...
Although Flander was internally screaming, he wouldn't dare say it even if he had ten times the courage.
He could only hold it in, his long face turning blue and purple from the effort.
Seemingly noticing Flander's constipated expression, Xuan Hao coughed twice and offered a brief explanation:
"Ahem... well, I'm very close friends with Qin Ming, who graduated from Shrek Academy."
"For Qin Ming's sake, how could I possibly lay a hand on his old dean?
Don't you think so, Dean Flander?"
Upon hearing the name "Qin Ming," Flander was taken aback for a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief.
It turns out he's Qin Ming's friend!
Good heavens! Thank God!
Thank the earth!
Thank you, Qin Ming, that good-for-nothing brat!
Even after so many years since graduation, he still managed to save the old dean's life at a critical moment by coming from another server!
As for the beating Zhao Wuji received before... Flander now thinks that Zhao Wuji deserved it!
"As for the sparring session with Vice Dean Zhao Wuji earlier..."
Xuan Hao shrugged, looking completely innocent.
"That was purely a misunderstanding.
After all, it was Vice Dean Zhao who attacked me first, and I retaliated slightly in self-defense.
It was just self-defense, and it doesn't affect my relationship with Shrek Academy."
"Yes, yes, yes! It was self-defense! It was a complete misunderstanding!"
Flanders had never felt so at ease in his life.
He nodded his head like a chicken pecking at rice, and a bright smile crept onto his old face.
"Brother Xuanhao is right! It's all a misunderstanding!
Since he's Qin Ming's friend, he's one of us from Shrek Academy!"
Meng Yiran and the Snake Granny were dumbfounded by Flander's fawning "survivor" demeanor.
Is this... the backbone a Soul Saint should have? Why does he seem more afraid of this boy than a mouse is of a cat?
"See?"
Xuan Hao turned his head, looked at Meng Yiran who was still somewhat bewildered, and his tone softened:
"So, it's really not my place to get involved in this."
"Moreover, to be honest, although this Phoenix-tailed Crested Serpent is good and fast, its attributes are more inclined towards flight and escape, which is not particularly suitable for the attack characteristics of your Serpent Blade Martial Soul."
Xuan Hao pointed to the snake on the ground, then to Oscar:
"They're a food-type support, which is exactly what they need for survival.
Just consider it a favor and give it to them."
"Anyway, the Star Dou Great Forest is so big, there are plenty of good things.
I'll help you find an even better one, one that suits you perfectly, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Xuan Hao smiled and casually pointed to Zhu Zhuqing behind him:
"Perfect timing! Someone in our team also needs to acquire their third spirit ring.
Let's travel together and look out for each other on the way."
If Meng Yiran gives up on the Phoenix-tailed Crested Serpent, she will inevitably need to continue searching for a Soul Ring.
When the Dragon Lord joins forces, that human-faced demon spider with the "Eight Spider Spears" will definitely not be able to escape his grasp!
However.
Xuan Hao underestimated the stubbornness of this little princess of the Dragon and Snake family.
"no!"
When Meng Yiran heard Xuan Hao tell her to hand over the snake, the slight goodwill that had arisen from their reunion was instantly replaced by anger.
"Why should I?!"
"It took my grandma and me two whole days to track down this crested snake!
I almost got injured trying to catch it!"
"Just because you know that Qin Ming guy, I'm supposed to give away my spoils for nothing?!"
Meng Yiran glared at Xuan Hao, her eyes slightly red, her tone tinged with grievance and anger:
"I don't care what your relationship with them is! This is my spirit ring!"
"Fine, if you won't help me, then so be it.
We'll just wait for my grandpa to come and take it back ourselves!"
"You want me to hand it over? No way!"
"Alright."
Faced with Meng Yiran's stubbornness and accusations, Xuan Hao did not retort or try to intimidate her as he usually did.
He simply shrugged indifferently and put his hands back in his pockets.
"Since you think this snake is rightfully yours, then you can fight over it all you want.
I'm not getting involved."
"I hate trouble the most. Since both sides are acquaintances, I won't get any credit if I help either of them, so I might as well pretend to be blind and not see anything."
Xuan Hao turned around and waved to the four girls watching the show behind him:
"Let's go, this is none of our business. Let's go find some soul beasts."
"Huh? But..."
Meng Yiran was stunned.
She originally thought that even if Xuan Hao didn't help her get it back, he would at least mediate and say a few sweet words to coax her, considering their past acquaintance.
Who knew this guy would be so heartless, leaving without even looking back?!
"Hey! Xuan Hao! Stop right there!"
Meng Yiran stomped her feet in anger, but could only watch helplessly as the silver-haired boy led four stunningly beautiful girls into the dense forest without looking back.
Meanwhile, Flander and the Shrek team breathed a long sigh of relief.
As long as this plague god doesn't interfere, things will be much easier from here on out.
...
After leaving that place of trouble, Xuan Hao and his group continued to wander aimlessly in the forest.
However, the atmosphere within the team was far from peaceful.
"Brother Xuanhao..."
Ning Rongrong clung to Xuan Hao like an octopus, hooking her arm around his.
Her large eyes gleamed with a mixture of gossip and scrutiny as she asked in a low, hushed tone:
"Were you... hiding something from us just now?"
"When did you get involved with the Gaishi Dragon-Snake family again?"
