The moment Zhu Zhuqing won, the aunties from Douluo Village burst into delighted cheers. Granny Ruth rushed forward and swept Zhu Zhuqing into a hug.
"We won! Douluo Village won! Woohoo!"
The aunties bounced around like children, as though they had returned to their childhood days.
Old Jack's face was black as thunder. He had never imagined they would lose. That brat Tang San was far too unreliable-he had been making such a fuss earlier about helping Old Jack get revenge.
Instead, his old face had been slapped resoundingly.
Xiao Wu finally straightened out her long braid. She flipped herself up off the ground and briefly touched Zhu Zhuqing's fingertips with her right hand.
"Hmph, I let you win," she said, refusing to admit defeat.
Zhu Zhuqing smiled without speaking and kept her right hand extended. This time, however, her gesture was entirely sincere, and a radiant smile lit her face.
Tang San felt embarrassed. He had watched everything closely just now, and Zhu Zhuqing had clearly held back. If she had used even a little more force, Xiao Wu would have been seriously injured.
But she had not, which showed that she was kindhearted. With a girl who was both beautiful and kind, Tang San absolutely would not allow his little sister Xiao Wu to hurt her again.
Normally, Tang San was perfectly willing to tolerate Xiao Wu's little tantrums. But with so many people watching, I, Tang San, have to be reasonable.
He stepped forward slightly and gently took Zhu Zhuqing's outstretched hand, looking apologetic. "Sorry. My little sister Xiao Wu lost."
Feeling his rough little hand clasp hers, Zhu Zhuqing smiled. Tang San really was amusing. He would probably be facing some household discipline shortly-Xiao Wu was the jealous sort.
"Little San!!!"
Xiao Wu was furious. Her Little San had actually shaken hands with another girl! He must have been tired of living. Did this little bunny's dignity mean nothing?
"Zhu Zhuqing, I want a proper duel with you! That last one doesn't count!"
Xiao Wu forcefully knocked their clasped hands apart and took up a fighting stance again. This time, however, she activated Martial Soul Possession.
"I refuse. You already lost. Unless you call me big sister, I won't agree to another duel." Zhu Zhuqing laid down her condition. Her task still had not shown as complete, which meant she had to keep going.
"You-" Xiao Wu was instantly lost for words. She was the boss of the Work-Study Students, yet someone actually wanted to become her big sister. What was that supposed to mean?
But her little head was quick enough. Calling her big sister would not cost her a piece of flesh. Once she said it, she could simply beat her into the ground and make her call her big sister instead, couldn't she?
"Big sister," Xiao Wu called, looking distinctly unfriendly.
The sound announcing the task's completion echoed in Zhu Zhuqing's mind. Five destiny points were hers.
"Aww, good little sister," Zhu Zhuqing answered with a smile.
This little bunny had plenty of tricks up her sleeve. How could Zhu Zhuqing not know? With the task completed, she could relax.
Xiao Wu immediately told everyone to step back. She had to reclaim her pride today-not for Holy Soul Village, but for Little San and her own dignity.
"Hmph, I said it. Let's fight again. Don't disappoint me this time."
The two girls faced off again, but this time no one stopped them. Their evenly matched battle earlier had put everyone at ease.
Tang San watched their fight without blinking. Combat without soul rings was raw and brutal, and it set his blood boiling-especially a fight between two beautiful young girls.
It was a feast for the eyes.
"Self-Created Soul Skill: Waist Bow!"
Xiao Wu quickly leaped forward, her long braid whipping wildly as she aimed for Zhu Zhuqing's neck. She was cheating-she had actually used a soul skill.
Watching from the sidelines, Tang San was already frowning inwardly. He activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, ready to rush in and save Zhu Zhuqing if she was sent flying.
But something strange happened. Zhu Zhuqing suddenly roared toward the sky. An inexplicable pressure descended, and a white sonic wave shot out.
"Self-Created Soul Skill: Tiger's Roar in the Mountain Forest!"
The roaring sonic wave, unleashed without a soul ring, struck Xiao Wu as she attacked through the air. The tremendous roar stunned her with fright, and the suppression from an unknown source sent her falling.
Tang San had just circulated Mysterious Heaven Skill throughout his body, so the roar did not frighten him. Using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he darted forward and caught Xiao Wu in his arms after a few swift movements.
He hurriedly checked her for injuries.
All he saw, however, was Xiao Wu's bashful gaze and her bright-red face.
Seeing that Xiao Wu was fine, he quickly set her down. With so many uncles and aunties watching nearby, he could not help feeling a little embarrassed.
Zhu Zhuqing watched them with a smile. This couple would endure all kinds of trials before finally getting together and becoming gods. Their lives could certainly be called disaster-ridden.
After losing twice, Xiao Wu fully understood how formidable her opponent was. She had come to acknowledge Zhu Zhuqing as a worthy rival.
"Sorry, I cheated just now. I used my first soul skill." Blushing, Xiao Wu stepped forward to admit her mistake and held out her little hand.
Zhu Zhuqing smiled and took Xiao Wu's right hand. "Hehehe, we've fought our way into a friendship. If you'd used your soul ring, I definitely wouldn't have been your match. You went easy on me today, so let's call it a draw."
Seeing his little sister Xiao Wu shake hands and make peace with Zhu Zhuqing made Tang San happy from the bottom of his heart. It had only started as a shouting match between two village chiefs, after all. It was nothing serious.
Just then, Old Jack walked over to Tang San with a strange expression, leaned close to his ear, and whispered a few words that nearly scared him to death.
"Little San, you sly brat! You've got what it takes. Keep it up and win some pride back for Holy Soul Village!"
With that, Old Jack left under the aunties' disdainful gazes.
Douluo Village erupted in cheers. They had won! Holy Soul Village had been defeated by Douluo Village! The news spread rapidly, and thanks to several aunties' publicity efforts, practically all of Nuoding City heard about it.
There were six days left before Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy began its term.
Tang San set off with Xiao Wu. They wanted to reach the academy early because Tang San still needed to go out and do odd jobs, while Xiao Wu wanted to attend some sort of Work-Study Student gathering.
The two invited Zhu Zhuqing to travel with them, but she declined.
Zhu Zhuqing had not enrolled yet. Besides, she still had to help the aunties from Douluo Village transport their fruit to the Wholesale Market in Nuoding City. She also needed to help her elder sister run her stall.
Her elder sister had originally planned to sell clothes, but now she had switched to fruit. Zhu Zhuqing would have to lend a hand during the first few days.
A procession of carts traveled along the road from Douluo Village to Nuoding City.
There were ten horse-drawn carts in all, each loaded with fresh fruit. The fruit had already been washed once and sorted.
The fruit in the first and second carts was of the finest quality. This batch would be sold directly to the noble merchants of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The fruit in the third and fourth carts was a grade lower. It would be sold wholesale directly to merchants from the Star Luo Empire.
The fruit in the remaining six carts was of ordinary quality and would be sold at retail. Douluo Village had a long-term lease on a fruit shop in Nuoding City.
Zhu Zhuqing and her third elder sister sat at the front of the first cart, wearing short sleeves and bamboo hats.
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