Douluo's Spirit Pearl Divine Sword

“Hongjun, think it over carefully, there’s no need to rush to answer,” Tianlin said. “Then, the people I request to accompany Rongrong to Seagod Island are: Oslo, Tianheng, Sister Yanzi, Zhu Zhuqing, Yufeng, Huanyin, Oscar, Meng Yiran, my two elder brothers Shimo and Shimo, and Junior Sister Chenxiang.”

Apart from Gu Ran and Ye Lingling, as well as Ma Hongjun and Qin Ming who were going to the Vulcan's side, Tianlin called everyone. Everyone who heard their name stood up. Dugu Yan said, "No problem, Xiaotian. As long as we can become stronger, we are willing to go through fire and water. Besides, Rongrong is my sister-in-law. Tianheng and I will protect her."

"Yes, don't worry, Xiao Tian. As a senior and a defensive Soul Master, it is my duty to protect my junior and his family!" The Shi brothers never spoke much, but they always talked about protection, which was their lifelong principle.

Chapter 409 Gu Ran and Ma Hongjun's Different Paths

"Boss, what about me and Lingling?" Gu Ran asked anxiously, wondering if Tianlin had forgotten about him.

In truth, whether he went to Seagod Island or not was irrelevant to him. Rather than going there to train, he preferred to stay by Tianlin's side and assist him. What worried him was that if everyone else went to train and he didn't, his strength would definitely fall behind everyone else in the future, and he would eventually become just another ordinary person. After all, his talent was the worst among this group of people.

"Gu Ran, don't worry, I have another path arranged for you. This path will be much more difficult than theirs, but once you complete it, you will gain even more. Do you want to give it a try?" Tian Lin looked at Gu Ran seriously.

In Tianlin's heart, Gu Ran was more important than Ma Hongjun. No matter what, Tianlin would never give up on him. Unfortunately, Gu Ran's talent was limited, and he could not become a first-level god. Even second-level or third-level gods might not value him.

Even if in the future he were to use a slot held by a first-level god to become a vassal and enter the realm of gods, he would certainly not be content with that.

But there is always a way out. There is a path in this world where hard work surpasses talent. Tianlin left Gu Ran and Ye Lingling behind so that they could move towards that path. If they succeed, they will achieve something no less than a first-level god.

"Through mountains of knives and seas of fire, through the deepest hells and ghostly prisons, as long as you say the word, boss, there's nothing I, Gu Ran, wouldn't dare to venture into," Gu Ran vowed.

"Very good. I have never looked down on your beliefs, which is why I chose that path for you." Tianlin was extremely satisfied. Perhaps Gu Ran's talent was not as good as Ma Hongjun's, but in terms of effort and determination, ten Ma Hongjuns could not compare to him.

"I'll go with you." Ye Lingling walked to Gu Ran's side and smiled. When they first met, she didn't think Gu Ran was anything special. Not to mention Tian Lin, he was far inferior to the others in Huang Dou.

But through hard work, he managed to keep up with everyone else. While those with extraordinary talent may shine brightly and attract attention, people like him who create miracles through hard work also have a different kind of charm.

Ye Lingling was already moved. Since Tianlin had also kept her here, she would just let things take their course.

Looking at Gu Ran like this, Ma Hongjun felt a surge of resentment. He wished he could have such determination.

Soon, after everyone finalized the arrangements, they dispersed. The Shi brothers needed to go home to inform their elders, and Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan also needed to find time to return to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to inform Yu Yuanzhen of the matter.

As for the matter of the Jade Crown, let's keep it a secret for as long as possible. Unlike Yu Tianheng, Yu Yuanzhen still has a lot of brotherly affection for his younger brother.

Yu Tianheng didn't want Yu Yuanzhen to know that Yu Luomian had died at the hands of Oslo. Firstly, he was afraid that Yu Yuanzhen would develop hatred for his brother. Secondly, if Yu Yuanzhen knew that his own brother had betrayed the family, he would be very sad.

Let Yu Luomian just disappear like this. Even if his death is discovered one day, it can be said that he was killed by some evil force while protecting the family. That way, Yu Yuanzhen should feel a little better.

After everyone dispersed, Ma Hongjun still seemed somewhat conflicted. He spread his fiery wings and flew towards Tiandou City.

With his current strength as a Soul Emperor, it took him less than half an hour to enter the city. After walking through familiar streets, he arrived at the gate of Shrek Academy.

This academy is both familiar and unfamiliar to him now. It is his alma mater, but it is not the place where he studied since childhood. Although it is much more luxurious, in his heart, it is no match for the dilapidated academy in the Kingdom of Barak. The dean here is still Flander in name, but the teaching policies are completely decided by the master.

