In the luxurious looking office, the commanding voice resonated, cutting through the air with authority "Bernard, take care of the company in my absence. Ma Hongjun should arrive in the afternoon. I might as well go relax somewhere" the white-haired young man with a handsome face said as he continued working on the documents, addressing the middle-aged man named Bernard beside him. Despite appearing to be about 15 years old, the young man was none other than Sheng Jun, who was only 9 this year. However, due to his high soul power, his body had begun to mature at a startling rate.
"Don't worry, young master. Even if it costs me my life, I won't allow anything to go wrong within the company" Bernard replied with a serious tone, his commitment evident in his demeanor.
Looking at the middle-aged man in front of him, Sheng Jun smiled warmly as he shook his head. Bernard was a Spirit Emperor whom he had saved more than a year ago. Gravely injured after seeking revenge against the evil spirit masters who had decimated his entire village when he was young, Bernard had been on the brink of death before Sheng Jun intervened. Fortunately, with the upgraded Sun's Essence obtained after Sheng Jun's second spirit ring, Bernard's injuries miraculously healed within half a month. After being saved by Sheng Jun and finding no other purpose in his life after his succesful revenge, he resolved to dedicate himself to serving Sheng Jun until his last breath, as a gesture of gratitude for saving his life.
The upgrade not only increased the essence's annual production to 2 but also enhanced its healing properties significantly. Although the cultivation speed remained unchanged, the essence's capacity to heal and rejuvenate had been greatly amplified.
Of course, it was not mere luck that led Sheng Jun to find Bernard. After obtaining his second spirit ring, Sheng Jun awakened a special ability called 'Prophecy' As its name suggested, it granted him the ability to glimpse into the future. Despite the randomness of Prophecy's activation, this ability played a crucial role in various aspects of Sheng Jun's plans, including the fortuitous encounter with Bernard.
With the aid of Prophecy and the knowledge coupled with insights from his past lives, Sheng Jun embarked on building up the Sheng Company. Leveraging the deterrence provided by Spirit Saints, they swiftly ascended in the early stages, accumulating vast wealth through strategic investments and groundbreaking inventions.
One such invention was the Dalu Link, a revolutionary type of telephone conceived by Sheng Jun himself. Initially, the development process proved challenging. However, with the guidance of the Grandmaster, they devised a system of runes that emitted distinct signals based on the numeral codes inputted into the Dalu Link. These signals were transmitted to various checkpoints around the Empire until the correct Dalu Link was identified, replicating the feature of voice calls.
Their innovative creations and investments propelled the Sheng Company to unprecedented heights of prosperity. Their wealth grew to such an extent that Flender, with his little share in the company, found himself laughing himself to sleep every single day.
However, their rapid ascent in the business world inevitably attracted the attention of those who coveted their company's success. Some of these individuals wielded such power and influence that even esteemed Spirit Saints like Flender and Zhao Wuji found themselves unable to thwart their advances. Recognizing the situation, the Grandmaster intervened, providing Sheng Jun with the spirit badge of Titled Douluo.
Though Sheng Jun remained uncertain of how Grandmaster acquired such prestigious badges, he refrained from questioning the matter. Instead, he focused on utilizing the badges to their fullest potential. With their newfound protection, they managed to deter those with malicious intentions, instilling fear in their minds. Rumors soon circulated that the company was guarded by Titled Douluo, effectively dissuading any further interference.
Of course, these rumors were strategically spreading through Bernard and others who specialized in information gathering and dissemination. This task proved easier than expected, as few individuals were foolish enough to challenge the credibility of badges endorsed by the Spirit Hall.
Despite their success, Sheng Jun couldn't help but feel a pang of weariness. He had been tirelessly busy over the past two years, barely having any time to himself. Though his inventions showed promise, they required more time for widespread adoption. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that given enough time, they could ascend to become one of the top three richest entities in the Douluo Continent.
Taking a moment to breathe amidst the bustling streets of the Heaven Dou Empire's capital, Sheng Jun allowed himself a rare moment of respite. With the aroma of roasted meat wafting through the air, he indulged in a moment of leisure, momentarily forgetting the weight of his responsibilities such as the investments, productions, company stability, and the ongoing reconstruction of Shrek Academy. For now, he simply savored the simple pleasure of the present moment, awaiting Ma Hongjun's arrival with a contented smile gracing his lips.
