The class ended quickly, and Li Chang'an stayed behind in the classroom. Tai Long hadn't returned yet—probably off crying at home.
---
Shrek Academy, Main Gate
"Dad, you should go back. This is between students. If you show up, I'll just be even more embarrassed."
Tai Long tried to speak calmly while suppressing his pain, sucking in breaths through clenched teeth. His face was swollen like a pig's head, and he could barely stand without support from a fellow student.
That's right—Li Chang'an hadn't just dislocated his joints with a punch, he'd also sent him flying face-first into the ground, messing up his face in the process.
In front of Tai Long stood a burly middle-aged man even more muscular than him. The resemblance between them was striking—easily an 80% match, though the man appeared older and far more rugged. His tight shirt couldn't hide the rippling muscles beneath it, and he exuded raw, intimidating energy.
"Bullshit! My son got beat so bad his joints were dislocated and his face wrecked—how's he supposed to find a wife like that?!"
"If I can put up with this, I don't deserve to be called the Vigorous King, Tai Nuo! You little punk, you're just embarrassing me. You can't even handle a kid barely into his teens? I want to see just who's got the guts to lay a hand on my son!"
Tai Long looked helpless and was already regretting going home. His joints had been reset, but even with his natural defense, it would take time to fully recover.
"Dad, you're making this really difficult for me. How am I supposed to continue training at the Academy after this?" Tai Long tried to reason with him, forcing a bitter smile.
"Train my ass. Everyone else graduates at level 30, but your Academy insists on keeping you in some so-called advanced class. Fine, whatever. But even when you get beaten like this, no one does a thing? I'm dragging that brat straight to your teachers!"
"Uh... Dad, I started it. It had nothing to do with Li Changsheng," Tai Long said.
"You've got the nerve to admit that? You started it and still got your ass kicked? You're a disgrace."
Passing students recognized Tai Long, but none dared to approach. At the sight of the furious Tai Nuo, they quickened their pace and scurried past.
"Which one of you is Li Changsheng?" Tai Nuo suddenly shouted at the classroom door.
Inside, Li Chang'an was busy holding hands with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. When Tai Nuo appeared, he casually said to the two girls, "Give me a moment—two punches and I'll be right back."
Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue and didn't follow. Instead, she turned to Zhu Zhuqing and asked if Li Chang'an could really finish the fight in just two punches. After all, Tai Long's father was at least a Spirit King, right?
Zhu Zhuqing's reply was swift and certain: "He absolutely can."
---
"You're Tai Long's father?" Li Chang'an asked out of courtesy.
The resemblance made it clear—there was no mysterious 'Uncle Long' involved.
Tai Nuo puffed his chest. "That's right. I'm the Vigorous King, Tai Nuo. You beat my son like that—shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
Li Chang'an nodded. "You're right. I hit Tai Long with one punch. So how about I give you two?"
"You've got guts, kid!" Tai Nuo exploded with rage. But he didn't charge in right away. After all, Li Chang'an had floored his son with a single punch—it was safer to release his Martial Soul first.
With a shout, Tai Nuo's entire body grew five inches taller. His muscles bulged until they ripped through his shirt with loud tearing sounds, revealing a body of iron.
Tai Long was already muscular, but compared to his father, he was like a toddler beside a bear. Five soul rings rose at Tai Nuo's feet: two yellow, three purple—an impressive and dazzling sight.
A Spirit King—he was a Five-Ring Spirit King!
Several worried fangirls, concerned for Li Chang'an's handsome face, were already preparing to run off and call a teacher.
He was fighting a Spirit King after all. If that gorgeous face got bruised, it'd be such a waste.
"Scared now, kid? You should be. I'll start by dislocating all your limbs, then take you to your teachers to settle this. I'm a Level 58 Power-Type Battle Spirit King. Better think this through—my fists don't come with brakes. If I break your legs, that's on you."
Having unleashed his Martial Soul, Tai Nuo stood tall and smug. In his mind, this kid had no chance and would soon bow his head.
But the next moment, Li Chang'an moved. In just a few strides, he was right in front of Tai Nuo. He clenched his fist and threw a punch!
Tai Nuo's battle instincts kicked in—he crossed his arms and focused all his soul power on defense. There's no way he can break through this!
But the very next instant, Tai Nuo was stunned.
