Chapter 730

Even Shihō Renshi, who knew Wudao Dong Xiang best, was now shaken to his core.

As if meeting his own... niece for the first time.

But after regaining his composure, Shihō Renshi's brows knotted tightly—he had been startled, yet inwardly he disagreed.

Because he felt Wudao Dong Xiang's strength was insufficient... far too insufficient.

Aoe Kōzen lowered his eyes, his voice tinged with subtle emotion.

"Such a noble idea... even greater than I imagined!"

Aoe Kōzen suddenly lifted his head, becoming serious at once, no longer the gentle old man he had been.

A terrifying aura pressed down on Wudao Dong Xiang.

His voice showed no emotional fluctuation.

"But this is still just an idea... what can you, a mere Level One Ghoul, possibly achieve?"

"I am no longer merely a Level One!"

Wudao Dong Xiang's face remained calm as she instantly completed Heru Transformation, her Heru sacs blooming open.

Like a fallen angel with broken wings.

After spending points to evolve, Wudao Dong Xiang became a Heru, standing atop the Ghoul hierarchy.

"Not to mention... me now! Still not enough."

"But I have already touched the path forward—I know how to grow stronger!"

Wudao Dong Xiang's voice was resolute, her fist clenched, covered in a faint layer of Armament Haki.

This was the entry-level Armament Haki obtained by spending 100 points.

Due to her already exceptional physical conditioning, she did not need to train her body to enhance Armament Haki.

Of course, because Wudao Dong Xiang lacked points, she had only strengthened entry-level Armament Haki and had not even enhanced Observation Haki.

Aoe Kōzen sensed the aura emanating from Wudao Dong Xiang—no weaker than his own—saw her Heru Transformation, and his eyes flickered with shock, disbelief, and a hint of relief.

Yet in the end, all of Aoe Kōzen's emotions dissolved into solemnity.

His voice remained as calm as ever.

"Then, Dong Xiang, let me see how strong you are!"

Aoe Kōzen moved.

Without the slightest restraint.

If Wudao Dong Xiang's strength was insufficient, venturing out with such ideals would only lead to certain death.

Rather than... that, Aoe Kōzen preferred to use his own strength to jolt Wudao Dong Xiang fully awake.

Wudao Dong Xiang did not yield, her fist wrapped in entry-level Armament Haki colliding with Aoe Kōzen's.

The air froze.

Moments later, Wudao Dong Xiang withdrew her fist and bowed deeply to Aoe Kōzen.

"Thank you immensely for taking me in."

"Forgive my departure... but please leave my room intact—Antique Coffee Shop will always be my home. Whenever I have free time, I will return to live here."

Aoe Kōzen said nothing; Wudao Dong Xiang said nothing either, turning away without hesitation.

Only after Wudao Dong Xiang had fully departed, following a long silence, did Shihō Renshi turn to Aoe Kōzen, his eyes filled with confusion and disbelief.

"Dong Xiang's strength far exceeds what I imagined... she is no weaker than me."

Aoe Kōzen retracted his fist, his expression complex.

He stared at his palm, where cracks had appeared.

Yet, aided by the Ghoul's own powerful regeneration, they had already healed.

"We need not worry about her safety!"

Umi Kiri and Koma En both froze in stunned silence.

That Wudao Dong Xiang—who they had regarded as merely a Level One Ghoul—had actually injured the shop owner? Not just them, even Shihō Renshi found it hard to remain composed.

Precisely because they knew how immensely powerful Aoe Kōzen was.

That made it all the more unbelievable, nearly shattering their worldview.

Aoe Kōzen smiled, then turned and walked away, his voice carrying a hint of relief and complexity.

"Everything remains as before!"

"Perhaps... Dong Xiang truly can bring a different change to Ghouls."

Small