Tang San stared at the Gold Soul Card Gu Xuan handed over, momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Gu Xuan to be so direct—or rather, to trust him so implicitly.
He had seen large-scale transactions before. Usually, for an order of even a hundred Gold Soul Coins, the client would pay a thirty-percent deposit and settle the remainder only after all goods were delivered. Yet here was an order for five hundred thousand. It was no exaggeration to say this was a fortune most ordinary people wouldn't see in a lifetime, and Gu Xuan had simply handed it over.
Gu Xuan seemed to read Tang San's thoughts, his smile remaining steady. "I trust your character, Xiao San. The fact that you chose not to associate with that transformed soul beast anymore shows that you are an upright and trustworthy person."
Tang San blinked, a smile eventually touching his face. Gu Xuan's approval made him happy, as he too considered himself a good person.
Gu Xuan paused before adding, "While it might sound a bit boastful, aside from trusting you, there is another point: no one on this continent has ever dared to play games with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
Tang San's heart tightened. Indeed, as one of the Upper Three Sects, who would dare trick them? Who would dare owe them a debt? He nodded, signaling his understanding, and returned a smile. This was Gu Xuan's acknowledgment of his credibility.
With this windfall, Tang San no longer needed to auction his hidden weapons. Five hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins were more than enough for his current expenses and the purchase of rare metals to forge even higher-grade armaments.
The deal concluded, the atmosphere turned to casual conversation. Gu Xuan wasn't in a hurry to leave and led Tang San toward the VIP area—the red seats at the very front. As the auction was about to begin, Gu Xuan asked, "Xiao San, won't you introduce the one beside you?"
Tang San looked at Meng Yiran and replied, "This is my classmate, Meng Yiran."
Hearing the introduction, Meng Yiran pouted slightly and whispered in Tang San's ear, "Just a classmate?"
Tang San stiffened for a moment. Memories of his recent time with Meng Yiran flashed through his mind. After a beat, he whispered back, "For now. In the future... it might not stay that way."
Meng Yiran felt a surge of joy. It was the first time she had heard Tang San relenting, which meant he was finally beginning to let go of Xiao Wu.
Tang San's hesitation stemmed from his interactions with Meng Yiran. She was a girl who wore her heart on her sleeve. After being defeated by his hidden weapons in a spar, she had begun pursuing him. While Tang San was struggling to move past the revelation that Xiao Wu was a soul beast, Meng Yiran had stayed by his side.
For someone as inexperienced in romance as Tang San, and coupled with the blow Xiao Wu had dealt him, Meng Yiran had quickly found a place in his heart. Recalling the few kisses they had shared made him tremble slightly. His reluctance to commit was born of fear—fear that something like the Xiao Wu situation would happen again.
Furthermore, he wanted to see Xiao Wu one last time. Just once... to confirm for himself if she truly was a transformed soul beast. He had planned to visit Heaven Dou Imperial Academy to find Gu Xuan later, but now, the man was right in front of him.
The auction didn't feature many items of interest. The finale was a "Cat Girl"—not a hybrid of human and cat, but a human whose Martial Soul had undergone a mutation during awakening.
She had heterochromatic eyes—one blue, one green—and a meter-long tail that was forced into view by the auctioneer's rod. She looked utterly pitiful, a sight that stirred a protective instinct in many. Tang San's gaze turned cold. He still possessed a sense of justice, but he knew he lacked the power to save her.
If there were a Cat Girl today, there would be Leopard Girls or Snake Girls tomorrow. Even with five hundred thousand coins, his money had a "greater" purpose: the creation of more powerful hidden weapons. In that regard, money was a bottomless pit for him.
Besides Gu Xuan, Ye Lingling looked on with pity. Gu Xuan patted her head and raised his sign, bidding a flat one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Tang San looked at Gu Xuan in shock. He hadn't expected Gu Xuan to be the type of person to buy such a "product."
Noticing the look, Gu Xuan spoke calmly, "Saving those who have lost their soul is meaningless, but she still has hers. She is a person afflicted by a mutation; how can I not save her if I encounter her?" He then turned to Ye Lingling. "Lingling, let her stay by your side as a maid. She has soul power fluctuations and looks like she could become a Soul Master."
Tang San felt a wave of guilt for misjudging Gu Xuan. He cupped his fists respectfully. "Brother Gu, your righteousness puts me to shame."
Meng Yiran had taken the opportunity to wrap her arm around Tang San's. This time, he didn't pull away. Tang San felt it was time to move on. Gu Xuan's earlier words had struck a chord—he was an upright man; how could he associate with a soul beast? Those past vows were merely the result of being deceived by a beast in human form.
Though he still wanted to see Xiao Wu one last time to confirm the truth, why would a man as righteous as Gu Xuan lie to him? Especially with witnesses like the Titled Douluo Gu Rong and the Rank 87 Soul Douluo Meng Shu.
Seeing Gu Xuan bid, the others lowered their signs. Even Prince Xue Xing, seated nearby, suppressed his lust and stayed silent.
"One hundred thousand, going twice... three times. Sold! The Cat Girl belongs to Young Master Gu Xuan." Since Gu Xuan had stepped in, no one dared to outbid him.
The auction ended shortly after. Gu Xuan led the group to the backstage area, where the girl was being prepared. He instructed the staff to deliver her to the Emperor Team's villa at the academy and provided his credentials. He did this intentionally so Tang San would see it.
As they left the auction house, Tang San walked beside Gu Xuan. After a long silence, he spoke softly. "Brother Gu... I want to see Xiao... I mean, that transformed soul beast one more time."
Hearing the pleading tone, Gu Xuan's expression remained neutral. "Xiao San, I understand your conflict. You lived with that rabbit for years; it's hard to let go of those feelings so quickly."
"But I must remind you: humans and soul beasts are naturally opposed. That rabbit stayed by your side; she may have had designs on you, given your talent..." Gu Xuan trailed off, letting Tang San's mind fill in the rest.
"Very well," Gu Xuan sighed. "Since you want to see her one last time, find me at the academy tomorrow. I will take you to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
(End of Chapter)
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