Far away at Notting Academy, Xiao Wu didn't attend class because of what had happened the previous night.
She stayed alone in Dormitory Seven, lying on Ye Qiu's bed, idly playing with a bamboo dragonfly in her hand.
In her other hand, she tightly held the small note Ye Qiu had left behind, muttering complaints under her breath.
"Xiao Qiu is really something… going to hunt souls without even telling me. What if you ran into danger?"
The bamboo dragonfly spun slowly between her fingers.
Crack.
With a crisp sound, the small pole—something Ye Qiu had carefully repaired—snapped apart once again.
"Xiao Qiu—!"
Xiao Wu suddenly froze, as if sensing something terrible. She jumped to her feet, clutching her chest, her face pale as tears streamed down uncontrollably.
...
Inside Yu Xiaogang's residence, Tang San was now able to get out of bed and walk around, but he had no interest in cultivation.
He sat in the spot where his master usually read, staring blankly out the window at the distant scenery.
Click.
Yu Xiaogang entered from outside. He had already met Tang Hao.
"Disciple, are you still thinking about what happened that night?"
Tang San didn't respond, remaining lost in thought.
"Ugh…"
Yu Xiaogang sighed, placed the medicine in his hand on the table, and patted Tang San's shoulder.
"Heh… don't worry. That girl will fall for you sooner or later. I heard that guy named Ye Qiu has already left Notting Academy."
"What?!"
Tang San's eyes widened instantly.
"Teacher! Is that true?!"
"Of course," Yu Xiaogang replied calmly. "They're probably scared."
He knew very well it was true. After all, Haotian Douluo had personally intervened.
Dealing with a child was trivial—how could there be any surprises?
But it wasn't fear.
It was death.
A permanent departure from this world.
Still, lying was Yu Xiaogang's specialty. He had once deceived even the Holy Maiden and his own cousin—this was nothing new.
"What about Xiao Wu?"
Tang San grabbed Yu Xiaogang's arm anxiously. "Where did she go?"
"She's still at the academy."
"That's great!"
Tang San immediately stood up. "I'm going to find Xiao Wu!"
"Enough!"
Yu Xiaogang stopped him just in time. "Recover properly first. Otherwise, these injuries could leave lasting damage and affect your future cultivation."
She can't leave…
Looking at Tang San, Yu Xiaogang saw his former self—just as devoted, just as obsessed—before his life had been ruined by others.
His fists clenched tightly.
Bibi Dong… and that shameless bastard… you'll regret it!
Tang San was his hope.
Under Yu Xiaogang's reassurance, Tang San could only obediently focus on healing.
...
The sunset burned red across the horizon as a gentle evening breeze passed through the trees, leaves rustling softly.
On an open patch of land lay the "corpse" of a boy dressed in black.
His face was deathly pale, streaked with dried blood. The black ribbon covering his eyes was soaked crimson.
Stirred by the wind, his fingers twitched.
Whoosh—
A sudden gust blew away the blood-stained ribbon, carrying it off into the distance.
Beneath it was revealed a pair of blood-red eyes, three tomoe spinning slowly within them.
Against his pale face, those eyes looked demonic.
Ye Qiu lay motionless for a moment… then the corners of his lips slowly curled upward.
After being exposed to the sun all day, blood seeped from the corners of his mouth simply from smiling.
Yet he felt no pain.
"Haha… hahaha…"
His chuckle grew into a sneer, then erupted into wild laughter.
He laughed at his own weakness.
At Tang Hao's arrogance.
At the Tang father and son—who were courting their own destruction.
"Tang Hao!"
Ye Qiu roared toward the horizon.
"Wait for me! I will definitely take your dog's life!"
Exhausted after venting his rage, Ye Qiu staggered to his feet and left the place.
He never imagined that not only would he survive Tang Hao's attack, but that his Sharingan would evolve at the final moment—awakening the three-tomoe state.
Misfortune had become opportunity.
Sticking to his original plan, Ye Qiu quietly headed back toward Notting City.
"Xiao Wu… wait for me."
...
Night fell. A crescent moon peeked through drifting clouds.
Wearing a black robe, Ye Qiu arrived at the small workshop where he worked.
Tuk-tuk.
After knocking twice, a voice came from inside.
"We're closed! Who is it?"
"Grandpa Jerry, it's me—Ye Qiu. I came to pick something up."
Footsteps approached. With a click, the door opened, revealing an elderly face.
"Xiao Qiu? Why are you still out so late? Come in!"
"Sorry to trouble you, Grandpa Jerry. May I stay here for the night?" Ye Qiu asked apologetically.
"Haha, of course. Since you started working here, business has been booming. This is nothing."
Yawning, Grandpa Jerry told Ye Qiu to rest in the workshop and went back to sleep.
He trusted Ye Qiu completely.
Inside the workshop, there was a table and a small bed—more than enough.
Ye Qiu lit a candle and kept it far from the table. Having "died" once, he was now extremely cautious about explosions.
After preparing everything and placing it by the bedside, he extinguished the candle and lay down.
As sleep approached, Ye Qiu pondered how to take revenge on Tang Hao.
He couldn't fight him directly—but revenge didn't have to be straightforward.
Then—
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass flashed through his mind.
"…That's it."
"The Blue Silver Emperor."
After her sacrifice, she left behind a seed, which Tang Hao planted near Holy Soul Village.
Once Ye Qiu found the village, locating the cave would be easy with his Sharingan's perception and X-ray vision.
Tang Hao wanted Xiao Wu—wanted her soul ring.
Then Ye Qiu would respond in kind.
He would uproot Tang Hao's wife.
Steal away Tang San's mother.
"Don't blame me, Tang Hao," Ye Qiu sneered softly. "You brought this on yourself."
With his mind finally at ease, Ye Qiu fell asleep.
...
At the same time, back in Dormitory Seven at Notting Academy—
Wrapped in Ye Qiu's blanket, Xiao Wu lay awake, staring into the darkness.
"Xiao Qiu…"
"You must come back safely."
---
Tang San also suffered from insomnia.
To make it easier for Yu Xiaogang to care for him, he lay down beside his teacher, staring blankly at the ceiling. His eyes were filled with longing as his thoughts drifted into fantasy.
Xiao Wu… Ye Qiu really is nothing but a coward—a piece of trash.
I, Tang San, will definitely make you happy.
The moon in the night sky revealed only its lower half, like a crooked grin, silently mocking Tang San's wishful thinking.
---