Noon.
Something big seemed to be happening at Nuoding Academy. A lot of students were hurrying toward the training field, crowding into a circle.
At the very center of the crowd stood Xiao Wu, with a lollipop she somehow got in her mouth. Facing a tall, burly upperclassman, she showed no fear.
She radiated the imposing aura of a single rabbit blocking a thousand troops.
Standing next to Xiao Wu were the working students of Dorm Seven. Tang San, who had just returned from a soul hunt, was also squeezing in from the crowd's edge.
At the same time—
Ye Qiu had just stepped through the gates of Nuoding Academy, walking like he didn't recognize anyone. His heart felt unusually refreshed and satisfied.
This soul hunt had gone even smoother than he expected.
Shortly after entering the Soul Hunting Forest, he and Director Su encountered a nearly five-hundred-year-old Formless Slug.
Among slug-type soul beasts, this was quite a peculiar one. Normally, it looked like a puddle of water. But in danger, it could mimic the appearance of other soul beasts—looking fierce, but with almost no real offensive ability.
Although Director Su felt that its age was too high and its abilities unimpressive, and advised Ye Qiu to choose another soul beast...
The moment Ye Qiu saw it transform, he instantly liked it.
A blob of slime about 1.5 meters in diameter, it gave him the feeling that it strangely matched Venom! (His martial soul.)
Even though it was five hundred years old, Ye Qiu didn't give up. After all, while he might've been slightly malnourished, his body had grown stronger since awakening his martial soul. And now, it could even liquefy into Venom, so endurance shouldn't be a problem.
Since Ye Qiu insisted, Director Su could only reluctantly agree. Although the Formless Slug looked tricky, Su was no Yu Xiaogang—he was plenty capable in combat.
Throughout the whole process, Ye Qiu only had one job: "gaga".
In other words, clean-up and reap the kill.
After fully absorbing the Formless Slug's spirit ring, Ye Qiu had already become a Level 12 Battle Soul Master.
And the soul skill he received was far beyond his expectations.
Ye Qiu was pleasantly surprised, and couldn't wait to find that naughty little bunny, Xiao Wu, and give it a try.
By now, he had already completed his Soul Master Certification at the Spirit Hall, and even agreed to Matthew Nuo's invitation to become a freelance Spirit Hall affiliate—receiving his official Spirit Hall ID.
That identity might come in handy someday.
And besides, there were no responsibilities attached.
With a pouch full of gold soul coins, Ye Qiu wore a wide grin. With the new soul master allowance, he wouldn't need to work part-time as a student laborer anymore.
Those cleaning jobs? Whoever likes them can have them.
He sure wasn't doing them anymore.
Click!
Before long, Ye Qiu arrived at Dorm Seven, only to find it empty.
He wasn't surprised.
On his way back, he already figured out what was going on.
There was no need for him to join the fun. Xiao Wu could easily handle Xiao Chenyu and the others. As for himself? He just had to keep a handle on his rogue rabbit.
Tang San probably already obtained his lifelong ability Blue Silver Bind, and was likely there already. No need for Ye Qiu to worry at all.
"Ah~"
Ye Qiu flopped heavily onto his bed, turned over, and started to rest. He hadn't slept well last night, woke up early, and traveled quite a bit. He was exhausted.
Before he knew it, he drifted off to sleep.
---
"Ye Qiu~"
He didn't know how long had passed, but Ye Qiu, still half-asleep with narrowed eyes, heard a gentle voice calling his name.
He instinctively rubbed his eyes and opened them to see Xiao Wu's adorable little face right in front of him.
Xiao Wu was leaning over him, her small pink lips curled with excitement. She licked her lips and poked his cheek with her finger.
"Ye Qiu, you went to sleep this early? Will you still be able to sleep tonight?"
Smack!
Ye Qiu swatted her hand away, yawned, rolled his eyes, and complained, "Do you think I can sleep at night?"
Xiao Wu blushed. Every morning when she woke up, she had somehow rolled over next to Ye Qiu.
Looking at her rosy cheeks, Ye Qiu suddenly had the urge to hold that face and take a bite. He'd finally give away his first kiss, and stamp this little bunny while he was at it.
But after thinking it over, he restrained himself.
That would be… criminal.
So he just reached out, pinched her warm, silky cheek, and left a few red marks.
"Ye Qiu, what are you doing?!"
Xiao Wu angrily slapped his hand away, puffing her cheeks and glaring at him.
"Hm?"
Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow at her sudden boldness and slowly sat up. Looking around, it seemed Tang San was the only one not in the dorm.
Probably went to the Spirit Hall after finishing the fight.
Xiao Wu sat back on her knees, hands on her waist, and proudly said, "Ye Qiu, listen up! I'm now Sister Xiao Wu of the entire academy! Pretty awesome, right? So you're not allowed to mess around with me anymore!"
"Even so, that's no reason for you to cross the line, you rogue rabbit." Ye Qiu chuckled and didn't argue. He just pointed downward.
Xiao Wu was kneeling on the border between their two beds.
"Ye Qiu! I told you not to call me 'rogue rabbit'!"
Xiao Wu twisted her body, angrily covering Ye Qiu's mouth. She snorted, "So what if I crossed the line? I'm a girl, you're supposed to let me win, right? And of course, you can never cross the line!"
"Whatever you say."
Ye Qiu removed her tiny hands with a shrug. Anyway, male or female, no one would think he was the one at a disadvantage here. Including himself.
Still, this little rabbit's attitude was a bit much—completely underestimating him.
Ye Qiu, slightly annoyed, grabbed her small hands, held them tight in his palms, and gently applied pressure.
He slowly leaned in until their noses nearly touched and took a light sniff.
"W-What are you doing?"
Xiao Wu was suddenly afraid when Ye Qiu's face turned expressionless and he tightly held her hands, moving closer.
"Did you forget what you promised me before?" Ye Qiu's lips curled into a smile, his eyes filled with playful threat.
"N-No I didn't. Sister Xiao Wu will be obedient."
She glanced around, checking if Wang Sheng and the others were watching—worried her proud reputation would collapse.
"Really?"
Ye Qiu stared at her flushed, trembling face. That urge to "stamp the bunny" rose again.
"Yes, I'll behave!" Xiao Wu nodded in panic, just wanting Ye Qiu to let go.
"Good."
Ye Qiu nodded in satisfaction, his voice soft. As he gazed at her tender, rosy lips, curiosity finally got the best of him—he leaned in and lightly pecked them.
Soft like pudding, faintly fragrant, with a touch of sweetness and a hint of grass…
At first satisfied, Ye Qiu suddenly frowned.
Why did that sweetness feel... familiar?!
Xiao Wu froze, her crimson eyes dazed. Feeling Ye Qiu's breath and his lips pressing against hers, her body trembled, her face and ears turning pink, even her neck blushing.
It was just a brief taste, leaving only a slight trace of moisture. Ye Qiu, having satisfied his curiosity, let her go.
Xiao Wu stared blankly as Ye Qiu moved away. Her large pink eyes shimmered with moisture. She pursed her lips and finally reacted to the strange taste.
"AHHH—!!!"
A delayed shriek echoed throughout Dorm Seven.
Xiao Wu's small chest heaved as she clutched her lips in disbelief, brain seemingly frozen. Her rabbit ears flapped wildly as she stammered.
"Y-Ye Qiu, you—Why did we—?!"
Looking at her even more adorable than before, Ye Qiu's eyes held a bit of amazement, though his face turned a little red with embarrassment.
Fortunately, this was Douluo Continent.