Xiao Wu: Tang San, How Could You Be So Heartless! Tang San Was Dumbfounded!

The system notifications echoed continuously in Chen Feng's mind.

"Ding, congratulations, Host, you have obtained three thousand years of Soul Ring duration."

"Ding, congratulations, Host, you have obtained one Martial Soul enhancement. All abilities have increased by one-tenth."

"Ding, congratulations, Host, you have obtained a second evolution of your Martial Soul and comprehended the special ability—Sword Manipulation by Qi."

Chen Feng sat cross-legged beneath a tree, feeling an exceptionally pure surge of energy emerge from every part of his body.

The soul power within him was like a surging river.

It crashed wildly against his meridians.

His soul power, which had already reached level forty-seven, became even more condensed at this moment.

The one-tenth increase to all abilities made Chen Feng's five senses incomparably sharp. He could even clearly hear fallen leaves rustling a hundred meters away.

A fourth black Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring quietly emerged.

Within its originally profound blackness, there was now a faint streak of red light.

The added three thousand years of duration made the pressure of this Soul Ring even more terrifying.

Chen Feng extended his right hand, and the Azure Lotus Sword appeared out of thin air.

The sword's appearance had not changed much, but the lotus patterns on its blade seemed alive now, slowly flowing with a cyan radiance.

An indescribable sharpness.

Spilled forth from the sword tip.

The surrounding air was invisibly torn apart at that instant, producing faint hissing sounds.

Chen Feng's thoughts stirred.

He raised two fingers like a blade and pointed forward.

The Azure Lotus Sword instantly left his hand, transforming into a cyan streak of light that darted swiftly through the forest.

Wherever the sword passed, fallen leaves turned to dust, while the great trees remained completely unharmed.

Such ultimate control over sword qi was the power of Sword Manipulation by Qi.

Chen Feng recalled the sword, his face filled with satisfaction.

These rewards.

Had raised Chen Feng's combat strength to another level.

Meanwhile, messages in the chat group continued flashing wildly.

Xiao Wu was completely panicked by now.

Loves Carrots: [Group Leader, I'm Xiao Wu. What am I supposed to do?]

Loves Carrots: [I don't want to die, and I don't want Da Ming and Er Ming to sacrifice themselves for me.]

Loves Carrots: [Is there really no way to change the future?]

Chen Feng looked at the messages Xiao Wu had sent and lightly tapped the air with his fingertip.

Group Leader: [The course of the future is not unchangeable.]

Group Leader: [If you want to know Tang San's true feelings, why not test him?]

Loves Carrots: [Test him?]

Loves Carrots: [How am I supposed to test Third Brother?]

Group Leader: [Go find Tang San and tell him you don't want to participate in this Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament.]

Group Leader: [Then see how Tang San reacts.]

Little Witch: [That's a great idea!]

Little Witch: [If Tang San truly cares about your safety, then knowing Spirit Hall has Titled Douluo stationed there, he'll definitely agree to let you withdraw.]

My Cat Is White and Big: [That's right. The risk of exposing your identity during the tournament is far too great. Someone who truly loves you would never let you take that risk.]

Poison Fairy: [I'm afraid someone only cares about that championship and doesn't care whether you live or die.]

Ice Snow Princess: [Try it, and you'll see who he really is.]

Loves Carrots: [Alright, I'll listen to you, Group Leader. I'm going now.]

At this moment, Xiao Wu walked out of the wooden cabin.

Her face was somewhat pale, and her eyes were full of conflict.

The moment he saw Xiao Wu emerge, Tang San stopped talking with Dai Mubai and greeted her with a smile.

"Xiao Wu, are you feeling better?"

Tang San wore a gentle smile, his eyes filled with concern.

Yet as Xiao Wu looked at the face she had seen day and night, her heart twisted painfully.

"Third Brother, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Xiao Wu forced a smile, but it looked terribly strained.

Tang San said gently:

"Silly girl, why be so polite with me? Just tell me whatever it is."

Xiao Wu took a step back.

"Third Brother, I don't want to participate in this Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament."

Xiao Wu lowered her head, not daring to look into Tang San's eyes.

Tang San's smile instantly froze on his face.

"Not participate in the tournament?"

"Why?"

"Xiao Wu, this tournament is of utmost importance to us Shrek Seven Monsters. It is also our chance to prove ourselves to the entire continent."

"Besides, Teacher has put so much effort into this tournament. How can we give up at a time like this?"

Tang San's brows knitted tightly, his tone carrying a trace of confusion and urgency.

"Xiao Wu, what exactly is wrong?"

Tang San stepped forward, attempting to reach out and grab Xiao Wu's sleeve.

Xiao Wu shifted slightly, nimbly avoiding Tang San's hand.

The Tang San before her.

Made Xiao Wu feel an unprecedented sense of unfamiliarity.

"Third Brother, Spirit Hall has so many Titled Douluo..."

Xiao Wu stared into Tang San's eyes, trying to find even the slightest hesitation.

Tang San froze for a moment, then patted his chest, making the fabric over it tremble.

"Silly girl, as long as I'm here, I'll never let you suffer even the slightest harm."

"Besides, Teacher has already mapped out our path. As long as we win the championship, Shrek's name will resound across the continent."

"This is Teacher's lifelong dream. We cannot let Teacher down."

Tang San spoke passionately, his eyes shining with anticipation for the future.

Hearing these words, Xiao Wu felt waves of chill rise within her heart.

Sure enough.

In Tang San's heart, Yu Xiaogang's dream and Shrek's reputation mattered far more than Xiao Wu's safety.

Or rather.

Tang San had long been prepared to use Xiao Wu's identity at the most critical moment to achieve certain goals.

Those future scenes played in the chat group flashed through Xiao Wu's mind again and again.

To give Tang San a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring, Da Ming and Er Ming sacrificed themselves, and so did she.

And Tang San had even stripped away her Soul Bone in the end.

"I understand."

Xiao Wu closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened them again, there was no longer any of her former gentleness in her gaze, only endless coldness.

"I'll participate in the tournament, Third Brother."

Xiao Wu's voice did not carry the slightest fluctuation.

After saying that, she turned around and walked straight toward the wooden cabin, her steps never pausing.

Tang San stood where he was, looking at Xiao Wu's lonely yet resolute back. An indescribable irritation suddenly rose in his heart.

That feeling.

Was like the most important thing in his life was silently slipping away.

Tang San raised his hand, wanting to call out to Xiao Wu, but realized he had no idea what to say.

"Why is this happening?"

Tang San asked himself inwardly, his brows furrowing even deeper.

Clearly, everything had been moving in a good direction, yet Xiao Wu's attitude had suddenly changed completely.

This feeling of being unable to control things made Tang San deeply uncomfortable.

Within Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Inside a luxuriously furnished bedroom.

Dugu Yan was curled up on a spacious bed, her face deathly pale.

Jade-green poisonous qi flickered faintly over her fair skin, like tiny green snakes slithering beneath it.

Every movement of the poisonous qi brought a piercing, bone-deep agony.