Xiao Wu: Xiao San, From Now On, the Three of Us Will Be Together!

A virtual gift box radiating a faint golden glow appeared in his consciousness, then exploded with a bang!

[Novice Lucky Gift Pack opened! Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Wish Value +50; high-grade Earth-tier cultivation technique Myriad Spirits Unification Art.]

Wish Value +50!

Myriad Spirits Unification Art: A high-grade Earth-tier cultivation technique that could compress and purify energy, enhancing a soul master's control over their own Soul Power.

"Looks like my luck isn't too bad?"

"This Myriad Spirits Unification Art actually goes quite well with my Martial Soul!"

After learning what the technique did, Xiao Yin's eyes gleamed.

His Taotie Martial Soul had only one function—eating!

No matter what soul rings were attached to it, they would all be related to "eating"!

He then looked at the 60 points of Wish Value on the system panel.

"System, open the shop! Let me see what treasures 60 Wish Value can buy!"

A dazzling virtual screen unfolded in his consciousness.

The various categories left him dizzy: divine weapons, skill scrolls, rare items and tools...

"[Divine Artifact—God-Slaying Spear (Imitation)] 100 million Wish Value? This thing is here too? When the hell would I ever be able to afford that?!"

"[Hundred-Thousand-Year Random Soul Ring ×1] 10 million Wish Value? They even sell this?"

"[Douluo Continent Common Language (including all types)] 10 Wish Value? This... I'll buy it! It should come in handy!"

"[Inferior Storage Soul Tool—Ring Form (three cubic meters)] 30 Wish Value? Hmm... not having storage space is way too inconvenient! I'll buy this!"

Just as Xiao Yin was browsing the goods, a figure suddenly appeared at the mouth of the alley without warning.

"Who's there?!"

When he saw the figure with a scorpion braid and a pink dress, Xiao Yin narrowed his eyes and thought:

That outfit... and those long legs that don't match her age... Damn! She should be... Xiao Wu, right?

Why is she here? Could it be... I've been discovered?!

Instinctively, Xiao Yin kept his right hand behind his back, gripping the dagger he had just bought, ready at any moment!

Xiao Wu's nostrils seemed to twitch lightly. Her originally lively, clear eyes instantly filled with incredulous shock.

She stepped into the shadows of the alley.

Her footsteps were light, nearly silent as they landed on the damp, broken bricks, yet Xiao Yin felt as though every step had landed on his heartbeat.

Xiao Wu walked straight up to him. They were close enough for him to see the complex light flickering beneath her lashes—

Shock and confusion mingled there, eventually condensing into an intense desire to investigate and... an almost fanatical sense of recognition.

Her small nostrils flared again as she inhaled deeply, as though confirming a certain scent.

But the sight of her like this made cold sweat pour down Xiao Yin's back, and he could not help muttering inwardly:

Is this little rabbit all right? What is she sniffing for? Do I smell like carrots?

Suddenly, Xiao Wu spoke in a cautious, probing tone:

"You... are you... a transformed soul beast?"

Her voice was crisp, yet it left Xiao Yin completely stunned. This was... the language of soul beasts!

It's... the aura of Taotie's bloodline!

Unlike the natives of Douluo Continent, my Martial Soul originates from my soul. And given the current state of Douluo Continent, it is absolutely impossible for anyone to possess a ferocious beast Martial Soul of my level—

That's why she thinks I'm a human transformed from a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

Xiao Yin instantly understood the reason, but he also fell into thought.

However, Xiao Yin's thoughtful expression was taken by Xiao Wu as confirmation!

The light in Xiao Wu's eyes instantly reached its peak. It was the pure, untainted ecstasy and excitement of finding one of her own kind.

"I knew it!" She suddenly stepped forward, practically jumping up as she clenched her little fists excitedly.

"The smell on you... that feeling... I couldn't possibly be wrong! Why are you hiding here alone? Where is your home?"

Her questions came crashing down like a barrage.

Xiao Yin came back to his senses. Realizing she had misunderstood, he was about to explain, but then a thought struck him—

My strength isn't enough for me to head to Star Dou Forest alone, and the nearby Soul Hunting Forest is undoubtedly the best choice right now!

But entering Soul Hunting Forest requires a Spirit Hall token. This thing... it seems Yu Xiaogang has one...

On the surface, however, Xiao Yin instinctively replied in the language of soul beasts, "...I have no home."

He had not expected to use it so soon after buying it!

Hearing Xiao Yin's reply made Xiao Wu even more certain of his identity!

"A wanderer?"

Xiao Wu's gaze fell upon the paulownia zither on the ground, and she seemed to think of something.

Her little face instantly filled with a sense of righteous determination, as though she had found a mission that only she could fulfill.

"No! You can't stay outside alone anymore!" she said firmly. Her small hand reached out without giving him any choice and grabbed Xiao Yin's cold wrist.

"Come with me!"

Her voice was clear and full of strength as she pulled Xiao Yin toward the exit.

"Come back to the academy with me! From now on, we're... we're the same kind! With me around, no one can bully you!"

And so, though he understood what she meant, Xiao Yin was still somewhat dazed as Xiao Wu pulled him out of that dark corner.

"Oh, right, my name is Xiao Wu. Wu as in dancing!"

"Xiao Yin."

The creaking wooden door of Nuoding Academy's work-study dormitory was violently pushed open, slamming against the wall with a dull thud.

"Xiao San! Look!"

Xiao Wu's cheerful voice instantly shattered the dormitory's dull atmosphere.

She practically skipped inside, one hand tightly gripping Xiao Yin's wrist, her face brimming with undisguised excitement. "Look who I brought back! Our new roommate! Xiao Yin!"

The dormitory was not very bright. Several crude wooden beds and a worn old table were crammed into the limited space.

Tang San, who was sitting by his bed with his head lowered as he carefully arranged the coarse blue cloth spread over his lap, looked up at the sound.

When his gaze touched the hand Xiao Wu was tightly holding around Xiao Yin's wrist, the faint warm smile in his clear eyes vanished instantly.

His gaze followed that hand to Xiao Yin's face, carrying a sharpness that was almost scrutinizing.

"A new roommate?"

Tang San's voice was calm and gave away no emotion, but Xiao Yin keenly caught a trace of coldness.

"Mm!" Xiao Wu nodded vigorously and pulled Xiao Yin a few steps closer. She did not notice the change in Tang San's gaze, or rather, all her attention was on Xiao Yin at the moment.

"Xiao Yin is... he's a particularly good friend from before. I saw him wandering around Nuoding City just now, homeless, so I brought him back."

She turned to introduce Tang San to Xiao Yin. "Here, this is Tang San. He's really nice! From now on, the three of us can be together!"

Xiao Yin: "..."

Tang San: "..."

"Hello, Tang San."

Xiao Yin's voice carried a deliberate hint of restraint as he met Tang San's gaze.

At this point, Tang San looked utterly ordinary, and his skin was even somewhat dark.

When Xiao Wu said "a particularly good friend" and "the three of us can be together," something seemed to silently sink deep within Tang San's calm eyes.

Like the instant sunlight was obscured by clouds.

"Hello, Xiao Yin."