Chapter 16: Street Fight

Tang Wulin led the group through the bustling food street, his eyes gleaming as he scanned the array of stalls with the uncontainable excitement of a true "glutton god." They laughed and joked as they moved from one end to the other, sampling everything they could get their hands on. With each new dish, Gu Yue and Shun Lee would glance at Xie Xie, who, knowing what was coming, would sigh and reluctantly pull out his wallet, earning yet another round of laughter.

"Why am I paying for this again?" Xie Xie grumbled as he handed over a few bills, feigning annoyance, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"I'm full now," Gu Yue declared, leaning on Tang Wulin's shoulder for support, her usually composed expression softened by the joy of the evening.

Xie Xie did the same on the other side, clinging onto Tang Wulin, whose face lit up with a mischievous grin. "If your appetite isn't big enough, don't try to eat like this glutton god," he teased, giving both of them a playful nudge.

Xie Xie rolled his eyes, trying to mask his exhaustion. "Glutton god? You're just a plain foodie. That's all I could think when I first saw you eat."

Tang Wulin just hummed, undeterred. "Well, since you're paying for it, let's keep eating."

Xie Xie let out a dramatic groan. "You still have room for more?" His voice dripped with disbelief. Hasn't this guy already eaten enough to feed an entire village? he thought, astonished.

Shun Lee chuckled, patting Tang Wulin on the back. "That's the thing with glutton gods," he teased. "They're never satisfied. It's like having a black hole for a stomach." Tang Wulin puffed his chest proudly, only adding to the laughter.

As they were preparing to head out, Shun Lee's gaze was drawn to a figure in the crowd. A woman stood a little ways off, her striking green eyes and long brown hair catching the dim glow of the evening lights. She wore a delicate green flower in her hair that complemented her light green dress, which flowed gracefully with each step. Her soft, faint smile made her beauty seem otherworldly—gentle yet powerful, like she had walked straight out of a dream in the midst of the crowd.

Shun Lee froze, his heart pounding.' It can't be her…' She's supposed to be gone from this timeline. The thought flashed through his mind, disbelief and shock washing over him. Without thinking, he took off in her direction, pushing through the crowd as he chased after the mysterious figure.

"Shun Lee! Where are you going?" Tang Wulin called out, bewildered. Gu Yue and Xie Xie exchanged a glance, equally stunned by Shun Lee's sudden departure.

But Shun Lee didn't stop. His mind raced, each step faster than the last as he tried to close the distance. However, as he reached the spot where he'd last seen her, the woman had already disappeared, lost in the sea of bustling shoppers and streetlights.

He stood there for a moment, breathing heavily as he scanned the crowd, hoping for a glimpse of her green eyes or the delicate flower in her hair. But there was nothing. Just strangers, rushing about their own business.

Slowly, he shook his head, a feeling of bittersweet resignation settling over him. 'Maybe I was wrong. Maybe it wasn't her…' A pang of nostalgia lingered as he tried to brush away the old memories that had surfaced with that fleeting moment.

With a quiet sigh, Shun Lee made his way back to the others, forcing a lighthearted smile onto his face.

As he approached, he noticed a commotion outside Mr. Li's shop. Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie were facing off against a tall, muscular man with a bald head and dragon tattoos coiling up his bare arms despite the cold. Two more men flanked him, all looking equally menacing.

Shun Lee immediately recognized the scene. "Ah," he muttered to himself, "so this is one of those classic fights where the protagonist levels up. I guess it is best not to interfere." Amused, he strolled over to Mr. Li, who watched the unfolding scene nervously.

"Do you have any popcorn?" Shun Lee asked, his eyes lighting up when Mr. Li, albeit confused, handed him a small bag of freshly popped kernels. Shun Lee grinned, thanked him, and turned back to enjoy the show.

"Shouldn't you help your friends?" Mr. Li asked, a little taken aback.

