Marvel: Beginning with the Collection of Shinra Tensei

It must be because she had been around that group of mischievous individuals for too long. Normally quiet and aloof, Erina's clever tricks could sometimes be unexpectedly lethal.

As expected, the moment those words left her lips, Ma Hongjun's gaze shifted toward Han Yu.

"How about this, brother? I can tell you're a soul master too. Let's have a match. If I win, I get to be friends with the lady. If you win, we'll pretend none of this ever happened. Deal?"

Han Yu chuckled. Deal? What deal? Even if Erina weren't his girlfriend, such one-sided terms were absurd. Winning benefits you, losing costs you nothing—who would agree to that?

Ma Hongjun squinted slightly, letting his gaze linger on Erina. That brief glance earlier had already left a deep impression on him. Now, standing closer, he even thought he could catch a faint fragrance from her.

With Tang San and the others already paired up, Ma Hongjun had long wanted to find someone to share his life with. Of course, he wasn't just looking for any partner—someone worthy of his standards wouldn't be ordinary.

"Sorry about this, brother!"

Taking a step forward, Ma Hongjun extended his right hand, enveloping it with soul power. If words couldn't work, he would have to resort to action. He really didn't want to miss out on such a stunning girl.

As a Level 30 Soul Grandmaster specializing in assault, Ma Hongjun's achievements at his age were nothing short of remarkable—worthy of being called a prodigy.

But he wasn't aiming to seriously hurt anyone. The soul power in his palm was enough to subdue a strong man, let alone Han Yu, who seemed slim and frail. Based on appearance, Ma Hongjun estimated Han Yu's soul power to be at most Level 25.

He was wrong.

Han Yu had no soul power—not even at Level 1. Yet, that didn't diminish his strength. Any one of his abilities could easily dominate in any situation.

With just a sidelong glance, Han Yu immobilized Ma Hongjun where he stood.

At that moment, Ma Hongjun's surroundings transformed. The tavern's warm lights vanished, replaced by a crimson world filled with blood-curdling screams. As he turned, he saw countless grotesque ghosts with twisted faces flying under a blood-red sky.

In this horrifying realm, Ma Hongjun was like a succulent roast dropped into a starving wolf pack. The vengeful spirits screamed as they charged toward him.

"Stay away! Don't come near me!"

Having never witnessed such an eerie sight, the chubby soul master screamed in terror, stumbling backward until he bumped into something. Only then did the crimson scene gradually fade.

"Fatty! Fatty! What's wrong with you?"

Regaining his senses, Ma Hongjun found Tang San and Dai Mubai standing beside him. Turning to look around, he noticed others staring at him with strange expressions. Meanwhile, Han Yu and his companions remained seated at their table, unmoving.

"What… what kind of sorcery is this?"

Ma Hongjun realized his back was drenched in sweat. Wiping his forehead, he asked Tang San and Dai Mubai, "What just happened to me?"

"What happened to you? You tell us! You suddenly froze and started yelling like a lunatic. We should be the ones asking you that!"

Dai Mubai looked at Ma Hongjun in exasperation. Was he so dazzled by the girl that he lost his senses?

Tang San, however, stared intently at Ma Hongjun. Unlike Dai Mubai, Tang San's Purple Demon Eyes allowed him to see more.

When they called Ma Hongjun to snap him out of his trance, his limbs had been trembling slightly.

Since Han Yu didn't seem to have physically intervened, there was only one explanation: Ma Hongjun had been subjected to an illusion or hallucination—likely witnessing something that terrified him, resulting in his current state.

"Listen, chubby, the world is vast. Don't approach every beautiful woman you see. I'm nice enough not to hold it against you, but if you'd bumped into someone with a worse temper, it wouldn't have ended so well."

Han Yu spoke with a smile. The Green Lantern Ring's abilities weren't limited to flight; it also had telepathy and hypnotic powers. Combining the two to create a hallucinatory effect wasn't difficult at all.

"What did you say? Think you're tough? Let's spar!"

Dai Mubai rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight, but Tang San stopped him with a gentle shake of his head.

Having spent some time with Tang San, Dai Mubai was slightly surprised by his expression. Although Dai Mubai was the leader of the Shrek Seven Devils, Tang San was highly regarded in the team for his sharp analytical skills. If Tang San believed they shouldn't act recklessly, it was clear he didn't think they had much chance of winning.

Dai Mubai immediately calmed down. After shooting Han Yu a glare, he helped Ma Hongjun back to their table.

"This Tang San is quite impressive," Xiao Yan remarked with a hint of admiration. "Among these kids, he sees the situation the clearest. He knows better than to strike without thinking."

"Indeed. Such keen observation in someone so young is remarkable," Ace added in agreement.

"Tch, how boring. Couldn't you have gone easier on him?"

Erina pouted disdainfully, her tone laced with reproach, as if the entire situation were somehow Han Yu's fault.

Han Yu raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. Glancing at the retreating Ma Hongjun, he casually remarked, "Hey, I did hold back. I thought he could handle it."

His words carried no intention to be discreet, and the Shrek Seven Devils all heard him loud and clear. Dai Mubai immediately stood up, ready to act, but Tang San restrained him once again.

"Calm down, boss. Think about it. Fatty is a Level 30 assault-type Soul Grandmaster. If the opponent could trap him in an illusion without even lifting a finger, that means they're at least Level 40 or above. Our chances of winning aren't great."

"Exactly, Boss Dai. Plus, this time Fatty started it, so we're technically in the wrong. It's better to let it go," another teammate chimed in.

Dai Mubai's fierce gaze locked onto Han Yu, but the latter responded with a calm, confident smile. The silent stare-off between the two was oddly comical.

As the tension built, a deep, commanding voice echoed from the upper floor.

"Who dares mess with our little monsters? Let me take a look!"

Descending the staircase was a middle-aged man in his fifties. Though his appearance was unremarkable, his muscular frame, evident even under his plain clothes, exuded a powerful presence.

It was Zhao Wuji, the Vice Dean of Shrek Academy, also known as the Immovable King.

Han Yu's expression showed slight surprise upon seeing Zhao Wuji descend.

Tang San quickly explained the entire situation to Zhao Wuji, recounting every detail, including how Ma Hongjun was the one to instigate the conflict.

Zhao Wuji nodded as he listened, his brows furrowing as he glanced at Ma Hongjun, who was still trembling slightly. Then, with a serious expression, he approached Han Yu.

"Brother, my student was being impulsive and spoke out of turn. He didn't cause any real harm. Don't you think your response was a bit excessive?"

True to his reputation as fiercely protective of his students, Zhao Wuji stepped up to defend Ma Hongjun, even though it was clearly his student who caused the trouble.

"I went easy on him," Han Yu replied, his tone steady. "If that chubby kid can't even handle this much, I doubt he'll make it far on the path of a Soul Master."

The tension between Han Yu and Zhao Wuji was palpable, far more intense than before.

With a teenager like Ma Hongjun, Han Yu was willing to teach a lesson and let it go. But if someone like Zhao Wuji pushed further, Han Yu had no intention of backing down.

"Gentlemen, please, let's keep the peace! My humble business can't withstand the weight of you two masters clashing here!"

The innkeeper, skilled in diplomacy, spoke with a deferential tone, subtly praising both men while attempting to defuse the situation.

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