"Weren't you the one who told me to let go of you? And now you're randomly groping me... You stupid lecherous rabbit."
Ye Qiu released his Martial Soul Possession, squatted down, and looked at Xiao Wu with an innocent and accusatory expression.
"I-I wasn't groping! I'm not stupid! Clearly, you're the one acting like a pervert—you even kissed me!"
Xiao Wu pouted, frowning as she tugged on Ye Qiu's collar and snuggled into his chest.
"Help me up."
"Alright then."
Ye Qiu smiled and nodded, once again scooping her up by the waist. As expected of the Soft-Boned Rabbit—her body was incredibly soft, with a pleasant fragrance.
"I-I asked you to pull me up, not carry me." Xiao Wu said shyly.
"Then I'll put you down now—"
"No! You're not allowed to put me down!"
As soon as Xiao Wu heard that, she immediately clung tightly to Ye Qiu's neck, afraid her butt would suffer again.
"You said it yourself."
Ye Qiu chuckled softly. Looking at the still slightly flustered and delicate little rabbit in his arms, he couldn't help but feel protective toward her.
Xiao Wu lowered her eyes and whispered, "W-why are you looking at me like that?"
"What if… I want to bite you again?"
Ye Qiu murmured and lowered his head closer to Xiao Wu's pretty face.
"What?! No way. Even if I lost, that doesn't mean you can bully me like that! The other 'Xiao Wu Sisters' might listen to you, but you're not allowed to kiss me anymore!"
Xiao Wu bit her lip, raised her hand to push Ye Qiu's face away, and looked at him seriously—tears shimmering in her eyes.
"Haha. Alright, alright. I was just teasing you. Don't look at me like that, so pitiful. Don't worry, I won't bully you like that again."
Ye Qiu laughed and nodded.
There was still plenty of time in the future—he wasn't in a hurry. As long as Xiao Wu didn't get too close to Tang San, everything would be fine.
He had secretly joined the Spirit Hall precisely because he knew that in order to protect Xiao Wu, there was no way he'd remain on good terms with Tang Hao and his son.
As for why Tang Hao allowed him to get close to Xiao Wu… Maybe he was just confident in his own strength, or maybe he was hiding some other sinister plan.
Getting Ye Qiu's assurance, Xiao Wu finally felt a bit relieved. She quietly lay in his arms and shyly clutched his shoulder.
Ye Qiu carried her as he slowly walked toward Dorm Seven.
"By the way, Ye Qiu, how do you know my Soft Skills? Even my soul skills—you know those too?"
Xiao Wu looked at Ye Qiu in surprise.
"Hold my hand!" Ye Qiu didn't bother explaining and let her see for herself.
Xiao Wu hesitated for a moment, then interlocked fingers with him. Soon, Ye Qiu's memories flowed into her mind. After realizing what his ability was, she stared at him in a daze, unable to react for a long time.
"Well? From now on, whatever you can do, I can do too. You'll never beat me again." Ye Qiu looked down at the dazed Xiao Wu in his arms, feeling quite smug.
Upon hearing that, Xiao Wu's expression changed.
"Hmph! Then I just won't let you copy my soul skills in the future!"
"But didn't you promise earlier that as long as I didn't bully you, you'd listen to everything I said? Are you going back on your word?" Ye Qiu stopped walking and looked at her steadily, his face expressionless and eyes calm like still water.
"I-I'm not lying!" Xiao Wu panicked a little and quickly said, "I'll cooperate with you."
"Is that so? That's good. Looks like I can 'eat you' for a lifetime with this secret."
Ye Qiu smirked evilly, gently kneading the soft hand in his palm with confidence on his face.
"F-For a lifetime?!"
Xiao Wu panicked and tried to pull her hand back, but Ye Qiu held it tightly. All she could do was glare at him while grinding her teeth.
Ye Qiu secretly laughed to himself.
The current Xiao Wu really was innocent and adorable. Aside from a bit of beast-like behavior nurtured in the forest, she was very likable.
He liked her just the way she was. If she knew her identity had already been exposed to a Title Douluo, she probably wouldn't be acting so carefree anymore.
Soon, Ye Qiu carried Xiao Wu back to Dorm Seven.
Some people had already finished cultivating and were getting ready to sleep.
Xiao Wu quickly tried to jump down from Ye Qiu's arms, but… Ye Qiu had no intention of letting her go that easily.
"Ye Qiu, what's wrong with Xiao Wu?"
Tang San had finished his cultivation temporarily. When he saw Xiao Wu blushing in Ye Qiu's arms, his heart stirred slightly—she really was quite lovable.
"Nothing much. She just fell during a sparring session."
Ye Qiu answered truthfully.
Xiao Wu buried her head into his chest—those meaningful looks from others made her feel overwhelmed.
"Ah—Ye Qiu!"
When they got to their beds, Ye Qiu casually tossed Xiao Wu onto the bed next to his.
Xiao Wu rolled twice on the bed, her beautiful eyes filled with shyness and resentment as she glared at Ye Qiu.
Tang San, seeing all this, looked at Ye Qiu strangely. Such a cute girl—how could he treat her so roughly? Shouldn't he handle her more gently?
"Ahh~"
Ye Qiu ignored her. He flopped onto his own bed with a satisfied groan and didn't speak for a long while.
"What are you groaning about? I'm tired too, you know."
"Xiao Wu never asked you to carry me!"
Xiao Wu's face flushed with anger, still keeping up her 'big sister' image. She couldn't lose face in front of her little brothers.
"Alright, just go take another shower, or else you're not allowed to use the blanket tonight."
Ye Qiu turned to the side, propped his head up with one hand, and waved her off like he was dismissing someone.
"Fine! Tomorrow I'll go buy myself a new blanket."
Xiao Wu had already registered as a soul master and received a gold soul coin. She was now a 'wealthy rabbit'.
"That's perfect. I'm tired of waking up in the middle of the night because you keep kicking me."
Ye Qiu waved his hand indifferently. Though it was nice holding her—soft and fragrant—but he couldn't stand how much she kicked in her sleep.
"You—!"
Xiao Wu blushed with anger, huffing and puffing.
"Then I'm not buying one anymore. I'll kick you to death tonight!"
With that, she made a face at Ye Qiu, grabbed her change of clothes, and stormed out of Dorm Seven.
Watching Xiao Wu huff and leave, Ye Qiu stretched lazily. Lying on his bed, he began thinking about how to spend the next few years at Nuoding Academy.
When should he make a move to snatch the Immortal Herbs?
Whom should he find for his future soul skills?
And when would be the right time to report Tang Hao and his son—without exposing Xiao Wu's identity to others?
Ye Qiu definitely didn't want the first target of his first soul skill to be ruined that would really hurt.
"Hm? Xiao San, do you need something?" Ye Qiu looked curiously at Tang San as he walked over.