Xiao Xiao

Since Tian Chen had injured Zhou Yi, the afternoon class ended hastily after everyone in Class One introduced themselves.

After school, Wang Dong walked alongside Tian Chen and asked, "Tian Chen, what was that lightning-like footwork you used earlier? It didn't look like an ordinary soul skill."

Tian Chen smiled faintly and explained, "It isn't an ordinary soul skill. It's a special movement technique I practice, called Three Thousand Thunder Movement. It brings the lightning attribute to its fullest potential, instantly raising my speed to its limit so I can move like lightning."

"More specifically, Three Thousand Thunder Movement relies on precise control of soul power and special footwork. Back when I learned it, I put a great deal of effort into mastering it. Although it isn't a soul skill in the traditional sense, its power and usefulness far surpass those of ordinary soul skills."

Understanding dawned on Wang Dong. "No wonder you're so fast! You could even dodge Zhou Yi's attacks with ease!"

Then an eager gleam lit up Wang Dong's eyes, and he cautiously asked, "Um... could you teach me? I wouldn't ask you to teach me for nothing. I could give you something in exchange."

Tian Chen raised an eyebrow slightly. After considering it for a moment, he shook his head. "It's not that I don't want to teach you. You don't have a lightning attribute, so to practice this movement technique, you'd first have to endure the pain of lightning repeatedly striking your body. Think carefully about it. I was born with a lightning attribute, so I didn't have to go through that torture, but even then, I still had to endure the excruciating pain of lightning rampaging through my body. Imagine what it would feel like to take a soul skill head-on from a lightning-attribute soul master of at least the Soul Ancestor rank."

Wang Dong felt a little discouraged at those words. After all, no matter how confident he was, he would never claim he could take a Soul Ancestor-level attack head-on.

"And as your training progresses, the lightning you'll have to endure will grow stronger and stronger. Its power could even reach the Soul King, Soul Emperor, or Soul Sage level. Are you still sure you want to learn it?"

Wang Dong fell silent for a moment, a flicker of conflict passing through his eyes. He clenched his fists and said quietly, "I understand what you mean, but if I don't try, I might never break through my limits. I don't want to keep slacking off like I used to. I want to become stronger, even if I have to pay a steep price."

Looking into Wang Dong's determined eyes, Tian Chen said slowly, "All right, then! Let's see how you do!"

"I'll use a low-intensity version of my Blood Demon Heart-devouring Thunder to test your endurance. If you can't even get through that, it'll prove you aren't ready to practice this movement technique yet."

Just as Tian Chen and Wang Dong were about to head back, a cute girl with twin ponytails approached them, wearing a Shrek Academy uniform. She carried a carefully selected bouquet in her arms, a shy blush coloring her face.

When she saw Tian Chen, she hesitated for a moment, seemingly nervous. But she soon gathered her courage and walked toward him.

A hint of admiration and curiosity showed in her eyes. Holding the bouquet in both hands, she offered it to Tian Chen and said softly, "Hello, Tian Chen. My name is Xiao Xiao. I picked these flowers especially for you. Thank you for what you did in class earlier. It was truly admirable." As soon as she finished, her face flushed bright red, and she lowered her head, seemingly too shy to even look at him.

Ding! Congratulations, host, on checking in with the Douluo SR-rank goddess Xiao Xiao. You have obtained the Blood Demon Saber Technique.

The Blood Demon Saber Technique is said to have been created by a man titled the Blood Emperor. Every form embodies bloodlust and demonic intent. This saber technique consists of seven forms, each vicious and ruthless, drawing blood with every strike. When mastered to its utmost, it can make heaven and earth pale and strike terror into opponents at the mere mention of it.

Hearing the system's voice, Tian Chen froze briefly before giving a gentle smile. He accepted the bouquet and said politely to Xiao Xiao, "Thank you for the flowers, but I only did what I should have done."

Xiao Xiao's blush deepened at his response. She lowered her head and fiddled with the hem of her uniform, seemingly trying to find the right words. After a brief hesitation, she looked up with a hint of anticipation in her eyes and said softly, "Um... Tian Chen..." Xiao Xiao raised her head, shyness and anticipation in her eyes, and said quietly, "Actually... there's something else I'd like to talk to you about. Do you have some time?" Her voice carried a trace of apprehension, but also the resolve it had taken to gather her courage.

Tian Chen glanced at the flowers in his hands, then at Xiao Xiao's expectant eyes, and nodded. "Sure, we can talk. But there are a lot of people here, so it might not be very convenient. Why don't we find somewhere quiet outside?"

Seeing Xiao Xiao approach Tian Chen, Wang Dong felt an inexplicable surge of irritation. Although he had always presented himself in men's clothing, he now felt an indescribable jealousy. He tried hard to suppress the turmoil within him, but a trace of complicated emotion still showed in his eyes.

Unable to help himself, he said quietly to Tian Chen, "Tian Chen, are you really going to talk to her? She doesn't seem to have any particularly great potential." His tone carried a hint of jealousy and displeasure.

Noticing the change in Wang Dong's tone, Tian Chen raised an eyebrow slightly, but rather than respond directly, he continued focusing on explaining the topic at hand. "Everyone has their own unique worth. The key is discovering it and communicating. Since Xiao Xiao is interested, that means she's willing to devote her time."

Noticing the change in Wang Dong's tone, Tian Chen raised an eyebrow slightly, but did not respond directly.

Tian Chen's answer only made Wang Dong more displeased, but he said nothing more, merely biting his lip in silence.

Tian Chen said goodbye to Wang Dong, then left with Xiao Xiao. As Wang Dong watched their figures recede into the distance, his displeasure grew ever stronger.

Meanwhile, alone with Tian Chen, Xiao Xiao showed a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, then gathered her courage and said, "Tian Chen, I actually came to see you today for more than just a chat..."

Tian Chen raised an eyebrow slightly at that and gestured for her to continue. He remained calm and attentive, giving her a sense of reassurance.

Xiao Xiao continued, "After seeing everything that happened this morning, I've really admired your strength and the kind of person you are. I... like you. Would you be willing to give me a chance?" Although her voice trembled slightly, her tone was filled with sincerity.

Tian Chen was briefly taken aback by Xiao Xiao's confession, then gave a gentle smile. "Xiao Xiao, I'm grateful for your feelings, but I'm sorry. I can't accept them so quickly."

Tian Chen's response eased Xiao Xiao's nervousness a little, but a hint of hope and unease remained in her eyes. She asked softly, "Why? Is there something about me that isn't good enough? Or... do you already have something else in mind?"

Tian Chen shook his head slightly, his voice calm but firm. "It's not your fault, Xiao Xiao. We've only just met. Getting together already doesn't seem right, no matter how you look at it. You have to understand that feelings aren't something you can decide on a momentary impulse. This concerns your whole life. I hope you'll take an honest look at your heart before making a choice. Of course, we can be friends first and get along like we are now."

Although Tian Chen's system destined him to build a harem in the future, he wasn't some scumbag who played with girls' feelings. Naturally, he couldn't make such a careless decision about his own relationships.