After Today, I'm Your Brother

Huo Yuhao looked at the redness in her eyes, the glow of his Spirit Eye as gentle as moonlight. "Elimination doesn't mean failure. Rushing to destroy your talent does. So many Twin Martial Souls have existed throughout history—didn't they all refrain from attaching Soul Rings to their second martial souls at the lower levels?"

He paused, picked up a phoenix tree leaf from the ground, and let the Ice Silk at his fingertips form faint patterns across its surface. "It's like this leaf. It turns yellow and falls in autumn, but its roots remain, and it will sprout again next spring. But if you dig up the roots just to preserve its summer green, then you'll truly be left with nothing."

Xiao Xiao lowered her head to look at the icy leaf. Within its veins, she seemed to see a glimpse of the future—the Nine-Phoenix Ceremonial Flute shimmering beneath the sunlight with the luster of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, attacking alongside the Soul-Quelling Cauldron, one offense and one defense, no longer needing to rely on anyone else to pave her way. She suddenly raised a hand to wipe away her tears and pressed the jade flute tightly to her chest. "I won't attach one."

The three words were soft and trembling, yet filled with a resolve that left no room for retreat.

Huo Yuhao rubbed Xiao Xiao's forehead, and his voice unconsciously took on a hint of fondness. "It's all right, Xiao Xiao. You can tell us anything. I believe everyone will do their best to help you."

Xiao Xiao clenched the corner of her clothes, her knuckles whitening from the force. When she looked up, her eyes were still red, like a little rabbit that had just been soothed. She sniffed, her voice still carrying traces of tears, yet unusually clear. "Classmate Huo... no, Huo Yuhao... can I, can I acknowledge you as my brother?"

Huo Yuhao froze at those words.

Xiao Xiao's cheeks were as red as ripe apples, but she stubbornly held her chin up, her eyes startlingly bright. They held gratitude, dependence, and a frankness that left no room for retreat.

The Ice Silk at Huo Yuhao's fingertips nearly slipped out of control. A trace of surprise flashed through his Spirit Eye, quickly replaced by a gentle smile. Looking at the little girl half a head shorter than himself, he recalled how nervous she had been while clutching the jade flute, and how stubbornly she had wiped away her tears. Something lightly struck his heart.

"Are you sure?" He deliberately slowed his tone, wanting to tease her a little.

But Xiao Xiao nodded so hard her head bobbed like a pestle, her grip on her clothes tightening further. "I'm sure! What you said just now was more sincere than everything everyone in my family has ever said put together! I know I'm stupid, and I might cause you trouble, but I'll work hard to become stronger. I won't hold you back!"

"I've always wanted a little sister, too." Huo Yuhao reached out and gently rubbed her hair. It felt soft, like touching a ball of cotton candy. "If anyone bullies you from now on, tell them my name."

Xiao Xiao's eyes instantly reddened again, but this time it was not from grievance—it was from the sudden warmth flooding through her. She nodded hard, tears falling in drops, yet she grinned widely. "Mm! Brother!"

"Cough, cough—"

A deliberately loud cough interrupted the warm moment. Wang Dong stood some distance away with her arms folded, her eyes fixed brightly on them. She glanced at Xiao Xiao, who was still wiping her tears, then glared at Huo Yuhao with a sour tone. "Not bad, Huo Yuhao. It's only been a little while, and you've already picked up a little sister?"

Hearing her voice, Xiao Xiao immediately poked her head out from behind Huo Yuhao like a little beast guarding its food. "Wang Dong, don't talk nonsense! I willingly acknowledged him as my brother!"

"I never said you didn't." Wang Dong turned her face away, unconsciously rubbing the cuff of her sleeve with her fingertips. "I just think some people are lucky, getting someone to call them 'Brother' for nothing."

Zhou Ming scratched his head nearby, smiling with complete sincerity. "It's a good thing Xiao Xiao acknowledged Brother Huo as her brother. Brother Huo clearly has good judgment. As his little sister, Xiao Xiao definitely won't be bullied." He looked at Huo Yuhao. "Brother Huo, you'll have to take good care of Xiao Xiao from now on."

