Lin Hui didn't hear the news until several days later.
He was eating in the cafeteria when he heard Wang Sheng at the next table telling those around him the news like a storyteller. No one knew where Wang Sheng had heard it, but the students listening were amazed, their faces full of astonishment.
"I heard that a Spirit Hall Branch in Fasinuo Province was recently smashed to pieces. Every Spirit Hall member inside was killed—not a single one survived. There were more than three hundred of them!"
"How could that be? It was Spirit Hall! Whoever dared to attack them must have a death wish!"
"And that branch was under the command of a Soul Saint. Does that mean the attacker was even stronger than a Soul Saint? Just how terrifying must their strength be?"
"I heard His Holiness the Pope was furious when the news came in and sent his two most trusted Spirit Hall elders to investigate. Even the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire issued an order for Fasinuo Province's governor to cooperate with Spirit Hall."
Hearing the news, Lin Hui guessed who the culprit was.
To wipe out more than three hundred Spirit Hall members, including a Soul Saint, without letting them send out a distress signal—it was highly likely that a Titled Douluo was responsible.
And who among the Titled Douluos in the world would dare attack Spirit Hall outright, without the slightest fear of the consequences?
The Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda? Yu Yuanzhen, the head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? Tang Xiao of the reclusive Clear Sky Sect? Or Poison Douluo?
Those men might carry an air of authority over ordinary Soul Masters, but when they faced Spirit Hall, they were no more than docile pets.
That left only Tang Hao!
He had always harbored a deep hatred for Spirit Hall and feared nothing, long prepared to fight them to the death.
It seemed he had discovered that Ah Yin was missing and suspected Spirit Hall had taken her.
The two Spirit Hall elders most trusted by Bibi Dong?
Could she have sent Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo?
Things were getting chaotic. The whole of Fasinuo Province had turned into a boiling pot!
Still, Lin Hui would have to be careful lately and stop letting Ah Yin come out so casually. Otherwise, trouble might come looking for him.
For now, his Ultra Ball could still conceal the Blue Silver Emperor's aura. But as her strength gradually recovered, her aura would eventually leak out.
Xiao Wu, sitting diagonally across from Lin Hui, also stiffened when she heard about the Spirit Hall elders. She lowered her head, suddenly frightened.
"Notting Academy is in Fasinuo Province. Could a Titled Douluo come searching here?" Xiao Wu worried. "Damn it, why did this have to happen so soon after I entered the human world?"
Lin Hui could see Xiao Wu's unease.
"Xiao Wu, don't worry too much. If it comes to it, I'll protect you."
Of course, Lin Hui wouldn't protect her for nothing. His protection came with conditions.
Hearing that, Xiao Wu felt a little reassured, but also puzzled.
"Y-you're talking nonsense. Why would Sister Xiao Wu need your protection?" Xiao Wu gave an unconvincing laugh.
Why would he say something so strange?
Had he discovered her secret?
Impossible. He was only a Soul Master of around ten levels. Unless he was a Titled Douluo, how could he know she was a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast?
Classes ended soon after.
That evening, Lin Hui returned to Dorm Seven.
When all the students had arrived and were getting ready for bed, Lin Hui was surprised to find Tang San there too.
"Xiao San, are you feeling better?" Xiao Wu went up to Tang San and asked warmly, glancing at the bandages on his chest and forehead.
"Mm." Tang San was in low spirits, his head bowed.
"Haha, don't be so down! I'll tell you what—I gave Lin Hui a good beating for you at the end of the tournament!" Xiao Wu said with a laugh.
"Beating?" Tang San's voice grew colder. "You mean the two of you pressed your bodies together in front of everyone?"
Clearly, someone had already told him what happened during the match.
Tang San had memories of two lifetimes, after all. From the first moment he saw Xiao Wu, he'd felt deeply drawn to her, and had even imagined spending the rest of his life with her.
Before Lin Hui appeared, things between him and Xiao Wu had been just fine.
But ever since that man showed up, everything had changed!
He and Xiao Wu had never been so physically intimate. Yet Lin Hui had gotten there first!
Tang San looked up and saw Xiao Wu's curvy figure. Thinking that Lin Hui had touched her made him feel deeply sick.
Xiao Wu caught the fleeting look of disgust on his face and immediately took two steps back, frightened.
"Xiao Wu... I-I didn't mean to. I really have been feeling a little down lately..." Tang San hurried to explain. He hadn't expected to lose control of his emotions.
Xiao Wu's bed had been pushed up against Tang San's, but now she stopped short, not wanting to go near it at all.
"Xiao Wu, I have an extra quilt. I'll help move your bed over to mine," Lin Hui offered kindly, seeing how awkward she felt.
But as Lin Hui approached, Tang San glared at him like a vicious dog.
"Don't touch it. Xiao Wu doesn't like being around you."
Lin Hui was taken aback. The others, including Wang Sheng, kept busy with their own things, not daring to butt in. Every so often, they turned their heads to sneak a peek at the drama. Given how strong the three of them were, no one wanted to invite trouble.
Seeing Tang San acting like a dog guarding its food, Lin Hui laughed.
"Xiao San, before our match, you and I made a bet. Do you remember?"
Tang San froze, his pupils dilating, though his voice grew faint.
"I remember." Tang San was a member of the Tang Sect, after all, and took honor and trust seriously.
Lin Hui continued.
"We agreed that if you won the match, I'd apologize to Grandmaster. But if I won, you'd have to do one thing for me."
"Yes, that's right." Tang San had already guessed what Lin Hui was going to ask. He gritted his teeth, his expression pained.
Lin Hui went on. "Then here's what I want: I want you to move Xiao Wu's bed over to mine yourself, then tuck the two of us in under a quilt!"
Tang San went completely blank, as if struck by five bolts of lightning. His whole body went numb!
His face was filled with panic and deep dread, along with the humiliation of being trampled into the dirt!
Heh heh heh, Xiao San.
Your mother has already fallen into my clutches. Just a few days ago, Ah Yin and I bared ourselves to each other in the bathroom. We even agreed that after I graduate, we'll go together to the Human World Paradise!
Now I'm going to make you deliver the woman you love most right to me!
Tuck us under the quilt—that can be your heartfelt blessing to us!
"What's the matter?" Lin Hui was growing impatient. Tang San stood with his head bowed, utterly submissive, so Lin Hui scolded him as if he were berating a subordinate. "Hurry up!"