But I Refuse [Bonus Chapter for 6,000 Collections] [Please Collect]

Seeing Zhang Yang agree, Sword Douluo sneered. "I don't know whether you're truly heaven-blessed or merely arrogant and ignorant, but you actually agreed."

Zhang Yang replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Please announce the second trial, Senior."

"The second trial is much simpler." Sword Douluo said flatly, "Your Fifth Soul Ring must be at least ten thousand years old, and you must hunt it down independently. In addition, you must possess one complete Soul Bone."

"What?!"

The shock of everyone present was no less than when Sword Douluo had demanded that Zhang Yang break through to Soul King before the age of twenty.

What kind of joke was this? How could a level-fifty Soul King possibly have the strength to independently kill a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?

Moreover, compared to the latter requirement, the first half of that sentence was practically Sword Douluo showing mercy.

That was a Soul Bone—the kind every Soul Master on the continent dreamed of. Zhang Yang was born a commoner. How could he possibly have a chance to obtain one before turning twenty? And it had to be an incomparably precious complete Soul Bone at that.

Sword Douluo seemed to feel that this condition sounded a little harsh, so he unexpectedly explained it to everyone. "You think this condition is harsh? In fact, this is the easiest trial."

"Please enlighten us, Senior." Master cupped his hands and asked.

"With how special this boy's Soul Ring skills are, would it really be difficult for him to independently kill a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast once he reaches level fifty? As for that complete Soul Bone..." Sword Douluo sneered at Zhang Yang. He stopped halfway through his words and said no more.

Master fell into thought.

After considering it, Zhang Yang nodded. "I agree. Please announce the third trial, Senior."

"The third trial?"

Upon hearing Zhang Yang say this, Sword Douluo actually laughed.

Sword Douluo had laughed, and everyone present felt their scalps go numb.

At that instant, the same thought arose in everyone's minds. "Zhang Yang's third trial will be difficult."

Sword Douluo smiled and gestured for Zhang Yang to follow him alone. Then he circulated his Soul Power, stepped onto his giant sword, and flashed away toward the end of the Training Ground.

"Teacher, everyone, I'll be back soon." After saying that, Zhang Yang instantly completed Spirit Infusion. His Second Soul Ring lit up as he sped after Sword Douluo.

No one understood what Sword Douluo was up to, but everyone was worried for Zhang Yang. Xiao Wu's concern was the most obvious—sweat beaded on her forehead, her little face turned pale, and her whole body trembled.

Xiao Wu held Tang San's shoulder and murmured softly, "Brother, I want you to hold me."

Tang San was greatly puzzled by Xiao Wu's words, but seeing that she was in poor condition, he hurriedly obediently embraced her.

Held in Tang San's arms, Xiao Wu gradually stopped trembling, but her tears soaked Tang San's chest.

Noticing that Xiao Wu was crying, Tang San immediately panicked. "Xiao Wu, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? I'll take you back to your Dormitory to rest."

Buried in Tang San's embrace, Xiao Wu pressed her ear to his chest. Listening to his hurried heartbeat, she choked back a sob. "Mm."

Tang San informed the Dean, Master, and the others, then carried Xiao Wu in a princess hold and sprinted toward her Dormitory.

Sword Douluo had not gone far. He landed after flying on his sword to the Small Forest outside the academy.

Just as Sword Douluo stepped down from his sword, a flash streaked past him, followed by Zhang Yang's figure.

Having personally experienced the speed of Zhang Yang's Second Soul Skill, Sword Douluo could not help but marvel inwardly. Truly powerful.

After retracting his Martial Soul, Zhang Yang said seriously, "Senior, please announce the third trial."

"Mm, listen carefully." Sword Douluo nodded. "This third trial is for you to kill someone."

"Kill someone?" Zhang Yang frowned and said in a low voice, "Senior, the path of a Soul Master's cultivation is indeed filled with bloodshed. Ever since I embarked on this path, I have already prepared myself to stain my hands with blood. But..."

