Chapter 109: The Rabbit

Gu Rong and Gu Xuan traveled without stopping and directly returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.

For Gu Rong, this was undoubtedly a windfall—a hundred‑thousand‑year transformed soul beast, giving him a free hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring and soul bone.

Moreover, the Titan Giant Ape still doesn't know what happened; even if it later discovers Xiao Wu was captured long ago and turned into someone else's soul ring and soul bone, that realization would take a long time.

After all, the few from Shrek Academy dare not go looking for the Titan Giant Ape, nor do they need to, given their attitude toward soul beasts—not to mention the Titan Giant Ape already gave them a beating.

The only uncertainty is Tang San, but it doesn't matter; the current Tang San still doesn't know he's a hybrid, nor does he know Xiao Wu's true identity.

And these events, occurring just after the Titan Giant Ape's attack, were then pointed out bit by bit by Gu Xuan, and under his verbal guidance Tang San didn't become as obsessed and crazy as in the original story.

Looking at Tang San's state, he might even end up hating Xiao Wu to death—after all, deep love breeds deep hatred.

Tang San is the type to repay grudges; he accepts kindness from those who treat him well, at least not retaliating, but those who deceive or use him he believes deserve death! Flying at ten thousand meters altitude, Xiao Wu was already bound by Li Li with spider‑web SM‑style restraints, her mouth gagged, then placed into Gu Xuan's Hundred Treasures Pouch.

Gu Rong said to Gu Xuan: "Xuan'er, why do you care so much about Shrek Academy? I know you're kind‑hearted, but there's no need to go this far."

Gu Xuan smiled slightly and replied: "Grandfather, you've really been blinded by this rabbit. Didn't you notice those few from Shrek Academy? Their ages are about the same as Li Li's, at most one or two years older, yet they're already near thirtieth rank, some even thirtieth‑rank Soul Elders—truly a batch of genius youths."

"I'm leaving them a good impression so they'll remember my kindness in the future. Even if it's only a one‑in‑ten‑thousand chance, saying a few nice words costs nothing; if my words really bring in a genius, would you say it's a loss or a gain?"

Hearing Gu Xuan's words, Gu Rong nodded thoughtfully—indeed, this precious grandson is still as scheming as ever; earlier I had even thought Gu Xuan had truly become a great benevolent person!

This acting is truly damn good? Even stole my limelight.

Thinking that, Gu Rong directly gave Gu Xuan a knowing look, causing Li Li beside him to cover her mouth and chuckle lightly.

"Grandfather? Why are you hitting me?" Gu Xuan covered his scalp, bewildered.

"Nothing much, just testing your physique—a thirty‑year fourth soul ring, you kid also count as a first‑timer." Gu Rong replied without blushing or racing heart.

Gu Xuan's face twitched; he said unhappily: "If you want to hit me, just say it straight—I can still run, can't I?"

Gu Xuan smiled slightly, changed the topic: "How do you want to handle this rabbit?"

"Although its attribute doesn't match yours, the quality of a hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring is enough to compensate for that, and given your current situation, absorbing a hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring as your eighth soul ring should pose no problem."

Hearing this, Gu Xuan also began to ponder: a hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring is indeed tempting; though its attribute doesn't match his, Xiao Wu's soul‑ring and soul‑bone skills are all‑purpose, and paired with his fourth soul skill Spatial Gate, it would truly be hard to die.

Unless Gu Xuan courts death by provoking Qian Daoliu, relying on his all‑purpose skills, his survivability would be maxed out.

And what Gu Xuan cares about most is life—after all, if he dies, how can he rise to higher realms? How can he experience worldly prosperity? How can he give each miss a warm home? After a moment's thought, Gu Xuan said: "I haven't decided yet; for now I'll just lock this rabbit away. If later someone in the sect breaks through to Titled Douluo, I can give it to them—or not—wealth shouldn't flow to outsiders."

Gu Xuan added, thinking of Ning Fengzhi: "Uncle already has eight rings, right? If he someday manages to break through to nine, this soft‑bone rabbit would suit him perfectly—it needs no attack power, just survivability."

Hearing this, although Gu Xuan spoke teasingly, it was indeed reasonable, and Gu Rong also fell into thought.

Gu Rong is now ninety‑seventh rank; his traveling speed needs no explanation—half a day later the three had already returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.

Along the way, Gu Rong was also surprised by Li Li's gain—after all, she obtained an external soul bone.

This isn't just a simple strength increase; over time Li Li's power and foundation will become unbeatable among peers, even surpassing levels won't be an issue.

Returning to the sect, Gu Rong and Gu Xuan went to see Ning Fengzhi; Chen Xin happened to be there as well.

Afterwards Gu Rong explained the incident; when Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin saw the unconscious Xiao Wu, their breathing grew heavier—this is a hundred‑thousand‑year soul beast, after all.

Gu Xuan then repeated his thoughts to Ning Fengzhi; after hearing, Ning Fengzhi fell into contemplation, and after a long while he said: "Xuan, your heart makes me happy, but whether I can break through to Titled Douluo is still uncertain; as for the ownership of this hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring, there's no doubt it's best suited for you."

