Return to the Battle Through the Heavens World

"Dai Mubai!!"

Tang San whipped his head around and fixed a dark glare on Dai Mubai, who lay sprawled on the ground. His right hand shot up.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three tiny glints tore through the air. The three Sleeve Arrows targeted Dai Mubai's throat, eyes, and forehead, each aimed at a vital spot.

Clang!

A fierce gust swept in. A Wind Blade burst through the air and shattered all three Sleeve Arrows.

Flender spread his wings and descended slowly between them, his face frighteningly grim.

"You dare attack one of my Shrek people, boy?!"

Soul Power surged around him. Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—seven Spirit Rings floated around him, their immense pressure leaving Tang San struggling to breathe.

A Soul Sage?! Shrek Academy? Could this be Flender?

Tang San's expression cleared at once, and he hurriedly bowed.

"You must be Dean Flender. My teacher is Grandmaster."

Flender froze, his gaze drifting to the Soul Tool belt at Tang San's waist.

So he's Xiao Gang's disciple. Whew... Good thing he spoke up quickly. If I'd killed him, Xiao Gang would never have forgiven me.

"So you're the precious disciple Xiao Gang keeps talking about. But what happened between you and Mu Bai?"

The fury Tang San had just suppressed surged back. His face twisted, his fists creaked as he clenched them, and he spoke through gritted teeth.

"If Dai Mubai hadn't harassed another man's girlfriend, how would my Xiao Wu have..."

Flender adjusted his glasses and glanced at the disheveled Xiao Wu nearby. He understood at once.

His brow furrowed. This grudge would not be easy to put to rest. What a mess.

"Tang San, why don't you take revenge on that man instead?"

Tang San's face darkened. "His background is mysterious and powerful. I can't afford to provoke him at my current strength. I'll remember this debt, and when I'm strong enough, I'll settle it with him myself."

He then recounted everything he had seen.

When he described how Lu Chuan had endured several of Dai Mubai's Second Soul Skills with his body alone, and spoke of Lu Chuan's strange, intimidating Martial Soul, wariness still colored his voice.

Regret flashed through Flender's eyes. It seemed they had picked a fight with someone far beyond them.

Even if Lu Chuan had only been bluffing about his backing, his terrifying talent would draw the attention of major sects. Flender's shabby little academy was no match for them.

"Sigh... Tang San, I'm sorry for what happened. Once you're stronger, you'll have your chance at revenge. Come on, return to Shrek Academy with me."

Flender picked up the unconscious Dai Mubai and headed down the path.

Tang San forced down his simmering anger and reached for Xiao Wu, but she shifted aside, avoiding his hand.

"Don't touch me!"

Xiao Wu shouted, then ran after Flender without looking back.

She wanted to leave right then, hide in the forest, and never come out. But with a Titled Douluo watching her, the faster she ran, the sooner she would die.

Tang San's hand froze in midair. Unable to reach out or pull back, he followed Xiao Wu in silence.

Elsewhere.

After two days of travel by carriage, Lu Chuan and Zhu Zhuqing reached Heaven Dou City, the closest city to Sunset Forest, and booked a hotel room.

Lu Chuan asked the system once more to check whether anyone named Flender or Tang Hao was nearby.

Only after receiving a negative answer did he relax. It seemed his earlier show had intimidated them.

Lu Chuan spoke to Zhu Zhuqing, who was sitting cross-legged in cultivation.

"Zhu Qing, I'm going to the Battle Through the Heavens World now. Wait here for me, and don't worry."

"Mm. I'll wait for you. Be careful."

Zhu Zhuqing rose, gave Lu Chuan a light kiss at the corner of his mouth, and gently straightened his clothes.

Lu Chuan smiled and activated the teleportation.

The Battle Through the Heavens World, Wutan City, the Back Mountain of the Xiao Family.

Yao Lao floated in midair, controlling a long whip that struck Xiao Yan again and again to forcibly put him through Body Tempering and Tendon Refinement.

Suddenly, his brow lifted slightly, and the whip stopped mid-swing.

Xiao Yan, stinging all over from the blows and grimacing in pain, noticed the pause. He quickly turned around and asked in confusion:

"Teacher, why did you stop all of a sudden?"

Yao Lao stroked his beard, smiling.

"That big brother you've been missing is back. Happy?"

"Really?! My big brother's back! I can awaken my Martial Soul!"

Xiao Yan's excitement surged. He grabbed the outer robe beside him and rushed down the mountain, ignoring the pain from the whip marks as he fumbled to put it on while running.

But Ling Ying, who had been watching the Guest Room all along, acted even faster than the hurrying Xiao Yan.

The instant he sensed Lu Chuan's arrival, Ling Ying wasted no time. His figure flashed, and he appeared outside Xun'er's door.

"Miss, Young Master Lu Chuan has returned."

Inside, Xun'er sat cross-legged on the bed, quietly cultivating. At his words, she slowly opened her clear eyes.

You're finally back. I thought you'd run off with the Cultivation Method.

She rose, opened the door, and walked lightly toward the Guest Room in the courtyard.

Knock, knock, knock—

A crisp knock suddenly sounded from outside the courtyard.

Lu Chuan raised an eyebrow, finding it a little strange.

He had only just returned across worlds. Barely a few minutes had passed since he arrived, yet someone was already at his door.

He hardly needed to guess. From the moment he left, Xun'er and Xiao Yan's sides had both been keeping a constant watch on this place.

Lu Chuan stood, opened the courtyard gate, and looked up to see a graceful figure.

The girl wore a simple pale-green dress. Her figure was slender, her features gentle and clear. It was Xun'er.

"Senior Lu Chuan."

The girl greeted him.

Lu Chuan looked at Xun'er and nodded slightly. "I only just got back. You're quick. Come in."

He stepped aside, and Xun'er entered the courtyard with light steps, her hands resting before her as her clear eyes swept over their surroundings.

After a moment, she asked softly, a little puzzled:

"Hm? Zhu Qing didn't come? I was hoping I could have a proper talk with her this time."

Lu Chuan smiled faintly and explained:

"She stayed in the Douluo World to cultivate. There are still some things to take care of there, so she won't be coming over for now.

"Besides, Zhu Qing is only twelve. She's younger than you, so you don't need to call her 'big sister.'"

Xun'er covered her mouth in surprise, remembering Zhu Qing's tall figure and her full chest, which had seemed ready to burst from her clothes.

She wondered how Zhu Qing could possibly be only twelve. She looked more mature than an adult. Could cultivating a Martial Soul accelerate physical development?

"Zhu Qing really works hard at cultivating," she said softly. "If I went to another world, I'm afraid I'd only want to explore, not cultivate."

Lu Chuan said nothing. Ha. She wants to go to the Douluo World now? Not a chance.

Just then, a flurry of hurried, uneven footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Xiao Yan charged up to the gate, his clothes still untidy and his face alight with excitement. He called out before he even reached it:

"Big Brother Lu Chuan! You're finally back!"