Chapter 104

The couple that suddenly appeared scrutinized Gu Xuan closely; the Dragon Lord didn't even need to release his soul power—just the eight soul rings on him already left Tang San feeling breathless.

But Gu Xuan straightened his back, unmoved, with six dragon swords faintly unfurled behind him, their sword intent revealing endless sharpness.

Madam Snake's gaze swept around; when she saw Li Li absorbing the Human Face Demon Spider's soul ring, her expression suddenly changed, and she raised her hand to tug at Meng Shu.

"Old man, that girl has already started absorbing the Human Face Demon Spider's soul ring." Madam Snake's voice, somewhat discontented, sounded in Meng Shu's ear.

Meng Shu followed the gaze and saw that the Human Face Demon Spider was exactly the one they had been pursuing.

Originally, they had left Shrek Academy solely to find a suitable spirit beast for Meng Yiran, and this Human Face Demon Spider was their target.

Noticing Meng Shu's slight change in expression, Gu Xuan finally spoke: "Junior Gu Xuan, from the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect; my family's elder bears the name—Bone Douluo."

Gu Xuan didn't beat around the bush with Meng Shu; he directly announced his lineage.

Meng Shu had originally intended to flare up, but upon hearing the words Seven Treasure Glazed Sect and Bone Douluo, he couldn't help but catch his breath.

Given his experience, it was naturally easy to see the talent of Gu Xuan before him and the girl absorbing the Human Face Demon Spider's soul ring; after all, reaching rank thirty at such a young age matches the level of those few children currently at Shrek Academy.

There's no need to say more about Gu Xuan before us—his appearance is definitely no older than twenty, yet he can withstand the soul power pressure of a high-ranking Spirit Douluo; although he isn't actively applying pressure, comparing him to Tang San makes it clear that Gu Xuan's strength is not low.

After Gu Xuan finished speaking, he then said: "Senior, you can learn the specifics from this junior brother."

Hearing this, Meng Shu's eyes flickered slightly, then he looked toward Tang San; he had a good impression of this child, who had previously defeated his own granddaughter with twenty-ninth-rank strength.

Afterward, Tang San began to explain what happened after Meng Shu and Madam Snake left: they encountered the Titan Giant Ape at the camp and the subsequent events.

When Meng Shu and Madam Snake heard that they had actually encountered the Forest King, Titan Giant Ape, their first thought was whether Meng Yiran had been injured; fortunately, Meng Yiran was unharmed, and upon hearing that Zhao Wují had sacrificed himself to face the Titan Giant Ape alone, the couple's approval of Shrek Academy increased by another two points.

After all, in the face of life and death, human nature is the hardest to withstand.

After listening to Tang San's account, he had wanted to rescue the captured Xiao Wu, pursuing all the way here, only to be ambushed by this Human Face Demon Spider; at the critical moment, Gu Xuan intervened to save him…

Because they didn't know this Human Face Demon Spider was the one Meng Shu and his group were hunting, after finally communicating with Tang San, Li Li directly began absorbing the soul ring.

After learning the full details of the incident, and again confirming Gu Xuan's identity from Tang San's mouth, Meng Shu, though somewhat helpless, could not well flare up.

After all, from any angle, the brother and sister were not only blameless but had even saved Tang San's life; moreover, the Human Face Demon Spider's soul ring was only absorbed after consulting with Tang San, which could be said to have observed propriety to the utmost.

Not seizing it by force despite their strength already gave them ample face.

After all, Grandfather Gu Rong is a Titled Douluo; although the title Bone Douluo might not be well known to low-ranking Soul Masters, for Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang it is undoubtedly a name that thundered through their era.

Let alone not having seized it by force; even if they had taken this Human Face Demon Spider, they wouldn't dare to let out a single fart.

After all, even if he and Chao Tianxiang possessed a martial soul fusion skill comparable to a Titled Douluo, it is merely comparable, and still far from a true Titled Douluo.

What's more, this is Gu Rong, a veteran Titled Douluo renowned for a long time.

Meng Shu had been pursuing this Human Face Demon Spider for a day to obtain it as Meng Yiran's third soul ring; if not for the spider's overly annoying web, it would have long been captured by Meng Shu.

Moreover, the Human Face Demon Spider is extremely rare, as other spirit beasts shun it; even within the Star Dou Great Forest it is seldom seen, far more precious than the phoenix-tail rooster-crown snake that Oscar once snatched, yet it's unfortunate that the brother and sister neither seized it by force nor set a trap—they simply happened upon it by chance, saved Tang San, and only after discussion began absorbing the soul ring.

Although helpless, Meng Shu had nothing more to say.

After Tang San finished recounting the events, he respectfully addressed Meng Shu: "Senior, if possible, I hope to implore you to help me find Xiao Wu; although this adult's grandfather has already gone to track the Titan Giant Ape, I still feel uneasy, I…"

Before Tang San could finish his words, Meng Shu retorted angrily: "What do you know? That Titan Giant Ape is an ancient aberrant species; its strength is such that not only us, even a Titled Douluo would not dare claim victory over it."

"Moreover, as far as I know, there is only one Titan Giant Ape in the Star Dou Great Forest. Its cultivation is not merely a simple ten thousand years; to date it has at least over sixty thousand years of cultivation, making it the true overlord of the forest." (This is how the original describes it.)