"But what?"

"But people can be good or evil, and some deserve to be killed while others do not. Senior's third trial requires this junior to kill someone, so I boldly ask: is this person good or evil? Do they deserve to die? And why must this junior be the one to act?"

Sword Douluo smiled at those words. "I am not one to slaughter lives wantonly. Naturally, the person I want you to kill deserves death, and everyone has the right to execute them."

Zhang Yang relaxed inwardly and said earnestly, "Please speak plainly, Senior."

"Let me ask you. Is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that has taken Human Form not someone everyone has the right to kill?"

Zhang Yang's body shuddered. He knew who Sword Douluo wanted him to kill.

Sword Douluo naturally saw Zhang Yang's shocked expression, but he assumed Zhang Yang was simply shocked by the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast and did not think much of it. He continued, "That little girl in the crowd just now, the one with the Scorpion Braid, is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that has taken Human Form."

"Xiao Wu?" Zhang Yang asked in astonishment.

Sword Douluo nodded and continued, "Once a Soul Beast cultivates to the hundred-thousand-year level, it can choose to take Human Form and begin cultivating again from level zero. At that point, it is no different from an ordinary human. Unless one is a Soul Douluo, it is impossible to distinguish its identity."

"Even a Soul Douluo would find it difficult to identify it without careful observation. But before a Titled Douluo, the aura of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast on its body has nowhere to hide."

"Soul Beasts that have taken Human Form are what Soul Masters desire most. At present, their strength is no different from that of ordinary human Soul Masters, but killing one yields a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring and a complete Soul Bone."

"Unfortunately, my Soul Rings are full, and so are my Soul Bones. Though I could take the Soul Bone for Rongrong, I see that you are exceptionally talented and may very well complete my trials. When the time comes, if you are with Rongrong, this Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone will serve a greater purpose on you."

At this point, Sword Douluo stared into Zhang Yang's eyes and said seriously, "As long as you kill this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast and obtain her Soul Bone, the most difficult part of the second trial will be resolved. Although it would waste a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, there is no other way."

"Boy, have you thought it through?"

Zhang Yang lowered his head and pondered deeply. "...If I kill Xiao Wu and take her Soul Bone, would that truly complete the third trial?"

Hearing Zhang Yang say this, Sword Douluo seemed as though victory was already in his grasp. "Hmph, heh heh. Yes, I guarantee it. This is using a Soul Beast's life to fulfill your and Rongrong's future. Kill her. Go kill her."

But what Sword Douluo had not expected was that Zhang Yang suddenly raised his head and answered without hesitation, "But I refuse."

"What?" Sword Douluo was utterly shocked.

"One of the things I, Zhang Yang, enjoy most is saying 'no' to temptations that violate my principles as a person."

"Senior, when you said you wanted me to kill someone, I had already made up my mind. As long as I could embrace Rongrong, I would willingly stain both hands with blood. But now, I can only say to you: But I Refuse." Zhang Yang said with utmost seriousness.

Sword Douluo's expression darkened. "So, you have decided to leave Rongrong?"

"Senior, please hear me out." Zhang Yang cupped his hands and spoke earnestly.

Sword Douluo nodded with a grim expression. "Speak."

"First, Xiao Wu and I have been classmates for seven years. Even after learning her true identity, I still believe that she is only a lively, free-spirited little girl who cannot stand injustice."

"She loves carrots and is curious about everything around her. How could I possibly bring myself to harm a girl like that for the sake of one complete Soul Bone?"

"Second, Xiao Wu is Tang San's sister and Rongrong's roommate. Tang San regards Xiao Wu as family, while Rongrong and she are as close as sisters. If I killed Xiao Wu, how could I face Tang San? How could I face Rongrong?"

"Finally, even if I killed Xiao Wu, I would only obtain one Soul Bone. If Rongrong becomes the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the future, how many Soul Bones will she have on her?"

