Early the next morning.
Just as Yan Zu finished his morning Check-in, he saw Xiao Wu standing imposingly in the courtyard, hands on her hips, looking as if she were ready to take on the world.
“Little Brother A’zu!” Xiao Wu lifted her chin, revealing two small canine teeth.
“I want to have a Soul Duel with you!”
Yan Zu raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? Why?”
“Hmph, you awakened your spirit yesterday, so you must be really strong,” Xiao Wu declared righteously.
“But I’m strong too! I’m already level 13 and have my first spirit ring! I want to see if your Qilin is more powerful, or my Soft Bone Rabbit!”
Although she spoke with fierce determination, Yan Zu could tell from her slightly trembling fingertips that the girl simply wanted to test the results of her training and, incidentally… seek a bit of attention.
To put it plainly, she had been nourished too comfortably by the Qilin’s aura last night, was overflowing with energy today, and felt restless if she didn’t stir up some trouble.
Yan Hu and his wife were tidying up their spirit-hunting tools in the corner of the yard.
Hearing this, they looked over with smiles.
Su Qing said gently, “Xiao Wu, A’zu just awakened his spirit and doesn’t have a spirit ring yet.”
Xiao Wu’s eyes darted, a sly smile curling at the corners of her mouth as she planted her hands on her hips and stated matter-of-factly, “That’s exactly why I want to duel now, while he doesn’t have a spirit ring yet!”
“Beat your little brother while you still can! Once he gets a spirit ring, how will I ever beat him then?”
Yan Zu: “…”
Yan Hu nearly spat out his drink.
“This little girl sure knows how to pick her moment!”
Su Qing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she gently poked Xiao Wu’s forehead.
“You really are a clever little imp.”
Yan Zu chuckled and shook his head.
“Alright, Sister Xiao Wu, so you’re pulling the ‘strike while the iron is hot’ trick.”
“Of course!” Xiao Wu lifted her chin proudly, her eyes sparkling.
“I’m very smart! Once you have a spirit ring, I might not be able to beat you anymore, so of course I have to bully you enough now! Opportunities are for prepared rabbits!”
Yan Hu set down his hunting knife and walked over with a hearty laugh.
“Xiao Wu makes a good point, A’zu. You’d better accept it.”
Su Qing also shook her head with a smile, watching the two children bicker, her eyes full of tenderness.
“Fine, I’ll spar with you,” Yan Zu stood up, flexing his wrists.
“But you can’t cry if you lose.”
“I won’t!” Xiao Wu stomped her foot in indignation.
The two moved to an open area in the courtyard.
Su Qing and Yan Hu followed to watch the fun, with Yan Hu even grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds.
The clearing wasn’t large, but it was enough for the two children to move around.
Xiao Wu immediately released her spirit.
The phantom of a Soft Bone Rabbit appeared, and her first spirit ring lit up—a yellow glow swirling at her feet as her petite frame instantly brimmed with explosive power.
Her figure flashed, moving with extreme speed.
Her right hand formed a claw, aiming straight for Yan Zu’s shoulder.
Though the strike seemed simple, it contained the unique suppleness and explosive force of the Soft Bone Rabbit, striking from a tricky angle.
Yan Zu neither dodged nor evaded.
Only when the claw’s wind was upon him did he slightly shift his body, his right hand darting out like a nimble snake to lightly rest on Xiao Wu’s wrist, then guide and pull.
Xiao Wu felt a gentle force transmit through her, causing her whole body to involuntarily lean forward.
A glint of approval flashed in Yan Zu’s eyes as he lightly tapped his foot, his figure floating up like a falling leaf, narrowly avoiding this kick.
Xiao Wu, unwilling to concede, intensified her attacks.
Although her spirit was the Soft Bone Rabbit, her human form after Human Transformation was more adept at leg techniques.
Combined with the “Waist Bow” skill granted by her spirit ring, her legs moved like two agile snakes, striking from unimaginable angles.
Yet Yan Zu remained composed throughout.
Stepping with the footwork from the Nine Yin Manual, his figure shifted and dodged within a confined space, each time barely evading Xiao Wu’s attacks.
When he occasionally struck back, it was only a light touch before withdrawing, relying entirely on skillful leverage.
After twenty exchanges, Xiao Wu’s breathing grew slightly rapid, but she hadn’t even managed to touch the hem of Yan Zu’s clothes.
“A’zu, you’re cheating!” Xiao Wu said angrily, her face flushed from exertion.
“You only dodge and never attack!”
Yan Zu smiled.
“Alright then, I’ll attack.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, his speed suddenly increased!
This was the profound mystery of “Spiral Nine Shadows” from the Nine Yin Manual—with a single step, his figure seemed to split into several afterimages, pressing toward Xiao Wu from different directions.
Xiao Wu’s pupils contracted.
Instinctively, she activated her spirit ring skill “Waist Bow,” instantly maximizing the flexibility of her body in an attempt to overcome hardness with softness.
But at that moment, Yan Zu focused his thoughts.
The Qilin Phantom “Xiao Yu,” perched on his shoulder, gently raised its head and emitted a soft cry only perceptible to spirit beasts.
Hum—
A gentle yet supremely noble aura of auspiciousness spread through the air.
