Chapter 60: Xiao Wu's Exposure
Flander lounged in his rocking chair, quietly listening to the conversation between Luo Ling and Tang San.
By this point, he was certain—the crystal he had sold earlier was worth far more than he'd thought.
He immediately decided he wasn't going to let it go so easily.
"You two don't need to argue anymore. That crystal's mine, and I've changed my mind—it's not for sale!" Flander said shamelessly as he got up to snatch it from Luo Ling.
But Luo Ling easily slipped out of reach, his expression turning cold.
"Shopkeeper, you must be mistaken. That crystal hair stone? I already bought it."
"Bought it? Did I take your money yet? If you're still in my store, it's still mine!" Flander shot back, his tone arrogant.
"Heh. I've seen shameless men before, but tossing away your face like that is a new level." Luo Ling's voice was sharp and mocking.
"Watch your mouth, boy. Didn't your elders ever teach you to show respect?" Flander's tone darkened.
"Elders? All I see is a spineless fool," Luo Ling replied coolly.
"You brat!" Flander's face flushed red with fury. "Seems I'll have to teach you and your family what respect means!"
Spirit power surged from him, flooding the room as he moved to suppress Luo Ling with sheer force.
But Luo Ling stood unfazed. A mere Soul Sage didn't intimidate him—and besides, he could already sense a familiar presence drawing near.
Just as Flander prepared to strike, a wave of icy killing intent enveloped him.
"If you so much as touch him, I'll kill you," a cold voice whispered beside his ear.
Flander froze. The power behind that voice was immense—far beyond his own. He had only ever felt such terror in the presence of a Titled Douluo.
"Y-Your Excellency, you are…?"
"You don't need to know who I am," the voice replied icily. "You only need to know—he isn't someone you can offend."
…
Flander's legs weakened. How could a boy be followed by a Titled Douluo-level protector? He had kicked an iron plate today.
"Take it… take it with you," he stammered, collapsing back into his chair, completely deflated.
"Hmph." Luo Ling gave a slight smirk and glanced toward the shadowed corner but said nothing more. He turned and walked out with calm composure.
Tang San and Xiao Wu watched Flander's reaction in disbelief, utterly confused.
After leaving the shop, Luo Ling stepped into a nearby alley, and a dark silhouette appeared beside him.
"Thank you for stepping in, Uncle Ghost."
"It's my duty," Ghost Douluo replied with a slight nod. Then his tone shifted, carrying a faint excitement. "But, Your Highness, I discovered something else in that shop—a true treasure."
Luo Ling went silent. He knew exactly what Ghost Douluo was referring to.
Ghost Douluo had been shadowing him for days, but Luo Ling had momentarily forgotten about Xiao Wu's true identity—a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
"You mean that ten-thousand-year-old soul beast, correct?" Luo Ling said evenly.
It was Ghost Douluo's turn to be surprised. "You already knew, Your Highness?"
Luo Ling nodded. "Mm. Regarding that soul beast, I hope Uncle Ghost can keep it secret. Don't tell anyone—not even the others in Spirit Hall. If it causes trouble, I'll owe you a personal favor."
It was the first time Ghost Douluo had ever seen Luo Ling speak with such humility. The Holy Son he knew was always calm and confident, never one to plead.
After a long silence, Ghost Douluo nodded. "Understood. I'll only report it to the Pope herself. But if she asks directly…"
"I'll explain it to my teacher personally," Luo Ling said softly.
Ghost Douluo nodded once more before vanishing into the darkness.
Sighing, Luo Ling leaned against the wall, frowning slightly.
That troublesome little rabbit again.
Even though Xiao Wu carried the Red Intestine-Broken Heart herb's protection, she could never remove it now—not unless she abandoned Tang San, which she clearly wouldn't.
Without it, a ten-thousand-year soul beast walking into Spirit City would be walking to her death.
"Forget it. I'll deal with it later," Luo Ling sighed and stepped out of the alley.
…
Back at the Rose Hotel, he found Zhu Zhuqing already awake—her eyes slightly dark, likely from a sleepless night.
She smiled faintly when she saw him.
"You went out?"
"Just took a walk—and got something good," he said, taking out the hair crystal.
Zhu Zhuqing looked curious. To her, it seemed like an ordinary crystal.
Luo Ling smiled but didn't explain, instead motioning for her to follow.
In his room, he shut the door, summoned the Shadow Scythe, and brought it down on the crystal.
Boom!
A resounding crack filled the air as the crystal shattered into fine dust.
Countless golden specks of light scattered, filling the room like bright starlight.
Zhu Zhuqing flinched in surprise and reflexively gathered her spirit energy to defend.
Luckily, those golden lights held no destructive force; they merely drifted gently to the ground.
Luo Ling released his spiritual power, his mind locking onto every golden mote until they slowly rose again, floating elegantly through the room like a galaxy of tiny stars.
His immense mental strength made such precise control effortless.
Under his guidance, the scattered particles merged together, condensing into a glittering form.
"This is the treasure you mentioned?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes," Luo Ling said with a nod.
The golden lights unified into a slender golden needle.
"With soul power, it becomes incredibly hard and has immense penetrating power," Luo Ling explained calmly. "But once it loses energy, it contracts… painfully."
Zhu Zhuqing shuddered at the thought. A weapon that shrank inside a body—it was truly vicious.
"Don't worry," Luo Ling said with a smile. "I won't use it on you."
Her face colored slightly, and she nodded.
The two later went out to dine together, saying little about the previous night.
Time flowed quietly.
…
That night, Luo Ling sat by his window, gazing at the starry sky. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Through the eyes of his crows swooping in the night sky, he saw her.
At the eastern edge of Soto City, a young girl in a finely embroidered dress stepped into a small inn.
It was Ning Rongrong.
"So, she came after all," Luo Ling murmured, a trace of amusement in his voice.
Fate had a funny way of working—no matter how much things changed, the members of the Shrek Seven Devils would still find their way together.
What he didn't realize was that her arrival had nothing to do with fate at all.
She came simply because he was here.
…
Inside the inn, Ning Rongrong sat by the window, pouting as she stared into the night sky.
She had been in Soto City for a whole day but hadn't found any news of Luo Ling. Still, she had heard about a nearby academy beginning registration the next morning.
"Maybe Brother Ling will be there tomorrow?" she murmured softly.
(END CHAPTER)
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