[Loves Eating Carrots: What's up with Group Leader Brother today? It's almost noon, and he still hasn't shown up. (puzzled face)]
[Richest Little Heiress of Heaven Dou: Carrot, I've noticed you call him "Group Leader Brother" all day long. Don't tell me you have improper thoughts about the Group Leader? (mischievous grin)]
[Viper-Hearted Big Sister: True. I think so too.]
[Big Cat in the Night: ??? (seemingly indifferent, but paying very close attention)]
[Yandere Mad Beauty of Martial Soul Hall: Do you even have to ask? Based on my experience dating Xiao Gang, she definitely does!]
[Loves Eating Carrots: Bibi Dong, what nonsense are you spouting? I don't like the Group Leader...]
[Yandere Mad Beauty of Martial Soul Hall: You expect me to believe that?]
[Loves Eating Carrots: Believe whatever you want!]
[Yandere Mad Beauty of Martial Soul Hall: So you don't dare admit it? It's fine. I won't look down on you just because you're too embarrassed to say you like someone. Hmph. (continues baiting her)]
Pope Palace.
The corners of Bibi Dong's lips lifted into a sly smile.
"That'll teach you to mock me last time!"
"Hahaha! The tables have turned now!"
"You little girls are still too green to take me on!"
She could almost picture Xiao Wu hopping mad, beside herself with frustration.
[Loves Eating Carrots: I... Wait, why should I tell you anything, you wicked woman? Hmph. I don't like the Group Leader anyway.]
[Yandere Mad Beauty of Martial Soul Hall: If you don't dare admit it, just say so. It's fine. I won't look down on you.]
Notting Academy.
Xiao Wu's fair cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger. She waved her little fists at the air and muttered, "Wicked woman! Old woman! Stupid woman!"
She hadn't even met the Group Leader. How could she like him?
Even if she was going to like someone, Li Yuan would surely be her first choice.
He was handsome and strong, with a witty, playful personality. Besides, he was one of her own kind; they were both Soul Beasts who had taken human form...
Hmm... Wait.
Am I thinking things I shouldn't?
"Pah, pah, pah! What am I thinking? It's all that wicked woman Bibi Dong's fault for putting ideas in my head!"
Her cheeks rosy, Xiao Wu hurriedly shook her head and drove those jumbled thoughts away.
Just then, a classmate called from nearby, "Sister Xiao Wu, someone's looking for you!"
"Coming!"
Xiao Wu took a deep breath, got up, and walked over quickly.
Meanwhile.
Crown Prince's Mansion.
Qian Renxue watched the group's squabble, which sounded like schoolchildren bickering, and shook her head helplessly.
Mother Bibi Dong is so... childish!
Picking a fight with a girl in her teens, of all people.
Still... Xiao Wu's attitude toward the Group Leader seems interesting.
She stroked her chin thoughtfully. It seemed she would have to keep an eye on Xiao Wu's relationship with the Group Leader.
Perhaps it could become an opening?
Star Dou Forest, beside the Lake of Life.
Little One sprawled across a smooth boulder, swishing her tail in boredom as she watched the "two-legged beasts" chatter and bicker on the Brick. Her golden eyes were full of confusion.
"Awooo? (Like someone? What's that? Can you eat it?)"
She tilted her head and licked her paw with her pink tongue. She couldn't make sense of those "two-legged beasts" and their tangled feelings at all.
As far as she was concerned, food, sleep, and play were what mattered.
Could all this "liking someone" business smell as good as meat?
Xiao Wu arrived at the office.
She pushed open the door and found a flat-topped man standing with his hands behind his back, his head tilted forty-five degrees as he gazed out the window, presenting her with his back.
Luckily, she recognized Yu Xiaogang at a glance. Otherwise, with that pose, anyone might have thought some mighty Soul Saint or Soul Douluo had arrived.
Only after a long while did Yu Xiaogang slowly turn around. "Xiao Wu, you're not busy right now, are you?"
What a stupid question!
You summon me here in broad daylight when I have nothing better to do, then ask if I'm busy?
What if I said I had an eight o'clock class? Would that do?
Xiao Wu fought the urge to roll her eyes and forced a smile. "Not at all. Did you need something, Grandmaster?"
Yu Xiaogang suppressed his impatience and asked in a tone of solemn concern, "Good. Actually, I wanted to ask whether Li Yuan has met anyone unusual lately... or perhaps acquired some extraordinary object?"
Ever since he had witnessed Li Yuan's earth-shaking punch yesterday, along with the strange changes to his Martial Soul and Soul Skill, Yu Xiaogang had been itching with curiosity.
He was convinced Li Yuan must have stumbled upon some heaven-sent opportunity to undergo such a complete transformation!
If... if I can uncover his secret, perhaps my Luo Sanpao will have a chance to transform too. Then no one will ever call me "trash" again.
When that happens, I, Yu Xiaogang, will be famous throughout the land. Everyone who ever looked down on me will regret it as they gaze up at me!
At those words, Xiao Wu's eyes changed instantly. She looked at Yu Xiaogang with suspicion. "Grandmaster, why are you asking?"
As she spoke, she quietly took the Brick from her pocket and started recording, ready to capture his ill-intentioned words and actions and send them to the group.
In the Soul Master World, prying into another person's Martial Soul secrets was a grave taboo!
Seeing her expression change, Yu Xiaogang hurriedly struck a righteous pose and declared, "Xiao Wu, don't misunderstand. I'm thinking of your personal safety. A lot of bad people have appeared outside the academy lately. Some of them may already be targeting you because of these secrets."
"So I plan to compile all your precious secrets into a book. That way, no one will be able to threaten your safety."
"And when the time comes, plenty of people across the continent will praise you—and praise Notting Academy for nurturing such outstanding talent!"
Xiao Wu nearly laughed from sheer anger.
Well, would you look at that.
He wants to pry into other people's secrets in broad daylight, dress it up as "protecting your safety," and even publish those secrets in a book to reap both fame and fortune?
Spending other people's wealth, publishing a book under your own name, and basking in the glory yourself?
Where do you get the nerve?
Why don't you go ask the Pope for her secrets?
You think we're easy to bully because we're students?
Not on your life!
Clap, clap, clap!
A crisp burst of applause rang out, laden with mockery.
Xiao Wu clapped her hands and gave a cold laugh, tearing away his hypocritical mask without a shred of courtesy. "Grandmaster, you've really got it all calculated! Don't you know that in the Soul Master World, you can't just go prying into a Soul Master's secrets?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression changed at once. "This isn't prying into secrets. I'm showing concern for my students. Xiao Wu, must you assume the worst of people?"
"I'm concerned about Li Yuan! Think about it: his Martial Soul suddenly changed so drastically. What if something goes terribly wrong? I'm doing this for your own good!"
He wore the patient, earnest expression of a man who only wanted what was best for them.
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