Ma Hongjun disliked Yu Xiaogang, so in recent years, apart from occasionally visiting Flanders, he almost never came back here.

Just as he was about to enter the academy, a man with a buzz cut walked out carrying a thick textbook; it was none other than Master Yu Xiaogang.

"Oh, you're Ma Hongjun?"

Yu Xiaogang asked uncertainly. He hadn't seen Ma Hongjun for so long, and Ma Hongjun's current physique was completely different from back then, so he couldn't recognize him at a glance.

"It's me, Master. It's been a long time." Ma Hongjun greeted him as politely as possible.

"I never expected you to change so much in just a few years. Your cultivation has also improved a lot, hasn't it?" the master praised. In reality, with his strength as a mere Great Soul Master, he couldn't possibly see through Ma Hongjun's level.

Even among the Shrek Seven Devils, Ma Hongjun was one of the best. Now, with the training from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, even a master could guess that his strength is no less than Tang San's.

"It's rare to come back to our alma mater. It's just a pity that Xiao San went to find Xiao Wu and hasn't returned yet. Otherwise, you brothers could have had a good chat. Actually, Xiao San has been looking forward to your return. He even said that if you're willing, you can become the deputy commander of his Tang family army." The master spoke these fabricated words without batting an eye.

Actually, among the Shrek Seven Devils, the one he most wanted to follow Tang San was Ma Hongjun.

Although control-type Soul Masters have strong control abilities, they lack explosive power. Before Tang San cultivated the Clear Sky Hammer, he desperately needed a partner with strong attack power to cooperate with him.

Among the two offensive Soul Masters of Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai's role is actually more like a semi-tank, used to absorb damage.

Ma Hongjun is the pure burst-type high attacker and the best partner for Tang San. It's just a pity that he was recruited by Tianlin early on. Now, Grandmaster is wondering if he can call Ma Hongjun back.

Hearing the master's words, Ma Hongjun felt very disdainful. Back then, the master had always trained him to cooperate with Tang San, which prevented him from improving his individual combat ability. If it weren't for Qin Ming's day and night training over the past few years, he would have always been a control-type soul master.

Moreover, Tang San is now dead, and not many people know about this. Ma Hongjun happens to be one of them. To make him betray Tianlin, who had been so kind to him, and then go and assist a dead man is quite a beautiful idea.

"I'm sorry, Master. Ever since my boss Tianlin gave me the Phoenix Sunflower to cure my evil fire, I agreed to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Although I, Ma Hongjun, am not a good person, I am not so ungrateful as to forget kindness. I can only appreciate your and Tang San's kindness." Ma Hongjun casually made up an excuse, intending to shake off the master.

He really didn't want to say anything more to this guy; he had come here to visit his master, Flander.

"Don't be so quick to refuse. I am now the Grand Preceptor of the Heaven Dou Empire. I have my own way of returning the favor of a mere Phoenix Sunflower to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School in exchange for your freedom," the Grandmaster said confidently.

Upon hearing this, Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up. Of course, he did not intend to betray the sect, but rather he thought of what Tianlin had always taught him: how to maximize profits.

A favor of the same level as the Phoenix Sunflower is not to be taken lightly. If the master can really offer it, I'm sure Boss Tianlin will be very satisfied.

“Alright, Master, if you can get my boss to give me my freedom, I’ll seriously consider it,” Ma Hongjun said with a smile.

"Good, very good, Hongjun. Xiaosan will be very pleased to see his brother return. Then leave the rest to me." Since becoming the Grand Master of the Heavenly Dou Empire, the Grand Master has truly been in high spirits.

Even the elders of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex clan are considering whether to accept him back into the sect.

Ma Hongjun smiled sarcastically to himself. If the master couldn't produce any precious treasures, he would simply give up, since there would be no loss. If he could produce something, then he would accept the treasures and then, after some 'careful consideration,' refuse the master. After all, he had only agreed to consider it; he hadn't said he would definitely join the Tang family army.

He was just wondering what gift to give Tianlin and Ning Rongrong. Perfect timing! He could give them the treasure this guy gave him as a wedding gift. They would definitely be very happy.

Making something out of nothing is a great skill that Ma Hongjun learned from Tianlin. Anyway, because of Tang San's death, Grandmaster is destined to be an enemy. When it comes to enemies, you should cheat them if you can, there's no need to be polite.

Chapter 410 Shrek Master and Disciples Reunite

Hearing that Ma Hongjun had 'agreed,' the master said with satisfaction, 'Alright, Hongjun, you've come to see Flander, right? Then you go in first. After a while, once I've obtained that treasure from His Majesty, I'll come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to find you.' He was thinking that once his disciple returned, he would immediately have a capable subordinate.

