Plans After the Holiday

Lin Yi was stunned upon hearing this.

Does this little rabbit know I'm faking it?

Was my eyelid twitching too obvious just now?

His thoughts raced, yet he couldn't fathom how Xiao Wu had seen through his charade.

However, since he had been exposed, there was no point in continuing the act.

Of course, the most critical factor was that he was genuinely afraid of being dragged to Teacher Yuan for a needle.

"Ugh... my head is spinning." Lin Yi groaned, slowly opening his eyes and pretending to have just regained consciousness. "Tang San is really something, he doesn't know how to pull his punches."

Wang Sheng stopped in his tracks and chuckled, "Lin Yi, you're awake?"

Lin Yi jumped off Wang Sheng's back and rubbed the back of his head with a practiced air. "Where are you guys trying to take me?"

This acting, it should be natural enough, right?

Wang Sheng looked at him with a smirk.

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, stood with her hands on her hips, a playful smile on her face. "You woke up just in time. Any later, and you would've been getting a needle from Teacher Yuan."

Lin Yi felt a bit awkward, trying to mask his guilt with a smile. "Haha, I'm just lucky, aren't I? I recovered on my own, no need to trouble Teacher Yuan."

Why are their expressions so strange? It's like they've seen through my trick.

That shouldn't be right. My acting is so good that even Teacher Zhang didn't notice; they shouldn't know.

Hearing Lin Yi's inner voice, Xiao Wu fought back a laugh. "Are you really okay? Maybe we should still let Teacher Yuan take a look, just in case you have internal injuries?"

"No need, no need." Lin Yi waved his hands repeatedly, changing the subject. "Your matches aren't over yet, hurry back, don't let this delay the competition."

Xiao Wu rolled her eyes at him, but didn't call his bluff, merely saying, "Since you're fine, let's head back."

The three of them walked back together. Lin Yi followed behind, still mulling over what had just happened.

But come to think of it, the force of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass binding was well-controlled. He clearly held back; he didn't actually want to hurt me.

That fits his character arc in the early stages.

Too bad, Tang San, I really am just a generic support type. You won't find anything even if you try to probe me.

Walking in front, Xiao Wu heard this inner voice and tilted her head slightly to glance at Lin Yi.

A generic support type?

True, he looks ordinary now, but that might not be the case later.

And besides, hasn't your other Martial Soul remained hidden?

Xiao Wu shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it for now and to focus on getting through the year-end competition.

When they returned to the Martial Arts Arena, the second round of matches had already reached the fifth bout.

Teacher Zhang nodded when he saw them return but said nothing.

However, some of the students and teachers off-stage looked at Lin Yi with amused expressions as he returned unscathed.

Damn, why is everyone looking at me like that?

Did my acting fail? Was it seen through?

No, no, my performance should have been flawless...

They must just be surprised to see me wake up, that's all.

Lin Yi felt uncomfortable under their gaze and quickly feigned sleepiness, yawning to minimize his presence.

Xiao Wu and Wang Sheng walked to the preparation area to wait for their own matches.

It wasn't long before it was her turn.

Xiao Wu's opponent was a thin, tall boy whose Martial Soul was a Wind Bell Bird, known for its speed.

But at this moment, the boy stood opposite Xiao Wu, trembling slightly.

After all, he knew Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form; her combat instincts were terrifying. Fighting her was practically suicide.

The most critical part was that one couldn't forfeit in the second round, which was the most infuriating part.

The boy glanced toward Lin Yi, and a plan formed in his mind. If I can't beat her, can't I just learn from Lin Yi and fake a faint?

As for Lin Yi, seeing the boy look at him and then nod in sudden realization, he felt a wave of depression.

Little brother, looking at me won't help you.

But even though Xiao Wu was close to Tang San earlier, she doesn't have hidden weapons or anything, and she won't use heavy blows in a match. Fighting her is safer.

Right, I still don't have a first soul ring. After this competition, when everyone goes home for the break, should I go hunt for one?

But with a Martial Soul like mine... I wonder if the Soul Hunting Forest has anything suitable?

Hearing this inner voice, Xiao Wu's heart stirred.

Lin Yi is going to hunt for his first soul ring?

After the break, could she go with him?

And then extract more secrets from him?

Thinking this, the corners of Xiao Wu's mouth curled up slightly, though she quickly composed herself.

The competition continued.

Without any surprises, Xiao Wu won with ease.

Time ticked by second by second, and soon it was the third round.

Tang San's third-round opponent was a boy who possessed a Flame Hound martial soul, and his strength was not weak.

However, Tang San did not use his martial soul this time; he relied solely on the Tang Sect's unique skills and the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to win easily.

Yet this time, there was still no applause from the audience.

The students exchanged glances and whispered among themselves.

"Hidden weapons again, how boring."

"Yeah, and they're stolen unique skills, too..."

"Keep your voice down, don't let him hear you."

Tang San stood on the arena stage, watching the reactions of the crowd below, his expression terrifyingly gloomy.

It was like this again; why was it always like this whenever he was on stage?

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, and turned to walk off the stage.

Yu Xiaogang watched him from a corner, his brows furrowed tightly.

"Tang San." Once Tang San approached, Yu Xiaogang asked in a low voice, "Do you feel it? Everyone's attitude toward you..."

Tang San nodded: "They seem to be deliberately distancing themselves from me, even... despising me."

"Why?" Yu Xiaogang was puzzled, "You clearly won."

Tang San was silent for a moment, his gaze shifting toward Lin Yi in the distance: "I don't know, but I feel that all of this has to do with Lin Yi."

Yu Xiaogang followed his gaze; Lin Yi was currently looking down, seemingly dozing off.

[So boring, when will this competition end?]
[At this rate, the top few spots should be decided by this afternoon, right?]
[Though come to think of it, there are rewards for the top few.]
[If I used my second martial soul, wouldn't taking first place be a breeze?]
[But forget it, if I expose it too early, I'll become a thorn in the side of Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. I don't want to have any entanglements with them.]

Lin Yi had no idea that he had been targeted by the master and disciple again.

He just wanted the competition to end quickly so he could go back and get some sleep.

Just then, Xiao Wu, who was sitting beside him, tugged at the corner of his shirt and asked casually: "Lin Yi, do you have any plans for the upcoming break?"

"Hm?" Lin Yi looked up at her, thought for a moment, and said: "No particular plans, I'll probably head home."

[Going home is impossible; I need to go to the Soul Hunting Forest to find a soul ring.]
[But I can't tell you that, otherwise what would I do if you decided to come with me?]