Repay Me with Yourself?!

Time flew by, and before they knew it, Qin Chao and Hu Liena had little of their vacation left. Now that he had achieved his goal, Qin Chao did not linger. After another glance at the still-unconscious Grandmaster, he took his leave with Hu Liena.

Watching the two figures, one tall and one short, walk away together, Tang San felt nothing like the calm he showed on the surface.

He had always been proud.

Reborn with the Tang Sect Secret Techniques, he had believed he could forge a legend of his own in this world as well. Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Mysterious Heaven Skill, Purple Demon Eyes...

These were the source of his confidence, the assets he possessed.

But now?

They both possessed twin martial souls, yet Qin Chao's strength had already far surpassed Tang San's. Such a stark contrast could not help but make Tang San doubt himself.

Even with these Tang Sect Secret Techniques, could I really surpass Qin Chao?

His mental age was already thirty-five, yet he could not even measure up to a child. After his Martial Soul Awakening, Qin Chao had seemed to become a different person-not only mature, but faintly carrying the imposing air of someone in command. The sense of defeat born of that stark contrast was deeply painful.

"Little San... what happened to me?"

Grandmaster's hoarse voice sounded behind Tang San.

Because Qin Chao had treated him promptly, Grandmaster woke up much earlier than he had in the novel.

Hearing Grandmaster call, Tang San immediately moved in front of him. As he looked at the weakened Grandmaster, his gaze flickered for a moment, but he still reached out and channeled the internal energy of his Mysterious Heaven Skill into Grandmaster's body.

He desperately needed to grow stronger now. As for regret, he was not yet in a position to indulge in it.

As internal energy flowed into his body, Grandmaster perked up a little. "Little San, I'm still alive?"

Tang San nodded. "Teacher, you're very much alive, but I'm afraid you'll need to rest for a long time..."

Grandmaster managed to turn his head and look at his right arm. "You saved me?"

The wound on his right arm had already been treated and coated with a layer of pale purple powder. A delicate fragrance wafted from it, a scent Grandmaster found inexplicably familiar.

The Mandala Snake's venom was extremely potent. Perhaps this pale purple powder was what had neutralized it, but where had he smelled this scent before?

His mind was still somewhat muddled. Grandmaster tried hard to remember, but came up empty.

As Tang San sat beside Grandmaster, the rich fragrance reached his nose as well.

After a moment's hesitation, Tang San spoke, accepting credit as Grandmaster had assumed. "Dad taught me a few ways to treat venomous wounds when I was little. When I saw you'd lost consciousness, I could only give them a try-treating a dead horse as though it were still alive..."

"Mind your manners. Who calls his teacher a horse?" At Tang San's admission, a gratified smile appeared on Grandmaster's face. He truly had chosen the right disciple.

Having survived a brush with death, Grandmaster was naturally in a good mood. But Qin Chao was in an even better one.

He and Hu Liena had been walking for a while when a system notification suddenly rang out in his mind.

"Congratulations, host. You have successfully seized protagonist halo and gained thirty points of luck value..."

Qin Chao stumbled as he hurried along, nearly falling flat on his face on perfectly level ground. He had barely steadied himself when delight surged wildly through his heart like a tidal wave.

Thirty points?! Don't tell me Tang San kicked the bucket!

Overwhelmed with joy, Qin Chao instantly lost control of his expression. The corners of his mouth shot upward, his grin almost stretching to his ears, leaving Hu Liena utterly baffled.

What's wrong with this kid? Not only did he nearly trip over nothing, he's grinning like a maniac. I've only just taken him as my little brother-barely had time to warm him up. Don't tell me he's gone silly...

"Qin Chao, is something wrong?" Hu Liena asked softly, her eyes full of concern.

Pulled back to reality by Hu Liena's words, Qin Chao finally realized he had lost his composure. He cleared his throat twice and rearranged his expression before speaking. "Sis, it's nothing. I just felt happy thinking about going back to the Spirit Hall..."

"You little rascal, you've only been in the Spirit Hall for a few days. You've already grown that attached to it?" Hu Liena gave Qin Chao a sidelong look, clearly not believing his nonsense.

"Sis, how deep your feelings run has nothing to do with how much time has passed..." Qin Chao looked straight into Hu Liena's eyes and began spinning his tale with a perfectly serious face.

"My masters treat me like their own nephew, and His Holiness the Pope takes care of me like a mother. Then there's Brother Xie Yue. He sees how skinny I am and always gives me his chicken drumsticks and things. My family was poor. Before, I only got a few bites of meat at New Year's. They all truly care about me. I know they do..."

Qin Chao's gaze was as resolute as if he were applying to join the Party. His words were half true and half false. His reason for being happy was false, but those feelings were real.

Before he had transmigrated into the world of Douluo, these names had been nothing more than fictional characters in a novel to him. But things were different now.

They were people, living, breathing people with their own feelings and flesh and blood. Without even realizing it, they had already formed deep emotional bonds.

The effeminate Chrysanthemum Douluo, the icy Ghost Douluo, and Pope Bibi Dong, noble on the surface but gentle beneath it-even Xie Yue and Yan. In the novel, they had merely been supporting characters who made Tang San shine, yet Qin Chao had genuinely felt the warmth of family from them...

Looking at the crystal-clear foolishness in Qin Chao's eyes, Hu Liena truly could not bear to tell him that, as an agility-type Soul Master, Xie Yue was simply watching his weight...

Thinking of Qin Chao's background, Hu Liena suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. A sister would pay her brother's debt. She took Qin Chao's little hand. "Since you're so happy, why don't I take you out for something tasty?"

A month and a half was a long vacation, but Qin Chao always seemed to have something to do. They had not even properly explored Nuoding City yet!

Without hesitation, Qin Chao nodded decisively. "No problem! Your little brother will foot the bill for everything!"

Inside Nuoding City.

With bags large and small in his hands, Qin Chao was just about to pay when he found himself stumped by a wallet cleaner than his face.

Pride really did make people forget themselves. He had already given all the soul coins he had brought to Old Jack. Never mind the pile of things in his hands-he could not even afford to hire a carriage now...

An agonizing battle raged inside Qin Chao. Just as he was wondering whether to tell Hu Liena, a pink money pouch landed on the counter.

"We'll pay!" The girl's slightly husky voice rang out, sounding like heavenly music to Qin Chao.

"Sis, I said I'd pay..." Qin Chao said feebly, his voice lacking confidence.

"You little squirt, you call me your big sister. How could a big sister let her little brother pay?" Hu Liena smiled brightly. "Besides, didn't you already give all your money to Grandpa? Do you have anything left to pay with?"

Qin Chao looked a little embarrassed. "Then I'll reimburse you once we're back at the Spirit Hall. I did say it was my treat..."

Hu Liena chuckled. This little fellow certainly had his principles.

Her eyes shifted slightly, and Hu Liena spoke again. "Forget reimbursing me. Why don't you repay me with yourself instead?"