Big Brother, Could You Give Me Something to Eat?

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

Yu Xiaogang lay sprawled on the cold grass like a puddle of mud, his chest heaving violently, like a fish tossed onto shore, about to dry up and die.

His face was as pale as paper, and a streak of glaring blood still hung from the corner of his mouth. His hair, usually kept perfectly neat, was now a disheveled mess, with a few blades of grass stuck to his forehead. He looked utterly wretched.

"Puff... puff..."

He gasped for breath, each inhale tugging at the excruciating pain in his chest.

That kick had seemed casual, but it had actually contained the Golden Dragon King Bloodline's unmatched, tyrannical power.

Even though Ling Xuqing had held back as much as he could, to a twenty-ninth-level Soul Grandmaster who had spent years neglecting combat, it had been like Mount Tai crashing down on him.

"No... impossible..."

Yu Xiaogang stared fixedly in the direction Ling Xuqing had gone. His bloodshot eyes held a tangle of unbearable pain, humiliation, rage, and the despair of seeing his entire worldview collapse.

"I... I'm a twenty-ninth-level Soul Grandmaster!"

"He's only a ten-level Soul Master who just awakened his Martial Soul and doesn't even have his First Soul Ring!"

"How could he... How could one kick send me flying?!"

Yu Xiaogang dug his hands into the dirt, his fingernails biting into the earth until blood seeped from beneath them.

The Soul Power Level he'd prided himself on, the realm he'd painstakingly cultivated for decades—before this six-year-old boy, it wasn't even a joke!

"My theories... How could my theories be wrong?!"

A guttural howl, barely human, rose from Yu Xiaogang's throat.

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

He had scoured ancient books and consulted countless sources before compiling his Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul.

They were the foundation of his livelihood, the only weapon he had to prove his worth in this cruel world!

But today, that child named Ling Xuqing had torn away his fig leaf in the most blunt and merciless way possible.

"The world of geniuses... is something I'll never understand?"

Yu Xiaogang let out a bitter laugh, filled with endless desolation and self-mockery.

That was right. What kind of genius was he?

He couldn't even figure out his own Mutated Martial Soul. He'd been stuck at level twenty-nine his entire life, barely scraping by in this remote city of Nuoding.

What right did he have to guide a top genius with Innate Full Soul Power?

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

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

But the only reply was the evening breeze rustling through the leaves and, in the distance, Luo Sanpao's helpless, furious "pu-lu, pu-lu."

At the same time, on a busy street not far from the academy.

The setting sun's glow spilled across the bluestone-paved street, gilding the shop signs on either side.

Evening was the liveliest time in Nuoding City. Hawkers' cries, haggling, and children's laughter mingled together, filling the air with the bustle of everyday life.

"Finally, some peace and quiet!"

In the sea of consciousness, Xiao Wu let out a long sigh of relief, as if she'd just set down a thousand-pound burden.

She stretched languidly, her pretty face beaming with delight.

"What a piece of trash, calling himself a Grandmaster! What a joke!"

Xiao Wu curled her lip and mocked him without mercy. "With his pathetic skills, he couldn't even pick his teeth with me, yet he had the nerve to brazenly ask to take Xuqing as his disciple? He should piss in a ditch and take a good look at himself!"

Ah Yin gave a slight nod. A faint, cool expression crossed her gentle, stunning face.

Watching the crowds bustle along the street, she sighed softly. "With a forest this big, there are bound to be all kinds of birds. Some people are already sinking deep into the mire themselves, yet still dream of lecturing others on how to rule the world. People like that are doomed to spend their whole lives trapped in an illusory dream."

Hearing the two girls' complaints, Ling Xuqing's lips curved into a warm smile.

"All right, let's not talk about that miserable man anymore."

Ling Xuqing chuckled in his mind. "We came out to explore the shops, not to get upset. Xiao Wu, Ah Yin, what do you want to eat? What do you want to buy? It's my treat today!"

"Really?!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up at once, sparkling like stars. "I want candied hawthorns! The kind with a thick layer of sugar, all sweet and sour! I want roasted sweet potatoes too, and osmanthus cakes! And I want to buy a new dress!"

"You little glutton." Ah Yin shook her head helplessly, though her eyes were full of affection. "Xuqing, I don't need anything. Just being by your side and seeing the splendor of this world is enough for me."

"That won't do," Ling Xuqing said firmly. "Since we're out, we're all buying something. Ah Yin, you should pick out a few pieces of jewelry you like too. Your spirit body may not need to wear them, but looking at pretty things might still lift your spirits."

"Then... all right." Ah Yin's cheeks flushed pink as she answered softly.

And so, an unusual sight appeared on Nuoding City's busiest street.

A six-year-old boy, as pretty as a porcelain doll, dressed in simple clothes, walked ahead with a light step.

Following him were two stunning young women whom only he could see.

One wore a fluttering pink dress and was lively and spirited. She held up a bright red skewer of candied hawthorns and happily munched on them.

The other wore a flowing blue dress and was as gentle as water. Holding a delicate jade hairpin, she used a puddle by the roadside to admire her reflection.

"Xuqing, those roasted sweet potatoes smell so good!"

Xiao Wu took a bite of her candied hawthorn, then fixed her eager gaze on the steaming sweet potato stall by the roadside.

"Let's buy some!" Ling Xuqing declared with a flourish.

"Xuqing, that rouge is such a pretty color. Sister Ah Yin would look beautiful wearing it."

Xiao Wu tugged Ah Yin toward a stall selling rouge and face powder.

"Let's buy it!" Ling Xuqing swept his hand grandly.

"Xuqing, those osmanthus cakes look so delicate. I want Sister Ah Yin to try some."

"Buy them! We'll buy everything!"

Ling Xuqing was the very picture of generosity.

The Golden Dragon King's blood and qi flowed ceaselessly through his body, filling him with boundless energy. He didn't feel tired at all.

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

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

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

Xiao Wu leaned against Ling Xuqing's shoulder, content. Though her spirit body had no weight, he could clearly feel the affection and joy she conveyed.

Ah Yin stood nearby too, turning the jade hairpin over in her hand, her eyes curved into a smile. The sorrow that had once lingered in her heart had faded away in the warmth she'd missed for so long.

"All right, it's getting late."

Ling Xuqing glanced at the sky. The sun had sunk completely below the horizon, and night was beginning to fall.

"Let's head back to the dormitory and get some rest."

"Mm!" The two girls nodded obediently.

Ling Xuqing carried his many packages and retraced his steps.

As he reached a relatively secluded street corner and was about to turn onto the street leading to the academy, he suddenly stopped.

"Rrrip—"

An extremely faint scraping sound came from beside his foot.

Ling Xuqing looked down. In the dim light, he saw a dirty, trembling little hand clutching his pant leg.

The hand was tiny and bony, its back covered in chilblains and grime, its fingernails packed with black dirt.

Then a young, timid voice, so fragile it seemed the wind might carry it away at any moment, came from the shadows at the corner:

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