My Name Is Xiao Wu, Wu as in Dance (Part Two)

"This is Suotuo City, one of the largest cities in the southern Balak Kingdom," Lin Chen explained to her as they walked. "There's also a Great Soul Arena in the city, a place where Soul Masters compete."

"The Great Soul Arena? What's that?"

"It's where Soul Masters fight for an audience. Winners get paid."

"You can make money fighting?" Xiao Wu blinked. "Then I want to go too!"

"Wait until you have a Soul Ring." Lin Chen flicked her forehead. "You don't even have a Soul Ring yet. You'd just get beaten up if you went in."

Xiao Wu covered her forehead and muttered with a pout, "Hmph, once I have a Soul Ring, I'll definitely be stronger than you."

As the two were talking, a commotion suddenly arose ahead.

A group of richly dressed youngsters blocked the road. Their leader was a chubby boy of about eight or nine, dressed in silk, with several children who looked like his lackeys following him.

"Well, well, what countryside girl crawled out here?" The fat boy blocked their path, his little eyes sizing Xiao Wu up and down, his face full of rogueish swagger. "You're quite pretty. Come home with this young master and be my servant, and I guarantee you'll eat delicacies and drink fine wine."

Xiao Wu frowned. She didn't know him, but she instinctively disliked the way he looked at her.

"Move," Lin Chen said coldly.

Lin Chen had kept a low profile and acted cautiously throughout the journey, but the little fatty before him had touched his reverse scale as though courting death.

Only then did the fat boy notice Lin Chen. He snorted in disdain. "You stinking country bumpkin, who do you think you are? How dare you talk to this young master like that? Do you know who my dad is? The city lord of Suotuo City is my own uncle!"

"I don't care who you are." Lin Chen stepped forward, shielding Xiao Wu behind him. "If you don't move, don't blame me for getting rough."

"Hey, you've got some nerve, kid!" The fat boy waved his hand. "Get him, all of you!"

Several lackeys charged, fists and feet flying. But they were just children from ordinary families, without even a trace of Soul Power. How could they possibly be a match for Lin Chen?

Lin Chen's figure flashed. He dodged a punch coming straight at him and backhanded the first lackey across the face, sending him spinning in place before he fell to the ground with a thud. Lin Chen immediately kicked the second one over and knocked down the third with an elbow strike. In just a few breaths, all four lackeys were lying on the ground, crying out in pain.

The fat boy went pale with fright and backed away repeatedly. "Y-you stay back! I'll get my dad to deal with you!"

"Scram."

Lin Chen uttered that single word, his gaze icy, as though he would kill someone the next second. Seeing this, the fat boy scrambled away on hands and feet. His lackeys struggled to their feet and limped after him.

Xiao Wu poked her head out from behind Lin Chen and giggled as she watched the group flee in disgrace. "Wow, Brother Lin Chen, you're amazing!"

"They were just a few little thugs." Lin Chen dusted off his hands. "Come on, let's find somewhere to eat."

"Okay!"

Xiao Wu skipped after him, secretly thinking, This Lin Chen is pretty dependable.

The next day, by the Barak River, they were drawing closer and closer to Nuoding City.

The river was broad and swift, its murky waves pounding against the rocks along the bank with a rumbling roar. Several ferries crossed back and forth, their boatmen wielding long poles to guide them steadily through the rapids.

"Wow, what a huge river!" Xiao Wu stood on the bank, marveling at the surging waters.

"This is the Barak River. Once we cross it, we'll be in Fasinuo Province." Lin Chen bought two ferry tickets and led Xiao Wu aboard.

The ferry was small, carrying seven or eight passengers besides the two of them. The boatman was a man in his fifties, with dark skin and sturdy arms. His movements with the pole were steady and strong.

After the ferry left the bank, the river grew rougher. The little boat rose and fell on the waves, rocking violently.

Xiao Wu's face gradually turned pale. She had grown up in the forest and had never been on a boat before. Her stomach churned like rivers overturning seas, and she felt terribly sick.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Lin Chen noticed something was wrong with her.

"Brother Lin Chen... I'm dizzy... I feel like throwing up..." Xiao Wu's voice was thick with tears.

Lin Chen hurriedly supported her, letting her lean against his shoulder while gently patting her back with one hand. "It's all right. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. We'll be there soon."

Xiao Wu obediently closed her eyes and buried her head in the crook of Lin Chen's shoulder. The scent of him reassured her, and the faint Power of Chaos enveloped her. Her dizziness gradually eased a little.

When the ferry reached the middle of the river, a huge wave suddenly struck, and the boat lurched sharply. Xiao Wu cried out and nearly slipped. Quick-eyed and quick-handed, Lin Chen wrapped an arm around her waist and held her securely against him.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here."

His low voice sounded beside Xiao Wu's ear, carrying a reassuring power. Xiao Wu clung tightly to Lin Chen's waist, pressing her face against his chest. As she listened to his strong heartbeat, the fear in her heart gradually faded.

When the ferry reached the bank, Xiao Wu's legs were still weak, so Lin Chen simply carried her on his back, walking off the boat one step at a time.

"Brother Lin Chen, I can walk by myself," Xiao Wu said softly.

"You're still pale. Stay put."

Xiao Wu lay against his back and said no more. Sunlight fell on the two of them, casting their shadows long, very long, across the riverbank.

She quietly rested her chin on Lin Chen's shoulder, the corners of her mouth curving up slightly.

Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy stood in the western part of Nuoding City. Its vermilion gates were exceptionally imposing, and two guards stood at the entrance.

Lin Chen led Xiao Wu over by the hand, only to be stopped at once by Old Wang, the gatekeeper.

"Hey! Stop! If you're here to enroll, show me your Martial Soul certificates." Old Wang looked them over sidelong, all business.

Lin Chen took out his Martial Soul certificate and handed it over. Old Wang accepted it, and when he saw the words "Innate Full Soul Power," his eyes went wide. The arrogance on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by a fawning smile.

"Oh, so you're a genius with Innate Full Soul Power! Please, come in, come in!"

"This is my younger sister. She wants to enroll too." Lin Chen gestured at Xiao Wu beside him. "She's young and hasn't had her Martial Soul Awakening yet. Could you make an exception?"

As he spoke, he discreetly slipped over a string of Copper Soul Coins.

Old Wang hefted the copper coins and smiled even more broadly. "Easy, easy! It's just one more child, isn't it? No problem. I'll tell the academic affairs office she's an auditing student. She can provide a Martial Soul certificate later."

The two had just walked through the school gates when footsteps sounded behind them.

Lin Chen looked back and saw Tang San approaching with a middle-aged man. The man was of average build and wore plain cloth clothes. His face was ordinary, but his eyes alone held a profound light.

Isn't that Gangzi?

Tang San was holding Su Yuntao's letter of recommendation. He had clearly just arrived and was preparing to become Yu Xiaogang's disciple.

Yu Xiaogang's gaze also fell on Lin Chen-or, more precisely, on the certificate of Innate Full Soul Power in his hand.

He paused, then immediately walked over.