Xiao Wu's Resistance

"Leave Spirit City. I can take you away."

Xiao Wu, who had initially been gentle, suddenly grew cold.

Shrek was like a family to her. With Third Brother, Rongrong, everyone else, Mother Erlong, and Boss Dai's group, it was a place filled with countless joys.

Everyone there was important to her, especially Third Brother, Rongrong, and Zhuqing. Now, with Chen Xuan asking her to leave, there was no way she could feel happy.

"Chen Xuan, what do you mean?" Xiao Wu's face was icy, clearly displeased.

Shrek was her family, bringing her endless joy.

Chen Xuan was stunned, not expecting such a strong reaction. He tried to explain, "I didn't mean it that way. Please, hear me out..."

"I don't want to listen." Xiao Wu cut him off, her expression cold.

The Shrek team had finally made it to the finals; this was a shared honor. To ask her to leave her companions at this crucial moment? Impossible!

She didn't understand what Chen Xuan was thinking and had started to dislike him. He'd once said he respected her, yet here he was.

"And who are you to me? What right do you have to tell me to leave?" Xiao Wu's chest rose and fell as she grew more agitated.

Chen Xuan opened his mouth to explain but then fell silent. Yes, he'd been selfish, focused only on ensuring Xiao Wu's safety and ignoring her feelings.

To her, the Shrek family carried so much emotion. Everyone treated her well, and even her godmother, Liu Erlong, filled her life with joy and happiness.

Anyone in her shoes wouldn't want to leave a place that felt like home.

Chen Xuan sighed. From his perspective, all he wanted was for Xiao Wu and the child to be safe. Nothing else mattered.

"I know Shrek Academy means a lot to you, but to me, you are what matters most. So, I don't want you to be in danger."

Champion titles, tournaments, joining powerful factions—none of it mattered to him anymore. All he cared about was the mother of his child.

Xiao Wu was momentarily stunned, her expression softening slightly.

"Spirit City is filled with powerful individuals—more than ten Title Douluos. If your identity as a spirit beast is exposed, the result would be certain death..." Chen Xuan's expression grew serious.

He didn't need to say more. He knew that, with Xiao Wu's intelligence, she would understand his point.

"Chen Xuan, thank you for your concern, but I'm not leaving Shrek Academy," Xiao Wu replied, having made her decision.

Besides, her Lovesick Red Grass could mask her spirit beast aura. There was no guarantee they would detect it.

"That's it then. Let's go back and find Teacher Erlong." Xiao Wu turned and left, heading toward their meeting place.

Chen Xuan sighed, taking a step forward and respecting her choice.

Soon after, they crossed the mountains and returned to where they had split up.

At that moment, Liu Erlong was frantically searching for them, almost digging up the ground in her worry.

"Mother Erlong!" Xiao Wu called out.

Liu Erlong turned, spotting the two of them walking toward her along a shaded path.

"Xiao Wu! Where did you go? You scared me!" She rushed over, pulling Xiao Wu into her arms.

Her heart, which had been full of anxiety, finally settled. She had been searching everywhere, fearing that Chen Xuan and Xiao Wu had been attacked by a spirit beast, filling her with guilt.

"You really scared me. Where on earth did you go?"

Xiao Wu's mind went blank, and she stammered, unsure how to respond.

"Teacher Erlong, we just came across a spirit beast that suited Xiao Wu, so we went to hunt it." Chen Xuan improvised, rescuing her from the situation.

Liu Erlong's eyes lit up with excitement, her hands shaking as she hugged Xiao Wu. "Really, Xiao Wu? You got your fourth spirit ring?"

"Ah!" Xiao Wu was momentarily stunned but quickly nodded. "Yes, Mom, I'm now a Spirit Ancestor with four rings."

She gave Chen Xuan a grateful glance.

"Am I starting to act like a sycophant?" Chen Xuan muttered, feeling a bit lost.

After holding each other for a while, they finally let go.

Liu Erlong's excitement was evident, happiness shining in her eyes. She was clearly proud of Xiao Wu.

Finally, she turned to Chen Xuan. "Chen, you haven't obtained your spirit ring yet. What kind of spirit beast do you want? How about a 20,000-year-old one?"

Despite his talent, she thought 20,000 years was reasonable, as most people's fifth ring limit was around 12,000 years.

"Let's go for something over 30,000 years," Chen Xuan suggested conservatively.

His calm tone landed like a thunderbolt to others.

"Chen, do you even know what you're saying? Don't be reckless," Liu Erlong cautioned, clearly doubting him.

Xiao Wu looked at him in exasperation. This was reckless. He was not considering his own life.

"Chen Xuan, don't be foolish. Take it slow," she urged, her heart warming as she realized he wanted to grow stronger, likely to protect her.

"This kid… asking for a spirit beast over 30,000 years... do you even know that the limit for a sixth ring is around that?" Liu Erlong scolded.

Chen Xuan was speechless. 30,000 years was already his conservative estimate. His current fourth ring was over 30,000 years old.

"Dean Erlong, Xiao Wu, don't worry. I wouldn't be foolish enough to risk my life for this."

Hearing this, Liu Erlong hesitated. This kid was clever and didn't seem like the type to take unnecessary risks.

"Are you sure? There's no going back."

"I'm sure."

Without further word, Liu Erlong headed deeper into the forest, searching for a wind-attributed spirit beast of 30,000 years.

In this small forest, only Chen Xuan and Xiao Wu remained, alone.

Xiao Wu moved a bit away, deliberately keeping her distance.

An hour later, as the sun set and darkness fell, night descended. A bright moon rose, casting a pale glow over the forest.

Chen Xuan gathered some dry wood and lit a fire, its light illuminating the area.

With nightfall, the dangers of the spirit beast forest increased. They would have to stay here overnight.

Another hour passed. In the dim forest, a dark figure appeared—Liu Erlong had returned, carrying a spirit beast.

With a thud, a spirit beast was dropped in front of Chen Xuan.

"Swift Wind Demon Wolf?" He was surprised. It was a spirit beast similar to Feng Xiaotian's spirit.

This demon wolf had pale green fur, a large, six-meter-long body, and a wolf's head as big as a water barrel. Its fangs shone coldly, as sharp as daggers, giving it a terrifying appearance.

"Quick, absorb it. I'll keep watch," Liu Erlong said, her voice weary.

Chen Xuan didn't hesitate. Pulling out his silver kunai, he swiftly beheaded the wolf.

A black spirit ring appeared over the wolf's corpse, radiating the beast's aura.

Chen Xuan sat down cross-legged, pulling the ten-thousand-year spirit ring toward him, ready to absorb it.

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