"Tsk, tsk, looks like that guy is about to get himself into some serious trouble. He's actually daring enough to provoke one of the Shrek monsters."
The man who had spoken earlier watched with interest as someone stepped forward to stir up trouble. It was the most suicidal move possible in a place like this: trying to flirt with a female Spirit Master without knowing her background. A wide grin spread across his face, anticipating the show that was about to unfold.
A Spirit Master with average strength would never dare to be so provocative. He recognized the bare-chested man; his name was Kuang Xi, the captain of the Berserker Team. From what he knew, Kuang Xi's spirit power had already reached level thirty-eight, making him a Spirit Elder. What was even more impressive was that his Berserker Team had already secured seven consecutive victories in the Great Spirit Arena of Soto. His teammates were just as formidable. If these two teams were to clash, it would certainly be an interesting fight.
Hearing the bare-chested man's boisterous voice, everyone else in the lounge turned their attention toward the commotion. Most of them weren't concerned; they were just spectators ready to enjoy a good show. Kuang Xi's arrogant personality was well-known, and those he provoked rarely dared to fight back. Over the past few days, this had become a common sight.
Aside from the lone Spirit Master in the corner, no one else recognized Huo Feng or the rest of the Shrek Team. They watched as Kuang Xi leered at a particularly voluptuous female Spirit Master, his face twisted into a lewd expression.
His target was Zhu Zhuqing.
Although she was the youngest among them, her physical development was a source of secret jealousy for both Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu. With her face hidden behind a mask, it was impossible for anyone to guess she was only a twelve-year-old girl.
"Scram!"
Zhu Zhuqing's reply was as cold and direct as her personality, a single word laced with undisguised disgust.
"What? Did that woman just talk to Kuang Xi like that? She's got some nerve, doesn't she?"
Although Zhu Zhuqing hadn't spoken loudly, her voice carried clearly through the quiet lounge, and most people heard her.
"Tsk, tsk, knowing Kuang Xi's temper, he's not going to let that slide. That woman is in for it now."
"Hahaha, they must be new here. They clearly don't know who they're dealing with. A good beating will teach them some respect."
Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's sharp retort, Kuang Xi froze for a second, thinking he must have misheard. When the reality of her words sank in, his face flushed with a mixture of rage and humiliation.
"Are you turning me down? Little girl, do you have any idea who I am? How dare you speak to me like that!" As he spoke, he raised his massive hand, ready to strike.
"She told you to scram. Didn't you hear her?"
Just then, Huo Feng, who had been standing beside Zhu Zhuqing, slowly got to his feet. He calmly stepped between her and the hulking man. Though he was several sizes smaller than his opponent, the sudden intensity of his aura made Kuang Xi instinctively pause his attack.
Huo Feng crossed his arms over his chest, his brow slightly furrowed, but the corner of his mouth curved into a faint, mocking smile. His eyes showed not a shred of fear toward the bare-chested brute in front of him.
"Look at this kid, trying to be a hero. He's probably never felt the sting of Kuang Xi's fist before."
"Trying to save the damsel in distress without knowing the situation… This kid is going to get himself hurt."
"Kuang Xi is a level thirty-eight Spirit Elder. That kid probably has no clue what kind of opponent he's just challenged."
The onlookers began to whisper among themselves. Ninety-nine percent of them scoffed at Huo Feng's intervention, and some even laughed openly, making no effort to hide their mockery. The only person who didn't share their sentiment was the Spirit Master in the corner, who was secretly shaking his head. He recognized the person standing up to Kuang Xi as the same "Shrek Number One" he had witnessed in the arena earlier. Perhaps he was the only one in the room who understood just how terrifying that young man truly was.
"Or is there something wrong with your ears?" Huo Feng's voice cut through the murmurs again, his tone almost lazy, as if he couldn't be bothered. "Maybe you just can't understand human speech?"
He didn't seem to view Kuang Xi as a threat at all.
"You're asking to die!"
Kuang Xi's face contorted with rage. He could no longer tolerate the blatant disrespect. His fierce eyes widened as he swung his powerful right hand down toward Huo Feng's head.
"Heh, you're the one who started this," Huo Feng's lips curled into a friendly-looking smile. If someone was actively seeking death, he wasn't going to be blamed for being ruthless.
Huo Feng clenched his right hand into a fist and threw a simple, straightforward punch. There were no fancy moves, just a direct, upward strike aimed to intercept his opponent's descending palm.
Bang!
A sickening thud of flesh hitting flesh echoed through the lounge. In the next second, under the shocked gazes of everyone present, Kuang Xi's enormous body was sent stumbling backward before crashing heavily to the floor.
Thud!
The burly, two-meter-tall figure slammed onto the ground with enough force to make the surrounding people scatter to avoid being hit. Any ordinary person crushed under that weight would be crippled, if not killed. Even for the Spirit Masters in the room, whose spirit power was at least level twenty, such a blow would have been unbearable.
"Boss, are you alright?!"
Several of Kuang Xi's teammates rushed out from the crowd and helped him to his feet. He was dizzy and disoriented from the fall; it had been a much harder blow than anyone expected.
"My god, did I see that right? That masked kid just knocked Kuang Xi down with a single punch!" gasps of disbelief erupted from all corners of the room.
It was simply too outrageous to believe. Kuang Xi wasn't just a level thirty-eight Spirit Elder; his beast spirit also focused on enhancing his physical strength. His body was incredibly tough. In contrast, the masked kid didn't look particularly strong or muscular. Yet, he had sent Kuang Xi flying with one punch.
"Are all the young people these days this ridiculously strong?!"
"What's the point of us even competing? We can't even beat Kuang Xi, and now there's someone even stronger. We're just here to be cannon fodder and give them points."
"Exactly! We might as well go home and take up farming. At this rate, we're going to lose everything we have, right down to our underwear."
Huo Feng casually shook his right arm, which was slightly numb from the impact. After all, Kuang Xi was a powerful Spirit Elder. He could feel several intense gazes now fixed on him—the curious stares of the other Spirit Masters in the lounge. They were all sizing him up, desperate to know who this mysterious newcomer was.
"Get out of my way!"
Kuang Xi shoved his teammates aside and angrily scrambled to his feet. His face was a mask of pure fury, the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably. Being knocked down by Huo Feng's punch was more than just a physical defeat; it was a public humiliation. He had lost face in front of every Spirit Master in the room, and even worse, in front of his own team. As their captain, how could he command their respect if he let this insult stand?
At this moment, Kuang Xi was completely consumed by rage.
"You're asking for death! I'll kill you!" he roared, clenching his fists as he prepared to charge forward and reclaim his lost dignity.
"Oh? You still seem unconvinced," Huo Feng sneered.
It was clear that his first punch hadn't been persuasive enough. Instead, it seemed to have only enraged the man further. If that was the case, he would just have to be more ruthless. He casually rolled his shoulders, preparing to strike again at any moment.
"Stop."
Just as the two were locked in a standoff, on the brink of another clash, a hoarse, middle-aged man's voice suddenly cut in.
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