Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Star-Breaking Sword God

Soul Land—Chapter 116: Xue Beng's Death, Tang San Takes the Blame (2-in-1)

After Shrek joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the three education committee members adhered to the principles of openness and tolerance, giving Shrek Academy many preferential treatments.

Not only did they provide a better and more beautiful residence than ordinary students, but they also allocated some resources.

Compared with the small village in the past, everything here could even be called a dream, which made Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, and others very happy.

If they were asked to leave now, they would probably be unwilling to do so.

At this time, at the Shrek Academy residence.

Flanders was looking helplessly at Dai Mubai and the other two who had returned late, feeling a hint of disappointment.

He folded his arms in front of his chest and frowned. "Didn't I just leave for a while yesterday? How come you two got into trouble again? You two should never be together in this life, something will happen sooner or later."

Dai Mubai lay on the bed, with his head down. His golden hair looked a bit messy, and his usual rebellious expression had completely disappeared, replaced by a numbness that almost seemed desperate.

It seemed nothing could stir his heart anymore; the entire person exuded a dead, decadent atmosphere from the inside out.

Ma Hongjun looked better, but his eyes were dull, and he kept whispering, "I can't do it anymore. I'm almost done."

Seeing that the two did not react to his words, Flanders couldn't help but get angry. He took a step forward and shouted, "Snap out of it! Next time I'll go with you! I refuse to believe I can't catch them! Unless they hit once and move again like last time!"

"Hit once…," Dai Mubai said bitterly.

Flanders' mouth twitched. He earnestly persuaded, "Mubai, just see this as a test of life's hardships. Only those who endure hardships can become outstanding. As long as you're willing to bear the pain, your future will be brighter."

"Besides, there are healing Soul Masters, right? After treatment, you just need to adapt."

Dai Mubai's face darkened. God knows what strange taste he had in his mouth when he woke up. Suffer? Suffer my ass!

"Don't let me find out who you are, or I'll make you feel the pain of being torn apart!"

In Tang San's room, Yu Xiaogang was discussing the use of hidden weapon funds with Tang San. After accepting the hidden weapon order from Ning Fengzhi, Tang San began planning his next steps.

"Making hidden weapons requires a quiet, safe place. The academy is crowded, so it may not be suitable."

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Although the treatment at Heaven Dou Royal Academy is good, and several teaching committee members and teachers are very polite, it's not a completely independent environment."

"Xiao San, it's good that you have your ideas. The hidden weapons are created by you, and the secrets and intricacies within them must not be leaked out."

"During this period, I will decide and adjust your training schedule. You can go out to craft hidden weapons as much as you want."

"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is one of the top three sects and the most powerful and wealthiest auxiliary sect in the Soul Master world. Xiao San, you must gain their recognition and support. They will give you unimaginable help in the future."

Tang San frowned. "Teacher, are you saying I should use the method of making hidden weapons to gain their favor?"

Yu Xiaogang shook his head."That's not what I mean. All of this requires weighing the pros and cons. You should think about it yourself."

Tang San's eyes flashed with coldness. "Teacher, you're confused. The method of making hidden weapons is the foundation of my Tang Sect. It cannot be revealed lightly."

"The secret techniques cannot be leaked!"

"When Ning Fengzhi and those treacherous villains try to crack the Tang Sect's hidden weapons, when I grow stronger and the Tang Sect develops, I will settle all accounts with them!"

"Then, teacher, I'll leave first. I've chosen the location for the hidden weapon assembly. I may need to focus on this for a while." Tang San nodded slightly and left.

As soon as he exited, Xiao Wu followed him, holding Tang San's arm. "Brother San, you rushed out as soon as you came out. Do you have something important to do?"

Tang San smiled gently. "Xiao Wu, I've chosen the location for the hidden weapon assembly. Next, I need to focus on crafting. This is very important for me and the future."

Xiao Wu, with a cunning look, said, "I understand, but it's so hard for you to run around alone. Can I accompany you?"

She didn't want to stay in Heaven Dou Royal Academy. After all, there was Dugu Bo in a quantum state here, and it was uncertain when he might appear.

