The Last Night at Notting Academy

As Tang San's words fell, the classroom instantly fell silent.

The students who had not gone far stopped in their tracks upon hearing this, their gazes shifting back and forth among the three of them.

Lin Yi, who stood to one side, raised an eyebrow.

Well, damn. Putting one down while flattering yourself right to his face. Tang San, that air of arrogant superiority from your protagonist halo really hasn't changed in over a decade.

What do you mean, he's just an auxiliary-type Soul Master? What did auxiliary-type Soul Masters ever do to you?

Besides, you're not the only one with Twin Martial Souls... Even without all those Tang Sect cheats of yours, my future achievements might not be any worse than yours.

But forget it, forget it. We're graduating soon anyway. Chances are we'll never cross paths again. It's not worth exposing my trump card over a little verbal dispute.

Still, getting belittled while he points a finger at me without saying a word makes me seem way too cowardly, doesn't it?

The other students' eyes lit up when they heard this Heart Voice.

Was this low-key Heart Voice guy finally going to go at Tang San?

Now this was a show.

A complicated emotion flickered through Xiao Wu's eyes.

Over the past five years, she had long become accustomed to Lin Yi's inner monologues, which sounded like casual mockery but were actually remarkably clear-headed.

Just as she was about to speak up in rebuttal, Lin Yi patted her shoulder first.

He stepped forward twice and stood face-to-face with Tang San, his tone calm. "Tang San, what my talent and future are like seems to have nothing to do with you, does it?"

Tang San's expression changed slightly at Lin Yi's blunt retort.

He had not expected Lin Yi, who usually appeared so low-key, to dare contradict him to his face.

He looked at Lin Yi, frowning slightly. "I'm stating the facts."

"Is that so?" Lin Yi smiled faintly. "But I don't think I've eaten your rice or taken any extra resources from the academy, have I?"

As he spoke, he took another step forward. "I haven't missed a single day of Work-Study Student work, nor have I skipped a single academy class."

"I got where I am today through my own work and effort. There doesn't seem to be anything here worth making you so deeply upset, does there?"

A few suppressed chuckles sounded in the classroom.

Lin Yi's words made sense. Everyone knew Work-Study Students lived hard lives, and Lin Yi had indeed been diligent throughout these five years. No one could find fault with him.

More importantly, Lin Yi had never provoked Tang San, nor had he ever taken the slightest benefit from him.

Tang San was instantly left speechless.

His earlier words had indeed been colored by emotion and prejudice.

Now that Lin Yi had rebuked him this way, he did not know how to retort.

Was he supposed to say that Lin Yi was not worthy of Xiao Wu?

That would only make him seem even more childish and unreasonable.

Seeing that Tang San remained silent, Lin Yi had no intention of stopping. He continued, "As for Xiao Wu, she has her own thoughts and judgment. You invited her, and she refused. That's perfectly normal. Just because you think something is good doesn't mean others have to accept it, right?"

Tsk, tsk. The classic 'if I think it's good, you must think it's good too' mentality. That controlling nature cultivated by the Tang Sect is really something else.

In the original story, Xiao Wu was completely wrapped around his finger. Now that the plot has gone off course, he can't take it?

Listening to Lin Yi's Heart Voice and looking at the young man arguing for her with reason, warmth rose in Xiao Wu's heart.

That was right. Why did she have to accept whatever Tang San thought was good?

Her own fate should be decided by herself.

Tang San's face alternated between green and white.

Every word Lin Yi said was reasonable, even polite, but the detachment and faint mockery beneath that calmness hurt him more than a direct insult would have.

"Fine. Very good." Tang San nodded, his voice low. "Since you've already made your decision, I have nothing more to say."

He turned around and took several steps before suddenly stopping, though he did not look back. "I hope you won't regret your decision today."

With that, he strode away, his footsteps gradually fading down the corridor.

After Tang San left, the students began to disperse as well.

Xiao Wu looked in the direction Tang San had gone and sighed softly, but there was no regret in her eyes.

She turned to Lin Yi and asked worriedly, "Do you think he might do something extreme?"

Extreme?

Little Rabbit, you're overthinking it. Tang San won't go looking for trouble for himself.

At most, he'll put me thoroughly onto his Path of Seeking Death list.

But it's fine. After today, who knows who he even is?

Lin Yi grumbled inwardly, but said aloud, "All right, don't worry about him. Let's go back to the dormitory and pack. We'll be leaving the academy tomorrow."

Xiao Wu nodded and said nothing more. The two then left the classroom side by side.

Late at night, the dormitory district of Notting Academy was silent.

Most students had already left the academy, leaving only a few scattered dormitories with lights still on.

On the Work-Study Student Dormitory side, only Lin Yi and Xiao Wu remained. Tang San had probably been so angry that he had set off on his journey overnight.

Lin Yi sat cross-legged on his bed, meditating and regulating his breathing, though his thoughts were somewhat scattered.

Tang San probably won't come looking for trouble tonight, right?

Judging by how he looked during the day, he must be furious. But with his personality, he probably wouldn't stoop so low as to launch a midnight sneak attack...

Then again, Tang Hao is really something as a father. He left his son behind and ran off, claiming it was to help him grow independently, when really he just didn't want Spirit Hall to discover his whereabouts.

Though that makes sense too. Hiding from place to place with a child would be inconvenient.

Forget it. I won't think about them anymore. Xiao Wu, though...

Lin Yi opened his eyes and glanced at the bed opposite his.

Xiao Wu seemed to have already fallen asleep.

This girl has followed me for five years. What exactly is she after?

Could it really be that she's been conquered by my personal charm?

Lin Yi laughed self-mockingly in his heart. Soon, his vision gradually blurred, and he lay down and fell asleep.

At that moment, Xiao Wu's eyelashes on the opposite bed trembled slightly.

She had not actually fallen asleep.

She heard every word of Lin Yi's Heart Voice.

She also understood that following Lin Yi might change her fate of being sacrificed, but it also came with many dangers.

After all, she was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

"Ah." Xiao Wu sighed inwardly.

But just then, an extremely faint sound came from outside the dormitory.

Her ears perked up instantly. The keen senses of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast allowed her to catch an unusual fluctuation of Soul Power.

Someone was outside?

And... they meant harm?

Her heart instantly tightened.

Her first thought was Tang San.

But upon sensing more carefully, that aura was incredibly powerful. Tang San had not reached such a level yet.

It was not Tang San.

Then who was it?

Someone from Spirit Hall?

Or...

She quietly circulated her Soul Power while anxiously watching Lin Yi's movements. Yet it seemed that only she could sense this aura; Lin Yi showed no reaction at all.

Just as she was confused, an aura so powerful it made her suffocate suddenly enveloped her without warning.

Was this aura from a Title Douluo?

No, it was even more terrifying than a Title Douluo.

Xiao Wu's heart instantly sank to the bottom.

She could feel that before this aura, she had no power to resist.

And her identity had been completely exposed as well.

It was over...

Xiao Wu closed her eyes and waited for death to descend.

As a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that had taken human form, once discovered by a human powerhouse, there was only one possible fate.

She would be hunted down, and her Soul Ring and Spirit Bone would be taken.