Gu Yue raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears: "Is it really okay? I... I'm afraid of causing you trouble."
"It's no matter; when away from home, it's only right to help each other." Xu Yuan smiled and pointed toward the camp.
Gu Yue nodded, said a grateful thank you, and followed Xu Yuan toward the camp.
Her steps were a bit unsteady, so Xu Yuan said to Gu Yue, "I'll carry you on my back."
Gu Yue was stunned for a moment, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson, and she instinctively shrank back: "N-no need, I can walk on my own, really!"
She gripped her sleeves tightly, her fingertips turning white from the force, clearly not expecting Xu Yuan to say such a thing.
But after only a few steps, Gu Yue tottered as if she were about to fall.
Xu Yuan quickly supported her and said, "I'd better carry you."
Although he didn't know what her purpose was, he would play along with this girl, Gu Yue.
Moreover, he had God King Tang San watching him from this side; how could he win a two-on-one fight?
"Then I'll trouble you," Gu Yue said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Xu Yuan waved his hand: "It's nothing."
Xu Yuan bent down, and after a moment's hesitation, Gu Yue carefully lay on his back, her arms gently encircling his neck.
The young girl's weight was very light; even through his clothes, he could feel the stiffness of her body, showing she was quite nervous.
As they approached the camp, Jiang Zhu's figure appeared on the forest path holding a torch; when she saw Gu Yue on Xu Yuan's back, the torch almost fell to the ground.
Jiang Zhu was completely shocked; Xu Yuan had just gone out to use the toilet and actually picked up a woman—it was truly ridiculous.
Zhu Zhuqing, not far away, was also completely shocked; she hadn't expected this either.
Jiang Zhu looked at Gu Yue and asked Xu Yuan, "Captain, who is she?"
Xu Yuan explained, "Her name is Gu Yue. When I was going to the toilet, I found her being attacked by a Spirit Beast, so I stepped in to save her."
Jiang Zhu's gaze swept over Gu Yue's pale face and then landed on her blood-stained sleeve, her brows knitting into a knot.
But seeing Xu Yuan's serious gaze, Jiang Zhu swallowed the skepticism at the tip of her tongue, merely saying in a muffled tone, "Then let's go back to camp quickly."
As she spoke, she turned to leave, but she deliberately slowed her pace, clearly waiting for them.
Zhu Zhuqing walked out from behind a tree, her gaze calmly scanning over Gu Yue.
Lying on Xu Yuan's back, Gu Yue could clearly hear Jiang Zhu's footsteps in front of her and feel Zhu Zhuqing's scrutinizing gaze on her, making her cheeks burn even more.
Gu Yue quietly looked up, and seeing Xu Yuan's sharp jawline, she couldn't help but ask in a small voice, "Do they... not like me?"
"Don't overthink it," Xu Yuan's voice resonated through his chest. "Jiang Zhu just has a straightforward personality and no ill intent. Zhu Zhuqing is cold on the outside but warm on the inside; you'll be fine once you're familiar with her."
While speaking, they reached the camp. Liu Erlong was standing by the campfire with her hands on her hips; when she saw Gu Yue on Xu Yuan's back, her eyes instantly widened: "Xu Yuan! You..."
"Teacher, her name is Gu Yue. Her Spirit Hunting Team was attacked, and she's the only one left. I rescued her." Xu Yuan repeated his earlier explanation, bending down to let Gu Yue off.
Liu Erlong was truly impressed by Xu Yuan; he could pick up a beautiful girl just by going out to use the toilet.
If he stayed out for a year, wouldn't he bring back a whole group of women?
Liu Erlong stared at Xu Yuan for a long while before finally giving his arm a frustrated pinch: "You're something else, kid. You can pick up a girl just by going to the toilet; next time are you planning to kidnap all the Spirit Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest?"
Xu Yuan dodged with a grimace: "Teacher, this isn't kidnapping; it's saving someone."
"Fine, fine, saving someone." Liu Erlong rolled her eyes at Xu Yuan, then turned her gaze toward the uneasy Gu Yue, her tone softening slightly. "Young lady, don't be afraid; you're safe now that you're here."
Gu Yue nodded and thanked Liu Erlong.
Tai Long and the others' eyes lit up when they saw Gu Yue, while they simultaneously marveled at how good Xu Yuan's luck with women truly was.
Jiang Zhu took Gu Yue to change into a new set of clothes, and everyone began to rest.
In just ten days, everyone obtained the spirit rings they needed.
