Noon.
Something big seemed to be happening at Notting Academy. Many students hurried toward the training ground, where they formed a circle around someone.
Xiao Wu stood right at the center of the crowd, a lollipop from who-knew-where still in her mouth. She faced a much bigger upperclassman without a trace of fear.
She had the air of a rabbit holding a pass against an army.
The work-study students from Dorm Seven stood beside Xiao Wu. Tang San, who had just returned from the Soul Hunt, was pushing his way through the crowd.
At the same time,
Ye Qiu had just stepped through the gates of Notting Academy. He strode along with a carefree swagger, feeling indescribably refreshed.
This Soul Hunt had gone more smoothly than he'd imagined.
Not long after entering the Soul Hunting Forest, he and Director Su had come across a No-Phase Slug nearly five hundred years old.
It was a rather unusual kind of slug Soul Beast. Most of the time, it was like a puddle of water, but when threatened, it could imitate the appearance of other Soul Beasts. It looked fierce, but had virtually no offensive power.
Director Su had felt that it was a bit too old, and that the No-Phase Slug's abilities weren't particularly impressive. He had advised Ye Qiu to choose another Soul Beast.
But the moment Ye Qiu saw the No-Phase Slug transform, he was taken with the mass of slime, about one and a half meters in diameter. For some reason, it felt like a perfect match for Venom!
Even though it might be five hundred years old, Ye Qiu hadn't given up. He might have been a little malnourished, but he'd grown stronger since awakening his Martial Soul. His body could also turn into Venom, so he figured he could handle it.
Seeing that Ye Qiu was determined, Director Su had no choice but to agree. The No-Phase Slug seemed like a tough opponent, but Director Su wasn't Yu Xiaogang. He was a real force in battle.
Throughout the whole fight, Ye Qiu only needed to handle the cheering.
Then he could pick up the kill.
Once he finished absorbing the No-Phase Slug's Soul Ring, Ye Qiu had become a level-twelve Battle Soul Master.
The Soul Skill he gained was also beyond his expectations.
Ye Qiu couldn't help feeling pleasantly surprised. He couldn't wait to drag the mischievous little rabbit, Xiao Wu, off to try it out.
By then, he had completed his Soul Master certification at Spirit Hall. He'd also accepted Ma Xiunuo's invitation to become an unaffiliated member of Spirit Hall, and had received proof of his membership.
That status might come in handy someday.
Besides, he wouldn't have to take responsibility for anything.
With Gold Soul Coins in his pocket, Ye Qiu wore a bright smile. With this Soul Master stipend, he wouldn't need to work as a student laborer anymore.
Whoever wanted to clean could do it.
He wasn't about to lift a finger.
Click!
Before long, Ye Qiu reached Dorm Seven and found it empty.
He wasn't surprised.
He'd already figured out what was going on along the way.
There was no need for him to join the excitement. Xiao Wu would handle Xiao Chenyu and the others just fine, while he only needed to keep the Rogue Rabbit in line.
Tang San had probably already gained the Blue Silver Binding that would stay with him for the rest of his life. He might even have reached the scene by now, so Ye Qiu had even less to worry about.
"Ah~"
Ye Qiu flopped onto his bed and rolled over to rest. He hadn't slept well the night before, had gotten up early, and had walked a long way. He was already tired.
Before long, Ye Qiu had fallen asleep.
"Ye Qiu~"
He didn't know how much time had passed. Half-asleep, he heard a soft, tender voice calling in his ear.
Ye Qiu instinctively rubbed his eyes, then opened them. The first thing he saw was Xiao Wu's cute little face.
Xiao Wu bent over him, her small pink lips pursed. Excitement showed on her face as she licked the corner of her mouth and poked his cheek. "Ye Qiu, if you go to bed this early, will you even be able to sleep tonight?"
Smack!
Ye Qiu slapped her hand away, covered his mouth as he yawned, and rolled his eyes at her. "Do you think I can get a good night's sleep?"
Xiao Wu's face reddened. Every morning when she woke up, she had rolled right over to Ye Qiu's side.
