The dusty, parchment-scented quiet of the Nuoding Academy library settled around Tang San like a second skin. Sunlight slanted through high windows, illuminating swirling motes in the air as he carefully opened the heavy cover of Liu Xian's Fundamental Spirit Ring Theory.
Xiao Wu, perched precariously on a stool beside him, swung her legs restlessly, her initial enthusiasm for the "adventure" rapidly evaporating.
Tang San's eyes scanned the dense text of Chapter 4 with laser focus.
*"...dantian resilience is the primary limiting factor... meridial pathways exhibit maximum stress tolerance between years 300-400 for initial integration... catastrophic failure rates climb exponentially post-423 years due to unstable spiritual waveform harmonics..."*
Mei hadn't exaggerated the complexity, but the cold, hard data was exactly what he craved. He meticulously cross-referenced Liu Xian's physiological diagrams with his own understanding of the Mysterious Heaven Skill's pathways, mentally mapping the potential strain points.
Hours bled away, marked only by the rustle of pages and the soft scratch of Tang San's charcoal pencil on a scrap of paper as he took notes. He moved from Liu Xian to the bestiaries Mei had suggested, "Flora of the Hunting Spirit Forest" and "Common Botanical Spirit Beasts of the Nuoding Region."
He cross-referenced entries, looking for plant-type beasts within the 300-400 year range known for traits aligning with control and resilience – Thorned Bindweed, Ironbark Saplings, Ghost Willow Saplings. He noted their habitats, common behaviors, and any unique properties mentioned.
Xiao Wu, meanwhile, had exhausted all possible distractions. She'd rearranged the quills on the librarian's desk (earning a stern look), tried balancing books on her head (resulting in a minor avalanche), and now sat slumped, chin propped on her hands, watching Tang San with undisguised boredom. The afternoon sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the study tables.
"Brother Saaaaan," she whined, her voice a low groan that shattered the library's hushed atmosphere. A nearby student shushed her, but Xiao Wu ignored them, fixing her large, pleading pink eyes on Tang San.
"We've been sitting here forever. Didn't you say we were going plant hunting?" She pouted, gesturing vaguely towards the window where the sky was beginning to blush with the colors of sunset.
"The good spots are probably getting dark! How are we supposed to find a strong spirit beast if we're stuck here reading about... about leaves?" She nudged the bestiary disdainfully.
Tang San didn't look up immediately, finishing a note on the resilience properties of Ironbark Saplings. He closed the bestiary with a soft thump, finally meeting Xiao Wu's impatient gaze. His expression was calm, but firm.
"I never said we'll be going to the forest," he said quietly, mindful of the library setting.
Xiao Wu's triumphant bounce faltered mid-air. "Huh? Not going?" Her pink eyes widened with genuine confusion, momentarily forgetting the library setting.
"But… but research is done! Look!" She gestured wildly at Tang San's neat stack of books and the notes filled with his precise handwriting. "We know the what and the year thingy! Now we find the where! In the forest!" Her whisper grew louder with each word.
Tang San remained calm, gathering the books to return. "Mei advised we research what soul beast to hunt and what year range is safe," he reiterated patiently, tapping the stack.
"But knowing which specific beast, where it lives, and how to find it within that range safely… that takes planning too. And," he added, his gaze sharpening slightly as he turned to her, "shouldn't you also be researching what type of soul ring you need?"
He kept his voice low but firm. "You're Spirit Power Level 10 too, Xiao Wu. You haven't absorbed your first spirit ring either. What are your plans? What kind of beast resonates with your Soft-boned Rabbit?" He subtly referenced her martial soul.
Xiao Wu blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
"Hehehe," she chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "No need for all that dusty book stuff for me! My… my family already told me exactly what kind of spirit ring I should get. They know best!" She puffed out her chest slightly, radiating confidence.
Tang San paused, studying her. Her quick deflection, the slight hesitation when mentioning "family," and the absolute certainty about her ring choice… It all pointed towards something he'd suspected since seeing her effortlessly become Dorm Leader.
A well-established family. It made sense. Only a well-connected or exceptionally knowledgeable lineage would have such specific guidance ready for a six-year-old reaching their first bottleneck. And considering Xiao Wu's lack of knowledge of the outside world, she might be the beloved young miss of the family
"Your family," Tang San said slowly, choosing his words carefully as they walked towards the return cart. "They sound… very knowledgeable. And supportive." He placed Liu Xian's heavy tome down gently.
"Since they already have your path planned," he continued, a thoughtful look in his eyes, "and since they must be powerful to give such clear advice… could they perhaps help you obtain your spirit ring soon?" He met her gaze directly.
"If you were to get your ring first, with their help, you'd be much stronger. Strong enough," he added meaningfully, "to safely help me find and secure the right plant spirit beast in the forest. A partnership. You get your power boost with your family's aid, then we use that strength to find mine."
It was practical, logical, and leveraged Xiao Wu's claimed advantage for mutual benefit. He wasn't asking for charity; he was proposing teamwork based on their respective situations. If her family was as capable as she implied, securing a suitable first ring for her should be straightforward, making her an invaluable asset for his own, more research-dependent hunt.
Xiao Wu stared at him, her mouth forming a small 'o'. The idea clearly hadn't occurred to her. Her "family," of course, was the 100,000-year-old Titan Er Ming and 100,000-year-old Bull python Da Ming.
Getting a "ring" meant selecting a beast whose energy wouldn't conflict with her own true nature, something she could manage instinctively. Tang San's assumption about a powerful human family was completely off track.
Help him after I 'get my ring'? She thought rapidly. Well… I was planning to slip away soon to handle that anyway… And if I come back 'stronger,' it makes sense I could help him better… Plus, it gets us into the forest faster!
A brilliant smile spread across her face. "Brother San! That's a great idea!" she declared, perhaps a little too loudly, earning another shush from the librarian. She lowered her voice to an excited whisper.
"Super smart! Yeah, my family can definitely help me get my ring super quick! Like, really quick! Maybe…" She tapped her chin dramatically, eyes gleaming with mischief and genuine enthusiasm for the plan. "...maybe I'll go see them tomorrow! Then, when I come back super strong, we can go straight into the forest and find your perfect plant! Deal?"
She stuck out her hand, bouncing on the balls of her feet. The sun was nearly down, casting the library in deep amber light, but Xiao Wu seemed lit from within by the prospect of action and fulfilling her role as the now-officially-designated "big sister" protector.
Tang San looked at her outstretched hand, then back at her eager face. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and her quick agreement confirmed his suspicion about her family's resources. It was a good plan. Efficient.
"Deal," he agreed, clasping her hand firmly. "Get your ring quickly and safely, Xiao Wu," he said as Xiao Wu bounced away out of the library.
"Now, I can research in peace." Tang San mumbled as he was now alone in the library.