ddv
Seeing that Ye Qiu and Xiao Wu had finally calmed down,
Tang San let out a long breath of relief.
If things had continued, he would've been completely stuffed—
from eating too much "dog food" before the meal even arrived.
---
"Little San, how's it going? Did you break through to Soul Elder yet?"
Ye Qiu turned toward Tang San, feigning ignorance.
---
Tang San sipped his tea and replied with a calm smile:
"I've successfully broken through. I'm now a level 30 Grandmaster with two rings—just waiting to hunt for my third soul ring. What about you? How's your fourth ring?"
---
"It was… pretty unexpected."
Ye Qiu smiled while wrapping an arm around Xiao Wu's waist.
---
"Unexpected?"
Tang San's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, who already knew the truth, looked at Ye Qiu with pure admiration.
After all—
That was a 10,000-year soul ring!
Her taste in men was just too good!
---
"I won't spoil it. You'll see for yourself soon enough."
Ye Qiu smirked mysteriously, deliberately keeping Tang San in suspense.
It'd be more fun for him to witness it himself than to just hear about it.
---
After lunch—
Ye Qiu took Xiao Wu and Tang San to the inn where he was temporarily staying.
Tang San booked a separate room for himself.
But Xiao Wu outright refused to stay alone.
Under Tang San's complicated gaze, she voluntarily walked straight into Ye Qiu's room.
---
After washing up, Xiao Wu laid down next to Ye Qiu, and the two took a short afternoon nap.
---
"Little bunny, why are you clinging so tightly to me? I couldn't even fall asleep."
Ye Qiu's hands wandered around Xiao Wu's waist, occasionally sliding up and down, pinching and rubbing.
---
Xiao Wu didn't mind the way he addressed her.
Her rosy eyes glistened with mist.
She hooked her arms around Ye Qiu's neck and rubbed gently into his chest.
In a soft, syrupy voice:
"I missed you~"
"And you're always up to something. I couldn't sleep either."
---
Xiao Wu lifted her lovely face and gave Ye Qiu a shy sideways glance.
Then, in a playful act of revenge, she gently bit his chin, leaving a tiny glistening mark.
But honestly, it felt less like payback and more like seduction.
---
Of course, Ye Qiu wasn't just going to let that slide.
But just as he leaned in to retaliate, he noticed her flushed face already covered in faint marks,
and her lips slightly swollen.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
---
"My little bunny turned into a flirty bunny, huh?"
---
"You're laughing? It's your fault!"
Xiao Wu gave Ye Qiu a light punch, brushing her delicate hand against her cheek, her face bashful yet smiling.
---
"My fault? I was just fulfilling your request! You said you wanted the same makeup look as Sister Yanyan, remember?"
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes and, lifting her pert little butt, gave it two playful swats.
---
Knock knock!
As Xiao Wu let out a soft whimper—
A knock came from the door.
And then Tang San's voice followed:
---
"Xiao Wu, Ye Qiu, want to go out and walk around for a bit?"
---
Ye Qiu didn't reply right away.
Instead, he looked down at Xiao Wu nestled in his arms.
---
"Wanna go?"
---
"Yes! Xiao Wu-jie wants you to go with me~"
Xiao Wu blinked, nodding quickly.
She loved lively outings.
---
"Then get up already."
Ye Qiu smiled and lightly patted her again.
---
"Mmmph~"
Xiao Wu whimpered, hurriedly sat up with a red face, rubbing her backside as she picked up Ye Qiu's coat.
---
"Little San, give us a moment."
Ye Qiu responded through the door.
Taking the clothes Xiao Wu handed over, he got dressed.
Xiao Wu quickly slipped into her shoes and followed close behind.
---
"Ah—Ye Qiu, wait for me~"
She latched onto his hand, tightly holding it as they opened the door—
Only to find Tang San standing upright outside.
Hearing the noise, Tang San turned around—
And froze slightly when he saw Xiao Wu.
---
The previously bold and lively Xiao Wu…
Now looked soft and tender, blushing sweetly.
This contrast stunned him. He had never seen her like this before.
Her delicate features made his heart stir.
But with strong willpower, he quickly collected himself.
---
"Let's go, Little San."
Ye Qiu shut the door behind them,
leading Xiao Wu downstairs.
She stayed glued to his side, holding his arm tight, even interlacing her fingers with his.
---
Ye Qiu gave her a curious glance.
