Balak Kingdom, bordering Fasinuo Province, is one of the four great kingdoms under the Heaven Dou Empire.
Its southern border directly meets the Star Luo Empire, making it essentially the gateway of the Empire, and thus possessing strong military power.
Soto City within its borders is the most important city apart from the capital, Balak City.
Even Spirit Hall has established a third-level Spirit Main Hall here, earning it the reputation of Balak's Granary!
It was midday, the sun scorching, yet the flow of people through Soto City's west gate remained endless.
A two-wheeled cart was slowly approaching the city gate.
Pulling the cart was a young man with black hair and black clothes, over 1.7 meters tall, with twenty-four gems encircling his waist.
At this moment, he had a wide cloth strap over his shoulder, pulling the cart's shafts with both hands, slowly moving forward with a two-wheeled flatbed cart.
His face was resolute; no matter how much he sweated in the scorching sun, his steps remained steady, not uttering a sound.
On the two-wheeled cart behind him, a young girl was sitting cross-legged, holding a lotus leaf to shield herself from the blazing sun.
A pair of pink rabbit ears subtly swayed on her head, her delicate face expressionless as she looked at the pink ring on her ring finger, her beautiful eyebrows occasionally twitching, as if deep in thought.
"Xiao Wu! Soto City is just ahead!"
Tang San's somewhat hurried voice came from the front, and Xiao Wu also snapped back to reality, looking ahead.
Soto City was indeed very large, but it failed to pique her interest.
Her crimson eyes watched Tang San's back, and a cold, mocking smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of her lips.
This guy actually still wanted to carry her?
Heh heh, on such a hot day, riding in a cart was surely more comfortable than him carrying her!
After the two entered the city, two-wheeled carts were prohibited, but Xiao Wu didn't pay much attention, lightly jumping off the cart.
Her developing body was encased in pink clothes, and below her slender waist, extremely long and well-proportioned beautiful legs stretched out, making her appear quite tall.
She was a full half-head taller than Tang San beside her; compared to her, Tang San seemed very ordinary and plain.
"You've worked hard!"
Xiao Wu's voice was flat, devoid of joy or sorrow; although she spoke to Tang San, she didn't even glance at him, instead scanning her surroundings.
"It's no trouble, no trouble at all. As classmates and friends, this is what I should do! Besides, I was the one who suggested it in the first place."
Tang San quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead, waved his hand, his eyes never leaving her.
To be honest, he should be grateful that Xiao Wu was willing to reject invitations from other intermediate colleges and accompany him to Soto City.
"Xiao Wu, why don't we find a place to stay first?"
"Whatever!"
"Okay, let's look together."
This was the dynamic between Xiao Wu and Tang San. Although Xiao Wu didn't particularly want to bother with him, for her own safety, she wouldn't be too cold.
As for Tang San, he often came up with various little schemes to get closer to her.
Unfortunately, Xiao Wu wasn't swayed by his tricks. For years, besides seeking sparring matches when she was in a bad mood, she rarely initiated contact with him.
As the two walked, Tang San's gaze was quickly drawn to a three-story red building.
Although he felt its price might be a bit steep, his years of blacksmithing and the Spirit Hall's subsidies had allowed him to accumulate some savings.
"Xiao Wu, why don't we go ask there?"
"Hmm?" Xiao Wu looked at the red building in the distance. In terms of color alone, it certainly suited her taste, and without much thought, she agreed.
"Okay."
...
Just as Xiao Wu and Tang San were looking for accommodation, Zhu Zhuqing, having promised to help Ye Qiu, had already arrived in Soto City and found a place to stay.
She had originally intended to go out and explore, and perhaps coincidentally meet her protection target.
Unexpectedly, she coincidentally encountered a stranger she had met a few times on the street.
At this moment, she was coldly following a man with golden hair and different colored eyes, a hint of amusement and mockery appearing at the corner of her lips as she watched him with women on both arms.
The group's direction was precisely towards the rose-like building—the Rose Hotel.
On the other side.
As soon as she entered the Rose Hotel, Xiao Wu frowned.
The atmosphere created inside, especially the ambiguous gaze of the front desk attendant, made her very uncomfortable.
"Hello! We'd like to book two rooms?" Tang San said to the attendant.
"I'm sorry, sir, we only have one room left!" The attendant stood up, looking at Tang San with a hint of envy.
"One room?" Xiao Wu frowned, feeling increasingly uneasy.
"Yes, but please don't worry, our hotel rooms are fully equipped and very spacious, more than enough for the two of you!"
