Teacher, I… I'm sorry," Tang Chuan said sheepishly, his voice barely audible.
Yuan Longxuan, calm and measured as ever, waved a hand. "It's alright. I know you didn't mean it. Accidents happen. Don't stress."
Tang San nodded in agreement. "Yes, brother. Don't take it too seriously. We're fine."
The words warmed Tang Chuan's heart. Even in the face of his humiliation, their kindness made him feel… strange, almost grateful.
After a moment of thought, Tang Chuan spotted the dirty chicken leg in his bowl. Inspiration struck.
He decided to lead by example, advocating the virtue of thrift.
After all, he was the God King Tang, also revered as the God of Savings!
With determination, he picked up the chicken leg, wiped off the visible residue with his hands, and bit into it.
Then, staring at the slightly contaminated porridge, he gulped it down without hesitation.
"Gulp gulp," Tang Chuan ate with gusto.
Yu Xiaogang winced. "Ugh~~"
Tang San, following suit reluctantly, muttered, "Ugh~~"
Xiao Chenyu and his companions gagged. "Ugh~~ Ugh~~ Ugh~~"
Xiao Wu and Wu Ling turned pale, their stomachs churning.
"Brother Yuan… I feel a little nauseous," Xiao Wu whispered, clutching her stomach.
"Me too," Wu Ling echoed, her face green.
Finally, Yuan Longxuan could take no more. He slammed his hands on the table. "Enough! We are leaving...this cafeteria is clearly unsafe!"
Within three minutes, Yuan Longxuan led Xiao Wu and Wu Ling to a private dining room, paying thirty gold soul coins for a luxurious space.
Thanks to the earlier chaos, the staff didn't charge extra, clearly happy to get rid of Tang Chuan and Tang San.
Meanwhile, Tang Chuan, Tang San, and Yu Xiaogang were effectively banned from the main dining area. Their gluttonous chaos had consequences.....they would never return to the cafeteria proper.
Once settled in the private room, Xiao Wu dug into her carrot porridge with delight. "This is so delicious!" she exclaimed.
"The meat is amazing," Wu Ling added, smiling for the first time since arriving at the cafeteria.
Yuan Longxuan watched them eat, feeling a sense of satisfaction. The girls were happy, and for now, the world's chaos could wait.
Late that night, when all other dormitories had gone dark, only Dean Fanos's office remained lit.
"Wait… they actually barred you from the cafeteria?" Fanos asked, intrigued, while tinkering with some particle collision experiments.
"Yes! Their attitude was… appalling," Yu Xiaoan responded eagerly.
Before he could continue, Fanos interrupted. "Don't worry.
While the cafeteria isn't directly under my control, I can handle this tomorrow. Leave it to me."
Yu Xiaoan's face lit up. "Yes! Please do!"
Though he trusted Fanos, Yu Xiaoan couldn't help but feel a lingering suspicion about Yuan Longxuan.
Something about him seemed unusual, almost like a ghost from the past.
But the boy looked no older than eighteen or nineteen. Surely, he couldn't be related to anyone from twenty years ago… could he?
Meanwhile, in Yuan Longxuan's villa in Notting City, Xiao Wu and Wu Ling finally settled for the night.
Xiao Wu lay next to Wu Ling, pretending to sleep while subtly observing her protector.
"Sister Xiao Wu, when did you and Brother Yuan meet?" Wu Ling asked innocently, curling closer.
"Hehe… we've known each other for a long time," Xiao Wu whispered with a playful smile.
"So… are you a couple? You and Brother Yuan seem perfect together!" Wu Ling asked, eyes wide.
"Couple?" Xiao Wu tilted her head thoughtfully. In truth, she and Yuan Longxuan weren't officially a couple.....but given his protective nature, their bond was undeniable.
"I can't say for sure. Maybe I'll have to ask my mother," she said quietly, blushing.
Wu Ling nodded, clearly satisfied with the explanation, and snuggled closer to her friend.
For now, the dangers of the world could wait....the warmth of friendship and the comfort of food had carried them through yet another turbulent day.
The Soul Hunting Forest stretched for dozens of miles, a man-made haven for spirit beasts of all types and ages.
Dense foliage lined the entrance, where sunlight filtered through the tall trees, casting golden streaks across the forest floor.
A massive stone tablet stood proudly at the gateway, engraved with the words: "Soul Hunting Forest."
As they stepped inside, Tang San, Tang Chuan, and Yuan Longxuan followed a winding path, flanked by trees with thick, green canopies.
Streams of crystal-clear water flowed alongside them, reflecting the sunlight in shimmering ripples.
The forest was alive with the sounds of spirit beasts, their calls echoing across the air, a constant reminder of the danger and opportunity that lay ahead.
Different habitats sprawled within the forest: dense woods, open grasslands, and swampy wetlands.
Each contained unique species of spirit beasts, some dormant, others highly aggressive.
Only the most careful hunters could navigate this place without becoming prey themselves.
Tang San's eyes scanned the surroundings nervously.
His Xuantian Gong had been stagnant for years, and this journey could be his chance to break through....but only if he survived.
Tang Chuan, meanwhile, observed his former self with a mixture of disdain and amusement.
The difference between the God King of the present and the timid boy of the past was staggering.
Yuan Longxuan, standing behind the two brothers, maintained his usual calm demeanor.
His role was simple: observe and guide when necessary, letting Tang Chuan orchestrate the true test.
"This place… what kind of spirit ring are we looking for, teacher?" Tang San asked, curiosity and excitement mingling in his voice.
Yuan Longxuan's eyes sparkled. "A spirit ring perfectly suited to your spirit, Xiao San. One that will help you break through the first level of Xuantian Gong.
But it won't be easy. The Soul Hunting Forest is full of century-old spirit beasts, and most hunters don't leave here unscathed."
Tang Chuan's lips curled into a sly grin. His plan was already forming.
He didn't need to directly attack Tang San.
Instead, he could manipulate events, letting his former self unknowingly pave the way for his own future power.
The trio pressed deeper into the forest. Tang San's steps were cautious, Tang Chuan's confident, and Yuan Longxuan's measured, scanning for danger.
Ahead, a lone bamboo stood nearly ten meters tall, unmistakable in its aura of latent power. Yuan Longxuan's eyes lit up with recognition.
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