But he didn't say anything—maybe she really missed him too much?
What he didn't realize—
Was that Xiao Wu had noticed Tang San's strange reaction.
So she got even more proactive, mentally deciding to keep her distance from Tang San.
She didn't want Ye Qiu to misunderstand.
---
Tang San, walking behind them, watched Xiao Wu snuggling against Ye Qiu—
His thoughts scrambled.
He quickly caught up and walked beside Ye Qiu, so he wouldn't have to watch.
---
—Later, on the street—
With Ye Qiu accompanying her, Xiao Wu was full of energy.
Dragging him around, shopping like crazy.
---
"Ye Qiu, why don't we check out that shop?"
Tang San pointed to a shop down the road.
It was none other than Flender's black-market shop—black in every sense: dark, shady, and overpriced.
---
Ye Qiu waved it off.
"I checked it out yesterday. You go ahead."
---
"Alright then."
Tang San nodded and headed that way.
As evening approached, more and more vendors appeared along the streets.
While Xiao Wu went to buy candied hawthorns, Ye Qiu reached into his Storage Pouch and pulled out his Blue Silver Waistband.
---
In the shadows—
Light flickered over Ah Yin.
With their visual senses linked, she could now see the world outside.
At the same time, Ye Qiu's recent memories started flowing into her mind.
---
Before she could even feel shy—
Ye Qiu's teasing voice echoed all around her:
---
"Ah Yin, look—your son's out shopping!"
---
Ah Yin gritted her pearly teeth and shouted:
"Ye Qiu! Must you always provoke me?!"
---
"I've told you again and again—he's not my son!"
"If you like him so much, you make him your son!"
---
Ye Qiu chuckled softly.
He wouldn't mind… if only Ah Yin would give him the chance.
---
"Enough already! If you want to be his father, what's that got to do with me?! I'm not his mother!"
Ah Yin was both ashamed and angry, completely at a loss with Ye Qiu's messy thoughts.
---
"Alright, alright, just messing with you."
Ye Qiu's voice turned gentle.
"I'm just shopping. Come join me, will you?"
---
After a brief hesitation, Ah Yin nodded.
After seeing the light, she found it hard to stay in darkness for long.
She realized—
The light that came through Ye Qiu felt so warm.
---
"Ye Qiu~ why are you smiling so much?"
Xiao Wu skipped over with two sticks of candied hawthorns,
and leaned in close, studying Ye Qiu's face.
He looked even better when he smiled—confident and content.
The more she looked, the more she liked it.
---
"Because I'm out shopping with you."
Ye Qiu smiled, gently pinching her soft pink bunny ears.
---
"Hmph~"
Xiao Wu huffed adorably—
But her face was beaming. Her eyes curved into little crescent moons.
She knew Ye Qiu was just sweet-talking her—
But she loved hearing it anyway.
---
Still smiling, she brought the candied fruit to his lips, gently coaxing him like a child.
---
Ah Yin, her face red, muttered softly:
"This little bastard… always bullying girls."
Out shopping with another one, and still dares to summon me?
Tch! I'm not interested!
Time passed slowly, and the sky gradually darkened.
After having dinner outside,
Tang San returned early to the inn.
The others wanted to go for a walk, and him hanging around as a third wheel wasn't doing anyone any favors.
More importantly, he wasn't in a good mood.
---
Under the night sky—
Ye Qiu and Xiao Wu were walking hand in hand down the street.
Xiao Wu wore a troubled expression.
Her cheeks were red, and from time to time she would steal a glance at Ye Qiu beside her.
---
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Ye Qiu looked at her in confusion and reached out to touch her forehead.
She had been perfectly fine before dinner…
But now she looked just like a boiled shrimp.
---
Xiao Wu hugged Ye Qiu tightly, bit her red lips, and said shyly:
"Ye Qiu… about tonight's punishment… I don't really know how to do it…"
---
"Oh, so that's what it is."
Ye Qiu's face lit up with understanding.
He smiled as his gaze dropped to her moist, cherry-red lips—his heart was full of anticipation.
---
After thinking for a moment, Ye Qiu pulled a carrot-flavored lollipop from his soul tool and handed it to her.
---
"Here~ Have this."
---
Xiao Wu curiously accepted the little post-meal treat, unwrapped it, and began licking it skillfully—
just like she used to.
---
Seeing her being so obedient, Ye Qiu couldn't help but ruffle her hair.
He wasn't the least bit worried that she wouldn't know what to do.
