Dispute

"Xiao Wu, don't act rashly. I think he's already reached the rank of Soul Master. If you fight him, you'll be at a disadvantage." Seeing Xiao Wu about to lose her temper, Cao Yan gently took her hand and advised her.

"It's fine. He injured you this badly. I refuse to believe he can be stronger than me." Xiao Wu's face was full of stubbornness. If Cao Yan had not stepped in to shield her from those dangers earlier, she might have been the one injured now.

Thinking of this, Xiao Wu's heart brimmed with sweetness. How wonderful it was to have such a warm and caring older brother as Cao Yan!

Whenever she encountered danger, he would take the initiative to stand in front of her. Was this the promise an older brother made to his younger sister? Cao Yan truly had not deceived her.

"Fine, but be careful." Cao Yan coughed lightly and said no more.

In his eyes, Tang San was no more than an ant at present. Strength like that posed no threat to him whatsoever.

It could be said that if he wished, he had countless ways to end Tang San's life. But if he did that, the days ahead would become somewhat dull.

So, he intended to torment Tang San in every possible way and make him deeply understand what it meant to be worse off than dead. Only when Tang San had lost everything would he truly deal the killing blow.

For now, letting Xiao Wu bully Tang San was undoubtedly the wise choice.

However, Tang San still did not know that Xiao Wu was supposed to end up with him. Cao Yan did not want to keep him in the dark about that either, so he still had to step forward as the good guy and tell him everything.

"Hmph, brat, it looks like you're with him, aren't you? I had no intention of targeting you. I already said this is a grudge between him and me. If you know what's good for you, leave now, and I won't hold it against you." Tang San snorted coldly at Xiao Wu.

It was not because he had gone soft. His goal was to take Cao Yan's life. Though this girl before him was rather annoying, he did not want to create unnecessary complications.

"Hey, Tang. Why don't you tell me exactly how Cao Yan offended you? If you can't give me a reasonable explanation, then today, you'll pay for what you've done." Xiao Wu planted her hands on her slim waist and pointed at Tang San's nose.

In Xiao Wu's heart, Cao Yan was such a kind and considerate boy. She truly could not understand why this Tang San insisted on coming to cause them trouble. What exactly was he up to?

"Hmph, why don't you ask him yourself? If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have lost my hundred-year Soul Ring. Not only did he humiliate me, he even injured my teacher. On those grounds alone, I can't let him go." Tang San cast a cold glance at Cao Yan in the distance and spoke through gritted teeth.

"Pah! What nonsense are you talking about? How could Cao Yan possibly do something like that to you? Even if you're making up an excuse, at least make it believable! Do you really think I'm that easy to fool?" After hearing Tang San's words, Xiao Wu's eyes nearly burst into flames.

Although she had not spent much time with Cao Yan these past few days, she had come to understand his character somewhat. How could Cao Yan possibly have done such absurd things?

On the other hand, this Tang San was quite good at slinging mud. People like him were truly hateful!

"Cough, cough. Tang San, this should be the first time we've met, shouldn't it? I don't know why you're attacking me so viciously, but I, Cao Yan, am an upright man. I won't admit to the things you've said, and I've never done any of them. Why are you making such malicious accusations? Do you really think I'm easy to bully?" Cao Yan coughed twice, putting on a weak appearance as he retorted.

Naturally, he would not admit to such things. After all, they were hardly honorable deeds, and Xiao Wu was right here. If he admitted it, would he not simply be slapping himself in the face?

"Cao Yan, don't move around anymore. Leave this to me. That Tang actually dared to slander your good name like this. I won't let him off." Xiao Wu blinked her bright, watery eyes and comforted him softly.

Originally, she had wanted to give Tang San a way out. If he took the initiative to admit his mistake and apologize to Cao Yan, she might have let the matter pass. Even if she had to make a move then, she would have shown some mercy.

After all, leave some room for others, and you may meet again someday.

She did not want to take this matter too far.

But Xiao Wu had not expected Tang San to be so incapable of appreciating kindness. She finally understood it now—this man would push his luck whenever given an inch, and refused to accept goodwill!

It seemed that with people like him, only fists could reason with them.

"Heh, Cao Yan, you don't even dare admit what you've done? Then again, you were never a good person to begin with. Today, I'll wash away my teacher's humiliation." Seeing Cao Yan stubbornly deny everything, Tang San shrugged and said mockingly.

"You... I bear no grudge against you. Why are you slandering my good name?" Cao Yan's face twitched, his expression utterly innocent.

"Heh, today, we'll settle the grudge between us once and for all!" Tang San gave a cold laugh as the Soul Power within him slowly gathered, and he immediately assumed a fighting stance.

Soul Power surged from his heart like a tidal wave. A white Soul Ring rose beneath Tang San's feet, radiating energy fluctuations. Tang San was now a level ten Soul Master.

After all, the power Lone Bamboo, a ten-year Soul Beast, had given Tang San was limited. Thus, after absorbing this Soul Ring, Tang San had not even managed to break through a single level of Soul Power.

His only change now was that he had gained one additional soul skill.

With a slight thought, Tang San raised his hand. In an instant, Blue Silver Grass erupted in swarms. At that moment, his face was full of confidence, as though victory were already within his grasp.

He believed that now that he had displayed the strength of a Soul Master, the girl before him would surely flee in panic.

"Cao Yan, didn't expect this, did you? I've now officially become a Soul Master. Today, I'll return every humiliation you inflicted on me!" As he spoke, Tang San activated the Mysterious Heaven Skill and prepared to attack.

But at that very moment, Xiao Wu finally erupted. A yellow Soul Ring lit up beneath her feet, and her body was immediately enveloped in pink light. Her ears gradually lengthened, while a surging aura burst forth, faintly suppressing Tang San instead.

Xiao Wu's Soul Power had now reached level thirteen, so Tang San naturally could not compare to her in strength.

After Martial Soul Possession, Xiao Wu's eyes turned red. Her petite frame, paired with her simple shirt and trousers, undoubtedly made her look even more alluring.

"Kid, let me introduce myself first. My name is Xiao Wu, a first-year Work-Study Student. My Martial Soul is a rabbit. I'm a level thirteen, one-ring Battle Soul Master." As she spoke, Xiao Wu flashed Cao Yan a sweet smile, looking indescribably adorable.

"Level thirteen?" Tang San's face finally turned somewhat ugly at those words. He drew in a light breath, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He had never expected this seemingly ordinary little girl to possess such attainments in Soul Power.

However, after a brief moment of shock, Tang San calmed himself. Although she was stronger than him, that did not mean he would admit defeat.

Even if he could not defeat her, he could still use Hidden Weapons to win. The Tang Sect's Hidden Weapons were vast and profound. As long as he caught her off guard, he could launch a sneak attack and claim victory. Seen that way, Xiao Wu was nothing special.