Sword Douluo couldn't help frowning as he watched Tang Xiao walk over.
Why had Tang Xiao come to Shrek Academy?
Of course, Tang Hao had invited him.
While secretly protecting Tang San, Tang Hao had sensed a powerful presence watching him from the shadows. Worried that he might not be able to handle things if something happened, he asked Tang Yuehua, who was in Heaven Dou City, to send word to his elder brother, Tang Xiao, and get him to come help.
When Tang Yuehua saw that this was something her Brother Hao had asked of her, she didn't dare delay and immediately sent a message to Tang Xiao.
Meanwhile, Tang Xiao's days in the Clear Sky Sect had been difficult. Ever since Tang Hao had ambushed Spirit Hall and Spirit Hall had come to collect its debt, the Second Elder had been forced to take his own life, and Tang Xiao, as Clear Sky Sect's leader, had knelt in Spirit City and begged forgiveness. His position as sect leader had been left hanging by a thread.
The Seventh Elder had always despised Tang Hao, and now he'd cursed Tang Hao's ancestors for eighteen generations. Of course, that included the Seventh Elder's own ancestors, too. The Clear Sky Sect disciples also held Tang Hao responsible for the Second Elder's death and had plenty of complaints about him.
Tang Xiao had intended to say a few words in his younger brother's defense, but that only earned him a chorus of abuse from the sect. Even the authority within the Clear Sky Sect had shifted into the hands of several elders, leaving Tang Xiao's position as sect leader nothing more than a figurehead.
Just then, Tang Yuehua's letter arrived, telling him that his nephew Tang San was a genius with Innate Full Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls. Tang Xiao had come without a moment's hesitation.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin didn't fear either of the brothers, Tang Hao or Tang Xiao, in the slightest. But if they joined forces, Sword Douluo would be in a difficult position.
"Senior, please show mercy and spare that Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast. Consider today's matter a favor owed to you by my brother and me," Tang Xiao said.
"Tang Xiao, do you really think the favor owed by you two brothers is worth as much as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast?"
"Senior, if you say it is, then it is. Besides, if we fight here, I can't guarantee that the shock waves from a battle between Titled Douluo won't reach the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." Tang Hao looked at Sword Douluo, his gaze cold.
"Tang Hao, are you threatening me?"
"I wouldn't dare. I'm only giving you a friendly reminder, Senior."
Tang Hao had indeed hit Sword Douluo where it hurt. He couldn't gamble with Ning Rongrong's safety, nor would he risk it.
"Hmph. I'll remember this," Sword Douluo said, turning to head back to Shrek Academy and take Ning Rongrong away.
But just then, Tang Hao called out to him. "Senior, Miss Ning Rongrong would be better off continuing her studies at Shrek Academy. Besides, with my brother and me, two Titled Douluo, protecting her, her safety is assured."
Why was Tang Hao so determined to keep Ning Rongrong there? Of course, he wanted his son Tang San to befriend her and make it easier to tie the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to his campaign against Spirit Hall.
Sword Douluo certainly wouldn't agree, but Tang Hao was sure Ning Fengzhi would.
As a shrewd businessman, Ning Fengzhi always put profit first. Spirit Hall was powerful, and only the Upper Three Sects could hold it in check if they joined forces. Ning Fengzhi understood that perfectly well.
Ning Rongrong was the beloved junior of Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, but that didn't necessarily make her Ning Fengzhi's favorite. Ning Fengzhi doted on her because he had several sons but only one daughter, and she was also the most talented of them all. If it came down to choosing between Ning Rongrong and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Tang Hao was certain Ning Fengzhi would choose the sect without hesitation.
When Sword Douluo heard Tang Hao's words, he was furious. "Tang Hao, don't push your luck."
"Senior, you wouldn't want anything to happen to Miss Ning Rongrong, would you?" Tang Hao said, watching Sword Douluo's angry face.
"Tang Hao, you've got some nerve."
With that, Sword Douluo returned to Shrek Academy. He couldn't take Ning Rongrong away today, but there were some things he had to tell her.
As soon as Sword Douluo flew above Shrek Academy, he saw Xiao Wu bobbing her head as she munched on a carrot, occasionally pointing at Tang San and Yu Xiaolong, who were cultivating.
Seeing this, Sword Douluo couldn't help saying, "That beast has a death wish."
When Ning Rongrong saw Sword Douluo return to Shrek Academy, she threw herself into his arms.
"Grandpa Sword, why are you back?"
"Grandpa Sword missed you, Rongrong."
When Flender saw Sword Douluo return, he stood respectfully to one side. Xiao Wu let out a frightened yelp and ran off faster than a rabbit.
No, she was a rabbit already—and the ancestor of all rabbits, at that.
As Xiao Wu ran, she patted her chest and said, "That was close, that was close. Good thing Sister Xiao Wu ran fast, or that Titled Douluo would have spotted me."
"And that Titled Douluo doesn't seem all that impressive. He's been here twice and still hasn't noticed Sister Xiao Wu. I must really be blessed with good fortune!"
Sword Douluo watched Xiao Wu bolt away, then glanced at Tang San in the distance and shook his head.
"Rongrong, stay at Shrek Academy and study in peace this time. If anyone dares bully you again, Grandpa Sword will teach them a lesson." As he spoke, Sword Douluo shot Flender a look.
That one glance was enough to make Flender drop to his knees with a thud.
"Grandpa Sword, don't worry. I finally managed to get out here. Even if you ask me to leave, I won't."
"And, Rongrong, stay away from Tang San and Xiao Wu—especially Xiao Wu."
"Don't worry, Grandpa Sword. I'll remember."
"Good. Study hard here, Rongrong. Grandpa Sword is leaving."
"Goodbye, Grandpa Sword."
"Goodbye, Rongrong."
Sword Douluo left Shrek Academy, burning through his Soul Power as he hurried back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with all his might.
Hidden in a corner of Shrek Academy, Xiao Wu saw Sword Douluo leave and immediately felt bold again. She bobbed her rabbit head and strutted back out.
Outside Shrek Academy, Tang Xiao watched Xiao Wu swaggering about and shook his head. He turned to Tang Hao and said:
"Brother Hao, that Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast doesn't look like anything good. It's not a good thing for San to get too close to it."
"Big Brother, don't worry. I've been keeping an eye on that Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast for six years. Of course I know it's no good. If San can't bring himself to kill it when the time comes, I'll do it myself."
Hearing Tang Hao's words, Tang Xiao nodded slightly.
But as he looked at Xiao Wu, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast before him, he thought of Ah Yin, who had also been a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast.
Ah Yin had been so gentle, considerate, and understanding. But Xiao Wu? Bah! What kind of thing was she?
They were both Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beasts, so how could they be so different?
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