Wang Dong'er pondered for a moment.
The Strength Clan was one of the Clear Sky Sect's affiliated clans. Its patriarch, Tai Tan, was a powerful Soul Douluo and... a loyal dog of Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao.
If Wang Dong'er really had any connection to the Strength Clan, it was simple: she could be considered its master, too.
In the original story, after Tang San defeated Tai Long and his father, Tai Nuo, Tai Tan went to Blue Tyrant Academy to settle the score. The situation had been on the verge of erupting, but then Tang San revealed his Clear Sky Hammer, and Tai Tan learned that he was his master Tang Hao's son.
In front of countless people, this powerful Soul Douluo dropped to his knees and cried out, "Master! Young Master!"
To put it less kindly, it was like a stray pet finding its way home.
Because of Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Sect had gone into seclusion, abandoning the Four Clans. They had been brutally hunted down by Spirit Hall and suffered heavy casualties, their standing in the Soul Master World plummeting. The Speed Clan had even been forced to rely on the other three clans' charity just to scrape by.
Even after being betrayed and abandoned like that, Tai Tan had remained loyal to Tang Hao. In a way, Tai Tan was quite a character.
Wang Dong'er couldn't help wondering what Tai Tan would do if she revealed her Second Martial Soul.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you deaf and mute?"
Tai Long looked puzzled.
Usually, when he pulled something like this, the women either flocked to him as soon as he gave his name or fled in a panic. But Wang Dong'er stood there expressionless, completely ignoring him, a famous figure in Heaven Dou City. It was quite a surprise.
"Big brother, why are you wasting your breath? Just get on with it. I can't wait any longer."
"Yeah, big brother. Hurry up."
"Do you two think you deserve to enjoy a beauty like her? Get lost!" Tai Long cursed.
"But, big brother, you said at the tavern that the three of us would share our good fortune. How can you—"
One of them protested indignantly.
The other hurriedly covered his mouth. Tai Tan was the patriarch's grandson and the future young patriarch. So what if they had just sworn brotherhood? Tai Long was still their... leader.
"Boss, he's had too much to drink. Don't take it to heart."
"If he's drunk, then he can get lost. Don't ruin my fun."
Tai Long chased away the troublesome underlings, then leered at Wang Dong'er.
"Seems you really are deaf and mute. It's a shame you won't be able to make a sound; that'll take away a lot of the fun. But it doesn't matter. As long as you satisfy me, I'll make sure you're taken care of for the rest of your life."
As he spoke, Tai Long reached toward Wang Dong'er's chest.
"Stop!"
Just as Wang Dong'er was about to act, a woman's voice suddenly rang out.
Tai Long froze. As he swayed and searched for the source of the voice, a wave of pink Soul Power and spiritual energy washed over him. He stiffened like a stone statue, his eyes turning completely pink.
"This is... Xiao Wu's Charm!?"
Back at Notting Academy, Xiao Wu had ambushed Wang Dong'er with this Soul Skill more times than she could count. Wang Dong'er knew it all too well.
"I'm surprised you still recognize my Soul Skill. You left without a word in Notting City. I thought you were cutting ties with me."
This time, the voice was clear and familiar. Wang Dong'er turned to see Xiao Wu walking slowly toward her.
She looked just as she had before, with her scorpion braid and pink miniskirt. Her long, snowy-white legs were wrapped in white stockings, the thin fabric over her thighs revealing several faint pink streaks.
"X-Xiao Wu, what are you doing here?"
Wang Dong'er's voice was flustered. Xiao Wu was a transformed Soul Beast! At least seven Soul Douluo and Titled Douluo experts were in Heaven Dou City. If she were discovered... This little rabbit was far too bold.
(Marshal Ge Long was at the border; Seven Treasure Mountain and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were not in Heaven Dou City. Only Dugu Bo, Tai Tan, the three academic deans, and Qian Renxue's two protectors were there.)
"Hmph." Xiao Wu gave a quiet snort as she passed Wang Dong'er, rolling her eyes. "Is Heaven Dou City yours? Why can't I come?"
As she spoke, she kicked Tai Long hard in the most vulnerable spot at his waist. His whole body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground. A few breaths later, the alcohol had carried him into unconsciousness.
"That's not what I meant. It's just that Notting City is a long way from Heaven Dou City, and I was worried you might run into trouble along the way."
Wang Dong'er scratched her head. She hadn't meant anything else; she was simply worried about Xiao Wu. But to Xiao Wu, her words sounded like a taunt.
"So you think I'm not as capable as you?"
"You managed to come to Heaven Dou City by yourself. Why couldn't Xiao San and I come together?"
"Xiao San..."
That was right. Tang San must have come with Xiao Wu. Otherwise, Tang Hao wouldn't have let Xiao Wu leave Tang San's side.
"Tang San came too? Where is he now?"
Xiao Wu felt terribly dejected, but her voice was icy.
"Do you hate me?"
"Why would you ask that?" Wang Dong'er asked, confused.
"I'm standing right in front of you, talking to you, and you keep bringing up Xiao San. Do you like him?"
Xiao Wu's tone was complicated, and her gloomy gaze made Wang Dong'er's spine turn cold.
What was she even talking about?
How could Wang Dong'er possibly like Tang San and hate Xiao Wu?
That made no sense at all.
"How could I? I was just asking out of curiosity. You're definitely much more important to me than Tang San. By the way, Xiao Wu, weren't you going to Shrek Academy? Why did you suddenly come to Heaven Dou City?"
Xiao Wu pursed her lips. That answer satisfied her well enough, and her attitude toward Wang Dong'er softened. At least she wasn't looking at Wang Dong'er like she was... a scumbag anymore.
"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"
"What's the lie?"
Xiao Wu took a deep breath.
"Shrek Academy won't start accepting students for about half a month. Since we had time to kill, Xiao San and I thought we'd wander around and see the world."
"We heard you'd come to Heaven Dou City. It's a big city, after all, so I... Xiao San was worried you might not have enough money and that the city folk might bully you, so we came to check on you."
"And the truth?" Wang Dong'er asked again.
"The truth is simple. Xiao San and I came to Heaven Dou City as tourists. He's cultivating at the hotel, and I came out for some fresh air. Then I happened to run into you." Xiao Wu shrugged, acting as though it were no big deal.
"Actually, you couldn't stop worrying about me, so you dragged Tang San along, right?" Wang Dong'er smiled faintly.
"Don't be ridiculous." Xiao Wu snorted, but a few seconds later she added, "Forget it. I can't keep pretending with you. You saw right through me. What can I say?"
"Heaven Dou City is the capital of the empire. It's full of powerful people and nobles, and nobles are no good. You should disguise yourself as a boy like you used to."
"I know, but I'm even more worried about girls setting their sights on me." Wang Dong'er smiled helplessly.
Warmth brushed her hand. She looked down and saw Xiao Wu lifting it, a little something in her palm.
"Do you feel guilty about deceiving those girls? You really are a... bastard," Xiao Wu said irritably. "This is the Silent Sleeve Arrow, a Hidden Weapon Xiao San gave me for self-defense. If it catches someone off guard, it can even injure a Soul Ancestor. I have no use for it, so take it to protect yourself."
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