As the attendant spoke, he occasionally cast Tang San a look that could only be understood, not spoken.
It was unclear whether the pure and innocent Tang San understood it or not.
He turned to Xiao Wu, wanting to ask for her opinion.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu's eyes also grew cold. Was there even a need to ask about something like this?
What wishful thinking!
"If you want to stay, you stay!" With that, Xiao Wu turned and left.
"Xiao Wu..!" Tang San was about to follow, but then some sinister laughter and a frivolous voice came from the entrance.
"Heh heh... it seems this young master is lucky, to actually encounter such high-quality goods! Little girl."
"What are you?! Get out of Xiao Wu Jie's way!"
Tang San rushed forward, his eyes instantly turning fierce. At the entrance stood a man and two women, blocking Xiao Wu's path.
The two women on either side were actually a pair of twins, about seventeen or eighteen years old, a bit taller than Xiao Wu, heavily made up, with good figures, but a rather vulgar demeanor.
The man they were embracing seemed young, about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in white-gold tight-fitting clothes, with long golden hair falling straight to his waist.
What was strange was that his eyes were two different colors.
One red, one blue, an extraordinary appearance.
"Good dogs don't block the way, get out of the way! Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite."
Xiao Wu frowned, coldly shouting again. She found the other party's gaze very repulsive.
"Pfft-haha."
Xiao Wu's voice hadn't even faded when a burst of laughter erupted.
"Sister, did you hear that? This little girl actually wants to be impolite to Young Master Dai?"
"Haha... I'd like to see how she's impolite! Young Master Dai~"
The twin sisters seemed to have heard a joke, giggling incessantly, swaying their bodies to tease Dai Mubai, their eyes full of seductive charm.
Dai Mubai's voice also grew cold; his temper was not very good.
"You dare to curse me? I might not be able to get out of the way now! I suppose you're also a Spirit Master, right? Then let's have a fight. If you win, I'll move aside immediately. If you lose, heh heh!"
Looking at Xiao Wu, a sinister glint appeared in his eyes. What would happen if she lost was self-evident.
The twin sisters beside him smiled foolishly at him, released his arms, and stood to the side.
"Fight then! Do you think I'm scared of you?!"
Having been the big sister at Notting College for several years, she couldn't stand such disrespect.
Just as she was about to act, Tang San had already stepped in front of her, his eyes somewhat dangerous.
"Xiao Wu, let me do it!"
"Get out of the way! I'll do it myself..."
"Heh heh... so you two are together. No need to argue, you can both come. I can take it!"
Dai Mubai waved at them, his eyes disdainful, not caring at all.
"Young Master Dai, why don't we just forget it? My small establishment can't handle you gentlemen causing trouble. Peace is precious!"
At this moment, the hotel manager finally walked over, his face full of anxiety.
"Stop talking nonsense, all losses are on me!"
"White Tiger Possession!"
Dai Mubai pushed the manager aside, and immediately two yellow and one purple spirit rings appeared on his body.
A milky white light flashed, his bones cracked, and his muscles swelled, stretching his clothes. The contours of every muscle became clear.
Claws extended from his hands, his hair turned black and white, and a 'King' character appeared on his forehead.
"Dai Mubai, Spirit White Tiger, Level 37 Battle Soul Grandmaster!"
"Xiao Wu, step back, I'll handle this!"
Tang San didn't hesitate, immediately following up, his palm flat, and two yellow spirit rings rising from beneath his feet.
A dark blue Blue Silver Grass sprouted from his palm, and several more Blue Silver Grass extended from his feet, swaying like water plants around him.
"Tang San, Spirit Blue Silver Grass, Level 29 Battle Soul Grandmaster!"
Seeing the purple spirit ring on Dai Mubai's body, Xiao Wu frowned, slowly retreating a few steps behind him, watching coldly from the side, no longer speaking.
"Haha... I didn't expect a waste Spirit like Blue Silver Grass to be able to cultivate to this extent!"
Dai Mubai was initially surprised that Tang San had such cultivation at such a young age, but when he saw the 'waste grass' in his hand, he burst out laughing.
"There are no waste Spirits, only waste Spirit Masters!"
Tang San's face was stern, speaking the truth he had always believed in, Yu Xiaogang's original words.
"Good, good, good! What a 'no waste Spirit'!" This somewhat chuunibyou and passionate remark made Dai Mubai's eyes light up.
"Then let me see what's so wonderful about your Blue Silver Grass!"