Shun Lee blinked and shrugged, popping a piece of popcorn into his mouth. "They've got this. Besides, why ruin such a thrilling moment? It's a rare sight. Just watch, you'll see." His words, while casual, were full of confidence in his friends' abilities.

As Mr. Li's question hung in the air, Shun Lee chuckled to himself and took another handful of popcorn. A small smirk played on his lips as he thought, 'Help them? What kind of nonsense question is that? I'd just be ruining the whole protagonist plot if I stepped in and fought for them. After all, how else will they get stronger if they don't face a few bruises and some trouble along the way?'

Settling in, he leaned back and continued to watch the scene unfolding in front of him with an air of relaxed amusement. His friends squared off with the tattooed leader, who seemed oblivious to Shun Lee's disinterest in helping. The leader's minions also seemed fully invested in the fight, cheering for their boss from the sidelines, throwing up fists, and shouting encouragements that echoed through the street.

Shun Lee observed the whole scene as if he were an audience member at a theater, his eyes gleaming with a mix of enjoyment and curiosity. Occasionally, he muttered to himself, "Look at them go… this is exactly what a proper hero's journey needs. Challenges, conflicts, and…" he glanced at his popcorn, "well, a good snack."

Mr. Li gave him a puzzled look, but Shun Lee simply waved him off, saying, "Trust me. This is all part of the process. They've got this, and by the end of it, they'll be even tougher."

With that, he continued to watch, fully engrossed in the spectacle, mentally narrating the scene with each twist and turn. His confidence in his friends was unwavering albeit it might be cause of the power of plot armor that he fully trusted as he savored the drama unfolding before him, content to let them fight their own battle.

As Shun Lee watched the intense fight, he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern seeing his friends struggle so much against Guang Long. He clenched his fists, the urge to jump in and help becoming harder to ignore. 'Come on, Tang Wulin,' he thought, silently urging his friend on. 'You've got this. You're the protagonist, right? This is where you're supposed to shine.'

But as Tang Wulin crashed into the wall of the stewed beef shop, Shun Lee's confidence wavered. He watched with growing apprehension as Tang Wulin struggled to rise, his breathing labored and blood dripping from his mouth. Gu Yue and Xie Xie were doing their best to protect him, but Guang Long's strength and resilience were proving to be nearly insurmountable. When Gu Yue summoned a blinding light to slow Guang Long down, Shun Lee exhaled in relief—only for that relief to vanish as Guang Long charged again, undeterred.

Shun Lee bit his lip, feeling his heart race. 'If this keeps going, they could really get hurt…'

But as he watched, a strange determination flickered in Tang Wulin's eyes. Despite his injuries, he stepped forward to protect Gu Yue, raising his hammers as he grinned and said, "Gu Yue, don't be afraid! With me here, I'll protect you."

Shun Lee couldn't hold back a cheer. "That's the spirit!" he called out without thinking, startling the nearby crowd and catching the attention of both Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, who turned to him, faces flushed. Shun Lee's face grew red in embarrassment as he realized he had accidentally become the center of attention. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly, muttering, "Erm, Don't mind me. Keep fighting! You can do this."

Meanwhile, Guang Long glowered, irritated by the interruption. He sneered at Tang Wulin and Shun Lee, furious at the way they seemed to disregard him. "So, you kids think you're invincible just because you have each other?" he growled, rushing forward with fists clenched, his Armored Dragon Body gleaming in the light. His two soul skills were layered, and his skin looked nearly impenetrable, like steel.

Tang Wulin and Guang Long charged each other, the heavy silver hammers colliding against Guang Long's armored fists in a resounding boom. Each impact was like thunder, shaking the ground and sending shockwaves through the street. Shun Lee could feel the force even from his spot on the sidelines, and he held his breath, hoping Tang Wulin could hold his ground.

But it quickly became apparent that Guang Long's strength was overwhelming. Tang Wulin was thrown back once more, a deep groan escaping his lips as he hit the ground hard. Blood trickled from his nose and mouth, and Xie Xie quickly darted behind him to catch him, only to find himself knocked down as well, crushed by the sheer force of Tang Wulin's weight and momentum.

