Although Xiao Wu's features were still youthful, she was undoubtedly the makings of a beauty.
Especially that lively, spirited air about her, something the Zhu sisters lacked.
Feeling the warmth on her head, Xiao Wu sniffled.
The tears that had been about to fall stopped.
She lifted her head and gazed at Tang Yuan with eager eyes.
"Then... then why did Teacher..."
Tang Yuan cut her off.
"You're still young."
"There's no need to rush something like this."
"When you truly grow up and understand what love between a man and a woman is, it won't be too late to decide then."
Tang Yuan's words were very blunt.
He did not dislike Xiao Wu.
But he had not reached the point of being so desperate that he would take whatever he could get.
In his eyes, the current Xiao Wu was more like a junior who needed to grow up, or... a Soul Beast with enormous potential.
Xiao Wu blinked.
She had not heard any disgust in Tang Yuan's words.
Teacher said I'm not ugly.
Teacher said I'm still young.
So that means... once I grow up, I'll have a chance?
Xiao Wu's mood suddenly improved considerably.
Much of the frustration of being rejected dissipated.
It seemed it was not that she lacked charm, but that the time was not right yet.
Or perhaps... her methods simply were not clever enough?
Xiao Wu recalled the strength Tang Yuan had used when he grabbed her wrist earlier.
That man's palm had been very warm.
Though his words had rejected her, his gaze when looking at her legs earlier had clearly not shifted away at once.
"Maybe I'm too stupid."
"I simply don't know how to please a man."
Xiao Wu quietly pondered to herself.
Though she had lived for a hundred thousand years, those had been a rabbit's hundred thousand years.
When it came to matters between men and women, she truly was a blank slate.
"Zhu Yun and Zhu Qing definitely know."
"Especially Zhu Yun. Every time she comes out of Teacher's room, her face is glowing."
"I need to go learn properly from them."
"I need to understand more of Teacher's preferences and learn more about how to serve someone."
"Once I've learned it, hehe..."
Xiao Wu clenched her little fists.
Fighting spirit ignited within her once more.
She wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, and a smile returned to her face.
"I understand, Teacher!"
"I'll grow up properly!"
After saying that,
she did not wait for Tang Yuan's reply before turning and running out of the study.
That retreating figure had regained its usual liveliness.
Only, the pair of legs clad in stockings flickered in and out of sight beneath her skirt, still rather eye-catching.
Tang Yuan watched her departing figure.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
This Rabbit was rather easy to placate.
A few days later.
The main hall of the Blue Silver King's Mansion.
Tang San stood respectfully below the hall.
After several days of recovery, his aura had grown increasingly steady.
The fluctuations of his fiftieth-level Soul Power were restrained yet profound.
Only, there was a trace of impatience between his brows.
That was the sign of having encountered a bottleneck.
"Teacher."
Tang San cupped his hands in salute.
"These past few days of cultivation, this disciple has felt that although my Soul Power has increased, my use of soul skills and my understanding of actual combat seem to have fallen into stagnation."
"I possess Soul Power, yet cannot perfectly convert it into combat strength."
"Therefore, this disciple boldly wishes to ask Teacher for leave."
Tang Yuan sat in the seat of honor.
He held a teacup in his hand and gently blew away the foam floating on top.
He was not surprised by Tang San's request.
Flowers raised in a greenhouse could not grow large.
Tang San had always possessed the protagonist's potential, born for battle.
Keeping him shut inside the King's Mansion to blindly cultivate behind closed doors really was a waste of his talent.
"Where do you want to go?"
Tang Yuan asked.
"This disciple wishes to travel across the continent."
"Either to the Great Soul Arena for life-and-death battles, or deep into the Star Dou Great Forest to train."
"Reading ten thousand books is inferior to traveling ten thousand miles."
"Only by wandering along the border between life and death can one truly break through one's limits."
Tang San's tone was resolute.
He had thought about many things these past few days.
Especially after seeing the strength Tang Yuan had displayed that day, as well as his teachings about becoming strong.
It had made him understand.
Though his current achievements were not bad, he was still far too distant from becoming a true powerhouse.
He needed pressure.
He needed the baptism of blood.
Tang Yuan set down his teacup.
The crisp clink echoed through the hall.
"Granted."
Tang Yuan spoke two words.
Joy appeared on Tang San's face.
"Thank you, Teacher, for granting my request!"
"However."
Tang Yuan changed the subject.
"If you go alone, it will be too lonely."
"Besides, you are not the only one blindly cultivating behind closed doors."
Tang Yuan's gaze turned toward one side of the hall.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu stood together there.
Ever since that day, Xiao Wu had often spent time with the Zhu sisters. At this moment, the two were practically inseparable.
"Zhu Qing, Xiao Wu."
Tang Yuan called.
The two women hurried forward.
"The two of you have also reached the time when you should gain experience."
"Especially you, Zhu Qing. Your martial soul, the Hell Spirit Cat, is naturally the king among assassin-type martial souls."
"An assassin without actual combat experience is merely a dancer holding a dagger."
At those words, a gleam flashed through Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
She had always been strong-willed.
Watching Tang San break through to level fifty, she had long been holding back a fierce drive.
"What does Teacher mean?"
Zhu Zhuqing asked.
"You two will go with Tang San."
"Form a small team."
"Support one another and temper one another."
Tang Yuan arranged.
"Yes, Teacher!"
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu answered in unison.
Xiao Wu secretly glanced at Tang Yuan.
Though she was somewhat reluctant to leave Teacher, she also knew that only by becoming stronger could she stand by his side better.
And besides...
This trip would be the perfect chance to learn more from Zhu Qing.
She could ask how exactly those embarrassing things were supposed to be done.
Outside the gates of the King's Mansion.
Three fine horses had already been prepared.
Tang Yuan stood on the steps with his hands behind his back.
The early autumn wind carried a hint of chill as it stirred his robes.
Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu stood before the horses with packs on their backs.
They were about to set off on a long journey.
All three had hopes for the future in their eyes, along with reluctance to part with Tang Yuan.
"This training journey will take you over high mountains and long roads."
"The martial world is dangerous, and the human heart is even more dangerous than Soul Beasts."
Tang Yuan's gaze swept across the three of them.
Finally, it settled on Tang San.
"Xiao San."
"You are the senior disciple, and also the strongest among the three."
"Along the way, you must take greater responsibility."
"If you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, or danger you cannot resist."
"Remember, preserving your lives comes first."
Tang San nodded heavily.
"Rest assured, Teacher."
"As long as this disciple still draws breath, I will never allow either junior sister to suffer the slightest harm."
Tang Yuan flipped his palm.
A token appeared in his hand.
The entire token was dark gold.
Its front was engraved with a lifelike Blue Silver Emperor, its vines entwined around it and exuding the majesty of an emperor.
Its back bore a vigorous, powerful Tang character.
The entire token emitted faint Soul Power fluctuations.
It was the pressure belonging to a Titled Douluo.
"Catch."
Tang Yuan tossed the token to Tang San.
Tang San hurriedly caught it.
It felt heavy in his hand.
Its touch was icy, yet it carried a warm sensation like a connection of blood.
Before you continue