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**
"What's with that look? What's with that expression?"
"Abhor me! Hate me, Xiao Wu!"
"Ah, yes, yes, yes! Xiao Wu, that's the look. Treat me like your mortal enemy."
Early the next morning, Xiao Lin dragged Tang San and the others into a "grind" session of cultivation. Currently, Xiao Lin was "training" Xiao Wu, molding her into a powerful Trinity-style Agility Attack System Soul Master—a master of high-speed assassination.
Watching Xiao Wu glare at him with reddened eyes, her willow-leaf brows furrowed and her tight little face full of resentment, Xiao Lin finally felt a modicum of satisfaction.
"Keep that expression," Xiao Lin praised once more, urging her to maintain it.
According to Xiao Lin's vision, Xiao Wu's current hateful state was highly beneficial for cultivation. It would make her strikes decisive, fluid, and straightforward.
This was Xiao Lin's first concept: Killing Intent Xiao Wu.
Xiao Lin's second concept, naturally, would involve the speed and enchantment of lightning once she obtained her second Soul Ring. This version, skilled in sharp, fierce strikes, would be Clear Sky Xiao Wu (Xiao Wu with her IQ actually online).
The third concept involved using her teleportation soul skill to maintain vigilance over all things—striking when necessary and retreating when called for.
This would be Go-Home Xiao Wu.
The Trinity of Xiao Wu—purely for combat.
Xiao Lin knew very well that Xiao Wu was fundamentally different from him. If Xiao Lin was a "stat monster," Xiao Wu had to go the route of a "mechanics monster."
The Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul was simply too weak.
So weak, in fact, that if Xiao Wu didn't have a few "bugged" soul skills, she wouldn't even be worthy of fighting alongside the Shrek Seven Devils of the original timeline. Since Xiao Wu possessed such powerful, bug-like mechanics, she had to utilize them effectively.
She couldn't keep relying on the useless Waist Bow and Seduction like she did originally.
"Good. Keep it up. Xiao Wu, continue your training," Xiao Lin nodded approvingly, sending her back to her drills while he headed toward Tang San.
"Little San, you've taught Xiao Wu quite a lot!" Xiao Lin said as he reached Tang San's side.
"Indeed." Tang San smiled slightly.
He had taught Xiao Wu some techniques regarding body flexibility, as well as some "Listening to Position" and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps techniques.
However, Tang San wasn't ready to teach her the more advanced secrets yet.
After all, Xiao Wu had only barely entered their small circle.
The two of them watched Xiao Wu train while chatting casually.
"I'm going out alone later to submit a paper. Keep an eye on her training and don't let her slack off," Xiao Lin said, causing Tang San to turn and stare at him in surprise.
"Alright."
Tang San didn't ask why Xiao Lin didn't need a disguise this time; he simply trusted Xiao Lin's wisdom.
"Oh, one more thing."
Xiao Lin suddenly remembered something important.
His brow furrowed, and Tang San, noticing the rare gravity in Xiao Lin's expression, also became serious.
"Little San, if... and I mean if..."
"If my theoretical research is correct, but it might involve a certain amount of danger for you, what would you think?"
"This..." Xiao Lin's words made Tang San fall silent.
He wasn't silent because of the danger.
Given his personality, he naturally trusted Xiao Lin's research. In the original timeline, Tang San was willing to experiment with Yu Xiaogang's most ridiculous theories; he was certainly willing to do the same for Xiao Lin.
Tang San was simply worried that Xiao Lin was researching something taboo or unethical.
Xiao Lin couldn't be turning into a mad scientist, could he? Like that elder in the Tang Sect who loved refining poisonous pills and ended up becoming neither human nor ghost.
In that brief instant, such a thought flashed through Tang San's mind.
"It's fine, as long as you don't go overboard..."
"Nice! Great! Little San, I knew you'd trust me."
Xiao Lin looked delighted.
He glanced around for a long time to ensure no one else was nearby before whispering into Tang San's ear.
