"God-Slaying Sword?" Flender recorded it while searching his mind for information about this Martial Soul, but to his disappointment, he had no record of it in his memory.
Still, just hearing its name told him how extraordinary this Martial Soul was. Xu Ran's God-Slaying Sword was at least a Martial Soul of the same quality as the Seven Kill Sword, perhaps even higher.
"Xu Ran, there doesn't seem to be a powerful family surnamed Xu on the Douluo Continent," Flender said in puzzlement.
"There are far too many inconceivable things in this world. My Martial Soul hardly amounts to anything. Besides, I'm a disciple of the Zhu Family. Although I've joined Shrek Academy, I still need to ask you for two months' leave, Dean Flender," Xu Ran said, revealing his identity outright.
"The Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire?" Flender froze for a moment. The Zhu Family was indeed a powerful family, enjoying enormous prestige in both the military and political circles of the Star Luo Empire. With the troops under its command, its overall strength was no less than that of the Upper Three Sects.
But that was not what surprised him. Rather, Dai Mubai was a prince of the Star Luo Empire. With his White Tiger Martial Soul and the surname Dai, Flender had known his identity when he first came to Shrek Academy.
And since Xu Ran came from the Zhu Family, he could not possibly be unfamiliar with Dai Mubai. This meant there had already been a grudge between them. The terrible injuries Xu Ran had inflicted on Dai Mubai earlier, leaving his flesh a bloody mess, had been deliberate.
He had already begun weighing things in his mind. If there really was some enmity between Xu Ran and Dai Mubai, he would absolutely protect Xu Ran. There was no other reason: only Xu Ran could help Shrek Academy rise. Although Dai Mubai was talented, his character was far too poor, and he spent his days drinking and womanizing. In the past, Flender had refrained from deliberately saying anything because he wanted to win this genius over. But if Dai Mubai interfered with Xu Ran again, he would certainly not remain so merciful.
Xu Ran was a true monster. Beside him, the talents of Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai all seemed utterly ordinary.
"I can give you two months' leave. Come back to study once you've finished your business." Flender nodded. He knew that children of great families had plenty of miscellaneous affairs to deal with. A genius like Xu Ran, in particular, was probably treasured like a precious jewel by the Zhu Family.
Listening to their conversation nearby, Xiao Wu could not help feeling her heart tighten. Xu Ran now held a very important place in her heart. At the thought that he would leave so soon, and for so long, she felt reluctant to part with him.
"Do you have to be gone that long?" Xiao Wu pouted, hugging Xu Ran's arm to her chest as she spoke softly.
"I don't know how long I'll be gone either. Maybe I'll be back very soon. I just asked the dean for some extra time in case I need it, didn't I?" Xu Ran said with a smile, rubbing Xiao Wu's jet-black hair, which carried a delicate, lingering fragrance.
"Hmph. Then I'm only giving you one month." Xiao Wu wrinkled her dainty nose and pinched Xu Ran hard at the waist. Clearly, he had remembered Xu Ran's fiancée in the Star Luo Empire and become a little angry. She certainly would not give Xu Ran that much time to get intimate with his fiancée.
Two months, a man and a woman-what might happen? She dared not imagine it. By then, everything might already have happened.
"All right. I'll leave tomorrow. I want to spend today with you, so you won't miss me too much while I'm away," Xu Ran said.
"Who wants you to keep me company? And I won't miss you!" Xiao Wu was a little embarrassed, but she still clung to Xu Ran's arm.
"Brother Ran, go with peace of mind. I'll take good care of Sister-in-law," Ma Hongjun hurriedly said at the sight, trying to win Xu Ran's favor.
"Hm?" Xu Ran frowned. Those were the words people used, but why did he feel that Ma Hongjun's words sounded ambiguous?
At that moment, Ma Hongjun also realized he seemed to have said the wrong thing and hurried to remedy it. "Brother Ran, that's not what I meant. I mean, whatever Sister-in-law Xiao Wu needs, I'll satisfy her every need."
