Stirring Discord

"How could this be...?"

Tang Wulin's eyes widened instinctively, then he looked at Wu Zhangkong with hope written all over his face, wishing Wu Zhangkong would step forward and deny Su Mo's claim.

But faced with the facts Su Mo had laid out, Wu Zhangkong could only nod helplessly, indicating that Su Mo was right.

Among the first-generation Shrek Seven Devils, only Soft Bone Douluo had failed to become a god. This fact had long been common knowledge among the Sun Moon Federation's top powers.

The reason people believed that all of the Shrek Seven Devils had become gods was because Shrek Academy had always downplayed this point in its public promotions.

It had always claimed that the Shrek Seven Devils had ascended to the God Realm together, thus creating that misconception.

Seeing Wu Zhangkong admit it, Tang Wulin felt as though a massive stone had been pressing on his chest, and an inexplicable sense of loss flashed through his heart.

"Why? Why didn't Soft Bone Douluo become a god?"

Seemingly unable to accept this fact, Tang Wulin suddenly rose to his feet in agitation.

Seeing Tang Wulin suddenly become so worked up, Xie Xie hurriedly tugged on his sleeve and whispered, "Why are you so agitated, Wulin? It's not like you're the one who failed to become a god."

Only after Xie Xie's reminder did Tang Wulin realize that he had lost his composure.

"Sorry!" Tang Wulin said, bending at the waist and giving Wu Zhangkong a deep bow.

"Wulin, there's no need to take it so seriously."

Wu Zhangkong waved a hand, clearly not taking Tang Wulin's offense to heart.

Of the six students in Class Zero, Tang Wulin was the one Wu Zhangkong favored most.

Of course, that was definitely not because Tang Wulin came from a poor family, had a mysterious bloodline, and best matched the Tang Sect's recruitment criteria.

"Soft Bone Douluo failed to become a god because she sacrificed herself to protect Ancestor Tang San back then. Her foundation was damaged, which was why she could not become a god."

Seeing that Tang Wulin still looked dejected, Wu Zhangkong kindly offered an explanation.

Hearing Wu Zhangkong's explanation, Tang Wulin felt much better.

But before Tang Wulin could even settle back into his seat, Su Mo put on a suddenly enlightened expression and muttered to himself, "So that was it? I thought she couldn't become a god because Soft Bone Douluo was a Soul Beast."

Seeing that the Tang Wulin he had painstakingly calmed was about to be led astray by Su Mo again, Wu Zhangkong shot Su Mo a fierce glare. "Shut up! The Sea God once said that once Soul Beasts take human form and cultivate anew, they are no longer Soul Beasts, but humans."

After being glared at by Wu Zhangkong, Su Mo muttered quietly, "What kind of human still drops Soul Rings and Soul Bones after being killed?"

Though Su Mo's voice was low, Wu Zhangkong, a six-ring Spirit Emperor, heard every word clearly. "Su Mo, are you questioning the Sea God's words?"

Just like that, he had slapped Su Mo with the label of disrespecting a god.

Wu Zhangkong's words also stirred Su Mo's temper.

Isn't this just slapping labels on people? Who doesn't know how to do that?

Su Mo immediately shot back without any courtesy. "The Federation has never recognized Soul Beasts that took human form and cultivated anew as Federation citizens. Is the Federation questioning the Sea God as well?"

"Or are you questioning Federation law, Teacher Wu?"

Across the entire Federation, aside from the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy, the other factions had little respect for Tang San, the Sea God. They even harbored a trace of resentment toward him.

If the Sea God had not disregarded the rules and personally intervened to favor one side back then, Star Luo and Dou Ling, the two great empires, would have long been annihilated by the Sun Moon Empire on Douluo Continent.

How could they have escaped to other continents and become the greatest obstacle to the Federation unifying Douluo Planet?

"You..." Wu Zhangkong was left speechless by the retort.

If this had happened in the past, Wu Zhangkong would certainly have refuted Su Mo without hesitation.

But it had been far, far too long since the Sea God's last manifestation—so long that people had forgotten their reverence for him.

Besides, openly questioning Federation law was no small accusation.

Seeing Wu Zhangkong rendered speechless by Su Mo, Tang Wulin stepped forward indignantly.

Although Tang Wulin did not know why, Su Mo's disdainful tone whenever he mentioned the Sea God filled him with inexplicable irritation.

