Chapter 32: Xiao Wu, Don't Turn Around — I'm Your Brother San
Because Tang Hao wasn't in Holy Soul Village, Tang San and Xiao Wu didn't stay there long. The very next day, they returned to Nuoding City.
For Tang San, being in Nuoding City was far more advantageous. He could work part-time at Old Shi San's blacksmith shop, using leftover materials to forge hidden weapons, and also receive direct
instruction from Yu Xiaogang. Compared to the quiet Holy Soul Village, life here was both fulfilling and productive.
That morning, Tang San was hammering away at a block of iron, practicing his Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique. The rhythmic sound of metal striking metal echoed across the forge.
Suddenly, he paused mid-swing, frowning slightly as he glanced toward the entrance.
"Strange… I could've sworn someone was watching me just now."
His eyes swept over the surroundings—no one was in sight.
"Could it be Uncle Shi San trying to learn the hammer technique?"
Tang San glanced at the old blacksmith, who was focused on his own work, showing no sign of spying.
"Forget it. A true legacy can be passed in a single sentence; a false one fills volumes and teaches nothing. Even if someone watches, they can't really learn it."
Smiling faintly, Tang San resumed hammering. The red-hot metal gradually refined from rough iron into fine steel.
Half a year ago, when he'd just begun learning this forging technique, it would take him months to complete such a refinement. Now, he could do it within a few days.
His skill improvement had doubled his wages—from one silver coin to five per day—and he could freely use leftover scraps to craft hidden weapons.
It was a simple life, but Tang San was content.
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Unnoticed by him, in the shadowed corner outside the forge, Qi Tian turned and walked toward Nuoding Academy.
"Since Tang San's here, I can safely go find Xiao Wu now."
Instead of using the main gate, Qi Tian slipped into the academy from the back mountain path, avoiding unnecessary attention as he made his way straight to the dormitory building.
At the doorway of Dorm 7, he paused.
Inside, Xiao Wu was the only one present—lounging on her bed, idly passing the time.
Most of the other work-study students had taken advantage of the vacation to find part-time jobs and earn some extra money.
Xiao Wu, however, was a transformed soul beast. In her juvenile stage, she didn't need cultivation—simply absorbing human vitality was enough to slowly unseal her powers.
Only after reaching her mature stage would she become a true human, able to cultivate like any other Soul Master.
That left her days rather dull whenever Tang San wasn't around. She didn't feel like working, and she still owed Tang San six or seven silver coins she hadn't paid back.
Qi Tian's lips curved slightly. With a thought, his first soul ring lit up, activating his skill — [Disguise].
In an instant, his appearance shifted into that of Tang San.
Xiao Wu sensed the faint ripple of soul power behind her. She glanced over her shoulder, spotting "Tang San" entering, and quickly turned back, pretending not to notice.
Sitting on her bed, she feigned boredom, her back to him.
Qi Tian quietly approached, step by step, until he stood right behind her—then suddenly reached out, covering her eyes from behind and wrapping his arms around her.
"Xiao Wu, guess who I am?"
Her heart skipped a beat, pounding uncontrollably.
'Could it be… my Brother San finally opened up a little?'
Her face flushed as she whispered shyly,
"Brother San, stop fooling around. Why are you back so early today? Was the blacksmith shop closed?"
Qi Tian smirked, keeping his voice calm.
"You guessed right. I am your Brother San. Now, can you guess what I'm going to do next?"
Xiao Wu's cheeks turned even redder.
"How should I know? You're not planning to… sleep with me, are you?"
Qi Tian froze mid-breath.
This rabbit… she's fast!
"Xiao Wu, what nonsense are you talking about!" he scolded lightly, even as he quietly unfastened the Silent Sleeve Dart strapped to her wrist.
She didn't notice his subtle movement, continuing to tease with a mischievous grin.
"Oh, I forgot—Brother San, you're still inexperienced. Do you need your Sister Xiao Wu to teach you?"
Qi Tian ignored her banter, swiftly finishing his task. The moment he slipped the weapon free, his Blue Silver Grass shot out, wrapping tightly around her body.
"Brother San, what are you doing?"
She looked back nervously, half-embarrassed, half-curious—thinking her "Brother San" might be trying out some strange new game.
At that moment, Qi Tian released his disguise. His face, voice, and aura returned to their original form.
"Xiao Wu… look carefully. Who do you think I am now?"
