I'm Her Brother. Who Are You?

Half a month later.

Fasnuo Province, Nuoding City.

As a small city on the border of the Heaven Dou Empire, it naturally could not compare to the grandeur and prosperity of Spirit City. Still, it was remote and peaceful, brimming with the warmth of everyday life.

Xuan Hao wore an understated but high-quality black combat outfit. His distinctive silver hair was hidden beneath a hood as he moved through the crowd as inconspicuously as possible.

After finishing lunch at a fairly clean restaurant, Xuan Hao asked around for the location of Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy.

He absolutely could not go to the local Spirit Hall branch.

Though this place was remote, it was still an institution under Spirit Hall.

If Bibi Dong followed the trail to Nuoding City and dug Xiao Wu out, things would get awkward.

He absolutely did not dare keep Xiao Wu by his side.

He could barely protect himself right now. Taking a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast around with him would be like carrying a moving target.

Nuoding Academy, on the other hand, was shabby, but Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao was secretly watching over his son, Tang San, while living here in seclusion as a blacksmith. With Xiao Wu by Tang San's side, she would be hidden in plain sight—safer than anywhere else.

Outside Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy.

As Nuoding City's only Soul Master Academy, the gatekeeper had always been the sort to judge people by their clothes.

Whenever he saw poorly dressed work-study students, he would practically look down his nose at them.

But today, when Xuan Hao approached the gate, things were completely different.

The gatekeeper had been lounging lazily in his chair, basking in the sun. Catching sight of someone approaching from the corner of his eye, he was about to put on airs and snap, "What do you want?" But when he looked up, he saw Xuan Hao's exquisitely made clothes.

The fabric, the tailoring—one look was enough to tell that they were high-end goods from a major city.

Not to mention that the boy carried himself with an air of nobility that made people afraid to meet his gaze.

"Th-this young master, may I ask who you are?"

The gatekeeper hurriedly tossed aside his toothpick and came forward with a fawning smile.

Xuan Hao did not waste words. Golden light flashed in his eyes, and crimson-gold vertical pupils appeared for an instant as a faint trace of Dragon Might flickered past.

"I'm going inside to find someone," Xuan Hao said coldly. "Is there a problem?"

"N-no, no problem! Absolutely no problem!"

When the gatekeeper met those golden eyes, his legs went weak and cold sweat instantly broke out across his body.

A Soul Master!

And that presence was far more terrifying than the academy teachers'!

"P-please, go right in! I failed to recognize your greatness. Just head inside!"

The gatekeeper bent so low his waist was nearly touching the ground. He did not dare ask for a pass or letter of introduction, terrified of offending this young master who clearly had a powerful background.

After entering the academy, Xuan Hao easily found the Academic Affairs Office.

It was the start-of-term season, and several teachers inside were sorting through new student files.

"Knock, knock."

Xuan Hao rapped his knuckles against the desk.

Director Su, the head instructor, had been buried in the files. Hearing the sound, he looked up impatiently. "Who is it? What are you knocking for... huh?"

When he saw Xuan Hao standing before the desk, extraordinary in both appearance and bearing, the reprimand on his lips was forcibly swallowed. He instead put on a mild expression. "This student, are you a new student here to register?"

"I'm not here to study. I'm looking for someone," Xuan Hao said calmly. "Do you have a little girl here with Innate Full Soul Power and a Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul?"

"A Soft Bone Rabbit? Innate Full Soul Power?"

Director Su froze for a moment, surprise flashing through his eyes. "You mean that work-study student?"

"Yes, her." Xuan Hao nodded. "Has she arrived?"

"She has. She arrived this morning," Director Su answered instinctively. "That little girl is quite lively. She brought proof from her village and has already completed the enrollment procedures."

At that point, Director Su suddenly came to his senses and asked hesitantly, "Um... what is your relationship with her?"

"I'm her brother." Xuan Hao turned and headed outside. "Thanks."

"Hey, wait! Do you know where she lives?" Director Su called after him.

"Where else would a work-study student stay? Dormitory Seven."

Without looking back, Xuan Hao waved a hand and disappeared through the doorway.

Director Su stared after him, scratching his head in confusion. "These days, even work-study students' brothers can dress that expensively? And wasn't that little girl an orphan...?"

Leaving the Academic Affairs Office, Xuan Hao headed straight for the dormitory building.

