When Xiao Wu heard Lin Yi's Heart Voice, a complicated emotion welled up inside her.
So Lin Yi felt this way too.
Though he could see other people's futures and knew many secrets, he was actually just as lost himself.
"Lin Yi." Xiao Wu rested her chin on her hand and looked at him. She suddenly said seriously, "Thank you."
"Thank me for what?" Lin Yi was rather baffled.
"Thank you for being willing to bring me to your home." Xiao Wu smiled. "And thank you for being willing to be friends with me."
Lin Yi rolled his eyes inwardly at Xiao Wu's words.
[Honestly, being friends with you isn't a big deal.]
[I just hope that after you go back, you won't keep clinging to me, so the Tang father and son don't set their sights on me.]
[But then again, Tang Hao should have already gone to find Yu Xiaogang by now. Going back doesn't seem quite as scary when it comes to Tang San.]
Though he grumbled inwardly, he said aloud, "I should thank you too, for treating me as a friend."
Although Lin Yi said that, his tone did not sound quite sincere.
Xiao Wu naturally noticed it, but she pretended not to understand what he meant and simply laughed it off.
After all, she knew some things could not be rushed.
Since she had decided to stay with Lin Yi, she had to take things slowly and could not let him become suspicious.
Over the following days, Xiao Wu stayed at Lin Yi's home.
Lin Yi had originally thought she would get bored after staying for two days and leave on her own.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Wu seemed quite interested in rural life.
Wherever Lin Yi went, she followed. She even helped the elderly villagers with their work.
The villagers all liked this lively, adorable little girl and often brought her food.
Watching Xiao Wu mingle so easily with the villagers, Lin Yi became even more puzzled.
[What's going on here? Didn't you say you were just here to have some fun? Have you started treating this place like your home?]
[But how should I put it? She seems to have grown a lot more sensible lately. At least she's not as awful as I remembered.]
Hearing this Heart Voice, Xiao Wu secretly felt pleased.
She knew her efforts were starting to work.
[Ah... forget it. If she wants to stay, she can stay. School will be starting soon anyway.]
[And having someone around makes the days less boring.]
Seeing Xiao Wu bustling about, Lin Yi no longer thought about sending her back, though he still found it rather strange.
This Little Rabbit had really latched onto him.
The days passed one by one, and before they knew it, there were only three days left before school began.
That day, as usual, they sparred and cultivated together in the morning, then wandered around nearby at noon.
That evening, after the two had just finished dinner, Xiao Wu suddenly said, "Lin Yi, let's go back to the academy tomorrow."
After thinking it over, Lin Yi nodded. "By my count, school should be starting soon. Then we'll set off first thing tomorrow morning."
[Time really flew by.]
[I've gotten used to having this Little Rabbit around lately, but her identity...]
[If she weren't a Soul Beast Transformation, having her follow me wouldn't be so bad.]
[Ah, once I get back, I'll see if I can find a way to smooth the plot over...]
Hearing this Heart Voice, Xiao Wu's gaze dimmed slightly.
Lin Yi still wanted to get rid of her.
But she did not blame Lin Yi. After all, her identity was special. As an ordinary wielder of Twin Martial Souls, it was perfectly normal for him to think that way.
But she would not simply resign herself to fate.
Xiao Wu quickly adjusted her mood, and a bright smile returned to her face. "Okay. Then let's get some rest early and leave first thing tomorrow."
With that, she skipped back to her room.
Watching Xiao Wu's cheerful figure, Lin Yi could not help shaking his head before returning to his own room as well.
He lay on his not-too-hard wooden bed, his consciousness gradually growing hazy.
[We're going back to the academy tomorrow. I wonder if that guy Tang San will cause trouble...]
[But Tang Hao has already left by now, so there's no need to be that afraid of him.]
[It's just that this girl Xiao Wu actually stayed at my house for nearly an entire break...]
[Forget it, there's no point thinking so much. Sleep, sleep...]
His breathing gradually steadied, and he finally fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, while the sky was still barely light, Lin Yi and Xiao Wu set off on the road back to Notting Academy.
This time, Lin Yi did not take any detours. They left in the morning and reached the outskirts of Nuoding City that afternoon.
Seeing Nuoding City so close at hand, Xiao Wu patted Lin Yi and rolled her eyes. "Lin Yi, I remember it took two days when I went back with you last time. Why is it so much closer this time?"
Of course, she asked on purpose. She wanted to see how Lin Yi would answer.
[This question...]
[I can't exactly tell you I went hunting for Soul Rings, can I?]
Lin Yi was slightly startled inwardly, but he said aloud, "Last time, it was vacation, so I wanted to show you more scenery. This time, we're returning to school. It's different."
Xiao Wu secretly laughed, but outwardly nodded as if enlightened. "So that's how it is. I thought you had some secret passage."
Lin Yi gave a dry laugh. "No."
The two chatted and laughed without slowing their steps, soon entering Nuoding City.
The streets were as bustling as ever. Hawkers' cries rose and fell, and the air was filled with the scents of all kinds of food, making people want to stop and linger.
Walking along the main street, they soon arrived at Notting Academy.
The moment they reached the entrance, Lin Yi sensed that something was wrong.
At this time on ordinary days, the academy gate should have been bustling, with returning students and parents seeing them off streaming in endlessly.
But today, the entrance was unusually deserted. Only a few students hurried in and out, all wearing grave expressions.
"Lin Yi, Xiao Wu, you're back?!" A familiar voice rang out.
Lin Yi turned and saw Wang Sheng running out from the academy, an anxious look on his face.
"Wang Sheng, what's going on at the academy?" Xiao Wu asked first.
Wang Sheng looked around before lowering his voice. "People from Spirit Hall came. I don't know why, but they've been at the academy for a whole day already."
"Spirit Hall?" Lin Yi frowned. "Since when did they start paying attention to junior Soul Master Academies?"
"I don't know either." Wang Sheng shook his head. "But I heard they sent people not only to our academy, but to every Soul Master Academy near Nuoding City."
[A full inspection? Since when has Spirit Hall cared so much about a small place like Nuoding City?]
[Could it be Tang San? Did news of his Twin Martial Souls get leaked?]
[No, Tang San hid it very well in the early stages.]
[Or could it be Xiao Wu?]
[No, that can't be right either. Logically, no one should know their secrets.]
Lin Yi was even more puzzled.
In his memory, Spirit Hall had always taken a hands-off approach toward junior academies. Only intermediate-level academies and above received their attention.
Something unusual was afoot.
"Where are the teachers?" Lin Yi asked.
"They're all in the office. Director Su is accompanying the people from Spirit Hall while they talk." As Wang Sheng spoke, he suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, Lin Yi, you'd better be careful."
Before you continue