Douluo: The Traveler's Adventures In Douluo Dalu

"Tan—Tang San?"

Just as the young man's face twisted in anger, a figure stepped out from behind Fire Meow Meow.

Hearing the phrase 'you're courting death', Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but recall a certain person. When she stepped forward and saw the speaker clearly, her guess was confirmed.

Who else could spout such a phrase so familiarly if not Tang San from Shrek Academy?

"Zhu Zhuqing? Why are you here?"

Tang San's gaze was filled with confusion and a trace of something more difficult to place.

Back at Shrek Academy, even though the academy itself was rundown, the girls around him were all stunning—each more alluring than the last.

Especially Zhu Zhuqing, with her alluring feline eyes and cold elegance. More than once, she had nearly caused him to make a mistake.

But she was clearly not as naïve as Xiao Wu. And with Dai Mubai around, he had refrained from making any moves.

After that incident, Dai Mubai had died, and he himself had returned to the academy.

Zhu Zhuqing had no family to rely on. With a soul that had lived for decades hidden in her young body, surely it would have been easy for her to deal with a few little girls?

Yet, in reality, when he returned to Shrek Academy, he found only a bunch of old geezers left behind. Ning Rongrong had been taken away by her father, and Zhu Zhuqing had disappeared without a word—leaving him longing in vain.

Now that he saw her again, he realized she had matured even more—elegant and beautiful.

But before he could get lost in his thoughts, Fire Meow Meow, drained of soul power, shrank back into her feline form and revealed the group behind her.

"Dugu Yan… Dugu Bo… so it was you two!"

At the sight of them, Tang San's face contorted. The humiliation he had suffered at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and the painful memory of Dugu Bo tearing off his external soul bone, surged back to the forefront of his mind. His tone was filled with venom.

But then, his eyes landed on the girl cradling Fire Meow Meow—and his body instinctively took a step back.

"Y-You're…"

Tang San remembered her clearly. She was the one who had always been by the side of the man who stole his treasure!

If she was here, then… that man…

Tang San's eyes darted nervously around. Finding nothing, he turned to a black-robed figure at his side.

"Third Worship, have you detected anyone else nearby?"

"Hm?"

The black-robed figure closed his eyes and sensed the surroundings, then shook his head slightly.

Even with that reassurance, Tang San remained unsettled.

"Fire Meow Meow? Fire Meow Meow?"

Yu Keke didn't spare Tang San a glance. She carefully held the injured cat, gently wiping the blood from his fur with trembling fingers, her voice full of worry.

"I'm sorry… I didn't protect you well…"

"I-It's alright…" Fire Meow Meow murmured hoarsely. He struggled free from Yu Keke's embrace and landed unsteadily on the ground. Turning to face the black-robed man beside Tang San, he forced himself to look fierce.

He knew—this was the monster who'd launched that overwhelming attack earlier. The soul power radiating from him was even stronger than Dugu Bo's!

But even now, with barely enough soul power to maintain his form, he stood firmly in front of Yu Keke and Zhu Zhuqing.

He had promised his master to protect them. Even if it meant death, he would keep that promise.

Besides, the reason they were in this mess to begin with… was because he had insisted on helping his master search for the lost treasure. It was his fault they were caught up in this.

If anything happened to them… how could he face Master and Paimon?

"Little Lord, how shall we deal with them?"

The tension in the air was thick. The black-robed figure, visibly impatient, broke the silence.

"Hm?"

Tang San snapped out of his thoughts. He took a deep breath, suppressing the unease in his chest, and glanced sidelong at Zhu Zhuqing and Yu Keke.

"Spare Zhu Zhuqing and that girl. Kill the rest."

The black-robed man gave the group a cold once-over. Fixing his gaze on Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, he started walking toward them with slow, deliberate steps.

"Yan'er… this is Grandpa's fault… I failed to protect you…"

Dugu Bo could sense the terrifying aura of the black-robed man. With his own injuries and depleted soul power, he knew he couldn't stop someone stronger than even his peak self.

He gently caressed his granddaughter's hair, guilt written all over his face.

"Grandpa, you've been wonderful… You're the best grandpa in the whole world…"

Dugu Yan gripped his hand tightly, tears welling in her eyes.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing leapt forward, stepping between the black-robed man and the Dugu pair. Both hands gripped the longsword gifted to her by His Excellency.

Even in the face of a Title Douluo, even though her hands trembled, she stood firm. She would protect them.

Yu Keke followed suit, clutching Fire Meow Meow as she stood beside Zhu Zhuqing. Her stubborn little face held a rare, resolute fierceness.

The black-robed man paused, glancing back at Tang San, as if waiting for his approval.

"Zhu Zhuqing, I don't know why you're with them. But you should be thankful I'm not killing you."

Tang San's eyes grew darker.

"You broke into my Clear Sky Sect, injured my father—and you expect me to just take it lying down?"

"We came to retrieve a lost treasure. It was your sect that kept blocking us!"

Zhu Zhuqing had already deduced Tang San's identity, thanks to the black-robed man's earlier title for him.

"Oh really? And what does your so-called 'lost treasure' have to do with my sect?"

Tang San sneered. "Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan have history with me—you know that. They must've tricked you."

Zhu Zhuqing didn't answer. She only tightened her grip on her sword. Twin blades of energy began to glow from the weapon, shimmering with radiant power.

Tang San paused in surprise. He hadn't noticed her sword before. Now that he saw it clearly—

That was his divine sword!

"Zhu Zhuqing, where did you get that sword?!"

"It wasn't stolen, if that's what you're implying," Zhu Zhuqing replied coldly, lips barely parting.

"…!"

Tang San understood her meaning all too well. She was mocking him.

His face darkened.

"Fine. You want to protect them?" He pointed to the group behind her.

"I can spare their lives—but only if you give me that sword and agree to one condition. How about it?"

Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip.

This sword had been a precious gift from His Excellency. She had always cherished it deeply.

But if surrendering it could save the lives of those behind her… then perhaps it was worth it.

As for whatever condition Tang San might have… if it could save them—

"Zhuqing, this man is a two-faced liar! You know that better than I do! You can't trust him!"

Dugu Yan shouted, interrupting her thoughts.

Tang San shot Dugu Yan a cold look, then narrowed his eyes.

"How about this instead? We're both from the same academy—I'll give you a fair chance."

"If you can defeat me, I'll let you all go."

"But if you lose—you'll give me the sword… and become my servant and slave. Agreed?"

_

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