"This is… a hidden weapon!" Ye Qiu's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected Tang San to start giving away hidden weapons so soon.
"Huh? Xiao Qiu, you know this too? Tang San said it was his secret!" Xiao Wu was equally surprised. She had originally planned to show it off.
"It really is his secret. Only he knows how to make things like this—hidden weapons," Ye Qiu explained calmly.
"Xiao Qiu, you even know about hidden weapons?" Xiao Wu had only heard the term today; she hadn't expected Ye Qiu to recognize it immediately.
She didn't dwell on it for long. Tugging at Ye Qiu's sleeve, she said excitedly, "Come on, I'll show you how powerful it is! Okay?"
"Alright."
"Hehe, let's go!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him outside.
They walked to the lakeside and sat side by side beneath a tree.
"Go on, start," Ye Qiu urged.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Hmph. I'll shoot it right now." Xiao Wu rolled her eyes, thinking he was hopelessly dull.
"Watch carefully." Before her words had fully fallen, she raised her arm toward a nearby tree trunk.
Whoosh!
Thud!
The arrow sank several inches into the wood.
Ye Qiu didn't need to step closer. With his Sharingan already active, every detail was crystal clear.
"Well? Pretty impressive, right?" Xiao Wu lifted her chin, pride evident in her voice.
"It's… alright," Ye Qiu nodded.
To be honest, he felt slightly disappointed—more because his expectations were too high. Mechanical hidden weapons were decent at this stage, but their lethality was limited. In the later stages, only poison-based weapons truly mattered.
Still, the essence of hidden weapons lay in the word 'hidden'. They ignored martial ethics and relied on surprise. The people of Douluo didn't understand this—otherwise, Tang San wouldn't have enjoyed so many shining moments.
"Can I take a closer look?" Ye Qiu asked. Even if he wouldn't rely on it later, learning was never a bad thing.
"You want to take it off?" Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then her eyes darted around. "You… can't?"
"Of course you can!" she quickly replied, far too eagerly to refuse him.
Her face flushed as she lowered her head and extended her arm. "Actually… it doesn't need to be untied…"
"Uh…" Ye Qiu sighed and rubbed his forehead. This rogue rabbit really did like taking advantage of him.
"Okay then."
Just as Ye Qiu reached out, she beat him to it, their fingers accidentally intertwining.
Noticing his strange gaze, Xiao Wu stammered, "It's… it's more convenient this way!"
She felt secretly pleased, her crimson eyes misting slightly. Thinking she had gained the upper hand, she failed to notice that Ye Qiu had already seen everything he needed.
Ye Qiu quickly changed the subject. "By the way, what did you ask me earlier?"
"I asked… do you dislike Tang San?" Xiao Wu looked at him closely. Their proximity made her head feel light.
"Was it that obvious?" Ye Qiu frowned. He thought he'd treated Tang San no differently from anyone else.
"No. It's just… I've been around you a lot. My intuition says so." She hugged his arm again, resting her head against his shoulder.
Only in front of Ye Qiu did she behave like this. Despite calling herself Sister Xiao Wu, she looked more like a young wife.
"Xiao Wu… there are some things I can't tell you yet. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I believe you." Her crescent-shaped eyes warmed Ye Qiu's heart.
They leaned quietly against the tree until night fell. The full moon reflected off the lake, scattering gentle light.
"Xiao Qiu~"
"Mm?"
"Did you notice anything just now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Did you look at anything else?"
"Cough—of course not!" Ye Qiu replied decisively.
Xiao Wu looked at him suspiciously. "Then what was it?"
"I checked carefully. Replicating this hidden blade shouldn't be a problem," Ye Qiu said honestly.
"That's great! Hurry and make one. Compared to Tang San's, Sister Xiao Wu likes what Xiao Qiu makes more!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to press closer.
"I'll… do my best," Ye Qiu said helplessly. If Tang San heard this, he'd probably cry in the bathroom.
"But you can't tell Tang San about this, or it'll be troublesome," Ye Qiu reminded her.
"I know! Sister Xiao Wu isn't stupid!"
"Really?" Ye Qiu pinched her cheek playfully.
"Ah! Are you trying to say I'm stupid? I'll beat you up!" Xiao Wu protested, punching him a few times before stopping.
After fooling around, Ye Qiu suggested heading back.
"Already?" Xiao Wu pouted, reluctant but obedient as she followed him toward the dormitory.
Ye Qiu could only sigh inwardly. He didn't like it either. Being with her always felt as if unseen eyes were watching.
He had a growing premonition—once his bond with Xiao Wu deepened, the time he could stay by her side would grow shorter.
To Tang Hao, a hundred-thousand-year soul ring was irresistible.
'The matter of the immortal herbs must be put on the agenda,' Ye Qiu thought. 'I'm sorry… Xiao Wu.'
Glancing at the silly rabbit beside him, still smiling, Ye Qiu silently resolved to act on his plan. He needed the immortal herbs of the Yin-Yang Well—and the Jade Hand and Ghost Shadow techniques as well.
"Xiao Qiu! What are you thinking about?" Xiao Wu suddenly jumped in front of him, hands behind her back.
He stopped and looked at her seriously. "Xiao Wu, I need to ask you for a favor."
"What is it? As long as Sister Xiao Wu can do it, I'll agree!"
"I'm serious."
"So am I." Her smile faded as she met his gaze without flinching.
Before she could say more, Ye Qiu pulled her into his arms.
Standing on tiptoe, their foreheads touching, Xiao Wu laughed softly. "This is the first time Xiao Qiu hugged me on his own~"
Moonlight bathed them in silver as a gentle breeze passed. Xiao Wu only felt warmth as she hugged him back.
"You really are a silly rabbit," Ye Qiu said softly.
For once, Xiao Wu didn't argue. She simply smiled foolishly. "Mm… whatever Xiao Qiu says goes."