"Grandpa, what is Shared-Life Symbiosis?"
Meng Yiran frowned, feeling very puzzled.
She had rarely seen Meng Shu so panicked in all her years growing up.
Chao Tianxiang spoke first. "Yiran, it's equivalent to a slave contract, though that description isn't quite accurate."
"Because Shared-Life Symbiosis, as its name suggests, binds the fate, life, and death of both parties together. One party's fortune, life, and death are shared completely with the other."
Meng Shu also spoke then. "And judging by this kid's condition, he knows nothing about it."
"But contracts like this are generally established by relatives or friends close to him, using blood as a medium to control him over a long period."
"Huh?" Meng Yiran seemed to understand a little, but she was still curious. "But Chen An isn't a genius. Who would be twisted enough to control him like that?"
"No, no, no! Yiran, you're completely wrong!" Meng Shu hurriedly corrected her. "This kid must have enormous potential. Whoever initiated this contract is definitely stronger than an ordinary Titled Douluo!"
Chao Tianxiang added, "I remember reading about it in some ancient book. This is an evil spell practically tailor-made for nobles, stealing other people's fortune while letting them torment and toy with them at will. Calling it a slave contract is no exaggeration!"
Their conversation reached Chen An's ears.
He was utterly dumbfounded.
Shared-Life Symbiosis?
Someone put me under a contract?
Does that mean what I'm doing now upset the other party?
Wait!
Aren't I a transmigrator? How can a transmigrator be restricted by someone else?
That's not right!
Chen An instantly calmed down.
His mind raced. The first thing he ruled out was stealing Tang San's opportunities. After all, he had already finished helping Meng Yiran absorb her Soul Ring.
And they said relatives or friends. Could it be Old Laike, the orphanage director?
Could he have stayed behind? Is he secretly watching me from the shadows?
The pain in his body gradually faded, and Chen An's nervousness slowly settled.
"Kid, are you all right now?!"
Since Chen An had saved Meng Yiran, Meng Shu's tone had softened.
Chen An shook his head. "That ancient book Senior Snake Granny mentioned just now..."
Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang waved her hand. "Ah, after all these years, I no longer remember where it was. Besides, what it described was only a legend. I've heard of it, but never actually witnessed it."
Heh, now you have, Chen An inwardly snarked.
Meng Shu thought for a moment and offered some sound advice. "Kid, go back and investigate carefully. Start with your relatives if possible. Remember, whatever you do, don't drink the other party's blood again!"
Chen An nodded.
With that clue, investigating would be much easier.
And there weren't many people he had prolonged contact with. Aside from Old Laike, there were only Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Yu Xiaogang counted too, but Chen An didn't think that useless Gangzi had the ability.
Otherwise, God King Tang would be in trouble. Gangzi would steal his fortune like mad and suck him into a dried corpse!
"Um... Chen An, thank you for saving me!"
Meng Yiran lowered her head, her voice very soft.
"Mm-hmm..." Chen An held out a hand. "Little Sister Yiran, aren't you going to show your appreciation?"
Meng Yiran asked in confusion, "What do you want? Should I dance for you again?"
"Ah, forget it, then." Chen An glanced at the Peerless Dragon Snake couple and deliberately raised his voice. "I'm a rather materialistic person..."
"All right, all right!"
"I've had about enough of your petty ways. Fifteen thousand Gold Soul Coins, as your reward!"
Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang tossed Chen An a money pouch that was a low-grade Storage Soul Tool.
Dragon Duke Meng Shu also promised, "Kid, if you ever run into trouble, you can come to us!"
"Hehe... Of course I will. You owe me a huge favor, after all!" Chen An said half-jokingly.
"Hmph, now you're getting all smug!" Meng Yiran was clearly very put off by Chen An's showy manner.
Yet the way she looked at Chen An was no longer as resentful as before. Instead, there was a little affection in her eyes.
Dragon Duke Meng Shu laughed heartily. He did not blame Chen An for his rude words; on the contrary, he appreciated his straightforward personality even more.
"Oh, right!"
"Chen An, I still can't understand why you helped me."
As they parted, Meng Yiran blinked her pretty, wide eyes, her voice carrying a hint of coyness.
Chen An looked around.
After confirming there was no one else around, he leaned close to Meng Yiran's ear and whispered, "Remember that cold gust during your match with Tang San? That was me. I hate his hypocritical act. Understand?"
"Huh?" Meng Yiran was shocked to hear this. "You... but you're classmates!"
Chen An snorted. "That's what you think. I never said that. Besides, an outstanding wolf usually wears sheep's clothing to hide among the flock. Understand?"
Meng Yiran only half understood.
She asked quietly again, "Wasn't even a tiny part of it because of me?"
"Hiss..."
Chen An narrowed his eyes as he looked at Meng Yiran's flushed little face.
He pretended to think for a long time before slowly saying, "It was! Who doesn't like a pretty, cheerful girl who can sing and dance?"
"Thank you!" Warmth filled Meng Yiran's heart, and even the tips of her ears reddened.
"Of course, soft and big were still the main reasons, my little Sister Yiran!"
"You! Can't you be a pervert?!"
"Ah, you don't understand. Your Brother Chen generally doesn't strike up conversations with girls unless they're pretty!"
The corners of Dragon Duke Meng Shu's lips lifted slightly. It had been a long time since he had seen Meng Yiran happy.
"Old man, I think the two of them..."
Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang's attitude toward Chen An had changed too. She was even thinking of bringing them together.
"Let's leave that for later. This kid may be strange, but his strength is still unclear. What if Yiran suffers by his side?"
Dragon Duke Meng Shu did not object. He simply wanted to see how far Chen An could go.
"I'm off! Until fate brings us together again."
Chen An was very fond of beautiful women, and even as he left, he did not neglect to say goodbye.
"Wait!"
Meng Yiran called out to Chen An before he had taken more than a few steps.
He turned back and instantly felt a touch of warmth on his cheek.
Meng Yiran pressed her lips together. "Consider that another thank-you, you rotten pervert!"
"Huh?!"
"I was forcibly kissed?"
"Oh no, I didn't give my first kiss to Xiao Wu! What a loss, what a loss!"
Although Chen An thought he had lost out, winning a beautiful woman's favor felt incredibly good too.
He bowed slightly, took Meng Yiran's hand, and kissed it lightly. "It is my honor to meet the beautiful Miss Yiran. I will remember your face for the rest of my life!"
"Eek!" Meng Yiran genuinely felt embarrassed for Chen An. "Oh, come on, Chen An. A few words won't change that petty image of yours!"
Chen An did not answer.
Having said his piece, he quickly left without looking back.
"Let's go, Yiran!" Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang saw that the pair had finished fooling around.
"Huff, huff..."
Chen An panted heavily. He had felt that oppressive pressure again just now.
It was as though it was warning him that if he did not leave Meng Yiran, he would face severe punishment.
Chen An walked for a long time.
At last, he found Dai Mubai and the others.
"Sister Rongrong, what are you all doing?"
Seeing Chen An pop out of who knew where again, Ning Rongrong said angrily, "Chen An, Teacher Zhao said that because you ignored the team's rules and held up our progress, you'll be severely punished when we get back!"
"Oh, right, it was that useless Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang who specifically ordered your punishment!"
Chen An chuckled, not caring in the slightest.
He thought to himself.
Does Gangzi think he's worthy of punishing me?
First ask whether Luo Sanpao can even beat the Trash Martial Soul Lone Bamboo!