As his voice fell, Dai Mubai crossed his hands and swung them violently, a strong gust of wind blowing towards Tang San. Then, with swift movements, he extended his claws with dozens of fingers, striking at Tang San.
Tang San stood firm, the Blue Silver Grass around him constantly twisting, dissolving the fierce wind into nothingness.
As the claws swept past, Dai Mubai initially thought he could easily snap those weeds, but unexpectedly, his claws got stuck in the middle of the arm-thick Blue Silver Grass.
Mysterious Jade Hand! A glow flowed in Tang San's hand, transforming his palm into a fist and striking towards Dai Mubai's chest.
"Hmph!" Dai Mubai snorted coldly, withdrew his claws, and met Tang San's fist.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After a few punches, Tang San continuously retreated, a few white marks appearing on his hands. His blood qi surged, and he looked at Dai Mubai with a solemn expression.
"Haha... good kid, your hands are quite tough! Again!"
Dai Mubai laughed, raising his double claws, about to collide again.
However, many Blue Silver Grass suddenly appeared beneath his feet, sweeping towards him, even carrying some snake-like Spirit Beast patterns.
"First Soul Skill, Binding!"
Not far in front of him, Tang San's first spirit ring flashed beneath his feet, already activating his Spirit Ability.
"First Soul Skill, White Tiger Body Barrier!"
Dai Mubai also shouted loudly, his spirit ring flashing beneath his feet, and a white shield appeared around him. The surrounding Blue Silver Grass could not get close to him in the slightest.
"Second Soul Skill, White Tiger Light Wave!"
"Roar!"
Vaguely, the few people around seemed to hear a tiger's roar. Dai Mubai's chest began to swell, and a milky white beam of light suddenly shot out from his mouth, directly hitting Tang San's face.
The surrounding Blue Silver Grass was completely pulverized, leaving behind a faint scent of grass.
"So fast!" Tang San's eyes narrowed, and he immediately reacted, a purple glow appearing in his eyes.
Purple Demon Eye! Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track!
His footwork became erratic, even producing afterimages, but the space here was narrow, and he barely managed to dodge.
Bang!
With a bang, a crater appeared on the pink wall, with large cracks radiating around it.
"Second Soul Skill, Parasite!"
Seeing Dai Mubai about to attack again, Tang San immediately used the spores that had scattered onto him when the Blue Silver Grass broke earlier, activating his Second Soul Skill.
Dozens of thick vines, transformed from Blue Silver Grass, grew from Dai Mubai's body, with some thorns tearing his clothes as they tried to wrap him layer by layer.
"Hmm? Poison!" Dai Mubai's face changed; his body was actually experiencing some paralysis, making it difficult to exert strength.
Thump! Thump! Footsteps approached, and Tang San drew near, feeling a gust of wind on his face.
Just as the two were about to clash, a burst of purple light exploded!
"Third Soul Skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation! Hah!"
Bang!
"Cough cough…" Tang San was forced back by his sudden outburst, feeling a dull ache in his chest. If not for his Mysterious Heaven Skill protecting him, he would have likely suffered serious injuries.
At this moment, Dai Mubai's body had further expanded, his clothes bursting open. His skin even showed black and white stripes; with just a bit more fur, he would have become a true tiger!
His hands, transformed into tiger paws, stretched out again, their sharp claws gleaming with cold light.
The Blue Silver Grass that had bound him was instantly destroyed.
"Tang San, right? Your Blue Silver Grass is indeed good, it actually forced me to use my Third Soul Skill. However… this is as far as it goes! Your Blue Silver Grass is simply no match for me in this state, and the poison it contains is useless!"
Dai Mubai's gaze towards Tang San no longer held contempt; instead, it was a feeling of excitement, like a hunter spotting prey.
To cultivate Blue Silver Grass to such an extent, he truly fit the identity of a monster!
"Let me see how long you can last!"
Dai Mubai's wicked eyes stared intently at Tang San, without any unnecessary words.
His Third Soul Skill could double his resistance to abnormal statuses, as well as his attack, defense, and strength, lasting for half an hour.
Crack! The floor beneath his feet cracked. Tang San felt as if he was being targeted by a ferocious tiger, locked onto, and the air itself became violent.
"First Soul Skill, Binding!"
Clang! Clang!
His Blue Silver Grass was completely unable to hinder Dai Mubai's steps. Dai Mubai charged with his fists, and Tang San could only respond hastily.
After several more collisions, the once elegant hotel's walls were now pitted, and the floor was covered in cracks.
