Meng Shu's Realization, Warning Meng Shu!

At this very moment.

Meng Shu stared fixedly at Xiao Wu, his eyes shifting constantly as his breathing grew increasingly ragged.

"Old man, what is wrong with you?" Chao Tianxiang asked, seeing his state and failing to understand.

Mu Chen noticed Meng Shu's anomaly, followed his gaze to glance at Xiao Wu, and understood everything in his heart.

Xiao Wu also felt a chill run down her spine under Meng Shu's gaze; she swallowed instinctively and immediately hid behind Mu Chen.

"Meng Shu!"

Mu Chen let out a low, indifferent shout.

This voice contained supreme dragon might, instantly pulling Meng Shu's thoughts back to reality.

Meng Shu raised his eyes to stare at Mu Chen.

The only response he received was Mu Chen's cold, killing-intent-filled gaze.

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly froze.

The harmonious vibe previously established by Mu Chen taking Meng Yiran as a disciple was shattered in an instant.

The confused crowd looked between Meng Shu and Mu Chen, completely bewildered. Only Xiao Wu felt her heart tremble, looking up blankly at Mu Chen's back.

"Put away your thoughts!"

"Forget everything you have seen!"

"Otherwise, there will be no need for you or your family to continue existing!"

This time, Mu Chen used soul power transmission; aside from Meng Shu, no one else could hear him.

Meng Shu's pupils contracted slightly.

His eyes were instantly filled with deep apprehension, and his hand gripping the Dragon Head Staff tightened involuntarily.

A transformed spirit beast!

He never imagined he would encounter a transformed spirit beast today!

It was just a pity...

Meng Shu stared hard at Mu Chen, itching to act.

Should he take the gamble?

"Old man!"

Chao Tianxiang let out a low cry.

She did not understand what had happened, but seeing the tension reach such a point, with Mu Chen and Meng Shu at loggerheads, if a fight truly broke out...

Meng Shu's hand, which had been gripping the staff tightly, loosened.

Mu Chen's gaze was too firm; that trace of killing intent had never wavered.

To be this confident despite knowing his and Chao Tianxiang's reputations could only mean one thing: Mu Chen was confident he could kill them both right here.

To gamble, or not to gamble?

"Grandfather?"

Meng Yiran hurried to Meng Shu's side, her willow brows furrowed in worry.

What was going on?

"Young friend Mu is young and promising; this old man is impressed."

Meng Shu suddenly cupped his hands and laughed.

This sudden change of face left everyone present, save for Mu Chen, stunned.

Chao Tianxiang breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Mu Chen heard this and gave a wicked smile: "If I didn't have some real ability, how would I dare to be so confident bringing so many little geniuses into the Star Dou Forest?"

Meng Shu nodded repeatedly, then laughed: "It is getting late; why don't we get moving? We should try to find another suitable spirit beast before dark, or at the very least, find a place to rest."

Mu Chen said with a calm expression: "Very well. Senior Meng, please lead the way. With a Spirit Douluo clearing the path, we juniors will feel much safer."

"Good."

Meng Shu agreed with a beaming smile, then he and Chao Tianxiang began clearing the path ahead, moving at a leisurely pace.

Mu Chen led the others to follow.

Xiao Wu stayed close by his side.

"It's fine, don't worry, nothing will happen."

Mu Chen patted Xiao Wu's shoulder gently, using soul power transmission so that only she could hear.

Xiao Wu's delicate body trembled.

To others, these words were merely normal concern, but to her, they held an extraordinary significance.

"Old man, what was that about just now?" Chao Tianxiang communicated with Meng Shu using soul power transmission.

"Nothing of importance." Meng Shu did not want to elaborate, fearing any unexpected complications or inviting unnecessary trouble.

However.

Chao Tianxiang noticed Meng Shu's grave expression and knew something must be amiss. Since he refused to tell her and looked so solemn, it was clearly a matter of great significance—so great that even she could not be told.

Subconsciously, she glanced back at Mu Chen.

Little did she know.

Mu Chen had been staring at her and Meng Shu the entire time.

The moment her eyes met Mu Chen's, Chao Tianxiang felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet.

Without lingering, she quickly withdrew her gaze, yet she still felt as if needles were pricking her back.

After searching the forest for a while longer with no success, the group finally set up tents in a clearing, preparing to rest for the night and continue their search the next day.

Xiao Wu quietly slipped into Mu Chen's tent and collided head-on with him.

"Teacher, you haven't rested yet!"

Xiao Wu offered an awkward smile.

"I was preparing to go out and keep watch to prevent any sudden attacks from soul beasts."

"What did you come to find me for at this hour?"

Mu Chen knew clearly that Xiao Wu must have come to see him regarding the earlier events.

Xiao Wu gripped the hem of her skirt, head bowed, not knowing where to begin.

"Come, sit down and tell me slowly." Mu Chen pulled Xiao Wu into the tent.

Xiao Wu knelt before Mu Chen, head bowed in deep thought for a long while, before slowly saying under his gaze, "Teacher, have you known about my situation for a long time?"

Mu Chen released his soul power to isolate the sound before speaking: "If you are referring to your identity, I have indeed known for a long time. If I didn't have some ability, how could I be your teacher?"

He smiled slightly and lifted Xiao Wu's chin.

Xiao Wu's pupils trembled slightly.

She did not know whether to feel afraid or fortunate at this moment.

"Rest assured, I will not do anything to harm you."

"You are my disciple."

"If you are uneasy... your home should be right here in the Star Dou Forest, shouldn't it?"

"I will escort you out of here; go home."

Mu Chen gently stroked Xiao Wu's face, his tone soft, a spring-breeze smile gracing his features.

Even if Xiao Wu returned to the Star Dou Forest now, it would not affect him; the master-disciple bond would remain. As long as Xiao Wu lived, she would still be of benefit to him.

"I... I'm not leaving!" Xiao Wu's eyes reddened as she threw herself into Mu Chen's arms, hugging him tightly, her tears gradually soaking his collar.

"Don't cry, don't cry... it's alright... it's alright. As long as I am here, no one can hurt you." Mu Chen gently patted Xiao Wu's back, soothing her with a soft voice.

Xiao Wu whispered, "Teacher, I'm scared... can I sleep here with you tonight?"

With a Soul Douluo outside, she felt much safer staying with Mu Chen.

Mu Chen smiled faintly: "Of course you can. Haven't you always slept here with me before?"

Xiao Wu broke into a tearful smile, looked up at Mu Chen, and suddenly kissed his cheek before wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

"Naughty! Lie down, and your teacher will guide you in cultivation, passing on the Yin-Yang Heart-Linked Technique to you!" Mu Chen patted Xiao Wu's backside and laid her down.

"Eeya--"

A moment later, Xiao Wu let out a sharp, delicate moan.

Of course.

Not a sound escaped the tent, nor could any third party hear it.

By the next morning, the group emerged from their tents one by one.

Xiao Wu was among them.

Her cheeks were flushed, and as she walked, she began to coil up her long scorpion braid.

"Xiao Wu, I was wondering where you'd gone; so you ran off to Teacher's place."

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing walked over, both of them glancing toward the tent behind Xiao Wu.