Chapter 43: The Xu Ran Family [Happy New Year, Greetings to Readers]_1

"Godslayer Sword?" Flander was noting this down, searching his mind for any information on this Martial Soul, but to his disappointment, there was nothing in his memory about it.

However, just by hearing the name of this Martial Soul, he could tell it was extraordinary. Xu Ran's "Godslayer Sword" was at least of the same caliber as the Seven-Killing Sword, if not higher.

"Xu Ran, it seems there's no strong family clan with the surname Xu on the Soul Land." Flander said, puzzled.

"There are too many inconceivable things in this world, and my Martial Soul is nothing special. Besides, I am a disciple of the Zhu Clan. Although I've joined Shrek Academy, I still need to ask for two months' leave from Dean Flander," Xu Ran stated directly, revealing his identity.

"The Zhu Clan of the Xingluo Empire?" Flander paused. The Zhu Clan was also counted among the powerful families, with great prestige in both the military and political spheres of the Xingluo Empire, and their comprehensive strength wasn't inferior to that of the upper three families thanks to the military forces under their control.

But what surprised him was not this. It was that Dai Mubai was a prince of the Xingluo Empire. With a White Tiger Martial Soul and the surname Dai, Flander knew about Dai Mubai's royal identity when he came to Shrek Academy.

And Xu Ran coming from the Zhu Clan, he couldn't possibly not know Dai Mubai. This meant that there were some grudges between Dai Mubai and Xu Ran. The previous time Dai Mubai was injured so badly by Xu Ran, his body mangled and bloody, it was done intentionally.

He had already made some calculations in his mind. If there was indeed any deep grudge between Xu Ran and Dai Mubai, he would definitely protect Xu Ran. And for no other reason than because only Xu Ran could help Shrek Academy rise to prominence. Although Dai Mubai had talent, his character was too flawed, always indulging in pleasure and vice. In the past, Flander wouldn't have said much out of the desire to win over this talent. But if he started affecting Xu Ran, Flander would not continue to be so lenient.

Xu Ran was a real monster. In front of him, the talents of Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai all seemed unremarkable.

"I can give you two months' leave. Take care of your business, then come back to school," Flander nodded, knowing the children of large families had many affairs to deal with, especially a genius like Xu Ran who was probably treasured by the Zhu Clan.

Xiaowu, who was listening to their conversation, felt her heart clench. Xu Ran now held a high place in her heart and the thought of him leaving soon, for such a long period, made her reluctant to let go.

"Do you have to be gone that long?" Xiaowu pouted, hugging Xu Ran's arm into her bosom and spoke softly.

"I don't know how long it will take, maybe I'll return soon. I asked the Dean for a bit more time, just in case," Xu Ran replied with a smile, gently stroking Xiaowu's black hair which gave off a faint, clean fragrance.

"Hmph, I'll only give you a month," Xiaowu knitted her brows and pinched Xu Ran's waist with force. Apparently, she had remembered Xu Ran's betrothed back in the Xingluo Empire, and it made her somewhat angry. She had no intention of giving Xu Ran so much time to get cozy with his fiancée.

Two months, a man and a woman, what could happen? Unthinkable. By the time, perhaps everything would have happened.

"Fine. I'll leave tomorrow then. I wanted to spend today with you, so you won't miss me too much while I'm away," Xu Ran said.

"Who needs your company? Besides, I certainly won't miss you!" Xiaowu was somewhat embarrassed, but still clung to Xu Ran's hand.

"Brother Ran, you can leave with peace of mind. I will take good care of Sister-in-law," Ma Hongjun quickly chimed in, trying to win Xu Ran's favor.

"Hm?" Xu Ran frowned slightly. Although the words were spoken, he always felt there was some ambiguity in what Ma Hongjun said.

Realizing he might have misspoken, Ma Hongjun quickly tried to correct himself: "Brother Ran, I didn't mean it that way. What I meant was, whatever Sister-in-law Xiaowu needs, I'll make sure to fulfill her wishes."

Listening to Ma Hongjun's words, Xu Ran's face became even uglier. Meanwhile, Flander was staring at Ma Hongjun with a speechless look. This kid was usually pretty clever, but he turned foolish at critical moments.

"Brother Ran, what I mean is that I am very familiar with Shrek Academy and Soto City. If Sister-in-Law encounters any trouble, she can always come to me. Whatever the difficulty, I will do my utmost to help," Ma Hongjun said earnestly, with a somewhat anxious look on his face.

Xiaowu, hearing Ma Hongjun repeatedly calling her Sister-in-Law, blushed with embarrassment and felt her face go hot, reddening with shyness.

Xu Ran, however, had an expression like he was struck by lightning, entrusting Xiaowu to his care? Ma Hongjun was not exactly a bastion of propriety. Even though he was decent in character, and even if Ma Hongjun wouldn't dare harbor any designs on Xiaowu, Xu Ran would not allow her to be entrusted to him.

This damnable flirt, whenever he had nothing to do, would go to brothels to listen to music. Wouldn't that lead Xiaowu astray?

"No need, Xiaowu is capable of taking care of herself," Xu Ran flatly refused.

"Dean, I'm going to leave with Xiaowu now. I'm sure there won't be any classes today anyway," Xu Ran said, with his arm around Xiaowu's slender waist.

"Hmm, there are no classes today. You young people go have fun. Just remember to exercise moderation," Dean Flender said solemnly. He knew very well that many talents on the Continent had squandered the best times for their cultivation due to their addiction to the opposite sex, ultimately becoming mediocrities.

The hero's grave is the land of gentle pleasures; he hoped that Xu Ran would understand this truth.

Of course, he didn't know that Xu Ran's cultivation wasn't being neglected because of indulgence in sensual pleasures; in fact, starting a "Harem" could even bring him a substantial reward of Skill Points. If he knew this, Dean Flender would have transformed into a matchmaker and gone to "beg" from all the major powers. Beg for what? Naturally, for beauties.

However, the existence of the System was Xu Ran's foundation in Soul Land, something he would absolutely never reveal to anyone. Dean Flender and the rest were bound never to find out in their lifetimes.

When they saw the Soul Rings on Xu Ran's body change from purple to black, then to red, and then to…, they would only attribute it to Xu Ran's extraordinary talent.

All they could do was mutter disapprovingly: Xu Ran, he's really something else.

"Oh, thanks for your concern, Dean," Xu Ran said as he walked out with Xiaowu, almost stumbled when he heard Flender's voice. Meanwhile, Xiaowu was so embarrassed she wished she could faint. The relationship between her and Xu Ran was not yet that complicated at the time. Between him and Xiaowu was just a normal friendship, or a superior-subordinate relationship; they hadn't reached the stage of being a couple yet.

"This damn Dean. So hateful. There's clearly nothing between us," Xiaowu whispered, her beautiful eyes flustered as she looked at Xu Ran, patting her slightly heaving chest.

"Who said there's nothing between us? Who knows, maybe something will happen between us sometime?" Xu Ran laughed, feeling the softness in his arms as he walked forward.

The place known as Shrek Academy, despite its seclusion, had a very serene atmosphere that could calm one's soul.

Walking along the country paths of the countryside with Xiaowu, Xu Ran looked at the nearby farmers harvesting their crops. He also had a grand idea; once he had conquered the world and achieved his ambitions, he would retire with his wives and live a simple life just like this. Sometimes, farming could be the most miraculous and noble thing in the world. Because after the hard work of cultivation, one would soon feel the breath of Life nurturing within. Just like these golden rice fields.

And he knew, as long as one worked hard at farming, there would always be a harvest.