…
Not far from the bustling capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, a half-black, half-red-haired boy soared through the skies with remarkable speed. His eyes, a striking combination of red and black, gleamed with determination and anticipation. Despite appearing to be about 12 years old, the boy was none other than Ma Hongjun. Though his soul power hasn't increased much in the past 2 years, his soul power still far surpassed that of a typical nine-year-old.
Today, Ma Hongjun was in high spirits. It had been two long years since he last saw his beloved brother, Sheng Jun. In the intervening time, Ma Hongjun had been tirelessly training to master control over his flames. This relentless pursuit had left him with little opportunity for anything else, other than a brief visits to his parents in Phoenix Village once a year. However, due to the critical state of the Sheng Company during that time, Sheng Jun was unable to join him. Now, with the company stabilized, his brother is finally free to some extent.
Despite understanding that his brother's tireless efforts were for their benefit, Ma Hongjun couldn't shake the feeling of discontent that lingered within him. He harbored deep gratitude for the improvements Sheng Jun had implemented at their academy, such as the top-tier mimicry training ground, daily spirit beast meals, training facilities, and many other facilities incoming.
However, amidst the lavish upgrades, Ma Hongjun couldn't ignore the nagging worry gnawing at his heart. He feared that Sheng Jun was pushing himself too hard, sacrificing his well-being for the sake of himself and others. Despite the persuasive efforts of Ma Hongjun, Flender, and others, Sheng Jun adamantly refused to take a break, immersing himself in the relentless management of the company.
The sight of his brother working tirelessly left Ma Hongjun feeling helpless and useless. They could only watch while silently praying that Sheng Jun wouldn't overexert himself. Despite his concerns, he was forced to stand by and watch, hoping that Sheng Jun would heed his silent pleas and prioritize his health. After all, Ma Hongjun had no knowledge in business-related matters.
Lost in thought, Ma Hongjun failed to notice the fast-moving figure hurtling towards him until they collided with a resounding crash. "Ouch!" they both exclaimed simultaneously as they tumbled to the ground.
"Hey! Watch where you're flying, man" Ma Hongjun grumbled irritably as he picked himself up from the ground. His gaze fell upon the purplish-blue-haired boy lying on the ground before him, who appeared to be around 11 years old. However, Ma Hongjun's concern quickly shifted when he noticed the flames enveloping the boy's body, due to his martial soul's passive flames.
With a sense of urgency, Ma Hongjun sprang into action, swiftly patting away the flames with rapid movements and utilizing his Devourer of Flames ability to extinguish them. Once the flames had been quelled, he let out a relieved sigh, about to offer assistance when a sudden shriek pierced the air.
"Kyaa!! Damn pervert!" the purplish-blue-haired boy exclaimed, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as he delivered a sharp slap to Ma Hongjun's face, sending him tumbling through the air with a few spins before crashing to the ground once again. Clutching his chest bashfully, the boy recoiled from the encounter, his cheeks still flushed with indignation.
Touching his swollen face, which had already begun to heal, Ma Hongjun couldn't help but voice his complaints. "What's the big deal, man? I was just trying to help you! If I hadn't extinguished those flames, you might have been burned to death!" His frustration mounting, Ma Hongjun continued "Besides, we're both guys. Why are you acting like some delicate lady?"
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" the purplish-blue-haired boy seethed with anger, his voice trembling with fury as he rose to his feet. Two yellow spirit rings began to spin around him, accompanied by the materialization of blue wings behind him.
Ma Hongjun braced himself, sensing the danger. It was clear that the boy was not only furious but also possessed considerable strength. As tension crackled in the air, Ma Hongjun prepared himself to explain himself.
"Hey, man, stop overreacting and calm down, okay? I was just trying to save you-" Ma Hongjun's words were abruptly cut off as the purplish-blue-haired boy launched into an attack.
"Wind Edge!" the boy exclaimed as he flapped the wings behind his back furiously sendin out sharp wind blades. Utilizing the Owl's Way to swiftly dodge the attack, Ma Hongjun roared defiantly "You damn lunatic! If you want a fight, then bring it on!"
With a fierce determination burning in his eyes, Ma Hongjun spread his crimson fire wings and launched a retaliatory strike.
I'm combining the elements from both the Manhua and Donghua versions of "Yu Feng"