Call Me Scumbag Bro, and Roll with Me from Now On

Lin Hai wore a gentle smile as he slowly approached.

"Times really have changed... Even transformed soul beasts dare to swagger around the world now?"

Xiao Wu's heart jolted. After a moment of panic, she instantly switched into full actress mode, her large eyes brimming with confusion and terror.

"Y-You... what are you talking about? Wh-What transformed soul beast? Where is there a soul beast here?"

Lin Hai could not help but laugh. He shook his head.

"Enough, little rabbit. If you can't act, don't force it. Your expression is too contrived, a little overdone. I'm talking about you, a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit."

"Y-You... you..."

Xiao Wu completely panicked. It's over, it's over! Even my true form has been exposed. How can I deny it now?

This person did not look very old. How could he possibly see through me? Could there be a Titled Douluo hiding nearby?

Her lively eyes began darting uncontrollably in every direction.

Her thoughts were like an open book before Lin Hai.

"Stop looking. Within several miles, it's just the two of us. As for how I saw through you, I have my own methods."

His tone was calm and carried a peculiar soothing power.

Sensing that Lin Hai did not seem to harbor any ill intent, Xiao Wu's taut nerves relaxed slightly. She timidly asked, "Then... what do you want?"

A teasing curve rose at the corner of Lin Hai's lips.

"I don't want anything. I can tell from your extraordinary bones that you're a one-in-ten-thousand cultivation genius."

"I happen to have a Secret Method. Once you learn it, you'll be able to perfectly imitate a human aura. Even a Titled Douluo standing right in front of you won't be able to see through your true form. Also..."

He deliberately drew out the last word. "I also have a top-tier Meditation Method that can double your cultivation speed. Do you want to learn it?"

At that moment, Lin Hai was every bit the "creepy uncle" holding out a top-quality carrot to tempt a little rabbit.

Though Xiao Wu had little experience in the world, she still possessed basic caution. She knew there was no such thing as a free carrot.

"Then... what are your conditions?"

A flash of wicked amusement crossed Lin Hai's eyes. He nearly blurted out, "Call me Scumbag Bro," but fortunately stopped himself in time.

"Call me bro, and I'll teach you."

"Really? You're not lying to me?" Xiao Wu eyed the handsome "brother" before her suspiciously.

Lin Hai curled his lips and held up two fingers.

"If I really wanted to do something to you, would I need to go through all this trouble? With that little body of yours, freshly transformed and all..."

The implication was obvious: he could handle her however he wished.

But Sister Xiao Wu was a rabbit used to being the boss. How could her dignity be trampled so easily?

She put her hands on her hips and lifted her little head.

"Hmph! You want me to call you bro? Only if you can beat me!"

"Fine! Let's begin!"

Before Lin Hai had even finished speaking, his figure appeared beside Xiao Wu like Ghostly Charm.

Before she could react, his slender fingers had already seized the back of her collar, effortlessly lifting her off the ground as though she were a little rabbit.

"Well? Do you submit?"

With her feet dangling in the air, Xiao Wu was both embarrassed and angry, feeling as if she had instantly become a rabbit awaiting slaughter on the chopping block.

"Y-You ambushed me! See what Sister Xiao Wu can do!"

Out of habit, she violently tossed her head, intending to use the scorpion braid she was so proud of to wrap around Lin Hai's neck, fling him hard to the ground, then jump on top of him and beat him senseless.

However, there was no movement behind her head at all.

She reached back to feel for it instinctively, then immediately flew into a rage.

"Ah! Y-You... why did you coil my braid into a lump...?!"

Lin Hai simply watched her struggle with a benevolent smile.

"Tsk, it's just calling me bro. It can save your life and make you stronger too. Nothing shameful about that..."

Xiao Wu waved her tiny arms, trying to grab him, but she could not reach. Her little legs kicked helplessly several times, yet they could not touch the ground either.

At last, she deflated. With her cheeks puffed out, she grudgingly squeezed out a single word. "...Bro!"

"Hahahahaha..."

Lin Hai laughed heartily.

Xiao Wu was so angry that her cheeks puffed up like a little pufferfish. She glared at him with her watery eyes, as though accusing Lin Hai of his "evil deeds."

Having satisfied his wicked amusement, Lin Hai stopped teasing her.

He immediately set her down and began teaching Xiao Wu the lower volume of the All Spirits Affinity Technique and the Earth-Tier version of the Three Talents Meditation Method. He repeatedly warned her:

"This Secret Method and Meditation Method must never be passed on to a second person."

He had his own calculations.

The Earth-Tier Meditation Method should be roughly on par with Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill in cultivation speed. Though it could temper Spiritual Power, it was not as comprehensive as the martial skills paired with the Mysterious Heaven Skill.

Given Tang San's temperament, he would at most find it novel. He would never abandon the Tang Sect's techniques to cultivate something else.

As for Yu Xiaogang? With that pitiful aptitude of his, he could not cultivate it even if it were given to him.

As for the lower volume of the All Spirits Affinity Technique, Lin Hai felt Xiao Wu would not dare pass it on, since doing so could easily expose her identity.

Even if it did spread, it would not matter. Tang San would enter his sights in a few years, and he would not be able to stir up any trouble.

Moreover, if Xiao Wu could not even withstand such a small test, then it could only be said that she ultimately could not escape Destiny's predetermined path.

Time quietly passed within the Illusion Realm.

More than ten days later, Xiao Wu had finally gained a basic grasp of the lower volume of the All Spirits Affinity Technique and could freely conceal and alter her soul beast aura.

She had also begun practicing the Meditation Method, and her circulation through a full cycle was quite smooth.

Only then did she suddenly smack her forehead and cry out.

"Oh no! Bro! More than ten days have already passed! I definitely won't make it to Nuoding Academy now!"

After spending more than ten days together day and night, Xiao Wu had come to acknowledge this brother who was a little wickedly playful, yet treated her very well.

Lin Hai rose to his feet. With a trace of indulgence, he gently pinched her puffed rabbit cheeks. "Don't worry. Go on ahead. Today is the day Nuoding Academy officially opens."

"Really?" Xiao Wu's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief.

Lin Hai smiled and took out an exquisite bracelet, personally putting it on her wrist.

"Of course it's true. Just go. This is a Storage Spirit Tool with ten cubic meters of space. You can store and retrieve things with Soul Power. There are some Gold Soul Coins and daily necessities inside."

"Alright then, old Lin is off..."

Before he could finish speaking, a faint glow rose around Lin Hai. His body slowly floated into the air, as though an immortal ascending to heaven.

Xiao Wu anxiously jumped up to grab the hem of his clothes, but caught nothing.

"Bro! Where are you going?"

"Don't worry, Xiao Wu. We'll meet again in a few years."

Lin Hai paused in midair, pointed in one direction, and smiled warmly.

"Hurry to Nuoding City. Walk in that direction. If you keep dawdling, you really will miss the start of school."

He paused, his tone turning more serious. "Remember, cultivate diligently. And... be careful of anyone surnamed Tang."

With that, Lin Hai did not linger. His figure suddenly accelerated, turning into a streak of flowing light that vanished into the azure sky in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Wu stared blankly at the sky. Her eyes gradually reddened, and she stomped her foot angrily toward the empty air.

"Jerk! Leaving just like that... stupid brother!"

She stood there, sulking at the air for quite some time before finally turning around dejectedly and walking in the direction Lin Hai had pointed.

Along the way, the innocent little stones by her feet became targets for her frustration, kicked flying in every direction.

That pink figure, carrying a trace of grievance and confusion, gradually disappeared at the end of the forest path.