Xu Qianqian, Tang San, and Xiao Wu (Part 1)

Xu Qianqian stepped forward and gently patted Xiao Chenyu on the shoulder. "Little brother, stay away from those two. It may not sound nice, but Notting City really can't afford to provoke them."

"I understand." Xiao Chenyu sighed. He wasn't someone who failed to understand the gravity of things. His sister had already put it this plainly; if he kept causing trouble, that would be going too far.

"One more thing." An approving expression appeared on Xu Qianqian's face.

"If you happen to come into contact with those two, don't let them see any inappropriate expression on your face."

"There's no need to flatter them, nor is there any need to dislike them. Just treat them like strangers."

"Whether you get too close or stay too far away, either could draw the attention of the person behind him, though normally that sort of thing won't happen."

"But you don't want Notting City to be destroyed, do you?"

After Xu Qianqian finished giving her instructions, Xiao Chenyu left with a heavy heart.

Watching his retreating figure, Xu Qianqian sighed helplessly.

"Sometimes, there's just no helping it. Unless you think you're the protagonist who can turn danger into safety, you have to consider the consequences of what you do."

"I only hope Tang Hao isn't as absurd as he is in certain fanfiction novels. Otherwise..."

Xu Qianqian did not continue that thought, clenching both fists tightly.

"After a little more time to settle things, it'll be time to set out and handle my own affairs."

Notting Academy.

After the Big Sis incident came to an end, Notting Academy returned to its usual peace.

Xu Qianqian was not a student herself. As the librarian, she could be considered a permanent NPC of the library.

As usual, Xu Qianqian was in the library, thinking her peaceful days would continue—until two unexpected visitors arrived.

A black-haired boy and a girl with a braid hanging to her waist entered the library together.

"Long time no see, Senior Sister! So you're the librarian!"

Xiao Wu skipped in from the entrance. The moment she saw Xu Qianqian, it was as though she had seen a wealthy patron.

For a senior sister so generous that even an apology came with over a hundred gold coins for free—

Xiao Wu had naturally gathered quite a bit of information from the work-study students.

Yet what she learned greatly shocked both Xiao Wu and Tang San.

Xu Qianqian had innate soul power of level zero and could not cultivate to become a Soul Master.

Yet through the special nature of her martial soul, as well as her unique insights into Soul Master cultivation, she had become an honorary teacher at the academy.

Compared to the master Tang San had previously taken as his teacher, this girl before them, who was only a few years older than they were, was the most knowledgeable person in all of Notting Academy. Perhaps it had something to do with her book martial soul.

Tang San and Yu Xiaogang had decided to head to the Soul Beast Forest to hunt Soul Beasts.

When Xiao Wu heard that Tang San intended to add a beast-type Soul Beast's soul ring to his Blue Silver Grass martial soul—and even wanted one leaning toward poison attributes—her eyes widened.

So she dragged Tang San to the library to ask this knowledgeable senior sister whether she had any unique insights regarding Tang San's martial soul and soul ring.

"So you want to ask about soul rings." After hearing their explanation, Xu Qianqian showed a look of sudden realization.

"Is this junior brother named Tang San the one who wants to absorb a soul ring?" Xu Qianqian looked at Tang San beside Xiao Wu with clear eyes.

"That's right." Xiao Wu leaned both hands on the counter, her face full of worry. "Senior Sister, do you think Blue Silver Grass can absorb a beast-type Soul Beast's soul ring? It doesn't seem very reliable to me."

"Hm?" A trace of surprise appeared in Xu Qianqian's eyes. "Junior Brother, could you release your martial soul for me to take a look?"

Tang San nodded. He had only come along because he couldn't refuse Xiao Wu, so naturally he followed her lead.

He focused his thoughts and circulated his soul power.

In an instant, an exquisite stalk of Blue Silver Grass appeared in his palm.

"What a beautiful martial soul." Xu Qianqian sighed. "Junior Sister Xiao Wu said you have innately full soul power?"

"Yes." Tang San was also somewhat curious. Rumor had it that this senior sister's knowledge within Notting Academy was no less than the master's.

"I see." Xu Qianqian fell into thought. "Logically speaking, Blue Silver Grass cannot be cultivated. Its innate soul power is usually zero, just like my martial soul."

"Like Senior Sister's martial soul?" Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance.

"That's right."

Xu Qianqian released her own martial soul, but concealed all the book's information, leaving it blank as before.

"People like me cannot cultivate soul power, but that doesn't mean the martial soul itself is completely useless."

"For example, I can appraise the age of Soul Beasts and the like. I'm sure you've heard about that from others."

At Xu Qianqian's words, Tang San and Xiao Wu nodded. Since they had come here specifically, they had naturally asked around first.

What Xu Qianqian's martial soul was like, or the fact that she herself was still only a Soul Scholar, was no secret at the academy.

"Senior Sister, come to think of it, those senior students seem rather afraid of you."

Tang San voiced his confusion.

By all rights, in a place like a soul master academy, someone unable to cultivate should not have been treated with such respect. Even the older students seemed afraid of her.

"Hahaha." Xu Qianqian burst out laughing. "Because I'm a teacher. What student isn't afraid of teachers? Besides, I'm the city lord's adopted daughter. Most people simply seek advantages and avoid harm."

"So that's how it is." Tang San felt that something was off, but he could not put his finger on it. Besides, this was their first proper meeting, so it was not appropriate to ask too much.

"Alright, back to the topic." Xu Qianqian clapped her hands, sizing up Tang San before glancing at Xiao Wu.

"Blue Silver Grass martial soul—if it can be cultivated, that usually means only one thing: the Blue Silver Grass in your hand has exceptionally high potential and quality. Otherwise, it could not bear innate full soul power."

"Perhaps the Blue Silver Grass in your hand has the potential to become a Blue Silver King."

"Blue Silver King?" Tang San looked baffled. "What is that?"

"Blue Silver Grass is a plant-type soul beast. Plant-type soul beasts usually live in groups, and naturally, they have their own king. That king is generally called the Blue Silver King. Um... that's what the books say."

Tang San: "..."

The first part had been fine, but why did the latter half suddenly sound so unreliable?

"In any case, just treat it as something from a biography. But the Blue Silver King really does exist."

"Oh, right." Xu Qianqian seemed to remember something. "You want to absorb beast martial souls. Don't tell me that was Master Yu's idea? What is he to you?"

"Yu Xiaogang is my teacher." Tang San considered his words for a moment before answering.

"So it really was him..."

"Senior Sister, why does your expression seem a little strange?" Xiao Wu asked, looking puzzled.

"Since he has accepted you as his disciple, I shouldn't bring this up. But you are also a student of Notting Academy, so theoretically, as a teacher, I have some responsibility to remind you. Of course, whether you listen is up to you."

Tang San frowned at that. The moment he heard someone speaking ill of Yu Xiaogang, he became unhappy.

After all, this Master Yu had helped him escape after he killed two Notting Academy students. He had even used his great influence to make the academy's dean not dare pursue the matter, and had allowed him to enroll.

He was practically a second parent to him. If this senior sister had not seemed to be acting out of concern for him and fulfilling a teacher's duty, then the person before him would already have "a path to death."