After asking Ning Rongrong, she guessed that Sword Douluo might have discovered her identity, but because of Ning Rongrong's good relationship with her and his temperament, he let her go.

Now it's been several days, and no one from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has come to her. The naive rabbit thought that the other party wouldn't pursue it further.

But she didn't want to gamble with Dugu Bo. In Ning Rongrong's words, this guy was eccentric and unpredictable, doing things based on his whims. Even his thoughts about her, a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast, were probably in a Schrödinger state.

Although Dugu Bo was now a Titled Douluo and didn't need a Soul Ring, what if he targeted her Soul Bone?

When she saw an opportunity to escape, she immediately grabbed Tang San and tried to leave this dangerous place.

Hearing this, Tang San frowned slightly. To be honest, he didn't want Xiao Wu to come with him.

In his previous life, he had been hunted down to death by the elders of the Tang Sect for stealing the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. That experience had made him obsessively adhere to the rules of the Tang Sect. Even for Xiao Wu, he would prioritize the sect's inheritance above personal feelings.

But he didn't want Xiao Wu to accompany him, not because he distrusted her. Tang San had seen through her nature—she was a restless, playful person. It was impossible for her to focus on his hidden weapon-making.

He was worried her mischief would cause unnecessary trouble and complicate the process.

However, seeing her eager expression, he softened his tone. "Okay, Xiao Wu, I can't beat you, so come with me."

"Okay!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she immediately ran ahead, reaching the gate of Heaven Dou Royal Academy first.

In Heaven Dou City, people came and went, making it lively.

Tang San followed Xiao Wu, his gaze always gentle on her, occasionally reminding her: "Xiao Wu, walk slowly. Don't bump into people."

Xiao Wu turned around and playfully stuck out her tongue. "I know, Brother San. I'm not that reckless." Still, she kept her pace fast.

At this moment, suddenly—

"Bang——"

A loud crash sounded as the second floor of the flower building on the street was shattered by a huge force. Wood chips and dust flew everywhere.

A figure was thrown out of the broken window and fell heavily into the street, landing beside Xiao Wu and stirring up a cloud of dust.

Pedestrians retreated quickly, and the lively street descended into chaos. Some ran away, others stopped, forming a circle in the distance, pointing and talking but not daring to approach.

Xiao Wu was startled. She stopped and stared at the person who had flown out of the building with wide eyes. Tang San quickly protected Xiao Wu behind him, vigilantly watching the scene.

The man on the ground struggled to his feet. He was young, with disheveled clothes and a bruised face. He cursed: "Lousy place! How dare you attack me! Guards, guards!"

He was in great pain and could only sit cross-legged on the ground.

Tang San narrowed his eyes, observing him closely. This was the guy who was beaten by Dai Mubai when they first entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy because he called them beggars.

He had shouted for revenge, but he never came back—later, they found out this man was probably the prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Walking around a brothel in broad daylight, these nobles were indeed corrupt. The level of decadence in the Heaven Dou Empire nobles could be seen from this.

At this moment, a burly man with a face full of flesh ran out of the brothel. "Humph! I've traveled the south and north, but this is the first time I've seen a guy daring enough to snatch a woman from me. You're thin and weak, just a little dog. You're wasting my time with this."

He threw out two unconscious people behind him. Judging by their clothes, they appeared to be Xue Beng's guards.

The burly man snorted coldly, releasing his Soul power without concealment. Five Soul Rings—white, yellow, purple, purple, purple—flared around him.

"Soul King!" Tang San's pupils shrank. This man was a Soul King, though his Soul Ring configuration was somewhat poor. His strength should not be underestimated.

Xue Beng was furious, trembling with anger. He cursed inwardly at the idiot who came out of nowhere. He hadn't even asked about the identity of the noble and royal people in the city. It was a waste of his time!

Even if he is not handsome, his attire is suitable for a prince. This fool doesn't recognize it.

After calming himself, he quickly decided to continue with his dandy act. He shouted at the top of his lungs:

"I am the prince of the Heaven Dou Empire! If you dare to lay a hand on me, wait for the guards to arrest you!"

