"Ye Qiu, this book contains some techniques for cultivating soul power. I got it from the teacher—I hope it can help you."
Tang San didn't press the issue of how Ye Qiu addressed him. A faint glimmer flashed from the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night at his waist, and a thick book appeared in his hand. He weighed it briefly, then handed it over to Ye Qiu.
He even added, trying to draw Ye Qiu in: "For us commoners, having a guide is truly important. What you learn isn't just knowledge. Think it through—teacher really does have genuine skills."
"Oh? This is a soul power cultivation method?"
Ye Qiu automatically filtered out the unnecessary chatter from Tang San and took the book with mild interest. He quickly flipped through it and skimmed a few pages.
Unexpectedly, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang had written an entire dense volume just on cultivating soul power, which made Ye Qiu's head hurt.
Pa!
Ye Qiu smiled and closed the book, sat up, and responded with a grin: "Xiao San, thanks for your kind gesture. I'll seriously consider it."
"No need to be polite. After all, we come from the same village, and we're classmates too. Taking care of each other is only natural." Tang San smiled lightly. With Xuantian Technique backing him, the book was just filler, but for someone like Ye Qiu—an ordinary commoner—it was actually very valuable.
He also vaguely recalled his father Tang Hao's instructions before school: since Ye Qiu had injured Xiao Wu, he must be pretty strong and worth befriending.
"Oh, right—"
Tang San seemed to remember something else.
After all, this book was part of Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's personal academic research. As someone good at creating mechanisms for his hidden weapons, Tang San was no stranger to intellectual property. He wouldn't be careless about it.
So, he warned Ye Qiu, "You must not lose this book or spread it around. Of course, if Xiao Wu is interested, the two of you can read it together."
"Don't worry, I won't leak it. If Xiao Wu's curious, I'll show it to her."
Ye Qiu gave a faint smile.
Looks like being good-looking does get you special treatment no matter where you go.
"Alright then, I won't disturb your rest."
Watching Tang San return to his bed, Ye Qiu immediately flipped to the back of the thick book. He wasn't here to do academic research, and he didn't care about the theories or derivations Yu Xiaogang had written about the best soul power circulation routes.
He just wanted the end result.
Tang San sat on his bed, seeing Ye Qiu eagerly begin studying. He couldn't help but feel a bit pleased.
Since this world lacked a Tang Sect, maybe he could build his own. If that were the case… he definitely couldn't rely on himself alone.
Money wasn't a problem—selling hidden weapons and poison could easily make him rich. What he needed were people.
"..."
Tang San shook his head, clearing his mind.
It was too early to think about that. He still needed to further evaluate Ye Qiu's character.
Ye Qiu didn't care what Tang San was thinking. After memorizing the cultivation route, he immediately closed his eyes to try it out. But after just a few small circulation cycles, he curled his lips in disdain.
He opened his eyes and tossed the book toward Xiao Wu's side.
So much writing, and yet the conclusion wasn't even as practical as what he got directly from Xiao Wu.
Xuantian Technique still reigned supreme.
Ye Qiu discreetly glanced at Tang San, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, and scoffed to himself.
You tried to test me with this kind of trash?
Hmm?
Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow as a sudden idea popped into his head.
In terms of cultivation speed… he actually had a way to improve it further.
Thinking this, Ye Qiu turned around, rummaged through his bundle, and pulled out three carrot-flavored lollipops. Then he lay back on the bed, waiting for Xiao Wu to return.
At the same time, he couldn't help but feel smug and a little shameless.
Now that's how you get things done—give the little bunny something real in return.
Not like Tang San, trying to get something for nothing.
A quarter of an hour later…
Xiao Wu returned to Dorm Seven. Her hair was still slightly damp.
She had just taken a hot bath, and her face was flushed and radiant. Her long hair, reaching her waist, hung over her shoulders. With her tall figure, she looked like a budding beauty.
Ye Qiu lay on his side, smiling as he watched her organize her clothes.
He teased,
"Little Bunny, you're finally back."
Xiao Wu frowned and glared at him, "I've told you so many times—don't call me 'bunny'!"
Ye Qiu silently smiled.
Watching her pout with those rosy lips and knit her brows, she looked absolutely adorable and pleasing to the eye.
"Hmm? Ye Qiu, what's this?"
Just as she was about to climb into bed, Xiao Wu suddenly noticed a thick book placed on her bed.
"Oh, that's something Tang San brought over—it's the soul power cultivation method compiled by that Grandmaster. If you're interested, you can read it. If not, don't throw it away—use it as a pillow or something," Ye Qiu replied casually, his gaze drifting toward Tang San, who was still cultivating.
"That emotionless guy?" Xiao Wu blinked. She opened the book and glanced at it—instantly feeling dizzy. "What the heck is this?! Just reading it gives big sis Xiao Wu a headache. Even as a pillow, it's too hard. Better use it to prop up the bed leg, hmph!"
Xiao Wu was never one for studying. The sight of such a thick book made her scalp go numb. She threw it to the foot of the bed and climbed onto her bed, leaning against the headboard.
She looked down and found Ye Qiu staring right at her.
"…Why are you staring at big sis Xiao Wu like that?"
Xiao Wu blushed, pulled her feet in, and hugged her knees. She looked at Ye Qiu warily. She hadn't forgotten—he stared at her the same way during lunch, and then kissed her!
"Why are you so guarded? I just wanted to discuss something with you." Ye Qiu sat up and leaned closer, looking at her seriously.
"What is it?"
"I need your help cultivating—well, we should say we'll improve together."
"Cultivating?"
"Yeah, using Martial Soul Fusion Technique to boost our training speed."
While Xiao Wu was still thinking it over, Ye Qiu grabbed her small hand. His palm darkened with soul power and pressed directly against her palm.
Sensing Xiao Wu's hesitation, Ye Qiu's voice sounded directly in her mind:
"Don't think you're getting something for nothing—this helps you too. It'll let you reach your mature phase faster."
Thinking about how Xiao Wu would look in the future once she matured, Ye Qiu couldn't help but let his imagination wander…
"Ah! Stop imagining things!"
Just as he got lost in thought, a wave of intense shyness washed over him. With a squeal from Xiao Wu, she yanked her hand away.
Her ears were bright red, and she glared at Ye Qiu shyly. All those "advanced thoughts" made her cheeks burn.
Ye Qiu chuckled awkwardly—so much for shared consciousness. Guess there's no hiding anything.
Still, deep down, he was happy.
He knew Xiao Wu had agreed.
"…Sorry. I'll try not to think about that in the future."
Ye Qiu didn't try to make excuses. This wouldn't be the last time, and saying it out loud helped clear the air.
"No thinking! I—I'm not like what you're imagining…" Xiao Wu glared at Ye Qiu, her teeth clenched in embarrassment.
Even when she grew up, she wouldn't… curl herself up and let Ye Qiu lift her into his arms and shake her around like that!
"Alright, alright! No more thinking!" Ye Qiu chuckled and shrugged. Then he handed her the lollipops he'd prepared. "Even though you lost to me, for the sake of working well together, these three lollipops are for you."
"Hmph! Tomorrow, big sis Xiao Wu is buying a new blanket!" Xiao Wu reached out to grab the candy with care. But she didn't dare kick Ye Qiu with her rabbit legs anymore.
If they kept sleeping together, she might get gobbled up one day—bones and all.
"Whatever you want."
Ye Qiu shrugged. Losing a cuddle pillow hurt, but getting a good night's sleep was more important.
Still, tonight would likely be another sleepless one.
That little bunny kicked around, curled up everywhere, and even tried to sneak a lick of candy.