Little Red Riding Hood, Whisked Away by the Green-Clad Monster

?!

Good grief, now that was some juicy gossip!

Stunned, Ning Rongrong immediately put down the documents in her hands and scooted over to Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. "No way! Aren't Yue and Brother San biological siblings? Besides, Brother San usually seems closer to you. Yue likes Brother San? How did I miss that?"

"..."

It wasn't just Ning Rongrong who hadn't noticed. To be honest, Zhu Zhuqing hadn't noticed either.

Seeing that neither Zhu Zhuqing nor Ning Rongrong believed her, Xiao Wu didn't try to explain. "A lot happened during that time, and I can't explain it all right now. But I wasn't deliberately targeting Yue. I just felt that if my brother started caring about someone who looked like Yue, he'd neglect me..."

Xiao Wu lowered her head. To put it plainly, she simply didn't believe Qian Renyue was Tang Yue. She had only tried to kill Qian Renyue because Tang San had begun caring about her. The issues between her and Tang Yue weren't really that serious. Tang Yue had once schemed against her, and she had schemed against Tang Yue too. The two had exhausted every trick in the book competing for Tang San's affection, but truthfully, she had never intended to take Tang Yue's life. What had happened in the Star Dou Great Forest had merely been an accident. She had indeed received a fright when she saw Qian Renyue, but more than that, she feared Tang San would pour his guilt toward Tang Yue into Qian Renyue. After all, the two really did look alike.

The last time Tang San had spoken heart-to-heart with Xiao Wu, she had realized she was wrong. She had explained her thoughts and worries to him, and he had explained his own thoughts to her. Having opened their hearts to each other, Xiao Wu no longer felt such deep hostility toward Qian Renyue.

Perhaps that was also why she could answer Zhu Zhuqing's question today.

"..."

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had long since noticed that Xiao Wu liked Tang San. They simply hadn't expected this to be the reason Xiao Wu and Tang Yue couldn't get along. Absurdity's mother had opened the door for absurdity-it had truly come home.

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart. Zhu Zhuqing felt this was one colossal misunderstanding. She had known there had to be some misunderstanding between those two. Otherwise, how could things have ended up like this?

Meanwhile, as the girls feasted on gossip, the boys were growing restless too.

Zhu Zhuqing had been gone for quite some time, and Dai Mubai had spent several days reflecting on himself. Yet he didn't think he'd done anything wrong. Perhaps Zhu Zhuqing simply didn't like him.

Looking at Dai Mubai's gloomy expression, Oscar felt a little miserable too.

Ever since Zhu Zhuqing had left with Qian Renyue, Ning Rongrong had become obsessed as well. Not only did she barely pay him any attention, she kept sneaking off alone to do something mysterious. He never knew where to find her anymore, and it was exhausting.

If he could, he wanted to stand by Ning Rongrong's side too. But Ning Rongrong seemed to care more about Qian Renyue?

Oscar had been watching for a long time.

Ever since the information on the Imperial Fighting Team's members had been handed out, Ning Rongrong had kept staring at Qian Renyue's profile. She hardly even cared about the nine heart begonia. She just kept looking at Qian Renyue's information, as though she could stare flowers into blooming on the page.

"..."

Honestly, he was a teeny billion bits jealous.

Still, he had to admit that Qian Renyue was strong. Right now, she was the girl they most needed to watch out for.

Dai Mubai stared at Zhu Zhuqing for a long while, his thoughts a mystery. The atmosphere on both sides felt rather heavy. Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily speechless, and Ning Rongrong didn't know what to say either. After all, she really didn't know what had happened between those three siblings in the past. But in her opinion, Qian Renyue liking Tang San was hardly certain, whereas Xiao Wu liking Tang San was nailed firmly to the board. As for Tang San, perhaps he simply couldn't hold the bowl of water level, neglecting one and then the other until the two grew jealous of each other and misunderstood each other.

Sigh.

What a tangled circle.

Ning Rongrong couldn't stomach any more of this gossip. She quickly moved away to get on with her own business.

At present, she was the only person on the team who hadn't broken through to level thirty. In a way, she was dragging them down, and it made her feel rather embarrassed.

Zhu Zhuqing had broken through to level thirty in such a short time that Ning Rongrong couldn't help feeling it had something to do with Qian Renyue. Had she known, she would have gone to find Qian Renyue sooner.

However...

Remembering what she'd previously asked Chen Xin and Gu Rong to do, she pursed her lips and muttered, "Could my grandfathers have forgotten?"

"..."

Hard to say.

They really might have forgotten.

After all, neither of them was idle.

"..."

After that, Ning Rongrong couldn't be bothered to listen to whatever Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were saying. As if compelled by some unseen force, she walked outside. At the corner, she suddenly overheard Yu Xiaogang and Tang San talking-

"San, if possible, I suggest eliminating Qian Renyue first, even if you have to use the Eight Spider Lances."