"Cough cough…"
Tang San clutched his chest, coughing continuously, half-kneeling on the ground, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth.
"What a waste!" At this moment, Xiao Wu, who had been watching from the side, slowly walked forward.
She had initially expected a mutual destruction, but she hadn't thought Tang San would be so useless!
If this continued, wouldn't she have been insulted for nothing? She was not some damned resource!
"Xiao Wu, you… wait, I can still fight!" Seeing this, Tang San immediately struggled to his feet.
"You sick cat, if you have the guts, come and play with your Xiao Wu Jie!"
Xiao Wu calmly glanced at Tang San, then ignored him, instead beckoning with her finger towards Dai Mubai who wasn't far away.
"Haha… I was going to let it go for Tang San's sake, but I didn't expect you to dare to insult me! Then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Dai Mubai didn't care if it was a man or a woman; if they provoked him, he would fight without hesitation!
"Then come and try!"
Xiao Wu put her two small hands behind her back, and two yellow and one purple spirit rings rose from beneath her feet.
The rabbit ears on her head gently swayed, a soft, snow-white tail appeared at her lower back, her figure became much taller, and the lines on her body softened considerably.
"How is that possible! How old are you, to already be a Spirit Elder!"
Dai Mubai's shocked voice rang out. He had thought that Tang San was the leader among the two, but he hadn't expected this young girl to be a Spirit Elder!
"Hmph! You sick cat, are you going to fight or not? If not, then obediently kowtow and apologize to me!"
"Little sister, don't be too arrogant. Don't think I'm afraid of you; you've only just entered the Spirit Elder realm! Come on!"
Dai Mubai did indeed have thoughts of retreating. He had already consumed a lot of spirit power, and now facing a Spirit Elder, he would most likely be outmatched.
His expression darkened. Since that was the case, he would just have to finish the fight quickly!
"Second Soul Skill, White Tiger Light Wave!"
Dai Mubai moved incredibly fast. Before anyone could react, a milky-white pillar of light shot towards Xiao Wu.
He couldn't bear the shame of losing to a girl!
"Oh no! Xiao Wu!"
Tang San, who had been immersed in the joy of Xiao Wu standing up for him, suddenly noticed Dai Mubai's sudden attack approaching Xiao Wu's face.
Purple light flickered in his eyes, staring intently at the two. His hands had already quietly moved to the Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist.
Anyone who dared to harm Xiao Wu deserved to die!
If Dai Mubai dared to inflict even a slight injury on Xiao Wu, he would kill Dai Mubai on the spot, no matter the cost!
Bang! Another large pit appeared on the hotel wall.
"What happened?! Where is she?!"
Dai Mubai's eyes widened, his heart filled with surprise. His attack had landed, but the woman had simply vanished.
"Xiao Wu!" Xiao Wu, who was still within his Purple Demon Eye's field of vision, suddenly disappeared, and Tang San's expression also panicked. The Zhuge Repeating Crossbow had already appeared in his hand behind him.
Whoosh!
Fortunately, Xiao Wu only disappeared for a moment. When she reappeared, she was already in the air, one leg already sweeping towards Dai Mubai.
"So fast!" Dai Mubai's eyes were slightly dazed. He only saw the purple spirit ring on Xiao Wu's body dim.
What Xiao Wu had just used was indeed her Third Soul Skill, Teleportation!
Bang!
"Ugh…" A kick swept across, landing on Dai Mubai's left cheek. A little blood appeared at the corner of his mouth, and his body staggered as if to fall to the ground.
"First Soul Skill, Waist Bow!"
As Xiao Wu's voice rang out, she clamped her two feet together, her two shoe soles clamping Dai Mubai's head in between. With her hands braced on the ground and force from her waist, Dai Mubai flew high into the air.
'Not good!' Dai Mubai felt the sensation of weightlessness, having nowhere to exert force. He could only bite the bullet and activate his First Soul Skill.
First Soul Skill, White Tiger Body Barrier!
Bang! Dai Mubai crashed down heavily, hitting the ground with a dull thud, creating several more cracks.
Even with the protection of the white barrier, his internal organs were still shaken, and his breathing became somewhat difficult.
Seeing that Xiao Wu actually still wanted to step on his face, his face turned a liver-like purple. He immediately rolled to dodge, while not forgetting to swing his sharp claws.
Whoosh!
The purple spirit ring on Xiao Wu's body flickered again, and when she reappeared, she was back in her original position.