"If I truly betrayed my friendship with Xiao Wu for the sake of one Soul Bone, would you not worry that I might betray my love with Rongrong for even more Soul Bones?"

"You insolent brat, how dare you?!" Sword Douluo's sword-like brows rose, his eyes widened in fury, and an overwhelming pressure of Soul Power instantly bore down on Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang completed Spirit Infusion and poured all his Soul Power into resisting. Even beneath that immense pressure, he still dared to meet Sword Douluo's gaze and declared loudly, "Therefore, after hearing what you said today, not only will I never covet Xiao Wu's Soul Bone, I will also risk my life to protect her."

Sword Douluo asked in confusion, "Why?"

Zhang Yang said helplessly, "Because I now know a secret I should not know. If Xiao Wu is injured in any way in the future, you will suspect me of plotting to kill her and seize her Soul Bone."

"If Xiao Wu dies, other than taking my own life to prove my innocence, I will have no way to clear myself of suspicion. Respected Senior Sword Douluo, you have given me quite a difficult problem."

Sword Douluo remained silent for a long while, merely staring quietly at Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang fearlessly returned his gaze.

After some time, the pressure around him suddenly dissipated, and Zhang Yang let out a long breath.

"Ah..." Sword Douluo sighed toward the sky, the sound of his sigh long and distant.

"My little princess, you have found a very good man."

Gazing at the sky, Sword Douluo was filled with emotion.

Zhang Yang was overjoyed. "Senior Sword Douluo, do you approve of Rongrong and me now?"

"Dream on, brat." Sword Douluo immediately retorted, "You have merely completed the third trial. If you fail either of the first two trials, you little bastard will leave Rongrong and get as far away as possible."

Sword Douluo began cursing as he spoke, but the smile in his eyes grew increasingly evident.

"Yes, Senior. This junior will certainly do everything in his power to complete the trials you have given me." Zhang Yang hurriedly cupped his hands.

"Mm." Sword Douluo nodded in satisfaction. "Boy, do you know the meaning behind the trials I prepared for you?"

"I can roughly guess." Zhang Yang nodded. "The first trial tests my talent. The second tests my strength. The third tests my will and character."

Sword Douluo nodded approvingly. "Mm, truly intelligent. Correct, especially the third trial. If you could uphold your upright character in the face of a Soul Bone's temptation, that would prove that both your character and will are excellent."

"Originally, I intended to have you endure my pressure for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, in order to test your willpower. As for your character, I planned to leave that for Rongrong herself to judge."

"But who would have thought that I would discover that little girl Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in Human Form?"

"So I temporarily altered the second and third trials."

Zhang Yang suddenly understood and quickly cupped his hands again. "Senior, this junior has an unreasonable request."

"You need not say it. I will not act against that little girl."

Sword Douluo seemed to know what Zhang Yang wanted to say and answered in advance. "Leaving aside the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, which our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has no use for, that little girl is Rongrong's roommate. I would not risk angering Rongrong by forcibly killing someone for a Soul Bone."

"Senior, your integrity is admirable. This junior deeply respects you," Zhang Yang said with emotion.

Ning Rongrong could be called the foremost expert at taming people on Douluo Continent. To Sword Douluo, a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring that drove countless Soul Masters mad was not even as valuable as Rongrong treating him kindly.

"One final point is what you just said: that little girl is Tang San's sister. The direct clan members of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect need the Godly Zhuge Crossbow in Tang San's possession. Compared to the safety of our clan members, one Soul Ring and one Soul Bone are not worth mentioning."

Zhang Yang nodded excitedly. "This junior thanks you on behalf of Tang San and Xiao Wu, Senior."

"Tang San need not know about this. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is a great sect with standing. We are not so despicable as to demand repayment for a favor, much less squeeze a child for his hard-earned money."

"On Tang San's behalf, I thank you, Senior, and thank the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Amid Zhang Yang's words of gratitude, Sword Douluo rode away on his sword, his figure vanishing beyond the horizon in an instant.