Previously on…
…
At this thought, a sorrowful expression crept onto Xiao Wu's delicate face.
At this moment, it seemed all means of defense had lost their meaning.
After all, no matter how one spun it, the fact remained: Tang San had left without taking her, leaving her alone to face Wu Tong.
"Nothing to say? Then confess obediently."
Seeing Xiao Wu's hesitant demeanor, Wu Tong chuckled softly.
This expression—this is the expression I wanted to see.
That look of utter desolation, as if everything had lost its meaning.
How… satisfying!
Let's see you flaunt your lovey-dovey acts in front of me now.
"…Impossible. I believe in San'ge. He must have had no choice."
After a moment of silence, Xiao Wu snapped back to her senses. Though bitterness still lingered in her heart, her words remained unyielding.
In the end, she chose to believe in Tang San. Six years of affection were simply too much to let go of.
Hearing this, not only was Wu Tong left speechless, but so was everyone else present. The truth was right before her eyes, yet she refused to accept it.
How could anyone—no, any Spirit Beast—be this foolish?
Is this what they call love?
This level of self-deception felt less like love and more like a mental illness.
Truly, one of the most infamous love-struck fools in the Douluo world.
"Enough. Just get to it. Since she won't talk, there's no point wasting everyone's time. I'm a busy woman."
Mobius, standing to the side, didn't even glance their way. Her gaze was fixed intently on Kyojuro, her tone dripping with impatience.
Clearly, she was eager to begin her "research" on the so-called "perfect specimen" Wu Tong had mentioned.
"Fine. If she won't trade Tang San's life for her own, then just finish her off. A transformed Spirit Beast is still a Spirit Beast at the end of the day. Those not of our kind will always harbor ill intent."
Wu Tong didn't reject Mobius's suggestion. The way he looked at Xiao Wu now was as if she were an idiot.
Honestly, seeing Xiao Wu's love-struck stubbornness made him feel like he'd been wasting his breath.
The Snake Granny, Sun, and the Shrek group, upon hearing their exchange, didn't intervene. Instead, they sighed in relief. If Wu Tong was about to get what he wanted, they'd likely be free to leave soon.
Only Mobius reacted differently. Her emerald-green serpentine eyes studied Xiao Wu intently before she pressed a finger to her lips, a twisted smile playing on her face.
"Wonderful. Finally, no more time wasted here. But could we keep her alive? A transformed 100,000-year Spirit Beast is quite rare. A living test subject yields better results than a dead one."
"Do as you please. Whether she lives or dies makes no difference to me."
Wu Tong agreed without hesitation.
And so, in just a few words, Wu Tong's group decided Xiao Wu's fate.
As for Xiao Wu's thoughts?
They didn't matter. Besides, under the gaze of a Titled Douluo, she wouldn't dare resist. After all, this was the path she had chosen, wasn't it?
Next, Wu Tong's group shifted their attention to the Shrek team.
Under their scrutiny, Zhao Wuji and the others grew visibly nervous.
"Mr. Wu Tong, is there… something else you need?"
Wu Tong snorted. "Relax. It's not about you. Leave Kyojuro, Nami, and Xiao Wu behind, and the rest of you can go. Unless, of course, you'd like to try resisting? Who knows—you might succeed."
At his words, Zhao Wuji and the others fell silent.
In the end, they were all selfish individuals. Why would they risk their lives for others?
In the original story, Zhao Wuji had no choice but to fight to protect the students—many of whom came from influential backgrounds. If they died in the Star Dou Great Forest, even if he survived, he'd face relentless pursuit from their families.
The daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's leader, the third young lady of the Star Luo Zhu Clan, the third prince of Star Luo, and the son of the Clear Sky Douluo—if all of them died while he alone returned, suspicion would inevitably fall on him. The major powers would hunt him down under the principle of better to kill the wrong than let the guilty go.
Thus, Zhao Wuji had no choice but to fight.
But now? Xiao Wu, Nami, and Kyojuro had no powerful backing. They were just commoners.
Though they were talented, that wasn't enough for Zhao Wuji to risk his life against Wu Tong.
After all, a dead genius was no longer a genius—just a corpse.
So, for the sake of self-preservation, Zhao Wuji and the others remained silent, eyes downcast, offering no defense for the trio.
Wu Tong clicked his tongue in disdain but paid them no further mind. People who'd abandon their comrades so easily weren't worth his attention.
…
"Huh? Me?"
Hearing her name, Nami blinked in confusion.
What's going on? Why does Mr. Wu Tong want me to stay?
Does he… like me?
Her cheeks flushed as she stole a glance at the handsome, imposing young man before her.
"Mr. Wu Tong, may I ask why you're keeping Nami here?"
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward from the Shrek group, standing up for her newly befriended companion.
Wu Tong ignored her, his gaze fixed on Nami, Kyojuro, and Xiao Wu.
"That's right. The three of you—a love-struck transformed Spirit Beast, and two stowaways from another world."
Before anyone could process his words, a dark figure erupted from the Shrek team.
In an instant, stillness turned to motion.
Like lightning, the figure streaked across the air, leaving afterimages in its wake. With overwhelming momentum, it lunged at Wu Tong, its murderous intent unmistakable.
...
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(End of Chapter)