Shun Lee's eyes narrowed. He was starting to feel a bit guilty. 'This isn't a training session anymore,' he thought. 'If I keep waiting, they might actually…' His thought trailed off, and he found himself glancing down at his hands, unsure. 'But this is Tang Wulin's journey… I shouldn't interfere, right?'

As if mocking his hesitation, Guang Long turned to the crowd of onlookers, laughing with a dark sneer. "You see that? This is what happens to anyone who dares to defy me!" He looked back at Tang Wulin and his friends, wounded and struggling to stand. "You may be Soul Masters, but to me, you're nothing more than brats playing hero. Anyone else want to challenge me?" He flexed his arms, the dragon tattoos rippling over his muscles as his spirit lizards glowed, emboldening his already formidable strength.

But even as Guang Long taunted the crowd, he suddenly noticed a movement from Gu Yue. She was inching forward, clearly worried for her friends but also prepared to stand her ground.

This prompt Guang Long to charge at her quickly which caught Gu Yue off guard and was about to move away when she made a misstep and was out of balance.

As Guang Long was inches away, ready to break through her defenses, when suddenly, in a blur of movement, Shun Lee appeared right in front of her, catching her in a princess carry. Startled, Gu Yue's eyes widened as she found herself lifted in his arms. Even Guang Long stopped, momentarily caught off guard by the sight of a young boy holding a girl like a hero rescuing a damsel.

"Finish this already," Shun Lee said, his voice was calm but his gaze intense.

Guang Long laughed, finding it absurd. "You? You're barely standing yourself, let alone strong enough to make demands!"

But Shun Lee only smirked, unfazed. "Are you sure about that?" He nodded over to Tang Wulin, whose body was starting to glow faintly, golden scales emerging along his arms and chest. The air around Tang Wulin seemed to hum with newfound power.

Guang Long's smile faded as he realized something was different. "What the…?"

Tang Wulin rose, his eyes blazing with determination. "We're not done yet!" he called, gripping his hammers tightly. He lunged forward, his golden-scaled arms swinging down with all his strength.

In that moment, Shun Lee grinned as he watched his friend's transformation. "Now that's something only a protagonist can exclusively do."

"Punk, you're still standing?" Guang Long bellowed, his voice filled with irritation as he lunged forward, swinging his fists to crush Tang Wulin.

But in that split second, something changed. A predatory intensity flared in Tang Wulin's eyes, and Guang Long suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. 'What's… going on?' His arms trembled, feeling the force behind Tang Wulin's strike.

With a tremendous clang, the hammer collided with Guang Long's arm, the impact reverberating through his bones. Guang Long howled in pain as his arm twisted under the pressure, bones fracturing with a sickening crack. The crowd gasped as Guang Long stumbled back, clutching his arm in disbelief. His two henchmen scrambled to catch him, but he crashed to the ground, his expression twisted in agony.

Shun Lee let out a cheer, unable to hide his excitement. "That's the spirit, Wulin! Show him who's boss!" he shouted, oblivious to the sudden silence that fell around them.

Gu Yue and Tang Wulin flushed at Shun Lee's unexpected outburst, and Guang Long glared at him furiously, humiliated by being sidelined so casually. Before he could retaliate, he saw Tang Wulin advancing again, that same fierce look in his golden eyes. The spectators watched in awe as Tang Wulin's final, powerful swing sent Guang Long crashing down for good.

The battle ended with Guang Long's defeat, his pride shattered as he disappeared into the crowd, his henchmen supporting him. Shun Lee let out a relieved sigh, chuckling to himself as he polished off the last of his popcorn. Just as he was about to compliment them, Xie Xie turned toward him with a scowl.

"Were you just watching the whole time?" Xie Xie grumbled, brushing off the dust on his clothes.

Shun Lee gave a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head as he tried to think of a clever excuse. "Well… you know, I was making sure everything was… under control."