Her eyes widened in shock.
"You—?! Damn it, Qi Tian! It's you?!"
Xiao Wu's face burned bright red—she wanted to dig a hole and hide. Moments ago, she had acted so shamelessly in front of Qi Tian, mistaking him for Tang San.
She had thought Tang San had finally awakened to his feelings, and she'd even been about to… reward him! Only to realize that the person hugging her from behind wasn't her beloved "Brother San," but that damned Qi Tian.
"That was your soul skill?" she muttered, suddenly understanding.
What a sinister ability—to perfectly mimic someone's appearance and aura.
Even she, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, hadn't noticed the difference!
Qi Tian smirked.
"What? Just because I'm not Tang San, you won't teach me?"
"You—!"
Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed crimson with anger. She struggled to break free, but Qi Tian's Blue Silver Grass was no longer ordinary.
After absorbing the Mutant Illusion Poison Vine's soul ring, his Martial Soul had become thicker, darker, and laced with hallucinogenic venom.
As the toxin spread faintly through her system, Xiao Wu's limbs weakened—she found herself unable to summon the will to resist.
Her vision blurred. In her daze, it almost felt as if Tang San was beside her, speaking softly:
"Xiao Wu, do you still remember the Mysterious Heaven Skill I taught you before?"
She wasn't sure if she was truly poisoned or just pretending to be dazed—maybe both.
After all, feigning confusion could be useful later. If Tang San ever found out about this, she could always claim she'd been under the illusion poison's effect.
"I remember, Brother San," she murmured obediently.
Qi Tian smiled faintly.
"Good. Then recite it once—and demonstrate it for me."
"Alright."
Xiao Wu began explaining the cultivation method of the Mysterious Heaven Skill—the breathing patterns, the key meridian routes, and the crucial insights for opening internal channels.
Unfortunately for her, she could only speak the instructions; she couldn't use her soul power to conceal or falsify them.
Qi Tian memorized everything meticulously. Then, to verify her honesty, he scrambled the order and made her repeat it several more times.
When all the versions matched, he nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good. That'll do."
He turned, preparing to leave.
"Wait a minute!"
Xiao Wu suddenly snapped out of her daze. The poison wasn't deep—Qi Tian hadn't used much of it.
"What? You want to play with Brother San some more?" Qi Tian teased with a grin.
"Tch! You despicable man!" Xiao Wu glared. "Give me back the Silent Sleeve Dart! That was a gift from my Brother San!"
Qi Tian chuckled.
"Return it? Why bother? Can't Tang San just forge another one for you?"
Xiao Wu trembled with anger. She wanted nothing more than to claw his face off—but she dared not.
If Qi Tian had planted any lingering poison or illusion seed, retaliating could expose her secret. If her identity as a transformed soul beast were revealed, she would be hunted to death.
"Qi Tian, that dart was Tang San's first creation. He'll notice it's missing!"
"When I ask him for new hidden weapons, I'll get you another one. Alright?" she added, trying to negotiate.
Qi Tian laughed.
"You said it yourself—I didn't force you!"
He placed the Silent Sleeve Dart on the ground with a smirk, then turned and walked swiftly out of Dorm 7, leaving the academy behind.
The moment he left, the thick Blue Silver Grass restraining Xiao Wu dissolved into motes of light and vanished.
She stood up shakily, snatched the dart from the floor, and sat back down, trembling.
Her chest ached; frustration and humiliation welled up together until her eyes turned red. Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Just one semester living among humans, and she had fallen into such a pitiful state.
"Damn you, Qi Tian… if I don't avenge this humiliation, I'm not worthy of being called Sister Xiao Wu!"
She clenched her fists tightly.
"Once I reach the Deity Transformation Stage, I'll make you pay. I'll devour your Blue Silver Grass piece by piece and make you suffer slowly!"
Among transformed soul beasts, cultivation is divided into three stages:
- Juvenile Stage, where they rely on absorbing life force to survive.
- Mature Stage, when they can cultivate like humans.
- Deity Transformation Stage, where their original beast power returns, paving the way toward godhood.
Once she reached that level, even if her true identity as a soul beast were exposed, others would have to think twice before hunting her. Would a few soul bones be worth the risk of facing a near-divine beast?
Her tearful eyes hardened into determination.
"Just wait, Qi Tian… I'll make you regret ever crossing Xiao Wu."
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End of Chapter