After all, she'd been eating his candy for years now.
And she was a bunny that grew up on carrots.
---
She hadn't been mistreated during dinner either.
It was just that tonight's "punishment" meant her midnight snack would be nothing but a carrot.
Even that was more than enough to stuff a little bunny like her.
---
Ah Yin, however, was silently furious inside.
Another poor girl about to fall prey to Ye Qiu—
Yet she was powerless to stop it.
---
Ye Qiu let out a chuckle.
He didn't care about Ah Yin's inner curses at all.
Tonight, he even planned to let Ah Yin watch how Xiao Wu did it, as a warning for herself.
---
Although Ah Yin had seen Ye Qiu's memories—
She understood how that Biphos Snake flicked its tongue and swallowed its prey whole, digesting every trace of it.
But those were just playbacks.
Watching it live, with all the immersion and tension, was a completely different experience.
---
Ye Qiu quickly tied a tight knot on his Blue Silver Emperor Belt around his waist.
---
"Ye Qiu! What are you doing?!"
"You shameless bastard!"
Ah Yin could feel Ye Qiu's filthy intentions.
He was really going to make her watch him toy with Xiao Wu, this innocent girl?
She was absolutely furious and ashamed.
All she could do was keep cursing Ye Qiu in her mind while tightening her grip around his waist with her soul link, trying to resist.
---
"Alright, let's head back, Xiao Wu."
Ye Qiu chuckled, wrapping his arm around her as they turned to leave.
---
"Mm."
Still tasting the candy, Xiao Wu blushed and nodded.
At this point, with Ye Qiu's "memory tutorials", she had come to understand what she needed to do.
---
Following beside Ye Qiu, she alternated between tasting the lollipop and sneaking glances at him—
mentally preparing herself for what was to come.
---
Ye Qiu, sensing her gaze, turned back and gave her a gentle smile, patting her on the head.
---
A light night breeze passed by—
But the chill in the air couldn't cool the heat in Xiao Wu's heart.
Her face flushed red, and her watery eyes sparkled.
She recalled how Dugu Yan had been so careless she even ripped several pairs of black stockings—
Xiao Wu was unwilling to lose.
She had to take this more seriously.
If she can do it, so can I!
---
After swallowing the last bit of sweetness, Ye Qiu had already brought her back to the inn.
---
—Night fell deeper.
The moon hid shyly behind the clouds.
Inside the room—
Ye Qiu was half-lying on the bed, eyes closed, drifting between dream and consciousness.
His face looked somewhat intoxicated, like he was dreaming something beautiful.
---
Beside him, Xiao Wu knelt on the bed, her head lowered into his chest, nodding off—
Just like a student who didn't want to study, dozing off in class.
---
Half an hour passed.
A sudden wind blew through the night.
The window had been left ajar, letting in chilly air along with the noise.
---
A gust brushed by.
Ye Qiu shivered violently, his hairs standing on end, every cell of his body stretching out with relief.
---
As he trembled from the cold—
Xiao Wu, who had been dozing off, was startled awake.
Her sleepy head dropped suddenly, but this time she didn't nod off again.
---
Realizing her current state—
She lifted her gaze and gave Ye Qiu a shy blink, quickly wiped away a bit of drool, and raised her head.
Her embarrassment remained.
---
Ye Qiu exhaled deeply, finally feeling refreshed.
He gently rubbed her hair and smiled:
---
"Tired? Want to go wash up and rest for the night?"
---
Xiao Wu, cheeks flushed, pursed her lips and shook her head.
She reached for the bottle of yogurt Ye Qiu had bought her earlier during their walk, drank it all in one go to perk up, and smiled shyly at him.
Then, opening her arms, she nestled herself into his chest.
---
In a soft, sticky tone, she said:
"I'm not sleepy yet. Let's wait a little longer…"
---
Ye Qiu chuckled helplessly.
Some people really were gifted.
Even when doing something for the first time, their experience could vary so wildly.
---
He leaned in and kissed her gently between the eyebrows.
"Alright. Since you're tired, let's rest early. We still have to report to Shrek tomorrow."
---
"Mm. I'll listen to you."
Xiao Wu nodded softly, still blushing.
She tidied up Ye Qiu's clothes and got off the bed to freshen up.
---
"Tss—"
As soon as she left, Ye Qiu winced.