"Su Mo, Soul Beasts are living beings too. We cannot, and should not, slaughter life indiscriminately."

Tang Wulin's sanctimonious words caused a glimmer to suddenly flash through Gu Yue's beautiful eyes.

Xie Xie and the others also nodded in wholehearted agreement.

In response to Tang Wulin's meaningless platitude, Su Mo calmly asked, "So, Tang Wulin, are you saying that as long as we have a legitimate reason, we can hunt Soul Beasts however we please?"

"This..."

Caught off guard by Su Mo's question, Tang Wulin froze. He stammered for a long while, unable to come up with an answer.

Seeing that Tang Wulin could not answer, Su Mo pressed on. "Then let me ask you another question. Under the same circumstances, if a human and a Soul Beast encounter danger at the same time, would you save the human or the Soul Beast?"

"Oh, and you can only choose one."

Su Mo had directly brought Blue Star's Trolley Problem into the conversation.

Before Tang Wulin could speak, Tang San, hiding deep within Tang Wulin's spiritual sea, hurriedly advised him, "Wulin, don't answer that question!"

If it had been Tang San himself, whether it was a human or a Soul Beast, he would only choose whichever one benefited him.

But Tang Wulin had now been forced into a dilemma by Su Mo.

If he answered that he would save the human, then without question, an invisible rift would form between Gu Yue and Tang Wulin.

If he answered that he would save the Soul Beast, it would seem far too deliberate and would easily make Gu Yue notice something.

Moreover, Su Mo had already blocked off the only way out. If Tang Wulin wanted to break the deadlock, he could only keep silent and try to muddle through.

As for Tang Wulin, although Tang San's request was somewhat strange,

he still chose to trust Lao Tang and remained silent.

Seeing Tang Wulin try to muddle through with silence, Su Mo naturally would not let such a fine opportunity slip away.

"See? Isn't the answer obvious?"

"No one would betray their own kind for a Soul Beast."

"A Soul Beast is a Soul Beast. Even if they take human form and cultivate anew, it does not change the fact that they are Soul Beasts."

"Once a Soul Beast, always a Soul Beast."

"The meaning of a Soul Beast's existence is to provide Soul Rings for Soul Masters and become the stepping stones for their advancement."

"..."

The more Su Mo spoke, the more fired up he became. That smug look of his was enough to make anyone want to punch him.

Though Xie Xie and the others said nothing, their silence was already the best answer.

Seeing Su Mo becoming more and more outrageous, Gu Yue slammed her hand down and shouted sternly, "Su Mo, enough!"

No one else in the classroom, Tang Wulin included, had expected Gu Yue to become so angry.

Gu Yue changed expressions so quickly that even Wu Zhangkong at the podium had not reacted in time.

However, they did not dwell on it, merely assuming that Gu Yue had reacted this way for Tang Wulin's sake.

Only Su Mo, Tang San, and Gu Yue herself knew the true reason for Gu Yue's anger.

Within Tang Wulin's spiritual sea, Tang San watched the enraged Gu Yue and wished he could rush out right now and tear Su Mo into eight pieces.

Su Mo, you have earned yourself a death sentence!

"If you don't want to say it, then don't! Why are you shouting so loudly?"

Seeing Gu Yue explode, Su Mo outwardly shrank back in fright, but inwardly, he was already overjoyed.

Su Mo's earlier words had seemingly been meant for Tang Wulin, but his true target had been Gu Yue.

Su Mo's purpose was to warn Gu Yue, making her recognize her identity as a Soul Beast and stop harboring unrealistic fantasies.

Otherwise, if Gu Yue became determined to be with Tang Wulin, Su Mo would have no choice but to kill her.

Su Mo was also quite interested in the Silver Dragon King's bloodline.

Do not forget that Su Mo had once served as Hiruko's assistant. The Chimera Technique naturally came easily to him.

But unless absolutely necessary, Su Mo did not want to make a move against Gu Yue.

Of course, that was not because Su Mo coveted Gu Yue's body.

The first reason Su Mo had gone to such lengths to warn Gu Yue was to repay Bi Ji for taking care of him in Star Dou Forest.

The second was because the Silver Dragon King could also be considered an important fighting force and might be able to contribute when they fought the God Realm in the future.

Seeing the atmosphere in the classroom grow increasingly awkward, Wu Zhangkong shot Su Mo a resentful glare before helplessly announcing, "Class dismissed."