Gossip

"According to the First Generation Spirit Transmission Douluo, this continent of ours was where a god, the Love God, fell. That's why, in every era, there are people who do stupid things in the name of love."

With his arms folded, Wu Changkong calmly explained the disastrous origins of love-brained behavior.

"Twenty years after the Spirit Transferring Douluo fell, a member of the Spirit Pagoda leaked its cultivation techniques to their lover, claiming that the lover would join the Spirit Pagoda. As it turned out, that person belonged to a noble family of the Heavenly Soul Empire."

"A century later, a core disciple of the Spirit Pagoda secretly transferred a fifty-thousand-year Soul Spirit out of the pagoda and gave it to the person they liked. In the end, it passed through other hands and returned to the Spirit Pagoda."

(In other words, a simp gave a Soul Spirit to his goddess, who then gave it to the person she liked. As it happened, that person was a disciple of the Spirit Pagoda.)

"That's so absurd... If I gave my family's Soul Spirit ancestor away, I reckon my dad would beat me to death."

Wei Xiaofeng's eye twitched. They enshrined their Soul Spirit ancestor as an ancestor, so how could he possibly give him away? His father would probably send him away before he ever sent the ancestor away.

"That's not all. Let me tell you about the most serious case of love-brained behavior. Eight thousand years ago, a Spirit Envoy of the Spirit Pagoda fell in love with an Evil Soul Master. After the Evil Soul Master obtained vast quantities of resources, the Holy Spirit Cult was revived, plunging living beings into misery and leaving more than five million dead or injured."

"This was the most serious case of love-brained behavior in history. Tower Master Di Tian was furious and raised the screening for love-brained behavior to the highest level."

As they listened to Wu Changkong, everyone felt a chill. For the first time, they realized how terrifying being love-brained could be. Could liking someone really plunge the continent's living beings into such misery?

"So being love-brained is that scary?"

"Are there really people in this world who only want romance and don't care whether anyone else lives or dies?"

Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan were both shocked. They hadn't expected being love-brained to be so terrifying either.

Chen Jianshu fell silent too. The romance continent really was terrifying. Anyone who pursued a romance without caring whether others lived or died was indeed a menace.

That was why this psychology course was truly necessary. Safeguarding mental health and ensuring that no one in the pagoda became outrageously love-brained really did concern the future of an entire faction.

"Let me tell you about some cases of love-brained behavior in more recent years. A hundred and fifty years ago, the old deputy tower master from the Spirit Pagoda's human side, War Heaven Douluo, was slapped in public by Shrek Academy's Light and Dark Douluo."

"In the end, Shrek Academy's former Sea God Pavilion Master, Heavenly Favored Douluo, stepped in and suffered serious injuries after taking three moves from the current tower master, Soul-Calming Douluo. Only then was the matter settled."

"From then on, Shrek and the Spirit Pagoda broke ties completely. It's said that Heavenly Favored Douluo passed away five years later. According to a rumor, Light and Dark Douluo was suspected of having been pregnant with the child of the War God Temple's Vast Sea Douluo, though she lost it because of an accident."

At such explosive news, everyone pricked up their ears. This was huge gossip about the powerful, and of course they wanted to hear this super gossip about the powerful.

They all thought Heavenly Favored Douluo was truly useless. His own wife had gotten pregnant with another man's child and caused trouble, yet he had still protected her.

In the end, the Spirit Pagoda's Soul-Calming Douluo had seriously injured him in three moves, and he had died less than five years later. How embarrassing...

That was what they were thinking. Love really could make people stupid. Even a Limit Douluo could be made to wear a green hat? Hilarious!

Mu En: ?

"Teacher Wu! Is there more? We want to hear it!"

The spirit of gossip shone brightly in Xu Xiaoyan's eyes. She hurriedly raised her hand and excitedly asked if there was more gossip, and he gave a slight nod in response.

"Yes. Then I'll tell you another..."

At that, everyone's eyes lit up with the glow of gossip. Chen Jianshu's eye twitched, and his gaze turned strange. If he remembered correctly... wasn't Little Changkong from the Tang Sect and Shrek? Yet now he was spilling Shrek's dirty secrets?

He subconsciously turned his head and saw that, at some point, the classroom door, windows, and surveillance cameras had all been covered in frost.

Why did this feel a little like a politics teacher shutting the door and preparing to secretly discuss some new discovery?

"A hundred years ago, Shrek's current Sea God Pavilion Master, Qingtian Douluo, went to Star Dou Academy to propose to Holy Spirit Douluo. In the end, however, he fought Tower Master Xiong Jun for five hundred exchanges, won by half a move, and withdrew."

"Afterward, Shrek Academy's Silver Moon Douluo failed to win Qingtian Douluo's love and ran straight to Star Dou Academy, intending to take revenge on Holy Spirit Douluo. Holy Spirit Douluo defeated and imprisoned her."