Because everyone's Physique had improved, the age of the spirit rings they absorbed was relatively high.
Now Zhu Zhuqing's Rank was 47, Jiang Zhu's Rank was 49, and Tai Long, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling were all at Rank 54.
Liu Erlong was very happy with this situation; it would be an easy matter for this team to win the championship.
One should know that in every All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, the most talented students were only around Rank 50, and students at Rank 40 and above were already the most outstanding group on the Douluo Continent.
"Let's go, we're heading back!"
Liu Erlong waved her hand and spoke to Xu Yuan's group... After some time, Xu Yuan's group returned to Heaven Dou City.
It was already night when they returned to Heaven Dou City, and the group walked toward Blue Tyrant Academy.
"Brother Xu!" As soon as they returned to Blue Tyrant Academy, Xiao Wu lunged into Xu Yuan's embrace.
Xu Yuan instinctively opened his arms to catch Xiao Wu, and the young girl's fragrant body crashed into his chest.
Xiao Wu buried her head in Xu Yuan's chest and said muffledly, "Not at all, it's just... it's just that you've been gone for so long, and I was bored being by myself."
As she spoke, she caught a glimpse of Gu Yue following behind from the corner of her eye, and her body instantly stiffened. When she looked up, she had already switched to a wary expression, "Who is she?"
This woman gave her a sense of crisis; she felt that this young girl might try to steal her man.
Before Xu Yuan could speak, Jiang Zhu cut in first: "Her name is Gu Yue. We rescued her in the Star Dou Great Forest, and she's staying with us for now."
Xiao Wu raised her head from Xu Yuan's embrace, her chin tilting up slightly: "Gu Yue, is it? I'm Xiao Wu, Brother Xu's best sister."
She specifically emphasized the word 'best,' her gaze circling Gu Yue before finally landing on her eye-catching silver hair.
A seemingly harmless smile curled at the corners of Xiao Wu's mouth: "Since you've just arrived at the academy, you can ask me if there's anything you don't understand. Brother Xu is usually very busy and doesn't have time to take care of outsiders every day."
The word 'outsider' was like a small pebble, accurately striking the atmosphere.
The gentleness on Gu Yue's face faded slightly, but she still maintained her politeness and nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Miss Xiao Wu. I won't trouble Young Master Xu."
"That's good." Xiao Wu smiled even more sweetly and then turned to act spoiled with Xu Yuan. "Brother Xu, I saved your favorite Candied Haws for you; come with me to get them!"
Saying this, she pulled him toward the dormitory without giving him a chance to speak.
Xu Yuan was somewhat helpless as he followed Xiao Wu into the dormitory.
After returning to the dormitory, Xiao Wu looked at Xu Yuan and said, "Brother Xu, I have a secret I want to tell you."
She had been conflicted for a long time and finally planned to tell Xu Yuan her most important secret.
Xu Yuan understood what Xiao Wu wanted to say, but he was particularly surprised in his heart, not expecting Xiao Wu to say it at this time.
Xiao Wu took a deep breath: "Brother Xu, I am actually a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast."
God King Tang San nodded slightly in the Sea of Spirit, feeling incomparably satisfied.
Xiao Wu's willingness to speak out meant that he had completely won her over"
Xiao Wu looked at Xu Yuan with some trepidation, worried that he might hate her.
If Xu Yuan hated her, she would leave him and return to the Star Dou Great Forest.
Xu Yuan pulled Xiao Wu into his arms. "Xiao Wu, no matter what you are, you are the person I like most."
Xiao Wu's whole body stiffened, and then, like a firework being ignited, all her trepidation instantly exploded into a scalding warm current.
She jerked her head up, her eyes still clouded with moisture, but her pupils were startlingly bright.
"Brother Xu... you..." Xiao Wu's voice shook uncontrollably, her fingertips gripping Xu Yuan's lapels tightly.
Xu Yuan tightened his arms, pulling Xiao Wu even closer into his embrace, his chin resting on the top of her head. His voice was low and firm. "I said, whether you are a Spirit Beast or a human, you are the person at the center of my heart."
These words were like a bolt of lightning, shattering all of Xiao Wu's defenses.
She could no longer hold back, hugging Xu Yuan's neck and crying out loud.
Xu Yuan was a bit confused, not quite understanding why Xiao Wu was crying.
"Wuu... Brother Xu... I thought... I thought you would drive me away..."
"Silly girl." Xu Yuan patted Xiao Wu's back, letting her tears soak his shoulder. "I would drive anyone away but you. Back at Nuoding Academy, who was it that snatched the meat from my bowl every day? Who was it that crawled into my bed because they were afraid of the dark at night? I remember all of it."
