Chance Encounter with Tang San: Yu Xiaogang, Tang San Far Surpasses Chen Fan??

Chen Fan and Gu Yuena in his arms exchanged a glance, understanding each other without a word.

He gently patted Gu Yuena's back to reassure her, then said, "We were also knocked unconscious by that Soul Beast's Spiritual Power. When we woke up, it had already vanished."

Gu Yuena leaned weakly against his chest and continued along with his story.

"When I woke up and didn't see you, I came to find Chen Fan first."

The explanation was perfectly reasonable.

Qian Renxue did not doubt them.

After all, that Soul Beast's strength was unfathomable. Surviving its hands was already an immense stroke of luck. Who would still have the thoughts to investigate where it had gone?

Once she confirmed that Chen Fan was safe and sound, Qian Renxue's taut nerves finally relaxed, and an uncontrollable surge of excitement welled up in her heart.

Almost instinctively, she rushed toward Chen Fan, wanting to personally make sure he was alright.

However, she had barely taken a step.

A chilling pressure suddenly descended!

Gu Yuena, who had been lying in Chen Fan's arms looking frail and helpless, rose to her feet without warning.

All the weakness vanished from her purple eyes, replaced by an oppressive force that seemed to declare her claim.

The invisible pressure was like an impregnable wall, forcibly driving Qian Renxue back.

Thud, thud, thud.

Qian Renxue staggered back several steps before steadying herself. Her face instantly turned pale, and panic filled her eyes.

She hurriedly waved her hands and explained anxiously,

"I-I didn't mean anything else. I just wanted to see whether you were hurt, Chen Fan."

Chen Fan could not help feeling a headache coming on.

He reached out a hand and waved toward Qian Renxue, a gentle smile appearing on his face. Then he quickly turned back and took Na'er's hand.

"It's fine, it's fine. I'm perfectly alright. No need to worry."

Yet Chen Fan's small gesture felt like a needle lightly pricking Qian Renxue's heart.

A powerless, bitter ache surged up from the depths of her heart.

Why...

Why did heaven have to treat her like this?

After finally meeting a man willing to risk his life for her, a man who did not care about her status or her talent.

But he... already belonged to someone else.

She could not even get a little closer without drawing the other woman's hostility.

She wanted that feeling of being cherished too.

Qian Renxue could only force out a smile and remain where she stood.

"It's... good that you're alright."

The atmosphere in the forest became somewhat stiff.

Sensing the awkwardness, Chen Fan hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"After waking up, I happened to find a Soul Beast nearby that had been left half-crippled by that Spiritual Impact, so I dealt with it and absorbed its Soul Ring."

He brushed the dirt from his clothes and said casually, "This isn't a place to linger. We should leave quickly."

Qian Renxue snapped back to her senses at his words.

She still remembered the terrifying threat posed by that mysterious Soul Beast. Though she did not know why it had left, no one could guarantee that it would not return.

"Yes, yes! Let's go!"

She nodded hurriedly and took several steps forward, wanting to pull the two of them along so they could get moving.

But when she saw the wary look in Gu Yuena's eyes, her outstretched hand awkwardly froze in midair before finally dropping limply.

The three of them wasted no more time and headed together toward the forest's outer area.

Chen Fan still held the weakened Na'er in his arms, while Qian Renxue silently followed at the side. It was as though an invisible wall stood between the three of them.

Only when the ground beneath their feet was no longer so soft and damp, the light around them gradually brightened, and they could see signs of human footsteps did Qian Renxue truly let out a sigh of relief.

They had reached the outer area of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Chen Fan stopped walking and began considering where to go next.

Na'er's origin was depleted. They had to find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well as soon as possible.

But that place was Dugu Bo's territory. Meeting him would likely not be easy.

If he went directly to his door, Old Poison might not even agree to see him.

Perhaps... he could find a breakthrough through Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

If he remembered correctly, Dugu Yan should be at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

With that thought, he lowered his head to look at the girl in his arms and asked softly,

"Na'er, I'm planning to make a trip to Heaven Dou City. What do you think?"

Without even thinking, Gu Yuena fixed her beautiful purple eyes on him, a satisfied smile rising on her lips.

"Wherever Chen Fan goes, I'll go."

Listening to their conversation, Qian Renxue felt a nameless blaze flare up in her heart.

Nothing but Dog Food!

I'm just...

Speechless!

She turned her head away, unwilling to look at the glaring sight any longer.

But just then, three figures suddenly appeared on the forest path ahead, blocking their way.

At the front was a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance but an arrogant bearing. With his hands behind his back, he carried himself like a grandmaster.

Beside him stood a tall young man and a boy who looked only around ten years old, yet had steady eyes.

They were Yu Xiaogang, Ma Chengfeng, and Tang San.

"Xiao San, look."

"Under my guidance, your Second Soul Ring came from a Ghost Vine over six hundred years old. Its age is nearly perfect."

"That Chen Fan from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may also be a genius and may also be able to hunt Soul Beasts with decent Soul Ring ages."

"But when it comes to controlling Soul Ring limits and planning the most perfect path for a Martial Soul, he is likely far inferior to you."

"Remember my words."

"From now on, the gap between you and him will only grow wider."

Yu Xiaogang's intention was to encourage his disciple.

Using a genius from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as a point of comparison, then using the theories he excelled at most to "prove" his disciple's superiority, was the best way to inspire Tang San's confidence.

After all, the starting point of a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul was simply too low.

However, as soon as his words fell, Ma Chengfeng's expression abruptly changed.

Ma Chengfeng stared fixedly at the young man holding the girl ahead, looking somewhat awkward.

There was no mistake.

It was him!

Previously, he had been fortunate enough to follow the city lord to a business meeting led by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

At the time, the young man before him had been standing at Sword Douluo Chen Xin's side.

Chen Fan, a possible future heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

Ma Chengfeng hurried several steps forward and bowed deeply.

"I did not know that Young Master Chen Fan of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had arrived. I am Ma Chengfeng of Nuoding City. Forgive me for failing to welcome you properly, forgive me!"

As he spoke, he frantically signaled with his eyes at Yu Xiaogang and Tang San behind him.

"Master was merely instructing his poor disciple just now, and his words may have been inappropriate. I hope Young Master Chen will not take offense."

As soon as those words came out.

Yu Xiaogang and Tang San's expressions instantly became strange.

Both looked at Chen Fan, their eyes carrying a trace of disbelief.

He was Chen Fan?

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect genius whom their teacher had just used as a negative example?

This... was far too much of a coincidence.

Yu Xiaogang's face tightened.

But he had always been proud and held himself in high regard, unwilling to take the initiative to explain anything.