Xiao Wu's Kiss, Special Training's Second Phase Begins

The air froze.

Xiao Wu tilted her head up to look at his face so close to hers. The fresh scent of grass and trees on him in the night breeze inexplicably made her heart race.

The bewitchment created by the combined effects of beast affinity and charm points shattered the dam of reason at that moment.

As if possessed, she rose onto her tiptoes—

Her slightly cool, trembling soft lips brushed Lin Jiang's cheek like a feather.

Time seemed to stop for an instant.

Xiao Wu could even see her rabbit ears reflected in Lin Jiang's suddenly contracted pupils.

Overwhelming shame crashed over her like a tidal wave, belatedly flooding in!

"I... I've paid you back!"

With tears in her voice, she threw out those words and fled like a real rabbit whose tail had been set on fire. She even lost one of her stiletto heels, dragging her fluffy white pom-pom tail as she vanished into the night.

Lin Jiang stood there in a daze.

The lingering soft warmth on his cheek, mixed with the sweet scent of the girl's body, was like a stone dropped into the lake of his heart.

He raised a hand and touched where she had kissed him, then chuckled. "What a losing deal, little rabbit..."

The night wind swept over the stiletto heel left on the ground. Under the moonlight, its glossy black surface reflected a hazy gleam.

Lin Jiang bent down and picked up the shoe, his fingertips brushing its heel. It seemed to still carry its owner's warmth.

(Ding!~ Detected that subsystem binder (Xiao Wu) has successfully completed the mission!]

[Mission reward feedback settlement in progress...]

[Congratulations to primary controller Lin Jiang, you have received feedback reward: Bewitching Touch!]

[Effect: When making physical contact with the opposite sex, you can greatly increase the target's favorability for a short time (the effect increases with mental strength)!]

A strange heat spread along his fingertips.

Lin Jiang rubbed his fingers together, sensing the surge of his new ability.

That hasty kiss just now... what if this effect had been added to it?

He weighed the delicate high heel in his palm, a dangerous curve rising at the corner of his lips.

For the past three months.

Whether beneath the scorching sun or in cold rain whipping like lashes, eight figures had squeezed every last drop of physical strength and soul power from themselves on Shrek Academy's dilapidated training ground.

In the cool air of this morning, Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, his sparse hair meticulously plastered against his scalp. His gaze swept over the eight students before him, their auras steady and their bodies visibly more hardened, before his rigid voice broke the silence of the training ground:

"Three months. At last, several teachers have barely hammered these bodies of yours into something resembling what soul masters ought to look like."

He paused, his tone completely flat. "But this is far from enough! It doesn't even count as crossing the threshold!"

His gaze was as sharp as a hawk's as it slowly swept across each youthful face:

"You have all been to the Soto Great Soul Arena. Starting today, that place will be your classroom for the second phase! There is no time limit! Only when the badges on your chests change from these lumps of iron into gleaming 'Silver Soul Fighter' badges..."

He raised a finger and pointed at the lowest-ranked Iron Soul Fighter badges on their chests.

"...will this class be considered over! You will cover your own food and lodging. Your residence is next to the Great Soul Arena. The Gold Soul Coins you win through soul fights will be your only provisions!"

"Whew—"

The stale breath they had suppressed for three whole months poured out like floodwaters through opened gates from Dai Mubai, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and even Tang San.

Their tightly wound shoulders and backs visibly relaxed.

Going to the Great Soul Arena to fight? That was practically heaven!

Compared to Grandmaster's "body tempering" that could grind sparks from the seams of one's bones, the arena's fighting platforms were practically a land of gentle comfort!

"Yes, godmother!" Tang San replied almost by reflex, his voice loud and obedient.

A nearly imperceptible trace of warmth crossed Yu Xiaogang's eternally rigid face, and his heart felt soothed.

My godson is still the most worry-free and the most well-behaved.

The clamor of Suotuo City washed over them.

The Great Soul Arena's massive, towering outline, as if pieced together from countless blades and swords, cast a heavy shadow beneath the fierce afternoon sun. It exuded an air of iron and blood mixed with Gold Soul Coins.

They settled into an inn right beside the arena, where the air was thick with the smell of ale, sweat, and old carpets.

After they had put away their luggage, Yu Xiaogang gathered them in the somewhat cramped inn corridor. His voice echoed through the narrow space:

"Besides individual soul fights, participate in two-versus-two team battles whenever possible! They are an excellent opportunity to hone your coordination!"

Before he had even finished speaking, Oscar's peach-blossom eyes instantly locked onto Dai Mubai. He practically lunged at him.

"Boss Dai! Boss Dai! Please take me in!"

With his hands pressed together, his face was full of fawning desperation.

"Carry me, please! Even though I've only just stepped over the threshold of Rank 30, my sausages can fill your stomach and restore soul power in critical moments. I definitely won't hold you back!

If you don't lend your brother a hand, these pitiful points of mine probably won't add up to a Silver Soul Fighter badge even after my hair turns white!"

He dramatically pointed at the Iron Soul Fighter badge on his chest, looking utterly miserable.

Dai Mubai frowned slightly.

He had originally intended to look toward Zhu Zhuqing, hoping to fight alongside her.

But Oscar's pitiful gaze was simply too devastating. He sighed helplessly and answered in a rough voice:

"Fine, fine, stop howling! I'll take you!"

"Boss Dai is mighty!" Oscar's expression changed in an instant, and he beamed with delight.

Almost at the same time, another voice rang out, crisp as silver bells and brimming with undisguised excitement. It instantly drew everyone's attention:

"Brother Jiang!"

Like a light little lark, Ning Rongrong skipped to Lin Jiang's side in a few steps. Her upturned face seemed to glow in the dim corridor, filled with anticipation.

"How about the two of us form a team? Our soul power levels are both in the twenties, so we'll definitely work well together!"

Lin Jiang caught the faint fragrance of the girl and nodded. "Sure, Rongrong." His voice carried a note of indulgence.

When Ma Hongjun saw this from the corner, his small eyes instantly seemed to ignite. Jealousy and evil flame flared up with a whoosh.

He licked his somewhat chapped lips, his gaze roaming between Ning Rongrong's radiant smile and Zhu Zhuqing's cold, stunning profile beside her.

Finally, with a few traces of self-righteous eagerness, he rubbed his hands and sidled up to Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Hehe, little sister Xiao Wu, little sister Zhu Qing! Look, this two-versus-two thing... how about one of you pairs up with Fat Brother? Guaranteed victory! Fat Brother's Phoenix Evil Flame is absolutely powerful enough!"

He tried hard to puff out his round belly, attempting to look more dependable.

"Pah!"

As if something filthy had touched her, Xiao Wu stepped back. Her beautiful almond eyes rolled in an undisguised show of disdain.

"Get lost! You dead fatso, don't even think about it!" Her disgust was nearly tangible.

Zhu Zhuqing's reaction was even more direct.

She did not even spare Ma Hongjun a sideways glance, as though he were merely a cloud of foul air in the corridor, unworthy of even the slightest look from the corner of her eye.

That silent contempt was more piercing than any insult.

The fawning smile on Ma Hongjun's face froze instantly. The fat on his chubby face twitched awkwardly, while evil flame crackled within his heart, twisting his insides.

"Xiao Wu!"

Tang San's voice carried a natural intimacy and urgency. He stepped forward, trying to grab Xiao Wu's wrist.

"Don't mind that dead fatso. Of course we're still the Three-Five Duo! Let's go!"