"..."

Faced with Yu Xiaogang's serious plan, Tang San seemed a little hesitant. He was certain Qian Renyue was Tang Yue. Asking him to attack Tang Yue... he probably couldn't be that ruthless.

"This is a match. There is no friendship in the arena. Even if she looks like Yue, you can't treat her as Yue. The quality of her martial soul is worlds apart from Yue's, and that's something you especially need to keep in mind."

Tang San had been absent-minded lately, giving Yu Xiaogang a headache just watching him. But there were some things he didn't know how to address either. After all, the person who tied the bell had to be the one to untie it.

"I understand, Teacher," Tang San answered, explaining his thoughts as well. "But no matter how much Yue's martial soul has changed, I'm certain she's Yue. Even so, I'll put the team first. I won't hold back, and I won't let myself get distracted. Please rest assured, Teacher."

"Mm, that's good."

Yu Xiaogang nodded in satisfaction. "By the way, I've recently analyzed the characteristics of that child's soul skills. She can't finish using her first and second soul skills together within ten seconds. I hope you can exploit that and prevent her from using her fusion soul skill. Otherwise, her Silver Frost Sword will be troublesome too. Such a perfectly good support-type martial soul, yet she's insisted on taking a mixed cultivation path. Who knows who taught her..."

As he continued his analysis, Yu Xiaogang began muttering to himself. Stroking his chin, he found it utterly strange. What normal person would take an exceedingly rare super support-type martial soul like the nine-petal immortal lotus and cultivate control abilities with it?

Wasn't that just finding trouble for oneself when there was none?

Truly strange beyond belief.

Tang San paid no attention to Yu Xiaogang's muttering. He nodded, acknowledged the instructions, and returned to the lounge.

As it happened, he ran into Ning Rongrong, who had been "eavesdropping."

"Rongrong, you...?"

Tang San was somewhat surprised. He looked at Ning Rongrong, and their eyes met. Had Ning Rongrong been listening in on his conversation with his teacher?

"Brother San, I just heard some juicy gossip." A smile spread across Ning Rongrong's face. She didn't care about what Yu Xiaogang and Tang San had said. She was far more interested in Xiao Wu's words. Now that she'd encountered the person involved, she had to seize the chance to ask and satisfy her curiosity. After all, Xiao Wu's words alone weren't all that credible. She trusted Tang San more than the rabbit.

"What?"

It was rare to see such a gossipy expression on Ning Rongrong's face, and Tang San instinctively took two steps back. He couldn't shake the feeling that this young lady had come with less-than-friendly intentions.

"I heard Yue isn't your biological sister?" Ning Rongrong leaned closer to Tang San, staring into his eyes as though that would ensure he didn't lie.

Tang San didn't think this was anything he couldn't discuss. He had wondered what Ning Rongrong wanted to ask, but it turned out to be this. "Yue really isn't my biological sister. But apart from blood ties, she's no different from a biological sister to me."

Tang San answered honestly. He had said these same words to Xiao Wu before.

Now, he only wanted to understand what Yue had experienced and what had happened to her. If possible, he hoped she would return. From then on, he would never neglect her again. Of course, if she was unwilling, he wouldn't force her. As long as Yue could live happily somewhere else, that would be enough.

"You see her as your biological sister?" Ning Rongrong gave him a gossipy look. "Brother San, have you ever felt that you're actually a little biased?"

She asked.

Although she didn't know what had happened between the three of them before, ever since she'd known them, she had been certain Tang San favored Xiao Wu.

"Biased?" Tang San frowned slightly. He didn't think he particularly favored either of them. Both were his younger sisters, and he had even raised one of them himself. Who could he possibly favor?

It was just that Yue had indeed been timid in the past and hadn't drawn much attention, so most of what filled his eyes had been Xiao Wu's bright, vivid presence.

Only upon reaching that thought did Tang San seem to realize something.

"I was just saying." Ning Rongrong didn't intend to press him. It was best to know when to stop.

"..."

At that, Tang San's gaze darkened. Ning Rongrong left the lounge, heading who knew where.

While Shrek received the Imperial Fighting Team's information, the Imperial Fighting Team received Shrek's information too. Yet with the match only days away, Qian Renyue was still nowhere to be found. Yu Tianheng mobilized disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to search for her. A helpful citizen reported that Little Red Riding Hood had gone off with a Green-Clad Monster. Only then did Dugu Yan understand. Could her grandfather have been trying to steal a child?

Still, since she had left with Dugu Bo, there probably wasn't anything seriously wrong. Thus, apart from their teacher Qin Ming, who was anxious, everyone on the team carried on as usual without showing any unusual reactions. This made Qin Ming wonder whether Qian Renyue wasn't particularly close to these children.

Just then, a voice arrived before its owner. "I, Hu Hansan, am back again!"

