Douluo Dalu: The Path of Abyss

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After breakfast, Ye Feng, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Dai Mubai gathered in the small square of Shrek Academy. Before long, Ma Hongjun, who had resolved his personal "needs," also joined them.

Ma Hongjun strode over, grinning as he playfully punched Ye Feng on the shoulder. "Brother, thank you," he said, his tone filled with genuine gratitude.

Ye Feng smiled lightly and shrugged. "I just offered a bit of advice; I didn't actually do anything."

Ma Hongjun rested a hand on Ye Feng's shoulder and said earnestly, "Brother, don't sell yourself short. If not for you, I would have lost another girlfriend. I owe you big time for this. By the way, I just realized—I still don't know your name!"

"Ye Feng," Ye Feng replied simply.

"Ye Feng, huh? Alright, I'll remember it. From now on, you're my Brother Ye San. If it weren't for Dai Boss and Oscar, I'd have called you Ye Boss right away!" Ma Hongjun declared with a chuckle.

Dai Mubai smirked and interjected, "Fatty, why don't you just call him Ye Boss anyway?"

"Is that really alright?" Ma Hongjun asked hesitantly, glancing at Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai, who usually cared only for himself, had once accompanied Ma Hongjun to seek "companionship" but had eventually stopped due to Ma Hongjun's overwhelming stamina. However, Ye Feng was different—he had truly helped Ma Hongjun out of a tough spot.

"Of course," Dai Mubai said confidently, scanning the group before settling his gaze on Ye Feng. "In this world, strength is what truly matters. Ye Feng's power surpasses mine, so I have no problem calling him Boss Ye."

The group began casually ranking themselves by age and strength. Since Tang San hadn't yet showcased his full abilities, he was placed fourth, following Ye Feng, Dai Mubai, and Oscar. Ma Hongjun came next, followed by Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.

Ye Feng flicked his finger, and a sleek black card emerged from his storage soul guide.

"A black card?" Dai Mubai's eyes widened in surprise.

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were similarly stunned. As people of noble or high-ranking lineage, they fully understood the significance of a black card. For someone to possess one, they had to wield immense wealth and influence. Ning Rongrong, in particular, was more curious about why Ye Feng had chosen to reveal it now than about his ability to own one.

Ye Feng handed the black card to Ma Hongjun.

"You're giving this to me?" Ma Hongjun asked in disbelief.

"You're planning to find a few more girlfriends, aren't you? You'll need funds for that," Ye Feng said with a teasing smile.

"But Cuihua hasn't left me now," Ma Hongjun replied hesitantly, his thoughts drifting to Cuihua.

"True," Ye Feng said, his tone calm. "But don't you understand your own situation? From what Mubai's told me, your Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul demands intense relief—sometimes up to four times a day. Cuihua isn't made of iron. Without a good sister to share the burden, do you want her to fall ill or die young?"

Ma Hongjun hesitated, conflicted. He knew Ye Feng had a point. Cuihua alone couldn't handle his martial soul's demands.

"Take it," Ye Feng said firmly, grabbing Ma Hongjun's hand and pressing the black card into it. "You call me Boss Ye, right? Your problems are my problems."

Ma Hongjun clutched the card tightly, his eyes brimming with resolve. "Boss Ye, I'll repay you once I have the money."

Ye Feng chuckled. "Don't be so formal. We're brothers; there's no need for that."

Ye Feng had always believed Ma Hongjun to be a good person at heart. His predicament was the result of his martial soul's peculiar nature, not any moral failing. That was why Ye Feng was willing to help him.

"You're not helping him; you're harming him."

A slightly hoarse voice interrupted the conversation. Turning toward the source, they saw a middle-aged man striding across the square.

The man looked to be in his fifties, with a strong, stocky build. His distinctive face featured a broad forehead, a slightly protruding chin, and a hooked nose.

"Brother, it's him," Xiao Wu whispered to Ye Feng.

Ye Feng nodded.

The man approaching was Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy. Ye Feng and Xiao Wu had encountered him before when they first registered at the academy.

"Teacher," Ma Hongjun called out respectfully.

Flender, whose Cat Owl martial soul complemented Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix, had personally taken Ma Hongjun as a direct disciple.

"Have you truly thought this through?" Flender asked, his tone sharp.

"Why do you say Ye Feng is harming him? He's obviously helping!" Xiao Wu retorted, defending Ye Feng.

Flender shook his head. "You're new here, young lady. You should read more about the world of soul masters—it'll do you good."

"Xiao Wu," Ye Feng interjected, "Dean Flender means that he's worried Ma Hongjun could become an evil soul master if things continue this way."

"Evil soul master?" Xiao Wu's eyes widened. She hesitated before stammering, "He always needs to... to..." Her voice trailed off, and her face turned bright red.

Flender nodded grimly. "Yes. His martial soul's peculiar nature allows him to absorb and refine the energy needed for advancement through intimate interactions. It's a dangerous road, and that's why I said what I did."

"Is such a martial soul even possible?" Xiao Wu asked in disbelief.

"That's why I said Ye Feng's actions, though well-meaning, might do more harm than good," Flender said, his gaze lingering on Ma Hongjun. Over the years, Flender had sought countless remedies but had yet to find a solution to Ma Hongjun's martial soul issue.

"But isn't this just prejudice?" Ye Feng countered, his voice firm.

"Prejudice?" Flender raised an eyebrow. "Ye Feng, as a top graduate of the Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy, you should know how the Spirit Hall treats evil soul masters."

"Dean, we are Shrek Academy, not the Spirit Hall. Why should we follow their standards?" Ye Feng argued. "To me, an evil martial soul doesn't make someone an evil soul master. Only one's heart can determine that."

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