Little Bastard, If You Want to Make It Out There, You Need Power and Connections

"Hold on."

"I have a different opinion regarding ownership of this Soul Beast."

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice at once.

Two figures slowly emerged from the forest path.

On the left was a young man clad in a Black Mysterious Robe.

The robe was loose and fully concealed his body, revealing no trace of his physique. His hood hung low, hiding most of his face, leaving only a sharply defined chin and slightly upturned lips visible.

His steps were slow and casual, as though he were taking a leisurely stroll through a courtyard, or measuring the earth beneath his feet.

Beneath the oversized black robe, his hands could vaguely be seen hanging at his sides, his long fingers slightly curled as though ready to grasp something at any moment.

His entire body was shrouded in a mysterious, dangerous aura that made people instinctively want to stay away, yet unable to resist taking another look.

On the right was a woman wearing a moon-white palace gown.

Her golden hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, flowing with a splendid sheen beneath the sunlight.

Her features were so exquisite that she scarcely seemed human. Her brows resembled distant mountains, her eyes shone like stars, her nose was elegant and straight, and her lips were full. Her skin was fairer than snow, with a faint glow seemingly circulating beneath it.

She was tall and graceful, and the tailoring of her palace gown perfectly outlined her figure. It was not ostentatious, yet no one could look away.

She walked beside the black-clad youth, half a step behind him. Her posture was like that of a lofty queen accompanying her king, yet also like a brilliant star guarding her moon.

Tang San's face instantly turned pale. His lips trembled slightly as he forced out a name.

"Long Yuan..."

His voice carried a trace of mockery.

"It's you... You're not dead?"

Gu Linyuan stopped walking. The corner of his lips beneath the hood lifted into a meaningful curve.

"Dead?"

His voice was soft, carrying a faint smile.

"That little poison wasn't enough to kill me."

He raised his right hand and turned it palm-up.

The wound where the silver needle had once pierced through had vanished without a trace. Not even a scar remained; it was completely restored.

Tang San's gaze fell on that palm, and his expression worsened.

No one knew better than he did what poison had been applied to his hidden weapon.

It killed at the sight of blood, and there was no cure.

Even if there were an antidote, it had to be taken within fifteen minutes of poisoning. Otherwise, death was certain.

Yet Long Yuan had not died.

"Did you come here deliberately to make trouble?"

Tang San's face was incomparably ugly. He had not expected to meet Long Yuan again here.

"Tang San, you think too highly of yourself, don't you? I wouldn't make a special trip just to cause you trouble. You don't hold that kind of place in my heart."

Tang San's expression became even uglier upon hearing that.

He regarded Gu Linyuan as a mortal enemy, but was he truly so insignificant in the other party's eyes?

"I merely came to obtain my third Soul Ring and happened to run into you."

Gu Linyuan said with a smile.

But as soon as those words fell, every Shrek member's pupils contracted.

Everyone at Shrek Academy knew that Long Yuan had only been level twenty-seven a few days ago. Yet in the span of a single month, he had actually broken through to level thirty.

"This rate of advancement is terrifying."

Zhao Wuji looked at Gu Linyuan with shock in his eyes.

Breaking through realms as easily as eating and drinking probably described someone like Long Yuan.

"Long Yuan cultivates so quickly. He's already level thirty?"

Ning Rongrong's mouth fell open.

She had seen many geniuses, but never had anyone stunned her as much as Long Yuan did.

For ordinary people, advancing from level twenty-seven to level thirty would take at least a year. Yet Long Yuan had needed only one month!

What kind of terrifying talent was that?

"This guy is becoming harder and harder to see through."

"I have to hurry too."

Ning Rongrong clenched her delicate fist.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect absolutely could not miss such a monstrous genius.

"Long Yuan? Where did another freak like him come from?"

Meng Yiran muttered.

The Girl wore a green fitted outfit that accentuated her slender figure. Her dark hair was tied into a high ponytail, making her look exceptionally valiant.

The granddaughter of Dragon Duke Meng Shu and Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang, the sole descendant of the Peerless Dragon and Snake.