Li Chang'an's punch shattered through his defenses, dislocating both his arms and sending him staggering ten steps backward. His feet gouged two deep ruts into the ground.
'How... how is this possible? I was defending with everything I had!'
Before he could recover—BAM!—another punch landed.
Tai Nuo was sent flying.
---
Two punches for a Spirit King—this man is too Strong and handsome!!
That was the unanimous thought running through every girl watching. When Li Chang'an turned back toward the classroom with a light smile, he unknowingly captured countless hearts.
Tai Nuo was dealt with. Tai Tan likely wouldn't show up immediately, so Li Chang'an took Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing to the cafeteria.
While eating, Xiao Wu cracked a joke: "First you beat the son, then the father. I wonder if the grandfather will show up next?"
Li Chang'an just glanced at her and said nothing.
Because his spiritual sense had already detected—it was here.
---
Outside Shrek Academy Gate
Tai Long and Tai Nuo now stood beside an elderly man.
The old man had white hair and a short buzzcut that stood up like steel needles. His frame was just as sturdy as Tai Nuo's, but his eyes held a depth and weight that couldn't be ignored.
He gave off a powerful presence—without even trying, he commanded respect. Judging by the awe in Tai Long and Tai Luo's eyes, his position in the family was unquestionable.
"Grandpa, I'm begging you—please go back. If this keeps up, I'll never be able to show my face here again." Tai Long pleaded with a bitter smile.
The old man standing between them was none other than his grandfather—Tai Tan, patriarch of the Strength Clan.
Tai Tan stood with his hands behind his back. He glanced coldly at his grandson and said only two words: "Shut up."
Those two words were enough to shut Tai Long down completely.
Not even Tai Luo knew why the old man had insisted on coming to Shrek Academy today.
Back at home during lunch, Tai Luo had confessed everything. Tai Tan's response? A slap across the face and one word: Shameful.
Neither father nor son had eaten lunch. Despite their injuries, Tai Tan had dragged them both here.
He hadn't said what he planned to do, but with that thunderous aura, even Tai Luo didn't dare ask. He knew all too well—his father was not a patient man. He was even more protective and hot-headed than himself. If he decided to go off the rails...
Back then, it was that very temper that nearly ruined the family…
Tai Luo sighed silently, praying the old man wouldn't do anything rash. After all, Li Changsheng was just a teenager. Surely he wouldn't seriously go after a kid?
---
The three of them entered the cafeteria. Soon after, someone came to call Li Chang'an out. This time, both Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing followed—everyone could sense this encounter wouldn't be easy.
Tai Long's grandfather had to be at least a Spirit Sage, right?
Some students had already run off to call a teacher—this was getting out of hand.
"Who is Li Changsheng?" Tai Tan asked coolly. His voice was aged, but each word was firm and resonant, shaking the air with force.
"I am," Li Chang'an stepped forward calmly, circulating his soul power. This was a Spirit Douluo-level opponent—he couldn't be careless.
"So it was you who injured my son and grandson?" Tai Tan asked.
"Yes," Li Chang'an replied plainly.
"Hmph. You've got guts, kid. Dare to spar with this old man for a few rounds?" Tai Tan's pressure rolled out toward him, but Li Chang'an stood firm.
"Sure—but if I win, I want one condition," Li Chang'an said.
"Speak," Tai Tan said, now taking him seriously. Anyone who could stand unaffected under his pressure wasn't ordinary.
"If I win, the Strength Clan will close itself off from the world for a hundred years. No interfering in worldly affairs."
Tai Tan raised an eyebrow.
"Fine. If we can't even defeat a kid, then seclusion is what we deserve!"
"Then let's begin." As the words left his mouth, ice-blue energy condensed in Li Chang'an's right hand—
Ultimate Ice!
BOOM!
The two figures collided mid-air. Li Chang'an's right hand suddenly turned fiery red—
Ultimate fire!
BOOM!
Another clash!
Then lightning crackled around his fist—
Ultimate Thunder!
BOOM!
Three punches.
Tai Tan crashed to the ground like a cannonball, his body scorched and blackened.
____
T/N:
Hello everyone! My Patreon is just $3 — a perfect opportunity to access 70+ advanced chapters and support the translation.
🔗 patreon.com/user?u=79514336
Or simply search Translator-Sama on Patreon