Seven Kill Sword vs. Clear Sky, a Closed Loop of Thought

At this moment, Xiao Wu's thoughts seemed to have formed a closed loop.

Scenes from the past surfaced in her mind, gathering into a complete chain of analysis that endlessly circled through her thoughts before finally stopping before two questions.

Was Tang San truly sincere toward her, or did he have ulterior motives?

If he was sincere, why had Tang San only said that his father was a blacksmith, never mentioning that his father was a Titled Douluo?

If he was sincere, then as the son of a Titled Douluo, why had he become a work-study student at a tiny Notting Academy?

Titled Douluo were the continent's most powerful figures.

As the son of a Titled Douluo, no matter how poorly Tang San had been treated, he should not have ended up as a work-study student at some remote Soul Master Academy—especially one who had to go out and forge iron in his spare time to earn money.

In other words, if Tang Hao simply spoke a word, then forget enrolling in any Soul Master Academy; at the very least, most Soul Master Academies would have shown him some respect and accepted Tang San.

So why had Tang San interacted with her as a work-study student?

All the things she could not understand gathered in Xiao Wu's mind, turning into sharp thorns that completely blocked off the possibility of sincerity. The chain of analysis that had formed in her mind naturally flowed toward the possibility of ulterior motives.

Combined with Bai Wanwan's reasonable analysis, the things Xiao Wu found unreasonable, and the assumptions that naturally followed, the warmth and joy of the past were instantly torn to shreds, becoming a truth she did not want to believe but had no choice but to accept.

Under these circumstances, the more Xiao Wu thought about it, the deeper her suspicions of Tang San's ulterior motives grew.

She raised her eyes to glance at Tang San ahead of her, pressed her lips together tightly, and quietly backed away, keeping what she believed was a safe distance from everyone.

"Xiao Wu..."

Seeing Xiao Wu like this, Tang San took two steps toward her, but before he could finish speaking, Xiao Wu cut him off.

"Stand right there. Don't move, and don't speak."

"I want some peace and quiet!"

Xiao Wu took another two steps back.

Hearing this, Tang San did not move closer. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Bai Wanwan on the roof.

By coincidence, Tang Hao also looked toward Bai Wanwan.

Both their expressions were dark. More precisely, beneath that darkness was fury.

"Angry?"

"Oh my~ Did I hit the mark, so now you're lashing out in embarrassment?"

"Then I truly am sorry. I hope Haotian Mianxia won't blame me. Please don't silence me afterward."

"Rongrong, how about I hide in your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for a few days? I'm a little scared."

The corners of Bai Wanwan's lips curved faintly upward. Her long, straight legs swung lightly in the air. Though she claimed to be afraid, there was clear provocation in her gaze toward Tang Hao.

As for Tang San, she directly ignored him.

In other words, Tang San no longer even qualified to make her take him seriously.

Seeing Bai Wanwan's manner, Tang Hao's heart sank slightly.

From Bai Wanwan's fearless appearance, he could basically conclude that she had definitely not come alone.

Someone must have been protecting Bai Wanwan's safety in the dark.

Tang San's hand moved to the Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlight Night at his waist. Several flashes of cold light appeared in his palm, then vanished.

After all, if Bai Wanwan had not been making wild speculations up there, Xiao Wu would not have developed such a misunderstanding.

Although Tang San had only just learned that his father was a Titled Douluo.

He was certain that his father absolutely did not harbor such thoughts, and that he himself had always treated Xiao Wu sincerely.

The atmosphere fell silent.

Flender pulled Yu Xiaogang back to the side, while Zhao Wuji led the Shrek Academy students away to a safe distance. A vacuum zone formed around Chen Xin and Tang Hao.

Tang San stood behind Tang Hao, his gaze silently locking onto Bai Wanwan on the roof.

Xiao Wu continued retreating while watching everyone's reactions and expressions.

At that moment, Tang Hao was the first to move. He reached out toward the constantly retreating Xiao Wu, intending to take her away first and send her back to the Star Dou Great Forest.

After all, Xiao Wu was currently the focus of everyone's attention.

Though the apparent situation was a standoff between Tang Hao and Chen Xin, Bai Wanwan was actually another unpredictable factor.

Chen Xin was still restrained by Ning Rongrong, who lacked the ability to protect herself, but Bai Wanwan had no such restraint. Moreover, no one knew when the person protecting Bai Wanwan in the dark would act.

Taking everything into consideration, Tang Hao believed that taking Xiao Wu away first and returning her to the Star Dou Great Forest was the best choice.

First, as a Spirit Beast in Humanoid form, Xiao Wu was clearly safer in the Star Dou Great Forest than here. Second, everyone's attention was on Xiao Wu. If he took her away, whether it was the person hiding in the dark or Chen Xin, they would prioritize Xiao Wu as their target. That way, with Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Yu Xiaogang watching over Tang San at Shrek Academy, he would most likely remain safe as well.

So long as he sent Xiao Wu back to the Star Dou Great Forest, the situation would improve significantly. Once he found a chance to leave afterward, he could extricate himself from this incident.

The instant Tang Hao moved, Chen Xin moved as well.

A sword shadow descended from the air, its sharpness fully displayed as it slashed toward Tang Hao.

The Clear Sky Hammer rose and blocked the incoming sword shadow.

A piercing scraping sound rang out. Borrowing the force of the Seven Kill Sword's strike, Tang Hao rapidly retreated to Xiao Wu's side, seized her by the collar, and lifted her up.

It's over.

Despair welled up in Xiao Wu's heart as Tang Hao grabbed her.

Caught by a Titled Douluo, she could already foresee her future fate.

Tang Hao had no time to care about the little rabbit's emotions. He rose, just about to leave the area, when a flash of cold light suddenly appeared before him. The Seven Kill Sword swept toward him.

Tang Hao smashed out with the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand, colliding with the Seven Kill Sword. The overwhelming force of the attack sent Tang Hao rapidly backward, while the Seven Kill Sword shifted from a horizontal sweep into a downward slash. Long swords formed from Soul Power appeared in the air and, following the Seven Kill Sword's downward strike, stabbed toward Tang Hao.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The Clear Sky Hammer in Tang Hao's hand suddenly enlarged. After blocking the Seven Kill Sword's attack, it violently smashed toward Chen Xin.

With a thunderous boom.

Tang Hao and Chen Xin both retreated, watching each other with wary eyes.

Chen Xin assessed Tang Hao before him, a trace of confusion quietly flashing through his eyes.

From their brief exchange just now, Chen Xin felt that Tang Hao seemed to have grown weaker. More accurately, it was not that Tang Hao had weakened, but that he could not bring out his full strength.

Tang Hao, however, inconspicuously glanced toward Bai Wanwan and Ning Rongrong, a contemplative look appearing in his eyes.