The Imagined Princess Carry

"Ye Qiu, this book contains some tips on cultivating Soul Power. I got it from my teacher, and I hope it can help you."

Tang San didn't dwell on how Ye Qiu had addressed him. The Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night at his waist glimmered faintly, and a thick book appeared in his hand. He weighed it for a moment, then held it out to Ye Qiu.

He didn't forget to try to win him over, either. "For people from ordinary backgrounds like us, having someone to guide us is really important. You can learn more than just book knowledge. Give it some thought. The teacher really knows his stuff."

"Oh? Is this a cultivation route for Soul Power?"

Ye Qiu ignored the nonsense Tang San was spouting, accepted the book with interest, and quickly flipped through it, skimming a few pages.

Who would've thought Yu Xiaogang had written such a densely packed tome just about a cultivation route for Soul Power? Ye Qiu's head was already spinning just looking at it.

Smack!

Ye Qiu smiled as he closed the book and sat up. "Xiao San, thanks for the kind offer. I'll give it serious thought."

"Don't mention it. We're from the same village and we're classmates, too. We should look out for each other." Tang San smiled faintly. With the Mysterious Heaven Skill at his disposal, this book was practically useless to him, but to someone like Ye Qiu, a commoner with no one to rely on, it was precious.

He also selectively recalled Tang Hao's advice from before school started. Since Ye Qiu had managed to hurt Xiao Wu, he must be quite strong. He was indeed worth getting to know.

"Oh, right."

Tang San seemed to remember something else.

The book was, after all, Yu Xiaogang's own academic work. Tang San was careful about intellectual property, just as he was when designing mechanisms for his repeating crossbow, and wouldn't casually misuse it.

He immediately cautioned Ye Qiu, "You mustn't lose this book or let it get out. Of course, if Xiao Wu wants to read it, you can read it together."

"Don't worry, I won't let anyone else see it. If Xiao Wu's interested, I'll show it to her."

A faint smile appeared on Ye Qiu's face.

It seemed that good-looking people got special treatment wherever they went.

"Mm. I won't disturb your rest, then."

Tang San returned to his bed.

Ye Qiu immediately flipped the hefty book to the last page. He had no need to do academic research and wasn't interested in Yu Xiaogang's deductions or how he'd arrived at his so-called optimal route for circulating Soul Power.

He only needed to know the result.

Sitting on his bed, Tang San watched Ye Qiu eagerly begin studying and couldn't help feeling pleased.

In a world without the Tang Sect, he might be able to establish a Tang Sect of his own. If so, he certainly couldn't do it alone!

Tang San wasn't worried about money. Selling Hidden Weapons and poison would make him a fortune. What mattered most was having people.

"..."

Tang San shook his head, clearing his thoughts for the moment.

It was too early to think about such things. He still needed to learn more about Ye Qiu's character and morals.

Ye Qiu didn't care what Tang San thought. Once he'd quickly memorized the route, he closed his eyes and tried it out. After only a few minor cycles, he pursed his lips in disdain.

He opened his eyes and tossed the book over to Xiao Wu.

All that effort, and the result wasn't even as useful as what he'd gotten from Xiao Wu.

Looks like the Mysterious Heaven Skill was still the way to go.

Ye Qiu glanced at Tang San, who was sitting cross-legged on his bed, and curled his lip.

You think this trash is enough to tempt me?

"Hmm?"

Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow as inspiration suddenly struck.

When it came to cultivation speed, it seemed he still had a way to improve.

With that in mind, Ye Qiu turned and took three carrot-flavored lollipops from his bundle. Then he lay back on his bed and waited for Xiao Wu to return.

He couldn't help feeling a little shamelessly pleased with himself.

At least he was practical. When he asked the little rabbit for help, he knew to offer something in return.

Unlike Tang San, who wanted to get something for nothing.

A quarter of an hour later,

Xiao Wu returned to Dorm Seven, her hair still a little damp.

She'd just finished a hot bath, and her cheeks were rosy, her skin dewy and radiant. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, reaching her waist, and her tall figure made her a natural beauty.

