The sun blazed overhead, baking Nuoding Academy's campus paths until they shimmered. Tang San and Xiao Wu sparred in a grove.
Her scorpion braid became a black blur as it whipped toward Tang San's neck. He stepped through Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to evade it, a faint purple sheen flashing in his eyes-the Purple Demon Eye.
Xiao Wu's movements slowed. Tang San's first soul ring flashed, and Blue Silver Entanglement bound her tight.
"Ah! How did you get stronger again?!" Unable to break free of the Blue Silver Grass restraining her, Xiao Wu could only rage helplessly. "I refuse to accept this!"
"A loss is a loss, Xiao Wu." Tang San smiled faintly and withdrew his Blue Silver Grass.
Their sparring over, Xiao Wu and Tang San sat beneath the great banyan tree. Its canopy spread like an enormous green parasol, dense layers of branches and leaves filtering the scorching sunlight into scattered patches of light.
The wind slipped through the lush foliage with a soft rustle. Tang San sat with his back against the thick trunk, while Xiao Wu lay beside him.
"Brother, did you meet any Divine Realm Empire People on this trip to Heaven Dou City?" A few unruly strands of black hair clung to Xiao Wu's smooth forehead.
Tang San lowered his head. Xiao Wu's long eyelashes were like two little fans, casting soft shadows beneath her eyelids.
If we had a child, his eyelashes would surely be long and delicate... Wait, why am I thinking about this? It's all Long Yue and Dugu Yan's fault.
"Brother?"
"I did. There were officials and soul masters from the Divine Realm Empire there. Long Yue, the Divine Realm's Number One Genius, left a particularly deep impression on me."
Tang San gathered his wandering thoughts and told Xiao Wu