LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 23: Water Spirit
"Just passing through and thought I'd stop by," Ning Fengzhi replied with a gentle smile.
"You should've let me know you were coming. I could've arranged something to welcome you," Xiao Xiao said with a fawning grin.
Ning Fengzhi's expression turned serious. "Xiao Xiao, what exactly are you doing here?"
"This brat broke one of my son's ribs, so I'm teaching him a lesson on behalf of his parents," Xiao Xiao replied.
"Xiao Xiao, this is my academy," the dean of Nuoding College interjected sternly. "You, an adult, barging in here to attack students—don't you have any shame?"
"Dean Chen, you might not be aware, but these working-students have already been expelled from the academy. They're not your students anymore," Xiao Xiao explained with a sly smirk.
"Expelled? How is it that I wasn't informed of this?" Dean Chen's face darkened as he turned to the gathered Crowd.
"He's the one who expelled us!" Wang Sheng pointed directly at the vice-dean standing amidst the group.
"You?" Dean Chen followed the direction of Wang Sheng's finger, his gaze locking onto the vice-dean, Qian Ming.
"Qian Ming, you went over my head and expelled students without my consent? Do you still see me as the dean of this academy? Furthermore, there's a third-ring Spirit Elder among them!"
"Dean, I... I didn't know he was a Soul Master!" Qian Ming stammered with a look of regret.
Ye Feng, however, had no intention of letting the matter rest. "Weren't you planning to teach me a lesson? Come on, don't stop now!"
Xiao Xiao's face darkened. "Hmph. Out of respect for Sect Leader Ning and the dean, I'll let you off this time."
Despite his words, the cold glint in Xiao Xiao's eyes betrayed his lingering hostility. However, with Ning Fengzhi present—his vital business partner—Xiao Xiao knew better than to risk creating a bad impression.
But Ye Feng wasn't about to let it slide. He took a step forward, his voice calm yet commanding. "You attacked me with a Soul Skill earlier. Now, it's my turn to strike back."
First Soul Skill: Beast Blood Boiling
Ye Feng's first soul ring glowed bright yellow as a surge of crimson light enveloped him. His aura surged, his blood energy intensifying.
Second Soul Skill: Freeze
Without hesitation, Ye Feng's second soul ring activated, radiating icy light. Instantly, Xiao Xiao's body was encased in a thirty-centimeter-thick layer of frost.
"Instant casting?" Dean Chen exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.
The Crowd could only gape in astonishment. The seamless execution of two Soul Skills left no room for Xiao Xiao to react. Before he could even struggle against the ice, Ye Feng's fist connected with the frozen barrier.
Bang!
The impact sent Xiao Xiao flying over ten meters, crashing heavily onto the ground.
"Is he truly a control-type Soul Master?" one of the academy teachers muttered in disbelief.
Even Ning Fengzhi seemed taken aback. "Soul Power... Level 34?"
The realization spread like wildfire among the onlookers. At just six years old, Ye Feng's Soul Power had reached an astonishing level 34. With his first Soul Skill amplifying his strength and speed by 34%, his punch had been as devastating as that of a battle-hardened Soul Master.
The dean's gaze turned icy as he directed his fury at Qian Ming. "Do you have any idea what you've done, Vice-Dean? A prodigy like him, expelled under your orders!"
Qian Ming stammered in defense. "But... Dean, they broke the rules! According to academy regulations, they deserved to be expelled!"
"Rules? Hmph! I'll be holding you fully accountable for this!" Dean Chen snapped.
Meanwhile, Ye Feng slowly approached the battered Xiao Xiao.
"What are you planning to do?" Xiao Xiao asked, his voice trembling as he clutched his chest. The memory of Ye Feng's earlier punch filled him with dread.
"You said you'd break two of my ribs if I wasn't strong enough. Well, since you couldn't keep your word, I'll break four of yours," Ye Feng replied coldly. "Consider it a lesson—don't act recklessly outside your home. There's always someone stronger."
Before Xiao Xiao could react, Ye Feng's Third Soul Skill: Water Essence activated. A five-meter-radius pool of shimmering water materialized beneath Xiao Xiao's feet, halving his movement speed while leaving Ye Feng unaffected.
"It's over!" Xiao Xiao's face turned pale as Ye Feng's fist connected once again.
Crack!
The sound of breaking ribs echoed through the courtyard, silencing everyone. A six-year-old child had completely overwhelmed an experienced Soul Master in his thirties.
"You'll regret this, boy!" Xiao Xiao spat, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"Anytime," Ye Feng replied with an unbothered smile.
Xiao Xiao staggered over to Ning Fengzhi, bowing respectfully. "Sect Leader Ning, I apologize for the embarrassment caused today."
As Xiao Xiao spoke, Ye Feng walked up to Ning Fengzhi, his demeanor softening. "Uncle Ning, what brings you here?"
"Uncle Ning?" Xiao Xiao's eyes widened in disbelief. Ye Feng had just addressed his most important business partner with such familiarity.
"I heard from the townspeople that you and Uncle Jian had returned, so I thought I'd stop by," Ning Fengzhi replied, ruffling Ye Feng's hair affectionately.
"Uncle Jian?" Yu Xiaogang's face paled as he connected the dots. "Ye Feng's teacher... is Sword Douluo Chen Xin?"
Hearing this, Tang San turned to his teacher, his curiosity piqued. "Teacher, is Ye Feng's teacher stronger than you?"
Yu Xiaogang sighed deeply; his expression complicated. "Stronger? Tang San, there's no comparison. Chen Xin is one of the strongest Title Douluo alive, a true legend. Compared to him... I'm nothing."