Getting free benefits, of course, shouldn't be missed. But he couldn't just agree immediately.
— He had the skill to get things for free, but they had to pay a price.
Zhuge Lan glanced over at Meng Shu and Chaotian Xiang. Under the power of an 8th-level fixed soul guide cannon, they managed to remain unscathed thanks to the Dragon-Snake Fusion Skill.
They were indeed capable of fighting a titled individual. Such useful, free muscle shouldn't go to waste.
"I can teach you."
"Great!"
*[Emotion Points +11111]*
Meng Yiran excitedly threw herself at Zhuge Lan, a bit too forcefully, as if to press her face against his.
If they were alone, Zhuge Lan might have accepted it.
— But with her grandparents here?
"Whoosh—"
Meng Yiran missed, and his afterimage dissipated.
"I haven't finished speaking yet; don't go grabbing people."
Zhuge Lan quickly continued—
"I can teach you, but on one condition."
"I left in a hurry this time, without a titled companion."
"I'll teach you as long as your grandparents act as my protectors for the same period. When I need help, they'll step in to resolve any problems."
"How about it?"
*[Emotion Points +5555]*
*[Emotion Points +9999]*
*[Emotion Points +11111]*
Meng Yiran, looking pitiful, turned to her grandparents.
"Grandpa, Grandma."
"I really, really, really want to learn this!"
"You know the Soul-Crushing Blade I've been working on. Just consider this as going out with me~"
She pleaded and begged, making Meng Shu and Chaotian Xiang, though elderly, feel a bit soft-hearted. Their son had passed away early, leaving just this only granddaughter. How could they not dote on her?
"Alright, alright, grandpa agrees," Meng Shu said, with affection in his voice. "But as an official in the Heaven Dou Empire, I can't be away for too long."
He looked over at Zhuge Lan, thinking Chaotian Xiang, as a Soul Emperor, would be able to guard Zhuge Lan for a while.
Zhuge Lan chuckled.
— You have no idea of my chaos-causing abilities.
"Fine then," Zhuge Lan said with a sly grin. "I'll just teach half of the soul guidance techniques."
If you get half, I'll give half. Fair enough.
*[Emotion Points +11111]*
Meng Yiran hurriedly grabbed her grandfather's hand.
"Grandpa!"
"Don't you love Yiran anymore?"
"Boohoo—"
Wow. Who would have thought? Meng Yiran has this side to her?
Only, her fake crying was a bit too obvious.
Yet Meng Shu couldn't resist it. With a sigh, he relented.
"Fine, fine."
"At least let me go back and inform Emperor Xue Ye for a leave of absence."
"In the meantime, I'll have Grandma accompany you. Is that okay?"
While he spoke to Meng Yiran, his gaze was on Zhuge Lan.
"Head back and take care of that now," Zhuge Lan directed.
"No need to hunt a soul ring; just go with the plan I previously discussed with Granny Snake."
"Once you're prepared, come find me at Shrek Academy."
*[Emotion Points +1111]*
Meng Shu felt a bit annoyed.
I've compromised so much, and now you're dictating about soul rings?
But Chaotian Xiang was delighted! What was the previous plan?
— For Meng Yiran to join Shrek Academy, strengthening her body to withstand a soul ring of at least 2000 years!
She held back an irked Meng Shu and was about to agree when Meng Yiran cheerfully responded, "Okay! Just like you said, a month! In one month, I'll come find you! Don't forget about me!"
Zhuge Lan casually waved them off.
If you don't hurry up, that Man-Faced Demon Spider might just die off on its own.
His indifferent attitude made Meng Yiran a bit anxious.
Would he go back on his word?
With a mischievous glint in her eye, she leaned in close, trying to make a memorable impression by startling him.
— Besides, with his speed, he'd surely dodge, right?
Smooch—
A kiss landed on his face, cool and icy.
*[Emotion Points +19999]*
*[Emotion Points +9999]*
*[Emotion Points +9999]*
"You!" Meng Yiran covered her mouth. "Why didn't you dodge?"