"Of course." Huo Yuhao nodded with a smile and reached out to smooth Xiao Xiao's bangs, which the wind had tousled. "But there's no need to spoil her too much. When her Three-Life Soul-Calming Cauldron hits someone, it certainly doesn't hold back."

Xiao Xiao blushed at that and grabbed Huo Yuhao's sleeve, giving it a shake. "Brother!"

"All right, all right. I won't tease you anymore." Huo Yuhao shook his head helplessly and turned his gaze to Wang Dong and Zhou Ming. "It's getting late. How about I take you to the training ground and give you some pointers?"

Wang Dong's expression changed. The jealousy stirred by Xiao Xiao calling him brother instantly vanished, replaced by a look of unwillingness to lose. "Hmph, who'll be teaching whom is still uncertain. There are three of us, so be careful we don't beat you flat!"

Huo Yuhao raised a brow, the faint glow of his Spirit Eye gently flickering at his fingertips. "Oh? Perfect. I'll keep Spiritual Detection active the whole time and see just how solid the coordination of your 'three-person team' really is."

With that, he turned and headed for the training ground. Xiao Xiao immediately followed like a little tail, not forgetting to turn back and make a face at Wang Dong. "Wang Dong, don't let Brother prove himself right!"

"Hmph!" Wang Dong's face reddened as she quickly followed with Zhou Ming. "Come on! Let him see what real coordination looks like!"

The training ground's night lamps had already lit up, warm yellow light spilling across the bluestone floor and casting the shadows of the four of them. Huo Yuhao stood at one side of the field and motioned for them to summon their martial souls. "Come on. We'll simulate Class Seven's formation—Zhou Ming controls the field, Xiao Xiao provides support, Wang Dong handles the strong assault. Move when I say start."

Zhou Ming immediately activated his martial soul. Azure Sky Vines burst from the earth, dark green vines weaving into a dense net across the ground and rapidly spreading over a thirty-meter area, carrying the damp scent of vegetation. Xiao Xiao's Three-Life Soul-Calming Cauldron floated by her shoulder, its ancient bronze patterns gleaming darkly under the lights. Behind Wang Dong, the wings of the Light Goddess Butterfly unfolded, their pink-blue scales refracting specks of light like scattered starlight.

"Begin!"

The instant Huo Yuhao spoke, Zhou Ming controlled the vines to lunge at him, but deliberately left a gap—a route for Wang Dong to charge through. Sure enough, Wang Dong beat her wings and rose into the air, wind blades gathering at their tips as she prepared to dive through the opening...

"Stop." A wave of cold erupted from Huo Yuhao, instantly freezing the surrounding area. Then he spoke, the glow of his Spirit Eye pointing toward the vine net. "Zhou Ming, your net looks dense, but the spacing between the vines on the left flank is half a foot wider than on the right. You wanted to leave Wang Dong a route, didn't you? But in a real battle, an agility-type opponent would slip through that half-foot gap and ambush Xiao Xiao."

"Xiao Xiao's Three-Life Soul-Calming Cauldron can attack and defend, but it's still a tool-type martial soul. While separated from her body, it doesn't provide much enhancement to her body itself. Don't leave any possibility for a teammate to be placed in danger."

Zhou Ming froze, then lowered his head for a closer look. Sure enough, the vines on the left flank were sparser. He immediately scratched his head. "I was too focused on leaving room for Brother Wang Dong..."

"And you, Wang Dong." Huo Yuhao turned to her. "The moment Zhou Ming's vines started moving, you rushed into position. You wasted at least ten percent of your Soul Power. Wait until the vines have completely pinned down the opponent before charging in. It'll be more efficient."

Wang Dong pressed her lips together, her wings stirring up a gust of wind. "Got it. Again!"

During the second simulation, Zhou Ming's vines formed an impenetrable net. Wang Dong patiently waited until the vines had wrapped around the dummy before diving down, her wind blade accurately striking where Huo Yuhao had been standing—yet she staggered upon landing.