The Blue Silver Emperor belt around his waist had been pulling tighter and tighter while Xiao Wu was dozing off earlier—
It had even left marks on his skin.
---
"Ye Qiu! You little bastard!"
"You shameless, perverted scumbag! I'm not letting you off!"
---
Ah Yin's furious voice rang in his mind nonstop.
The red on her face was half from anger—
But the flush spreading across her body was mostly from embarrassment.
---
Her eyes were shut, yes—
But their memory sharing couldn't be stopped.
Even she could feel the satisfaction Ye Qiu was experiencing.
---
Her long-dormant heart began to stir again.
Her whole body trembled in anger and shame.
---
Before Ye Qiu could even reply—
Xiao Wu had already pounced back into his arms.
---
Ye Qiu fell with her, letting her cuddle into his chest.
Their faces close, cheeks rubbing, and her soft, gentle voice hesitated:
---
"Ye Qiu… do you have any other punishments?"
---
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Ye Qiu looked at her in surprise.
Was she still not full?
But she never had the habit of eating midnight snacks before…
---
"I-I just… don't want to play with something others have already used…"
After saying that, Xiao Wu buried her face into Ye Qiu's chest, not daring to move.
---
"She actually said that?!"
Ah Yin was utterly shocked.
Didn't Ye Qiu's behavior go far enough already?
---
Ye Qiu himself also looked stunned.
He glanced down at himself—
Was Xiao Wu implying that she wanted something new to play with?
Something... untouched?
That might be asking the impossible.
The thoughts in Ye Qiu's mind triggered an endless string of curses from Ah Yin.
---
"It'd be best if they just cut it off!"
"You bastard! You filthy, shameless scoundrel! Disgusting pervert!"
"You…"
---
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes.
He didn't bother arguing with Ah Yin and instead untied the Blue Silver Emperor leaves coiled around his waist.
---
Ah Yin noticed immediately.
Without a sound, she withdrew her main body, needing time to digest the emotional impact of what had just happened.
---
Xiao Wu was so skilled!
---
"Whew~"
Ye Qiu let out a long breath, pulled the quilt over, and gently hugged Xiao Wu.
They switched positions.
Now Ye Qiu was nestled in Xiao Wu's arms, breathing in her sweet scent.
---
He whispered:
"Don't overthink it. You're still young—it's something you can't fully grasp yet."
"We have a long future ahead of us… okay?"
---
"Mm, I understand."
Xiao Wu nodded lightly, her face still red as she cradled Ye Qiu's head and gently patted it, like she was lulling a child to sleep.
The warmth of his breath on her skin made her feel incredibly comfortable.
---
---
—The next morning, as the sun rose—
Tang San acted as their alarm clock.
Last night, Ye Qiu had fallen asleep peacefully—wrapped up with a soft beauty in his arms, like a sage in a blissful dream.
---
Xiao Wu, who had gotten up early to wash up, suddenly pounced on Ye Qiu.
She lay sideways beside him.
Her smooth, fair legs draped lightly around his waist, and her delicate body pressed closely against him. Her large, pink eyes shimmered with moisture, and her smile carried a touch of seduction and mischief.
---
In a sweet tone, she said:
"Ye Qiu, Sister Xiao Wu wants candy~"
---
After saying that, she slightly parted her red lips—
clearly waiting to be fed.
"Ah~"
---
The soft body pressed against him made Ye Qiu feel slightly distracted.
He gave her a helpless look.
This time of day, when the yang energy in the world was just rising—
was not ideal for self-control.
---
If Tang San weren't waiting outside, Ye Qiu might've been tempted to punish Xiao Wu again right there.
---
Letting out a long breath, he pulled out a carrot-flavored candy from his soul tool.
Only then did Xiao Wu feel satisfied.
---
Soon after—
The three of them checked out of their room and headed out of Soto City.
---
Following the official road southward, they passed through large stretches of farmland on both sides.
Aside from the vast farmland, there weren't many notable buildings in sight.
Even though Ye Qiu had mentally prepared for this, he still couldn't help but ask:
---
"Xiao San, do you know how much farther it is?"
---
Tang San shook his head.
"Not exactly. Let's keep heading south. Teacher wouldn't lie to us."
---
"Ugh… but Sister Xiao Wu is tired already…"
Xiao Wu gave a pitiful groan.
She clung to Ye Qiu's arm, shaking it gently, her eyes full of longing.
---
"Ye Qiu~ How about carrying me?"
---
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes.
I knew it!