Xiao Wu's face turned red at Xu Yuan's words, and she sobbed in protest, "Who—who crawled into your bed... That was... that was because your bed was too big!"
Xu Yuan let out a low laugh. The vibrations from his chest traveled through their pressed bodies into Xiao Wu's heart, making her feel inexplicably settled.
"Brother Xu, take me, okay?"
"Are you sure?"
Xu Yuan looked at Xiao Wu and asked.
Meanwhile, in the Sea of Spirit, God King Tang San couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't accept that his wife was about to do that kind of thing with Xu Yuan.
Even though Xu Yuan was his future body, Xiao Wu's first time should only belong to him.
"I don't regret it." After Xiao Wu spoke, she kissed him without hesitation.
The two became entangled, moving step by step toward the bed until they fell onto it.
"Ahhh, Xiao Wu!"
Watching this, God King Tang San completely broke down.
His Xiao Wu was actually with Xu Yuan... Throughout this night, God King Tang San went from madness to calm, and from calm to offering pointers.
God King Tang San said calmly to Xu Yuan, "Xu Yuan, be a bit gentler with Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu doesn't like it rough."
Xu Yuan: "..."
Could it be that it's your problem, and not that Xiao Wu doesn't like it rough?
Forget it, saying it out loud might hurt God King Tang San's self-esteem.
But what was wrong with God King Tang San? Why was he starting to give him pointers?
The World is truly crazy... When the morning light filtered through the window into the room, Xiao Wu was curled up in Xu Yuan's arms.
Xu Yuan woke up first. He looked down at the reddened corners of the eyes and the slightly swollen lips of the person in his arms, his fingertips gently brushing her cheek.
Xiao Wu was woken by the touch. She opened her eyes dizzily and met Xu Yuan's smiling gaze, instantly recalling the absurdity of last night.
Her cheeks flared up, and she suddenly shrunk into the blanket, leaving only a pair of round eyes visible.
"Awake?" Xu Yuan's voice carried the raspiness of someone who had just woken up.
Xiao Wu poked her head out and nodded, asking with some anticipation, "Mhm. What is our relationship now?"
Xu Yuan looked at Xiao Wu and said with a chuckle, "Siblings."
Xiao Wu's smile instantly froze on her face. The light in her eyes was like a candle flame blown out by the wind, darkening bit by bit.
Xiao Wu was stunned for a long while before she found her voice, which carried a tremor of disbelief. "Si—siblings?"
Seeing her like this, Xu Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he realized he had taken the joke too far.
The young girl's eyes quickly turned red, and the bridge of her nose began to sting. A layer of mist rapidly covered her previously sparkling eyes, as if she would burst into tears the next second.
"Brother Xu... you..." Xiao Wu bit her lip, her small hands tightly clutching the blanket until her knuckles turned white. "Didn't you say last night... that I was the person at the center of your heart?"
Xu Yuan hastily fished Xiao Wu out of the blanket and held her tightly in his arms, his tone both urgent and regretful. "Silly girl, I was joking with you!"
Xu Yuan lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers, his gaze as serious as could be. "It's my fault, I shouldn't have teased you. We are... the kind of people who will be together for a lifetime."
Xiao Wu's tear fell onto the back of his hand with a 'patter'. She sniffled and asked with a sob, "Re—really?"
"Truer than pearls." Xu Yuan raised his hand to wipe away her tears, his thumb gently caressing her slightly swollen lips, his voice low and tender. "From last night onwards, you are the person I, Xu Yuan, will protect for a lifetime. Not a sister, but the kind I intend to marry and bring home."
"Ma—marry and bring home?" Xiao Wu's face instantly turned red again. Tears were still hanging on her eyelashes, but she couldn't help but laugh.
"Mhm, marry and bring home." Xu Yuan lowered his head and imprinted a gentle kiss on her forehead. "In the future, you're not allowed to let your imagination run wild anymore."
"I wasn't letting my imagination run wild!" Xiao Wu snuggled into Xu Yuan's embrace, burying her face in his chest, her voice muffled. "It's Brother Xu who's bad, teasing me on purpose."
As Xiao Wu spoke, she suddenly tilted her head up slightly, opened her small mouth, and gave Xu Yuan's chest a gentle bite.
The pressure was very light, like the experimental nibble of a kitten acting spoiled.
As her teeth brushed against him, they left a slight numbing itch that spread across his skin.
