Gu Rong and Gu Xuan made no stops on their journey, returning directly to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
For Gu Rong, this was an incredible stroke of luck—a 100,000-year transformed soul beast, essentially a free soul ring and soul bone. As for the Titan Giant Ape, it likely still had no idea what had happened. Even if it eventually discovered Xiao Wu was gone, it would be far too late.
The Shrek Academy students wouldn't dare seek out the ape, and they had no reason to; they shared the common human hostility toward soul beasts, especially after being pummeled by one. The only wildcard was Tang San, but he was currently unaware of his own hybrid nature or Xiao Wu's true identity. Under Gu Xuan's calculated linguistic guidance and the shock of the ape's attack, Tang San's typical obsession had been replaced by a growing doubt.
Judging by his state, Tang San might even end up hating Xiao Wu. Deep love often turns into deep resentment, and Tang San was a man known for holding grudges. He might tolerate those who were good to him, but to those he believed had deceived or used him, he offered only a "way to die."
Flying ten thousand meters in the air, Xiao Wu had already been subjected to a "shackling" by Li Li's spider webs. Gagged and bound, she was tucked away inside Gu Xuan's Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse.
"Xuan'er," Gu Rong said to his grandson, "Why are you so concerned with that Shrek Academy? I know you're kind, but was it necessary to go that far?"
Gu Xuan smiled. "Grandpa, your eyes were blinded by the prize of that rabbit! Did you not look at the Shrek students? They're about the same age as Li Li, maybe a year or two older, yet they're all nearing Rank 30 or are already Soul Elders. They're a pack of geniuses."
"I leave a good impression now so they remember my kindness later. Even if it's a one-in-a-ten-thousand chance, kind words are free. If a few sentences bring a genius to our side, is that a loss or a gain?"
Gu Rong nodded thoughtfully. His grandson was as black-bellied as ever. For a moment, even he had thought Gu Xuan had turned into a saint!
'His acting is too good,' Gu Rong thought. 'He even stole my spotlight.' He playfully swatted the back of Gu Xuan's head, making Li Li giggle beside them.
"Grandpa? Why'd you hit me?" Gu Xuan asked, rubbing his scalp.
"Nothing. Just testing your physique. A 30,000-year fourth ring... you're certainly the first of your kind," Gu Rong replied without missing a beat.
Gu Xuan's lips twitched. "If you want to hit me, just say so. It's not like I can run away."
Gu Rong chuckled and changed the subject. "How do you want to handle this rabbit?"
"Even if her attributes don't match yours, the quality of a 100,000-year ring makes up for a lot. With your progress, you could likely absorb her as your eighth ring without issue."
Gu Xuan pondered this. The soul ring was tempting, and Xiao Wu's skills—like the Invincible Golden Body and Teleportation—were universally useful. Combined with his own Spatial Portal, he would be nearly impossible to kill. Survival was his priority; he couldn't experience the world's wonders or provide a "warm home" for every pretty girl if he were dead.
"I haven't decided yet," Gu Xuan said after a silence. "Let's lock her up for now. If someone else in the Clan breaks through to Titled Douluo, we can give it to them. Keep the good water in our own fields."
He thought of Ning Fengzhi. "Uncle is at eight rings. If he finds a way to reach Rank 90, a Soft-Boned Rabbit is perfect. He doesn't need attack power; he just needs to stay alive."
Gu Rong took the suggestion seriously. Traveling at his Rank 97 speed, they reached the Clan in half a day. Along the way, Gu Rong expressed his surprise at Li Li's gain of an external soul bone; it ensured she would be nearly invincible among her peers.
Back at the Clan, they met with Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin. When the Clan Leader and Sword Douluo saw the unconscious Xiao Wu, their breathing grew heavy. A 100,000-year beast was no small matter.
Ning Fengzhi listened to Gu Xuan's ideas and eventually sighed. "Xuan'er, I appreciate your heart, but whether I can ever break through to Rank 90 is still a question. This ring is most suitable for you. Given your current 30,000-year fourth ring, you might even be ready for a 100,000-year ring as your seventh. You'll reach that point in less than twenty years."
"Uncle, my attributes don't match hers at all," Gu Xuan argued. "A perfectly matched ring will always be better than a high-quality mismatch. Besides, the Clan has three new Titled Douluos now. We can hunt 100,000-year-old soul beasts later. If they aren't on land, are they not in the sea?"
Ning Fengzhi and the two guardians were impressed by his foresight and his ability to resist such a massive temptation. It spoke volumes about his character.
In the end, Ning Fengzhi decided to keep Xiao Wu imprisoned. Gu Xuan suggested a strict regimen: keep her under constant sedation with an anesthetic and maintain her on nutrient fluids. He had no mercy for her; this was the most efficient way to prevent any "accidental" plot twists or escapes.
He also had a darker thought: using her as leverage against Da Ming and Er Ming in the Star Dou Forest. Their devotion to her was legendary. While Xiao Wu's skills were good, Gu Xuan far preferred the attributes of the Titan Giant Ape or the Sky Azure Bull Python.
The secret of Xiao Wu's capture was kept strictly between the five of them; even Ning Rongrong wasn't told. She was moved to a hidden chamber within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's treasury, which required three specific tokens—held by Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong—to access. Long Wu and Mi He guarded the entrance.
Having settled the "rabbit" issue, Gu Xuan checked on the progress of the Clan's new academy. Ning Fengzhi had been efficient; in just two months, a magnificent academy had been built in Seven Treasure City, rivaling the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Ning Rongrong, Zuo Yan, and Li Li were its first students.
Gu Xuan, however, chose to return to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. He still needed to get closer to Ye Lingling—ideally to bring her back to the Clan as his wife.
He also made a decision regarding Dugu Yan. Since her fourth ring was also at the ten-thousand-year level, staying at the imperial academy risked exposing her. He convinced her to transfer to the Seven Treasure Academy. Dugu Bo enthusiastically agreed, knowing she would be safer under the Clan's immediate protection.
With the transfer paperwork in hand, Gu Xuan and Dugu Bo were ready to set off back toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
(End of Chapter)
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