"You win, Xiao Huo."
"I lost fair and square. From now on, you're the new captain of the Blazing Battle Team."
Liu Huo was helped up off the ground.
Lin Feng gave Xiao Huo a congratulatory glance.
This guy had decent potential—stronger than the Shi brothers, for sure.
Still… nothing worth getting excited about.
Just a bunch of amateurs brawling among themselves.
What a waste.
Lin Feng sighed and shook his head with regret.
Watching him frown and sigh over and over, Huo Wushuang became thoughtful.
Wait… is that regret?
Is he disappointed?
Does he want to fight but can't because this was an internal duel of our Blazing Academy?
Yeah, that must be it. I've heard the Royal Academy is full of pampered aristocrats and spoiled nobles.
Lin Feng must be the outlier—a true genius stuck among mediocrity.
Lone kings always long for recognition from their peers…
Nodding with confidence at his own analysis, Huo Wushuang stepped forward and patted Lin Feng on the shoulder.
"Don't sigh, Lin Feng."
"If you're so eager to fight, how about a match with me?"
Lin Feng blinked in confusion at the completely out-of-the-blue statement.
Wait… what?
When did I ever say I wanted to fight?
Before he could even react, Huo Wushuang leapt onto the platform.
Xiao Huo, knowing better than to get in the way, quickly stepped down.
"Come on, Lin Feng! Let's have a friendly spar!"
Huo Wushuang extended his hand invitingly.
"Did he say Lin Feng?"
"The same Lin Feng the dean always mentions? The genius from that Royal Academy?"
"Wait, that's Huo Wushuang! He's challenging him?!"
"The dean's own son is challenging the Royal Academy's genius? This is going to be good!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement, all eyes shifting to Lin Feng.
Even Huo Wu was stunned as she looked at her brother on the platform.
Why's he challenging Lin Feng?
Could it be…
She suddenly remembered something she once said as a child:
"Hmph! I, Huo Wu, will only marry the one who can defeat me!"
No way… does he really think I like Lin Feng and is trying to test his strength?
How annoying! Clearly, Lin Feng is the one who likes me!
I haven't even said yes yet—why is my brother getting so eager?!
Ugh, idiot!
Though flustered and frustrated, a faint blush spread across Huo Wu's cheeks.
Lin Feng glanced at her awkward expression, puzzled.
What's she blushing for now?
I haven't even said anything flirtatious.
Can't she see her brother's clearly trying to beat me up?
"I bet Lin Feng's scared."
"Look, he's been making googly eyes at Huo Wu this whole time. Probably hoping she'll bail him out."
Lin Feng's face darkened at the nearby whispers.
Scared? Me? Are you people serious?
The same Lin Feng who broke Wang Lei's arm and crippled Wang Xiang's limbs? Since when have I ever been afraid?
He stopped paying attention to the crowd and walked straight toward the platform.
"Hahaha! Lin Feng, I knew you wouldn't back down!"
"Today, I'll give you what you've been craving!"
Lin Feng raised a hand helplessly and assumed a fighting stance.
From below, Huo Wu glared daggers at her brother.
If you dare hurt Lin Feng today, you're dead meat.
Up on the platform, Huo Wushuang suddenly felt a chill down his spine—as if someone was staring daggers at him.
Was that... Huo Wu?
No way, she must be looking at Lin Feng. Probably mad at how he ignored her earlier.
Well then, I'll give Lin Feng a proper defeat to cheer her up.
"Sorry in advance, Lin Feng."
"Huo Wushuang, age thirteen. Martial Soul: One Horned Fire Dragon. Rank 26 Attack Type Soul Grandmaster."
Two yellow soul rings appeared beneath his feet—a top-tier configuration.
"Wow! As expected of the dean's son!"
Even Xiao Huo, standing offstage, was taken aback.
As the current strongest in the team, even I have to admit—Wushuang's talent may surpass mine.
"Lin Feng, I'll let you attack first."
"You're younger than me, after all."
Huo Wushuang smiled confidently, underestimating Lin Feng due to the rumors surrounding his age.
He planned to let Lin Feng throw a few punches before overpowering him, hoping to preserve the boy's pride.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng stood there, not even summoning his martial soul.
"You... sure?"
Lin Feng raised a brow, half-incredulous.
"Of course. Don't hold back."
Huo Wushuang took a defensive stance, his gaze calm and full of anticipation.
"First Soul Skill—Fire Dragon Constriction."
Lin Feng sighed, shaking his head, then calmly extended his right hand.
A massive fire dragon roared forth, barreling toward Huo Wushuang.
He didn't have time to think—
"Second Soul Skill—Dragon Scale Shield!"
A shimmering shield formed from illusory dragon scales appeared in front of him.
Huo Wushuang gritted his teeth, struggling to hold off the blast.
"You… you call this twelve years old…?"
Onlookers—including Huo Wu—were stunned by Lin Feng's composure and effortless power.
"Argh—!"
Huo Wushuang roared, pouring more soul power into the shield just to stay standing.
But the fire dragon kept pressing forward.
Lin Feng flexed his fingers ever so slightly.
More power.
Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.
The Dragon Scale Shield shattered in an instant.
Huo Wushuang was blasted backward, tumbling across the ground like a rag doll.
Cough, cough, cough—
His body trembled as he spat up blood, each breath accompanied by sharp pain.
The entire arena fell silent.
Even Xiao Huo gulped nervously.
What kind of monster is this Lin Feng?
Huo Wu rushed forward to help her brother.
A nearby healing-type Soul Elder stepped in to administer treatment.
"He's fine. Just a surface wounds."
"Are you okay?"
Lin Feng stepped down from the platform, concern in his voice.
He'd already held back at the last moment, but didn't expect the result to be so harsh.
"I'm fine. I let my guard down."
Cough cough—
"I didn't think you'd be that strong, Lin Feng."
"Looks like Blazing Academy really can't offer you a challenge."
Huo Wushuang clutched his chest, voice laced with pain and self-doubt.
"I wasn't trying to find someone to fight…"
Lin Feng was speechless.
Judging by Wushuang's reaction, the guy really thought Lin Feng had wanted a spar.
Looks like that [Wandering Thoughts] trait is kicking in again…
"Brother Wushuang, you really misunderstood me."
"I honestly wasn't looking for a fight."
Lin Feng tried to clarify, keeping a serious expression.
"I get it. No need to console me, Lin Feng."
"A loss is a loss—no shame in that."
"From the moment I saw how you looked at Xiao Huo and Liu Huo, I could sense your thirst for battle."
"I thought maybe… I could be your opponent."
"But now I see—I was overestimating myself."
"My father was right. You really are a genius."
"I'm not worthy to be your rival. I can accept that."
Huo Wushuang lowered his gaze, his spirit clearly shaken.
Lin Feng didn't know what to say.
Seeing someone have their will crushed like that… it made even him feel a bit helpless.
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