Qian Renyue's excited voice rang out. Dugu Yan and the others immediately dropped the team members' profiles in their hands and stared straight at the door as it was pushed open.

"Yueyue!"

Given their relationship, it was no surprise that Dugu Yan and Qian Renyue embraced. Qian Renyue's eyes curved into crescents. She genuinely seemed delighted.

"Why are you so happy? Did you get something you really like?"

Yu Tianheng also came over to Qian Renyue at once. Watching Dugu Yan hug her, he inexplicably felt a twinge of jealousy. When he'd returned after three or five days away, Dugu Yan certainly hadn't been this enthusiastic.

Sigh, looks like there's no love left.

Shaking his head lightly, Yu Tianheng let out an almost imperceptible sigh. He still wore a smile, giving Qian Renyue no hint that anything was amiss.

"Of course~"

Qian Renyue blinked. How could she have been so happy if she hadn't gotten something good?

"Oh? What good thing? Won't you share?" Yu Tianheng raised his eyebrows. He had to admit that Qian Renyue really was adorable. If this child were his biological younger sister, his old stick-in-the-mud grandfather would probably spoil her to the heavens.

At that thought, he really did find himself wanting a biological younger sister.

He wondered whether his parents could still have another child.

While Yu Tianheng calculated his parents' ages, Qian Renyue shook her head and said mysteriously, "This isn't something I can share. You'll find out when the time comes!"

"Ha ha!" Yu Tianheng laughed aloud. Dugu Yan, however, looked a little worried. She secretly whispered in Qian Renyue's ear, "Yueyue, I heard you went off with my grandfather. How did it go? Are you all right? He didn't abduct you, did he?"

"No, no!" Qian Renyue shook her head and leaned close to Dugu Yan's ear. "But Senior Dugu is probably bristling with anger right now. If he comes knocking, Sister Yanzi, you have to help me. Otherwise, I'm afraid he'll poison me to death!"

"..."

Poisoning her to death was probably taking it a little far.

Dugu Yan fell silent for a moment, then answered, "All right, don't worry. I'll help you."

"Mm-hm!"

Qian Renyue fluttered her eyelashes in place of a nod.

Once the children had finished expressing their concern, it was Qin Ming's turn.

During the few days Qian Renyue had been missing, Qin Ming had worried himself sick. He hadn't been able to eat or sleep properly, terrified that she'd been abducted by human traffickers.

This child's background was anything but simple. Since the Supervisory Committee attached such importance to her, Qin Ming naturally paid her a little more attention. "Yue, it's good that you're back. I happen to have something I'd like to discuss with you privately. Come outside with me."

"All right, Teacher Qin Ming."

Qian Renyue nodded. After separating from Dugu Yan, she followed Qin Ming outside.

Watching the two leave, Dugu Yan still couldn't understand why Qin Ming had just told her to avoid using her third soul skill if possible.

Were they supposed to go easy on their opponents in a match?

Outside the lounge

In a quiet corridor, Qian Renyue followed behind Qin Ming. They found a bench and sat down before Qin Ming spoke. "Yue, you need to pay particular attention to that Tang San. If possible, eliminate him first. Otherwise, I'm afraid he'll interfere with your soul skills."

Qian Renyue's weakness was obvious. With her current strength, she couldn't combine her soul skills in a short span of time. Moreover, a fusion soul skill consumed a great deal of soul power. In a one-on-one match, with no one launching sneak attacks, it was indeed brilliant. But in a team battle, once several opponents interfered, she would have no way to end the fight quickly. Qin Ming was worried that Qian Renyue would exhaust her soul power.

Tang San was Shrek's backbone. As long as they eliminated him, everything else could be resolved as smoothly as a blade splitting bamboo. Their team's average soul power level was considerably higher than Shrek's. He believed that apart from Tang San, the unpredictable factor, the others wouldn't cause any major upsets.

Qian Renyue agreed with Qin Ming's concerns, but she no longer needed to worry. Before she had left Spirit Hall, Guang Ling had given her a gift. She might not necessarily need to use a fusion soul skill that consumed so much soul power.

Having also heard that Qian Renyue was going to compete, Azure Luan had given her a little something, calling it a small weapon for self-defense in case someone closed in before she could react.

It was a hairpin shaped like a short sword that she could draw at any moment. According to Azure Luan, the hairpin was a soul tool that could be used by pouring soul power into it. Apparently, it was something he had treasured for many years.

Qian Renyue gently ran her fingers over the silver hairpin tucked inside her sleeve and nodded to Qin Ming. "I understand, Teacher. I'll pay closer attention to Tang San."

"Mm." Qin Ming nodded slightly without saying much more. He gave Qian Renyue a few further reminders about things to watch out for, telling her she absolutely mustn't risk her life. More than victory, he cared about his students' lives. Besides, Qian Renyue's identity was far too extraordinary.