Behind her stood two elders.

One was a white-haired old man with a tall build and a dignified face. He leaned on a Dragon Head Cane, and a sharp gleam flashed in his cloudy old eyes. The other was an elderly woman with silver hair and a hunched back, but her eyes were as keen as a hawk's as they swept back and forth between Tang San and Long Yuan.

They all knew of Tang San's talent.

Yet now, there was actually someone who could make Tang San wary.

And he was also a young Soul Elder genius.

"Interesting. Truly interesting."

"This Long Yuan seems to have an old grudge against Tang San."

Dragon Duke and Snake Granny exchanged a glance. The displeasure they had felt over Tang San taking the Man Faced Demon Spider had long since faded.

Being able to witness the conflict between the continent's most exceptional younger generation was itself an immense privilege.

In the future, whether it was Tang San, Long Yuan, or the others, they would certainly reach the level of Title Douluo. So what if they yielded a thousand-year Soul Beast?

"Long Yuan, I already won this Soul Beast through a contest. What objections do you have?"

Tang San said in a deep voice.

He did not attack directly.

He knew it.

Since Long Yuan dared to appear here, he must have something to rely on.

"Tang San."

"And since when were you such a stickler for rules? Back at the Great Soul Arena, you were the one who cared the least about rules."

Gu Linyuan sneered.

Everyone from Shrek Academy was left speechless.

Tang San's face alternated between green and white.

He had believed Long Yuan would certainly die beneath his poisoned needles, so he had acted somewhat decisively.

The Tang Sect was a sect that specialized in hidden weapons and excelled at wounding people with concealed arrows.

He had understood a truth in his previous life: history was written by the victors. As long as Long Yuan died, it would have no impact on Tang San whatsoever.

But unfortunately, Long Yuan was still alive.

Therefore, he could only endure Long Yuan's mockery.

Tang San said nothing. He merely stepped forward and stood before the Man Faced Demon Spider. This Soul Beast was his, and no one could take it from him.

"Tang San, you should understand the principle that the strong prey upon the weak, right? I'll be blunt. I've taken a liking to your Soul Beast. Give it to me." Gu Linyuan crossed his arms and spoke in an unquestionable tone.

"Young Master Long Yuan, aren't you being too arrogant? Do you know who they are?"

Zhao Wuji stepped forward.

"This young lady beside me, Ning Rongrong, is the direct descendant of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Mubai is a prince of the Star Luo Empire..." Zhao Wuji listed their identities one by one.

Zhao Wuji had used similar words to hint at their status to Dragon Duke and Snake Granny.

After learning Ning Rongrong and the others' identities, Dragon Duke Meng Shu had abandoned the thought of seeking revenge.

Dai Mubai and the others all lifted their heads proudly, their expressions arrogant.

Even though Dai Mubai was a defeated dog, he was still proud of his noble imperial bloodline.

"Oh?"

"Then do you know my identity?"

Long Yuan asked coldly.

These people from Shrek Academy were truly something. When they could win, they claimed that those who dared not cause trouble were mediocre. When they could not win, they began talking about seniority and connections.

So no matter what situation they encountered, they always had an answer, huh?

But Gu Linyuan did not buy that.

The Ning Clan, Dai Family, Zhu Family, and Tang Family were all great clans that ruled their respective regions, second only to Spirit Hall in status. Zhao Wuji indeed had grounds for pride when he shouted that those who dared not cause trouble were mediocre.

But unfortunately, Gu Linyuan was not someone they could afford to provoke.

"Hey, don't go telling the truth."

Qian Renxue reached out and poked Gu Linyuan in the waist.

If everyone learned Gu Linyuan's true identity, this guy would become irresistible prey in the future.

Any girl on this continent with even a little competitiveness would probably swarm around him.

Gu Linyuan turned his head toward Qian Renxue, a wicked smile appearing on his face.

Then he reached out and directly draped his arm over Qian Renxue's shoulder.

"None of you amount to much. The lady beside me is the Young Mistress of Spirit Hall, the granddaughter of Grand Worshipper Qian Daoliu—Miss Qian Renxue."