Chapter 181: Tang San Feels Even More "Green"
Aside from the Shrek Seven, Heaven Dou Team Two also had three substitutes. Among them, there was a pair—a boy and a girl. The boy was petite, with fair skin and a rather pretty face, looking almost like a girl; even his voice had a delicate quality. The other was a young woman whose looks were decent, though she couldn't compare to the Shrek Three Beauties. She dressed quite flamboyantly.
In their previous lives, Xiao Wu had called these two either "the yin-yang pair" or "those from the brothels." So the Shrek Seven simply didn't take them seriously.
Although both were rank 36, higher than Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing, Heaven Dou Royal Academy—rife with toxic habits and a swarm of idle aristocrats—could hardly be expected to train any good students. While these two did have higher spirit power, their practical combat experience lagged far behind.
Zhu Zhuqing, though at a lower rank, could easily finish either of them off. Letting them join the lineup as substitutes would do nothing but weaken the team's strength – not to mention the annoyance.
Hence, those two didn't care in the slightest. "You think you can boss me around? I don't need you, and you don't deserve me!" – something along these lines was their attitude.
Because they hadn't consumed any immortal-level herbs in this life, the Shrek Seven were far weaker overall than in their previous incarnations. Aside from Ning Rongrong, each one planned to fight in every single match, hoping to improve their strength and cultivate further through real combat in the tournament.
As for the "seventh person," removing Ning Rongrong from the equation, they ended up picking the tall, strongly built fellow with thick body hair and a somewhat ape-like appearance, who was standing on the side.
He had been brought here at Tang San's request through Tang Hao from the Clear Sky Clan: Tailong, the young clan leader of the Power Clan. Titan had complied wholeheartedly to the order, given that Tang Hao was his master and Tang San, the future master with twin spirits and the Clear Sky Hammer.
Even if he got injured along the way, Nineheart Begonia's Ye Lingling from Team One could heal him—she certainly had both the time and the soul power to spare.
Yu Xiaogang was currently explaining the competition rules to the Shrek Seven when a voice suddenly rang out:
"Well, well, so here you all are?"
Everyone's expressions changed. Ning Rongrong spoke, "Brother Gu Chen, what brings you here?"
"I heard you secured spots on Heaven Dou's Team Two, so I spoke with Director Meng Shenji and asked to be transferred from Team One to Team Two as well."
"What!"
Their faces changed yet again—only Flender showed any trace of delight. He was well aware that Gu Chen, a rank-51 Soul King, was an extraordinarily talented soul master. With him on Team Two, they'd perform better, and the eventual fame for Shrek Academy would be greater when he re-established it.
Yu Xiaogang, however, mirrored the rest of the Shrek group's reluctance. Tang San, at rank 39, was still the strongest among them, and Yu Xiaogang's intention was to have Tang San as the absolute leader, carrying the team through hardship and drawing all eyes to him—so that he, the teacher, would also share in that limelight. But now that Gu Chen had come, how could Tang San remain the core? Tang San was simply no match for him. Gu Chen would seize the spotlight, while Yu Xiaogang's disciple would be reduced to a mere green leaf to set off the flower.
Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth—was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan truly his destined nemesis?
Tang San, on the other hand, was profoundly furious. His hatred for Gu Chen even exceeded what he felt toward Spirit Hall. Did Gu Chen know what he had endured for this last year and a half? Every morning, seeing Gu Chen and Xiao Wu together, he'd watch helplessly as she suffered, his jealousy burning him, but he had no way to stop it. When he got too close, a big hand would appear on his shoulder and fling him aside. It was humiliation—an extreme humiliation. The only small solace was that, in all this time, Gu Chen hadn't actually gone any further with Xiao Wu. Otherwise, Tang San might have lost control and tried anything to kill Gu Chen.
Gu Chen ignored the shift in the Shrek group's attitudes, letting his gaze fall on Zhu Zhuqing—who was standing beside Xiao Wu. Even before he spoke, Zhu Zhuqing automatically rose and moved aside. She knew Gu Chen was strongly patriarchal. He didn't show women the least courtesy, nor did he pity them. If they ignored his warnings, he'd just beat them down. If she resisted, she would only end up in the same predicament Tang San faced—thrown aside daily by Gu Chen.
At this point, even if Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing combined their strength with Nether White Tiger, they could go toe to toe with Gu Chen, but so what? They still couldn't penetrate Gu Chen's defense. Breaking his defense would be difficult even for some Soul Emperors. So Zhu Zhuqing wanted no part of provoking him.
Taking the seat Zhu Zhuqing had vacated, Gu Chen settled his large frame—occupying nearly three chairs—and once again ended up right beside Xiao Wu.
Before, Xiao Wu would have been outraged but unable to speak out. Now she was still the same—she said nothing, her anger nearly drained. In simpler terms: she had been through it too many times, and now she was used to it. Yet Tang San's eyes were blazing with fury. Every time he saw this, he felt as if his head was "greener" than ever.
"Hey! Get away from Xiao Wu. She belongs to Third Young Master!"
Tailong roared, pointing at Gu Chen. He had just left the Clear Sky Clan to see the outside world and didn't know Gu Chen. Observing that Third Young Master's future spouse was being taken advantage of, as a subordinate of the clan he couldn't endure it.
Gu Chen spared a glance at Tang San, then said coolly, "Control your dog."
"You called me a dog?!"
With two yellow and one purple ring under his feet, rank 31, Tailong pounded his fists on his chest—his body covered in thick hair, turning into a Powerful Orangutan, smashing a punch toward Gu Chen's face.
"A Powerful Orangutan. One of the Strength Clan."
Gu Chen didn't summon his Martial Spirit at all. He just sat there. Holding Xiao Wu's shoulder with his left arm, he arched back slightly, gathering force, and delivered a punch.
Boom!
Tailong staggered back a few steps, clutching his fist in disbelief. This man hadn't even used a spirit yet his single punch not only forced him back but was also too hard to be normal.
Gu Chen didn't spare Tailong another look; he turned instead to Xiao Wu, who lay under his arm. Speaking softly, he said, "Did I hurt you?"
Like a little bunny, Xiao Wu nodded obediently, though inside she found his ugly face revolting. She deeply regretted taking on a god-given human appearance—if she'd taken another shape, perhaps she wouldn't have run into someone like Gu Chen.
Seeing Gu Chen get even closer, Tailong became further enraged, wanting to use his soul skills. But Tang San's voice rang out: "Tailong, stop!"
"But Third Young Master—"
"Stop!"
"…Yes."
Tang San watched Gu Chen get more intimate, his chest nearly exploding with anger yet powerless to intervene, even experiencing the sudden urge to take it out on Tailong. For a year and a half, Gu Chen had gone no further, and if Tailong hadn't stuck his nose in, Xiao Wu wouldn't be forced even closer now, letting Gu Chen take more advantage of her!
He had to figure out why he couldn't advance beyond rank 39—he had to raise his spirit power and abilities as quickly as possible. Only then could he protect Xiao Wu fully and keep others from laying a hand on her.
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