Although this was his first time at Nuoding Academy, he could guess the layout of this sort of junior academy with his eyes closed.

As the academy's only work-study student dormitory, Dormitory Seven had the worst conditions and was naturally tucked away in the most remote location.

"Who else?!"

A crisp, pleasant voice rang out from inside the dormitory, carrying a hint of arrogance. "Who else refuses to accept it? Sister Xiao Wu will beat you until you submit today!"

Xuan Hao stood at the door and looked inside through the half-open entrance.

In the open space at the center of the dormitory, a little girl in a pink outfit, with rabbit-ear accessories on her head, stood with her hands on her hips. She wore a smug expression as she planted one foot on a wooden bed.

In a corner some distance away, a skinny little dark potato silently arranged his bedding.

Though he looked calm, his gaze occasionally flickered toward the girl in pink, seemingly quite wary of her strength.

Tang San?

Xuan Hao instantly sensed Tang San's unusual aura. After all, he was a bastard.

The pink-clad girl swaggering about was naturally Xiao Wu.

"This girl has been living quite comfortably."

Seeing Xiao Wu so full of life, Xuan Hao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Ah Rou's death had not left her completely broken. Instead, she had buried that grief deep in her heart and used this carefree manner to disguise herself.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Xuan Hao raised a hand and tapped the doorframe, producing a clear sound.

The noise inside the dormitory instantly fell silent, and everyone turned to look at the door.

When they saw the silver-haired youth standing against the light, ethereal and otherworldly in bearing, everyone froze.

What a beautiful person!

Xiao Wu turned as well. The instant she clearly saw Xuan Hao's face, her arrogant little face went deathly pale. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and her eyes reddened at once. Fear and hatred intertwined within her, but she forcibly held herself back and merely stared at Xuan Hao.

Tang San seemed to notice Xiao Wu's abnormal reaction. His brows furrowed slightly as he quietly took a step forward, watching Xuan Hao with vigilance.

"Who are you?" Tang San asked in a low voice.

Xuan Hao ignored Tang San. After nearing Nuoding City, he had not felt that palpitating dread one felt in the presence of a Titled Douluo—that lethal sense of danger. In other words, Tang Hao was not near Nuoding Academy, at least not for now.

If Tang Hao had been secretly keeping watch, Xuan Hao certainly would not have approached Xiao Wu so directly. It would have been awkward if Tang Hao the Hammer locked onto him.

Xuan Hao walked straight up to Xiao Wu and flicked her forehead.

"Hiss—"

Xiao Wu cried out in pain and instinctively covered her forehead. The grief and indignation she had been building up were instantly interrupted. That flick left her completely stunned as she blankly stared at the youth she both feared and hated.

"You ran off without even telling me. You've gotten bold, haven't you?"

Xuan Hao looked down at her, his tone carrying the stern authority of an elder brother disappointed in her:

"You came to this backwater place without a word. Do you know how long I've been looking for you? Do you know how worried I was?"

"Or did you think your little bit of skill was enough for you to swagger around outside?"

"You..." Xiao Wu opened her mouth, and tears finally spilled from her eyes. "You bastard..."

"Enough. Stop making a spectacle of yourself."

Xuan Hao gave her no chance to vent her emotions, nor did he intend to let her say anything earth-shattering in public.

He grabbed Xiao Wu's slender wrist and applied just enough force to make refusal impossible, dragging her toward the dormitory exit.

"Come outside with me. I have something to tell you."

"I'm not going! Let go of me!"

Xiao Wu struggled desperately, trying to shake off Xuan Hao's hand. But her meager strength was utterly powerless before him.

"Stop!"

"Let her go! She doesn't want to leave with you!"

As he spoke, Tang San stepped forward with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and reached for Xuan Hao's shoulder.

Xuan Hao paused slightly but did not turn around. He merely tilted his face, his pupils contracting into crimson-gold vertical pupils as he cast a glance behind him.

"I'm talking to my Younger Sister. Why are you butting in?"

"Get lost!"

Tang San's face went pale, and his body stiffened in place. He could only watch as Xuan Hao dragged the dazed Xiao Wu out through the doors of Dormitory Seven.

Only after their figures disappeared did Tang San suddenly snap back to his senses. His back was already soaked with cold sweat.

"What a terrifying aura..." Tang San muttered, his eyes filled with wariness. "Xiao Wu actually has a brother like that?"