"Is this Xiao Wu's Third Soul Skill? So amazing…"
Tang San showed a surprised expression from the side. Xiao Wu had also just broken through to Spirit Elder just before graduation, so he didn't know what Xiao Wu's Third Soul Skill was.
"Hehe… Those two shoe prints on your face are really fitting, little calico cat!"
Xiao Wu stood with one hand on her hip, looking playfully at Dai Mubai, who had just gotten up and was glaring at her.
"This time… I, Dai Mubai, admit defeat!"
Dai Mubai's eyes were violent, and his fists were clenched, but at this moment, he was outnumbered and outmatched, so he had no choice but to admit defeat.
The Spirit possession on his body slowly dissipated.
"Haha… Now you look even more like a stray cat! Since you've admitted defeat, then hurry up and apologize to this young lady!"
"You!" Dai Mubai glared hatefully at Xiao Wu, his face flushed.
At this moment, he was in ragged clothes, with some bruises and two shoe prints on his face, looking quite comical.
"Sorry!" Dai Mubai coldly threw out an apology, then immediately walked towards the exit.
"Young Master Dai… Young Master Dai…" The manager, who had been watching the fight, saw him about to leave and quickly chased after him. He couldn't afford such a loss.
"Get lost!" Dai Mubai threw down a bag of gold coins and pushed away the twin sisters who were about to greet him.
"Hmph! Don't be too smug. You must be here to register for Shrek Academy, right? We'll meet again!"
He reached the doorway, still not forgetting to turn back and utter a threat, then was about to stride away.
As he passed the doorway, a figure brushed past him. Feeling something, he turned his head, but only saw a black back.
Frowning, he couldn't stay any longer in his current state. Suppressing the tremor in his heart, he quickly left.
"Hmph! Like I'm afraid of you!"
Xiao Wu snorted coldly, also dispelling her Spirit possession.
Tang San looked in the direction Dai Mubai left, not expecting him to be a student of Shrek Academy…
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing had also walked up to her, sizing Xiao Wu up and down, comparing her to herself.
"Xiao Wu, are you alright?"
Xiao Wu ignored Tang San's concerned words beside her. Instead, she looked curiously at the 'big girl' who had suddenly appeared in front of her, and asked, "Who are you?"
Tang San also saw the leather-clad girl standing in front of them. Although she had a fiery figure, she exuded a cold aura, as if she had no emotions whatsoever.
"Xiao Wu?" Her voice was ethereal, as pleasant as a trickling spring.
"You know me?" Xiao Wu frowned, looking at her in confusion. She shouldn't have met her before.
After confirming Xiao Wu's identity, Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak, slowly moving to Xiao Wu's right side, behind her.
Then, her red lips parted, and her clear, cold voice, though not loud, was enough for Xiao Wu and Tang San to hear clearly.
"From now on, I will protect you every step of the way!"
"Huh?!" Turning her head to look at her, Xiao Wu's eyes became even stranger, completely bewildered by what was happening.
"Who exactly are you?" The Zhuge Repeating Crossbow that Tang San had just taken out was still in his hand, and his eyes held a dangerous glint.
Zhu Zhuqing frowned and looked at Tang San. She then gave Xiao Wu a deep look, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
This made Xiao Wu even more confused. However, Zhu Zhuqing's next words made her pupils tremble fiercely.
"This is a love hotel. Aren't you afraid he'll be sad if you're like this?"
Zhu Zhuqing's voice echoed leisurely, yet it became subtly colder, making Xiao Wu's body tremble.
The 'he' in her words made Xiao Wu's heart pound, and her breathing became somewhat rapid. She wanted to ask something, but for a moment, she didn't know how to speak.
"What nonsense are you talking about, Xiao Wu! Ah!"
Slap!
Hearing Tang San's voice, Xiao Wu immediately raised her hand, but then quickly lowered it. She didn't want to dirty her hands!
Immediately after, she swung her body, and the scorpion braid behind her left a bloody mark on his face, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Xiao Wu…"
After the crisp sound, Tang San covered his face, looking at Xiao Wu in confusion. He only managed to utter two syllables before a sharp pain spread across his face.
"Tang San, you clearly knew this was a couple's hotel, so why did you bring me in?! You truly disgust me!"
"Xiao Wu… I, I didn't know!" Tang San covered his face, a hint of panic in his eyes.
"You know me, I've never really left the academy, how could I know about a place like this?"
He was just a pure and innocent twelve-year-old child who had just graduated from a junior Spirit Master academy!
Three-in-one, six thousand six hundred characters.
Wishing everyone a pleasant life!
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