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Xiao Wu looked at Yang Xiong, visibly annoyed: "You little bear, you've upset Little Bai so much that she ran off. I think your upcoming trials are going to be extremely difficult."
Yang Xiong sighed helplessly: "I was only speaking the truth. Is it because I absorbed two hundred-thousand-year soul rings that he would increase the difficulty for me? Would the Sea God reject me just because I absorbed two hundred-thousand-year soul rings?"
Xiao Wu replied: "It's because you casually hunt hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. These soul beasts have the intelligence of normal humans—don't you think it's cruel?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "Xiao Wu, you're a hundred-thousand-year soul beast who has taken human form. Perhaps in your eyes, soul beasts feel closer to you, but in my eyes, I must constantly grow stronger. And soul rings are unavoidable."
Xiao Wu quickly interjected: "So you still need two more soul rings? Will you continue hunting hundred-thousand-year soul beasts in the future?"
Yang Xiong nodded: "This is the rule of the soul master world. Not even gods can change it—how could we mere mortals defy it?"
Xiao Wu seemed exasperated: "You little bear, I thought you were a good person. I never expected you'd still want to hunt hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. I misjudged you!"
Yang Xiong sighed: "Little Rabbit, I've saved you several times. Is this how you treat your savior?"
Seeing Xiao Wu's anger, Tang San, who had been silent until now, quickly stepped in to comfort her: "Xiao Wu, don't be so angry. I will work hard to grow stronger and protect you with all my might."
Yang Xiong looked at Tang San and Xiao Wu, shaking his head involuntarily. The rules of this world—could they really be changed by the efforts of ordinary individuals?
Tang San glanced at Yang Xiong: "Yang Xiong, I thank you for helping Xiao Wu many times. But I hope you'll apologize to her since hundred-thousand-year soul beasts are her kind."
Yang Xiong responded: "Tang San, you haven't started absorbing soul rings for your Hao Tian Hammer yet. Do you plan to only absorb ordinary ten-thousand-year soul rings in the future? Won't you pursue hundred-thousand-year soul rings as well?"
Upon hearing this, Tang San was momentarily speechless. He planned to cultivate his Blue Silver Grass to nine rings before adding soul rings to his Hao Tian Hammer. At that time, he would undoubtedly seek the most powerful soul beasts with the highest years—hundred-thousand-year soul rings were among his goals, perhaps even his ultimate ambition.
After a moment of silence, Tang San finally spoke: "I won't casually hunt hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, but those that are particularly evil can still be killed."
Yang Xiong couldn't help but laugh internally: "I'm a bit confused here. What exactly qualifies as an 'evil' hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"
"I'm not interested in your relationship with Xiao Wu, nor do I want to interfere. But I believe that any soul beast that reaches the hundred-thousand-year level—unless it's a plant-type soul beast—must have killed countless other soul beasts to reach that stage. Even the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python should be no exception. Surely they aren't herbivores, right?"
"If we consider this, what truly qualifies as a 'good' soul beast? How can I distinguish between a 'good' hundred-thousand-year soul beast and an 'evil' one?"
Tang San thought for a moment before replying: "Some soul beasts grow naturally, while others not only survive but also recklessly destroy soul beast forests. Beyond their natural growth, they excessively hunt other soul beasts. In my eyes, these are evil soul beasts."
Yang Xiong nodded: "You might make such distinctions, but I find them somewhat unreasonable."
"I heard that you encountered the Deep Sea Demon Whale King at sea. In your eyes, is the Deep Sea Demon Whale King an evil soul beast?"
A flicker of indignation appeared in Tang San's eyes: "The Deep Sea Demon Whale King is undoubtedly an evil soul beast. It dominates the Demon Whale Sea Region, devouring nearly all the soul beasts there. It even kills passing ships and soul masters—its actions are utterly despicable."
Yang Xiong chuckled: "That's not quite accurate. From what I know, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King is extremely lazy, living independently in the Demon Whale Sea Region. It simply opens its massive mouth underwater, waiting for food to come to it."
"Moreover, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King never leaves its territory or actively attacks other soul beasts in distant regions. It doesn't harm ordinary people unless they intrude into its domain. This is how any soul beast defends its territory and deals with invaders."
"Based on the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's behavior, it should be considered a 'good' soul beast. After all, it never leaves its territory to attack others. Don't you agree?"
Hearing Yang Xiong's words, Tang San fell silent. Back then, he had mistakenly entered the Demon Whale Sea Region under the guidance of pirates, even coming face-to-face with the Deep Sea Demon Whale King.
For any powerful soul beast, if humans appear and provoke them, it's only natural for the soul beast to attack.
Yang Xiong turned to Xiao Wu: "Little Rabbit, if humans wandered near the Titan Giant Ape or Sky Azure Bull Python, do you think they'd kill those humans?"
