Old title: "Plans and Partnerships"
In Chu Tianxiu's heart, he knew that his path would never align with Tang San's or Yu Xiaogang's. Though Tang San was the destined protagonist of this world, Chu Tianxiu held a monumental advantage: he knew every one of Tang San's future opportunities. By seizing them first, he could suppress Tang San's growth entirely.
Therefore, when Sisi asked if he wished to join the Spirit Hall, Chu Tianxiu agreed without hesitation.
A plan was already forming in his mind. His display of prodigious talent would soon reach the Spirit Hall's higher echelons. Before Tang San's emergence, he was the second person on the continent—after Bibi Dong herself—to possess twin martial souls, and his were uniquely fused into one. Given Bibi Dong's character, she would never let such a genius slip away. Within a month, he estimated, envoys from the Spirit Hall headquarters would arrive to escort him there. Only within the heart of the Spirit Hall could his grander schemes unfold.
However, he needed a spy in Notting City to keep watch on Yu Xiaogang and the yet-to-appear Tang San. His initial target had been Su Yuntao, the "ultimate tool person," but he reconsidered. A man who had been strung along by a woman for so long lacked the necessary cunning.
Sisi, on the other hand, was different. Though her soul power was weaker, her shrewdness was evident. She had Su Yuntao wrapped around her finger and had immediately switched to a fawning attitude upon witnessing Chu Tianxiu's power. She was ambitious and easily controlled, as long as he remained strong.
After registering for his soul master certificate, Chu Tianxiu looked up at Sisi with wide, innocent eyes. "Sister Sisi, I have a secret to tell you. Can we talk in private?"
Looking at his doll-like face, Sisi smiled. "Little brother, you have secrets for your sister? Of course! Come, let's go to my room." Without another word, she picked him up and carried him toward her private quarters in the Spirit Hall branch.
Su Yuntao watched, his face green with envy. He hadn't even been allowed past her doorway, and now this child was being welcomed inside.
Chu Tianxiu glanced back at "Brother Tao's" expression and couldn't help but recall an adage from his past life: What you can't get, others discard without a thought.
Don't worry, Brother Tao, he thought wryly. I'll take good care of your crush.
Once inside Sisi's pink, girlish room, she set him down. "Well, little brother? What did you want to tell me?"
"Sister, I've discovered another use for my martial soul," he said, pausing deliberately to build anticipation.
Sisi's curiosity was piqued. "Oh? What is it?"
"It seems I can absorb the soul power and attributes from soul beasts and use that energy to nurture other people's martial souls. Given enough time, I might even be able to trigger a martial soul evolution." He watched her face flush with excitement and continued his enticement. "With your talent, Sister Sisi, you could truly benefit from this ability." He gave her a knowing wink.
Sisi was nearly breathless with anticipation. She knew her own situation all too well. Her martial soul, the Thorned Datura, was only slightly superior to a common Datura flower. She was an 18th-level Soul Master, and her hundred-year soul ring had come from a luckily encountered, non-aggressive plant soul beast. Her first soul skill, "Resilience," was purely defensive and weak. She had no offensive power, which was why she clung to Su Yuntao's promises.
But now, a sliver of hope had appeared.
"How can you help me, little brother?" she asked directly.
Chu Tianxiu smiled. "Sister, you know my talent will alarm the Spirit Hall. The soul master who helped awaken me will surely be promoted. I heard the branch bishop here is retiring soon. I think you are perfectly suited for the position."
Sisi swallowed hard. "As long as you can help me with these two things, I will listen to you from now on." She had already calculated the benefits. Tying herself to this golden thigh while he was still young promised a far brighter future than her ambiguous relationship with Su Yuntao ever could.
"It's simple," Chu Tianxiu said. "Do one thing for me, and tomorrow I will take you to the Soul Beast Forest to find a suitable soul beast to nurture your martial soul."
"Anything! Please, tell me," Sisi urged, her expression eager.
"I need you to keep a close eye on Grandmaster and anyone close to him while I'm at the Spirit Hall. If anything seems unusual, send word to me immediately."
Though she didn't understand why he wanted her to monitor that good-for-nothing, Sisi agreed without hesitation. "Okay, I'll watch him for you, little brother."
"Then it's settled. Let's prepare supplies and head to the Soul Beast Forest tomorrow."
The two exited the room to find Su Yuntao speaking obsequiously to a kind-faced old man at the entrance—Bishop Matthew. Yu Xiaogang had already departed.
Upon seeing them, Su Yuntao began, "Little brother, this is—"
Before he could finish, Matthew stepped forward and grasped Chu Tianxiu's hand warmly. "Child, I've heard about your martial soul from Xiao Tao. Your talent is unparalleled in the history of our Spirit Hall. Will you join us?"
"I will," Chu Tianxiu stated firmly.
Matthew was elated. "Excellent! With your talent, you are destined for the headquarters. I will submit your information immediately. They will send someone for you within the month. Your future is limitless!" Discovering such a genius just before his retirement was a windfall; it would surely boost his own retirement benefits.
Noting how Chu Tianxiu clung to Sisi, Matthew was happy to grant a favor. "Sisi, for discovering this genius for the Spirit Hall, you have rendered great service. Cultivate diligently, and you have a strong chance of succeeding me after I retire." The implication was clear: reach the second ring, and the position was hers. "Now, it's getting late. You should take young brother Tianxiu to rest."