Chapter 68: The Choice
"Were you even listening to me?" Luo Ling frowned at Xiao Wu, who was still dazed, unsure if the little rabbit was in shock or just distracted.
Xiao Wu snapped out of her trance, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"I'm listening. You can keep talking," she said softly.
Luo Ling sighed and continued, "The second choice is to stay at the academy."
"But I can't guarantee your safety. If you face danger, I can use Ghost Concealment to hide you—but you'll need to take the chance to run."
"My Ghost Concealment can fool even a Title Douluo's perception and ignore physical collisions. But whether you can escape… that's on fate."
He fell silent after explaining both options, watching her closely.
He preferred the first choice—it was safer. But if she chose the second, he wouldn't interfere. He had already said all that could be said.
Life or death would be her own to decide.
Xiao Wu was silent for a long moment, torn. Her heart struggled with fear and defiance. At last, she looked up, her eyes glimmering faintly.
"I need to think about it," she whispered.
"Don't think too long," Luo Ling replied gently, then added, as if just remembering something, "By the way, Shrek Academy should be joining the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Tournament soon. It'll be held in Spirit City—where there will be plenty of Titled Douluo and Soul Douluo."
"You know what that means."
Xiao Wu nodded but said nothing more.
Luo Ling exhaled heavily, not pressing her further. In the distance, the fight was reaching its end—though "fight" was hardly the word. It was a one-sided beating.
Zhao Wuji, bruised and bloody, staggered back to his feet.
"Many thanks for your instruction, Lord Haotian!" he said respectfully.
The man in black gave him only a faint glance and spoke a few calm words.
Zhao Wuji and Flender both froze momentarily before nodding in reply.
Satisfied, the black figure turned, his body fading into the night.
Luo Ling watched him disappear, his crimson eyes flashing with a dangerous light.
Tang Hao. The Haotian Douluo—a looming threat if there ever was one.
If only there were an opening to eliminate him…
But Luo Ling quelled the thought. Tang Hao possessed the Killing God Domain, touched by the attention of the Shura God himself. Recklessness would be suicide. It would have to wait.
…
The next morning, Luo Ling rose from his bed.
Just as he opened his door, he found both Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong waiting outside.
The two girls walked up to him, and Ning Rongrong immediately slipped her arm through his.
"Good morning, Brother Ling! Let's go eat in Soto City?" she said sweetly.
At that moment, Oscar came out of his room and froze when he saw the scene. He had even shaved his beard to look more presentable—but neither girl so much as glanced at him.
"Aren't you both students now? Don't you have classes today?" Luo Ling asked, trying to pull his arm free but failing.
Ning Rongrong's mischievous smile made it clear she had no intention of letting go.
Luo Ling sighed in defeat. Meanwhile, Oscar stepped forward, frowning.
"You can't go to Soto City! The Headmaster will be looking for us soon—it's too far!"
"Then we'll just eat in the village," Luo Ling suggested.
Ning Rongrong pouted but eventually nodded, since Luo Ling had spoken.
The group headed toward the cafeteria.
They hadn't gone far when a flash of violet fire burst through the air above them. Ahead, Tang San and Xiao Wu were locked in a heated fight with a chubby boy.
Luo Ling stopped, instantly recognizing the scene—and then he remembered.
He had nearly forgotten the last member of the original Shrek Seven Devils.
The Evil Fire Phoenix—Ma Hongjun.
Luo Ling watched quietly as Tang San fought clumsily, clearly trying to impress Xiao Wu but still weary from Zhao Wuji's beating the day before.
Oscar, watching with growing panic, rushed forward. "Stop! Stop fighting!"
Tang San and Ma Hongjun both froze in confusion.
"We're all from the same academy, right? Let's talk before tearing each other apart!" Oscar pleaded, moving between them.
"Hmph! Talk? That pervert tried to abduct a village girl! He's a disgrace to this school!" Xiao Wu shouted angrily, her attacks more ferocious than before.
Using his Spiritual Domain, Luo Ling could see her agitation clear as day. She wasn't just angry—she was venting. Likely still shaken from the previous night.
Tang San, eager to impress her further, attacked with renewed energy, joining the assault.
Two against one—Ma Hongjun was quickly overwhelmed.
"Damn it! Do either of you dare fight me fairly, one-on-one!?" Ma Hongjun shouted indignantly.
Oscar could only stomp helplessly on the sidelines—his food-type soul power was useless in such a fight.
"Luo Ling—Brother Ling! Can't you stop them? There must be a misunderstanding!" Oscar finally begged.
Luo Ling had seen enough. Smiling faintly, he let the Shadow Scythe materialize in his hand.
Dark power rippled through the air, making Oscar flinch instinctively.
He hadn't witnessed the battle against Zhao Wuji. He had no idea just how strong Luo Ling really was.
With a wave of the scythe, darkness coalesced into a crescent-shaped blade of energy that slashed through the air toward the fighters.
All three combatants turned, instinct screaming danger.
Their faces blanched, and they scattered immediately.
The black crescent tore between them, splitting the ground and leaving a deep, smoking fissure. The entire earth trembled.
"Done fighting yet?" Luo Ling asked calmly, stepping forward as dark mist faded around him.
Ma Hongjun swallowed hard. The handsome stranger radiated a pressure even Zhao Wuji rarely brought out.
"Uh, Oscar… who's this guy?" Ma Hongjun murmured nervously.
"I'm just an accompanying student," Luo Ling replied lightly. "You all seem to have a misunderstanding. Oscar asked me to stop it before someone got seriously hurt."
Oscar hurried over. "That's right! What happened between you all?"
Ma Hongjun finally relaxed a bit, realizing Luo Ling wasn't hostile. He clicked his tongue but explained what had transpired.
After hearing his explanation, the situation became clearer.
"So that 'Cuihua' really is your girlfriend?" Xiao Wu asked suspiciously.
Just then, Dai Mubai arrived. Seeing the mess on the ground, he frowned. "What's going on here?"
"This fatty tried to force his girlfriend!" Xiao Wu replied sharply, still glaring at Ma Hongjun.
Dai Mubai rubbed his temples, quickly piecing the situation together.
Before he could speak, Luo Ling interrupted, his tone indifferent.
"Whatever the issue, let's discuss it on the way. I'm hungry."
Everyone blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness.
Ma Hongjun looked uneasy, Dai Mubai's expression darkened further, but no one dared challenge Luo Ling.
In silence, the group followed him toward the cafeteria.
(END CHAPTER)
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