Xu Yuan was stunned for a moment, then let out a low laugh.
"Does it hurt?" Xiao Wu looked up, her eyes still holding a bit of lingering moisture, but she blinked mischievously, as if confirming whether her punishment had been effective.
"It hurts." Xu Yuan deliberately furrowed his brows, but his tone was full of indulgence. "However, since it's Xiao Wu biting, I'm happy no matter how much it hurts."
"I don't believe you." Xiao Wu huffed, but buried her face even deeper, the tips of her ears so red they looked like they might drip blood.
Xu Yuan tightened his arms, holding Xiao Wu even closer.
"Xiao Wu, there's something I want to tell you." Xu Yuan thought for a moment and looked at Xiao Wu.
These things had to be told to Xiao Wu. If he didn't say them and she discovered them herself later, it would cause a lot of trouble.
Xiao Wu looked at Xu Yuan with some confusion and asked, "What is it?"
Xu Yuan took a deep breath and told Xiao Wu about Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing.
After hearing it, Xiao Wu's eyes couldn't help but turn red. "Brother Xu, I'm sorry. If it wasn't because of me, this kind of thing wouldn't have happened."
Immediately afterward, she told Xu Yuan about Da Ming and Er Ming.
Xiao Wu felt incredibly guilty. If it weren't for her, Teacher and Xu Yuan wouldn't have had that kind of thing happen.
As for the matter with Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu felt it was well done. Dai Mubai didn't deserve such a good girl like Zhu Zhuqing.
Xu Yuan looked at Xiao Wu and asked, "Xiao Wu, aren't you angry?"
He was actually quite surprised. Logically speaking, Xiao Wu should have been very angry, but he didn't expect her to be so blameful of herself"
Meanwhile, at the Heaven Dou Royal Spirit Master Academy.
Yu Xiaogang and his group descended from the carriage. At this moment, Yu Xiaogang was overwhelmingly confident.
During this period of training Tang San and the others, they had basically never lost.
Of course, the time at Blue Tyrant Academy was an exception.
Flender, standing beside him, looked at Yu Xiaogang and said, "Xiaogang, are you sure Heaven Dou Academy will accept us?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly: "That's right, I am the Master of Theory. Furthermore, we only want a spot to participate in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament; we don't want any honors or anything else. There's no way they would refuse."
Flender looked at Yu Xiaogang's confident expression, wanting to speak but holding back, unsure what to say.
Although Tang San and the others were almost all Spirit Elders, why would Heaven Dou Academy accept them as their Second Team?
Yu Xiaogang raised his hand to adjust his collar, his gaze sweeping over the imposing gate of Heaven Dou Academy. His voice suddenly rose several octaves: "Flender, you don't understand. Heaven Dou Academy looks glorious, but in reality, it is strong on the outside and weak on the inside. Although their First Team students are strong, they are bound by rules, and their practical combat experience is pitifully lacking."
He had inquired and learned that Heaven Dou Academy had gone to Suotuo City but left after only a few days, so their practical combat experience definitely wasn't strong.
Yu Xiaogang paused, his tone carrying a hint of mockery: "Why do you think they never won the championship in past tournaments? Because their instructors only know how to follow the steps and don't understand flexibility! But I, Yu Xiaogang, can make a Rank 40 Spirit Ancestor exert the strength of a Rank 50 Spirit King, can make a support system Spirit become the Stabilizing Force on the battlefield, and can make a control system Spirit flawless!"
These words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, and the surrounding Heaven Dou students immediately erupted.
"Who is this person? What a huge mouth!"
"Master of Theory? I think he's the Master of Bragging!"
"The strength of a Rank 50 Spirit King? Does he think Spirit Master Ranks are cabbages?"
Flender listened with his heart pounding, quietly tugging on Yu Xiaogang's sleeve: "Xiaogang, that's enough, don't offend everyone..."
Tang San showed no reaction to Yu Xiaogang's words, while the others silently kept a certain distance from Yu Xiaogang.
Seeing this situation, Yu Xiaogang was overwhelmingly confident. There was another reason why he dared to speak this way.
Meng Shenji, the Chief of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Education Committee, was his Little Fanboy.
A while ago, he had written a letter to the other party stating that he would come, and Meng Shenji had replied that he would welcome him warmly.
(I really didn't expect Yu Xiaogang to have an 86th Rank Little Fanboy; it's truly surprising. According to the information I searched online, this guy is also a proponent of theory.)
Just at this moment, three people walked out.
