I was... So torn right now on what to do. Obviously, I couldn't stick around Shrek. And fuck, Yu Xiaogang at this point, he was dead to me as well.
With how he sold my ass up the river to the point that I woudn't be able to be walk openly in the Soul Master world with my record-breaking Spirit Rings that now had 'definitive' proof of how to gain such a level of Spirit Rings for entire groups.
I now had no choice but to shack up with an organization that could actually protect me.
And as for my options... The Star Luo Empire was a fucking terrible idea with how brutal and militaristic they were. They also proudly practised slavery there, and I couldn't protect myself.
As for the Tian Dou Empire, I was within right now? It was already being hollowed out by the reverse trap that was Qian Renxue, who was the crown prince of said empire. And the forces within said empire weren't strong enough either, besides the major sects.
I needed an organization, or at least a Title Douluo to protect me from getting snatched up by any other major groups or just another title douluo in general.
So that left me with really just a few damned options at this point. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Sect, which had two powerful Title Douluo and the strongest support Martial Soul in the world making them even stronger.
The Clear Sky Sect, which had like half a dozen Title Douluo, all very powerful offensively with the Clear Sky Hammer, but they had a major issue, the sect being a family clan, so I would likely be heavily excluded and just used as a tool man.
And lastly, Spirit Hall. Which, although by far the most powerful organization of the world and the one that could likely support me the best. There was currently a cold civil war going on within it between the Hall of Worship, and the Pope's Hall.
For all that Bibi Dong was hot, she was completely insane. And with how I currently wanted to kill that scraggly bastard, going near Bibi Dong, who had some obsession with him, was a no-go.
A heavy exhale left me as I wondered, really what I should actually do. As with Tang Wutong being... Herself and not Tang San, I really didn't want her as an enemy, as it would be the worst-case scenario to have the successor to the strongest God-King as an enemy.
A God King, mind you, who had zero issues breaking the divine rules and laws to make sure things went his way.
Finally, after a long bit of thinking, as I knew I needed to get moving... And I also needed to get Xiao Wu the fuck out of here because it was very possible a Title Douluo could come knocking to find even Ning Rongrong or me at this point.
I knew what I needed to do.
I left my room with a heavy weight in my heart as I banged on Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's door.
The door was quickly opened up with Xiao Wu's mischief-filled smile fading instantly at seeing my heavy expression, and she quickly pulled me into the room with myself blinking as I saw that Zhu Zhuqing was sitting on the other bed across the room.
"What's wrong Tian Long? Is Xiaogang's stealing of your work a super big deal?" She asked in confusion.
Which made me sigh as I realized this stupid rabbit I been raising was still ignorant about the world. Due to my aid, she was able to self-generate high-quality spirit rings for herself since she was a transformed spirit beast.
But for others, they had to hunt down higher-ranked spirit beasts than they could hunt by themselves, obviously.
The reason nobles were so dominant over commoners in this world wasn't just about money or entrenched power itself. It was the simple reality that a commoner with a crossbow was far more likely to die trying to kill a three to four-hundred-year-old spirit beast then be successful.
That is why all young soul master's are escorted by their elders to cultivate and gain their spirit rings even if there really weren't any special techniques and cultivation methods that were the foundation of any sects.
"Xiao Wu... Xiaogang giving up my secrets is going to attract a lot of attention. ALOT of attention, I woudn't be surprised if their Soul Douluo is already on their way here to Shrek, and I fear even a Title Douluo might also come."
Xiao Wu's face went utterly pale at the words 'Title Douluo' for good reason. As they had the spiritual senses to sense the fact that Xiao Wu was a fucking walking happy meal of a 100,000-year spirit ring and a matching 100,000 spirit bone.
And with how Spirit Bones were inheritable, an entire Sect's main lineage would be blessed by having Xiao Wu's spirit bone going between generations.
I laid a hand on Xiao Wu's and said quietly. "We need to leave Xiao Wu, I am going to go talk to Tang Wutong next, but I, we need to decide what we are going to do next."
Xiao Wu's violet eye's met my own before she gently grabbed my hand and said softly. "Tian Long, I will follow you across the world so long as you promise to... Stick with me as well."
'Oh dear, the Love Continent strikes again.' I thought even as I nodded.
But, I was also distracted by Zhu Zhuqing, who was still sitting on her bed. Just staring at the two of us as we fed her romantic 'dog food' that she was forced to eat as she couldn't make herself leave the room with us having a moment.
And with a sideways glance, yeah she was not looking happy. Which made too much sense, seeing as her fiancé just got told a couple of hours ago that he now had six sons on the way, which were going to be far older than any kids she might have had with him.
As with the Star Luo system of governance, the Emperor's sons always fought to the death to determine who would be the next emperor. And with how Zhu Zhuqing was like thirteen at most right now...
Any kids she had would be at least five years behind those six other kids. Meaning they would be just fodder, supposing they aren't torn apart by Dai Mubai's older brother to begin with.
Xiao Wu didn't even give Zhu Zhuqing a second look as she pulled me out of their shared room and pulled me towards the other two rooms that the ladies of Shrek were in using in Ma Xiaotao, as well as Ning Rongrong and Tang Wutong.
I gave the door a heavy banging, and as the door opened. I was welcomed to the sight of Tang Wutong's cool expression as she shouldered a backpack and said coolly. "Are you ready to go, Tian Long?"