It must be said that although the master may not be good at anything else, he is really good to Tang San. Although this kindness is purposeful, he wants to use Tang San to promote his theories, and even goes so far as to deceive his former lover Bibi Dong for this purpose.

This is actually what Tianlin looks down on the master the most.

This guy managed to woo Bibi Dong despite being a loser at the beginning, which is his skill. Tianlin not only didn't despise him, but actually admired his flirting skills. Bibi Dong's love-struck mind is no one else's fault. Apart from the two of them being a bit clueless about the situation and overestimating their abilities, there's not much else to say.

It's not a big problem that he got together with Liu Erlong later. After all, he was dumped by Bibi Dong first. Now that he's single again, you can't expect him to live a lonely life clinging to the past to be considered affectionate.

Up to that point, Tianlin didn't think the master was a scumbag, but his subsequent actions were hard to describe.

It was revealed that Liu Erlong was his cousin, which was not his fault in itself. However, when he learned about this, his first thought was to run away, leaving Liu Erlong to wait for him alone for more than ten years with longing in her heart.

Actually, they could have been braver and eloped with Liu Erlong. If they could escape, they could escape; if not, they could simply become a pair of lovebirds. Given Yu Yuanzhen's emphasis on family ties, as long as they lived in anonymity from now on and didn't tarnish the reputation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he might not have done anything to them.

But Yu Xiaogang is too focused on his own theories. He will never give up until he promotes them and proves to the world that he is not a waste. To ask him to live an ordinary life in anonymity? Absolutely not!

Since he couldn't let go of this wish and made this choice, he should also find Liu Erlong, openly and honestly break up with her, and sever all ties with her. This way, he could protect his own and his family's reputation and stop delaying her life.

Yu Xiaogang's constant avoidance led Tianlin to label him as a coward.

Later, because he deceived Bibi Dong for Tang San and completely disregarded the safety of his former lover to ask for the method of cultivating twin martial souls, Tian Lin labeled him a scumbag.

Because of Tianlin's unscrupulous gossip behind people's backs, Ma Hongjun's impression of the master has also deteriorated.

The only pity is that neither Tianlin nor Ma Hongjun had the right to point their fingers at him and curse him, because Tianlin also had two women in his heart, and Ma Hongjun was a frequent visitor to brothels back then. Their cursing him was just the pot calling the kettle black.

But at least one thing is certain: they will never run away from the past, and they will always keep their promises to their loved ones, never letting them bear the burden alone.

Tianlin loves Qianrenxue. Although he can't control his feelings, he can control his actions. He won't use these feelings to scheme against her on the battlefield in the future. He will only compete with her openly and fairly. This is a consensus that the two of them have already reached.

Ma Hongjun came here today hoping to have a good talk with his teacher. He must muster the courage to face the test of the God of Fire in order to give Bai Chenxiang a future.

Arriving at the academy's back garden, Flander was still as usual, lying on a rocking chair sleeping like an old man. Ever since the academy tournament ended, he had been living this life of premature retirement.

Nominally the dean, but with Liu Erlong's support, all the power in the academy is firmly held by the master. He is just a figurehead. What can he do if he doesn't retire?

Fortunately, he still has a few close friends, and with the company of Shao Xin, Zhao Wuji and others, he is not exactly a lonely old man.

Ma Hongjun walked to Flander's side and said, "Teacher, I'm back!"

"Oh, Hongjun, what brings you here again? Did Xiao Qin train you until you were numb and come to me to complain again? Let me tell you, I don't care about this. Xiao Qin is training you like this for your own good. I'm on his side." Flander said with a smile when he saw Ma Hongjun looking melancholy.

It seems that Ma Hongjun had complained to Flander quite a bit about Qin Ming's strict training before.

"No, teacher, at first I did resent Teacher Qin a lot. She made me live in a living hell every day. But gradually, I felt my strength and temperament were getting stronger. That's when I understood Teacher Qin's good intentions. Actually, I've completely gotten used to Teacher Qin's training now, especially after I met Xiangxiang. Although I'm exhausted every day, she wipes my sweat and pours me water when I get home. It's a simple action, but it washes away all my fatigue."

"Tianlin told me that people can't just live a carefree and easy life all the time. They always have to carry something on their shoulders, and I want to carry Xiangxiang's future on my shoulders."

Seeing Ma Hongjun, whose spirit and energy were completely different from back then, Flander laughed heartily. "Good, not bad. You actually have such insights. It seems that I didn't teach you back then, nor did Xiao Gang, Mu Bai, and Tang San. But Jun Tianlin taught you thoroughly. Letting you join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was the best decision I ever made, and it's the only thing I, as your teacher, have done right by you."

“Teacher, please don’t say that. If you hadn’t taken me out of the village, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Ma Hongjun said.

