On the college lawn, Xiaotian took off his shirt, revealing his strong muscles. He picked up the iron sword and began swinging it with focused intensity.
"Ah! Why did you suddenly take off your clothes?!" Xiao Wu cried out in surprise, her cheeks flushing as she covered her eyes with delicate hands. Yet, due to curiosity, two slits of her eyes peeked through.
Xiaotian smiled. "Xiao Wu, haven't you heard the phrase 'sweating like rain'?"
"You're not thinking some dirty thoughts in that little head of yours, are you? When practicing swordplay, taking off your shirt helps with smoothness."
"Who, who, who—the only thing in my head is innocence! I'm only six years old! What bad ideas could I possibly have?"
Xiao Wu didn't buy the excuse. She felt it was pure nonsense.
Xiaotian was obviously the type who looked thin when dressed but had muscles underneath. Though only six, his entire body looked exceptionally powerful.
He chuckled quietly. What six-year-old girl? Among Soft Bone Rabbits, Xiao Wu was like the Blue Silver Emperor among Blue Silver Grasses—a top-tier talent cultivated over tens of thousands of years.
Even so, Xiao Wu was still pretending to be innocent here—hilarious.
Maybe after years in the Star Dou Great Forest, Xiao Wu was somewhat naïve compared to humans, but she had a mother to guide her and surely had some understandings about such matters.
Determined not to be outdone, Xiao Wu sat down and began practicing.
Though she couldn't openly condense soul power beside Xiaotian, she diligently cultivated.
Gradually evening fell, painting the sky in a beautiful sunset glow.
Gu Gu Gu~~
After an entire afternoon of practice, Xiao Wu's stomach growled loudly. Opening her eyes, she found Xiaotian still frozen in his sword-swinging posture, his upper body drenched in sweat and gleaming under the setting sun.
"Xiaotian, have you been swinging your sword like this the whole time? How long has it been?"
Startled back to reality by her voice, Xiaotian realized he had entered a state where fatigue vanished no matter how hard he swung—he felt incredible!
"Ah? It's normal. I've been practicing with a wooden sword as long as I can remember, even sleeping with it in my arms."
Wiping sweat from his hands, Xiaotian grabbed a towel from the lawn to freshen up and then put his shirt back on—this helped reduce body odor, a benefit of practicing without clothes.
Xiao Wu was shocked to hear this. No wonder his upper body was so well-shaped. She felt a bit reluctant to see him clad again.
"Come on, it's getting late. Let's eat before your stomach protests more."
Xiaotian laughed playfully and headed toward the cafeteria.
"Aren't you hungry too?" Xiao Wu muttered under her breath as she followed.
Unfortunately, on the road, they ran into Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
The system warned Tang San about his presence as usual but had no reaction to the Jade Jar Yu Xiaogang carried.
"Hey, Tang San, what a coincidence," Xiaotian greeted politely, preparing to pass by.
But Yu Xiaogang stopped him firmly. "Wait, your name is Xiaotian, right? Xiao San mentioned your sword spirit has spirituality. Show it to me."
"Are we familiar?" Xiaotian asked, his gaze calm but questioning the purpose of the small jade jar.
Yu Xiaogang's face tightened, questioning if Tang San's words about Xiaotian being difficult were true.
Tang San frowned, displeased, "Xiaotian, how do you talk to my teacher like that?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded approvingly at Tang San's defense, then waved a hand. "It's okay; it's normal Xiao Tian wouldn't know me."
He smiled kindly, or so he thought. "I'm Yu Xiaogang, the continent's number one theoretical master. You're only the second person I've seen with a martial soul that has spirituality. I'm interested. Show me your martial soul."
"If you truly have spirituality and your innate power is at least level five, I might make an exception and accept you as a registered disciple. What do you say? I'm selective—Xiao San is my only closed disciple now and forever."
Xiaotian: ???
Not even called a buddy?
"Are you crazy?"
Xiaotian suspected Yu Xiaogang had serious narcissistic tendencies. Was the number one theoretical master really that powerful? More like a joke!
"Okay," Xiaotian said simply and ignored him, walking straight to the cafeteria.
After practicing sword all afternoon, Xiaotian was starving.
If you're not actively doing things, your thinking is wrong!
Xiao Wu glanced indifferently at the two and quickly followed Xiaotian. She understood his attitude—because she was hungry too!
Didn't these two know what cafeterias were for?
Yu Xiaogang's face froze again. He lost the previously kind expression, replaced by growing dissatisfaction.
"Stop! Xiaotian, what's with your attitude?"
Tang San asked with cold eyes.
Xiaotian stopped, feeling helpless. He wanted to keep a low profile, but others wouldn't let him.
His eyes drooped, and a faint sword intent radiated from his body.
[Warning! Warning! Tang Hao is nearby. Keep a low profile! Don't cause trouble! I don't want to change hosts so soon—it ruins my performance!]
Tang San immediately stared at Xiaotian warily as his aura shifted.
"Hey, master, don't be annoying! Don't you know what time it is? We're headed to the cafeteria. If we go later, the food will be gone. Why ask now?"
Before Xiaotian could respond, Xiao Wu burst out first, "This master is just like Tang San—so annoying!"
After that, she grabbed Xiaotian's hand and dashed toward the cafeteria.
Because of Yu Xiaogang and the others' interference, the path was practically deserted and they were running late.
For her own dinner, Xiao Wu cared about nothing else as she pulled Xiaotian along.
Xiaotian was a little stunned looking at her. "Hey, Xiao Wu, shouldn't you hate me a bit after all this? But you're still defending me?"
After running a short distance, Xiao Wu let go of his hand, her face flushed as she caught her breath. "When did I ever say I hate you?"
P.S. In this chapter, Xiaotian's indifferent response to Yu Xiaogang's narcissistic proposal highlights his determination to focus on cultivation, while Xiao Wu's loyal companionship strengthens their bond. The playful interactions and rising tensions from academy politics set the stage for bigger challenges ahead.
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