Looking at Tang San lying unconscious on the bed, Gu Xuan's heart didn't waver much. He had crossed paths with the boy many times now.
He wouldn't say he was "screwing" him over; he simply provided exactly what Tang San needed at the time, even if the cost-benefit ratio was heavily skewed in Gu Xuan's favor. The primary reason was that he still had plenty of use for Tang San in the future. There were too many leverage points to exploit, so he didn't intend to let Tang San become a cripple just yet.
Well, "cripple" was an exaggeration, but Tang San's current state wouldn't allow him to participate in the upcoming matches. If he wasn't treated, Tang San wouldn't have the opportunity to reveal his twin Martial Souls in the later stages of the tournament.
Because of the rise of Feng Xiaotian and the changes within the Seven Treasure Team, the Shrek Academy, led by Tang San—while still a dark horse—wasn't outstanding enough to draw the serious attention of Spirit Hall. Gu Xuan needed to give things a little push.
Under everyone's gaze, Gu Xuan slowly produced a porcelain vial and handed it to Meng Yiran. "Give this to Xiao San. This Soul-Restoring Pill can repair his mental trauma, though I cannot predict to what extent he will recover."
Meng Yiran took the vial joyfully, her eyes brimming with gratitude. "Big Brother Gu, thank you."
The rest of the Shrek team looked on with envy, especially Dai Mubai. If he could truly befriend Gu Xuan, with the man's loyalty, who would dare touch him in the future?
Flender and Yu Xiaogang bowed and cupped their fists toward Gu Xuan. "Shrek will remember this kindness, young friend. If you ever have a need, Flender will not hesitate to assist."
Flender might be a profiteer who loved exploiting labor, but he genuinely cared for his students. Gu Xuan waved it off casually. "Principal Flender, there's no need for that. Xiao San is my friend; doing what I can is only right."
As he said this, even Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes shone slightly. Shouldn't a woman look for a man like Gu Xuan? What was Dai Mubai compared to him? A man who gave up on himself yet loved to act tough in front of her!
Meng Yiran administered the medicine while Gu Xuan watched. This Soul-Restoring Pill was quite valuable, crafted from a ten-thousand-year medicinal herb. A single batch only yielded twenty pills, and even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan only had a few hundred of this grade. Giving one to Tang San was a genuine act of "generosity."
After he took the pill, Flender helped Tang San circulate his soul power to refine the medicine. Fifteen minutes later, Tang San finally woke up, but he immediately clutched his head in agony.
"Ahhhhh!"
The mental backlash hadn't vanished; his skull felt as if ten thousand needles were piercing it. After a long while, his clothes soaked in sweat, his condition stabilized. The pill had worked. Tang San sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing using the Mysterious Heaven Skill. When he regained enough clarity to open his eyes, a flicker of darkness passed through them.
'Canghui Academy... has a path to their own death!'
He had truly underestimated them this time. He hadn't expected to take such a fall. With his mental state damaged, it would have normally taken him months or even a year to recover. However, the pill was potent. He estimated he could recover from the backlash within a month.
It was then that he noticed Gu Xuan. Surprised that Big Brother Gu had come to see him personally, he tried to stand. But his body wouldn't obey, and he slumped back into Meng Yiran's embrace.
"Big Brother Gu, please forgive my lack of etiquette due to my condition," Tang San said.
Gu Xuan smiled and waved. "Xiao San, rest well. I'll visit again next time." He left, leaving only a retreating silhouette.
A week later, Tang San had recovered well. With the help of the pill, he regained his spirit quickly, practicing his Purple Demon Eye daily to mend his psyche. Before Gu Xuan could visit him again, Tang San proactively went to the Emperor Team's hotel.
Seeing Tang San, Gu Xuan smiled and swept his mental sense around. Sure enough, he felt Shi Nian. That old schemer had been camping out for Tang San. Now that Tang San had come out in the open, there was no reason for him not to act. Gu Xuan was certain of this because the old man had been secretly following him ever since he went to treat Tang San.
Gu Xuan suggested taking Tang San out for a walk to relax. Tang San agreed readily. In the shadows, Shi Nian laughed inwardly. He didn't recognize Gu Xuan—since Gu Xuan hadn't appeared in the tournament yet—but since he stayed at the Emperor Team's hotel, he assumed Gu Xuan was one of them. Unlike Shrek, the Emperor Team members had powerful backgrounds. He cautiously decided to only kill Tang San; he would simply use his Martial Soul to make Gu Xuan sleep and then frame him for the murder. It was a perfect plan.
When Gu Xuan and Tang San reached a quiet park, Shi Nian struck. The park was nearly empty, populated only by a few commoners. Shi Nian activated his Brutal Dream, dragging both of them into an illusion.
Because his mental state was still recovering, Tang San didn't notice immediately. But Gu Xuan, whose mental power now touched the threshold of a Soul Douluo, had been on guard. He sensed the activation immediately. Even within the Brutal Dream, Gu Xuan was capable of a counter-kill. This was why he had dared to lure the snake out of its hole.
As they walked, Tang San suddenly felt Gu Xuan vanish. He found himself deep in a forest. His instincts flared, and he activated his Purple Demon Eye. Just as he realized he was in an illusion and began to panic, Gu Xuan's warm, steady voice echoed in his ear.
"Xiao San, don't be afraid. I'm here."
'Big Brother Gu's transmission?!' Tang San's panic subsided.
"Xiao San, did you offend someone?" Gu Xuan's voice rang out again. Tang San shook his head slowly. "This person's ability is a nightmare. I suspect it's the Canghui Dean, Shi Nian. Perhaps he's targeting you because you broke their trump card."
Tang San realized the truth. He hadn't expected the man to be as insidious as Flender had warned. Luckily, Big Brother Gu was here; since he was unaffected, he clearly had the power to counter-attack.
"Close your eyes. Stay calm and don't let the nightmare affect you. Give me one minute."
Tang San shut his eyes. Immediately, he felt a terrifying surge of soul power from behind him.
In front of them, Shi Nian's face changed drastically. Gu Xuan opened his eyes, looking at him with a warm smile.
"Shi Nian? Dean of Canghui, Martial Soul Brutal Dream, Level 73 Soul Saint. I didn't expect you to be so brave." Gu Xuan smiled and stepped out of the nightmare.
Relying on his immense mental power and his initial vigilance, Gu Xuan broke free from the control. Shi Nian had been overconfident and hadn't fully bound them. Otherwise, Gu Xuan would have had to kill him within the illusion, potentially revealing too much of his strength to Tang San. But now, though Tang San was awake, he was still trapped in the dream—he couldn't see or hear their exchange, only sense the massive soul power nearby.
Shi Nian was stunned. How could a mere brat break his Brutal Dream? He had used this power to do many "great things," subtly manipulating the minds of students and teachers alike... and now a kid had broken it? Even if he was a genius from the Emperor Team, he was surely just a Soul Ancestor... maybe a Soul King? Since when did a Soul King have this kind of power?
(End of Chapter)
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