“Hongjun, you’re wrong. I’m just a catalyst. Even without me, there would have been other opportunities. No force would underestimate a Soul Master with the Fire Phoenix Martial Soul. You will shine one day. Compared to Jun Tianlin, although I took you as my disciple before, I was helpless against your evil fire.”

“I knew that letting you go to brothels would eventually ruin you, but I had no choice but to do so for your safety. Who else deserves the title of a useless teacher?” Flander chuckled self-deprecatingly, then stood up and walked into the room, took out a box and said, “After the academy competition, I had nothing to do, so I went on a trip with Wuji, traveling all over Tiandou, and that’s how I obtained this treasure.”

"In my life, I've been ruthless, leaving nothing but scraps for the animals. In the end, all the savings I've managed to scrape together have turned into this. Open it and see if you like it. This useless teacher of mine has nothing else to give you."

Ma Hongjun took the box from Flander and opened it with curiosity. A scorching heat emanated from the box. Ma Hongjun originally thought it would be some kind of soul bone, but when he looked closely, he found that it was a fiery red flower.

Chapter 411 Immortal Herb and Fire Phoenix

Ma Hongjun picked up the flower and examined it closely. The flower resembled a rose, completely different from the cockscomb phoenix sunflower he had eaten before, but its rich fire attribute was no less impressive.

"Teacher, could this flower be a divine medicinal herb?"

Flander shook his head. "I don't know either. Ever since I learned that there is such a thing as the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Wuji and I have paid more attention to it. It was because we sensed that this flower was extraordinary that we spent a lot of money to buy it from an auction. It cost a full 100,000 gold soul coins. Fortunately, most people in this world don't know about the existence of immortal items and don't recognize their value, so there weren't many bidders. But this is my life savings. Take it back and let Jun Tianlin appraise it. If it's not worth the price, I'll go and settle accounts with that unscrupulous merchant."

One hundred thousand gold soul coins might not be much to Tianlin, but for a soul master like Flander who has no power, it would indeed take many years to accumulate. After all, a soul master's allowance is only one gold soul coin per month, and it stops after level 40. Shrek Academy also rarely recruits students. He was able to save up so much by being frugal and doing mercenary work, accepting employment from certain nobles to help their young disciples hunt down soul beasts that were advancing in level.

Upon seeing this, Ma Hongjun couldn't bring himself to speak. He didn't want his mentor, who had placed high hopes on him, to know how useless, cowardly, and afraid of death his disciple was, how he had opportunities but dared not seize them, and how he still hoped to receive guidance from his teacher.

Now he has to overcome his psychological barriers on his own. Ma Hongjun bid farewell to Flander and left. Before leaving, he suddenly turned back and asked, "Teacher, I heard that a first-level god in the divine realm can bring his family to the divine realm. Would you like to see what the divine realm is like?"

"You really are too ambitious. A first-level god, my foot! I'd be perfectly content with just becoming a titled Douluo. Besides, even if you could become a god, I wouldn't be interested. For me, it's much more pleasant to live a leisurely life with Wuji and Fatty Shao. You should just go back to your Xiangxiang and enjoy your time together." Flander closed his eyes and continued to act like a king on his recliner.

Seeing this, Ma Hongjun smiled slightly. There was no point in saying anything now. He decided to wait until he succeeded before picking up Flander. He thought Flander would be very gratified then.

Spreading his fiery wings, Ma Hongjun flew directly back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

At this moment, Tianlin was holding Ning Rongrong in the pavilion by the small pond, whispering sweet nothings to each other. Newlyweds are always the most affectionate, and during this time, Tianlin even forgot about cultivation.

Chen Xin sighed, thankfully this disciple wasn't a womanizer, otherwise, if he were a groom every day, the sword techniques he had taught him would definitely be completely forgotten in less than a month.

Now that the two children are about to part ways, as an elder, he will give them a few more days off for the time being.

"Boss!"

Suddenly a roar came from the horizon, the voice filled with extreme anxiety.

Tianlin was exasperated and turned around, annoyed. "Ma Hongjun, you're a hothead, you're not a third wheel anymore, are you trying to be the sun?"

Ning Rongrong was also very dissatisfied. Every time she and Tianlin were being intimate, this guy would suddenly appear and ruin things. She really wanted to summon the Ice and Snow Maiden Martial Soul and freeze him to death.

"Xiangxiang, aren't you going to do anything about your fat man?" Ning Rongrong said angrily, looking at the bushes behind her.

Did a group of people secretly hiding there think she didn't know? But as long as she didn't show her face, she actually liked that feeling. Anyway, she always felt that if you're in love but don't show it off, half the fun of dating is gone.

Therefore, she never minded being spied on, but Ma Hongjun's direct behavior was not so elegant!