"Are there any fresh carrots here?" Xiao Wu asked Wang Sheng.
"It seems there aren't any on the first floor. I wonder if there are any on the second floor."
"Then let's go to the second floor!"
Wang Sheng scratched his head sheepishly. "Sister Xiao Wu, things on the second floor are very expensive. Let's wait until we get our part-time jobs and receive our wages before going."
"Wang Sheng is right. The second floor is not a place for poor bastards like you."
Suddenly, an arrogant voice came from the second floor. Looking up, a group of brightly dressed teenagers were coming down the stairs.
Looking down at Ye Qiu and the others, they said, "How about this? I'll treat you to this meal. I'll treat you to my leftovers, how about that?"
"Hahaha!" The mocking voice made the others laugh.
"Sister Xiao Wu, these are the school's elite students, Ling Feng and Liu Long." Wang Sheng stood there, angry but not daring to speak, and quietly reported to Sister Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu didn't care who they were; she couldn't stand this rudeness. "Hey! Are you looking for a beating?!"
Ling Feng's eyes lit up. "Oh, I didn't expect there to be a cute little loli among this year's work-study students! Too bad she's just a lowly poor wretch."
"You're really asking for a beating!" Xiao Wu leaped up the steps and raised her hand to slap the man.
"Shield Martial Soul, Guard!" A shield was summoned, blocking Xiao Wu's slap.
Liu Long, who was standing nearby, also suddenly made a move.
"Martial Staff, Go!" A wooden staff swept towards Xiao Wu, who hadn't even reacted yet.
"Snap!" Ye Qiu made a move, gathering his soul power in his palm to block Liu Long's attack.
'Hiss~ That hurts! The opponent's soul power is several levels higher than mine.' Ye Qiu clenched his fist tightly behind his back.
The martial staff swung again .
"Xiao Qiu!" Xiao Wu also reacted, feeling a little angry.
Ye Qiu's eyes, hidden by black silk, revealed a faint, almost imperceptible red light; the Sharingan's genjutsu was ready to be unleashed!
"Slap!" Unexpectedly, this time, Tang San grabbed Liu Long's stick. As the two were locked in a stalemate, a piece of Blue Silver Grass struck Liu Long in the eye. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Tang San delivered an elbow strike, knocking him down.
"Slap!" Another sound came from the side. Xiao Wu's slap had broken through the armor shield of her martial soul, landing on Ling Feng's face and knocking him down the stairs.
"You lowly commoners, how dare you hit me! I bet the school would be happy to expel some of you!"
Ling Feng covered his face, glaring fiercely at Xiao Wu, Tang San, and the others standing above.
Xiao Wu ignored him and quickly ran to Ye Qiu's side. "Xiao Qiu, are you alright?" she asked, reaching for his hand to check.
"I'm fine," Ye Qiu said, turning away from her hand.
Xiao Wu frowned, looking at him with confusion and disappointment in her eyes.
Tang San also looked at Ye Qiu; he felt that Ye Qiu's technique just now bore a resemblance to the Tang Sect's grappling techniques.
Realizing what was happening, Wang Sheng grabbed Ling Feng by the collar, ready to punch him. "You bastard, you dare—"
"Stop!"
A stern voice stopped him.
"Master!" The students on both sides looked at the newcomer.
"Private fights are not allowed on campus, don't you know that?"
"They clearly started this!" Xiao Wu shouted at Yu Xiaogang.
But Yu Xiaogang only ignored her, glancing at her before turning his back on her.
"Xiao San, remember what I said, come with me the day after tomorrow."
"Understood, teacher!" Tang San respectfully replied.
"Want to come up to the second floor with me?"
Faced with Yu Xiaogang's invitation, Tang San glanced at Xiao Wu, then shook his head. "No, I'll stay with my roommates."
"Hmm, not being unconventional is good!" Yu Xiaogang nodded. He was extremely satisfied with this genius disciple with twin martial souls. He had a feeling that Tang San would be a golden brand for him to prove his abilities to the world!
"You can all leave now!" After saying that, Grandmaster calmly walked upstairs.
Ling Feng, Liu Long, and the others left after uttering some harsh words.
Watching Grandmaster's departing figure, Xiao Wu gritted her teeth. "What kind of master is this expressionless guy? Humph!"
"Sister Xiao Wu, keep your voice down. He's a teacher at the school, even if he doesn't teach." Wang Sheng quickly told Xiao Wu to stop.
"By the way, did Third Brother really become his disciple?" Wang Sheng looked at Tang San.
"Hmm, how could that be false!"
"Grandmaster's reputation isn't very good. I heard he was expelled from Spirit City for deceiving the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall. It seems the title of 'Grandmaster' is just something he embellished himself, and he's been freeloading here ever since."
Faced with Wang Sheng's well-intentioned reminder, Tang San's eyes widened, a cold glint flashing within them, intimidating Wang Sheng. "I hope this is the first and last time. My teacher is not for you to judge!"
"Hehe... Sorry!" The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Ye Qiu frowned, sensing something amiss with Wang Sheng's words, which differed greatly from what he knew.
Had the Spirit Hall lost all shame? How could Yu Xiaogang's deception of the Holy Maiden become such a public spectacle? Weren't Grandmaster's theories and titles spread with Bibi Dong's help? How did they become self-proclaimed?
Taking advantage of Ye Qiu's inattention, Xiao Wu swiftly took his hand, her palm slightly bluish, and gently squeezed it.
Tang San, already in a bad mood because of Wang Sheng's words, felt even more uncomfortable seeing this.
"You guys eat, I have something to discuss with the teacher," he said, turning to leave.
"Xiao Wu, what are you doing?" Ye Qiu, snapping out of his daze, tried to pull his hand back, but failed; the silly rabbit had already grabbed his arm.
"Sister Xiao Wu said she'd protect you, of course I have to check if you're hurt!" Xiao Wu pouted, pouting.
During the tug-of-war, he caught a glimpse of Tang San's back and wondered. "Huh, why did Xiao San leave?"
"Maybe I said something wrong. Third Brother said he needs to see Master." Wang Sheng scratched his head; he was just stating the facts. "How about I treat you this time?"
"Okay, okay!"
What's politeness? Xiao Wu didn't know, and pulled Ye Qiu to get food.
Ye Qiu turned back, "Thank you then!"
"No problem, no problem."
...
The next day,
Tang San asked for leave to look for work. Ye Qiu knew he was preparing for Soul Hunting and would also use his Chaotic Cloak at the blacksmith shop.
"Tang San," Ye Qiu called out to him, "Thank you so much for your help yesterday, otherwise I would have been in serious trouble."
"You're welcome. I just didn't want to see Xiao Wu get hurt." Tang San nodded and prepared to leave.
"How about we go find work together? I want to earn more money too."
Tang San was silent for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement, "Okay!"
Afterwards, the two went to a blacksmith's shop together.
Watching Tang San sweating profusely among a group of grown men, Ye Qiu, who had already activated his Sharingan, smiled slightly. 'This trip was worthwhile!'
During the forging process, Tang San not only used the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique but also the Mysterious Jade Hand.
Ye Qiu observed his movements, his soul power operation, and everything else!
(End of Chapter)