Douluo: Ma Hongjun The Ancestor Phoenix!

"Boy, have some backbone. Don't hide behind a woman like a coward."

"This is a fight between men. I'll show you what real strength looks like."

Tai Nuo narrowed his eyes, a hint of admiration in them, as he prepared to unleash his most powerful move.

This kid's pretty brave… I'll hold back a little—just enough to leave him half-crippled.

With a loud roar, a massive gorilla manifested behind him.

"Martial Spirit Possession!"

In an instant, Tai Nuo's already bulky frame grew even larger, turning as fierce as an ancient titan.

A murderous aura surged toward them. Even the spectators felt the suffocating pressure.

"This... this is the oppressive force of the Power King. I can barely breathe!"

"Step back! This is terrifying!"

Several students looked on in horror at the hulking figure.

"You brat... my father is about to make his move. If you don't die today, you'll at least be crippled!"

Tai Long completely disregarded what had happened earlier.

In his eyes, his father, a Soul King-level powerhouse, was unstoppable. Once his father got serious, even the academy teachers would tread carefully—let alone a student.

"Xiao Wu, if you agree to be my girlfriend now, I'll ask my dad to stop. I'll let this guy go."

"This kid may have some brute strength, but he's nothing compared to the Li Clan."

"In the face of absolute power, everything else is meaningless."

Tai Long grinned smugly, rubbing his hands in satisfaction.

"Bah! My standards aren't that low to become your girlfriend."

Xiao Wu spat with a sharp "Pooh!"

She shifted her stance, ready to charge toward Ma Hongjun.

She couldn't stand by and watch Brother Hongjun face that giant alone. Even she felt a tinge of fear from the oppressive aura radiating off the giant.

Zhu Zhuqing silently followed, preparing to go with her.

"It's fine. You don't need to come."

Ma Hongjun shook his head, still looking relaxed. Not a trace of nervousness appeared on his face.

"Kid, last time... I was holding back."

"You don't actually think you can fight me, do you?"

Tai Nuo narrowed his eyes, his anger rising.

A dignified Soul King being looked down upon by a mere Soul Master — the insult was unbearable.

His pride flared. The anger in his eyes burned even hotter.

He stomped forward.

"Fourth Soul Skill — Force Shock!"

A terrifying wave of pressure exploded outward, causing everyone's faces to pale.

A smile tugged at the corner of Ma Hongjun's lips as he faced the beast-like man before him.

Then — boom — he suddenly stepped forward.

The tiles beneath his feet shattered instantly. Cracks spread out from the center like a spiderweb.

Having built up power all this time, he now exploded with it. His aura shifted dramatically.

Two blazing golden flames ignited around his Qi, Blood, and Soul Ring.

The moment they appeared, Ma Hongjun felt his physical strength multiply several times over.

"Martial Spirit Possession!"

His voice was crisp and confident.

A blazing golden fire phoenix emerged, releasing a heat so intense that the spectators instantly stepped back further.

The pressure surged once more.

Tai Long's forehead broke into a cold sweat as he felt the oppressive aura.

The suppression of a top-tier martial spirit.

That realization hit Tai Long like a brick. His gaze toward Ma Hongjun changed completely.

Of all the people present, no one felt it more than Tai Nuo himself.

The overwhelming pressure he once exerted was instantly neutralized the moment the Fire Phoenix appeared.

Behind Ma Hongjun, fiery phoenix wings spread wide.

His figure became a blur as he vanished—only to appear directly in front of Tai Nuo a moment later.

The red-haired boy threw a punch with full force, lips curled into a confident grin. His brute strength was so overwhelming that the air itself exploded with a sharp cracking sound.

Tai Nuo's pupils shrank. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

A burning pain exploded across his face. Despite his thick skin, it still hurt like hell.

Before the searing pain could even fade, an even sharper, dizzying pain struck.

Crack—!

The sound of bone breaking echoed as his jaw shattered.

Tai Nuo's last sight was the sky spinning above and his son's panicked, horrified face.

"Dad!!"

Tai Long screamed, rushing forward.

By the time he arrived, the father he had always seen as an indomitable mountain now lay unconscious on the ground.

"Dad! What's wrong?! Wake up!"

Tai Long hurriedly patted his father's shoulder, shaking him desperately.

After confirming that his father was merely unconscious and had no life-threatening injuries, Tai Long finally let out a sigh of relief.

Off to the side.

"Oh my god... what did I just witness? Did I really see that?"

"A Soul Master knocked out a Soul King with one punch?!"

"What kind of martial spirit is that? The heat alone is terrifying."

Some were stunned. Some were completely frozen in disbelief.

"Brother Hongjun is so handsome..."

"When did his physical strength become this terrifying?"

Xiao Wu stood on tiptoe, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes as she stared at the red-haired boy with shining eyes.

Her little face flushed red. No one could guess what was running through her mind.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered wildly. Her gaze locked firmly onto Ma Hongjun.

In her heart, she thought Ma Hongjun had never looked more handsome. One punch — a Soul King defeated.

In that moment, the hearts of both girls were captured completely by Ma Hongjun.

On the sidelines, Gu Yuena carefully studied the red-haired boy.

Two Qi, Blood, and Soul Rings... and faint traces of the aura belonging to the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King.

Even the Golden Dragon King himself wouldn't be able to cultivate two rings like this in such a short time.

Gu Yuena narrowed her eyes. Her thoughts grew even firmer.

We must hold on to him. He is the hope for the revival of the Ferocious Beast Clan!

Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun had no idea what they were thinking.

He quietly examined the changes in his body. Under the amplification of the Qi, Blood, and Soul Rings, his strength had increased severalfold.

Not only that — even his soul power had strengthened.

Right now, his physical strength had far surpassed that of the so-called power-type clans.

Their martial spirit was nothing more than a giant strength-type gorilla.

His Qi, Blood, and Soul Ring, however, was a secret art from the Dragon Clan, designed to enhance physical strength beyond normal limits.

The Dragon Clan were top-level soul beasts — their physical strength unparalleled.

Even though his soul power wasn't as high as Tai Nuo's, his sheer physical might was enough to crush him with ease.

After recovering his soul power, Ma Hongjun glanced toward Tai Long.

Just that glance made Tai Long's entire body tense. His heart almost jumped out of his chest.

When he realized Ma Hongjun's gaze wasn't focused on him, Tai Long finally exhaled in relief.

Carefully, he lifted Tai Nuo from the ground.

Looking at the red-haired boy now tightly hugged by Xiao Wu, Tai Long clenched his teeth hard.

"We... the Li Clan... will never let you go!"

At this point, it was no longer just a personal conflict between him and Ma Hongjun.

The Li Clan would never tolerate such humiliation.

"Hmph... what now? You beat up your dad — are you gonna call your grandpa next?"

Xiao Wu tilted her head, glaring at him with pure disdain.

Tai Long's face twisted. He said nothing and turned to leave.