"In the end, Shrek Academy's Red Dragon Douluo had to step forward to apologize and offer compensation before Silver Moon Douluo was brought back."

Everyone shook their heads slightly at this gossip. Was Silver Moon Douluo an idiot? A mere Super Douluo had dared to barge into Star Dou Academy? She had even been defeated by Ya Li, a healing-type. She had lost face all the way home.

"All right, that's enough for today. Remember, being love-brained is a terrifying thing. It makes people stupid. Silver Moon Douluo is one example: the disgrace of Super Douluos, the first Super Douluo in history to be defeated by a healing-type Super Douluo."

Everyone wanted more after hearing the stories. They loved eating these melons, and the stories had also shown them just how terrifying being love-brained could be.

"Understood, Teacher Wu! We'll never be love-brained!"

Everyone responded that they understood and declared that they would never be love-brained. After class, Wu Changkong gave them a reminder before leaving.

"You didn't hear anything today. You're not allowed to say this gossip came from me, or I won't share any more gossip with you next week."

"Yes! We promise we won't tell!"

Everyone immediately put on serious expressions. For the sake of gossip, they were willing to keep it secret—for the sake of even better gossip!

After class, everyone headed for the cafeteria. Chen Jianshu ate with Xu Xiaoyan and Na'er, while Xie Xie ate with Tang Wulin. However, Tang Yin and Gu Yue, whom neither of them wanted to see, were also sitting beside them.

Tang Wulin was doing everything he could to avoid those two now, so he hurriedly took Xie Xie's hand and left.

Meanwhile, Wu Bingyu and Wu Changkong sat eating together. A female teacher sat across from them, seemingly there to chat him up.

"This is my daughter. I already have a wife, so please conduct yourself with propriety, ma'am."

Wu Changkong pointed to Wu Bingyu beside him and said she was his daughter. The female teacher across from him went stiff all over and could only leave in embarrassment.

Next, Tang Yin failed to approach Tang Wulin and happened to spot Wu Bingyu, so he immediately went over to her. Wu Bingyu promptly picked up her tray and ran over to Chen Jianshu's table.

With that, all four seats were filled. Chen Jianshu found the little spectacle downright entertaining. It was hilarious: Tang Wulin had fled from Tang Yin in disgust, and now Wu Bingyu had done the same.

As he ate his melon, he happened to see Tang Yin fix him with a venomous gaze full of killing intent.

Xu Xiaoyan was Xiao Wu's friend, and Na'er was the Silver Dragon King, so he didn't dare glare at her. That left Chen Jianshu as the only one he dared glare at.

"That Tang Yin is so annoying. I want to beat him up. Can you help me?"

Looking at Tang Yin, who was staring at her as she ate not far away, Wu Bingyu inexplicably recalled how he had suddenly attacked someone for no apparent reason half a month ago. She really hated Tang Yin for that.

She was now asking Chen Jianshu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Na'er whether they had a good way to give Tang Yin a beating. In short, she wanted to hit him but couldn't find a reason.

"Hmm... How about tonight? If he still dares jump out at us, we'll just knock him over the head."

The scheming Xu Xiaoyan immediately suggested ambushing him and even rubbed her hands together, looking eager to try. Wu Bingyu's eyes lit up, and she nodded in agreement.

"Yes! I like it!"

The two girls exchanged a glance and revealed smiles of uncertain meaning. Chen Jianshu and Na'er hesitated to speak, but in the end, the two girls still dragged them aboard their pirate ship.

In the afternoon, everyone had a morality and rule of law class. It was nothing out of the ordinary.

"We live in a society governed by law, so anyone caught beating someone else will be punished."

At the front of the classroom, Wu Changkong explained the contents of the textbook without any expression on his face, while Chen Jianshu acted as an interpreter from the back row.

"What the teacher means is, if you don't get caught after beating someone up, you'll be fine."

Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan, and Wu Bingyu looked thoughtful, as though they had discovered a new continent. At the front, Wu Changkong continued the lesson without a change in expression.

"If you have a conflict with someone, you should reason with them."

"If reason doesn't work, use your fists to open the way! We'll talk physics!"

Chen Jianshu waved his fist and continued offering his commentary. Xu Xiaoyan and Wu Bingyu silently gave him a thumbs-up in approval. Wu Changkong's eye twitched, but it made a lot of sense too.

The law had little effect on these powerful people. The main reason was that the one enforcing it was the utterly impartial Tower Master Di Tian. The strongest established order, and everyone weaker than him had to obey.

If Di Tian fell, there were still the Snow Empress and the Evil Emperor. The Soul Beast side was quite faithful to its promises and had reached an agreement with the First Generation Spirit Transmission Douluo to maintain order.

So before the deaths of those Ferocious Beasts, no one dared overthrow the order. The reason was simple: the Soul Beast side's influence was far too vast, and it controlled most of the human side's lifelines.

