32 Chapter 32: Departure

"Tang San, what's the matter? Angry and humiliated again? Planning to use your hidden weapons on me and Xiao Wu?" Xu Ran saw that Tang San was about to break free from Xiao Wu's grasp and promptly stomped his foot firmly onto Tang San's neck.

The neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body, housing vital organs like the trachea. Feeling the pressure at this sensitive point, Tang San dared not make any sudden moves.

Yet his eyes were icy cold, filled with a glaring, blood-red intent to kill.

"Tang San, don't think we won't lay a hand on you just because we're wary of the people behind you. If you dare to use hidden weapons on Xu Ran and me again, I will kill you without hesitation," Xiao Wu coldly stated. She could sense the intense killing intent Tang San harbored towards Xu Ran. However, for the time being, she also dared not kill him. If Tang San were to die, Clear Sky Douluo would be enraged, and even if he couldn't find them, he would spread the information that they are soul beasts who have lived for a hundred thousand years throughout the human world. Such exposure could attract the coveting eyes of the Spirit Hall, putting them at risk.

If Tang San stayed alive, and Clear Sky Douluo wished to obtain their soul rings and soul bones for him, he wouldn't widely broadcast their existence.

"Enough, Xiao Wu. We can end this now. Spending any more time on someone like Tang San is not worth it."

"My injuries have almost fully healed; let's leave now. Nuoding City is far too dangerous," Xu Ran said, pulling Xiao Wu into his arms and displaying their affection in front of Tang San.

Xiao Wu was startled by Xu Ran's sudden move, her face flushing slightly. However, recalling that Xu Ran had just put himself in harm's way for her, blocking a hidden weapon with his body, her eyes instantly filled with warmth.

Her mother once told her to cherish the boy who would risk his life for her. Now, she had met such a person, and he was an Auspicious Beast. If her mother could see this moment from the afterlife, she would surely be comforted.

She and Xu Ran, a hundred-thousand-year old Spirit Beast and an Auspicious Beast had met in the human world; perhaps it was destiny.

Perhaps Xu Ran is the person destined for her. Otherwise, how could they have met in this vast human world?

"Ugh..." Tang San, trampled under Xiao Wu and Xu Ran's feet, could no longer contain his rage as he watched them embrace. A fresh spurt of blood erupted from his mouth. However, as Xiao Wu was stepping on his lips, the blood could only trickle down slowly from the corners of his mouth.

Witnessing this scene, Tang San's already wounded heart turned ice-cold and emotionless. He stared at the sky, his face ashen.

He was filled with intense loathing.

Having spent a long time with Xiao Wu, Tang San could see that she was developing some feelings for Xu Ran. Although these feelings were not strong yet, he knew that with Xu Ran's manipulative skills, it would only be a matter of time before she was entirely under his control. Xu Ran was unscrupulous and deceitful, and his sweet words were more than enough to captivate Xiao Wu.

What would Xu Ran do to Xiao Wu then? Xu Ran was a shameless lecher; it was evident just from the way he looked at Xiao Wu. With Xu Ran's lustful nature, he would have Xiao Wu by his side day and night, and she might even bear his child.

All of this should have belonged to him.

Xiao Wu was so stunningly beautiful. Though he never expressed it openly, he was a normal man after all. How could he not have any feelings or desires while spending every day by her side? There was a time when he fantasized that once Xiao Wu grew up, she would be with him.

He had been with Xiao Wu since they were children, gaining an advantage by their closeness. Moreover, she even called him "brother," and there was no blood relation between them. If that was the case, their relationship could escalate rather quickly.

However, all of these dreams were like illusions—shattered upon touch. Xiao Wu would never have anything to do with him in the future; she would become Xu Ran's woman.

By the way, System, can I kill Tang San now? Unable to restrain himself, Xu Ran asked the system.

Although he was enjoying the feeling of showing off in front of Tang San, Xu Ran felt it would be safer to eliminate him once and for all. After all, Tang San was highly talented and strong, equipped with hidden weapons and unique skills. If he grew further, he could become a significant threat.

Not that Xu Ran was afraid that Tang San could pose a threat to him, but there was always the chance that Tang San might target those close to him. Even a cornered dog would bite, and how much more so Tang San?

You can't. Tang San is connected to many of your upcoming tasks. I recommend that you complete these tasks before killing him. If Tang San, a major antagonist, dies, you'll encounter many challenging missions to earn skill points, the system advised, dissuading Xu Ran from his intent to kill Tang San.

In that case, never mind, Xu Ran shook his head. If Tang San could continuously provide him with skill points, why not let him live? Besides, flaunting his affection with Xiao Wu would feel even more satisfying if Tang San were there to witness it.

"Xiao Wu, let's go," Xu Ran said, kicking Tang San in the neck with enough force to knock him out. Now that Xiao Wu had broken ties with Tang San, staying any longer would invite trouble from Tang Hao.

Initially, he had planned to meet Yu Xiaogang, but on second thought, there would be time for that later. Given the humiliation Tang San had suffered, and Xiao Wu choosing to leave with him, staying in Nuoding City was akin to waiting for death. He had the ten-thousand-year Qilin experience card that could protect him from Tang Hao, but Xiao Wu was vulnerable.

"Where are we going?" Xiao Wu couldn't help but look at Xu Ran. Ever since she'd seen Tang San's true colors, a kind of indefinable fear had taken root in her heart. Even Tang San, who had been by her side all along, had ulterior motives. She didn't know whom she could trust among humans anymore. In this vast world, in the realm of humanity, Xu Ran was probably the only person she dared to believe.

Xu Ran was a spirit beast, and Xiao Wu felt certain that he wouldn't deceive or harm her. Even if one day he did lie to her, she believed it would be for her own good.

"We're going to a place more suitable for us. You're about to graduate from Nuoding Academy, so it's time to go to an advanced Soul Master Academy," Xu Ran explained. Naturally, he intended to take Xiao Wu to Shrek Academy. Aside from Shrek, he couldn't think of any other advanced Soul Master Academy that would provide a safe haven for Xiao Wu.

Places like Skywater, Blazing Fire, and other top five academies, as well as the famed Royal Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, were situated in bustling areas. Xu Ran couldn't guarantee that no powerful individuals would be lurking around.

After much consideration, Shrek Academy seemed to be the best option. It was located in a village on the outskirts of Suotuo City. Most importantly, Shrek Academy didn't have a miscellaneous student body. Other advanced Soul Master Academies had a mixed group of students. For example, Dugu Yan from the Royal Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was the granddaughter of the Titled Douluo Dugu Bo. If such strong figures were to visit their grandchildren and discover Xiao Wu, the consequences could be dire.