Damn it!
What on earth was going on with this Heavenly Dao Gold Ranking?
Why did every new revelation expose details that worked against him?
First, the origins of the Buddha Wrath Tang Lotus in his past life, and now the way to use Lovesick Heartbreak Red!
Was it deliberately targeting him, Tang San?
A sinister murderous intent flashed through his eyes as he swept his gaze over the skeptical comments in the sky.
A bunch of ignorant mortals dared to question his intentions, Tang San?
These people had a death wish!
Though furious, he wasn't all that flustered.
It didn't matter.
Everything he'd done had been flawless, and it had all been for Xiao Wu.
So what if the Heavenly Dao had exposed these details?
The world would only see how deeply he loved Xiao Wu and how she'd sacrificed herself!
He drew a deep breath, forcibly tamping down his anger, and prepared to reassure Xiao Wu beside him.
But when he glanced over, he saw her staring blankly at the Heavenly Dao Gold Ranking. For the first time, a trace of confusion appeared in her big, glistening eyes.
The comments pierced her heart like one thorn after another.
That's right... Since Third Brother knew I was a Soul Beast, why did he take me to compete in the Soul Master Tournament?
And that Lovesick Heartbreak Red...
Xiao Wu's thoughts couldn't help drifting back to when she'd first obtained this Immortal Herb.
She remembered wanting to consume it at the time.
After all, if it could raise her Soul Power by ten levels, she'd be able to help Tang San more in the competition.
But Tang San had gently stopped her.
He'd said, "Xiao Wu, this Immortal Herb is proof of your undying love for me, and a testament to my eternal promise to you.
"It isn't merely an Immortal Herb; it's a witness to our love.
"It'd be such a waste to eat it."
Back then, Xiao Wu had been so moved by his words that she naturally couldn't bear to eat this "witness to their love."
She'd kept the flower close to her body and treasured it like a priceless gem.
Thinking about it now...
No!
Xiao Wu shook her head sharply, trying to cast that dreadful suspicion from her mind.
This had to be a coincidence!
Third Brother loved her so much. How could he possibly hurt her?
Everything he did was for her own good!
That was what she told herself, yet her curvaceous body tensed involuntarily. Her jade feet, encased in pink crystal shoes, drew quietly together, while her long, straight legs stiffened with unease.
Just then, the scene on the Heavenly Dao Gold Ranking changed again.
The image showed the Spirit Hall pursuing Tang San. Leading the hunt was Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.
During one clash, Yue Guan's attack nearly struck Xiao Wu, but the gentle light radiating from Lovesick Heartbreak Red blocked it.
For the first time, astonishment appeared on Yue Guan's androgynous face. His eyes locked firmly onto the Immortal Herb!
Clearly, he recognized this king among flowers!
The scene changed again, to the elevated arena of the tournament finals.
Shrek Academy faced Spirit Hall Academy.
In the midst of the fierce battle, Xiao Wu used Teleportation to help Tang San.
As she shifted position, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red she'd always kept close to her body suddenly slipped from her embrace!
"Plop."
A soft sound.
The exquisite little flower fell onto the cold ground.
It was there for only an instant, but Bibi Dong, seated high upon the Pope's throne, narrowed her phoenix eyes.
The moment the Immortal Herb concealing her aura left her body, a vast, surging Soul Beast aura burst skyward from Xiao Wu!
The identity of the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, Soft Bone Rabbit, was exposed for all to see!
The entire arena fell deathly silent!
Then the Titled Douluo of the Spirit Hall struck like thunder, and a world-shaking pursuit began.
The scene flashed past at great speed. Tang Hao appeared in all his domineering glory, Clear Sky Hammer in hand, and forcibly rescued Tang San and Xiao Wu from the Spirit Hall.
The Golden List continued.
Time passed.
In the Star Dou Great Forest, surrounded on all sides by the Spirit Hall with nowhere left to run, Xiao Wu chose the most agonizing path.
Sacrifice!
Brilliant red light dyed the entire forest crimson. She offered her soul and Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring—all of them—to the man she loved most.
After her soul left her body, Lovesick Heartbreak Red burst into a light brighter than ever before, protecting her physical form and preserving her last glimmer of life!
The scene slowly froze there.
The comments in the sky fell into an eerie silence once more.
After a long while, new comments finally drifted past.
[So... that's how her identity was exposed. Xiao Wu really was too noble...]
[She sacrificed herself for the one she loved. That devotion is enough to move heaven and earth!]
[But... don't you think it was all a little too convenient? It didn't fall earlier or later—it fell during the finals, right under Bibi Dong's nose. Almost like it was... arranged.]
[Don't spin conspiracy theories, commenter above! This is the greatness of love! Tang San and Xiao Wu are true love!]
At Jialing Pass, in the courtyard.
Watching the scene on the Golden List, Qian Renxue's golden eyes held a complicated look.
"That rabbit is certainly loyal and true."
She spoke softly.
Then she furrowed her brows slightly. "Still, it is a little strange. The flower fell at an awfully contrived moment."
Beside the stone table, Qian Ye lifted his teacup and gently blew away the steam. His movements were graceful, his expression calm.
He wasn't looking at the Golden List, but everything that happened was clearly reflected in his mind.
"There has never been any shortage of self-righteous hypocrites in this world."
His voice was soft, but Qian Renxue's heart jolted.
Qian Ye set down his teacup and glanced at the image of Tang San, full of youthful swagger. His tone was even.
"He knew she was a Soul Beast and that this could get her killed, yet he still brought her into the sight of every powerful expert. It's hard to believe there wasn't some hidden motive."
Qian Renxue pondered his words, her gaze toward Qian Ye growing ever more reverent.
The senior's insight was indeed razor-sharp. He'd seen straight through to the heart of the matter.
Meanwhile, deep within the Pope Palace in Spirit City.
Bibi Dong, dressed in a luxurious papal robe, reclined against her throne.
She wasn't looking at the Heavenly Dao Gold Ranking, but her subordinates were reporting everything that appeared on it in real time.
When she heard that Lovesick Heartbreak Red had slipped away and exposed Xiao Wu's identity,
a mocking smile slowly curved the lips of her beautiful, dignified face.
Her long, crossed legs showed faintly beneath her skirt. The perfect curves wrapped in purple stockings radiated lethal allure and the authority of one who controlled everything.
"So that's how it was..."
A look of dawning realization flashed through Bibi Dong's phoenix eyes.
"No wonder I always thought things had been a little too convenient back then. So this was the root of it."
Before she knew Tang San was a transmigrator, she'd assumed it was all an accident.
But now, with the information about the Buddha Wrath Tang Lotus and Tang San stealing the Tang Sect Secret Arts before reincarnating, everything made sense.
This hadn't been an accident at all. It had been a scheme from beginning to end!
A despicable scheme that used love as its excuse, pushed his beloved into a desperate plight, and wrung the greatest possible value from her!
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