"Do you want to live?"
Lu Xuan studied Xiao Wu with keen interest.
Xiao Wu, meanwhile, had yet to gather her thoughts and remained bewildered for a long while.
Hadn't a Titled Douluo already discovered my identity? Wasn't I about to die before my venture had even begun?
Why was he asking whether I wanted to live now? Would he let me go if I said yes?
Lu Xuan waited rather a long time. Seeing Xiao Wu simply staring blankly at him, he finally spoke first.
"Hmm? You don't want to live?"
"Then I'll have to make my move. My second martial soul happens to need a soul ring, so be a good girl and-"
Before Lu Xuan could finish, Xiao Wu suddenly panicked.
"Wait!"
"I... I do."
The girl stammered, her voice clearly tentative and fearful.
Seeing this, Lu Xuan's playful streak flared, and he suddenly wanted to tease the little rabbit-eared girl.
"You want what?"
"To live!" Xiao Wu murmured.
"Say the whole thing!" Lu Xuan said.
Xiao Wu was bewildered. She did not understand what this human before her was trying to do. She had clearly answered him already, so why did he keep asking?
Was he just toying with me?
But beneath someone else's eaves, one had no choice but to bow one's head!
Though Xiao Wu felt an inexplicable sense of humiliation during this exchange, she ultimately did as she was told and obediently whispered.
"Xiao Wu wants to live!"
As soon as she said it, Lu Xuan suddenly looked satisfied, as though he had achieved his goal.
He gave Xiao Wu's rabbit ears a careless rub.
"Now that's more like a little bunny!"
"A bunny should be obedient. That vicious look you had earlier was far too ugly."
Lu Xuan turned and headed toward Nuoding Academy, speaking to Xiao Wu behind him as he walked.
"From now on, you'll stay by my side. I happen to need a maid to attend to my daily needs, and you're a perfect fit."
Xiao Wu looked at Lu Xuan's retreating back, then glanced at the stream of people behind her.
That was... it?
This human Titled Douluo really wasn't going to kill me? Why?
Since he wasn't going to kill me, should I take this chance to run away?
Xiao Wu felt tempted, but after a moment's thought, disappointment filled her eyes again, and she hurried after Lu Xuan.
"You won't kill me?"
Xiao Wu caught up with Lu Xuan and walked beside him.
Lu Xuan spoke casually. "Rest assured! Not only will I spare you, but if you put your heart into serving me and keep me comfortable, you might even receive a few benefits."
"Benefits? What benefits?"
"You'll find out in time."
"By the way, if you hate humans so much, why didn't you stay in the soul beasts' world? Why insist on taking human form?"
"Because my mother..."
The two walked through the bustling streets, stopping at roadside stalls to buy some everyday necessities.
When they returned to Lu Xuan's residence, a system notification rang out in his mind.
[Successfully accepted Xiao Wu as a disciple. Side mission complete. Issuing rewards:] [1. God-Given Soul Ring.] [2. Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit Left Arm Bone.]
Evening.
The sun sank in the west, setting the horizon ablaze with fiery red.
In the work-study dormitory, Tang San had already become Dorm Seven's new boss. He had even used the money in Yu Xiaogang's Storage Belt to buy brand-new bedding and a new set of clothes.
Tang San now looked completely refreshed. Though his frame was still thin and frail, there was hardly any trace of poverty left in his appearance.
What was more, a legendary Titled Douluo had accepted him as a disciple on his very first day at the academy. The immense boost to his vanity and sense of satisfaction left him positively radiant.
At the dormitory entrance, Wang Sheng suddenly pushed the door open and walked in.
"Tang San!"
"Teacher Lu asked me to tell you to wait for him at the academy gates early tomorrow morning. He's taking you soul hunting."
Tang San emerged from his sea of delight. Hearing that Lu Xuan would take him soul hunting, his already excited little face grew even more animated.
Even having lived two lives, he could hardly contain his joy.
"All right! Got it."
He answered with a smile, and Wang Sheng came over.
"I'm so jealous. You got a Titled Douluo as your teacher on your very first day."
"And your teacher's taking you soul hunting himself. You're bound to get a hundred-year soul ring, right?"
An undisguised smile remained on Tang San's lips as he glanced at Wang Sheng. "I imagine so. After all, my teacher is a Titled Douluo."
The other work-study students nearby gathered around as well.
"I'm so jealous! Who would've thought Teacher Lu was a Titled Douluo? I even skipped his classes before. Thinking about it now, I really regret it."
Wang Sheng chimed in. "Luckily, I'm on pretty good terms with Teacher Lu. I even helped him move books before. Once I cultivate to level ten, I'll probably be able to get a hundred-year soul ring through him too."
Everyone talked over one another, praising Tang San to the skies as the center of attention, while also trying to claim some past connection with Teacher Lu.
Amid the clamor, Tang San quietly began planning his future, a smile lingering on his lips.
A Titled Douluo... my teacher...
Could Heaven itself be smiling upon me, letting me grow rapidly through my past life's memories and this life's connections so I could restore the Tang Sect's glory on this continent?
That had to be it!
Tang San's heart danced with joy. Especially when he thought about obtaining his first soul ring tomorrow and taking another step toward rebuilding the Tang Sect, the excitement in his eyes grew even stronger.
I wonder what skill I'll gain during tomorrow's soul hunting operation.
Teacher's innate soul power was only level four, while I have innate full soul power. My future achievements will surely surpass his.
That's what they call blue drawn from indigo, yet bluer than indigo itself!
Unfortunately, I suddenly angered Teacher today. I'll have to behave obediently from now on. Perhaps I should reveal the whole secret of my second martial soul tomorrow as a show of sincerity?
That settles it!
Tang San's gaze suddenly turned resolute.
But...
He suddenly looked at the empty bedboards beside him. Why does my heart feel so hollow, as though I'm missing the most important thing in my life...
Elsewhere.
In a grove outside Nuoding City, faint golden motes swirled around Lu Xuan, lending him an air of magnificence while illuminating the dim surroundings.
Opposite him stood a burly, middle-aged man in ragged clothes, his face covered in stubble. He held a massive hammer and stared at Lu Xuan with a fierce gleam in his eyes.
"Who are you? Why has no one on the continent ever heard of you? And what's your real purpose in taking Little San as your disciple?"
This man was none other than Tang Hao!
When Lu Xuan had revealed his soul rings during the day, this fellow had lurked in the shadows, watching him like a tiger eyeing its prey for a long time. Only when Lu Xuan could bear it no longer and sent him a message through his spiritual power had he forced him to withdraw.
Now was the time the two had agreed to meet.
"I have no need to explain my actions to you."
"All you need to know is that Tang San is my disciple from now on."
Lu Xuan carried himself arrogantly, paying Tang Hao no regard whatsoever.
What a joke!
Having now fused with the God-Given Soul Ring and the hundred-thousand-year left arm bone rewarded by the system, he had already reached level ninety-nine.
In terms of strength, he might not yet match a veteran Peerless Douluo like Qian Daoliu, but a mere Tang Hao, riddled with hidden injuries, truly was not worth his concern.
"Arrogant!"
Unsurprisingly, seeing that Lu Xuan "didn't know what was good for him," Tang Hao immediately gave him a contemptuous look.
"You only have a blue silver grass martial soul. What good is a high soul power level? Unless you give me a proper explanation today, I won't entrust Little San to you."
Before you continue