"Xiao Xiao, where was your cauldron?" Huo Yuhao had already drifted to the distance, his gaze landing on Xiao Xiao, who had not moved at all. "Wang Dong's Soul Power was unstable when she landed just now. You should have smashed the Soul-Quelling Cauldron into the ground near her feet, dispersing the interfering Soul Power around her and helping her steady herself."

Xiao Xiao let out an "Ah," then hurriedly controlled the Soul-Quelling Cauldron to smash into the ground. The bronze cauldron gave off a hum as it landed, and a steady wave of Soul Power indeed spread outward. She stuck out her tongue. "I was too busy watching how cool Brother looked..."

"Can being cool win a fight?" Wang Dong glared at her, sounding rather exasperated.

Xiao Xiao shrank back slightly beneath Wang Dong's glare, but still stubbornly muttered, "Being cool can't win directly, but Brother's good guidance can help us win!" As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Huo Yuhao. Seeing him smiling at her, her cheeks reddened again. She hurriedly made the Soul-Quelling Cauldron knock against the ground. "I-I'll definitely remember to help Wang Dong stabilize herself this time!"

Huo Yuhao raised a hand to signal them to continue, golden light from his Spirit Eye gently flowing through the night. "One more time. Zhou Ming, don't weave the vines so densely this time. Leave three parts open for Xiao Xiao's cauldron to anticipate movements. Wang Dong, pay attention to the rhythm of your Soul Power sinking when you land. Don't always try to do everything in one stroke. Xiao Xiao, watch Wang Dong's Soul Power fluctuations. The moment her toes leave the ground, you should have the cauldron hovering near where she'll land."

"Got it!" the three answered in unison.

Zhou Ming's Azure Sky Vines burst from the ground again. This time, the gaps between the vines were indeed more open, but hidden nets formed at key points. When Wang Dong beat her wings, she restrained some of her sharpness, and the wind blades at her wing tips no longer erupted so eagerly. Xiao Xiao's Soul-Quelling Cauldron hovered in the air, its bronze patterns slowly turning with Wang Dong's movements.

"Now!" Huo Yuhao shouted.

The instant Wang Dong dived, Xiao Xiao's Soul-Quelling Cauldron struck the ground half a foot ahead of her landing point with a clang. The resulting ripples of Soul Power perfectly supported the force of her descent. Zhou Ming's vines tightened at the same time, and just as Huo Yuhao tried to struggle, Wang Dong's wind blade struck him squarely between the brows.

"!!! Huo Yuhao!!!"

Seeing Huo Yuhao lying in a pool of blood, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were frightened out of their wits. The two of them rushed over at once to check on him.

Wang Dong's fingers hovered before Huo Yuhao's brow, not daring to touch him for a long time. Even her voice trembled. "Y-you, how are you? Are you hurt? I didn't mean to! Just now... I was too hasty... I thought you could defend against it..."

Xiao Xiao threw herself beside Huo Yuhao, her little hands tightly clutching his sleeve as tears fell like broken strings of pearls. "Brother! Get up and look at me! I just got a brother... Huh, why can't I feel anything?"

Thump!

Thump!

Two crisp flicks landed on their foreheads. Huo Yuhao's figure appeared behind them. "You didn't really think you could break through my defenses, did you?"

"Now for your second lesson: don't go soft just because an enemy appears weak. As long as they haven't surrendered, they are still your opponent. You must guard against the final strike they might launch."

Wang Dong hissed from the flick and covered her forehead as she turned to glare at Huo Yuhao. The panic in her eyes had yet to fade, but it was already tinged with embarrassment and anger. "Y-you tricked us!" Despite her words, her clenched fist quietly loosened. The fear from that moment had been too real, and now that she knew it was fake, a thin layer of sweat had formed on her back.

Xiao Xiao also held her forehead. She was stunned for two seconds before finally reacting, then angrily and laughingly punched Huo Yuhao's arm. "Brother, you're too mean! You scared me to death! I thought... I thought I'd never see you again!" As she spoke, her eyes reddened once more, not from fear, but from the relief of having escaped disaster.

