Big Brother, Can You Give Me Something to Eat?

Outside the dormitory building of the Nuoding City Junior Spirit Master Academy.

Yu Xiaogang lay limp on the cold grass like a pile of mud, his chest heaving violently as if he were a fish thrown onto the shore, gasping for air before dying of dehydration.

His face was as pale as paper, and a striking trace of blood hung from the corner of his mouth. His hair, which was usually groomed with meticulous care, was now a chaotic mess with a few blades of grass stuck to his forehead, making him look utterly wretched.

"Puff... puff..."

He gasped for breath, every inhalation pulling at the sharp pain in his chest.

That kick had appeared effortless, but it actually contained the tyrannical and peerless power of the Golden Dragon King bloodline.

Even though Ling Xuqing had restrained himself, for a level twenty-nine Great Spirit Master who had long neglected combat, it was no different from being crushed by Mount Tai.

"No... impossible..."

Yu Xiaogang stared fixedly in the direction Ling Xuqing had left. His bloodshot eyes were a tangle of extreme pain, humiliation, anger, and the despair of having his worldview completely shattered.

"I... I am a level twenty-nine Great Spirit Master!"

"He is just a ten-level spirit master who just awakened his martial soul and doesn't even have his first spirit ring!"

"How is it possible... how could he kick me away with one strike?!"

Yu Xiaogang's hands dug deep into the soil, blood seeping from under his fingernails.

The spirit power level he was so proud of, the realm he had cultivated for decades, was not even worth a joke in front of this six-year-old child!

"My theory... how could my theory be wrong?!"

A roar that sounded inhuman erupted from Yu Xiaogang's throat.

He couldn't understand it; he truly couldn't.

He had scoured ancient texts and reviewed countless materials to summarize the "Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls."

That was the foundation of his life, the only weapon he had to prove his worth in this cruel world!

Yet today, that child named Ling Xuqing had used the most straightforward and cruel method to tear his fig leaf to shreds.

"The world of geniuses... is it something I will never understand?"

Yu Xiaogang laughed bitterly, his laughter filled with endless desolation and self-mockery.

Yes, what kind of genius was he?

He couldn't even handle his own mutated martial soul, stuck at level twenty-nine for his entire life, forced to linger on in this remote Nuoding City.

What right did he have to guide a top-tier genius with innate full spirit power?

"I refuse to accept this... I refuse!!!"

Yu Xiaogang suddenly threw his head back and let out a shrill, desperate roar toward the setting sun.

However, the only response was the rustling of the evening breeze through the leaves and the sound of Luo Sanpao's impotent rage in the distance.

Meanwhile, on a bustling street not far from the academy.

The afterglow of the sunset spilled onto the bluestone-paved street, gilding the signs of the shops on both sides with a golden edge.

Evening in Nuoding City was at its liveliest; the sounds of hawking, bargaining, and children's laughter intertwined, filled with the rich, warm atmosphere of human life.

"Finally, some peace!"

Within the sea of consciousness, Xiao Wu let out a long sigh of relief, as if she had shed a thousand-pound burden.

She stretched her body, her pretty face full of satisfaction.

"What kind of trash dares to call himself a master? It's hilarious!"

Xiao Wu curled her lips and complained mercilessly, "With his meager skills, he isn't even enough to fill the gaps in my teeth, yet he had the audacity to try and take Xuqing as his disciple? He should go take a piss and look at his own reflection!"

Beside her, A Yin nodded slightly, a faint, cool expression appearing on her gentle and beautiful face.

She looked at the bustling crowd on the street and sighed softly, "The forest is truly large, and it has all kinds of birds. Some people are already stuck in a quagmire themselves, yet they delusionally dream of pointing out the way for others. Such people are destined to live in an illusory dream for their entire lives."

Ling Xuqing listened to the two girls' complaints, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Alright, let's not talk about that unlucky person anymore."

Ling Xuqing chuckled in his mind, "We came out to stroll today, not to get upset. Xiao Wu, A Yin, what do you want to eat? What do you want to buy? My treat today!"

"Really?!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up instantly, as if stars were twinkling in them, "I want to eat candied haws! The kind covered in a thick layer of sugar, sweet and sour! I also want to eat roasted sweet potatoes, and osmanthus cakes! And I want to buy a new dress!"

"You little glutton." A Yin shook her head helplessly, though her eyes were filled with doting, "Xuqing, I don't need anything. Just being able to be by your side and watch this worldly bustle is enough."

"That won't do." Ling Xuqing said dominantly, "Since we are out, we are buying everything. A Yin, you pick out a few pieces of jewelry you like. Even though your spirit body doesn't need to wear them, looking at beautiful things will make you feel better."

"Then... alright." A Yin's cheeks flushed slightly as she replied softly.

And so, a peculiar scene appeared on the busiest street in Nuoding City.

A six-year-old boy with delicate features, dressed in simple clothes, walked ahead with light steps.

Behind him followed two beautiful girls that only he could see.

One wore a flying pink dress, lively and agile, holding a string of bright red candied haws and eating with great relish;

The other wore a flowing blue dress, gentle as water, holding an exquisite jade hairpin and looking at her reflection in a puddle by the street.

"Xuqing, this roasted sweet potato smells so good!"

Xiao Wu took a bite of her candied haws and stared longingly at the steaming roasted sweet potato stall by the road.

"Buy it!" Ling Xuqing said with great spirit.

"Xuqing, the color of this rouge is so pretty. Sister A Yin would look beautiful wearing it."

Xiao Wu pulled A Yin over to a stall selling rouge and powder.

"Buy it!" Ling Xuqing waved his hand grandly.

"Xuqing, this osmanthus cake looks so delicate. I want Sister A Yin to try it."

"Buy it! Buy it all!"

Ling Xuqing was responsive to every request.

The Golden Dragon King blood energy within his body provided a constant stream of abundant energy, leaving him feeling no fatigue at all.

Before long, Ling Xuqing's hands were full of large and small bags.

There were snacks and toys for Xiao Wu, jewelry and cosmetics for A Yin, and even several sets of exquisite ready-to-wear clothes.

"Hee hee, you're the best, Xuqing!"

Xiao Wu leaned contentedly against Ling Xuqing's shoulder. Although her spirit body had no weight, Ling Xuqing could clearly feel the intimacy and joy she transmitted.

A Yin also stood to the side, playing with the jade hairpin, her eyes curved into crescents. The sorrow that had originally lingered in her heart dissipated for the most part in this long-lost warmth.

"Alright, it's getting late."

Ling Xuqing looked at the sky; the sunset had completely sunk below the horizon, and the night was beginning to fall.

"Let's go back to the academy dormitory to rest."

"Mm!" The two girls nodded obediently.

Ling Xuqing carried the bags and walked back along the path they had come.

Just as Ling Xuqing reached a relatively secluded street corner and was about to turn into the street where the academy was located, his footsteps suddenly stopped.

"Sss-la—"

A very faint friction sound came from beside his feet.

Ling Xuqing lowered his head. By the dim light, he saw a dirty, trembling little hand clutching his trouser leg tightly.

The hand was very small and bony, the back of it covered in frostbite and grime, with black mud under the fingernails.

Immediately after, a young, timid voice, as if it could be blown away by the wind at any moment, came from the shadows of the street corner:

"Big brother... can you give me something to eat?"