After nearly a week, Tang San finally returned to Nuoding Academy, accompanied by Master. His clothes were torn in places, the faint energy of a newly absorbed soul ring pulsing gently from him. His eyes gleamed with a sharper edge, the faint killer intent of a soul beast hunt lingering around him.
He had advanced to Level 13 and successfully obtained his first soul ring, unlocking his spirit ability: Bind.
As he stepped into Dormitory 7, Xiao Wu bounced toward him with arms crossed.
"So, the blue bamboo is back."
Tang San raised a brow. "Xiao Wu."
"You've grown stronger," she said, a glint in her ruby eyes, "...but I wonder if you're stronger than me."
Tang San smiled faintly. "Want to try me?"
"Thought you'd never ask."
The Duel Begins
The courtyard was buzzing. Word spread like wildfire that Tang San, the former boss of the dormitory and current disciple of Master, had returned — and was going to fight Xiao Wu, the girl who had made everyone bow under her carrot-loving rule.
I stood by the tree, hands in my pocket, watching quietly. The system pinged softly.
[Plot Modification Available: Tang San vs Xiao Wu] Cost: 30 points Effect: Push Xiao Wu's instincts and talent to unleash a deeper mastery of her skill.
[CONFIRM]
I clicked confirm.
Tang San activated his Blue Silver Grass, and a 100-year soul ring glowed softly under his feet.
"Blue Silver Grass, First Soul Skill: Bind!"
A green vine lashed toward Xiao Wu with stunning speed — it was faster, tougher, and sharper than before.
But Xiao Wu simply leaned sideways, spinning through the air. Her body curled mid-twist, her legs wrapping around the vine before snapping it in half with sheer motion.
"You'll have to do better than that, Little Tang."
Tang San narrowed his eyes and surged forward. His grass flew out like needles, trying to trap her from all angles. Xiao Wu cartwheeled into a leap, her silhouette shimmering as her soul ring activated.
"First Soul Skill: Waist Bow!"
The Legend of Waist Bow
A crimson-pink glow burst from her waist.
Tang San was ready. He dodged, stepped back, and whipped his grass vines to block.
But then something changed.
Xiao Wu's body twisted midair, propelled by a centrifugal force that bent the laws of physics. With her legs arched backward, she snapped like a drawn bowstring.
Tang San's guard crumbled. Her knee landed on his shoulder, and the next second — she launched him into the air like a ragdoll.
BOOM!
He slammed against a tree trunk, coughing out a breath.
The crowd gasped.
But Tang San wasn't done.
He rolled, summoned his vines again, and redirected them to wrap around her legs.
"Let's see how you dodge this—!"
She didn't.
Instead, she launched herself toward him, wrapping the very vines around her own waist. His eyes widened. "What—?!"
"Waist Bow — Second Release!"
Using his vines as momentum, she spun herself like a yo-yo, accelerating her descent with bone-breaking precision.
Tang San had no time to react.
Her foot came crashing into his shoulder from above, smashing him into the ground with a deafening thud.
For the next sixty seconds, it was all Xiao Wu.
Tang San tried to ensnare her with multiple vines — she used them as springboards.
He used footwork to control distance — she closed it with impossible acrobatics.
He tried to bind her again — she broke the grass with raw momentum, slamming him with a twisting waist throw.
The crowd was breathless.
Wang Sheng whispered, "I thought Tang San was unbeatable…"
Another student murmured, "She's fighting like an S-rank soul master!"
But I knew — that was the effect of the plot modification. Xiao Wu was fighting at her peak potential, guided by battle instincts from her ancient bloodline.
The Final Strike
Tang San, bloodied and panting, still stood.
"Xiao Wu," he gasped, "you're… incredible."
She tilted her head. "Then say it."
"Say what?"
Her eyes flashed with playful menace.
"Say I'm your big sister."
Tang San gritted his teeth. His pride resisted. But then Xiao Wu blurred forward again, leaping off a wall, twisting midair into a double-heel slam.
He tried to raise his arms—
Too slow.
BAM!
Dust flew. Tang San collapsed face-first into the dirt.
She landed beside him, panting but grinning.
"Had enough, Little Brother?"
Tang San groaned. He turned his head slightly, mud stuck to his cheek.
"...Big Sis Wu," he muttered.
The crowd erupted.
"What was that?! I didn't hear you~" she sing-songed.
He sat up, face red. "I said—Big Sis Wu. Happy now?"
She nodded proudly, poking his forehead.
"That's better. Welcome to the sibling hierarchy."
Everyone cheered, laughing in disbelief. It was official. Tang San had become Xiao Wu's little brother.
The system chimed.
> [Plot Modified Successfully] Reward: +500 Points, Skill Fragment (Unknown), "Sibling Rivalry" title unlocked Current Points: 6,150
I smirked quietly, watching Tang San sulk in the corner while Xiao Wu beamed like a queen.
"You're enjoying this too much," Tang San muttered at me.
"You should've kissed her like you kissed that senior," I replied.
He glared.
Xiao Wu tossed me a carrot.
"Big Bro Lin~ come eat with your siblings!"
I caught it midair.
"Coming."