"And there's more..."
Ning Rongrong drawled, "The VIP section of the Spirit Hall?
What's going on here?"
"You wouldn't have secretly defected to the Spirit Hall behind my father's and grandfather's backs, would you?"
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Spirit Hall maintain a superficially amicable relationship, they are secretly wary of each other.
If Xuan Hao were to truly become a member of the Spirit Hall, Ning Rongrong would be caught in the middle and suffer greatly.
"What are you thinking about seeking refuge with? What are you thinking?"
Xuan Hao tapped Ning Rongrong on the forehead in an annoyed tone and explained:
"I really met Meng Yiran by chance in the stands three years ago when I was watching the final of the All-Continent Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies."
"How old was I back then? How old was she?
What kind of relationship could we have?
We just watched a few games and chatted a few times.
We weren't even ordinary friends, just acquaintances at most."
Xuan Hao shrugged. "But..."
"As you know, I've been handsome since I was a child, and I have a good temperament, so I'm naturally more attractive to the opposite sex."
"In addition, I have a friendly personality and treat people with a warm and welcoming attitude.
It's quite reasonable that the young girl was impressed by me and considered me a good friend on her own."
"I can't just coldly tell someone 'I don't know you,' can I?
That would be too hurtful to their self-esteem."
"..."
Listening to Xuan Hao's shameless self-praise, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing rolled their eyes at the same time.
easy going?
Like a gentle spring breeze?
Are you involved with any of these things?
"Alright, stop pretending."
Ning Rongrong pursed her lips, automatically ignoring Xuan Hao's narcissistic remarks, and pressed on with:
"What about the VIP seating?"
"Oh, that one."
Xuan Hao shrugged.
"I took Na'er to watch the finals, but the tickets were already sold out."
"As the leader of the Self-Reliance Association, I can't possibly sneak out of the building to avoid paying for admission, can I?"
"So, Hu Liena took us directly to the Spirit Hall's exclusive VIP seats to watch the show."
"It's that simple."
After hearing this explanation, Ning Rongrong didn't seem to care much anymore.
Ning Fengzhi had already revealed Hu Liena's identity to her over the years.
She was the direct disciple of the current Pope Bibi Dong.
Moreover, that fox spirit's interest in and devotion to Xuan Hao was completely undisguised!
To put it bluntly, the Spirit Hall is using a "honey trap" to win over Xuan Hao!
Ning Rongrong wasn't too worried about this overtly obvious scheme.
After all, if Xuan Hao really wanted to side with the Spirit Hall, he wouldn't have been able to stay in Heaven Dou City long ago.
She was concerned about something else.
"so..."
Ning Rongrong stared intently into Xuan Hao's eyes, "You and that Meng Yiran, are you really just 'familiar' with each other?"
"You really haven't been unfaithful or left her any tokens of love?"
"nonsense!"
Xuan Hao rolled his eyes and said, somewhat speechless:
"If it's really that kind of relationship, or if they're really that close..."
"Do you think I would have turned around and left in that situation, given my personality?"
"I would have kicked Flander away long ago, and while I was at it, I would have beaten up those Dai Mubai and Tang San again, and just snatched that damn snake and shoved it into her hands, okay?!"
"Because we weren't familiar with each other, and that snake really wasn't suitable for her, I couldn't be bothered to get myself into trouble."
Xuan Hao tapped Ning Rongrong's little head:
"While I'm not afraid of trouble, I don't like to create trouble for myself unnecessarily.
Understand, you little jealous pot?"
Hearing Xuan Hao's explanation, which perfectly matched his "favoritism" personality, Ning Rongrong finally felt relieved.
"Hehe, I knew Brother Xuanhao was the best!"
Ning Rongrong's expression changed instantly.
She grabbed Xuan Hao's arm again, nuzzled her head against his shoulder, and smiled radiantly.
"Well... since it's none of our business anymore, where are we going to look for Zhu Qing's soul beast next?"
"No rush, take your time looking."
Continuation requirements: Three days later, at dawn, Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes.
Last night, in the middle of the night, a five-thousand-year-old ghost tiger suddenly broke into their camp, and Xuan Hao easily defeated it.
Then, Zhu Zhuqing absorbed the spirit ring.
Third Soul Skill: Netherworld Shadow Clone.
It splits into multiple clones, which have offensive capabilities for a short period of time.
They are not just illusions created by speed, and the clones can use spirit ring skills.
A very useful soul skill. But what baffled Zhu Zhuqing the most was that her soul power had directly reached level thirty-eight.
Xuan Hao explained that the medicinal power of the Narcissus Jade Bone and Muscle was already quite good.
Previously, it was stuck at level 30 because it hadn't absorbed any spirit rings.
Now, this third spirit ring is beyond its age limit, so reaching level 38 is normal.
In a few more months, it should be able to reach level 40.
Zhu Zhuqing's mind went blank for a moment.
After consuming the Narcissus Jade Bone and Muscle, her soul power directly increased from level 27 to level 30, which she thought was incredibly powerful. But this thing is actually this powerful?
Xuan Hao said not to be too surprised, these things are just icing on the cake, not turning the rotten into the magical.
It can turn an ordinary person into a genius, and a genius into an unparalleled genius.
But there's no way to turn an ordinary person into a peerless genius overnight.
The product is indeed good, but ultimately it depends on your own preferences.
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