Looking at Ning Rongrong, who popped up from her book and clearly looked interested in the drama. I asked quietly. "I... Are you ok with this? I know you respect Yu Xiaogang as our teacher?"
To which Tang Wutong looked me dead in the eye and said bluntly. "Our master betrayed us both. You, especially Tian Long, know the secret of how to absorb limit-breaking Spirit Rings is a secret with unimaginable value. Not only that, but he screamed to the world that you have found other ways to enhance soul masters as well."
Ning Rongrong coughed in the background as she said helplessly. "Uhhh Tian Long, you do realize that even my family, my sect, is also going to be looking for you as well right?"
And for a split second... I saw an icy killing intent inside of Tang Wutong's eyes as her hand drifted down towards her Twenty Star Bridges to take out one of her hidden weapons.
As much as I would have loved to have gone to the Seven Treasure Sect... Xiao Wu, despite being a rogue rabbit who jumped around too much, I cared for her. I couldn't take her there.
So I smiled thinly as I said. "I am sure that the Seven Treasure Sect and I can have a profitable future. But I need to consider my future for a bit."
I then looked to Tang Wutong and with a knowing glance towards her hands. I said calmly. "Tang Wutong, do you need to settle anything before we go outside for a bit?"
She gave me a measured look before she relaxed ever so slightly, and she said coolly, with none of that hidden murderous intentions showing anymore. "No, I will be fine."
A heavy exhale left me as I realized what I needed to do. As I realized that, unless I became a hermit and fled to the Extreme North or something. I needed to set Xiao Wu aside for a bit.
Tang Wutong followed me, and seeing Xiao Wu, I could all but feel her rolling her eyes at the sight of the rabbit, who was also clearly ready to go.
I then said rather firmly. "Wutong, I need a moment to speak with Xiao Wu alone. Then we can leave."
Xiao Wu went stiff as she realized that I woudn't be taking her with us. And tears clearly bloomed in her eyes. Still, Tang Wutong went still before she said blandly. "Fine... I will go tell Flender and Wuji we are leaving before trouble arrives."
And the assassin turned her back and left us be for the moment.
There was a moment of silence as Xiao Wu looked at me with red eyes before she spat out. "What?! Are you scared to say anything now? What did I even do to make you mad at me, Tian Long!? Why do you hate me now?"
I exhaled heavily as I really didn't appreciate the blame in her voice but it needed to be said.
So I steeled my heart and said firmly but very, very quietly. "Xiao Wu... Tang Wutong and I are going to Tian Dou City. A place with dozens of Soul Douluo running around, and where Title Douluo are rare but something the two of us will run into."
She paused, going stiff as I stepped forward, and her hands were limp as I took them into my own, and I met her eyes. "Xiao Wu, I know you are a spirit beast." I said, ripping the bandage off, making her tear up again.
But I smiled and said helplessly. "I knew from the very start, which is why I always called you my jumpy rabbit. But, I am not going to hurt you, Xiao Wu. You... I really like you, you are literally my best friend and more."
Because, by all metrics. Xiao Wu was my best friend, and you don't kill your best friend to rob a million dollars from their corpse if you have any common fucking decency. Cultivation world be damned, I wasn't going to kill my best friend for some treasure.
I had literally spent more than half of my life with Xiao Wu at this point as well to boot.
"I know you are a Spirit Beast, but Title Douluo, and Soul Douluo with special sensory abilities can only understand your aura, not recognizing it easily with a glance. I will find a way for you to hide your aura as a soul beast, I promise."
Xiao Wu bit her lower lip as she met my gaze before she slowly nodded and then she said helplessly. "What... What do I do without you, Tian Long? Where do I go? How should I cultivate without you?"
'Literal 'Love Brain Continent' content here folks.' I thought helplessly.
But I took a breath and said firmly. "Xiao Wu, you can head to a smaller neighboring city. Or back to a Soul Beast forest, where you can cultivate faster in nature. Tang Wutong and I will be going to Tian Dou City's Royal Academy. And in three months from this day. I will be back, here at Soto City, and we can meet here at the entrance of Shrek."
I gave Xiao Wu a firm look as I said. "Xiao Wu, I am not trying to abandon you in the slightest. But I have plans that require Tang Wutong and me to get in the face of a Title Douluo. Possibly even three or four of them. So I simply can't in good heart bring you with us."
Xiao Wu's hand tightened on mine as she slowly nodded in understanding, and then she dove in, and I held her as she hugged me hard. Her delicate face pressed against my chest with her whispering quietly. "I will be here in three months... If you stand me up, I will never forgive you Tian Long."
Three months was plenty of time for my plans. I needed to get into Dugu Bo's cheat garden filled with immortal herbs. And with that, I could put the Seven Treasure Sect in my back pocket.
Because once I make Ning Fengzhi's own Martial Soul evolve... And then tell him. 'Oh, Ning Rongrong and I are so close, coming from Shrek and all. I just need some time and materials to make another elixer for hers to evolve as well.'
Then, for a good while, I would have at least one Title Douluo keeping me alive and safe from the various factions that would want to drain my secrets.
And as for factions that might try to get my secrets anyway... They were going to be shit out of luck when I tell them that only Spirit Masters with alchemy cauldrons as their martial souls. Can make my elixirs using the special spirit ring refinement methods I had!