Threat from the Shadows

Over the past few days, Wu Qi had been mobbed by fanatical female fans at the entrance after every spirit battle.

Every one of those women was stunning, and Qian Gu Changkong envied him immensely. "Brother Wu, when will those big sisters start noticing me?"

If it were him, he would never turn anyone away, unlike Wu Qi.

Wu Qi had no answer to his question. "This is the golden period for cultivation. Don't let matters between men and women interfere with your training."

"In the future, once you become an Expert, even the princesses of the Two Great Empires will be yours to choose from."

"I want them to rub their chests against me too," Qian Gu Changkong muttered.

Just then, they passed Tang San and Xiao Wu.

Hearing him, Xiao Wu sneered. "Heh, another idiot who only thinks about lust."

The two turned to look.

Xiao Wu and Tang San were dressed like ordinary passersby and looked utterly unremarkable.

When Wu Qi looked at them closely, his brow rose. "Could you be Tang San and Xiao Wu?"

They had never met before, so naturally, they could not confirm each other's identities.

Qian Gu Changkong said indignantly, "Little sister, what does our conversation have to do with you? There's no need to insult us."

Tang San studied the two of them.

The Soul Power aura on Qian Gu Changkong was not far from his own. He was likely a level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster as well.

As for Wu Qi, there was not the slightest trace of Soul Power fluctuation from him.

Tang San understood that if the other party were an ordinary person, it would have been impossible for a peak Soul Grandmaster with excellent talent to follow his lead. Wu Qi's strength was probably not much weaker than Dai Mubai's.

Moreover, they had only just arrived in Suotuo City and were unfamiliar with the area. If they offended local nobles, their days ahead would not be easy.

With that thought, Tang San cupped his fists toward them. "I am Tang San. Greetings to you both."

"I apologize. Xiao Wu did not mean to offend you. We were discussing something else just now. If she caused offense, I hope you will forgive her."

Xiao Wu became furious. "Third Brother, why are you taking outsiders' side?"

Wu Qi inwardly thought, Just as expected.

Tang San was his greatest future enemy, but there was no need for conflict between them at this moment.

He gave a slight nod and discreetly signaled Qian Gu Changkong with his eyes.

Qian Gu Changkong understood that look perfectly. It was a sign of danger.

He forced a smile. "Since it was unintentional, let's leave it at that. Farewell."

With that, he and Wu Qi quickly left the area.

Tang San had not expected them to be so reasonable, and he cupped his fists once more toward their retreating backs.

"Xiao Wu, Master sent us here to study, not to cause trouble. What if they're senior students from Shrek Academy?"

Xiao Wu did not care in the slightest. "So what if we offend them? With Third Brother's strength, are you afraid he won't have a place in the academy?"

Tang San smiled bitterly. "Xiao Wu, don't forget the task Master gave us. We came here to unite with our fellow students."

Xiao Wu retorted, "How do you know they're from Shrek Academy?"

Tang San was only guessing.

However, among the youths in Suotuo City with such talent and strength, he could think of no other possibility besides Shrek Academy.

Elsewhere, after shaking off Tang San and Xiao Wu, Qian Gu Changkong could not help asking, "Brother Wu, who are those two? Even you sensed danger from them?"

Wu Qi brushed it off. "I had a feeling there was a dangerous aura behind them. Perhaps their elders were following them."

"Anyway, they only said something casually. There's no need to make an issue out of it."

He was not certain whether Golden Eagle Douluo had been following them. A Soul Douluo could not identify Xiao Wu's identity at a glance, but upon closer inspection, Xiao Wu would certainly be exposed.

After all, Tang Hao stood behind Xiao Wu.

And the Tang Clan and Spirit Hall were locked in an irreconcilable feud. If things truly escalated, they likely would not leave this place alive.

In the original timeline, Tang Hao had secretly watched over Tang San's enrollment. He had most likely already arrived in Suotuo City.

When the two returned to the hotel, the news brought by Golden Eagle Douluo confirmed Wu Qi's suspicions.

"An unidentified Titled Douluo has arrived in Suotuo City. You two young masters must evacuate as soon as possible to avoid any uncontrollable accidents."

That day, Golden Eagle Douluo had been protecting the two in secret as usual.

As he passed through a street, he was locked onto by an aura of Soul Power.

The other party seemingly had no intention of attacking him and withdrew the soul pressure after only an instant.

The Golden Eagle Martial Soul possessed exceptionally keen perception. Anyone capable of concealing himself beneath Golden Eagle Douluo's very eyes had to be a Titled Douluo.

Qian Gu Changkong frowned tightly, seemingly understanding Wu Qi's earlier concern.

Wu Qi did not immediately state his position.

At this point in time, the only Titled Douluo likely to have come to Suotuo City was Tang Hao.

The other party had probably recognized Golden Eagle Douluo's origins, otherwise he would not have harbored killing intent.

But for Tang San's safety, Tang Hao had not chosen to act.

After Spirit Hall lost a Soul Douluo Expert, it would surely conduct a carpet search of Suotuo City.

Tang Hao could not reveal himself now. By entrusting Tang San to Yu Xiaogang's care, he wanted Tang San to have a safe environment in which to grow.

The fact that Golden Eagle Douluo had survived proved that he had not noticed Xiao Wu's true identity, nor had he paid attention to Tang San.

Tang Hao most likely would not follow Golden Eagle Douluo. To him, Tang San's safety was the most important thing.

In that case, Wu Qi and Qian Gu Changkong's origins had not been exposed.

Even though they had encountered Tang San earlier, Tang Hao might not have noticed them.

"Senior Golden Eagle, leave Suotuo City immediately. Hide in nearby cities for a few days before returning. Remember, leave through the north gate, and do not investigate Shrek Academy in the future."

Golden Eagle Douluo was greatly shocked. "You two young masters aren't leaving?"

Wu Qi asked in return, "We haven't been exposed, so why should we leave? He's a Titled Douluo, not a murderous demon. He poses little threat to us."

The reasoning was sound, but if anything happened to the two of them, Golden Eagle Douluo feared that even dying to atone would not be enough to appease the Worship Hall's wrath.

"Don't worry. I never act without certainty. As long as you don't go to Shrek Academy, there won't be a problem."

Golden Eagle Douluo could see Xiao Wu's true identity, so Tang Hao would certainly guard against him closely.

Wu Qi and Qian Gu Changkong were different. Although their Martial Souls resembled those of the Worship Hall's enshrined elders, that did not mean they came from Spirit Hall.

After all, Li Yusong's Martial Soul was also the Coiling Dragon Staff.

Why could Qian Gu Changkong not be Li Yusong's relative, with the two of them having come here to seek refuge with Li Yusong?

Although Tang Hao hated Spirit Hall, he would not go so far as to attack two people who posed no threat.

After much persuasion, Golden Eagle Douluo finally left reluctantly.

Before leaving, he revealed another earth-shattering piece of news.

"Oh, right. People from Moonlight Pavilion have appeared in Suotuo City. When you passed East Street, people from Moonlight Pavilion happened to be buying grain there."

"I don't know whether there's a connection, but the task the Crown Prince assigned you may be related to Moonlight Pavilion!"