Reasoning with the Little Bunny!

"Sorry, I don't fight little girls."

"Besides, there was clearly something wrong with what you just said."

"Unless you can convince me, I won't accept it."

A sly glint flashed through Xiao Xuan's eyes.

He deliberately steered the conversation, waiting for the little bunny to take the bait herself.

Sure enough, Xiao Wu, who was not particularly fond of using her brain, was instantly dumbfounded upon hearing this, her large eyes looking over in confusion.

"I-I don't understand?"

"What was wrong with what I said?"

"You beat up my little brother, and you hit him so hard. Is it wrong for me to take revenge?"

"No, what little girl!"

"I'm Sister Xiao Wu. Remember that!"

The little bunny nearly got led around in circles, an angry flush appearing on her pretty face.

Unfortunately, there was no way Xiao Xuan would let her off.

He shook his head at her words, deliberately putting on a stern expression.

Even Tang San, lying off to the side and seething with rage, found the display rather baffling.

If you wanted to fight, then fight. If you wanted to back down, then back down. What was with that expression?

"Think about it. The two of us were dueling just now."

"Tang San was obviously still conscious, yet he didn't surrender on his own."

"That meant he wanted to keep fighting."

"If I had stopped, what if he'd been pretending and attacked me from behind?"

"We may be young, but this isn't child's play."

As Xiao Xuan spoke, he did not forget to casually diss Tang San.

Tang San's face flushed crimson, as though his thoughts had been exposed.

Indeed, he had just been looking for an opportunity.

The moment Xiao Xuan revealed an opening, Hidden Weapons combined with the Mysterious Heaven Skill, and Blue Silver Grass's binding ability would have been more than enough to turn defeat into victory.

He had merely underestimated this "peer's" vigilance and failed to put the plan into action.

"Hmph, impossible!"

"Do you think Little San is like you spoiled rich kids?"

"He would never do something so despicable!"

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu did not believe it at all.

Having already formed her impression of him, she believed Tang San's character was nothing like that.

Yet her words only made the person in question feel even more ashamed.

Can we stop talking about this? My image is about to collapse!

Unfortunately, how could Xiao Xuan possibly let him have his way?

Or rather, to be precise, part of the reason he brought this up

was to influence the relationship between Xiao Wu and Tang San. Otherwise, it would be troublesome once they grew up.

"Tch, then ask this guy."

"Didn't he just sneak-attack me with Hidden Weapons?"

"If my martial soul skill hadn't happened to counter his, I'd probably be like my brother."

"Under those circumstances, he still refused to surrender."

"Do you think I would hold back? Could I hold back?"

Xiao Xuan made it up as he went, rattling off one argument after another.

He nearly convinced even himself.

He had never imagined that beating Tang San until he could barely take care of himself could come with so many reasonable excuses.

Xiao Wu listened in shock and looked back at Tang San.

It was as if the image of Tang San in her heart had vaguely crumbled a little.

"Besides, we're still young now."

"But once we grow up, leave the academy, and enter society."

"Must you hold back at a critical moment even when facing an enemy? Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?"

Xiao Xuan guided her step by step, slowly warping Xiao Wu's mindset.

At once, the little girl's pretty face flushed red.

She clearly felt that everything this big villain said was twisted logic.

Yet somehow, she had no idea how to refute him.

The more she tried to think of a response, the more she felt that he seemed to make even more sense?

"Hmph, even if you're right!"

"You still hit far too hard!"

"We were only sparring. How could you..."

Before the little rabbit could finish, Xiao Xuan simply curled his lip.

He casually pointed at his older brother, Xiao Chenyu, who lay not far away, unable to move.

Though he said nothing outright, the meaning was already perfectly clear.

Too hard? You were the ones who struck too hard first!

I already said this was just revenge.

Tang San beat my brother into this state, so I beat him into this state.

Perfectly reasonable and completely justified.

"F-Fine!"

"Let's say we hit too hard, but that was because you people spoke too unpleasantly!"

"Let's end it here today. We're leaving!"

"Xiao Xuan, right? Hmph, I'll remember you!"

Xiao Wu was left speechless, staring blankly at Xiao Xuan's face.

After a long while, her cute rabbit ears drooped.

She let out a dejected hum and slunk away, but not before leaving behind a few harsh words.

Xiao Xuan merely smiled in response.

Remember me? Wouldn't that be even better?

Watching the girl wave over the work-study students beside her, They came over and carried Tang San away, returning to the dormitory in a sorry state.

Without saying anything else, Xiao Xuan likewise returned to his brother's side.

Seeing how miserable he looked, he silently mourned for him for a few seconds.

Then, he hoisted Xiao Chenyu onto his shoulder and headed for the infirmary.

Having beaten Tang San senseless, his purpose in returning to Notting this time had been perfectly accomplished.

Fortunately, fortunately, that strongest Clear Sky Douluo

had only vaguely appeared for an instant, without truly making a move.

That counted as a blessing amid misfortune.

"I'd wager Chrysanthemum Douluo is feeling pretty depressed right about now."

"What exactly are all my little maneuvers supposed to mean?"

"I just wonder whether that old man sensed Clear Sky Douluo's aura."

"Bibi Dong said that to go from a nominal disciple to an official one, I need to make contributions to Spirit Hall."

"Hmm... this should definitely count too, right?"

"It's just a pity that, before we become more familiar, I still can't say any of this aloud."

Xiao Xuan pondered silently, having already taken care of his brother's situation.

He glanced at the sky and headed straight back to the City Lord's Manor.

At the same time.

Inside the academy's work-study student dormitory.

Tang San, who had returned in a miserable state, was placed on a bed by Wang Sheng and the others.

As the paralysis gradually faded, he finally recovered somewhat.

He only felt agonizing pain throughout his body, as though he were being torn apart.

His arms and legs could not move, leaving him like a cripple.

"The injuries are severe, but not life-threatening."

"That guy seemed to have held back as well."

"It hurt so much. Damn it... I'd have to stay in bed for at least a month."

"I, Tang San, will remember today's humiliation. I'll definitely repay it someday!"

While Xiao Wu and the others went to seek Master's help, Tang San endured the pain as he lay in bed, silently thinking.

Recalling Xiao Xuan's confident, composed smile, he grew angrier the more he thought about it.

His twin martial souls, which he had always been so proud of, had been completely crushed by the other party.

Even his Hidden Weapons had been useless.

Although that was partly because he was still weak for the time being, the other party was only a six-year-old child. A loss was a loss.

"Wait, something doesn't seem right!"

"When Xiao Xuan was talking to Xiao Wu just now,"

"he seemed to have brought up the term 'Hidden Weapon' himself!"

"How could that be? Could it be that Hidden Weapons actually exist on Douluo Continent as well?"

Only then did Tang San realize a crucial point.

A shocked expression appeared on his face.

If that were true, wouldn't one of the things he regarded as a trump card be gone as well?

But that shouldn't be possible!

Previously, he had asked about knowledge of Hidden Weapons in order to test Master's reaction.

At the time, Master had not understood at all.

Was Xiao Xuan a special case, or were there things even Master did not understand?

Could it really be as Xiao Xuan had said—that he was merely Master's toy?

"No! Impossible!"

"That guy was clearly trying to sow discord."

"How could I question Master's words?"

"Xiao Xuan! You actually dared to use such a cheap trick. I'll definitely make you pay for it someday!"