Douluo Continent: The Real World

Yu Tianyan spoke again.

"You're all just a bunch of useless people who don't even dare to stand up for yourselves. Do you really think you can represent the academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition one day? Keep dreaming."

The four people, who had already turned to leave, looked back again. Tai Long couldn't contain his anger and snapped,

"Who are you calling trash?"

Liu Erlong gritted her teeth, feeling a sense of disappointment. How could Yu Tianyan, who had always been so considerate, suddenly be so harsh?

Just as she was about to say something, a message interrupted her.

Yinshu hadn't left; he simply bowed and remained standing nearby. He subtly shook his head at her, mouthing, "Trust Xiaoyan."

Seeing that his taunts had finally provoked them, Yu Tianyan smiled. Meanwhile, Liu Erlong and Yinshu were silently mouthing words to each other, their lips moving intensely, though neither could hear the other.

Huang Yuan stepped forward, unable to hold back his irritation. "Listen, kid, even if you're the dean's brother, you can't just insult us. Don't treat us like we're beneath you."

Jiangzhu and Jing Ling nodded slightly in agreement. Though one lacked fighting spirit and the other had a cold demeanor, Yu Tianyan's words had struck a nerve.

Seeing the tension, Liu Erlong felt even more embarrassed, while Yinshu whispered odd phrases to her that she struggled to interpret. But she got the gist: Yu Tianyan's sudden cruelty must have some purpose. Perhaps she should wait and see what he intended to do.

A thought popped into Yu Tianyan's mind—an amusing clip he had once seen in a video. Mimicking it, he pointed at his head, sneering,

"Oh, so you think you're brave? Come on, hit me. Hit me right here and show me how brave you really are."

This mockery nearly pushed the usually cold and composed Jing Ling to the edge. His martial spirit almost activated out of sheer anger.

Though he preferred quiet, it didn't mean he was without temper. After Tai Long, he was the one with the worst temper among them.

At last, Liu Erlong managed to decode Yinshu's exaggerated expressions, grasping his intended message: Dean, how did you raise Xiaoyan?

But what could Liu Erlong do? Over the years, she had hardly taught Yu Tianyan anything aside from academics.

"Kid, you're asking for it, huh? Let's fight. I won't bully you, I'll keep it fair—I won't even use my second soul skill," Tai Long shouted, his temper flaring. Provoked by someone much younger, even his usually even temperament was strained.

Tai Long's martial spirit activated instantly. Two yellow soul rings floated around his body as a towering, khaki-colored gorilla materialized behind him, roaring and pounding its chest. Tai Long looked at Yu Tianyan with a fierce grin. Although younger, he was the strongest among them as a rank-three soul master. Surely, this kid couldn't be much of a match—he might even end up crying.

"This kid is really annoying," Jiangzhu muttered softly, and Jing Ling nodded in agreement.

Yu Tianyan glanced back at Yinshu and Liu Erlong. Liu Erlong watched him with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity, as if to ask how he planned to handle this situation.

"I have no reason to turn down a challenge from a loser. Please, be witnesses to this," he said with a smirk.

He turned back to Tai Long, Jing Ling, and the others, his face mocking. "Let's see you prove yourself."

Behind him, Yinshu asked nervously, "Dean, can Xiaoyan handle this?"

Yinshu knew only that Yu Tianyan had innate soul power and a rare first soul ring, but he was unaware of Yu Tianyan's full capabilities. Liu Erlong, who was well aware of his strengths, nodded. She wasn't afraid of a fight; her only concern was Yu Tianyan using his mysterious fire ability, a power that could seriously harm someone.

"All right, since you all want to fight, let's make it a friendly match. No one is to cause serious harm, understood?" Liu Erlong said firmly. "Xiaoyan, win or lose, you must apologize to your seniors afterward."

Tai Long, admiring her fairness, responded confidently, "Don't worry, Dean. I won't use my second soul skill, and I won't hurt him."

If Liu Erlong hadn't permitted it, he would've never dared attack Yu Tianyan. Unbeknownst to him, he'd completely misjudged her intentions.

Yu Tianyan only smiled, gesturing for Tai Long to come at him. This action stoked Tai Long's anger further.

"Since you refuse to use your martial spirit, don't blame me," Tai Long growled.

"I really want to help Tai Long," Jing Ling muttered to Huang Yuan, who nodded in agreement.

Tai Long charged forward, swinging a heavy palm toward Yu Tianyan. But a power-type soul master's greatest weakness was speed. Yu Tianyan easily sidestepped the attack, and Tai Long's palm merely sent a breeze through Yu Tianyan's hair.

"Wow, impressive, but too bad you missed," Yu Tianyan taunted, not even bothering to raise his hands.

Frustrated, Tai Long clenched his right fist, determined to land a solid punch. His fist aimed directly at Yu Tianyan's chest, carrying the full force of his strength.

Yinshu's heart pounded with worry, and he braced himself, ready to jump in. But Liu Erlong reassured him calmly, "Relax, he'll be fine."

Sure enough, just as she predicted, Yu Tianyan leaped lightly, stepping on Tai Long's arm and flipping gracefully over his head before landing smoothly on the other side.

Yinshu let out a sigh of relief. Yu Tianyan's reflexes were exceptional, far beyond what they'd expected.

"So impressive," Jiangzhu whispered, starry-eyed.

Tai Long, frustrated, turned around and shouted, "All you can do is dodge? Do you really think you're strong enough to face me head-on?"

Yu Tianyan gave him a calm, indifferent smile. "Oh? Well, I hope every enemy you face from now on is kind enough to attack head-on without trying to dodge."

His words dripped with sarcasm, and everyone glanced at Liu Erlong, wondering how Yu Tianyan had learned to be so cutting.

Tai Long was briefly stunned, unsure how to respond. But Yu Tianyan had lost interest. A power-type soul master under rank 40 posed no real threat to him.

"Since you're so eager for a head-on confrontation, I'll give you what you want, trash."

Tai Long grinned, misinterpreting Yu Tianyan's response as youthful recklessness. But unbeknownst to him, Yu Tianyan was anything but naive.

(End of Chapter)