Xiao Wu's expression darkened upon hearing this. Having lived in the Star Dou Forest for so many years, she knew the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python had killed countless ordinary soul masters, let alone weaker soul beasts.
At this moment, Tang San reflected deeply: "Yang Xiong, in your eyes, are there no distinctions between good and evil among soul beasts? To grow stronger, do you not care about killing any soul beast?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "I don't need many more soul rings, and I won't actively hunt hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. However, humans and soul beasts are ultimately in opposition. Humans kill soul beasts to obtain soul rings, and soul beasts eat humans. This is something neither you nor I can change."
"Besides, among us here, whether it's Yu Tianheng or Dai Mubai, their talents are exceptional. They will undoubtedly break through to the Title Douluo level in the future."
"When they reach the Title Douluo level, how will they choose their ninth soul ring? Won't they consider hunting a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"
Everyone around them fell silent after hearing Yang Xiong's words. As soul masters, everyone present could be considered exceptionally talented. No one didn't want to grow stronger, and no one didn't dream of obtaining a hundred-thousand-year soul ring or spirit bone in the future.
Xiao Wu's expression changed: "Little Bear, are you saying that in the future, you might hunt Da Ming and Er Ming?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "Not necessarily. I'm not interested in the Titan Giant Ape or Sky Azure Bull Python. But I remember telling you before—Bibi Dong still lacks many soul rings. Do you think she might lead a large group to hunt the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python in the future?"
"The conflict between humans and soul beasts won't stop because of you or me. Even if Bibi Dong doesn't act, sooner or later, other soul masters will want to hunt them. This is the fundamental issue of the stance between humans and soul beasts in this world—it's the most basic rule of this world."
Hearing Yang Xiong's words, Xiao Wu grew frustrated but also trembled slightly, unsure how to counter his argument.
Even Tang San fell silent at this moment. While he could suppress his own ambitions and refrain from hunting the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python, he couldn't stop others from doing so. He also couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't seek out hundred-thousand-year soul beasts in the future.
Finally, Tang San clenched his teeth: "Xiao Wu, I won't let anyone hurt you, nor will I let anyone harm your family. Believe me!"
Xiao Wu was deeply moved: "Third Brother, I believe you. You'll always be my brother."
Tang San looked solemnly at Yang Xiong and the others: "Everyone, Xiao Wu is the person closest to me. I hope no one will harm Xiao Wu or her family."
Yang Xiong sighed: "Tang San, why go to such lengths? I'm not interested in Xiao Wu, nor am I interested in the Titan Giant Ape or Sky Azure Bull Python. Can you protect them for a short time, let alone for their entire lives? Remember, the lifespan of soul beasts far exceeds that of human soul masters."
…
This conversation began in an extremely strange way and ended just as oddly. Even those around them felt a bit confused but also somewhat enlightened.
Whether it was the original seven members of Shrek Academy or the later additions like Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, their relationships with Tang San weren't as close as in the original storyline. Tang San hadn't demonstrated absolute leadership or bestowed immortal herbs upon them. At best, they were merely classmates with relatively good relationships.
Even Ning Rongrong, who was usually closest to Xiao Wu, didn't know what to say at this moment. There was a racial divide between humans and soul beasts, and no one would give up pursuing hundred-thousand-year soul rings or spirit bones just because of a classmate.
In the following days, everyone fell into an eerie calm.
Each person trained diligently, striving to improve their combat abilities in the ocean.
Though Little Bai harbored a strong dislike for Yang Xiong, she quickly became close friends with Ning Rongrong and the other girls, almost like a little sister.
Under Yang Xiong's arrangements, everyone trained daily in the ocean. Even Ning Rongrong and Oscar joined the others in attempting to cross the circular sea and break through Little Bai's blockade.
Despite sustaining significant injuries after each battle, everyone remained incredibly resilient, fighting with all their might.
In contrast, whenever Yang Xiong fought Little Bai alone in the sea, it seemed neither could gain the upper hand.
In the water, Little Bai's combat power skyrocketed. As a hundred-thousand-year Demon Soul Great White Shark, her speed in the ocean was incredible, and her massive size and sharp teeth made it easy for even Yang Xiong to suffer setbacks.
According to Yang Xiong's knowledge, Tang San had already reached Level 70 before Yang Xiong's group arrived at the circular sea, earning a divine-bestowed soul ring as a reward for passing the first trial.
But even with all his effort, Tang San had only obtained a ten-thousand-year soul ring—far from the hundred-thousand-year level.
As Bo Saixi had mentioned, each soul master could only receive one divine-bestowed soul ring. This left Tang San deeply disappointed.
Especially since Yang Xiong already possessed two hundred-thousand-year soul rings. Both were at the Soul Sage level, but the gap between two hundred-thousand-year soul rings was immense.
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