Chapter 60: Degrading Ma Hongjun potential (Patreon)

Lu Feng stepped forward and pulled Xiao Wu back, saying, "He must be Ma Hongjun, one of the senior students here. Xiao Wu, you did great just now, almost beating an upperclassman! As a reward, I've got some Cloudpeak carrots for you."

"Ah! How did you know Cloudpeak carrots are my favorite? You're the best, Brother Feng!"

Hearing Lu Feng’s praise and watching him pull out vibrant, juicy, fragrant carrots, Xiao Wu’s face lit up with delight. Unable to contain herself, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

Pickup artist Rule #6—Know their preferences, pay attention to details.

Understand what a girl truly likes. Observe the little things.

The gift itself doesn't have to be expensive, but it should make her feel like you've been thinking about her all along.

The best kind of gesture? The one you make without her even having to ask.

It's not easy, but the payoff is worth it.

Last time, while Xiao Wu was picking out carrots, Lu Feng had noticed her gravitating toward one particular variety. He made a mental note, looked into it, and found out they were Cloudpeak carrots, rare, slightly pricier, and though humans couldn't tell the difference, they apparently had a unique flavor for spirit beasts like her.

Seeing Xiao Wu's delighted reaction, Lu Feng knew he'd guessed right.

Xiao Wu impulsively kissed Lu Feng's cheek then suddenly remembered his fiancée, Zhu Zhu Qing, was standing right there. She shot an embarrassed glance her way.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't say a word. Instead, she simply smiled and stepped forward, taking Xiao Wu's hand.

Her silent gesture said everything: I don't mind.

Xiao Wu relaxed instantly. The last traces of jealousy vanished, leaving her in high spirits. Everything felt perfect.

"Hey, who the hell are you?"

Ma Hongjun scowled as he watched Xiao Wu cozy up to Lu Feng—who, by the way, had another stunning beauty glued to his side, her eyes only for him. It pissed him off.

"I'm new here. Name's Lu Feng—'Lu' as in 'continent,' 'Feng' as in 'maple tree,'" Lu Feng introduced himself politely.

"New, huh? Don't you know the rules? I'm a senior—call me 'senior'! And that's our boss, Dai Mubai. Hurry up and show some respect!"

Ma Hongjun jabbed a thumb toward Dai Mubai, playing the seasoned upperclassman bullying the freshman.

Two drop-dead gorgeous juniors, and this newbie snatches them both right away? Unacceptable.

Dai Mu Bai, however, nearly choked.

This guy's untouchable, you idiot, why are you dragging me into this?!

He'd been trying to avoid Lu Feng, but thanks to Ma Hongjun's blunder and Ru Hua tagging along, he had no choice but to step in.

The memory of being cornered by hundreds of spirit masters in the streets was still fresh.

Earlier today, after hearing what happened, Dean Flender had rushed to beg Chief Ao for leniency, at least to let Dai Mu Bai enter the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena again.

Chief Ao hadn't given an inch.

"N-no, I'm not the boss anymore! Got stuff to do—Ru Hua, head back on your own."

Dai Mubai ditched Ru Hua on the spot, fleeing the scene like his life depended on it.

Hit it and quit it.

When his interests were on the line, Dai Mubai's true colors shone through, cowardice and irresponsibility.

Ma Hong Jun scratched his head, baffled by Dai Mubai's behavior.

"Nice to meet you, Senior." Lu Feng beamed.

"Hmph, now that's more like it." Ma Hong Jun tilted his chin up, smoothing back his grease-stiffened red hair with a smug flick.

"Senior, I might be able to help you control your flame problem. That way, you and Cui Hua wouldn't have to break up," Lu Feng offered.

Ma Hong Jun blinked. "Seriously?"

Lu Feng's smile didn't waver. "One hundred percent."

The chubby boy's eyes lit up like torches. "Then fix me, quick!"

If he couldn't land the feisty Xiao Wu, at least he could salvage things with Cui Hua.

Whirling toward her, he clasped his hands dramatically. "Cui Hua, if I can control my fire, you won't leave me, right? It's not easy for me to get a girlfriend, I swear I'll treat you right forever!"

The vows spilled out effortlessly.

Cui Hua hesitated. "...If you can control it, we can stay together."

Truth was, she'd only dated him because he was a talented young spirit master. Remove the dealbreaker, and there was no reason to dump him.

Guys like Lu Feng, handsome, refined, and clearly out of her league would never glance her way.

Not that it stopped her and Ru Hua from sneaking admiring looks at him.

Lu Feng nodded. "My method involves suppressing your flames. Are you okay with that?"

"YES."

"Absolutely sure? It might weaken your martial soul and spirit skills."

"A thousand times yes! What's the point of life without a girlfriend? Who cares about power?!"

For a horndog like Ma Hong Jun, women trumped everything. Besides, his uncontrollable flames had caused nothing but trouble like today's property damage bill.

He didn't fully believe Lu Feng could pull it off, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

What he didn't know? This "fix" would strip him of his godhood potential, reducing him to mediocrity. Perfect for Cui Hua. Not so much for greatness.

"Good. Release your martial soul."

As Ma Hong Jun obliged, Lu Feng raised a hand. Emerald-gold light erupted, the World Tree materializing in a radiant swirl.

"Whoa—your martial soul… it's insane!" Ma Hong Jun gulped.

"Last chance to back out."

"Why would I refuse? Go for it! If this works, I'll owe you big time!"

Ma Hong Jun's confidence in Lu Feng grew as he marveled at his martial soul.

With a nod, Lu Feng sent emerald-gold vines coiling around Ma Hong Jun, binding him tightly. Focusing his mind, he activated the secret technique he'd just grasped.

The World Tree swayed, its leaves rustling like whispers as a streak of dark gold light pulsed through the vines. Above its canopy, the ten starry shadows forming a celestial map suddenly spun rapidly. The Golden-Winged Roc martial soul within the already-lit star flapped its wings, letting out a faint, triumphant cry—as if rejoicing.

These details, of course, were invisible to the naked eye. Only Lu Feng's spiritual sense could perceive them.

Within moments—

The wisp of Extreme Fire hidden in Ma Hong Jun's martial soul was siphoned away, merging into the Golden-Winged Roc martial soul. Now, a crimson flame flickered within its luminous form, imbuing it with devastating fire attributes.

As the ten star-shadows slowed back to their usual orbit, Lu Feng grinned.

Any attack launched with the Golden-Winged Roc… will be terrifying.

He'd been experimenting with this secondary martial soul. Though it seemed dependent on the World Tree, it could function independently—usable with or without the tree.

Most astonishingly, it shared the World Tree's spirit rings.

Meaning: his Golden-Winged Roc martial soul now could also unleash three spirit skills.

Though that might change if it absorbs its own ring later.

"I CAN CONTROL IT! HAHAHAHA—!"

Ma Hong Jun's belly-laugh shook his entire body, fat jiggling as he nearly wept with joy. The moment Lu Feng released him, he'd tested his spirit energy—flawless control, albeit with reduced power. But who cared? The decades-long curse was gone.

Gripping Lu Feng's hands, he babbled, "You're a lifesaver! Anything you need, just ask this senior!"

"Mm. Treat Cui Hua well."

And thank you, Senior, Lu Feng mused inwardly.

With the Phoenix's Extreme Fire extracted, Ma Hong Jun would forever remain a fire-spitting chicken, no ascension to godhood, no seducing Bai Chenxiang.

Still, traces of its past glory lingered. Even as a downgraded martial soul, his flames would outclass ordinary fire.

Just… not enough to burn down villages (or hearts) anymore.