Hearing Ma Hongjun's words, Xu Ran's expression grew even uglier. Flender, meanwhile, stared speechlessly at Ma Hongjun. The boy was usually quite sharp, but he turned into an idiot at crucial moments.
"Brother Ran, what I mean is that I know Shrek Academy and Suotuo City very well. If Sister-in-law has any trouble, she can come to me. Whatever difficulties she encounters, I'll do everything I can to help," Ma Hongjun said solemnly, his little face somewhat apprehensive.
Hearing Ma Hongjun call her Sister-in-law over and over, Xiao Wu was so embarrassed she wished the ground would swallow her. Her pretty face burned and flushed red.
Xu Ran, meanwhile, looked utterly exasperated. Leave Xiao Wu in his care? Ma Hongjun was hardly a saint. Although his character was reasonably decent, even if he dared not harbor any designs on Xiao Wu, Xu Ran still would not entrust her to him.
Whenever this damned pervert had nothing to do, he went to brothels to listen to music. Wouldn't Xiao Wu pick up bad habits?
"No need. Xiao Wu can take care of herself," Xu Ran refused outright.
"Dean, I'll take Xiao Wu and leave first. We won't still have classes today, will we?" Xu Ran said, holding Xiao Wu's slender waist.
"Yes, there are no classes today. You young people go have fun. Remember to exercise moderation," Flender said with great seriousness. He knew that many geniuses on the continent had missed their best years for cultivation because they were obsessed with women, ultimately fading into the ordinary masses.
A tender embrace was a hero's grave. He hoped Xu Ran could understand that principle.
Of course, he did not know that not only would women not cause Xu Ran to neglect his cultivation, but building a harem could also earn him extremely generous Skill Points rewards. If he knew, Flender would immediately turn into a matchmaker and visit the major powers to "beg for alms." What alms? Beautiful women, of course.
But the system's existence was the very foundation of Xu Ran's foothold on the Douluo Continent, and he would never tell anyone about it. Flender and the others would never learn of it in their entire lives.
When they saw Xu Ran's Soul Rings turn from purple to black, then to red, and then to... they would only attribute it to his extraordinary talent.
All they could do was curse: Xu Ran really was a damned freak.
"Oh, sorry for the trouble, Dean." Xu Ran walked outside with Xiao Wu in his arms, nearly stumbling when he heard Flender's words. Xiao Wu, meanwhile, was so embarrassed she wished she could faint. Her relationship with Xu Ran was not that complicated yet. He and Xu Ran were only ordinary friends, or perhaps superior and subordinate. They had not reached the point of being a couple at all.
"That rotten dean. He's awful. There's clearly nothing between us," Xiao Wu said softly, her beautiful eyes looking at Xu Ran in a fluster as she patted her slightly heaving little chest.
"Who said there's nothing between us? Maybe there will be something someday." Xu Ran smiled, feeling the softness in his arms as he walked ahead.
Though Shrek Academy was remote, it gave people a profound sense of tranquility that could quiet their souls.
Xu Ran and Xiao Wu walked along the ridges between the fields, watching the farmers around them harvest their crops. Xu Ran also had a grand idea: once he had conquered the world and achieved success, he would retire into seclusion with his wives and live a simple life like this. Sometimes, tilling the soil was precisely the most wondrous and magnificent thing in the world. After working hard to sow the land, one would soon sense life being nurtured within it, just like this golden rice field.
And he also knew that as long as he worked hard at tilling the soil, he would surely reap a harvest.
To my surprise, we've reached thirtieth on the new book rankings.
Since I submitted to a new website, I only got a trial promotion yesterday. The ranking competition won't start until next Friday. I never expected to make it this far with no real promotion beyond a small recommendation. Feels great! Next goal: the top twenty-five! Take life and death lightly; if you won't yield, then fight! [Please don't drop. Falling in the rankings is embarrassing.]
Also, what kind of person do you all think Tang Hao is? Would it be okay if I made him look excessively bad? If you don't think that would work, remember to tell me in the comments. I'll change it.
There's one more update today.
Our goal: yank out the weeds in fury, pile on the fertilizer, and take down Tang Hao!
"Please vote. Please vote. Please vote."
Before you continue