Xiao Xiao the Protector Caught Tang Hao's Eye

The six-year-old boy tipped his head back and looked at Tang Hao.

There was no fear in his eyes. If anything, there was mockery.

Then Lu Ming did something no one expected.

"Sister!"

Lu Ming called out to the sky.

His voice was soft, even a little childish, yet it rang out with startling clarity.

Tang Hao laughed dismissively.

Had his pressure scared the boy senseless?

Was he babbling now?

But a moment later, Tang Hao could no longer laugh.

Humm!

A low hum sounded behind Lu Ming.

Three great cauldrons slowly emerged from the void.

Their surfaces were ancient and engraved with intricate patterns.

Tang Hao's pupils contracted sharply.

He had lived for years and seen all manner of strange Martial Souls, but cauldrons like these, with a presence like this... he had never seen before.

"Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron: Cauldron Tremor!"

A young voice rang out.

The instant the words fell, all three cauldrons trembled at once.

It was not a physical tremor. Space itself was shaking.

Rings of cyan ripples spread from the cauldrons. Wherever they passed, the air warped, light bent, and even the ground began to quiver.

Tang Hao instinctively wanted to dodge.

But his pride would not allow it. He was Clear Sky Douluo, one of the strongest Titled Douluo. Why should he dodge?

How could he show his face if word got out?

So he chose the stupidest option: take it head-on!

And he did not even summon his Martial Soul!

He stretched out both hands, gathering Soul Power in his palms to form a thick shield.

A second shield, transparent as ice, covered it.

That was the Divine Slaughter's Domain at work. The defensive technique was a secret art of the Clear Sky Sect; it could blunt even a full-force attack from someone of his own level.

But who said his opponent was at his level?

The Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron trembled.

The cyan ripples struck the shield.

There was no earth-shaking explosion, no deafening roar.

Only a faint crack!

Tang Hao's shield...

Shattered!

It had not been broken by brute force. That strange vibration had unraveled its structure from within.

Before Tang Hao could react, the force pierced the remains of the shield and slammed squarely into him.

Thud!

Tang Hao flew backward.

He traced a ragged arc through the air and crashed into the courtyard wall. The bluestone masonry caved in around him, leaving a huge hole as rubble clattered down and dust billowed up.

And it was not over.

The Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron's tremor also carried a stunning effect.

Tang Hao lay in the rubble, feeling the whole world spin.

He tried to stand, but his limbs would not obey. His head felt as though it held a nest of hornets, all buzzing at once.

Lu Ming stood where he was and felt a gentle warmth atop his head.

A hand rested softly on his hair.

It was soft and smooth, with a faint fragrance.

Lu Ming looked up. First he saw a pair of long, straight legs in white stockings, glowing softly in the sunlight.

Above them were a dark green skirt, a slender waist, and then a breathtaking face.

Emerald eyes, long dark green hair, delicate features, and the hint of a smile at her lips.

Lu Ming stared, spellbound. He might have had the body of a six-year-old, but his soul belonged to a full-fledged college student!

"Little one, I'm your protector, Xiao Ding Douluo. My name is Xiao Xiao."

Xiao Xiao's voice was lovely, clear and gentle.

As she introduced herself, she winked.

He was only six, not even as tall as Xiao Xiao's long legs.

From this angle, she looked almost too beautiful to be real.

The system really came through!

He Caitou sure had it good!

"Sister, I'm Lu Ming! Please take care of me from now on!"

Lu Ming tried his best to look cute, though he was filthy and sweaty, nowhere near anyone's idea of "cute."

But Xiao Xiao smiled.

When she did, her eyes curved into crescents, and two faint dimples appeared beside her mouth.

She crouched, opened her arms, and gently drew Lu Ming into an embrace.

So soft.

So fragrant.

With his little face buried against Xiao Xiao's chest, Lu Ming caught a faint milky scent.

"Then I'll call you... Little Lu!"

Xiao Xiao ruffled his hair, her voice brimming with affection.

Lu Ming nodded vigorously.

While the two of them shared that tender moment, Yu Xiaogang was nearly losing his mind.

Crash!

A huge stone was thrown aside, and Tang Hao sprang from the rubble.

He looked a mess, but his eyes were bright, fixed on the figure in dark green.

So beautiful!

The words flashed through Tang Hao's mind.

He had seen plenty of beautiful women in his life. Ah Yin had been stunning, and Bibi Dong of Spirit Hall was a beauty too.

But the woman before him... was different!

Tang Hao froze for a moment when he saw Xiao Xiao's face clearly.

He had been alone for years. After Ah Yin died, an ache had burned inside him. Each day he could only numb himself with alcohol and drink his way through the long nights.

The moment he saw Xiao Xiao, that fire flared, sending ripples through his heart.

She has a life attribute too, doesn't she?

Tang Hao guessed from Xiao Xiao's clothing and bearing.

Xiao Xiao shielded Lu Ming behind her. Her emerald eyes fixed coldly on Tang Hao as she murmured to the boy.

"Don't worry, Little Lu. I'll protect you."

Tang Hao came back to himself.

He took a deep breath, removed his battered hat, brushed the dust from his clothes, and straightened his hair, trying to look a little cleaner and more presentable.

He had not cared about his appearance in years.

"Are you his sister?"

Tang Hao tried to keep his voice gentle.

Xiao Xiao frowned slightly.

"Yes. What of it?"

"And I'm not your friend!"

Her tone was icy.

Tang Hao clicked his tongue and turned toward Tang San.

Little San was still lying in Yu Xiaogang's arms. His face was pale, but his breathing was steady. He probably was not badly hurt.

With Tang Hao's eye for such things, he could tell Tang San would be up and about after a few days of rest.

So... perhaps this could end here.

The thought occurred to Tang Hao.

If I make a good impression on her... might Tang San get a stepmother?

Once the thought took hold, it spread like wildfire.

Tang Hao looked at Xiao Xiao's exquisite face, then at the way she stood protectively in front of Lu Ming.

Ah Yin, I'm sorry.

Little San needs a mother's love!

The corners of Tang Hao's mouth lifted into what he thought was a gentle, handsome smile.

"In that case, let's call it settled!"

"It was only a scuffle between children. There's no need to make a bigger matter of it."

As he spoke, he slowly moved closer.

Xiao Xiao immediately went on guard. With a hum, the three great cauldrons flew in front of her.

Tang Hao stopped, but his smile did not fade.

"Miss..."

"May I have your name?"

Behind Xiao Xiao, Lu Ming studied Tang Hao's face. He had wondered why the man had suddenly changed his attitude.

But when he saw the way Tang Hao looked at Xiao Xiao, he understood.

He had seen that look before.

Back in the village, Old Wang from next door had looked at Cuihua from the neighboring village exactly that way.

He's taken a fancy to Sister Xiao Xiao!

Lu Ming's little face fell.

He tugged at Xiao Xiao's skirt and whispered,

"Sister Xiao Xiao, let's go. I'm hungry."

Xiao Xiao looked down at him, and her gaze softened at once.

"All right. Let's go."

(The protagonist was simply too hungry to stay, and Tang Hao wasn't someone they could take down quickly. That was why they left. Tang Hao's eyes have already been gouged out later on!)

She lifted Lu Ming into her arms. With the three great cauldrons guarding them, she turned and left without sparing Tang Hao another glance.

Tang Hao wanted to follow, but after a moment's thought, he stopped.

No rush.

There's plenty of time.

He watched Xiao Xiao walk away, the smile on his face growing wider.

She makes my heart ache just looking at her!