"What exactly do you mean, Xiao Chen?" Flender's face darkened.
The matter of Xiao Wu's pregnancy was an accident, not intentional or forced. Now that the misunderstanding was resolved, he had declared the incident to be over. But to his surprise, Chen Xuan seemed determined to take things further.
Dai Mubai spoke up, his voice stern. "Chen Xuan, this isn't a life-or-death duel. Xiao San was only sparring with you. Now that you've won, you're still being ruthless. What do you want?"
"That's right. Xiao San has put everything into the Shrek team, working tirelessly to help us achieve a better ranking. You've benefited from his efforts, and instead of gratitude, you're paying him back with vengeance. Do you even have a heart?" Tai Long added angrily.
"Chen Xuan, what did Xiao San ever do to you?" others echoed.
"What did he do? Nothing really," Chen Xuan replied, still gripping Tang San's neck. He turned to Tai Long and mocked, "Stop putting labels on people. My own strength comes entirely from my own efforts—what part of it has anything to do with Tang San or Yu Xiaogang? Benefit? Who would want to benefit from a loser? Don't speak nonsense."
Everyone from Shrek, including Flender and Liu Erlong, remained silent. After all, Chen Xuan was right—his power came from his own efforts and had little to do with Shrek Academy.
But Tai Long didn't care and angrily retorted, "Nonsense! You're just an ungrateful wretch! Without the environment and resources that Shrek and the Master provided, could you have achieved your current strength?"
Although he was shouting angrily, doubt had crept into his heart.
Chen Xuan sneered, "Don't assume everyone is as brainless as you, always playing the lackey. Anyone with a bit of sense wouldn't say something that stupid. Or are you saying you think yourself virtuous for licking Tang San's boots?"
Tai Long's face turned red with anger, feeling humiliated by the insult.
He was about to retort, but Liu Erlong stopped him, giving him a warning look to prevent further trouble.
Flender sighed, forcing himself to take a conciliatory approach, as Tang San was still in Chen Xuan's grasp.
"Alright, Xiao Chen, stop this. Just tell us—what will it take for you to let Xiao San go?"
Chen Xuan replied calmly, "Dean, I've said it twice: I won't show mercy to someone who tries to kill me. I'm already giving you face by not killing him on the spot."
If they were elsewhere, he would have already ended Tang San's life instead of wasting words here.
Truthfully, it wasn't time to turn hostile yet. Given his current abilities, killing Tang San would mean risking an escape from two powerful Soul Saints, and he wasn't confident he could do that.
Dai Mubai, Oscar, and the others frowned. Since when did Xiao San attempt to kill Chen Xuan?
Flender frowned, displeased. "Xiao Chen, it was just a sparring match. Besides, you're unharmed now, aren't you?"
"Chen Xuan, stop messing around. You've won. Isn't that enough?" Dai Mubai called out.
Chen Xuan chuckled and said, "Go over there and take a look. Check out those two darts before you speak."
"What do you mean?" Dai Mubai asked, his brows furrowing.
"Exactly what I said," Chen Xuan replied coldly, gesturing toward the so-called King of Hell's Invitation.
Flender and Liu Erlong exchanged a glance, both realizing something. They quickly walked over to the distant stone slab.
The Shrek members looked stunned. Could there be something they had overlooked?
At that moment, the half-meter-thick stone slab had a large hole in the center, which was being corroded by a pool of black liquid, emitting a foul stench.
This toxic black liquid, oozing from the two darts called the King of Hell's Invitation, was so corrosive that it melted the stone slab, an indication of its terrifying potency.
If this poison touched a person, not even a god could save them. In an instant, they would be reduced to a pool of blood, bones dissolved.
Flender and Liu Erlong, though Soul Saints, refrained from touching the darts, doubting even they could resist such a poison. They returned, sighing deeply, no longer questioning Chen Xuan's actions.
The other Shrek members noticed the dean's unusual behavior and grew curious, sensing that there was more to the situation.
"If I hadn't dodged, I'd be the one lying over there. Dean, do you still think I'm being excessive?" Chen Xuan asked.
The poison of the King of Hell's Invitation was so deadly that even a Title Douluo, if hit, would be reduced to blood and bones. Much less could a Soul Emperor withstand it.
As it was, he had merely broken Tang San's chest and arm bones. Had he not considered certain people, he would have killed him with one slash.
Flender sighed, realizing now that Tang San's actions were more ruthless and that Chen Xuan's response was not excessive.
Liu Erlong remained silent, knowing there was no reason to rebuke Chen Xuan.
Their reactions made it clear to the other Shrek members that the situation had reversed.
"Xiao Chen, name your terms. What will it take for you to let Xiao San go?" Flender shook his head, sighing. No matter what, Tang San was his old friend's last disciple, and he felt responsible for his safety.
Chen Xuan was taken aback, surprised by the question. What did he want? Naturally, he wanted to kill Tang San, but at this moment, that wasn't feasible.
If he strangled Tang San to death, it would satisfy him but drive others to madness. Honestly, he doubted he could escape two Soul Saints if he did so.
With his recent breakthrough, his Flying Thunder God technique's range had increased to 600 meters, but it still required a weapon as a medium. His strength could only launch it two or three hundred meters at most.
He knew that the moment he killed Tang San, Flender and Liu Erlong would be upon him.
Furthermore, he wasn't certain if someone was secretly watching or if Tang Hao had already infiltrated Spirit Hall.
The Shrek members whispered among themselves, now aware of the King of Hell's Invitation's poison. The realization of its lethality—enough to kill a Soul Saint with a mere drop—left them stunned.
They were shocked to realize Tang San's ruthlessness; when he snapped, he didn't hesitate to strike hard.
Comparatively, Chen Xuan's actions didn't seem so harsh, appearing almost restrained.
If any of them had been attacked with such malicious intent, they wouldn't have shown mercy and would have struck back harder than Chen Xuan had.
"Brother, I apologize. I acted impulsively as your senior," Dai Mubai said, apologetic.
The others felt embarrassed for jumping to conclusions without knowing the facts and lowered their heads in shame.
Tai Long, who had been the loudest critic, remained uncharacteristically silent, looking as if he had nothing to say.
At this moment, Xiao Wu, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke. She looked at Chen Xuan with pleading eyes and asked, "Chen Xuan, can you let Xiao San go this time?"
Chen Xuan was taken aback, surprised that Xiao Wu would plead on Tang San's behalf.
He knew the time wasn't right to kill Tang San, so he decided to use this as an opportunity.
"Alright, since Xiao Wu asked, I'll spare him this time."
Chen Xuan released his grip and then delivered a kick to Tang San's abdomen, causing him to cough up blood as he flew, painfully waking him from his unconscious state.
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