"Your fourth soul ring has already reached thirty thousand years; barring accidents, your eighth—or even seventh—soul ring can absorb a hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring, and given your cultivation speed, this process won't exceed twenty years at most; giving you this hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring is undoubtedly the best."

Hearing Ning Fengzhi's words, Gu Xuan said: "Uncle, my attribute completely mismatches this rabbit; even if its quality is enough, it's absolutely not as perfect as a soul ring suited to my attribute."

"Moreover, the sect now has three more Titled Douluo; hunting a hundred‑thousand‑year soul beast for me in the future isn't impossible. On the continent, could there be none in the sea?" Hearing Gu Xuan's words, Ning Fengzhi and Jian Gu's eyes twinkled—indeed, Gu Xuan's thoughts are deep, and he isn't tempted by the allure of a hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring, which is undoubtedly excellent quality.

Being able to keep one's original intention in the face of such great temptation proves all this.

In fact, Ning Fengzhi's heart also yearns to break through to Titled Douluo and absorb a hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring; if he could, he would undoubtedly be the first in the history of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect to do so.

Gu Xuan gradually shared his ideas with the others; finally Ning Fengzhi decided to first lock up the rabbit, then discuss it after breaking through that level.

Gu Xuan also suggested continuously injecting Xiao Wu with a sedative and nourishing her with nutrients, so no accidents would occur.

After all, Xiao Wu is a soul beast; Gu Xuan feels no pity for her, and this method also guarantees that various accidents will happen.

He isn't a muggle from the original story; naturally he won't stubbornly try to turn Xiao Wu against her will—after all, that's unrealistic.

However, another idea struck him: using Xiao Wu to threaten the Ming brothers—Great Ming and Second Ming—within the Star Dou Great Forest, since those two beasts have a perverse infatuation with Xiao Wu.

In the original, the fact that they could sacrifice themselves for Tang San because of his relationship with Xiao Wu proves it.

Although at that time the Ming brothers were already heavily injured, if someone else stood in their place they'd certainly rather die than yield, which is why Gu Xuan had this thought.

Moreover, trying costs nothing; Great Ming and Second Ming, whether in strength or quality, are far more compatible with Gu Xuan than Xiao Wu—choosing Xiao Wu, Gu Xuan would rather pick the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure‑Blue Python.

Of course, Xiao Wu's skills are still all‑purpose, which also moves Gu Xuan's heart, but now that there are better options, he won't let this greed occupy his mind.

Aside from Ning Fengzhi, Jian Gu, Li Li, and Gu Xuan, even Ning Rongrong wasn't told about Xiao Wu's situation, because this must remain a secret.

On the way back, Gu Xuan also repeatedly instructed Li Li not to tell anyone.

The cell imprisoning Xiao Wu is in a hidden compartment within the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect's treasury; entering the treasury requires three tokens—namely keys—held respectively by Ning Fengzhi and Jian Gu.

The guards outside the treasury are Long Wu and Mi He.

Even a Titled Douluo would find it hard to break in, let alone when no one else knows Xiao Wu's imprisonment location.

The nutrient solution was personally prepared by Gu Xuan, a one‑year dose released at once; the sedative is administered every six months.

Though somewhat cruel, there's no choice.

Xiao Wu likely still retains the memory of returning to find Tang San; in that light, it's actually good for her, since she doesn't know her current predicament.

After settling everything, Gu Xuan inquired about how the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect's academy is doing.

Ning Fengzhi, true to his decisive nature, built a magnificent academy in just over two months within Qi Cheng; its faculty and scale rival the Tian Dou Royal Academy, and Ning Rongrong, Zuo Yan, and Li Li also became the first students to enroll in the Seven Treasure Academy.

Gu Xuan, however, didn't choose to enroll in the Seven Treasure Academy; he will still return to the Tian Dou Royal Academy, after all he still needs more contact with Ye Lingling—ideally to become her wife and bring her back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.

Naturally, Gu Xuan made a decision: to transfer Du Gu Yan to the Seven Treasure Academy, because her fourth soul ring is also of ten‑thousand‑year level.

Du Gu Yan had previously returned to the Tian Dou Royal Academy to deliver the pills Gu Xuan had prepared for Yu Tianheng and the others, then stayed a week before requesting leave—after all, lingering too long risks exposing her soul ring.

After Gu Xuan explained this to Du Gu Yan, she hesitated briefly but ultimately agreed.

Dugu Bo also gave his two‑handed approval; after all, this arrangement ensures Du Gu Yan's safety—Seven Treasure City lies beneath Seven Treasure Mountain, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect's support can reach it in less than an hour.

Like Gu Rong, with his current strength, a single Spatial Gate would get him there.

After finishing everything, Gu Xuan then returned to Tiandou Royal Academy with Dugu Bo, and Dugu Bo went to handle the transfer procedures for Du Gu Yan.

ps: Fix the typos first, then revise later.

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