Stay or Go

Dai Mubai's fate was unknown. Ma Hongjun and Oscar, the two closest to him, immediately rushed over when they saw what had happened.

They carefully helped him up and kept calling his name, but he never woke, as though he were dead.

Tang San glanced at Chen Yuan with great wariness, then went to Dai Mubai's side to examine him. Finding that he was still breathing, he relaxed slightly before immediately striking several major acupoints around his body. He then sent the gentle Soul Power cultivated through his Mysterious Heaven Skill into Dai Mubai's body, helping him stabilize the rampaging Soul Power within.

Miraculously, a trace of color returned to Dai Mubai's face. He was indeed in better condition than before.

Ma Hongjun and Oscar both breathed sighs of relief at the sight, then turned their gazes toward Chen Yuan, each wearing a different expression.

At that moment, the sound of wind came from above. Flender flew over with a pair of wings spread behind his back. Seven Spirit Rings emerged around him—two yellow, two purple, and three black—the ideal Spirit Ring configuration.

At the same time, heavy footsteps sounded in the distance. Zhao Wuji was charging over in great strides.

Flender and Zhao Wuji were both Spirit Saint-level powerhouses. At their level, their senses were exceptionally sharp, so they had detected the clash of Soul Power at the academy entrance.

Zhao Wuji's face was still bruised and swollen, but when he saw Dai Mubai lying unconscious, he could not help but fly into a rage and roar in a low voice:

"What happened?"

Ma Hongjun immediately jumped out and pointed at Chen Yuan.

"Teacher Zhao, Ning Rongrong provoked Dai the Elder, then this kid suddenly appeared and beat Dai the Elder into this state."

Zhao Wuji glared furiously at Chen Yuan. The yellow, purple, and purple Spirit Rings around him left Zhao Wuji utterly stunned. This was a Spirit Ring configuration beyond his understanding.

Flender had also heard Ma Hongjun mention Ning Rongrong, and his heart skipped a beat. He then turned to Chen Yuan, cupped his hands, and said gravely:

"May I ask who you are, young friend? Why did you injure my student? If he offended you, I will apologize on his behalf. If not, then please give me an explanation."

Chen Yuan stood with his sword on his back. Facing the question, he chuckled lightly and said:

"My name is Chen Yuan. My sword is the Seven Kill Sword. My teacher bears the title Sword, and the world respectfully calls him Sword Dao Chen Xin. I came here specifically under the Sect Leader's orders to protect Rongrong."

"You need not apologize to me. If anyone should apologize, it is Rongrong. That foul-mouthed thing has quite a tough life. He actually did not die."

As Chen Yuan's words fell, the academy entrance became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Ma Hongjun, who had just stepped forward to speak, completely shrank back. Though he usually bullied others by relying on his backing, he had no desire to kick an iron plate.

Zhao Wuji's teeth chattered. He recalled how Tang Hao had just beaten him up. He truly did not want to encounter another Spirit Master with such an immense background.

As Dai Mubai's teacher, Zhao Wuji knew better than anyone what sort of person Dai Mubai was. He changed women as often as he changed clothes. It was entirely possible that he had said something inappropriate to Ning Rongrong.

Flender felt a chill run down his back. Looking at Chen Yuan and the sword in his hand, he said hoarsely:

"The Seven Kill Sword... Sword Douluo... the legendary Number One Offensive Martial Soul and Number One Offensive Douluo."

Chen Yuan nodded, then said meaningfully:

"That is right. Other than the Clear Sky Hammer of the Clear Sky Sect, the Number One Sect that once shook the continent, there are not many Martial Souls that can compare to the Seven Kill Sword of my Chen Clan."

Chen Yuan's words seemed like meaningless boasting, but Tang San, who was still channeling Soul Power into Dai Mubai, was deeply shaken. Several strange emotions surfaced in his dark eyes.

The Clear Sky Hammer of the Clear Sky Sect, the Number One Sect... that was precisely his second Martial Soul. Could his second Martial Soul have some special origin...

If all of this was true, then why had his father—and he himself—fallen to such a state? For a moment, boundless curiosity rose within his heart.

Chen Yuan had indeed done it deliberately. He wanted Tang San to come looking for him of his own accord and beg him. Perhaps then he could trade Tang San for some benefits.

A moment later, Flender landed on the ground, the wings behind his back vanishing. He sighed softly, looked toward Ning Rongrong behind Chen Yuan, cupped his hands, and said:

"Rongrong, you are my student, and Dai Mubai is also my student. I failed to discipline him properly and allowed him to say something inappropriate to you. As the headmaster, I apologize to you on his behalf."

Flender understood the situation clearly. He did not want his academy to silently vanish from the Douluo Continent in the near future.

Ning Rongrong was in an excellent mood. Seeing Dai Mubai in such a miserable state, the anger in her heart had dissipated. She skipped forward with a radiant smile and said:

"I forgive him, Headmaster. Brother Chen Yuan was a little heavy-handed. I hope he is all right..."

As she spoke, Ning Rongrong's gaze fell on Chen Yuan. Her heartfelt smile was dazzling, and a captivating light shimmered in her clear, watery eyes as she said gently:

"Brother Chen Yuan, let's leave first. Tell me, how did you end up here?"

This truly was not the place to talk. Chen Yuan used his Third Soul Skill. The Seven Kill Sword flew from his hand, transforming into a large silver-white sword that hovered before them.

"Rongrong, get on."

