Four Choices, Pick Two!

Tang Chen was caught between the two women.

Zhu Zhuqing stood to his left.

Meng Yiran stood to his right.

Two different auras closed in on him at once, leaving him speechless for a moment.

Tang Yuan stood nearby and raised a hand to stroke his beard.

The old man turned around, his shoulders trembling slightly. Clearly, he could no longer hold back his laughter.

Tang Chen stood between the two women.

Zhu Zhuqing held his arm on the left.

Meng Yiran likewise refused to let go on the right.

Each woman occupied one side, neither willing to yield.

Tang Yuan stood nearby, stroking his beard as the smile on his face grew wider.

"Grandfather."

Tang Chen looked over.

"Please stop laughing."

"Fine, Grandfather won't laugh."

Tang Yuan immediately put on a stern face.

But the delight in his eyes could not be hidden at all.

Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang exchanged a glance.

Both were experienced, so they naturally saw through Meng Yiran's feelings.

Chao Tianxiang gently patted her granddaughter's hand.

"Yiran, since young friend Tang still has matters to attend to, we should head back first."

Meng Yiran did not release Tang Chen's arm.

"Grandmother, I want to search for Soul Beasts with Tang Chen."

Zhu Zhuqing turned her gaze toward her.

Meng Yiran raised her chin and met her eyes.

"What? You don't want that?"

"Is that Tang Chen's decision?"

Rather than argue with her, Zhu Zhuqing simply looked at Tang Chen beside her.

Tang Chen fell silent for a moment.

"The Star Dou Great Forest is full of dangers. If you travel with us, you must follow the arrangements."

"I'll listen to you."

Meng Yiran immediately nodded.

Zhu Zhuqing softly voiced her agreement as well.

"Fine."

Meng Shu looked at his granddaughter, his eyes carrying a trace of helplessness.

He had originally wanted to persuade Meng Yiran to leave.

But the strength Tang Chen had displayed was already enough to make the Unrivaled Dragon Snake take him seriously.

Besides, Tang Yuan was a Soul Douluo.

As long as they did not venture deep into the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, following this grandfather and grandson would indeed be safer than traveling alone.

"Then Yiran will be in young friend Tang's care."

Meng Shu said with cupped hands.

Tang Chen nodded.

"Dragon Lord, rest assured."

"As long as she follows us, I won't let anything happen to her."

A hint of a smile appeared in Meng Yiran's eyes at those words.

Chao Tianxiang looked at Zhu Zhuqing, then at her own granddaughter.

She took Meng Shu by the arm and stepped back.

"Let the young people handle their own affairs."

"If we stay here, Yiran will only feel uncomfortable."

Meng Yiran's cheeks grew slightly warm.

"Grandmother."

Chao Tianxiang ignored her and directly walked away with Meng Shu.

Before leaving, Meng Shu turned back and said, "Yiran, release the signal immediately if you encounter danger."

"Don't worry, Grandfather."

Meng Yiran waved her hand.

The two elders quickly vanished into the depths of the forest.

Tang Chen withdrew his gaze.

"We should leave as well."

Zhu Zhuqing released his arm.

Meng Yiran, however, did not let go immediately.

She lowered her head to glance at where they were linked before slowly withdrawing her slender hand.

"Tang Chen, where are you going?"

"We'll leave the Star Dou Great Forest first."

"Then we'll find a suitable place to cultivate."

Meng Yiran nodded.

"Then I'll go with you."

Zhu Zhuqing stood on Tang Chen's other side and did not object.

The three of them headed outward along a path through the woods.

Tang Yuan walked at the front.

Tang Chen walked side by side with the two women.

Meng Yiran occasionally asked Tang Chen questions about cultivation.

Zhu Zhuqing listened quietly, occasionally adding a few thoughts of her own.

The somewhat tense atmosphere gradually returned to calm.

Several days later.

Meng Yiran parted ways with her grandparents.

She did not continue following Tang Chen to Heaven Dou City.

The Unrivaled Dragon Snake planned to take her to another secret realm for training.

Before departing, Meng Yiran stood before Tang Chen.

She had changed into a fitted purple outfit, her long hair tied behind her head, with the Serpent Cane in hand.

"Tang Chen."

"Hmm?"

"When I cultivate to Soul Ancestor, I'll come find you in Heaven Dou City."

"Alright."

Tang Chen agreed.

Meng Yiran looked at him, seeming as though she wanted to say something else.

In the end, she merely raised her hand and lightly tapped his chest.

"You can't forget about me."

"I won't."

"Remember what you said."

Meng Yiran turned and walked several steps before looking back once more.

Zhu Zhuqing stood beside Tang Chen, her expression calm.

Meng Yiran pressed her lips together and left with Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang.

Tang Yuan watched their receding figures.

"Chen, why didn't you try to keep her?"

"Miss Meng is only leaving temporarily."

"You really are taking it well."

Tang Yuan shook his head and sighed.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyes without saying anything.

Tang Chen noticed her expression and turned to look at her.

"Zhu Qing."

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong?"

Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes.

"Nothing."

"Meng Yiran likes you very much."

Tang Chen nodded.

"I know."

Zhu Zhuqing stopped walking.

"And you?"

Tang Chen looked at her without answering immediately.

The forest breeze swept past, and strands of black hair fell across Zhu Zhuqing's brow.

She raised a hand to tuck them behind her ear, a trace of anticipation appearing on her cool face.

Tang Chen said, "She's a companion."

Zhu Zhuqing's fingers curled slightly.

"Only a companion?"

"At least for now."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, then shifted her gaze away after a moment.

"I understand."

Tang Chen did not explain further.

Some things only became more complicated the more they were explained.

Tang Yuan stood in the distance, looking up at the sky.

"It's getting late."

"Let's head to Heaven Dou City first."

The three of them left the Star Dou Great Forest.

From then on, Tang Chen began cultivating in the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.

More than a year passed in the blink of an eye.

On the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.

Within a secluded courtyard.

The door to the cultivation room was tightly shut.

Tang Chen sat cross-legged in the center of the room.

The Life Ancient Tree and the Destruction Scepter floated behind him at the same time.

Emerald light intertwined with purple-black lightning.

The two forces continuously circulated through his meridians.

Life Force nourished his body.

Destruction Force tempered his Soul Power.

Tang Chen's aura continued to rise.

When the final wisp of Soul Power returned to his dantian, the entire cultivation room suddenly shook.

Boom!

Terrifying Soul Power burst from his body.

Fine cracks appeared across the walls.

The teacups on the table were jolted into the air before crashing down heavily.

Tang Chen opened his eyes.

A purple-black divine gleam flashed through their depths.

He slowly rose to his feet.

"Level thirty-nine."

Tang Chen raised his palm, Soul Power flowing between his fingers.

He was only one final step away from level forty.

He did not leave in a hurry, instead continuing to adjust his condition.

Only after a full half hour did the surging Soul Power within him gradually settle.

Tang Chen summoned his Martial Soul.

The Life Ancient Tree emerged behind him.

The Destruction Scepter floated at his right.

Three Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.

The first was deep purple.

The second was pure black.

The third was black as well.

He had obtained this Soul Ring after parting ways with Meng Yiran, by slaying a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.

The three Soul Rings slowly revolved around his body.

The power contained within them caused the space inside the cultivation chamber to tremble continuously.

Just then, a system notification appeared in Tang Chen's mind.