The husband and wife who had suddenly appeared scrutinized Gu Xuan. Dragon Duke Meng Shu didn't even need to release his soul power; the mere sight of his eight soul rings was enough to make Tang San feel breathless.
Gu Xuan, however, kept his back straight and remained unmoved. The six dragon-swords behind him unfurled slightly, his sword intent revealing an endless, razor-sharp edge.
The Serpent Woman's gaze swept the area. When she saw Li Li already in the middle of absorbing the Man-Faced Demon Spider's soul ring, her expression changed instantly. She reached out and pulled on Meng Shu's sleeve.
"Old man, that girl has already started absorbing the ring," she whispered into Meng Shu's ear, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction.
Meng Shu looked over. Indeed, that Man-Faced Demon Spider was the very one they had been pursuing. After parting ways with Shrek Academy, they had set out specifically to find a suitable beast for Meng Yiran, and this spider had been their primary target.
Noticing the shift in Meng Shu's eyes, Gu Xuan finally spoke. "Junior Gu Xuan, of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. One of my family elders holds a certain title—the Bone Douluo."
Gu Xuan didn't play games with Meng Shu; he went straight to the point by identifying himself.
Meng Shu had been prepared to demand an explanation, but hearing the names "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan" and "Bone Douluo" caused his breath to hitch. With his experience, it wasn't hard to see the talent of the young man before him and the girl absorbing the ring. Reaching Rank 30 at such a young age placed them on the same level as the geniuses of Shrek Academy.
Gu Xuan was particularly impressive. He looked no older than twenty, yet he could withstand the natural pressure of a high-level Soul Douluo. Though Meng Shu hadn't actively suppressed him, the contrast with Tang San's struggle made it clear that Gu Xuan's strength was substantial.
"As for the details of how we came across this beast," Gu Xuan continued, "Senior can learn them from this young brother here."
Meng Shu's eyes flickered as he looked at Tang San. He had a good impression of the boy, who had previously defeated his granddaughter at only Rank 29. Tang San then began to explain everything that had happened since they parted—the encounter with the Titan Giant Ape, Zhao Wuji's sacrifice, and the subsequent events.
Upon hearing about the Forest King, the couple's first thought was of Meng Yiran's safety. Learning she was unharmed, their respect for Shrek Academy grew; after all, Zhao Wuji had risked his life to face a 100,000-year-old soul beast alone.
Tang San recounted his frantic pursuit of Xiao Wu, the ambush by the spider, and Gu Xuan's intervention at the critical moment. Since they hadn't known the beast was being hunted by the Dragon-Serpent pair, Li Li had begun the absorption immediately after consulting with Tang San.
Having heard the full story and confirming Gu Xuan's identity, Meng Shu felt helpless but could not find a reason to vent his anger. From any perspective, the siblings had done nothing wrong. They had saved Tang San's life and followed proper etiquette by negotiating before claiming the ring.
Beyond that, there was the matter of Bone Douluo. Low-level Soul Masters might not know the name well, but for Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang, the Bone Douluo was a legendary figure from their era. Even if the siblings had simply stolen the beast, the couple wouldn't have dared to utter a word of protest. A Martial Soul Fusion Skill that "rivaled" a Titled Douluo was still just an approximation; the gap between them and a veteran like Gu Rong was astronomical.
Meng Shu had spent a whole day tracking this rare spider. They were far less common than the Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent Oscar had taken earlier. However, the siblings hadn't laid a trap or used force; it was a pure coincidence.
Tang San then turned to Meng Shu and bowed respectfully. "Senior, if possible, I beg you to help me find Xiao Wu. Although this gentleman's grandfather is already tracking the ape, I still cannot rest easy. I..."
"What do you know?!" Meng Shu interrupted testily. "That Titan Giant Ape is an ancient variant. Its strength is such that even a Titled Douluo wouldn't dare claim a guaranteed victory."
"Furthermore," Meng Shu continued, "as far as I know, there is only one Titan Giant Ape in this forest. Its cultivation is far beyond ten thousand years; it has at least sixty thousand years of history—it is a true hegemon. And rumor has it the ape has an even more terrifying elder brother. Unless every Titled Douluo from both empires gathered here, who would dare hunt them?"
Turning to Gu Xuan, Meng Shu's tone softened. "Little friend, while the ape is powerful, an elder like the Bone Douluo can certainly protect himself. You need not worry."
Tang San's eyes turned cold. Meng Shu refused to help him and was instead comforting Gu Xuan. 'What about my Xiao Wu?' Tang San thought. He knew the ape was heading into the core; if its brother was there, even a Titled Douluo might be in trouble. Meng Shu admired Tang San, but he wasn't about to risk his life for him.
Gu Xuan nodded indifferently. "Senior is right. My grandfather is tracking it, but he won't take unnecessary risks if the situation is dire."
He then turned to Tang San with an apologetic look. "Young brother, I'm sorry, but this is beyond our control. Our lives are precious as well." Seeing Tang San's eyes reddening again, he added, "Of course, we all hope your sister is safe."
Gu Xuan then looked back at the couple. "Seniors, you are respected figures in the world. Your fusion skill is legendary. How about this: if you would be willing to follow the ape's trail and assist in the search, you will be honored guests of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan regardless of the outcome."
Tang San was stunned. Gu Xuan was using his Clan's influence to hire these two to help him!
Meng Shu frowned. He didn't want to go, but the promise of a connection to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was incredibly tempting. He and his wife had been independent for decades; gaining such a powerful backing without losing their freedom was a rare opportunity.
Seeing him hesitate, Gu Xuan continued. "Take this. If you meet my grandfather, show it to him. If the girl is already gone, you needn't worry about the ape's retaliation; my grandfather will ensure your safe retreat."
Gu Xuan tossed a multi-colored token to Meng Shu. On one side was a lifelike Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower; on the reverse, a domineering Bone Dragon and a razor-sharp Seven Kill Sword. This was Gu Xuan's personal token, given to him by Gu Rong. It represented a status second only to the Clan Head and the two guardians.
Meng Shu and the Serpent Woman exchanged a look. With the Bone Douluo as backup, this was a favor worth earning. "Very well," Meng Shu said, having lost the soul ring anyway. "We will go, but we cannot guarantee the results."
The couple surged with soul power and vanished into the forest.
Tang San watched them go, tears of gratitude welling in his eyes. They had only just met, yet Gu Xuan was willing to do so much for a stranger. 'He is too incredibly great!' Tang San thought.
"Tang San... bows in gratitude!" He gave Gu Xuan a deep bow, well past ninety degrees.
Gu Xuan glanced at him. On the surface, Tang San looked appreciative, but Gu Xuan had seen how his eyes turned cold the second Meng Shu initially refused to help. 'If Xiao Wu dies, he'll probably blame Meng Shu for not acting sooner,' Gu Xuan realized. 'A true double-standard "God-King" in the making.'
But that was fine. Gu Xuan just needed to farm favorability for now. There was plenty of room to manipulate things later. He helped Tang San up and said gently, "I understand your heart, but you must rest. Leave this to the adults. Even I would have to flee from that ape; going there yourself is no different from suicide. Your sister wouldn't want to see you like this."
Tang San felt Gu Xuan's image grow even taller in his mind. 'Is this the character of someone from a Great Clan? Even back in the Tang Sect, I never met such a good person.' Though he was still worried, he felt much better.
(End of Chapter)
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