The burly man was stunned at first, then laughed. "You're the prince? If you're the prince, I'm the emperor!

The two men beside him were also his guards. Oh? And that girl looks pretty good. The man, get lost! I'll spare your life, and the woman, come with me to entertain."

Tang San's face turned cold. He had originally planned to quietly leave with Xiao Wu, not wanting to get entangled, but this arrogant and domineering man dared to target Xiao Wu. That crossed his bottom line.

"I swore I would never let anyone hurt Xiao Wu again. You're dead!"

"Hahaha! Dead? I, Zhang Sangui, have never heard such arrogant words. Boy, neither you nor this girl can escape today!"

He activated his Martial Soul and a ghostly claw shot toward Xiao Wu. The claw was black as ink, with faint black air lingering at the tip.

Xue Beng saw Zhang Sangui's words and paled. His eyes flashed with brilliance.

'It's them! Humph! I didn't get a chance to ask Xue Xing to teach you a lesson last time, but now I have a chance! You two, take this beating for me—preferably dead. As for Xiao Wu, she can still be spared, hehe.'

He shouted, "Tang San! Xiao Wu! Teach Zhang Sangui a lesson, and I'll reward you handsomely afterward!"

"Okay! You're a helper. Come and die!"

Tang San frowned, ignoring Xue Beng, and Blue Silver Grass surged out from all directions like a raging tide from his right hand, wrapping around Zhang San Gui's ghost claw.

He released a web of blue-silver grass, and his Soul power was instantly reduced by a third.

Xiao Wu saw the attack coming and, with no time to dodge, was already furious at Zhang Sangui's dirty words. Her Martial Soul instantly possessed her body, and she rushed forward shouting:

"Brother San, his Soul Ring configuration is low, and his strength isn't very high. We just need to delay until the army and other Soul Masters arrive!"

Tang San nodded slightly, his hands moving. The hidden weapons on his body were released toward Zhang Sangui. Xiao Wu, relying on her agility and soft skills, moved around Zhang Sangui, looking for flaws.

The scene became chaotic, and the crowd that had been watching the fun quickly fled.

Zhang Sangui was flustered by their combined attack. He roared: "You two little kids! How dare you oppose me!"

He activated his Soul Ring again. The black aura from his ghost claws surged, breaking free from the blue-silver grass restraints and fiercely grabbing Xiao Wu.

At that moment, Xiao Wu was right in front of Xue Beng.

Tang San's expression changed drastically. He didn't care about his own Soul Power again and activated the Purple Demon Eye, attempting to see Zhang Sangui's attack path.

Just as the ghost claw was about to catch Xiao Wu, Tang San used the Ghost Shadow Step to appear in front of her like a ghost, grabbing her and quickly retreating to avoid Zhang Sangui's attack.

He moved toward Zhang Sangui's attack while pressing a mechanism with his right hand. Zhuge Shen's crossbow bolts shot toward the opponent.

Zhang Sangui didn't expect Tang San to be so fast. He couldn't dodge in time, and several crossbow bolts scratched his face, leaving blood.

Another bolt was about to hit his lower body when his fifth Soul Ring lit up, and he became strangely illusory.

His body, once clear and solid, now looked like a shattered shadow, twisting and shaking in the air. The crossbow bolts passed through him without causing harm.

Tang San turned around with Xiao Wu in his arms, and Xue Beng was the unlucky one.

"Ah!" 

A scream. The crossbow bolts pierced Zhang Sangui's body but also hit Xue Beng, who was sitting on the ground out of fear and injury. One bolt struck his chest.

Blood gushed out, and his face was ghastly pale.

"Oops!" Tang San's face changed. He secretly thought: This is bad. Although he despised Xue Beng, his death here would surely bring trouble from the Heaven Dou Empire behind him.

Even if he hadn't caused it intentionally, he had to take the blame!

"Hahaha! Do you know why I'm called Ghost Hand Zhang San?! Die!"

Tang San looked at Xue Beng with a horrified expression as he slowly fell, vomiting blood. Though anxious, he had no choice but to continue defending himself with Xiao Wu.

(End of this chapter)