Although Xiao Wu's features were still youthful, she was undeniably a budding beauty.
In particular, that spirited liveliness of hers was something the sisters of the Zhu Family lacked.
Feeling the warmth radiating from the hand atop her head, Xiao Wu sniffled.
The tears that had been on the verge of falling were held back.
She looked up, gazing at Tang Yuan with wide, expectant eyes.
"Then... then why does Teacher..."
Tang Yuan cut her off.
"You are still young."
"There is no need to rush into such matters."
"It will not be too late to make a decision once you have truly grown up and understand what romantic love between a man and a woman entails."
Tang Yuan's words were blunt.
He did not dislike Xiao Wu.
But he had not yet reached the point of being so desperate that he would take anything.
In his eyes, the current Xiao Wu was more of a junior in need of growth, or perhaps... a Soul Beast with immense potential.
Xiao Wu blinked.
She did not detect any disgust in Tang Yuan's words.
Teacher said I am not ugly.
Teacher said I am still young.
Does that mean... as long as I grow up, I will have a chance?
Xiao Wu's mood suddenly improved significantly.
The frustration of being rejected dissipated quite a bit.
It seemed it wasn't that she lacked charm, but rather that the timing was not yet right.
Or perhaps... her methods were simply not clever enough?
Xiao Wu recalled the strength of Tang Yuan's grip on her wrist just moments ago.
The man's palm had been very hot.
Although he had refused her with his words, his gaze had not immediately shifted away when he looked at her legs earlier.
Perhaps I am just too stupid.
I don't know how to please a man at all.
Xiao Wu pondered secretly in her heart.
Although she had lived for one hundred thousand years, those were one hundred thousand years as a Rabbit.
When it came to the affairs between men and women, she was truly a blank slate.
Zhu Yun and Zhu Qing must know.
Especially Zhu Yun; she always looks radiant whenever she comes out of Teacher's room.
I must go and learn from them properly.
I need to understand Teacher's preferences better and learn how to serve him.
Once I've mastered it, hmph...
Xiao Wu clenched her small fists.
Her fighting spirit was reignited.
She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and broke into a smile once more.
"I understand, Teacher!"
"I will grow up properly!"
With that said, she didn't wait for Tang Yuan to reply; she turned and ran out of the study.
Her retreating figure had regained its usual liveliness.
Only those legs clad in silk stockings, appearing and disappearing beneath her skirt, remained somewhat striking.
Tang Yuan watched her leave.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
This Rabbit was certainly easy to coax.
A few days later.
The main hall of the Blue Silver King's Mansion.
Tang San stood respectfully in the hall.
After a few days of rest, his aura had become increasingly steady.
His level fifty Soul Power fluctuations were restrained and heavy.
Yet, between his brows, there was a hint of restlessness.
It was the manifestation of having hit a bottleneck.
"Teacher."
Tang San cupped his hands in a salute.
"In my cultivation these past few days, I have felt that although my Soul Power has grown, my application of soul skills and my insights into actual combat seem to have stagnated."
"I possess a wealth of Soul Power, yet I cannot perfectly convert it into combat strength."
"Therefore, disciple dares to request leave from you, Teacher."
Tang Yuan sat in the main seat.
He held a teacup in his hand, gently blowing away the foam.
He was not surprised by Tang San's request.
Flowers in a greenhouse could not grow large.
Tang San was, after all, a protagonist template born for battle.
Keeping him locked in the mansion to work behind closed doors was indeed a waste of talent.
"Where do you wish to go?"
Tang Yuan asked.
"Disciple wishes to travel across the continent."
"Whether it is to the Great Soul Arena for life-and-death battles, or to the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest for training."
"Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."
"Only by lingering on the edge of life and death can one truly break through their limits."
Tang San's tone was firm.
He had thought a lot over these past few days.
Especially after seeing the strength Tang Yuan displayed that day, and hearing those teachings about true power.
It made him understand.
Although his current achievements were decent, he was still far from being a true powerhouse.
He needed pressure.
He needed the baptism of blood.
Tang Yuan set down his teacup.
The crisp clinking sound echoed through the hall.
"Granted."
Tang Yuan uttered the two words.
Joy appeared on Tang San's face.
"Many thanks, Teacher, for your support!"
"However."
Tang Yuan changed the subject.
"Going alone would be far too lonely."
"Besides, you are not the only one working behind closed doors."
Tang Yuan's gaze turned toward the side of the hall.
There, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were standing together.
Ever since that day, Xiao Wu had often spent time with the Zhu sisters; the two were now inseparable.
"Zhuqing, Xiao Wu."
Tang Yuan called out.
The two young women hurried forward.
"The time has come for both of you to gain some experience as well."
"Especially you, Zhuqing. Your Hell Spirit Cat martial soul is inherently the king of the assassin class."
"An assassin without actual combat experience is nothing more than a dancer holding a dagger."
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
She was naturally strong-willed.
Watching Tang San break through to level fifty had long since ignited a fire within her.
"What does Teacher mean?"
Zhu Zhuqing asked.
"The two of you, go with Tang San."
"Form a small team."
"Support each other, hone each other."
Tang Yuan arranged.
"Yes, Teacher!"
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu replied in unison.
Xiao Wu snuck a glance at Tang Yuan.
Although she was reluctant to leave Teacher, she knew that only by becoming stronger could she better stand by his side.
Besides...
Going out this time was the perfect opportunity to learn from Sister Zhuqing.
To ask exactly how those embarrassing things were supposed to be done.
Outside the gates of the King's Mansion.
Three fine horses were already prepared.
Tang Yuan stood on the steps with his hands behind his back.
The early autumn breeze carried a hint of chill, fluttering the hem of his robes.
Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu stood before the horses with their packs on their backs.
They were about to embark on a long journey.
In the eyes of the three, there was both a longing for the future and a reluctance to part with Tang Yuan.
"The mountains are high and the road is long on this journey of training."
"The world is treacherous, and human hearts are even more so than Soul Beasts."
Tang Yuan's gaze swept over the three of them.
Finally, it landed on Tang San.
"Xiao San."
"You are the senior brother, and you possess the greatest strength among the three of you."
"On this journey, you must take on more responsibility."
"If you encounter any trouble you cannot solve, or face danger you cannot resist."
"Remember, survival comes first."
Tang San nodded heavily.
"Rest assured, Teacher."
"As long as this disciple has a breath left, I will never let my two junior sisters suffer the slightest harm."
Tang Yuan flipped his palm.
A token appeared in his hand.
The token was dark gold in its entirety.
The front was engraved with a lifelike Blue Silver Emperor, its vines entwined, exuding the majesty of a ruler.
On the back was a vigorous and powerful character for "Tang."
The entire token radiated a faint fluctuation of Soul Power.
It was the pressure belonging to a Titled Douluo.
"Take it."
Tang Yuan tossed the token to Tang San.
Tang San caught it in a flurry.
It felt heavy in his hand.
The touch was icy, yet it carried a warmth that felt like a connection of blood.
Before you continue
Explore the wiki