In the southern suburbs of the capital, an abandoned building stood tall.
The surroundings were desolate, and due to its remote location, development had been slow.
Before the building, five people were in a standoff.
A Liang and Wang Jue had grim expressions. The Thunder Ape beside them brimmed with ferocity but remained motionless.
Opposite them were three girls, their eyes filled with indifference and impatience.
One girl, with a pretty face, said, "I advise you to leave on your own! Otherwise, when my Black Iron level brother arrives, you will pay the price!"
"A Liang, what do you say?"
Wang Jue nudged A Liang beside him and whispered.
A Liang murmured, "Stall for time, wait for Chen Pi to come!"
The two had accepted a mission from the academy to apprehend two murderers.
After tracking them for a whole morning, they had finally subdued the criminals.
However, unexpectedly, three students from other academies appeared, also on the same mission.
A conflict naturally erupted between the two parties.
Although A Liang's combat strength was astonishing, facing three opponents alone was his limit.
The situation became a stalemate.
"You're snatching my spoils of war and demanding I pay a price? Are you three more shameless than Chen Shu?!"
A Liang's expression was calm, but he showed no signs of backing down.
"You?!"
One girl's face paled, and anger flared in her eyes.
Although she didn't know Chen Shu, she could tell he was cursing, and quite offensively at that.
"We are from Huaxia Academy. Are you sure you're not leaving?"
Wang Jue also spoke, hoping to use the academy's name to intimidate them.
If only he had combat power, the two would have already taken decisive action.
"Huaxia Academy?"
The girl paused slightly, then a mocking smile touched her lips. She said,
"Then do you know my brother, Bai Yang?"
"Bai Yang?"
A Liang blinked, clearly having never heard of him.
But Wang Jue's expression changed upon hearing the name, and he reminded, "First place in the sophomore year!"
A Liang frowned as well. To be the top student in Huaxia Academy's sophomore year meant possessing talent and strength.
Fang Si, known as the academy's genius, could only rank in the top ten. She had only recently broken into the top five.
Those who consistently held first place were top-tier talents!
"What do you think?"
The two fell into contemplation. Although Chen Shu was the strongest among the freshmen, he might not be able to defeat the strongest sophomore.
"Forget it!"
A Liang clenched his fists slightly and glanced at the two unconscious men below, ultimately choosing to give up.
His gaze was indifferent as he looked deeply at the three, having already noted them in his mind.
No one had ever snatched his belongings before. Did they truly consider themselves the fierce bandits of Nanjiang?
"We're leaving!"
A Liang said, realizing that if the opponents' reinforcements arrived, Chen Shu might not be able to win.
Then the three of them would be severely beaten.
"Alright!"
Wang Jue nodded, memorizing the faces of the three, preparing for future revenge!
Just as A Liang was retracting his Thunder Ape and preparing to leave,
a calm voice rang out.
"Did I say you could leave?"
A young man in a trench coat walked over with utter composure.
His face was angular, and his eyes were bright and piercing, making him exceptionally handsome.
"What?!"
A Liang and Wang Jue's expressions changed; they hadn't expected to be a step too late.
"Bai Yang?!"
Wang Jue's tone carried a hint of dread.
Bai Yang ignored the two and moved to stand in front of the three girls.
Bai Yang smiled gently, "Xiao Wan, are you alright?"
"Brother, I'm fine!"
Bai Wan's eyes sparkled with joy, and she instantly felt a surge of confidence.
She then pointed her right hand at A Liang and Wang Jue, acting spoiled.
"Brother, these two insulted me!"
"Oh?"
Bai Yang then turned his gaze, fixing it on A Liang and Wang Jue.
"You know me? You must be juniors?
His lips curved into a faint smile, but a fierce glint appeared in his eyes.
Wang Jue forced a smile and said,
"Senior Bai Yang, we're all from Huaxia Academy. Perhaps we have the same mentor. There's no need..."
"That makes sense! It makes sense!"
Bai Yang nodded, then continued,
"From now on, you two slap yourselves. When you make my sister happy, you can leave!"
Upon hearing this, A Liang and Wang Jue's expressions turned cold. They hadn't expected him to be so arrogant!
Wang Jue said coldly, "Bai Yang, it was your sister who was being unreasonable first, trying to snatch our spoils of war!"
"Sorry, I, Bai Yang, only value strength!"
Bai Yang strode forward. Aside from a few Silver-level students at the school, no one was worth his attention.
Naturally, he wouldn't care about two newly enrolled freshmen!
"Juniors, feeling a bit resentful!"
Bai Yang chuckled calmly, approaching the two. He said coldly,
"Do you know that even many third-year and fourth-year students don't dare to look at me like that?"
In an instant, the space above his head cracked, and a black lion's head emerged!
Roar!
The black lion let out a roar, producing tangible sound waves.
A Liang and Wang Jue couldn't help but stagger back several steps, clutching their heads, feeling an intense pain.
After a while, the two finally recovered.
"Start slapping now!"
Bai Yang said calmly, "Otherwise, I'll have my contracted spirit do the slapping!"
The two exchanged glances, their eyes conveying their intent to make a desperate stand!
But at that moment, A Liang's expression froze, as if he had seen something.
The next second, he said calmly,
"If I tell you a secret of a legendary Beast Tamer, can you let us go?"
"What?"
Bai Yang was momentarily stunned, immediately captivated by the word "legendary."
A Liang leaned closer and whispered, "I am your long-lost... father!"