True Fragrance (Part 2)

Wang Chuan did not answer Zhao Wuji's question directly; instead, a flicker of struggle began to surface in his eyes.

In his past life, as an orphan, Wang Chuan had understood from a young age that the essence of the world was survival of the fittest.

Whether in the orphanage or at school, if one's personality was weak, they would become a target for anyone to bully.

Because of this, Wang Chuan grew accustomed to being alone and developed a self-reliant and strong-willed character.

But humans are, after all, social animals.

During the half-month he had spent with Zhao Wuji, Wang Chuan discovered that, deep down, he actually longed for companions.

However, human nature is a complex thing.

Although Wang Chuan had recognized Zhao Wuji's character during the previous test and brought him into the team, he was hesitant now.

Everything he intended to do next would touch upon his fundamental secrets; if Zhao Wuji ever harbored ill intentions in the future, it would lead to his total ruin.

Yet, at that moment, the kind smile of Wang Lie flashed through Wang Chuan's mind.

Wang Chuan's thoughts paused for a moment, then the corners of his mouth curled up, and he let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Seriously, it's not like I'm revealing all my secrets at once, so why am I being so timid?

I can just use this opportunity to see if Zhao Wuji is truly someone worth entrusting my back to.

While there are many refined egoists in this world, there are just as many people who harbor kindness, benevolence, and righteousness.

Otherwise, how could my great motherland have stood tall once again on the world's chessboard after that century of humiliation?

Besides, if I shrink back because of something like this, wouldn't my life be too stifling? What would be the point of becoming stronger?"

After criticizing himself, a certain shackle in Wang Chuan's heart gradually shattered. He laughed more freely and arrogantly, and his entire demeanor gained a touch of confidence.

Turning around, Wang Chuan looked straight at Zhao Wuji and asked.

"Old Zhao, I truly treat you as a brother.

So, can I trust you?"

Facing this abrupt and aimless question, Zhao Wuji was stunned for a brief moment.

Then, he met Wang Chuan's gaze openly, slapped his broad chest heroically, and said firmly.

"Isn't that obvious, Captain! I, Old Zhao, have seen all the kindness you've shown me!

If I were to betray you, would I even be human? Just tell me what you need, Captain, even if it costs me my life!"

Looking at Zhao Wuji like this, Wang Chuan smiled with even more relief.

At the same time, he thought to himself that it was no wonder this guy would eventually end up hanging out with that miser Flender; he could already see glimpses of his future self.

With things having reached this point, Wang Chuan stopped beating around the bush, and a bright purple spirit ring floated up from his body.

"Uh? Ah!"

Zhao Wuji was stunned again for a moment, then his eyes bulged out, and he let out a sound of incredulous shock.

"Captain! You! This! This!"

A thousand-year first spirit ring truly challenged Zhao Wuji's understanding.

At this point in time, Bibi Dong, who had successfully cultivated Twin Martial Souls, had not yet appeared, and Twin Martial Souls were such rare cases that ordinary academies naturally wouldn't teach them.

Zhao Wuji, of course, couldn't make the connection; he was at a loss for words, his brain entering a state of system crash, not knowing how to express his chaotic inner state.

Wang Chuan watched this scene calmly, and only after Zhao Wuji's emotions gradually calmed down did he speak.

"Hehe, it's strange, isn't it, Old Zhao?

I am clearly so much stronger than you, yet I am only a spirit master, and my first spirit ring is a thousand-year ring.

But don't be anxious, I will tell you why right now."

Following that, Wang Chuan explained his poor aptitude but how he had become so strong through persistent physical training, as well as the conditions required for a spirit master to absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring.

At the same time, he clearly told Zhao Wuji that, based on his own observations, he was fully capable of absorbing the spirit ring of the Earth Crystal Bear.

As Zhao Wuji listened, his mouth opened wider and wider, and he understood why Wang Chuan had asked so seriously earlier whether he was worth trusting.

As a commoner spirit master, he knew all too well the significance contained in this knowledge!

So, when Wang Chuan told Zhao Wuji to kill the Earth Crystal Bear to obtain the spirit ring, Zhao Wuji did not do it immediately, but instead stared fixedly at Wang Chuan.

Zhao Wuji clenched his fists, his inner emotions surging like a tsunami.

Because Wang Chuan was forced into loneliness, and wasn't he the same?

Otherwise, why would he have been ostracized and forced to graduate?

At this moment, Wang Chuan's intense trust allowed him to belatedly recover the past, those times spent playing and fooling around with companions in the village, and for a moment, his eyes actually turned red.

Simply because this emotion was so raw and made one yearn for it.

Suddenly, Zhao Wuji cupped his hands toward Wang Chuan and then knelt on one knee.

"Captain, no! Big Brother!"

I will remember this favor of yours. As long as I, Zhao Wuji, am alive, you will always be my big brother! I will never betray you, and I will always be your loyal subordinate!

Otherwise, I, Zhao Wuji, shall suffer heavenly retribution, my martial soul shall shatter, and I shall die without a burial place!

Wang Chuan had not expected Zhao Wuji to suddenly pull such a stunt.

One must know that before Tang San introduced the concept of "a teacher for a day is a father for life," the kneeling ritual on the Douluo Continent was strictly reserved for royalty. Although Zhao Wuji was only half-kneeling, it was enough to show the immense respect he held for him at this moment.

Not to mention that Zhao Wuji had even sworn an oath upon his own martial soul at the end.

In a world where soul masters reigned supreme, this could be considered the most weighty oath of all.

Wang Chuan hurriedly helped Zhao Wuji up, and although he said things like "I only told you these things because I trust you," the smile on his face could not be hidden; he was clearly extremely satisfied with Zhao Wuji's performance.

Following this, Zhao Wuji did not hesitate, stabbing a blade through the heart of the Earth Crystal Bear to finish it off. Then, without a shred of doubt regarding what Wang Chuan had just said, he began to wholeheartedly refine the soul ring.

At first, Zhao Wuji's expression tightened in discomfort, but his face soon returned to normal.

Wang Chuan was not surprised by this at all.

After all, Wang Chuan hadn't just been feeding Zhao Wuji supplements for the past half-month; he had also been sparring with him during that time.

Therefore, even without mastering a method to probe the body with spiritual power, Wang Chuan could clearly confirm which stage of his own physical strength Zhao Wuji's body could be compared to.

A mere 2,200-year-old Earth Crystal Bear was naturally not a problem.

If conditions had allowed, Wang Chuan would have even wanted Zhao Wuji to absorb a 3,000-year-old soul beast.

This was because Zhao Wuji's physical strength was absolutely far superior to others of the same rank.

Wang Chuan even boldly speculated that the reason Zhao Wuji would be able to accomplish the feat of fighting sixteen Soul Emperors of the Martial Soul Hall alone in the future was precisely because of his powerful physique, which far exceeded that of his peers.

Afterward, Wang Chuan looked at the purple soul ring, which was gradually dimming as it was refined by Zhao Wuji.

If Zhao Wuji could obtain a gravity control soul skill from this randomly acquired skill that was similar to, yet stronger than, the gravity enhancement from his original timeline, then the Zhao Wuji of the future would only be even stronger.