I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1744 - 180: Listen, Speak_2

Chapter 1744: Chapter 180: Listen, Speak_2

Du Ting, momentarily at a loss for adjectives, could only reply vaguely, "I’ve brought something weird to ask for help."

"What weird thing?"

Tang Luo asked calmly, opening his eyes.

"I can’t explain clearly; maybe let Feng Shixing explain for himself—he’s right outside."

Du Ting, unable to grasp the right words, could only say this.

"Alright, let him come in."

Tang Luo said lightly.

Feng Shixing, worried in his heart, was invited by Du Ting into the principal’s office, where he first bowed deeply in front of Tang Luo, seated behind his desk.

"Student Feng Shixing pays respects to the principal."

"There’s no need for such a grand gesture; please rise quickly."

Tang Luo said lightly, "What strangeness has made you so frantic?"

"Reporting to the principal, someone in Luyang City is studying the forbidden art of human-beast transformation. Third-wave junior Fu Yuanshan and fourth-wave junior Lu Zhongyan have been turned into Dragon Beasts. I plead with the principal to find a way to help them regain their humanity!"

Though Feng Shixing had traveled alongside the two juniors, he—still in human form—had to fend off pursuers and eliminate Wind Media agents, leaving little time for more than rudimentary communication. Many details remained unclear.

Nonetheless, this was enough to pique Tang Luo’s interest. Given his current abilities, human-beast transformations weren’t beyond possibility.

In truth, it wasn’t just him; any master who had completed Spirit Qualification would likely possess the ability to reshape their physical being. But for Fu Yuanshan and Lu Zhongyan—whose maximum potential wouldn’t exceed the early Fierce Realm stage—to transform into Dragon Beasts, what kind of secret technique could achieve that?

"Bring them to the rear mountain."

Tang Luo stood up and addressed Feng Shixing calmly.

On hearing this, Feng Shixing felt immense delight, thinking to himself, "There’s hope!" as he rushed outside.

...

At Red Cloud Ferry Crossing, Elder Nian, still wearing light clothes amid the harsh winter, directed his underlings to clear a berth along the inner shore and encircle the passenger boats from Red Cloud Mountain into a protective barrier.

He did this because he had no idea how to deal with the two Dragon Beasts floating on the water’s surface.

The strange sorrow etched on the beasts’ faces had already challenged his understanding. What shocked him even more was when Feng Shixing emerged from the water and claimed they were Fu Yuanshan and Lu Zhongyan—the beasts nodded in agreement.

Elder Nian swore this was the most bizarre experience he’d ever had. Even more astonishing was when he conversed with the Dragon Beasts, and they responded through nods and shakes of their heads.

What... what kind of monsters are these!

Since the Demon Race retreated from Xiehe’s stage, the world hadn’t seen beasts with such intelligence.

Could this mean the Demon Race had secretly developed some method of transforming humans into beasts and was preparing to return in full force?!

Just as Elder Nian began to despair at the thought, he saw the city guards opening a path behind him. Turning back, he found Du Ting and Feng Shixing arriving.

"The principal wants us to..."

Unsure of how to refer to the two Dragon Beasts, Du Ting could only point to the creatures in the water and say, "...’them,’ yes, take ’them’ to the rear mountain."

"Did you hear that? Feng has already met with the principal, and he agreed to see you. Come ashore quickly!"

Feng Shixing, standing nearby, shouted excitedly to the two Dragon Beasts underwater.

But before he could finish, the sudden clamor of approaching enemies shattered the tranquility of the ferry crossing.

From Yancang to Longzhou, the seemingly secure route chosen by the two beasts and one man was already well exposed to the eyes of various powers. Everyone knew Feng Shixing’s final destination.

What they didn’t anticipate was the switch to a water route the moment they reached Longzhou—and the Dragon Beasts’ underwater speed was much faster than a typical Fierce Realm expert’s aerial flight.

After much chasing, the assembled forces finally managed to encircle Red Cloud only to face Elder Nian’s defensive perimeter.

To avoid further complicating an already chaotic situation, the forces quickly formed an attack formation and launched an assault.

