On the Shrek Academy team, only Tang San had collapsed; the others, though coughing up blood, were not significantly affected in their overall state.
Meanwhile, all seven members of the Canghui Academy team had fallen and were currently unconscious. In this battle, the Shrek Academy team emerged victorious. For some, this result was worth celebrating because they had bet on Shrek; for others, it was a misfortune, as the dark horse Canghui had finally stumbled.
With this loss, Canghui was out of the running for the Promotion Competition and would stop at the qualifiers. However, they had made a name for themselves as the first pioneers of a Seven-in-One Fusion Skill.
Anxious Shrek members carried Tang San back to the rest area for treatment. The mood was grim; Tang San was the soul of their team. Without their soul, how could they hope to continue winning?
Gu Xuan watched the scene quietly from the observation room. He noticed that Shi Nian was still keeping a close eye on Tang San.
He had to admit that Tang San possessed a bit of "protagonist halo" to defeat Canghui even without the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. He had strength, but not enough to emerge unscathed. Mental damage was far more complex than physical injury; if severe, it could affect Tang San for the rest of his life. After all, a ten-thousand-year soul ring required enduring a soul shock; without a powerful mental foundation, the pressure of absorbing one would be immense.
However, Gu Xuan still needed Tang San to draw the attention of Spirit Hall later, so he wouldn't let Tang San be ruined just yet. If Shrek couldn't treat him, Gu Xuan was prepared to lend a hand.
The day's events weren't over. Following Shrek's match, the Seven Treasure Academy took the field. Their match was a foregone conclusion; the Seven Treasure Team remained undefeated, possessing overwhelming strength.
Even without their captain, Dugu Yan, appearing yet, they were the undisputed top seed and the biggest dark horse of the Heaven Dou division. After the match, Gu Xuan left the arena, holding Dugu Yan's hand in his left and Ye Lingling's in his right. Ning Rongrong followed the rest of the team to recover her soul power.
Both girls were now engaged to Gu Xuan, and they got along famously without any "battlefield" drama. Even the fourteen-year-old Ning Rongrong, who was developing quickly, was like a sister to them. Gu Xuan didn't quite understand the harmony, but he certainly wasn't complaining. He had decided that these three were his future, and he had no intention of seeking out other "flowers," as he already felt he had his hands full with three.
As they stepped out of the Great Spirit Arena, Feng Xiaotian appeared, holding Huo Wu's hand.
"Brother Gu, it's harder to see you than climbing to the heavens," Feng Xiaotian joked.
Gu Xuan was surprised to be intercepted, but he was happy to chat. Feng Xiaotian had tried to find him at the team rest area several times, but Gu Xuan had either been away or busy with his fiancées.
"Brother Feng, three years apart, and you've truly changed," Gu Xuan said, releasing the girls' hands to cup his fist in greeting.
"Let's have a talk, shall we?" Gu Xuan tilted his head toward a nearby tea shop.
"I would be delighted."
The two men, who had been fierce rivals three years ago, walked toward the shop shoulder-to-shoulder, leaving the three ladies standing there in a daze. Dugu Yan smiled helplessly at the men's backs and turned to Huo Wu. "Sister Huo Wu, shall we go for a walk as well?"
Huo Wu smiled and took Dugu Yan's arm. Dugu Yan, with a beauty on each side, headed toward the nearest mall. Over the past three years, Huo Wu had shed much of her spoiled heiress temperament, and the three women quickly bonded over the most common topic: men. Huo Wu recounted her journey of "pursuing" Feng Xiaotian, while Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling countered with stories of Gu Xuan. Huo Wu was stunned to learn both were engaged to him—did he really have that much charm?
On the other side, Feng Xiaotian was observing Gu Xuan's new appearance up close for the first time. "Brother Gu, you've changed quite a bit yourself. With those looks, no wonder those two girls follow you so willingly," he said, sipping his fruit tea.
"Let's skip the flattery," Gu Xuan waved him off. "It seems you took my words to heart. You've won the girl, and your rank is a hair's breadth from Soul King. Congratulations."
Gratitude surged in Feng Xiaotian's heart. "Brother Gu, life is strange. A few casual words from you changed my entire life."
The two men opened up to each other. Gu Xuan genuinely admired Feng Xiaotian; even if the boy didn't join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he was a friend worth keeping. As they parted, Feng Xiaotian said solemnly, "Brother Gu, I look forward to facing you in the finals. I'll give it everything I've got!"
Gu Xuan cupped his fist. "I look forward to it. I hope you can give me a surprise."
By the time he finished with Feng Xiaotian, it was evening. Instead of heading back to the hotel, Gu Xuan decided to visit the Shrek Academy encampment.
Tang San was still unconscious. They had called in Support Type healers, but his body wasn't the issue—his mental state was. When Flender, Liu Erlong, and Grandmaster saw Gu Xuan, they were confused as they didn't recognize his new face, but Zhao Wuji and the students did.
Meng Yiran, who was caring for Tang San, said joyfully, "Big Brother Gu, why are you here?" She knew Gu Xuan, as the young master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, might have resources others lacked.
"I heard Xiao San was hurt with mental backlash. I came to check on him," Gu Xuan said with a smile.
The Grandmaster's eyes lit up. He had heard much of Gu Xuan from Tang San and greatly admired him. Sometimes, he even wished Gu Xuan were his disciple to prove his theories. Since Tang San was his only disciple and a twin-soul genius, he couldn't afford to let him fail.
The other Shrek students were also relieved. Dai Mubai, in particular, looked at Gu Xuan with envy. He thought to himself that he must stay on good terms with Gu Xuan; if he lost the imperial struggle for the throne, Gu Xuan might be the one to save his life. He figured that if Gu Xuan treated Tang San this well, he was a friend worth having.
However, Dai Mubai noticed a strange light in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as she looked at Gu Xuan—a light he had never seen her give him in two years. It made him feel uneasy, but he couldn't blame Gu Xuan. After all, if not for Gu Xuan in the Star Duo Forest, they might never have realized Xiao Wu was a soul beast and might have been betrayed by her someday. As for the six years of history between Tang San and Xiao Wu, it had evaporated once her soul beast identity was revealed; so why should he care?
(End of Chapter)
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