Zhuge Lan shrugged and spread his hands.
You kissed me, and now you ask why I didn't dodge?
Does that even make sense?
*[Emotion Points +23333]*
Covering her face, Meng Yiran turned and ran.
— So, that whole act of being "open" was all fake.
"Slow down; this is the Star Dou Forest!"
Worried for her safety, Meng Shu chased after her.
Chaotian Xiang, a step behind, nodded at Zhuge Lan.
"We'll arrive within a month."
And with that, she left too.
Even after they had gone, emotion points kept pouring in.
This made Zhuge Lan quite pleased.
Meng Yiran was a good girl.
Not only did she stick around willingly, but she even came with "titled-level bodyguards."
Most importantly—
Her whole family was like experience points!
He opened his system panel and glanced.
*[Emotion Points: 76,4545;]*
Whoa!
He had exchanged 160,000 points for fixed soul-guided artillery shells, yet his balance almost doubled?
'This Meng Yiran, a true lucky star!'
In contrast—
Looking at Tang San groaning on the ground, his balance had dwindled to just double digits.
He shook his head.
As a "villain," you don't have much stamina, do you?
Putting an end to the mental poison, Tang San began to have withdrawal symptoms and convulsed for another dozen seconds or so.
He finally caught his breath.
"Zhuge!" Tang San said sternly, "Even if I'm on the brink of death, from now on, just give me a single Holy Light Blessing!"
"Huh?" Zhuge Lan feigned confusion. "Why didn't you say that earlier?"
*[Emotion Points +4444]*
Tang San was practically gnashing his teeth!
His Holy Light had formed a continuous beam, how could he have spoken up?
Lost in the euphoria—
"You seem to be doing alright," Zhuge Lan pointed at the Man-Faced Demon Spider. "Focus on absorbing it; we still have things to do."
Tang San, grimacing, nodded.
Without choosing the "starter dagger," he summoned the Clear Sky Hammer instead.
Noticing Zhuge Lan's nonchalant reaction, he was a bit confused.
What was going on?
Never mind, he'd ask later.
With a solid swing, he ended the Man-Faced Demon Spider's wicked life.
A purple soul ring floated up.
Under his Spiritual Detection—
More soul power gathered inside the spider's body, condensing into the attached spirit bone, the Eight Spider Lances.
It worked!
'As expected from a true villain, with a 100% drop rate.'
Tang San sat cross-legged, adjusting his state.
He guided the purple soul ring over his Blue Silver Grass spirit.
Hiss—
The pain of his body being torn apart overwhelmed him, causing him to gasp sharply.
But—
After a while, he got used to it. It didn't feel too bad?
— Compared to the experience of childbirth, it fell a bit short.
Tang San couldn't help but be emotional.
He didn't notice that Zhuge Lan had removed his robe and used his soul bone skill, One Step to Infinity, to get closer.
Since they shared the same origin—
As Tang San absorbed the spider's spirit ring, he inadvertently drew out the spider's attached spirit bone, which drifted toward his back.
But—
A hand grabbed it.
Quickly stowing it in his storage belt, he used Nine Shadow Step to shift several meters away, slipping back into his robe.
Tang San, sensing something, struggled to open his eyes.
He met Zhuge Lan's "scanning" gaze.
Zhuge Lan beamed brightly.
"Don't worry, with me here, you can absorb in peace."
*[Emotion Points +6]*
Tang San gave a slight nod.
He shut his eyes again, concentrating entirely on absorbing the spirit ring.
Once he was settled, Zhuge Lan flashed a "mission accomplished" smile, nearly grinning ear to ear.
Such a little punk, nothing to it.
'System, come on.'
'Let's open up the attached spirit bone!'
'How many emotion points can this Eight Spider Lances fetch?'
*[Detection Ongoing]*
Zhuge Lan's eyes widened!
Could it really be done this way?
And then he saw—
---
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