SoulLand:Ascending to Godhood through Science

Chapter 56: Tang San Returns, Xiao Wu Aspires to Lead

By midday the next day, Tang San helped the groggy Yu Xiaogang into a room, settling his teacher before finally stepping out.

Just as in the original story, Tang San successfully obtained his first spirit ring and returned, while Yu Xiaogang, having been poisoned by the Mandala Snake, needed time to recover even after Tang San's treatment.

Many fanfictions that focus on obstructing Tang San's path often include plots against his first spirit ring.

However, You Chen had no intention of interfering.

Firstly, it was too risky. With Tang Hao around, trying to directly undermine Tang San, especially regarding his martial spirit development, was dangerous. Attempting to force or trick Tang San into absorbing a ten-year spirit ring would surely provoke Tang Hao's wrath.

Secondly, You Chen believed that Yu Xiaogang's training path for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass martial spirit was, from the perspective of Tang San's future foes, the "optimal route."

Why is it the best? That's a lengthy analysis, and to avoid boring readers, it won't be detailed here.

Following Yu Xiaogang's instructions, Tang San planned to register at the Spirit Hall and collect his gold soul coins. But first, he wanted to inform his dorm mates of his return.

"Hmm? Wang Sheng, why is everyone gone? There's still an hour before mealtime, right?"

Returning to the seventh dormitory, Tang San, puzzled by the empty room, asked his reluctant underling, Wang Sheng.

Without Xiao Wu, Tang San naturally became the nominal leader of the seventh dormitory work-study students.

Wang Sheng, hearing Tang San's inquiry, showed an excited expression: "Brother San, honestly, if it weren't for waiting here for you, I'd be at the back mountain forest watching the show too."

"Waiting for me? Show?" Two question marks appeared over Tang San's head.

Wang Sheng quickly explained: "In the sixth dormitory, a first-year girl named Xiao Wu has not only subdued their first-year students but has also defeated the second and third-year students. She claims she wants to be the academy's leader, ruling over all! So now, the sixth-year leader, Boss Xiao, couldn't sit still. They've arranged a duel for this afternoon; they might already be fighting!"

Unlike the original clash between Xiao Wu and Xiao Chenyu, which stemmed from Xiao Chenyu picking on the weaker work-study students, this time Xiao Wu's desire to become the school's leader seemed to have instigated the conflict!

"Wait, did you say Xiao Wu?" Tang San's eyes widened.

Not yet influenced by Shrek's "mediocre if not causing trouble" education, Tang San was resistant to pointless conflicts, believing the time could be better spent cultivating soul power or crafting hidden weapons.

If someone else were involved, he would dismiss it, but with Xiao Wu involved, it was different.

Reflecting on Xiao Wu's personality, despite only interacting with her twice, Tang San recognized that while she was inherently kind, she was also impulsive, reckless, and stubborn.

Such an event was unsurprising upon reflection.

"Fine."

Tang San sighed, looking seriously at Wang Sheng: "Wang Sheng, you know how to get to the back mountain, right? Lead me there."

Even though Xiao Wu had wronged his teacher, her intentions were to defend him.

With this debt of gratitude, he couldn't just sit by!

Convincing himself thus, Tang San asked Wang Sheng to lead the way.

Soon, he found Wang Sheng too slow and had him point the direction before sprinting off using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.

As Tang San rushed over, Xiao Wu and Xiao Chenyu's groups were already positioned in the back mountain woods.

Xiao Wu led nearly ninety percent of the sixth dormitory students, while Xiao Chenyu had most of the sixth-year students behind him.

The leaders faced off in silence, tension crackling in the air.

Pulled into the fray as a bystander, You Chen glanced at the back of Xiao Wu's head, thinking sarcastically about the childishness of playing leader at her age. While it might seem overly childish for him, a man in his thirties, it was likely just right for Xiao Wu's age.

Unaware of the inner musings of her "general" behind her, Xiao Wu engaged in a verbal duel with Xiao Chenyu.

The dialogue was the same old stuff readers had seen countless times.

Topics like "the loser becomes the other's pet," "Nordin City's pet rabbit," and "the end of your decaying rule; from today, I, Xiao Wu, will stand above" were exchanged...

Finally, provoked by Xiao Chenyu, they agreed on a "ten-person relay duel" format, favoring Xiao Chenyu's older students.

Incidentally, You Chen was drafted for the duel, slated to appear just before Xiao Wu, without anyone asking his opinion...

'Should I just concede and see Xiao Wu's reaction? It fits my persona of someone oblivious to the outside world, focused only on cultivation.'

As You Chen entertained this mischievous thought, his eyes caught a familiar figure among the spectators, and his pupils contracted.

At that moment, You Chen finally noticed Hu Liena's presence.

'Why is she here?'

Frowning at Hu Liena mingling with other spectators, You Chen controlled his expression, feeling a rare flicker of irritation.

Being Bibi Dong's disciple meant Hu Liena represented Bibi Dong's reputation, so any interaction required You Chen to maintain his composure and only counterattack if justified.

As Bibi Dong intended, such nuisances, while not harming You Chen's interests directly, were indeed aggravating.

Even having left Spirit City, Hu Liena's persistent pursuit was irksome, even stirring some anger in You Chen.

'What's her plan now? Is she trying to embarrass me in this duel? With her mental abilities, theoretically, she could, given You Xing's status as merely a ring spirit master. Or is she just assessing this persona's capabilities?'

You Chen pondered, remaining vigilant.

Compared to revealing "You Xing's resistance to Hu Liena's mental prowess," losing face was less concerning.

At that moment, Hu Liena's gaze met You Chen's, and she gave him a sweet smile.

Unmoved, You Chen casually looked away, treating her like any other bystander.