Was It My Fault for Being Good-Looking?

"..." Zhu Wu remained silent.

Then Tang San's gaze swept over him. He nodded slightly, then quickly looked away, his brows relaxing as well.

Forget it. They were nothing more than basic combat techniques commonly seen in the martial world. Besides, I benefited from Zhu Wu this time as well. He dared to take responsibility and risk himself, and he even knew how to seize the opportunity to fight for benefits for his classmates. He does have a bit of chivalrous spirit. As for Xiao Chenyu, he started the trouble, then bullied the weak with his strength. He has truly taken the low road. Tang San thought to himself.

When an enemy clearly stronger than himself came knocking, Zhu Wu had risen up to fight back and, in his haste, thought of combat techniques he had seen used before. In Tang San's view, that was understandable.

Besides, this battle had also been fought to win benefits for him. It was something worthy of praise.

With merits and faults offsetting each other, pursuing the matter further would only make him seem narrow-minded.

Mm, I won't need to clean in the afternoons anymore. I can use that time to find work at the Blacksmith Shop.

"Little Zhu, not bad. Well done! Hmph, too bad I wasn't there, or I would've beaten Xiao Chenyu until he was crawling around looking for his teeth." Xiao Wu lifted her chin slightly and naturally took the food from Wang Sheng's hands. "Don't worry. Sister Xiao Wu will look after you from now on!"

"Then I'll gladly accept." Tang San smiled and took the food as well. After all, Zhu Wu had defeated Xiao Chenyu using fighting techniques learned from him.

So, when it came down to it, the greatest credit for Zhu Wu obtaining these benefits should rightfully go to him.

Therefore, he accepted this food with a clear conscience!

Most importantly, he really was a little hungry right now.

Xiao Wu had taken some of his coarse-grain dinner, leaving him only half full.

"Tang San, Sister Xiao Wu, look." Wang Sheng rubbed his hands together and looked at the two expectantly.

"Sorry, but I probably don't have time to teach you." Tang San shook his head. "Before I came to the academy, my Dad told me to find a job as a blacksmith in Notting City. So, unless something unexpected happens, I probably won't be at the academy in the afternoons from now on."

"As for the evenings, I need to cultivate too."

They were neither family nor fellow disciples, and his time each day was limited. Naturally, he would not waste it teaching a group of children. In his previous life, these children before him would not even have qualified to become Tang Sect servants. They were utterly unworthy of instruction.

Tang Sect arts were not to be passed on to outsiders. That was the rule!

So you have time to keep Xiao Wu company, huh? Zhu Wu put on a regretful expression, but had nothing to say aloud.

"It's fine, I'll teach you." Xiao Wu clenched her fists, excitement rising on her face.

"Thank you, Sister Xiao Wu!" Wang Sheng was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked her. The other dormmates behind him followed suit.

You don't want to teach them. You clearly just want some punching bags. I'm almost embarrassed to expose you. Zhu Wu's mouth twitched as he cut in, half-jokingly.

"I won't be learning. It's spring now, and the temperature is just right for exercise. This afternoon, I want to run more to train my body, make myself stronger, and tan my skin darker. I don't want to be called a girl again like I was today. Besides, I want to spend more time cultivating Soul Power and strive to break through Rank 10 soon, obtain a Soul Ring, and become a true Soul Master."

"All you know is cultivation. How boring!" Xiao Wu shuddered, then nodded. "Still, I hope your wish comes true!"

"Mm, I'll stick with it." Zhu Wu's gaze was resolute.

Quite diligent. Tang San nodded slightly in approval.

Then Zhu Wu continued, "Since there's nothing else, I'll head out for a night run first. I'll cultivate Soul Power when I get back."

"Go on, go on." Xiao Wu waved casually, carrying the food as she headed toward her bed.

"Tang San, what are you standing there stupidly for? If you don't eat now, it'll get cold!" she urged, turning back midway.

"Alright." Tang San answered and strode after her.

You came to the human world carrying the hatred of your mother's murder, yet you call cultivation boring. Xiao Wu, I truly admire you. Zhu Wu glanced at Xiao Wu, then turned and ran out of the dormitory.