The leader was Meng Shenji, the Chief of the Education Committee, and the two people beside him were Zhi Lin, the Third Seat of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Education Committee, and Bai Baoshan, the Second Seat of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Education Committee.
Meng Shenji was dressed in a wide blue robe, his hair and beard completely white, yet his face held a gentle smile, and his eyes showed a hint of anticipation.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang, Meng Shenji immediately hurried forward, cupping his hands and saying, "Grandmaster, we finally waited for you!"
The look of smugness on Yu Xiaogang's face grew stronger, but he deliberately put on a calm demeanor, returning the salute: "Chief Meng is too polite."
The word 'Grandmaster' coming from the mouth of an 86th Rank Spirit Douluo instantly silenced the surrounding chatter. The Heaven Dou students' gazes toward Yu Xiaogang shifted from disdain to surprise and suspicion.
To be respected so highly by the Chief of the Education Committee, did this guy really have some background?
Zhi Lin pushed up his glasses, his gaze lingering on Yu Xiaogang for a moment before sweeping over Tang San and his group. His tone was calm but carried scrutiny: "Grandmaster has traveled a long way, and Heaven Dou Academy naturally welcomes you. However, we just heard the Grandmaster had some reservations about our academy's teaching. May we ask for your guidance?"
Bai Baoshan also said in a deep voice, "The Grandmaster said our students lack practical combat experience. Do you perhaps have some profound insight?"
Yu Xiaogang was prepared. He said clearly, "I wouldn't call it profound insight. For Spirit Master Cultivation, theory is the bone, and practical combat is the blood; neither can be lacking. Heaven Dou Academy students have a solid Foundation and pure spirit power—these are advantages. But focusing too much on rules limits adaptability. For example, when encountering a sudden situation, should one first think of the academy's dogma, or should one immediately counterattack?"
Bai Baoshan raised an eyebrow, taking a step forward. The spirit power fluctuations on his body suddenly released. Though not fully displayed, they carried the pressure of an 80th Rank Spirit Douluo: "Grandmaster, those words are perhaps biased. Our students adhere strictly to rules so that they can advance and retreat in an orderly fashion on the battlefield, rather than being scattered individuals fighting alone. Adaptability in practical combat is certainly important, but if there isn't even basic discipline, no matter how strong the individual strength is, it's just a pile of loose sand!"
His gaze swept over Tang San and the others, his tone carrying some forcefulness: "May I ask, Grandmaster, can your students Follow Orders Immediately? Can they complete a Formation Change within ten breaths? Can they immediately abandon a personal attack to rescue a teammate when they are in danger? These are the Foundation of team combat, not the momentary bravery of a common man!"
Bai Baoshan's words were forceful, and the surrounding Heaven Dou students immediately echoed them:
"Chief Bai is right! Discipline is the key to victory!"
"A bunch of unknown amateurs, what do they know about teamwork?"
"If you've got the guts, let's have a Team Battle!"
Flender's heart sank with a thump, and he thought, 'This is bad.' Bai Baoshan was the academy's representative of the Practical Combat Faction, who valued teamwork the most, and Yu Xiaogang's recent words had indeed struck a nerve.
A sharp light flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. Not only did he not retreat, but he took a step forward, his tone ringing clearly: "Chief Bai's words are absolutely correct; teamwork is indeed the Foundation. But the adaptability I speak of is not abandoning discipline, but flexible variation within the framework of discipline. Since everyone has doubts, why don't we let practical combat do the talking? How about letting my students spar with yours?"
As soon as he said this, even Meng Shenji was stunned for a moment, and then a look of interest appeared in his eyes: "Oh? Grandmaster, you have such confidence?"
"Not confidence, but proof." Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, giving him a look, "My students can crush their opponents with the most precise coordination while strictly maintaining formation. Their Ranks might be slightly inferior, but they know when to defend and when to change."
Bai Baoshan's expression darkened slightly. He had intended to suppress Yu Xiaogang's arrogance, but he hadn't expected the other party to directly accept the Challenge.
He snorted coldly: "Fine! Since the Grandmaster has such an interest, I will have someone spar with you all. If you lose, please retract what you just said!"
"If I lose, I will immediately leave with my students, and I will not say another word." Yu Xiaogang refused to yield an inch.
Flender was anxiously rubbing his hands nearby, pulling Yu Xiaogang and whispering, "Are you crazy..."
"Flender, trust me." Yu Xiaogang interrupted him, his tone filled with undeniable certainty, "This is the best opportunity for them to witness our strength."
Tang San stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Teacher, we are ready