Chapter 198: You're aiming high, aren't you?

Tang San and the others lay sprawled on the ground, either in embarrassment or gasping for breath, their faces etched with frustration and unwillingness.

Though they bore injuries, none were serious. Strictly speaking, Xiao Tianyang had been precise in his strikes, ensuring they only felt pain and numbness without causing any lasting harm.

Xiao Tianyang, now cloaked in a black robe and assuming the identity of Edward, approached them calmly, holding two figures in his hands—Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, who had just attempted to flee.

"Boom!"

With a swift motion, he tossed them in front of Tang San and the others, where they landed hard on the ground.

"You hesitated when it came to saving lives and upholding morality," Xiao Tianyang said in a deep, gravelly voice that sent chills down their spines. "As a team leader, if I had intended to kill you, do you know what the outcome would be now?"

His words carried a weight that left Tang San unable to muster any anger. Instead, he bowed his head, silent and consumed by guilt.

The urgency to save someone was understandable, but the morality Xiao Tianyang referred to was the unspoken rule among soul masters in the Soul Beast Forest: 'Do not interfere with another's hunt for a soul beast.'

This rule, though sometimes broken, was considered sacred by those who adhered to their duties.

The vast majority of soul masters respected it, not because the Douluo Continent was filled with virtuous people, but because opportunities to break it were rare.

A soul master, even one who cultivated to the pinnacle, only needed nine soul rings in their lifetime.

With countless soul beast forests and a wide variety of soul beasts to choose from, the chances of encountering someone hunting a beast suitable for you were slim.

However, Tang San's actions weren't directly tied to this rule. He had acted purely out of moral obligation and respect for the established order.

What he hadn't anticipated was that his decision to help others can also lead his team to the complete annihilation.

"The world is complicated and as not as simple as you see it. If you wish to change something already established, It must be fraught with challenges. You are still too inexperienced," Xiao Tianyang said, his tone both stern and instructive. With that, he turned and began to walk away. "Remember, this is only the beginning..."

As his voice faded, Xiao Tianyang vanished into thin air, leaving behind an air of cool detachment.

"Little San, are you sure he's a Soul Emperor?" Oscar asked, his throat dry and his expression no longer filled with defiance but with a hint of fear.

A man who could come and go so effortlessly, without even revealing his soul ring or using soul skills, was a terrifying prospect.

It wasn't that they didn't understand the wisdom he had imparted, but no one had ever explained it to them so bluntly.

They had never faced such a situation before, so their hasty decision was understandable.

Given the bond between the seven of them, no one blamed Tang San. Yet, looking back, the experience was undeniably frightening. As Xiao Tianyang had said, they were still too green.

"He didn't show his soul ring or use any soul skills, so it's hard to say," Tang San replied after taking a deep breath. "But the Dean wouldn't lie to us about this, and I didn't sense any malice from him."

"What do we do now?" Ma Hongjun asked, his voice tinged with frustration. "We gave it our all, but he tore through us like paper. Forget getting the token on his waist—we couldn't even get close to him."

"If Zhuqing and I had been here, the situation wouldn't have been so one sided," Dai Mubai said, gritting his teeth as he pushed himself up from the ground.

His body ached, but his resolve was firm. "Next time, we'll be more careful. If we stick together, I refuse to believe that the seven of us, working together, can't handle a Soul Emperor who doesn't even use his soul ring!"

Ning Rongrong, who had been relatively unscathed, chimed in nonchalantly, "If Tianyang were here, we'd definitely beat him so badly he wouldn't know which way is north."

Though she hadn't taken the brunt of the attack, the force of the impact had still sent her sprawling. She had been knocked to the ground just like the others.

Her words elicited a few wry smiles and headshakes from the group. If Xiao Tianyang were here, their test wouldn't have been so simple.

While the others adjusted their emotions and discussed their next steps, Zhu Zhuqing stood apart.

She rose to her feet, her gaze fixed on the direction Xiao Tianyang had disappeared. A glimmer of curiosity, realization, or perhaps admiration shone in her eyes.

From a distance, Liu Erlong observed the scene, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "Look, she must have noticed something," she said to the Yu Xiaogang and Flender, her tone brimming with pride. "Based on my intuition, I guarantee that if they both meet even or more two times, Zhuqing will definitely figure out Tianyang's identity."

"Is it really that obvious?" Flender asked, skeptical.

"Want to bet on it?" Liu Erlong's eyes sparkled with challenge.

Flender coughed awkwardly. "Gambling isn't exactly proper, so let's just forget it."

"Who wants your money? After knowing you for so many years, I know you're as tight-fisted as they come," Liu Erlong retorted with a dismissive wave. "What I want is your pot of Longjing tea."

"You're aiming high, aren't you?" Flender replied with a wry smile. "I knew you'd set your sights on it sooner or later."

Longjing tea, a rare and exquisite brew, wasn't native to the Douluo Continent.

It had been obtained by Xiao Tianyang through a lottery—a second-level prize, no less. Not only was it of the highest quality, but it also had a calming effect on the soul. Since Xiao Tianyang preferred carbonated drinks and fresh juices over tea, he had gifted it to Flender.

"So, do you accept the bet or not?" Liu Erlong pressed.

Flender sighed, knowing there was no escaping her determination. "Fine, I accept."

"Excellent," Liu Erlong said with a triumphant grin. "We'll see how this plays out."

With that, she followed after the group, leaving Flender and Yu Xiaogang to trail behind.

"You don't seem to have much of a chance here," Yu Xiaogang remarked as they walked.

"True, but there's always room for surprises," Flender replied, stroking his beard. "Besides, Zhuqing is only making a guess. Without seeing his true face, she can't confirm his identity. In that case, Tianyang might not go easy on her."

Yu Xiaogang nodded thoughtfully. "I think you are right."

"Right?" Flender chuckled.

"But you seem to have forgotten one thing," Yu Xiaogang added suddenly.

"What's that?" Flender asked, puzzled.

"You didn't specify your winning condition," Yu Xiaogang pointed out.

Flender's face fell as he realized his oversight. Knowing Liu Erlong, if the terms weren't set from the start, there was no chance of revisiting them later.

…

If you'd like to support me and gain access to advanced chapters, you can follow the link:

patreon.com/DarkLord621

📖 Explore my fanfiction collections:

🔹 Douluo: Infinite Lottery System - 276+ Chapter

🔹 Douluo: Peerless Gu Master - 177+ Chapter

🔹 My Disciple Are All Dou God - 94+ Chapter

Thank you for your support!