"Furthermore, it is said that the Titan Giant Ape has an even more terrifying elder brother; unless all the Titled Douluo of the two great empires gather here, who would dare claim to hunt them?"

Saying this, Meng Shu then looked toward Gu Xuan, his tone softened, and replied: "Young friend, although the Titan Giant Ape is immensely powerful, Bone Douluo senior may not claim to defeat it, but at least safety is sufficient for self-protection; you need not worry about that."

Hearing this, Tang San's eyes turned slightly cold; Meng Shu's unwillingness to help aside, he was instead comforting Gu Xuan—but what about his Xiao Wu? Although Meng Shu knows Bone Douluo is strong, the opponent is the Titan Giant Ape, and now the Titan Giant Ape is heading deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest; what if it meets its elder brother? Not to mention one Bone Douluo, even two additional Titled Douluo, Meng Shu dares not guarantee a sure victory.

He does indeed appreciate Tang San, but that does not mean he is willing to risk his life for Tang San.

Gu Xuan indifferently nodded and replied: "That point need not worry you, senior; although my grandfather has gone to pursue the Titan Giant Ape, if the matter is infeasible he would not take the risk."

Saying this, Gu Xuan apologetically told Tang San: "Junior brother, although I'm sorry, this matter is indeed beyond our control, after all, our lives are also our own."

He paused, seeing Tang San's eyes again turning somewhat blood-red, Gu Xuan continued: "Of course, if possible, we naturally hope your sister is safe."

Saying this, Gu Xuan softly addressed Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang: "Seniors, you two are also notable figures in the Soul Master world; your single martial soul fusion skill is comparable to a Titled Douluo. How about this: I trouble you two to follow the Titan Giant Ape's tracks and investigate as well; regardless of any gain, you will henceforth be honored guests of my Seven Treasure Glazed Sect."

Upon hearing this, how could Tang San fail to hear that Gu Xuan was doing this for him, to persuade those so-called Peerless Dragon Serpents?

Meng Shu, upon hearing this, also slightly furrowed his brows; frankly, he naturally did not want to go, after all, he fears not the ten thousand but the one in ten thousand.

But thinking of Gu Xuan's promise, he indeed felt somewhat moved.

He and Chao Tianxiang have struggled in the Soul Master world for decades to reach their present standing, and being solitary, they now have an opportunity to forge ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect without affecting their freedom—indeed a good opportunity.

Seeing Meng Shu hesitate, Gu Xuan continued: "Take this; when you meet my grandfather, just give it to him. If this junior brother's sister should perish, you need not worry about the Titan Giant Ape's attack—my grandfather will personally escort you away."

Gu Xuan said, tossing Meng Shu a seven-colored token, upon which sat a lifelike Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda; behind it was a ferocious, domineering Bone Dragon roaring to the heavens, and the sharp edge of an unrivaled Seven Slaying Sword fully exposed.

This is Gu Xuan's own special token, not only a symbol of identity but also capable of mobilizing personnel under the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, including elders.

It can be said to be the highest-status symbol beneath the sect master Ning Fengzhi and the two guardian deities.

Such tokens exist only in three copies, one each held by Sect Master Ning Fengzhi and the two guardian deities, Sword Bone; this one of Gu Xuan's was given to him by Gu Rong.

After receiving the token, Meng Shu and Madam Snake exchanged a glance; then Madam Snake slightly nodded—after all, it's just a trip, with Bone Douluo as backup, this favor is well earned.

As for what Tang San thinks, they don't care; although he has decent talent, he's merely a two-ring Soul Master, and the Soul Master world has always been bloody and profit-driven—this is beyond doubt.

"In that case, we'll make the trip, though we can't guarantee the outcome." Meng Shu said, and then hesitated no more, after all, the Human Face Demon Spider's soul ring was gone; it would be better to simply earn a favor for free.

Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang also stirred their soul power, and with a few leaps they pursued in the direction the Titan Giant Ape had gone.

Tang San looked at Gu Xuan, tears welling up; moved, tears streamed from his eyes. They had only just met, still strangers, yet Gu Xuan could do this for him—how damn great! "Tang San, I thank you, sir!" Tang San bowed deeply before Gu Xuan, exceeding ninety degrees.

Gu Xuan glanced at Tang San, having to admit that Tang San presently still looks quite decent, but ever since the moment Tang San and Meng Shu conversed, Gu Xuan has been observing Tang San's changes.

When he heard Meng Shu unwilling to help, his gaze shifted instantly, as if from friend to foe.

Perhaps if Xiao Wu died because of this, Tang San might even blame her death on Meng Shu.

So hypocritical—no wonder he's the double-standard Tang God King.

But it doesn't matter; Gu Xuan only needs to boost his favorability before him, and the future operational space is practically endless.

Gu Xuan helped Tang San up and spoke gently: "I understand your feelings, but you need to rest now; leave this matter to the adults. Even I, if I encountered that Titan Giant Ape, would only have a chance to flee—what difference would going there make compared to marching to your death?"

"I think your sister wouldn't want to see you like this."

Upon hearing Gu Xuan's consolation, Tang San's impression of Gu Xuan grew a bit taller.

Is this really someone from a great sect like the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect? Even in my past life in the Tang Sect, I hadn't met such a good person. Although I still worried about Xiao Wu in my heart, Tang San now felt much better.

ps: First correct the typos, then revise.

(End of chapter)