Xiao Wu's Promise, Setting Off for Holy Soul Village!

Not long after Lin Chen and Xiao Wu left, a thin middle-aged man ran into the grove.

"Little San, are you all right? Little San!" Seeing Tang San lying unconscious on the ground, Yu Xiaogang's face filled with anxiety. He hurriedly gathered Tang San into his arms, but for a moment he had no idea what to do.

He had actually known that Tang San was going to challenge Xiao Chenyu.

But in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, Xiao Chenyu was nothing more than trash who didn't understand his theories. How could he possibly defeat Tang San, who had studied everything under him?

With that in mind, Yu Xiaogang hadn't stopped Tang San. He had even taken him out for a feast on the eve of the fight to celebrate his victory in advance.

But the result before him had slapped him hard in the face. Not only had Tang San failed to defeat Xiao Chenyu, he had been beaten unconscious instead.

And right now, his opponent was even stuffing himself at his leisure in the cafeteria. How could he be reconciled to this? How could he accept it?

As countless thoughts raced through Yu Xiaogang's mind, Tang San's body twitched in his arms. Then Tang San opened his eyes in confusion. "Grandmaster... why are you here?"

"Little San, what happened here?" Seeing that Tang San had woken up, Yu Xiaogang asked with concern.

"What happened?" At those words, memories suddenly flooded back into Tang San's mind: Xiao Wu's defeat, Xiao Chenyu's crushing superiority, and how he had used a Hidden Weapon at the end, only for his opponent to counter it with ease.

"No, he's only a Soul Master. How could he possibly block an attack from the Silent Sleeve Arrow?" As Tang San recalled it all with a heavy heart, he still couldn't suppress his astonishment.

"Little San, Little San, are you all right?" Seeing that Tang San had said nothing for a long while, Yu Xiaogang anxiously shook his shoulders.

"Grandmaster, I'm fine." Tang San shook his head and stood up from Yu Xiaogang's arms.

"But I lost. I lost to Xiao Chenyu again." Tang San clenched his fists and, under Gangzi's puzzled gaze, recounted everything that had just happened.

"I see." After listening to Tang San's account, Yu Xiaogang nodded in realization. "Your Hidden Weapon didn't work."

"It's very likely because Xiao Chenyu wore a layer of armor under his clothes. That's the only way to explain how he blocked your attack so easily."

"As for why he did that, it's definitely because of that Lin Chen. He investigated me in secret out of jealousy and hatred. That must be it!" The more Yu Xiaogang thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and he couldn't help feeling a chill in his heart.

"Then what should I do?" Tang San nodded in realization and hurriedly asked for guidance.

"Little San, here's what you should do next..."

While Gangzi and Tang San were discussing their plans, inside a luxurious restaurant in Nuoding City...

"Lin Chen, you really are a good person! Not only are you willing to give me back my freedom, you even treated me to a feast!" Xiao Wu drained the drink in her hand and patted her belly contentedly, her face full of joy.

"As long as you're happy, Xiao Wu." A smile appeared on Lin Chen's face as he continued, "Besides, this is nothing much. If you want to eat like this, I can bring you every day from now on."

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she excitedly leaned close to Lin Chen's face. "Really?"

Looking at the girl's face so close to his, Lin Chen smiled. "Of course it's true. I wouldn't lie to you over such a small amount of money."

Hearing this, Xiao Wu's favorable impression of Lin Chen immediately rose another notch. As for the grievance she had felt over becoming his maid, it vanished without a trace.

Seeing how happy Xiao Wu was, Lin Chen knew the time had come. He took a pouch full of Gold Soul Coins from his storage ring and placed it in her hands.

Under Xiao Wu's puzzled gaze, Lin Chen looked sincerely into her eyes and gently urged her, "Xiao Wu, I've given it careful thought, and I really shouldn't drag you into my life by force."

"To tell you the truth, I came back to Nuoding City this time to see my family. I'll be leaving in less than half a month."

"If you become my maid, you'll have to leave Nuoding City with me, and leave this school where you've spent so long. I can't casually change the course of your life over a bet."

"There are five hundred Gold Soul Coins in this pouch. Hurry and take it with you. As for being my maid, there's no need to bring it up again."

With that, Lin Chen "sincerely" pushed the pouch farther into Xiao Wu's hands and made as if to stand up and leave.

Xiao Wu looked at the Gold Soul Coins in her hands, then at Lin Chen's handsome face, and froze.

Xiao Wu had spent all her time in the Star Dou Great Forest, and her heart was pure and untainted. How could she have ever encountered a situation like this?

At that moment, she felt that Lin Chen was an absolute gentleman, and her favorable impression of him climbed several more notches in a row.

At the thought, she grabbed Lin Chen's wrist and shouted, "Don't go!"

Lin Chen turned back to look at Xiao Wu. "What is it?"

Xiao Wu looked into Lin Chen's eyes. After hesitating for a moment, a glint of determination flashed through her eyes. "It's just leaving with you, isn't it?"

"Besides, there's nothing fun to do in Nuoding City anyway. Rather than stay here and be bullied by Xiao Chenyu, I'd rather leave this place with you."

Lin Chen opened his mouth wide in feigned surprise and tried to persuade her again. "Xiao Wu, are you sure you want to come with me?"

"Mm!" Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, her eyes full of resolve.

"I see." A smile appeared on Lin Chen's face. "Since that's the case, I won't insist. But as I said, if you want to leave, you can go whenever you like."

"I'll be staying in Nuoding City for about another ten days. Give it some more careful thought during that time. After all, this isn't a small matter."

Xiao Wu listened to Lin Chen's words with a sweet feeling in her heart. She felt as though she had nearly been coaxed back into an embryo. Smiling, she said, "Mm, don't worry. When the time comes, I'll definitely go with you!"

The Lin Residence in Nuoding City

After returning home and arranging a room for Xiao Wu, Lin Chen waved goodbye to her and slowly walked into the study, where he found Dugu Bo sitting and cultivating.

When Dugu Bo saw Lin Chen arrive, he opened his eyes, a trace of wariness flashing through them. "Kid, that little girl you brought back isn't human. Do you need me to get rid of her for you?"

Lin Chen smiled and waved a hand. "Don't worry, Senior Dugu. I know Xiao Wu is a Soul Beast."

Dugu Bo nodded. "In that case, I won't meddle. But you'd better be careful, kid. Don't let a Soul Beast's appearance blind you."

Lin Chen smiled and shook his head. "Stop joking, Senior Dugu. I came to see you because there's something important I need your help with."

Dugu Bo patted his chest and said casually, "What is it? Just ask."

Seeing this, Lin Chen smiled and spoke. "Come with me to the Holy Soul Village Back Mountain in two days. There's a lead on a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone there."