Lying on his side, Ye Qiu smiled as he watched Xiao Wu put away her clothes and teased, "Little rabbit, you're finally back."

Xiao Wu furrowed her brows and glared at Ye Qiu. "I've told you so many times. Don't call me a rabbit."

Ye Qiu smiled silently.

Xiao Wu's rosy lips and bright white teeth, the way she pouted and frowned—she really was adorable to look at.

"Hmm? Ye Qiu, what's this?"

Xiao Wu was about to climb into bed when she noticed the thick book lying on it.

"Oh, Tang San brought it over. It's a cultivation route for Soul Power that Grandmaster put together. If you're interested, take a look. If you're not, don't throw it away. You can use it as a pillow or something." Ye Qiu answered casually, his gaze drifting toward Tang San, who was cultivating.

"Is that the poker-faced guy's?" Xiao Wu paused and opened it. One glance made her eyes swim. "What is all this? Just looking at it gives Sister Xiao Wu a headache. It's too hard to use as a pillow, so I'll put it under the bed leg instead. Hmph!"

Xiao Wu had never been one for studying. The sight of such a thick book made her head ache, so she tossed it at the foot of the bed. Then she climbed into bed and leaned back against it. Looking down, she noticed Ye Qiu had been staring at her the whole time.

"Why are you staring at Sister Xiao Wu?"

Blushing, Xiao Wu tucked her feet in and hugged her knees to her chest, eyeing Ye Qiu warily. She hadn't forgotten how he'd stared at her the same way at noon, then leaned in and kissed her.

"Why are you being so wary of me? I just have something I want to discuss with you." Ye Qiu sat up and leaned closer to Xiao Wu, looking at her seriously.

"What is it?"

"I want you to help me cultivate. Or, rather, we can improve together."

"Cultivate?"

"Yeah. A Martial Soul Fusion Skill can speed up our cultivation."

As Xiao Wu considered this, Ye Qiu took her little hand in his. His palm turned black as he pressed it against hers.

Sensing what Xiao Wu was thinking, Ye Qiu's voice sounded in her mind.

"Don't think you can get anything out of me for free. This benefits you, too. It'll help you reach maturity sooner."

Thinking of what Xiao Wu would look like when she matured, Ye Qiu couldn't help imagining things.

"Ah! You're not allowed to think about that!"

A wave of intense embarrassment washed over Ye Qiu, and as Xiao Wu's voice rang out, she yanked her hand away.

Xiao Wu's earlobes were practically dripping blood. She glared at Ye Qiu bashfully, her face red from all the explicit knowledge she'd picked up.

Ye Qiu gave an awkward laugh. Looks like sharing our thoughts makes it hard to keep anything private.

But he was also a little pleased.

He knew Xiao Wu had agreed.

"Sorry. I'll try not to think about it again."

Ye Qiu didn't make excuses. It definitely wouldn't be the last time something like this happened, so there was no need to feel guilty about saying it so bluntly.

"Don't think about it! I—I'm not like that, no matter how grown-up I get." Xiao Wu glared at Ye Qiu, mortified.

Even when she grew up, she wouldn't be like that—folding herself up while Ye Qiu held her in his arms and jostled her around.

"Fine, I won't." Ye Qiu chuckled and shrugged. He handed over the lollipops he'd prepared earlier. "You may have lost to me, but to make sure we work well together, I'll give you these three lollipops."

"Hmph! Sister Xiao Wu's buying a new blanket tomorrow." Xiao Wu carefully scooped up the lollipops, no longer daring to imagine kicking Ye Qiu to death with her rabbit kicks.

If they kept sleeping together, Ye Qiu might eat her up until there wasn't a speck left.

"Suit yourself!"

Ye Qiu shrugged. He'd lost a pillow, but getting a good night's sleep was important, too.

But tonight was destined to be another sleepless night.

The little rabbit kicked in her sleep, was great at wrapping herself around him, and even licked her candy all over the place.