Zhou Ming watched from nearby with his mouth hanging open. Only then did he belatedly scratch his head. "Brother Huo... did you use a spiritual clone? Was the one lying on the ground just a phantom?"

"Something like that. I created a mental illusion." Huo Yuhao nodded, golden light flowing through his Spirit Eye in the night. "In actual combat, an opponent may use any method to create an opening—playing dead, appearing weak, even injuring themselves. The goal is to make you lower your guard. Wang Dong's wind blade was real just now, but my real body had already used spiritual power to predict its trajectory. I moved to the side before she attacked and left behind a phantom for you to see."

He looked at Wang Dong, who was still sulking. "When you rushed over just now, your Soul Power was completely released, and you had no defenses up at all. If I were truly an enemy, you would already be under my control."

Wang Dong's face instantly flushed red. She stubbornly protested, "W-who said I wasn't on guard! I was... I was worried about you!" Her voice grew softer and softer toward the end, her confidence clearly lacking. She truly had panicked and forgotten even the most basic Soul Power vigilance.

But Xiao Xiao suddenly understood. Tugging Huo Yuhao's sleeve, she nodded repeatedly. "I get it, Brother! It's like a hunter catching a rabbit. The hunter pretends not to see it, then pounces once the rabbit lowers its guard!"

"More or less." Huo Yuhao smiled and rubbed her hair. "But it's more dangerous than that. In a battle between Soul Masters, one second of carelessness can cost you your life. Remember this: as long as the referee hasn't called a stop, even if your opponent has only one breath left, you must remain completely vigilant."

He turned to Zhou Ming. "Your Azure Sky Vines lost their rhythm just now, too. In a real battle, the opponent could have broken through the gaps in the vines while you were distracted."

Zhou Ming nodded repeatedly, the simple honesty on his face replaced by seriousness. "Brother Huo is right. I was too busy watching Brother Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao just now. I really neglected field control."

Wang Dong took a deep breath and suddenly spread the wings of the Light Goddess Butterfly. The pink-blue wings shone with a cold gleam beneath the lamps. "Again! I won't fall for it this time!" She looked at Huo Yuhao, the embarrassment and anger in her eyes turning into stubborn determination. "Use whatever tricks you want. I'll definitely see through them!"

Huo Yuhao raised a brow. "Are you sure?"

"Sure!"

Xiao Xiao also raised the Soul-Quelling Cauldron, the bronze cauldron spinning once in her palm. "I'm ready too! This time, I'll keep my eyes on Brother's Soul Power fluctuations. I definitely won't fall for it!"

Zhou Ming's Azure Sky Vines burst from the ground once more. This time, the vines were woven even more densely than before, yet faint flaws had been left at key points. It was clear that he had taken Huo Yuhao's words to heart.

The night grew deeper. Beneath the training ground lights, amid the shifting light and shadows, Wang Dong's cries of surprise and Xiao Xiao's little yelps could sometimes be heard, along with Zhou Ming's muffled groans. Huo Yuhao's spiritual clone always appeared in the most unexpected places, forcing the three of them to keep their nerves taut at all times.

It was not until all three had exhausted their Soul Power that Wang Dong stopped, rubbing her sore arm. Yet, unusually, she did not complain. She merely looked at Huo Yuhao and said, "I think... I understand a little now."

"Understand what?"

"I understand that vigilance isn't about doubting your teammates. It's about protecting everyone." Wang Dong's voice was quiet but exceptionally clear. "When you pretended to be injured just now, I was so busy panicking that I never even considered that Xiao Xiao might be attacked."

Xiao Xiao nodded hard as well. "Me too! From now on, I won't just help Wang Dong stay steady. I'll also watch our surroundings. I can't let anything happen to my teammates!"

Huo Yuhao looked at the light in their eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened. He looked up at the sky. "It's very late. Let's head back. The assessment is tomorrow—remember how tonight felt."