"Yesterday, and while reading a few days ago, I came up with a peculiar hypothesis. Tell me, why are the Soul Bones dropped by Soul Beasts all perfectly adapted for humans?"
"..."
Tang San didn't answer immediately.
His mind couldn't quite process the implication.
It was a terrifying thought.
"This? This... I..."
In the end, Tang San couldn't form a hypothesis.
He could only stare at Xiao Lin, wanting to hear the answer.
"I suspect... perhaps the Soul Beasts of this world were originally human."
"Or perhaps they originally carried human bloodlines."
Xiao Lin spoke in a low, eerie voice, causing Tang San's eyes to widen in shock.
Waves of shock crashed through Tang San's heart. Soul Beasts are humans?
"Otherwise, why can Soul Beasts transform into human forms? Otherwise, why do human Soul Masters with Soul Bones also drop them upon death?"
Xiao Lin's voice trailed off, leaving Tang San standing there in a daze.
"Ouch!"
Just then, Xiao Wu, who was training in the distance, stumbled and fell.
An unsharpened short sword forged by Tang San plunged into the grass.
"Xiao Wu, what are you doing? Getting distracted during training? Are you practicing the 'Flustered Sword Technique'?"
Seeing this, Xiao Lin immediately rushed over and gave her a "rabbit-head" flick.
The pain made Xiao Wu tear up in grievance.
It's clearly because you were saying all those crazy things!
Xiao Wu felt wronged, but she couldn't say it.
She could only hold her head and play the victim.
"Hmph. If I come back and you're still training like this, I'll pummel you."
Xiao Lin snorted and headed toward the Nuoding Academy gate.
The goal of purposely mentioning that hypothesis was perfectly achieved. Testing Xiao Wu was a complete success, and Tang San being shocked by the theory was well within Xiao Lin's expectations.
With Tang San's personality, he wouldn't really care what the deal was with Soul Beasts. He was a Tang Sect disciple; why would he care if Soul Beasts had human blood? He would recover quickly.
As for Xiao Wu, she was indeed extraordinary—she could overhear their private whispers.
That Rogue Rabbit isn't training properly; she's eavesdropping.
Xiao Lin realized there were some things he couldn't discuss with Tang San anymore to avoid Xiao Wu hearing them. At least, not until she officially entered their circle—perhaps by becoming their sister.
Only then would Xiao Lin give her the clearance to know about his Martial Soul research. Furthermore, Xiao Lin needed to find a secret base with Tang San that no one else knew about.
Writing papers in Room Seven was too dangerous and prone to exposure.
Xiao Wu was too impulsive and clumsy; even simple chatting could lead to trouble.
Leaving Nuoding Academy, Xiao Lin went to Spirit Hall to borrow new books.
As he walked out, he "borrowed"—no, "appropriated"—a Spirit Hall postage stamp. Xiao Lin figured that since he wasn't collecting royalties for this paper, taking a stamp wasn't asking too much. He stuck the stamp on his paper and addressed it to Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall.
Then, on separate pages of his manuscript, he noted that the twelve-page paper was being distributed simultaneously to various Advanced Academies, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
In the copy sent to Bibi Dong, the text ended right after the example insulting Yu Xiaogang. If Bibi Dong wanted to know if there was more insults or what the actual conclusion was, she would have to collect the rest from the other institutions.
When that happened, a major event would surely sweep the continent. Whether it led to conflict or a peaceful resolution, those who possessed the paper would likely end up knowing the full content.
Xiao Lin also noted at the bottom of the paper: "If you do not publish it, the author will pay for publication himself."
He was effectively forcing Spirit Hall, the academies, or the sects to publish it.
This was called "making as many friends as possible." With so many people involved, Xiao Lin truly didn't believe not a single one of them would publish it.
**
Hello everyone,
Thank you for your support! If you enjoy my work, you can check out my Patreon—there are 10 free chapters available, plus early access and exclusive content. I update 5 advanced chapter from Monday-Saturday
www.patreon.com/c/FanficTranslator
I truly appreciate it!