---
"Walk a little longer first. If you really can't go on, I'll carry you."
---
"Oh~"
Xiao Wu responded with disappointment but obediently followed beside him.
---
At that moment, Tang San wanted to yell:
If he won't carry you, I will!
But of course, he knew that was unrealistic.
He also knew—Xiao Wu wasn't really tired.
She just wanted Ye Qiu to carry her.
---
As they walked down the road, Ye Qiu activated his infrared detection and scanned the area.
He finally picked up on Tang Hao's presence—
Still drinking, bottle in hand.
---
Who knows where that guy had been loafing around every day since he lost Ah Yin and stopped watching over Tang San?
---
---
About half an hour later—
Xiao Wu, now on Ye Qiu's back, suddenly pointed ahead with excitement:
---
"Ye Qiu, look! There's a little village up ahead—are we close?"
---
Her cheek rubbed against Ye Qiu's, her voice sweet and coy.
Her lips brushed against his face as she spoke, her face red and eyes filled with affection.
---
Ye Qiu smirked.
If he hadn't already seen the village ahead,
he wouldn't have agreed to carry this silly bunny.
---
Still, she was his woman.
Spoiling her a little was fine—otherwise, he might be annoyed to death.
---
Tang San followed Xiao Wu's finger.
About a mile away, he saw a small village.
With his current Purple Demon Eye, he could clearly tell that the village had around 100 households, even smaller than Saint Spirit Village.
---
The village was surrounded by a wooden fence.
At the entrance, a crowd had gathered—it was unclear what was happening.
---
Tang San smiled:
"Let's go ask them. They probably know where Shrek Academy is."
---
"Alright."
Ye Qiu nodded.
His own eyesight with Purple Demon Eye was superior to Tang San's—
he had already seen the worn-out sign at the village gate.
---
"Ye Qiu, let's go faster!"
Xiao Wu giggled, pointing ahead.
Ye Qiu smacked her perky butt twice in mock annoyance, then supported it with one hand as he picked up speed, catching up with Tang San.
---
As they moved quicker, the bumping was unavoidable.
Even with the wind blowing on her face, Xiao Wu's cheeks remained flushed.
Holding onto Ye Qiu's neck, she panted softly:
---
"Ye… Ye Qiu, could you stop grabbing Sister Xiao Wu… it's too hot…"
---
Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow and teased:
"You don't like it?"
---
"N-No…"
---
"Oh, good then."
Knowing she didn't mind, Ye Qiu didn't let go.
---
Xiao Wu blushed harder, biting her lip.
She hugged him even tighter—afraid her legs might give out and she'd fall if she loosened up.
---
It was just over a mile of walking.
Soon, Ye Qiu and Tang San arrived at the village gate.
---
Up close, Tang San immediately noticed something odd.
---
There were many people gathered at the entrance—
most were young people around their age, many accompanied by their parents.
They were all lined up in front of a table, behind which sat an elderly man in his sixties.
---
But what shocked Tang San the most—
Was the arch made of wood, hanging a worn-out sign.
On the sign were five simple characters:
---
Shrek Academy (史莱克学院)
---
Next to the words was a green cartoonish face, looking like the head of some humanoid monster.
---
Green all over, and surprisingly—
Tang San found it a little cute.
---
For some reason, it gave him a strange sense of joy—like it was a perfect match for him.
This weird face turned out to be Shrek Academy's emblem.
---
"So this is Shrek Academy?"
Ye Qiu looked up at the ragged sign on the dilapidated gate and spoke calmly.
He wasn't even sure how long he'd be staying here.
---
Xiao Wu had been let down from Ye Qiu's back.
Her forehead was glistening with sweat.
Clinging to Ye Qiu's arm, she was catching her breath.
---
Following Ye Qiu's gaze, she looked at the sign and gasped:
---
"No way?!"
"This dump is Shrek?! It's even smaller than Notting Academy—and way more rundown! Are they scamming us?!"
---
Tang San also felt somewhat stunned.
Not just because of the size.
Even the main gate was wooden, less than a third the size of Notting Academy's.
By all appearances, this place looked like a regular little village—
it didn't resemble a Soul Master Academy at all.
---
Still, Tang San trusted his teacher.
He turned to look at Ye Qiu and Xiao Wu.
---
With a helpless smile, he said:
"Well, we're already here. Might as well check it out."
---
Ye Qiu nodded.
"Alright then, let's go line up."