Gu Rong's figure slowly descended beside Gu Xuan, while Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang also made their way to Meng Yiran's side.
During this time, Meng Shu returned the token Gu Xuan had given him. Gu Xuan nodded with a smile and said, "Senior has worked hard. Please come visit the Clan when you have time."
Meng Shu laughed heartily and waved his hand, "This old man didn't really do anything; I don't deserve such praise."
"Senior acts with great righteousness, and I personally hope to have more exchanges with you," Gu Xuan said, cupping his fists.
After saying that, Gu Xuan spoke no more. Instead, he carefully scrutinized Xiao Wu, who was already unconscious in Gu Rong's hand, a flash of greed momentarily flickering in his eyes.
This was a full set of a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone. Even if the attributes didn't perfectly match his own, the quality of a 100,000-year-old item was more than enough to make up for it.
Furthermore, whether it was the soul ring or the soul bone, the skills they provided were divine—Invincible Golden Body, Teleportation, Void. They were incredibly versatile abilities. Although Gu Xuan was surprised that such god-like skills came from a rabbit with no special bloodline, he couldn't deny how enticing it was.
As for mercy, Gu Xuan felt none for Xiao Wu. Looking at the original story, this rabbit was no saint either. Tang San would hunt other soul beasts under the pretext of them being "evil," but it was a different story when it came to her friends and family. Eventually, Da Ming and Er Ming became Tang San's soul rings and soul bones anyway. It was pathetic—if someone else took them, they were enemies, but if Tang San did, it was "meant to be."
How hypocritical.
Gu Xuan then turned back to Tang San and called out, "Tang San."
Hearing the call, Tang San raised his head but didn't dare look Gu Xuan in the eye. As a human soul master, Tang San could understand Gu Xuan's current perspective. How would it feel to realize the person you kindly tried to help was actually a soul beast?
"My Lord..." Tang San's heart was bitter.
Gu Xuan took a deep breath and said, "I know you might not want to believe this, but you must understand that no one does something for no reason. I cannot give this rabbit back to you for now. Use this time to think carefully about your past with her. Ask yourself: do you really know her?"
"I forgot to remind you. After a soul beast transforms, they must have long-term contact with human soul masters to cultivate quickly. They only enter the maturity stage after reaching Rank 60. I suspect this rabbit might just be taking advantage of your innocence."
At this point, Gu Xuan felt a bit disgusted with his own acting, but to mess with Tang San, he had to push through. "Even though we just met, I can see you have a good heart and aren't the type to help a villain."
"Perhaps that's exactly why she approached you. After all, a 100,000-year soul beast doesn't lose its memories when it transforms. Think back—were there ever moments where her actions made you feel uncomfortable? That might have been your human instincts warning you."
"But you were likely already charmed by her; otherwise, why would you have taken her as a sister?"
Listening to Gu Xuan's gentle and persuasive words, Tang San's numbness and breakdown began to stabilize as he started to think seriously.
'It seems... exactly as he says!'
Did Xiao Wu really approach him just for cultivation? Just to use him? After being together for six years, Tang San found this conclusion hard to swallow.
However, Gu Xuan's words were undeniable. Xiao Wu was a soul beast. Even if she went back to Shrek Academy now, no one would feel safe. What if the Titan Giant Ape came back? They would be wiped out.
After much internal struggle, Tang San finally spoke, "My Lord... I have a request."
Gu Xuan maintained his warm smile, "Go ahead. If it's within my power, I won't refuse. After all, anyone would find this situation hard to accept."
Tang San felt a surge of warmth. Gu Xuan offered him immense respect and understanding, which touched him deeply. He wondered how someone so righteous and empathetic could exist. Not only was he peerlessly handsome and talented, but he was also incredibly kind. 'Is he a god reincarnated to save the world?' Tang San thought.
After hesitating, Tang San said, "I want... I want to talk to Xiao Wu."
Gu Xuan's brow twitched. 'Talk? Not happening. You two won't say another word to each other in this life.'
His smile faded slightly as he said calmly, "Tang San, to be honest, you aren't in a state to think rationally right now. You need time to cool down."
He paused, then added, "How about this: take some time to clear your head. I study at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Once you've calmed down, you can come find me. I can promise you that I won't harm her for the time being. What do you think?"
Hearing this, everyone—the Shrek group and the Dragon-Serpent couple alike—held their breath. To leave a 100,000-year beast alive was to pass up a soul bone. If someone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan reached Rank 90, this rabbit would be the perfect final ring. Gu Xuan was essentially going against his own clan's interests just for Tang San's feelings.
Gu Rong, a veteran "actor" himself, immediately caught on. He coughed and said, "Xiao Xuan, you need to fix your habit of being too kind-hearted and soft. It was fine when you were a child, but you aren't a kid anymore. Things aren't as simple as you think. The Clan Leader must decide how to handle this rabbit."
Hearing Gu Rong, the crowd's opinion of Gu Xuan's kindness went up another notch. Even his own grandfather couldn't stand how "overly kind" he was being.
Gu Xuan looked at Tang San. Tang San, of course, didn't dare defy a Titled Douluo, but he looked at Gu Xuan with a desperate, pleading expression that made Gu Xuan want to vomit.
Still smiling, albeit with a hint of bitterness, Gu Xuan turned to Gu Rong. "Grandpa, just this once. Let me be willful one last time. Tang San doesn't seem like a bad person. If we don't grant this, he might never overcome this mental block."
Tang San was so moved he almost knelt. Only his Tang Sect pride—kneeling only to heaven, earth, and parents—kept him upright. He accepted that he needed to calm down. With Gu Xuan's guarantee, Xiao Wu's life was safe for now. He just wanted to know if she had lied to him.
'Tang Sect Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, General Principle Three: Once an opponent is determined to be an enemy and has a "way to die," do not show mercy, or you will only bring trouble upon yourself.' Tang San recited the principles internally, trying to suppress his personal desires.
Gu Xuan turned to the others. "You are all students of the same academy. I hope today's events won't trouble you too much. We will take the rabbit away. I will inform the Clan Leader of your situation and have people protect you for a while, in case the Titan Giant Ape targets you after finding out she was captured."
The Shrek students, including Zhao Wuji, were moved to tears. 'What a great man!' Not only did he handle the transformed beast, but he was also going to protect their academy.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but compare Gu Xuan to Dai Mubai again. If Dai Mubai had even a fraction of this responsibility, she wouldn't have lived in fear for two years.
Gu Xuan's goal was simple: build his reputation so he could eventually poach Oscar.
"However," Gu Xuan added, "I suggest you move locations. If this rabbit has already exposed your academy's position, I can't guarantee your safety. Even in the human world, if the Titan Giant Ape is determined, it would be hard to protect everyone."
Zhao Wuji nodded thoughtfully, already planning how to move the academy with Flender.
After comforting the group and asking for the academy's location, Gu Xuan, along with Li Li, followed Gu Rong into the pitch-black Spatial Portal under the admiring gazes of the Shrek students.
Once they were gone, Meng Shu spoke up. "Hurry and hunt a third ring for Tang San, then let's get out of here before that ape comes back."
(End of Chapter)
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