Bibi Dong's Tangled Thoughts

Three days later...

Morning arrived, and Ban Shu made a point of waking up early. He had promised Bibi Dong yesterday that after their theory class today, they would head into Spirit City to stroll around and properly unwind.

Besides, he also intended to speak with Qian Xunji regarding the spirit bone. A gentleman's word is his bond; since he had already given it, he could not go back on his promise.

Opening the door, Ban Shu was just about to compliment the morning sun when a figure suddenly lunged at him.

"Xiao Ban!!"

Bibi Dong slammed into Ban Shu, then patted his head with a grin. "Did you sleep well last night? Did you have any nightmares?"

"I... I did."

Taken by surprise by the sudden impact, Ban Shu—despite his sturdy frame—felt a jolt of pain and nearly stumbled.

"Bi-Bibi Dong! Do you know how dangerous that is? Also, have you put on weight again?"

"You're asking for it!"

Hearing this, Ban Shu rolled his eyes, only for her to reach out and pinch his cheeks. "How dare you say that to your big sister! I punish you to carry me to the cafeteria!"

"What the hell?"

Ban Shu rolled his eyes again and set Bibi Dong down. "Besides, why should I listen to you?"

At these words, Bibi Dong's expression gradually turned sorrowful. She reached up to gently wipe away a few tears she had squeezed from the corners of her eyes.

"The child has grown up, become rebellious, and won't listen to discipline anymore. He won't even listen to his big sister. It's just so heartbreaking, wuwuwu."

With that, Bibi Dong covered her face and began to sob.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Ban Shu scratched his head in frustration, finally sighing. "Alright, alright, I don't have a problem with it..."

"That's better! Let's go!"

Before Ban Shu could finish, Bibi Dong dropped her hands and spread her arms with a grin, showing no trace of her previous tears.

"You..."

Ban Shu let out a deep sigh and, having no other choice, picked Bibi Dong up.

I fall for it every single time, and every time it's different, he thought to himself. Women really are dangerous creatures!

As he walked along carrying Bibi Dong, passersby who saw them began to smile, and some even gave Ban Shu a quiet thumbs-up.

Feeling the surrounding gazes, Ban Shu patted Bibi Dong. "I say, Sister Dong'er, don't you think people are looking at us differently now that we're being this intimate?"

"Is that so? I don't feel anything."

Ban Shu rolled his eyes hard. "Your face is buried in my chest; what could you possibly see?"

"Look, I don't mind, but I'm worried about you. If everyone in the Spirit Hall sees this, how are you going to find a boyfriend?"

Ban Shu argued his case. "Sister Dong'er, why don't you get down first? I'm doing this for your own good."

"Mind your own business! Just keep walking!"

Bibi Dong's face turned red as she tapped Ban Shu's chest, though the force was no greater than a kitten's paw.

"Fine, if that's how it's going to be!"

Ban Shu flashed a mischievous grin. Before Bibi Dong could react, he tossed her into the air and caught her in a bridal carry.

"What are you doing!"

Bibi Dong gasped, her face flushing a deep crimson.

"I can't be the only one losing face; if you're going to watch, you're going to participate," Ban Shu said naturally.

"Hmph!"

Bibi Dong raised her small fist and hammered it against his chest before burying her face once more.

She's clearly shy, yet she won't get down. She's sick in the head, Ban Shu thought. Seeing that all his tactics had failed to shake her off, he resigned himself to his fate and ran toward the cafeteria.

What a massive, dense block of wood!

Hidden in his arms, Bibi Dong cursed under her breath in a voice so faint it was almost imperceptible. Then, realizing what she had said, she hurriedly shook her head. What am I saying? Xiao Ban is still just a child. Sin, what a sin.

But...

Bibi Dong stole a glance at Ban Shu. After absorbing two spirit rings in succession—both of them high-limit rings—Ban Shu had shot up in height and was now nearly as tall as she was.

She found it truly difficult to keep seeing him as a child, and with his mature mindset, their daily interactions were no different from those of peers.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Bibi Dong's unusual behavior, Ban Shu felt puzzled. Why was her face so red, and why was she making such a strange expression?

"Nothing! Just hurry up!"

"Inexplicable."

Unable to fathom what was going on in Bibi Dong's mind, Ban Shu simply quickened his pace toward the cafeteria, eager to be rid of her.

As they neared the cafeteria, Bibi Dong finally had Ban Shu put her down. She smoothed out her hair and walked inside with quick steps, not sparing Ban Shu a single glance.

Ban Shu was happy to take it easy, walking in behind her with his hands behind his head. He scanned the surroundings and immediately locked onto a familiar face.

"Yo, Brother Ling!"

Ban Shu waved and pulled Bibi Dong over to Li Ling's side. "You're here for breakfast too? Where's Uncle Li? Didn't he come with you?"

"Oh, it's you two."

Li Ling smiled at them and replied, "Yeah, Dad went out on another mission, so it's just me today."

"I see. Uncle Li really is a busy man; he just got back a few days ago and he's already gone again."

Ban Shu sighed. Ever since he finished his apprenticeship, it seemed Li Yan no longer served as his bodyguard. He hadn't expected him to head out again after only three days.

It seems if it weren't for me, Li Yan might have just kept working indefinitely.

If you put it that way, being my bodyguard counts as a vacation, right?

Ban Shu rubbed his chin, thinking to himself. After all, no one in Spirit Hall dared to hurt him, and when he was outside, he was always well-guarded and perfectly safe.

After breakfast, Bibi Dong headed to the library first. Although she felt that reading was useless, she couldn't resist Ban Shu's demands and had to force herself to cram the knowledge into her head.

Though, the results were not particularly impressive.

As for Ban Shu, he went to find Qian Xunji.

Ban Shu entered the Pope Palace and said respectfully, "Teacher."

"Hmm, Xiao Ban, you're here?"

Qian Xunji stood up, walked over to Ban Shu, and patted his shoulder. "After this Wolf Bandit Hunt, I trust your strength has made significant progress."

"That's right, Teacher. I can say for certain that the me of today could defeat the me of a few days ago without any effort at all!"

Ban Shu nodded. The reason he dared to say this wasn't because his spirit power had increased much, but because his combat experience had grown.

This incident had improved him greatly, both in terms of combat experience and psychological fortitude.

"Good."

Qian Xunji nodded. "Xiao Ban, is there something you needed to see me about?"

"Oh, right."

Ban Shu took the cyan Gale Soul Bone out of his ring. "Teacher, it's like this..."

Ban Shu briefly explained the promise he had made earlier.

"Hmm, that is acceptable."

Qian Xunji nodded, his eyes full of approval. "To be able to resist the temptation of a spirit bone and not be blinded by immediate profit—Xiao Ban, I am proud of you."

"It's nothing, it's what I should have done."

Ban Shu scratched his head with a smile.

"Very well, I approve."

Qian Xunji nodded and led Ban Shu toward the Spirit Hall's finance department to exchange it for the corresponding gold spirit coins.