Seeing her flushed little face, Ye Qiu suddenly felt an urge to cup it and take a bite. He could give her his first kiss, and seal the rabbit with a little mark while he was at it.
But after thinking it over, Ye Qiu held back.
That might land him in trouble.
He simply reached out and pinched Xiao Wu's warm, silky cheek, leaving a few red marks.
"Ye Qiu, what are you doing?!"
Xiao Wu angrily slapped his hand away and glared at him, cheeks puffed out.
"Hm?"
Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow at Xiao Wu's sudden defiance and slowly sat up. He glanced around. It seemed that only Tang San was missing from the dorm.
He'd probably gone to register at Spirit Hall after the fight.
Xiao Wu knelt on the bed with her hands on her hips, looking smug. "Ye Qiu, let me tell you: I'm Sister Xiao Wu to the whole academy now! Impressive, right? So you're not allowed to touch me!"
"Even so, that doesn't give you an excuse to cross the line, you Rogue Rabbit!" Ye Qiu chuckled without making a big deal of it, then pointed down.
Xiao Wu was kneeling right on the boundary between their two beds.
"Ye Qiu! I told you not to call me Rogue Rabbit!" Xiao Wu twisted around and angrily clamped a hand over Ye Qiu's mouth. She snorted. "So what if I crossed the line? I'm a girl, so you should let me get away with it, right? Of course, you're absolutely not allowed to cross the line."
"Suit yourself!"
Ye Qiu moved her little hand away and shrugged. Either way, no one—boy or girl—would think he was the one getting the short end of the stick. That included him, of course.
But the little rabbit was so full of herself, as if she couldn't see the obvious!
That annoyed Ye Qiu a little.
He took hold of both her hands and clasped them in his. Slowly tightening his grip, he leaned toward Xiao Wu until their noses were almost touching, then sniffed softly.
"W-what are you doing?"
When Ye Qiu suddenly turned expressionless, gripped her hands tightly, and leaned in, Xiao Wu couldn't help feeling a little scared.
"Did you forget what you promised me before?!" A slight smile touched Ye Qiu's lips, and his eyes held a teasing, threatening glint.
"N-no, I didn't. Sister Xiao Wu will behave."
After she spoke, Xiao Wu glanced from side to side to see whether Wang Sheng and the others had noticed. She was afraid her image as Sister Xiao Wu would fall apart.
"Is that so?"
Looking at Xiao Wu's tender, tearful face and flushed cheeks, Ye Qiu felt that urge to seal the rabbit rising again.
"Mm. I promise I'll behave."
Xiao Wu nodded in a fluster, eager for Ye Qiu to let her go.
"Good!"
Ye Qiu nodded with satisfaction, his voice softening. Looking at her luscious red lips, he finally couldn't resist his curiosity. Before he knew it, he'd leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers.
They were as soft as pudding, with a faint fragrance and a hint of sweetness, along with a touch of grass. Ye Qiu had been quite pleased, but his brows furrowed. Why did that sweetness seem so familiar?!
Xiao Wu froze. Her crimson eyes lost focus. She felt Ye Qiu's breath as his lips held hers, moving slowly. Her body trembled, and her face, ears, and even neck turned pink.
It was over in a moment. A trace of moisture remained, and after satisfying his curiosity, Ye Qiu let her go.
Xiao Wu stared blankly as Ye Qiu's face moved away. Her large, round crimson eyes shimmered, and she pressed her lips together. At last, the strange taste brought her back to her senses.
"Ah—!"
Her delayed scream rang through all of Dorm Seven.
Xiao Wu's chest heaved as she covered her lips and stared at Ye Qiu in disbelief. Her mind seemed to have shut down, and her rabbit ears flapped wildly as she struggled to get the words out.
"Ye, Ye Qiu, you—why did you...?"
Looking at the even more adorable Xiao Wu, Ye Qiu's eyes held a trace of admiration, though his face turned awkwardly red.
Luckily, this was the Douluo Continent.
Have a lovely day, everyone!
Before you continue