Outside Soto City, in the suburbs.
The red-haired boy raised his hand, but before he could act, a powerful gust of wind surged toward him. Instinctively, he activated the Phoenix of Fire. His wings flared, and his body blasted backward several meters.
Boom!
In the blink of an eye, a blinding golden light swept past his shadow and cleaved the tree behind him cleanly in two.
Wow...
Staring at the neatly severed trunk, a cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
That attack wasn't meant to kill, but if it had landed, it would've shattered bones and torn tendons. If he hadn't instinctively dodged the vital areas, he might've died on the spot.
"Hongjun!!"
A panicked voice cried out as Meng Yiran came rushing over, hair disheveled and footsteps unsteady.
Seeing that Ma Hongjun was unharmed, a touch of color returned to her pale face.
Then, glaring at the two figures behind him, she snapped, "What are you doing?!"
When she saw him nearly struck down, it was as if she had fallen into an ice-cold abyss. Her heart nearly stopped.
If he hadn't reacted so quickly, he would've been lying lifeless on the ground.
"Hmph, this brat dared to lay hands on you. Shouldn't Grandma teach him a lesson?"
"Yiran, you're still too young to judge people. This guy doesn't look like any good news to me."
Two elderly voices rang out. Then, an old woman and a tall old man appeared beside Meng Yiran.
The red-haired boy narrowed his eyes as he observed the pair.
The old woman appeared to be in her sixties or seventies, with neatly combed white hair. Though her face was deeply wrinkled, her complexion was rosy and full of vitality.
The old man was tall and stocky, with sharp eyes and no eyebrows. Two dragon horn-like markings extended from the corners of his eyes. His beard was thick and gray, covering his mouth and nose, giving him a dignified presence.
They were—
The Peerless Dragon and Snake.
Duke Long Meng Shu and Snake Woman Chao Tianxiang.
One was a Soul Douluo, the other a Soul Emperor. Together, their soul fusion ability made them a force comparable to a Titled Douluo.
Their fame rivaled that of the legendary Golden Triangle.
They were also Meng Yiran's grandparents.
"You've got some skill to dodge my casual strike," Chao Tianxiang said coldly, her gaze fixed on Ma Hongjun.
"But that doesn't mean you get to touch my precious granddaughter."
With just one look, she noticed that her granddaughter's expression had softened and her eyes glowed with tenderness—as if she had lost her virginity.
It was clear what had happened the night before.
How could she tolerate her granddaughter being defiled after just one night of absence?
Had she not worried about traumatizing Meng Yiran, her first move wouldn't have been a warning—it would've been fatal.
"Still, this boy has talent. Good looks too. And his martial spirit… seems to be a top-tier beast-type. What do you think?"
Meng Shu stroked his beard and winked.
"Old man," Chao Tianxiang frowned, "he's not from an ordinary family. Let's break a few of his limbs, toss him in the river, and let that be the end of it."
"Hmph. In Soto City, is there anyone who dares to challenge us, the Peerless Dragon and Snake?"
Duke Long snorted and turned to Ma Hongjun, his eyes sharp. A heavy, invisible pressure descended upon him.
"You have two choices: I break three of your legs, and you crawl away… or you marry Yiran and become our grandson-in-law."
"Which will it be?"
The air grew thick and suffocating. Ma Hongjun found it difficult to breathe under the oppressive aura.
Staring at the two who loomed over him, his lips curled into a cold smirk.
"I thought the Peerless Dragon and Snake were respected heroes. Turns out you're just senile old fools who can't tell right from wrong."
Shriek!!
A piercing phoenix cry echoed as flames burst into the sky. Feathers of fire danced through the air, surrounding the young man. His red hair swayed without wind, and the surrounding temperature soared.
Before the stunned gaze of the Peerless Dragon and Snake, Ma Hongjun exploded out of the pressure, tearing a massive hole in it.
A mere Great Soul Master—and he shattered a Soul Douluo's suppression?
The old couple's expressions shifted. Even though Duke Long had only released a fraction of his power, it was still remarkable for someone so young to resist it.
Combined with the red flames, blazing wings, and suffocating heat—could it be the Phoenix, one of the rarest beast martial spirits?
Even Chao Tianxiang found herself intrigued.
"Boy, do not anger us," she warned. "You know who we are. You know what that means."
Duke Long puffed out his chest. "My granddaughter is beautiful and kind, a rare gem even in the entire Heaven Dou Empire. You're not losing out."
Ma Hongjun sneered.
He had heard them clearly: framing him, then acting as though they were offering him a gift.
If not for Meng Yiran, he would've already cursed them out.
"Grandpa, Grandma, please stop! I've already told you—it was a misunderstanding! Hongjun was just trying to save me!"
Meng Yiran begged, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at Ma Hongjun's emotionless face. Her heart felt like it was being torn apart.
I've done nothing but hurt him.
"Yiran, just tell me one thing," Chao Tianxiang asked, gently wiping her granddaughter's tears.
"Did he take your body?"
"I…"
Meng Yiran hesitated, speechless. "It was to save me… At the time…"
"That's enough. Say no more. If you really like him, then what's wrong with having him live with you every day?"
Chao Tianxiang shook her head and turned to Ma Hongjun, her tone growing cold again.
"Boy, don't be ungrateful. I don't care who your backers are—you're no match for us."
In the Heaven Dou Empire, she would've held back. But this was Soto City.
Soul Emperors could be dealt with. And a Soul Douluo? That was almost mythical here.
Duke Long folded his arms and nodded confidently.
"No one in Soto City can protect you. Obey us, and we won't treat you unfairly."
If the boy still refused, then he'd have no choice but to act by force.
Meng Shu's thoughts were simple—no need for emotional bonds. Even if there was none, he'd just drag the boy back, break his legs, and lock him up with Yiran for a year or two.
"You're awfully arrogant, Duke Long."
Just as they were waiting for Ma Hongjun's answer, a calm but slightly mocking voice sounded from behind.
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