It could be said that the Spirit Pagoda, the Federation, and the War God Temple were all on the Soul Beast side. Moreover, the three strongest families on the Douluo Continent at present—the Xiao Family, the Hongchen Family, and the Xu Family—were all families supported by the Soul Beast Clan, so they naturally stood on its side as well.

In short, as long as the strongest person of the age presided over order, that order would not collapse. But even the strongest person couldn't pay attention to such trivial matters every moment of the day.

Wu Changkong appeared behind Chen Jianshu like a phantom and smacked him on the head with the rule of law textbook in his hand.

"Plotting loudly is very stupid. You'd better plot in private and be discreet. Aim for inconspicuous places like the abdomen and legs. That way, the other party won't be able to find evidence."

He taught them personally and even reminded everyone how to be outlaws. Xie Xie, Wei Xiaofeng, and the others looked at one another. So their Teacher Wu was a man after their own hearts too.

Xu Xiaoyan and Wu Bingyu also looked as though they had learned something. Soon, the class ended, and everyone filed out of the classroom. They hadn't gone far when Wu Bingyu noticed Tang Yin following them a short distance behind.

"Tsk... That guy's here again... He's so annoying!"

Just seeing him now put her in a bad mood. But soon, Xu Xiaoyan, the idea queen, raised an index finger and offered her suggestion.

"I have a plan!"

"Let's hear it?"

Wu Bingyu's interest was piqued. She then pulled Chen Jianshu and Na'er in to plot quietly with them, and they soon settled on a plan.

The four immediately headed for the snack street, with Tang Yin following behind. The last rays of sunlight slowly faded from the horizon, stars dotted the night sky, and streetlights came on one after another along the snack street.

The signs over the shop doors lit up as well. All around them were the cries of vendors and the sounds of people chatting and holding forth on the world.

Just then, the four suddenly split up. Wu Bingyu plunged into Little Alley, while the other three loitered nearby.

"Xiao Wu!"

Tang Yin had eyes only for his Xiao Wu now. He completely ignored Chen Jianshu and the others, who were watching him out of the corners of their eyes, and hurried after her into Little Alley.

But after he plunged into Little Alley, the person he wanted to see was nowhere in sight. There was only darkness.

"Where's Xiao Wu?"

Tang Yin froze for a moment and immediately looked around for her. But in the next second, an air of darkness instantly enveloped him, completely depriving him of sight.

"Who is it! Who ambushed me!"

Tang San immediately summoned his Martial Soul, two white Soul Rings circling him as he shouted angrily. Not far away, an eerie purple light flickered in Chen Jianshu's eyes.

The power of the darkness element surged from his hands, shrouding Tang San's vision. Beside Chen Jianshu stood Xu Xiaoyan, holding the Star Wheel Ice Staff, starlight circling her like a goddess of the starry sky.

"Stars in the sky, shining bright, shine forever, bring lasting peace!"

Xu Xiaoyan's school uniform fluttered slightly, and her pale blue twin tails moved without a breeze. She held the Star Wheel Ice Staff high, a dazzling six-pointed star formation appearing over it, then aimed at Tang San and launched her control skill.

"Star's Shackles!"

Tang Yin tried to use the Purple Demon Eye to break through the darkness before him. Unfortunately, his Spiritual Power was far inferior to Chen Jianshu's. Unless he used that wisp of divine consciousness inside him, he couldn't break through it.

The next second, icy chains bound him, and his Soul Power and Spiritual Power immediately stagnated. He was shocked. This control skill could actually control his Soul Power and Spiritual Power!

"Who is it!"

He shouted, trying to frighten his attackers away. But Na'er had long been waiting with a sack. She pounced like a wicked Na'er on her prey, stuffed Tang Yin into the sack, and tied it shut.

Watching Na'er stuff him into a urea sack picked up from the roadside, Chen Jianshu hesitated to speak. Why are you so practiced at this?

"Bastards! Despicable! You dare stop me from seeing Xiao Wu! You already have a way to die!"

Tang San wriggled on the ground like a cicada pupa. The four surrounded him, and Wu Bingyu struck first, raining punches down on him, each blow landing on flesh. His screams rang out without end.

Xu Xiaoyan recalled how Tang Yin had inexplicably ambushed Chen Jianshu back then and raised her Star Wheel Ice Staff to bring it down on him too.

Xu Xiaoyan: Now it's... time for physical attacks!

Na'er had the same thought. What if she accidentally killed him with the Silver Dragon Spear? So she picked up a random branch from the roadside and whipped him with it.

Chen Jianshu silently looked away and used the power of space to block the screams. After five minutes of beating, Tang Yin seemed tired of shouting, and his cries grew quieter and quieter.

The girls immediately stopped. They had shown restraint with their blows, though. They were classmates, after all, and couldn't actually beat him to death.

P.S.: The third and fourth updates for July 22, totaling eight thousand characters.