When Ning Rongrong had run away from home, Chen Yuan had yet to obtain his Third Spirit Ring. However, Ning Rongrong knew Chen Xin's Third Soul Skill and had experienced it personally, so she expertly jumped onto the sword.

Chen Yuan followed right after her. Ning Rongrong was standing somewhat unsteadily, so he grasped her slender, fair wrist with one hand and pressed the other against her delicate shoulder to steady her. After doing so, he controlled the Seven Kill Sword and flew into the sky toward Suotuo City.

Their figures grew smaller and smaller until they completely vanished from sight.

Zhao Wuji said in shock:

"This is actually Flight Ability!"

Flender said gravely:

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect... worthy indeed of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. This is what a monstrous genius is like—someone who can break the common sense of Spirit Masters and obtain extraordinary power!"

After the two finished speaking, the area fell into deathly silence once more. Yet it seemed something shattered—the truth was, it was Oscar's love.

Watching Chen Yuan take Ning Rongrong away, Oscar's eyes stung, while his heart felt even more bitter. He had held some feelings for Ning Rongrong, but only now did he realize he was a clown. From the moment he had failed to stand with Ning Rongrong, he had already lost any chance of standing by her side.

Meanwhile, atop the Flying Sword!

Ning Rongrong narrowed her eyes slightly. What had just happened had made her even more dependent on Chen Yuan. Even the warmth radiating from his body made her feel incomparably safe.

Chen Yuan recited the explanation he had prepared long ago:

"When they learned you had run away from home, my teacher and your Bone Grandpa both wanted to bring you back immediately. They were afraid you would encounter danger outside, but the Sect Leader stopped them. He said that it must have been his strict discipline that made you feel pressured enough to leave home, so he decided to let you relax outside for a while."

"But he was still worried about your safety, so he sent me out. You really did run far, though. You left Jialing Pass, crossed the Silves Kingdom, came to the Balak Kingdom, and even joined that Shrek Academy."

Ning Rongrong lowered her head. She had been sulking at Ning Fengzhi. She had thought he would be furious, but she had never expected this.

"Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, Dad..."

Seeing her like this, Chen Yuan spoke again:

"They miss you very much and care about you deeply, Rongrong. So what will you do next? Return to the sect, or stay outside and have fun for a while longer?"

Ning Rongrong opened her mouth as if to say something, but soon her expression became resolute. Biting her lip, she said:

"I want to stay!"

Chen Yuan raised his brows and asked with some confusion:

"Shrek Academy? Then how should we settle what happened today?"

Ning Rongrong's pretty face turned cold. Her eyes were icy and devoid of emotion as she replied:

"I will never forget what happened today, and I will never forget those people's ugly faces. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Tang San... It has always been me who acted unreasonably toward others. This time, they were the ones being unreasonable in front of me. I would not be satisfied if I left now. If this place can make people stronger, then I will become stronger than them right before their eyes. Only then will I feel better. And that Tang San—he has some special weapon. He is only a Soul Grandmaster, yet he was able to leave Spirit Saint Zhao Wuji scrambling. I want to understand that weapon. Perhaps it could help the sect."

Chen Yuan was somewhat surprised. It seemed Ning Rongrong had changed. He smiled and said:

"Rongrong, you have grown up. You know now to cultivate diligently and to consider the sect."

Ning Rongrong's little face flushed, but she quickly turned her head and asked expectantly:

"Brother Chen Yuan, can you go back with me tomorrow?"

Chen Yuan nodded and said with a light laugh:

"I came out to protect you. If you want to stay, then I will stay as well. I will accompany you back tomorrow and see what attitude those people at the academy have."

After hearing this, Ning Rongrong felt extremely happy. It had not been obvious before, but after this incident, the feeling of being supported and protected made her deeply enamored.

Chen Yuan took Ning Rongrong to Suotuo City, where they had a thoroughly enjoyable time until midnight. Only then did they rent two rooms. After Ning Rongrong went to rest, Chen Yuan waited in his room.

Not long afterward, Zhang Youfu entered with several people. Once inside, he asked:

"Young Master, what does the young lady intend to do?"

Chen Yuan said:

"Write a letter informing the Sect Leader that Rongrong's competitive spirit has been stirred by some talented people her age here, and she wishes to cultivate seriously for a time. This is a rare opportunity, so let her stay for a while. I will remain by Rongrong's side to protect her."

Zhang Youfu nodded. With Chen Yuan protecting her openly and them guarding her in secret, it would be a good thing if Ning Rongrong was willing to cultivate diligently. He said:

"I understand. I will write to report this to the Sect Leader at once."

After he left, Chen Yuan rose and walked to the window. Opening it, he gazed at the bright full moon in the sky and fell into thought.

In truth, he had other reasons for staying. Obtaining the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone during this trip Down the Mountain was already an enormous gain, but he certainly would not refuse if there were other gains to be had.

The Eight Spider Lances... perhaps they could help him get close to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, that grandfather-granddaughter pair. Chen Yuan was not skilled in medicine or poison. Dugu Bo was a powerhouse whose poison arts were unfathomably profound, yet he had been reduced to neither man nor Ghost by his own toxins. He was an opportunity specifically arranged for Tang San.

If Chen Yuan wanted to steal that opportunity and obtain Immortal Herbs from him, he would need to keep another card up his sleeve. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was Dugu Bo's greatest secret. Bringing it up rashly would very likely arouse suspicion.