"Wu Ming?"
Xiao Ling looked at the familiar figure in the crowd. Though the man had changed his clothes, Xiao Ling still recognized him at a glance.
After all, during the previous Year-End Assessment, Xiao Ling had used the system to snatch a wisp of Wu Ming's soul aura the instant he unleashed his Sword Finger.
That was why he could identify Wu Ming the moment he spotted him in the crowd.
How could Xiao Ling possibly agree to let this man enter Jia Nan Academy? The academy's strength was beyond what Xiao Ling could contend with at present. Since he had run into Wu Ming this time, he had to keep him here.
Only once Wu Ming became part of Xiao Ling's lifespan would Xiao Ling finally feel at ease.
But just as Xiao Ling was about to attack, Wu Ming passed the assessment before he could make a move. Seeing this, a gloomy look flashed in Xiao Ling's eyes.
The two girls, who had been watching him closely, noticed at once. Xiao Yu spoke up before Xun'er could.
"Brother Xiao Ling, what's wrong? Who upset you? Yu Er will cripple him."
She said it without the slightest hesitation. Clearly, this long-legged beauty, who wasn't all that clever, genuinely meant it.
At her words, Xiao Ling immediately schooled his expression. His youthful face returned to its usual calm, and he turned to Xiao Yu on his right, speaking gently.
"Yu Er, when have I ever needed to hide behind a woman?"
After a pause, he saw the worry on her pretty face and pulled her slender waist into his arms, holding her close as he spoke softly.
"All right... I know what you're thinking... I'm not blaming you..."
Hearing Brother Xiao Ling's words, Xiao Yu didn't resist. She let him hold her slender waist and leaned against the familiar embrace. Lifting her pretty face, she asked shyly,
"Brother Xiao Ling, then what was wrong just now?"
"Yeah, Brother Xiao Ling, did you see an enemy or something?" Xun'er, standing to Xiao Ling's left, couldn't help chiming in.
She didn't want her not-so-clever, long-legged cousin stealing all the attention. Besides, she could tell that Xiao Ling's feelings for her cousin clearly went beyond those of a clan brother.
Hearing their questions, Xiao Ling didn't hide anything. Instead, he smiled and explained,
"It's nothing much. I ran into Wu Ming earlier. Just as I was about to make a move, that guy got accepted by Jia Nan Academy. Maybe even the heavens don't want me to kill him."
As Xiao Ling finished speaking, a deep-seated killing intent flickered in his dark eyes.
"So what? We can just go challenge him. I'm sure Jia Nan Academy wouldn't dare refuse in front of everyone. Otherwise, they'd ruin their reputation."
Xun'er lifted her little chin, looking unconcerned.
At her suggestion, Xiao Ling's eyes lit up. He really had been stuck in a rut and hadn't thought of something so simple. Luckily, Xun'er had reminded him.
Xiao Ling scooped Xun'er into his arms and kissed her smooth forehead. Then he set the briefly stunned girl down and smiled.
"Xun'er, you're wonderful. Once your Brother Xiao Ling takes him down, I'll reward you with a treasure to protect yourself."
After speaking, Xiao Ling glanced again toward Wu Ming. Just then, Wu Ming looked over as well. Their gazes met in midair. After a brief moment of alarm, Wu Ming recovered and made a taunting gesture at him.
"Xiao Ling, the day I return after completing my training will be the day you die!"
Xiao Ling narrowed his eyes. He had understood the words Wu Ming mouthed during their brief exchange of glances.
"Return after completing your training?"
"Do you really think you'll make it out of Wutan City alive today?"
Xiao Ling murmured under his breath, his voice so low that only the two girls beside him could hear.
Xiao Yu's pretty face had turned icy. If she hadn't known she was no match for Wu Ming, she would have already gone over and beaten him to death.
Xun'er, standing on the other side, had also come back to her senses. Her delicate, porcelain-doll face was red as a ripe apple. She glanced at the young man's profile and mumbled,
"..."
Xiao Ling beckoned to someone behind him. Seeing this, Xiao Wu hurried forward and leaned down, speaking quietly.
"Brother Xiao Ling, just tell me what you need."
He was observant enough to have noticed Wu Ming a moment ago. He had guessed why Brother Xiao Ling had called him over, but he didn't refuse.
To the younger generation of the Xiao Clan, Brother Xiao Ling was their whole world. Wherever Brother Xiao Ling pointed, they would strike.
Of course, if this had been any other clan, such a thing would have been unthinkable.
But this was the Xiao Clan—a clan with Xiao Ling in it.
Xiao Ling listened to the honest, sturdy young man before him and looked at this observant member of the Xiao Clan. He smiled approvingly and said,
"Xiao Wu, how long have you been following me?"
Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then scratched the back of his head and chuckled.
"Four years and one day, Brother Xiao Ling."
He didn't know what Brother Xiao Ling meant by the question, but he answered honestly.
"Four years..." Xiao Ling murmured, then shifted the subject, speaking with deep meaning. "Xiao Wu, I have a job for you. But there's a ninety percent chance it'll be dangerous. Even with my strength, I might not be able to save you in time."
"Are you afraid?"
His purpose was simple: he wanted to test Xiao Wu's loyalty and see whether he was worth investing in. After all, it was hard to know what was in another person's heart. Xiao Ling wasn't a god, nor could he read minds. How could he know what Xiao Wu was thinking?
Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then immediately came to his senses and replied respectfully,
"Just give the order, Brother Xiao Ling. Wherever you point, I, Xiao Wu, will strike!"
"Good! Very good!"
Xiao Ling nodded with satisfaction. Then he took out a Jade Talisman and discreetly handed it over, his tone grave.
"In a moment, go challenge Wu Ming. I don't care what method you use, just make him accept... Then, when the time is right, activate this talisman with Dou Qi, and the job will be done."
"Any questions?"
Xiao Ling looked at the young man before him.
"None. Don't worry, Brother Xiao Ling. I, Xiao Wu, promise to complete the task."
"Good. You're doing this for me, so you'll be well rewarded afterward." Xiao Ling nodded in satisfaction. "Go."
"Thank you, Brother Xiao Ling."
Xiao Wu bowed respectfully, then turned and walked toward the flower-clad youth in the crowd, under everyone's watchful eyes.
When he was within a short distance of Wu Ming, who was surrounded by the imperial troops, Xiao Wu looked at him. A thread of killing intent hid beneath his honest expression as he taunted,
"Who would've thought that after our last encounter, I'd run into you again in Wutan City, you defeated dog of the Xiao Clan?"
"Wu Ming, if you're a man, dare to fight me!"
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