Upon hearing Gu Xuan's words, Gu Rong did not immediately rush after the Titan Giant Ape. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Gu Xuan.
Gu Xuan said softly, "Grandpa, that Titan Giant Ape captured the transformed rabbit. Judging by the situation just now, that ape must know her. Otherwise, those people wouldn't have survived a single move. I suspect that transformed rabbit might return to that group..."
As Gu Xuan was speaking, Gu Rong paused, looking surprised. "You also saw through that transformed soul beast?"
Gu Xuan explained, "Grandpa, remember when I told you about the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew I consumed? Besides boosting my spiritual power, that immortal herb allows me to see through illusions and perceive the true origin of things. That transformed soul beast is only Rank 30; she naturally couldn't escape my eyes."
Gu Rong nodded slightly. "I see."
"But what if that rabbit doesn't return to the group?" Gu Rong asked.
Gu Xuan smiled faintly. "Think about it. That rabbit clearly has deep ties with that team, and they are obviously a student group from an academy. After a soul beast transforms, they need long-term contact with human aura. Since she hasn't exposed her identity yet, the probability of her returning is the highest."
"As for the Titan Giant Ape, it likely sensed a fellow beast's aura and thought she was being held captive, which is why it attacked so suddenly. Once the rabbit and the ape exchange information, I don't think the ape will stop her from going back."
Gu Rong pondered for a moment. "Your logic isn't without merit, but I'm still not comfortable letting that rabbit just walk away. Even with that Titan Giant Ape there, I'm confident I can snatch the rabbit from its grasp."
Saying this, Gu Rong looked in the direction the ape had vanished. "I'll follow them secretly to see where it's taking her. If the rabbit doesn't come back, I'll take her by force. If she does return, then I won't bother fighting that ape."
Gu Xuan thought about it and eventually agreed. With Gu Rong's current Rank 97 strength, even if the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python attacked together, they wouldn't be able to keep him there—unless they possessed a specific ability to restrict the laws of space.
It was necessary for Gu Rong to keep a close watch. After all, history was already diverging; Meng Yiran had joined Shrek, which was a significant shift. With the power of the Bone Dragon Martial Soul and the unpredictability of spatial energy, even a Rank 98 Super Douluo would find it difficult to pin Gu Rong down, let alone two soul beasts.
The two forest kings were undeniably powerful, but their strength was at most comparable to a Rank 94 or 95 Titled Douluo; their only real advantage was a vitality far exceeding a human's. Gu Rong didn't need to fight them head-on; he just needed to play the role of a hidden predator.
Gu Xuan said solemnly, "Grandpa, you can go, but remember not to expose yourself. Don't act unless absolutely necessary, because I believe my guess is correct."
Hearing his grandson's concern, Gu Rong felt a surge of warmth. "Don't worry. The advantage is mine."
He then added, "In that case, you and Li Li stay in the outer regions. Don't make contact with that student group. That Soul Saint with the Vigorous Vajra Bear isn't weak."
Gu Rong rarely traveled the continent, so he didn't know much about Zhao Wuji. Regardless of how famous the "Motionless Bright King" was, a mid-level Saint wasn't someone who usually reached Gu Rong's ears.
Gu Xuan nodded. "Don't worry about that. With my current strength, even an average Soul Emperor would have to think twice before crossing me."
Gu Rong nodded, having no doubts about that. Although Gu Xuan had only just reached Rank 45, his combat power was indeed enough to challenge a Soul Emperor. After their talk, Gu Rong vanished, tracking the Titan Giant Ape's trail.
Gu Xuan and Li Li remained in the shadows, observing the Shrek Academy students.
Li Li whispered, "Big Brother, are we just going to stay crouched here?"
Gu Xuan glanced at her. "Not necessarily. Let's see how they react. You heard what Grandpa and I said—our target is that transformed rabbit. We can't let such an opportunity slip by."
Li Li nodded. She knew what a transformed soul beast meant. It was essentially a free 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone. Grandpa Bone would never let such a chance go.
They were quite far from the Shrek camp, only able to see general movements. Gu Xuan had never met Tang San, but he could easily pick him out from the crowd. He watched as Tang San confronted Oscar, ate a flying mushroom sausage, and shot off toward the forest.
Gu Xuan's eyes lit up. He tapped Li Li's shoulder. "Let's follow him."
Li Li nodded. The eight dragon-swords on Gu Xuan's back unfurled to a four-meter span. Two of the blades detached and floated in front of Li Li, overlapping to create a platform. Gu Xuan signaled her to step on.
"Hold on tight," Gu Xuan warned. He grabbed Li Li's hand, and with a gentle flap of his sword-wings, they soared into the sky.
Shortly after Tang San left, Zhao Wuji and the others also ate mushroom sausages and pursued. Oscar's sausages provided decent speed, but they only lasted a minute. Gu Xuan's Sword Dragon Eight Wings, however, allowed him to maintain the speed of a pure Agility Type Soul Master of his rank. He quickly caught up to Tang San but kept his distance.
Once Tang San's flight time expired, he continued on foot. His soul power was recovering thanks to Oscar's sausages, but his stamina was flagging. He had to stop by a large tree to catch his breath.
As Tang San prepared to rest, a strange rustling sound caught his attention—a sound like spinning fans or the friction of dry leaves. Alert, he stood up and looked toward the noise.
There, he saw the culprit: a spider. Its main body was over 1.5 meters in diameter, with eight spear-like legs exceeding three meters. Its carapace was a shimmering purplish-black, and the tips of its legs were incredibly sharp, piercing the ground silently with every step.
The spider spotted Tang San instantly. Its legs blurred as it closed the gap in the blink of an eye. Two forelegs rose and lunged straight at Tang San's head.
The battle had begun!
In the sky, Gu Xuan watched with indifference, his mind already calculating.
"Li Li, your third soul ring has arrived," Gu Xuan said softly.
Li Li, standing on the dragon swords and gripping Gu Xuan's hand, stared at the 2,000-year Man-Faced Demon Spider with longing. Her own Martial Soul was a Man-Faced Demon Spider; this beast was a perfect match in both lineage and age.
"Big Brother, should we save that person? He only has two rings, and he's badly injured. I don't think he's a match for that spider," Li Li suggested, feeling a bit of pity for the ragged Tang San.
Gu Xuan didn't need to look at her to know her sympathy was flaring. He said tonelessly, "No rush. Let him play for a while."
(End of Chapter)
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