Before leaving, Bibi Dong gave Qi Lin's cheek one last playful pinch. Then, in the blink of an eye, she soared into the sky and vanished over the horizon.
After parting with Qi Lin, Bibi Dong didn't even bother with the last innate full soul power child in Nuoding City.
A mere Rabbit Martial Soul? Even with innate full soul power, could she compare to the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall? She didn't think so.
Watching Bibi Dong's silhouette disappear, Qi Lin casually shrugged. He picked up some fruit from a vendor and bought a few carrots for Xiao Wu before heading back to Dorm Seven.
As soon as he returned, Xiao Wu bounced up to him happily, her cheerful expression saying everything.
Qi Lin teased her as he gently pinched her soft, fair cheeks.
"Why are you so happy today?"
Xiao Wu lifted her snow-white chin proudly and let out a soft hum.
"From now on, I'm the one and only big sister of Nuoding Academy. Impressed?"
Today, she had led Xiao Chenyu and his gang all the way from first-year to sixth-year students in a series of battles. Now, aside from the teachers and Qi Lin, everyone in the academy respectfully called her "Sister Xiao Wu."
"Impressive indeed!" Qi Lin gave her a big thumbs-up.
Then he retrieved the fruit and carrots from his silver bracelet and turned to the others in the dorm, who were already eyeing them with anticipation. He smiled warmly.
"I brought some fruit for everyone. Come have a taste!"
It wasn't about trying to curry favor. In his past life, whenever he returned to the dorm during university, he'd always bring something for his roommates—most of it gifts from girls that he passed along. Over time, he'd even ended up with a few "adopted brothers."
Before the others could move, Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled.
"Brother Qi Lin, how did you know I was hungry? And you even brought me carrots?"
"Xiao Wu really loves you!"
Smack!
Before he could respond, Xiao Wu snatched the carrots from his hands and planted a quick kiss on his cheek, then skipped away giggling.
At that exact moment, the dorm doors burst open—and Tang San stood there, stunned, watching the scene unfold. A sharp pang hit his chest for no reason he could understand.
He glared at Qi Lin, voice rising in anger before he could think:
"Qi Lin! You look so harmless, but you're actually despicable—using carrots to trick Xiao Wu into kissing you!"
'Ridiculous!'
'It's just carrots! I could've bought some too!'
Qi Lin blinked in confusion. Wasn't that a bit of an overreaction?
Before he could explain, Xiao Wu turned to glare at Tang San, hands on her hips.
"Tang San, I don't know what's your problem but don't slander Brother Qi Lin."
"I'll let it slide this time since it's your first offense, but if you dare slander Brother Qi Lin again—don't blame me for beating you up."
Xiao Wu had always been fiery and unreasonable when dealing with people she didn't care about. She didn't even try to save Tang San's face in front of everyone.
To make her point, she gave a huff and leaned in to hug Qi Lin's arm right in front of him.
Tang San's already pale face flushed bright red.
'Damn it. I was thinking of her best interests, and she just threw it back in my face!'
'Now I look like a clown...'
Qi Lin, on the other hand, stayed calm. If I'm not embarrassed, then the one who will feels embarrass is someone else.
With practiced ease, he slipped his arm free and turned to the others.
"Don't just stand there, everyone—come try the fruit."
"Oh! Right!"
"Thanks, Brother Qi Lin!"
Wang Sheng and the others finally snapped out of it. Like they were receiving precious treasure, they took the fruit and began eating cautiously.
These were high-grade fruits, something only nobles usually got to eat.
Qi Lin glanced at Tang San, trying to defuse the tension.
"Tang San, it was all just a misunderstanding. We're all in the same dorm, so come have some fruit."
But Tang San's face remained stiff as he replied coldly:
"No need. I already ate at my teacher's place."
"Your teacher?" Qi Lin raised an eyebrow.
"You mean that freeloader, Yu Xiaogang?" Wang Sheng chimed in while nibbling on a slice of fruit, clearly puzzled.
"He's your teacher?"
"You really should've observed a little longer before pledging yourself. Isn't that a bit rash?"
After all, Tang San was a rare talent with innate full soul power—even if his Blue Silver Grass martial soul was considered trash, he still had potential. Why would he become the student of the so-called 'Grandmaster'?
'Was he tricked...?'
But before the words finished leaving Wang Sheng's mouth, Tang San's expression darkened again. His gaze turned icy.
"Don't talk about my teacher like that. If I hear you say anything bad about him again, I won't hold back."
Wang Sheng flinched under Tang San's cold stare and shut his mouth, though a trace of resentment lingered in his heart.
'Seriously? Even the Grandmaster himself admits he's a freeloader. I was just worried Tang San was being fooled...'
'Guess kindness really is mistaken for malice sometimes.'
The rest of Dorm Seven fell into silence. Tang San might not be able to beat Xiao Wu, but he could easily mop the floor with the rest of them.
Still, the matter passed quickly. The next day, Tang San left for the Spirit Hunting Forest with the Grandmaster.
On the road, Tang San brought up Wang Sheng's so-called slander, but Yu Xiaogang just waved it off with a confident smile.
He looked at Tang San with burning eyes and said sincerely:
"Xiao San, do you trust your teacher?"
Caught in the Grandmaster's powerful aura of confidence, Tang San couldn't help but be swept along.
"Teacher, a teacher for a day is a father for life. Of course I trust you."
Hearing that, Yu Xiaogang's smile deepened.
"Good! I knew I didn't choose wrong."
"If you trust me, then I won't let you down."
"You can rest assured. After years of research, I've concluded that fusing a poison-type soul ring with Blue Silver Grass is the best path forward."
Even though no one had ever tried it before, and the theory was still unproven, Yu Xiaogang remained utterly convinced.
The two of them then spent the rest of the journey deepening their bond.
Ten days later!
Tang San and Yu Xiaogang returned to the academy—looking worse that before they left.
Yu Xiaogang's face was pale and his arm was wrapped in bandages, but both their eyes were bright with excitement and confidence.
Yu Xiaogang, especially, was practically glowing with energy.
To him, proving his theory was more important than his life.
And fortunately, he had been right!
Tang San successfully absorbed the Mandrake Snake's soul ring with no side effects—no signs of rejection, no physical abnormalities.
Even his first soul skill, Bind, had inherited the Mandrake Snake's toxic properties—able to both restrain enemies and poison them.
Yu Xiaogang was overjoyed.
It meant his theory was not only viable—it was correct!
He couldn't wait to document the entire process and make it public once Tang San made a name for himself across the continent.
If successful, it could revolutionize the future for all Blue Silver Grass spirit masters.
A true contribution to the world!