firebird?"
Lorydia raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "A firebird that powerful? You defeated all seven of them by yourself?"
"Just a firebird?"
The words felt like they were placing the bird's martial soul at the bottom of the avian hierarchy.
Does Lorydia even know what kind of firebird it is?
"Teacher,"
Su Linfeng finally spoke up. "It's not as powerful as Zhang Ping says. I only managed to win yesterday's assessment because my soul power was a bit higher than theirs, and it was more of a lucky win."
"You're too modest."
Lorydia's corner of his mouth twitched, almost unable to suppress his surprise.
Did this kid just say it was a 'lucky win'?
This kid had the innate full soul power of level 20—double that of normal peers. Was that just a 'bit' stronger?
He had a talent so overwhelming that it directly countered the soul fusion technique of Hu Liena and Xie Yue, and yet this kid called that a 'lucky win'?
Lorydia had only said that out loud to maintain the teacher's dignity, but Su Linfeng's talent was no secret. Lorydia had heard of it, though he hadn't seen it firsthand.
"Little brat, how do you feel about our Ping Ping?"
"Ah?"
Su Linfeng was caught off guard.
"Uncle! What are you talking about?"
Before Su Linfeng could react, Zhang Ping tilted her head and immediately protested, "Even though Su Linfeng's martial soul is perfect for our family, he's only six years old! Are you rushing things? Also, Hu Liena is my good friend. I won't be fighting her for a man."
As soon as Zhang Ping finished, Su Linfeng almost stumbled and fell.
What's going on here?
Your uncle meant to ask about his talent, not this!
And you're aware that you're only six years old?
Is this something a six-year-old child would say?
Also, what does Hu Liena have to do with this? These people on the Douluo Continent mature too quickly, but this is going way overboard!
But the next words from Lorydia made Su Linfeng feel like he had wasted ten thousand years of life.
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Lorydia snorted coldly. "Are you afraid, or just unwilling? The Golden Eagle clan is the king of all birds. We are not only about strength but about having a proud character."
"You have none of your mother's former grace. When your mother met your father, she was only six years old. And her rival was the Spirit Hall's Lingyuan Douluo. Yet, didn't your father still end up with a man from my mighty Eagle clan?"
"This kid's talent is extraordinary. If he becomes a member of the Golden Eagle clan, he will undoubtedly develop an even more powerful martial soul in the future."
Zhang Ping: "Got it, uncle!"
Su Linfeng: "???"
What the heck?
It turns out that I misunderstood Lorydia's intentions!
What's with the 'king of all birds' and the 'proud character'?
Is this how the Golden Eagle clan raises their kids?
This is even worse than Yueguan, that genderless freak. And there's someone else here too—can't you at least consider how the protagonist feels?
At the same time, Lorydia and Zhang Ping both turned to look at Su Linfeng, seemingly expecting an answer from him.
Now, Su Linfeng was completely confused.
He thought, "So you guys are serious about this! No wonder you're called the 'Golden Eagles'!"
"Su Linfeng! Zhang Ping!"
At this critical moment, Hu Liena appeared at the entrance of the school and ran toward them.
Her timely appearance saved Su Linfeng.
After greeting Hu Liena, Su Linfeng sighed with relief. If Hu Liena hadn't shown up in time, he truly didn't know how to deal with these two 'Golden Eagles.'
Hu Liena blushed slightly and shyly nodded at Su Linfeng.
This was not normal!
It was way too abnormal!
No wonder Bibidong questioned his mental state—can you believe this is the kind of expression a six-year-old child would have?
Su Linfeng was now completely done.
"Uncle Lorydia!"
Hu Liena finally greeted Lorydia.
Hu Liena and Zhang Ping were not just classmates but close sisters.
So she continued to use the same way of addressing Lorydia.
She was also quite respectful toward him.
"Ahem!"
Lorydia cleared his throat, becoming serious again, and reminded, "Nana, you've arrived at the academy. I've already told you that at school, you need to call me by my title, 'Teacher.'"
"Okay, Teacher Plants."
Hu Liena replied obediently.
Lorydia: "..."
Su Linfeng: "..."
"Nana."
Zhang Ping naturally took Hu Liena's hand and said, "Don't mind my uncle, he's just a substitute teacher. He enjoys acting like a real teacher at the Spirit Hall Academy."
Hu Liena turned to Zhang Ping, "What were you talking about earlier? You two seemed so happy?"
"Nothing."
Zhang Ping grinned. "We were just talking about the future of our Golden Eagle clan. I'll tell you about it when the time is right."
Su Linfeng: "???"
Hold on...
Earlier, didn't you and your uncle just discuss making me a part of your Golden Eagle clan?
Shouldn't I be included in that 'future'?
Now you're saying nothing about it?
Earlier, you said you were close to Hu Liena, but now you're backstabbing her in front of her face? Truly, you can't trust anyone—especially not the Golden Eagles.
"Hey."
Hu Liena leaned in closer to Zhang Ping and whispered, "Did you take care of the thing I asked you about? I want to compete with Su Linfeng again in this trial. If I win, he'll have to take me out for dinner."
"Not yet."
Zhang Ping took a glance at Su Linfeng and whispered back, "But if you bring me along to the dinner, I can have my uncle help you out. You'll definitely win."
"Really?"
Hu Liena's eyes brightened.
Zhang Ping nodded affirmatively.
Feeling more confident, Hu Liena turned to look at Su Linfeng.
Clearing her throat, she spoke, "Su Linfeng, Zhang Ping wasn't too happy about losing to you yesterday. She wants to compete with you again today. Do you dare?"
Uh...
Su Linfeng's eyelids twitched.
He thought, "You two really are sisters. One makes it obvious, and the other backstabs right in front of the target."
"Of course, this time it won't be a contest of strength."
Hu Liena continued, Instead, it will be about this trial activity. The loser will have to promise the winner a condition.