But before he could finish, Gu Yue's voice cut in with a cold voice. "How long are you planning on holding me like that?"

Realizing he was still holding Gu Yue in a princess carry, Shun Lee's face turned beet red as he quickly set her down. "Ah! Sorry, sorry!" he stammered, fumbling over his words as Gu Yue gave him a cold gaze before looking away.

As Shun Lee carefully set Gu Yue down, he attempted to shift the group's focus away from his hesitant actions during the fight. He cleared his throat and, in an eager tone, asked, "So, uh, Wulin... what was that sudden burst of golden scales you had there?"

This successfully diverted the attention. Everyone's gaze landed on Tang Wulin's right arm, where faint traces of shimmering gold remained, a reminder of the power he had summoned just moments before. Tang Wulin looked down at his right arm, the golden sheen fading into his skin. He frowned, shaking his head. "I honestly don't know. It just… happened." He flexed his arm, testing the movement, still feeling the unfamiliar power coursing through his veins.

Xie Xie's eyes widened as he offered a suggestion. "We should probably go back to Wu Zhangkong. He might know what's going on. We should also check on Mr. Li before heading back, though. He was in rough shape earlier."

"Anyway, Shun," Xie Xie called over his shoulder, giving him a teasing grin. "Next time, don't you think you should join us a bit earlier?"

Shun Lee scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. "Y-Yeah… I was just, you know, assessing the situation!" He quickly threw his gaze back to Tang Wulin. "Still, that was incredible, Wulin. Whatever that power was, it's got to be something important."

Gu Yue gave Tang Wulin a small smile, her voice softer than usual. "You really saved us back there, Wulin. We'll figure out what this power is together."

With that, the group walked on, their camaraderie stronger than ever after the harrowing encounter. When Shun Lee suddenly staggered, coughing violently. Before anyone could react, a mouthful of blood spilled from his lips, startling the entire group. Gu Yue's face instinctively moved to support him, catching him in her arms as he wobbled.

"Shun Lee, what's happening?" Gu Yue asked urgently, her voice barely concealing her worry.

Shun Lee chuckled weakly, trying to downplay it. "It's nothing… It is just some blacklash." His voice trailed off, and a faint, reassuring smile touched his lips, but it was clear he was struggling. The smile quickly faded as his eyes fluttered, and he swayed on his feet before collapsing into Gu Yue's arms.

"Shun Lee!" Gu Yue's voice rose in alarm as she held him, her expression torn between fear and frustration.

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie gathered closely around their fallen friend, concern written on their faces. Gu Yue's grip tightened as she looked down at Shun Lee, her eyes reflecting both confusion and concern. "What happened to you?"

Tang Wulin clenched his fists. "We need to get him some help. We should probably go back to school."

Without another word, they carefully lifted Shun Lee, and, with a renewed urgency, headed back to the academy. Tang Wulin carried Shun Lee on his back, feeling the weight of his friend and the mysteries surrounding their powers and their future.

As they walked, Gu Yue's expression shifted, her eyes widening slightly as a sudden realization struck her. She recalled the exact moment Shun Lee had appeared before her, catching her mid-fall with that strange precision and speed. His timely appearance had saved her from a direct hit by Guang Long.

A small frown creased her forehead as she muttered under her breath, almost to herself, "Could it… could it have been my fault?"

Tang Wulin, walking beside her, noticed her troubled look and furrowed brows. "Gu Yue? What's wrong?" His voice pulled her back to the present, and she blinked, the doubt flickering in her gaze quickly replaced by focus.

She shook her head, trying to dismiss it, though her mind lingered on the thought. "Nothing… just something I realized." She glanced at Shun Lee's unconscious form, her expression was thoughtful. The timing of his appearance, his sudden collapse—it all seemed somehow linked. But she pushed the thought aside for now, refocusing on getting help for Shun Lee.

"Let's keep going," she said firmly, and with renewed determination, they hurried toward the academy, each of them anxious to get answers.