The two Dragon Beasts, who were just about to come ashore, trembled upon hearing the battle cries. In contrast, Elder Nian and Du Ting remained composed.

The Unparalleled Academy was no longer what it had been a few years earlier—who would dare act insolently here? Odd indeed.

"Elder and Shixing, just focus on taking the Dragon Beasts away. I’ve got to see what audacious bunch dares to storm the Red Cloud dock."

Flexing his robust chest muscles, Elder Nian waved to his subordinates dramatically and said, "Boys, form the battle array and activate the formations—give our visitors a warm welcome!"

"Dockmaster, since this involves Shixing, I can’t leave the scene. Let me stay and fight alongside you."

"Hmm, you’re not bad—better than those youngsters who graduate and immediately stir up trouble. Stay here and support the battle then!"

...

At the rear mountain of the Academy

After escorting the two Dragon Beasts to this location, Du Ting instructed them to wait quietly and then departed, leaving the creatures behind with mixed feelings akin to fallen leaves.

The journey had been one of incessant escape, leaving them little time to think things through. Crucially, while they believed the principal had the ability to help, the question remained: why would he?

Cao Lie was the heir to the Beast Taming Sect, and his power was remarkable.

Although the two of them were officially Unparalleled Academy students, anyone with eyes could see that the operations department was essentially a business. Otherwise, why would the alumni association affairs be handled by Shi Sanke?

At this moment, their abrupt plea for help—laden with trouble—might displease the principal...

Previously treating the Academy as their lifeline, they suddenly realized that their connection to it was shallow at best. If at all, it was those scattered practitioners indebted to the Academy—not the other way around.

After all, the million-coin fee for the Soul Casting course tailored to their martial paths was clearly an advantage for students like them.

Realizing this, insecurity seeped into the hearts of the two Dragon Beasts. They understood they hardly had any leverage.

With their sense of security erased, they constantly shifted their posture until eventually settling into an awkward kneeling stance, facing the pathway. Despite their Dragon Beast forms being ill-suited for this position, they stubbornly maintained it, their drooped beast heads seemingly prepared to beg for forgiveness.

The sight of two Dragon Beasts kneeling side by side was the first thing Tang Luo saw as he stepped out onto the pathway.

"Such an amusing posture—this Academy has never seen one like it before."

Approaching casually, Tang Luo patted the beasts’ taut bellies and smiled. "Feng Shixing says Cao Lie turned you into Dragon Beasts, but to me, it seems more like you’ve taken over Dragon Beast bodies yourselves. Tell me—what happened exactly? Perhaps we can figure out a way to restore you."

There were no harsh words or stern expressions. The principal’s intimacy made the two Dragon Beasts whimper like children.

Since fleeing Luyang City, all they’d encountered were people trying to kill them, echoing Cao Lie’s assertion that their own kin had abandoned them.

Why had they hesitated to explain to Feng Shixing that they’d buried their own bodies and merely vaguely mentioned "becoming Dragon Beasts"? Because they didn’t want Feng Shixing to view them as lost causes. They subconsciously believed that his attitude would change if he knew the truth.

They were already mired in despair and couldn’t bear the thought of those around them giving up hope as well.

But Tang Luo’s words felt like rain after a prolonged drought, sprinkling hope across their barren hearts.

Amid their anguished cries, the two Dragon Beasts extended their claws as if attempting to write their story in the dirt.

"No need for such effort. Just speak."

Sitting cross-legged before them, Tang Luo said gently.

But... we can’t speak anymore.

Lu Zhongyan’s eyes welled up as he wailed silently.

As if perceiving the dragons’ despair deep within, Tang Luo extended his hand to pat Lu Zhongyan’s claw comfortingly. "It’s alright. Just speak."

"But..."

A sob escaped, and Lu Zhongyan froze in disbelief—his voice emerged as human speech, albeit extraordinarily deep.

Close by, Fu Yuanshan gaped upon hearing Lu Zhongyan speak and exclaimed, "You can talk? Wait—I can talk too? What’s going on?!"

"Here, as long as I wish for you to speak, you can speak."

Tang Luo explained, smiling. "Now, tell me—how did you end up like this? I’d like to hear."