Xiao Wu's Social Studies Field Trip

Just like that, the long winter had passed. Spring winds stirred the vegetation of the Star Dou Great Forest back to life, and long-lost greenery once again appeared throughout the forest.

As he watched the reviving plants, a familiar voice unconsciously echoed in Ye Qing's mind.

"Spring is here. It is once again the season for all things to..."

After several months, Xiao Wu's general knowledge lessons had been completed, though they had all been taught through models and pictures. She had also finished the equivalent of first-year middle school mathematics and physics. Ye Qing had successfully passed on most of his knowledge of human society, but the final piece had left him stuck.

"Looks like basic mathematics and physics are enough for this world." Ye Qing could not explore any further; this was roughly the limit of his own abilities. After all, this was a world of Soul Power. What did the development of Douluo Planet more than a hundred thousand years later have to do with the current ancient feudal society? That was something countless generations would have to strive toward. Even if he found a nation willing to hand him complete nuclear fusion technology right now, they would not understand it, because the necessary foundations simply did not exist.

When he was bored, he had even taught Xiao Wu a few phrases of Sichuan dialect. He wanted to see Tang San's reaction when he appeared in this world and heard Sichuan dialect coming from Xiao Wu.

"Since the theory lessons are finished, it seems it is time for practical lessons. But practical... practical what? Throw two radishes off the top of the Castle? Forget it. Physics cannot be examined too deeply in this world. If Newton lived here, he would definitely climb out of his grave wrapped like a zongzi," Ye Qing thought.

"Uncle, do I really not have to study those things today?"

"Mm. You have the day off today. Go play, but do not go too far. Do not leave the area I marked."

"Okay!"

Watching Xiao Wu vanish in a flash, Ye Qing could only say that children liked holidays in every world. Xiao Wu's body had grown rapidly over the past few days, and her human form now looked like that of a seven- or eight-year-old child. Xiao Qing, meanwhile, still looked like an eighteen-year-old girl despite all the years that had passed, while Ah Rou had taken on the appearance of a mature woman the moment she underwent Shape Transformation. Ye Qing still could not figure out the pattern behind the changes after Shape Transformation.

"Social studies field trip, social studies field trip... Should I learn from Jiaopenji, or from Eagle Nation's Boy Scouts? But neither seems quite right. I must be forgetting something."

"This is about passing on knowledge of human society. What is indispensable to human society?" Ye Qing began pondering the question, but even when Xiao Qing came to find him, he still had not figured out what he had forgotten.

"Xiao Qing? What are you eating?"

"Ah, those snack trees bore fruit. You called these Gold Coin Chocolate, my lord."

"Gold Coin Chocolate. Gold coins... I actually forgot about this." Living as a Spirit Beast for so long had made Ye Qing forget a crucial part of human society—money and currency.

Trade was of vital importance in human society. Ever since ancient times, when shells had been used as currency, purchasing had existed within society. People earned money through labor, then used that money to exchange for what they wanted. But the Star Dou Forest had no need for money. Whether Gold Soul Coins or Copper Soul Coins, they held no meaning for Spirit Beasts.

The same was true for Ye Qing. His current life was basically self-sufficient. His only need was Self-Discipline Points, and after so many years, he had nearly forgotten about everything else.

"Money, currency... Mm, that will do. Xiao Qing, do you remember that human market from before winter?"

"I remember. What about it?"

"In a few days, take Xiao Wu there."

"Do we need to buy soy sauce again?"

"No. This is Xiao Wu's social studies field trip. Ah Rou is too weak, and it is not convenient for me to go at the moment, so I will leave it to you."

"What is a social studies field trip?"

"It is nothing. I will explain everything to Xiao Wu. You only need to watch from the side. If you feel you cannot handle something, use Soul Flash toward the sky. I will be at the edge of the forest."

"Leave it to me, my lord. But I have one tiny condition."

"You have learned to make demands now? Go on."

"I want to sleep with you tonight, my lord."

"..." Since that day, Xiao Qing had lingered in Ye Qing's room for several days before he finally chased her out. He could see her and touch her, but his bottom line told him he could not do that sort of thing. On top of that, Xiao Qing loved clinging to him. During those days, she had always treated Ye Qing like a body pillow. It had been immense torment for him, so he decisively sent Xiao Qing back to her own room. He had not expected her to seize the chance and bring it up again several months later.

"It is spring now... No, no, no. With more than twenty thousand years of cultivation, she should not be affected by that sort of thing. Otherwise, at a rabbit's breeding rate, Xiao Wu would already have too many brothers and sisters to count." After all, Australian rabbits had multiplied from twenty-four to ten billion in just over a hundred years... even forcing the military to use bombers against them.

"What if I refuse?"

"I will still do it. I will just be sad."

"Only one night. And—"

"I know. No moving around, no sitting on top of you, no taking off my clothes..."

"Enough, enough. It is fine as long as you know. I will go tell Ah Rou."

"Is this really okay? Letting Xiao Wu come into contact with human society?" Ah Rou asked as she looked at Ye Qing. She had known all along that, to Spirit Beasts, human Spirit Masters were the greatest danger.

"Do not worry. Even a Titled Douluo cannot see through my disguise, and I will be nearby watching over her. Besides, Xiao Wu will grow up. You cannot protect her forever. Sooner or later, she will have to face humans. Rather than letting her be tricked when the time comes, it is better to prepare her now, so she will not be deceived by a few words and led away."

"But Xiao Wu is very playful. Xiao Qing probably cannot keep her under control. How about I go too and supervise her?"

"No. It will be harder for me to watch over you if you go. If it is only Xiao Wu and Xiao Qing, I can react to anything. Too many people will make it easy to lose focus. Children being playful is natural. I have my own way of dealing with her. I will make her attend her practical lesson obediently."

Thus, Xiao Wu was brought to a unique room, where Ye Qing handed her something that looked like a helmet.

"What is this?"

"A new toy. You will like it once you put it on."

Following Ye Qing's instructions, Xiao Wu put on the helmet. The scene before her changed, and she found herself in an entirely new world.

"Uncle?! Where is this?"

"Do not be afraid. This is an illusory world. This is the new toy I prepared for you. You are still in my Castle right now, perfectly safe." Seeing Xiao Wu's panic, Ye Qing comforted her.

He had exchanged fifty points from the system for a VR helmet. Inside was a very relaxing game, similar to a high-definition version of Minecraft. Players could freely build things and take in various landscapes and terrain. Ye Qing wore a helmet as well and took Xiao Wu sightseeing within it. He set the scenery to Danxia landforms and an aquarium, because Xiao Wu, who had lived in the forest all her life, had never seen such things.

Just as Xiao Wu was still yearning for more, Ye Qing decisively shut it off.

"Do you still want to play?"

"Yes."

Facing Xiao Wu's longing gaze, Ye Qing said something she would never have expected.

"Sure. Just pay, and you can keep playing." As he spoke, Ye Qing revealed his smile once more.