He ran toward the back mountain along the academy road, summoning Little White in a shadowed area and having it hide inside his collar.

"Little White, if you sense anyone approaching later, remember to warn me."

He did not want to practice the Longevity Exercise under the watchful eyes of Tang Hao and the others. If he wanted to practice in secret, he could only run out here.

Should I apply to graduate after obtaining my first Soul Ring? That would also keep me from being discovered by accident. The thought rose in his heart.

As he thought, his pace quickened. After running a lap around the academy, he arrived at a small grove.

He found an open patch of ground and began practicing the Longevity Exercise under the moonlight. Only when the chill accumulating inside his body became somewhat unbearable did he stop.

Without lingering, he turned and jogged back toward the dormitory.

Before long, he returned to the dormitory. Sweeping his gaze over the room, he saw that all his dormmates were already sitting on their beds, cultivating.

"I never thought the limited time I can practice the Longevity Exercise each day would turn out to be a good thing. If I came back too late, it would inevitably arouse some suspicion. After all, no matter how good a child's stamina is, how long could he run at night?"

Thinking this, Zhu Wu lightly stepped into the bathroom and comfortably took a cold shower.

Compared to the cold energy drawn into his body through practicing the Longevity Exercise, a little cold water could hardly affect him.

A short while later, Zhu Wu walked out of the bathroom, sat on his bed, and began cultivating Soul Power according to the standard Meditation Method.

Time gradually passed. Soon, it was close to midnight. His dormmates woke up one after another and went to sleep, with Zhu Wu being the last.

Nothing happened that night. The next day, before dawn had fully broken, Zhu Wu was awakened by his internal clock. During the three months before coming to the academy, he had needed to practice the Vajra Power Exercise just as the sun rose each day, and occasionally had to hurry into the mountains to gather herbs. He had long formed the habit of rising early.

Rustling as he put on his academy uniform and climbed down from bed, Zhu Wu headed straight into the bathroom. After washing up briefly, he stepped out.

He happened to run into Tang San, who had just gotten up.

Clearly, Tang San had risen so early in order to catch the best time to practice the Purple Demon Eyes.

"Morning." Zhu Wu smiled.

"Morning." Tang San's expression remained calm as he nodded slightly in response.

"I'm going for a run." Zhu Wu nodded as well, then walked toward the dormitory door.

"Can diligence really change one's fate?" Watching his departing figure, Tang San could not help thinking of himself.

In his previous life, he had worked diligently and faithfully fulfilled his duties.

Yet he had still been unable to obtain the opportunity to enter the inner sect and study the Tang Sect's supreme arts.

Left with no other choice, he had resorted to special means!

Diligence was indeed a necessary quality, but at times, one also needed the wisdom to adapt.

Shaking his head slightly, he turned and walked into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Zhu Wu descended the dormitory building and began running through the hazy mist.

After some time, he arrived at a secluded grove. Bathed in the first rays of sunlight, he began practicing the Vajra Power Exercise. Only when the rising sun hung high and the opening ceremony was about to begin did he stop, jog out of the grove, and run toward Academy Square.

"Little Zhu, over here!" Wang Sheng waved to him from afar.

Zhu Wu quickly ran over. His melon-seed-shaped face was flushed and glowing from the run, making the young boys around him who did not know the truth blush.

At six years old, male traits were not yet pronounced. The most noticeable Adam's apple usually did not develop clearly until around the age of ten. At this point, unless one took off his pants, it truly was difficult to tell based on appearance alone.

Especially when one had a nice face and fair skin.

Is it my fault for being born good-looking? Zhu Wu could only act as though he had not noticed.

"Looks like Tang San and Yu Xiaogang went to obtain a Soul Ring." Looking around, Tang San was indeed nowhere to be seen.

"Students..." After standing in line with his dormmates for a moment, the academy Principal stepped onto the stage and began giving a speech.

However, unlike the long-winded speeches he had experienced in his previous life, the Principal before him only offered a few brief words of encouragement before stepping down. Zhu Wu was quite satisfied with that.

The opening ceremony ended quickly, and the students dispersed in an orderly fashion.

Then, from afar, he saw Xiao Chenyu leading a group toward them, a book in his hand.