Douluo: Two brothers in douluo

Tang San stared at the so-called "Titan Python" and its faintly purple soul ring, falling into deep thought.

Such a weak Titan Python—should he really absorb its soul ring?

After a quick inspection, Tang San realized the snake wasn't even injured. It was just… weak!

This made him hesitate.

But Teacher Yu Xiaogang wouldn't lie to me. If he said the Titan Python is good, then it must be good!

After a moment of internal debate, Tang San decided to go through with it. The faint purple soul ring indicated that the snake was at most 1,200 years old—perfectly suitable as his third soul ring.

In reality, this Sticky Skin Snake was precisely 1,200 years old. Absorbing its soul ring would be effortless for Tang San.

"Xiao Wu, guard me while I absorb the soul ring."

At this moment, Tang San felt he could only trust Xiao Wu. Everyone else probably wouldn't help him—and might even seize the opportunity to attack him.

"O-okay, San… San Ge."

Xiao Wu stammered nervously, agreeing with hesitation.

She truly hadn't expected Tang San to actually absorb this soul ring.

The Sticky Skin Snake's only "ability" was shedding its skin. Underneath its terrifying appearance, it was covered in festering pustules...

Just imagining it made Xiao Wu nauseous.

The Sticky Skin Snake only looked like this during its shedding period. The rest of the time, it wore a deceptive "disguise" to intimidate weaker beasts.

Had Tang San cut through its "skin" earlier, there was no way he would've touched this soul ring.

"Alright!"

Seeing Xiao Wu agree, Tang San sat cross-legged and began absorbing the soul ring.

Flender observed for a moment before speaking up.

"Xiao Wu, you'll stay here with Tang San. I'll take Zhao Wuji, Dai Mubai, and Oscar to hunt their soul rings."

"Once Tang San has absorbed his soul ring, don't wander off. Wait here until we return, and then we'll help you find yours."

Time was precious, and there was no way Flender was going to wait around for Tang San to finish absorbing his soul ring.

Xiao Wu: "???"

Wait… you all hate Tang San, and now you're ditching me too?

But this arrangement worked in her favor. Once they left, she could find an excuse to condense her own soul ring.

"Alright, Dean."

Xiao Wu nodded obediently.

"Dean, I'll stay behind as well," Dai Mubai interjected seriously. "After Oscar gets his soul ring, I'll help Xiao Wu obtain hers. The soul beast I need has to be of a much higher age. We can escort them out of the Star Dou Forest first."

Flender glanced at Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Ning Rongrong before nodding.

"Alright. Let's do it that way."

After all, Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong were too weak to handle the forest's dangers. If they encountered a ten-thousand-year soul beast, even the shockwaves could kill them.

It would be much safer to escort the weaker ones out first, then return to help Dai Mubai hunt.

Since Flender had agreed, no one else objected.

Before long, only Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and the meditating Tang San were left.

A sunny smile appeared on Dai Mubai's face as he approached Xiao Wu.

His sudden movement startled her, causing her cheeks to flush crimson.

"You… What are you doing?"

"M-my wounds haven't healed yet…"

Xiao Wu stammered, flustered beyond belief. She was terrified that Dai Mubai would treat her like he had the night before.

"Y-you can't! San Ge is right here, still absorbing his soul ring…"

"Relax, Xiao Wu. I'm not here to mess around," Dai Mubai reassured her, shaking his head.

"You should condense your soul ring now—better to get it over with before they come back."

"If Flender and the others return, you won't get another chance."

"As for… other matters, we'll deal with them back at the academy."

Hearing Dai Mubai's words, Xiao Wu instinctively pressed her knees together, her face burning red.

Back at Shrek Academy? He… He still…

After a moment, Xiao Wu finally managed to calm down. Taking Dai Mubai's advice to heart, she sat down and began condensing her soul ring.

What he said made sense—if she didn't do it now, she wouldn't get another opportunity.

So he stayed behind… to help me?

The thought left Xiao Wu feeling a strange mix of gratitude and confusion.

What Dai Mubai was actually thinking, however, was very different.

He was terrified that if Xiao Wu ventured further into the forest, she'd draw out the Titan Giant Ape!

It was far safer for her to condense her soul ring quickly so they could leave as soon as possible.

About an hour later, Tang San opened his eyes.

The soul ring he had absorbed was only 1,200 years old—far from difficult to handle.

However, his expression was oddly conflicted.

This new soul skill… it worked, but it was nothing like what his teacher had described!

As Tang San tested his soul ring, the Blue Silver Grass appeared in his hand, accompanied by three rings—yellow, yellow, and purple.

But as he stared at his martial soul, Tang San's pupils contracted sharply.

This… this isn't what Teacher said at all!

The Blue Silver Grass now had… pustules?

It looked sick, as though infected with some terrible disease.

Not only that, but its toughness hadn't improved at all. In fact, it felt slightly weaker than before.

And his third soul skill?

Shedding??

Why on earth would Blue Silver Grass need to shed its skin??

If this soul ring had boosted his martial soul's toughness—even just a little—he could have accepted it.

But shedding? How was that supposed to help him in combat?

Just as Tang San was about to vent his frustration, he noticed Xiao Wu meditating nearby, apparently absorbing a soul ring herself.

He immediately fell silent.

But why was Xiao Wu absorbing a soul ring? Hadn't he asked her to guard him?

Then…

"Dai Mubai?"

Tang San's gaze shifted to Dai Mubai, and his back suddenly went cold, sweat trickling down his spine.

Why was Dai Mubai the one guarding him and Xiao Wu? Where was everyone else?

"You're awake? Then keep quiet. Someone's still absorbing a soul ring."

Dai Mubai shot Tang San a sidelong glance, his expression indifferent.

To Tang San, however, this looked very suspicious.

Everyone else was gone, and the only one left was Dai Mubai—the person who had beaten him and Xiao Wu to a pulp a month ago.

Why would Dai Mubai guard him?

Had he been wrong all along? Had Dai Mubai really meant no harm back then?

After a long pause, Tang San finally spoke with difficulty.

"Thank you… Boss Dai."

Dai Mubai: "???"

Not this again…

So it's "Boss Dai" when you need me, and "Dai Mubai" when you don't?

"Wait a second… Do I have a protagonist's halo too?"

"Well, it makes sense. In the original story, when Tang San first fought me, he knew full well that I wasn't a good guy—and yet he still said he acknowledged me…"

(End of Chapter)