Xiao Wu’s movements instantly froze.
Not from suppression, but…
from a deep-seated reverence and affinity rooted in her bloodline.
As a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast in Human Form, she could sense the uniqueness of the Qilin, an Auspicious Beast, more keenly than other spirit beasts—it was a near-“totemic” existence within the spirit beast community.
In that brief moment of hesitation, Yan Zu’s hand had already lightly pressed against her shoulder.
“You lose,” Yan Zu said with a smile.
Xiao Wu snapped back to reality and pouted.
“That’s not fair! You had your little friend help!”
Yan Zu chuckled as he withdrew his hand, casually patting Xiao Yu’s head.
“In battle, any usable means are justified. But, Sister Xiao Wu, your foundation is solid, and your leg techniques show potential. You just lack systematic training and practical combat experience.”
Just then, the System’s notification sounded in his mind:
[Ding! First victory over Core Female Lead Xiao Wu triggers a surprise reward!]
[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: Martial Soul Compatibility Enhancement Card ×1, Soft Bone Charming Rabbit Origin Essence ×1]
[Martial Soul Compatibility Enhancement Card: After use, increases Martial Soul compatibility with a designated target by 50%, laying the foundation for a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.]
[Soft Bone Charming Rabbit Origin Essence: Extracted from the origin of the Soft Bone Charming Rabbit. After consumption, enables Origin Evolution of the Soft Bone Charming Rabbit.]
A flicker of pleasant surprise crossed Yan Zu’s eyes.
He hadn’t expected that casually sparring with Xiao Wu would trigger a System reward.
What did this mean?
It meant he should interact more with these original protagonist group members in the future—perhaps he could glean even more benefits.
And Nuoding Academy was clearly the best place for all this to begin.
He could obtain System rewards, observe and influence Tang San up close, and spread the seeds of civilization—killing three birds with one stone.
Yan Zu dodged with a laugh, then said seriously, “Sister Xiao Wu, how about we make a bet?”
“What bet?”
“If you can break through to level 14 within two months, I’ll give you a big gift.”
Xiao Wu’s eyes lit up.
“What kind of gift?”
“A gift even tastier than spicy strips,” Yan Zu teased on purpose.
“And it’ll make you even stronger.”
“It’s a deal!” Xiao Wu stuck out her pinky.
“Pinky promise!”
Yan Zu smiled and linked pinkies with her.
Sunlight spilled over the two children, casting two small shadows on the ground.
In the distance, Yan Hu finished the last sunflower seed and licked his lips with lingering satisfaction.
“Wife, any more seeds?”
Su Qing shot him a glare.
“No more. Go home and cook.”
“Right away.”
Yan Hu trotted after his wife, but before leaving, he didn’t forget to turn back and call out to the two kids, “A’zu, Xiao Wu, don’t play too late! We’ll call you when dinner’s ready!”
“Got it, Dad!”
Yan Zu responded, watching Xiao Wu’s skipping figure as she ran back home.
Then he glanced at the two rewards in his mind, a slight smile curling his lips.
Nuoding Academy, Tang San, I’m coming.
I hope you won’t disappoint me when the time comes.
Over the next month, Xiao Wu completely set aside her playful nature and devoted herself wholeheartedly to cultivation.
Nourished by the Qilin’s vitality and with occasional guidance from Yan Zu, her cultivation efficiency doubled.
At first, she would occasionally slack off, but remembering Yan Zu’s promised gift, she would immediately grit her teeth and persevere.
Next, Yan Zu needed to consider acquiring his first spirit ring.
On the third day after Yan Zu awakened his twin spirits, the sunlight in the small courtyard was just right.
He called his parents under the old locust tree in the yard and earnestly proposed his main cultivation direction: “Dad, Mom, I’ve decided to focus on cultivating the Auspicious Beast Qilin first.”
Su Qing was somewhat puzzled.
“A’zu, the Xuanyuan Sword seems more offensive. Why choose the Qilin?” Yan Zu pointed a finger, and Xiao Yu happily ran out, nuzzling the back of Su Qing’s hand.
“The Qilin is an independent External Manifestation Martial Soul. It needs to live externally long-term for its intelligence to grow.”
Yan Zu wanted to focus on the Qilin Martial Soul first mainly because an External Manifestation Martial Soul not only requires attention to cultivation level but also to the growth of the spirit’s own intelligence to become a better companion.
Yu Xiaogang, afraid of being mocked for having a useless spirit, kept Luo Sanpao confined within his body year-round, stifling its potential for growth.
That was the most foolish approach.
An External Manifestation Martial Soul should integrate with heaven and earth, not be limited to the body.
Yan Hu slapped his thigh.
“A’zu makes sense! Dad supports you! Let’s prepare now and head deep into the outer regions of the Spirit Hunting Forest to hunt a suitable spirit beast for you!” Su Qing also nodded in agreement.
She had already witnessed the Qilin’s vitality nourishment and understood the potential of this spirit.
Xiao Wu, hiding nearby, heard the words “hunt spirit” and her ears drooped slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible shadow flickering in her eyes—after all, she was a Soul Beast Human Form, instinctively resistant to the idea of “hunting spirit beasts.”