"Second Soul Skill, Charm!"
Pink, heart-shaped light radiated around Xiao Wu as she directed it toward Zhao Wuji.
However, the gap in soul power between them was far too great.
The spiritual strength of a Soul Sage was not something a mere Grand Soul Master could shake.
Zhao Wuji's body merely trembled slightly. The backlash from the charm instantly traveled back along the soul power connection and struck Xiao Wu instead.
"Pfft!"
Xiao Wu felt a sharp blow to her mind. Her head spun, her body swayed, and her soul power fell into chaos. Her knees buckled, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.
"Xiao Wu!" Tang San shouted.
Seeing her injured, the anger and anxiety within Tang San exploded completely.
Forgetting Zhao Wuji's overwhelming strength, he immediately mobilized his soul power and activated the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, rushing toward Xiao Wu at top speed.
There was only one thought in his mind—protect Xiao Wu. He couldn't let her get hurt again.
But Su Bai was faster.
Already positioned between Xiao Wu and Zhao Wuji, he didn't hesitate. His third soul ring flashed once more.
"Third Soul Skill, Qilin Soaring!"
A streak of golden light cut through the air. With unbelievable speed, Su Bai reached Xiao Wu before Tang San.
He extended his arm and pulled Xiao Wu steadily into his embrace.
Her body was soft, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance.
Though weakened from the backlash, the moment she was held by Su Bai, her discomfort eased noticeably.
That auspicious aura surrounding him enveloped her once again. Her consciousness was hazy, but the sense of safety made her feel warm.
By the time Tang San arrived, all he saw was Xiao Wu already in Su Bai's arms.
His fury ignited like an explosion.
"Su Bai! Let go of my Xiao Wu!"
Tang San roared, his voice filled with uncontrollable anger and jealousy.
His face flushed red, chest heaving violently. Seeing Xiao Wu in Su Bai's arms felt like his heart was being torn apart.
Xiao Wu weakly lifted her head, resting against Su Bai's chest. She looked at him, her voice soft, carrying dependence and gratitude.
"Brother Su Bai… thank you…"
Though faint, her words clearly reached Tang San's ears—like blades piercing straight through his heart.
At the same time, the system notification sounded again.
[Ding! Xiao Wu Favorability +25. Current Favorability: 50!]
[Reward: Favorability Treasure Chest x1]
Holding Xiao Wu, Su Bai felt satisfied hearing the notification. He looked at Tang San, his face expressionless.
But inwardly, he was pleased. The auspicious Qilin truly lived up to its power—Xiao Wu's favorability had already reached 50 in such a short time. Winning her over completely didn't seem difficult at all.
Tang San stood frozen.
He stared at Xiao Wu in Su Bai's arms. Her weak, dependent posture—and that one line, "Brother Su Bai"—echoed endlessly in his mind.
A dizzying wave of pain and fury surged within him.
He had given so much, protected Xiao Wu since childhood… yet now, all her reliance had shifted to Su Bai.
For the first time, Tang San felt utterly defeated and enraged. It felt as if everything he had built was effortlessly taken away.
Zhao Wuji watched the scene unfold, a playful expression appearing on his face.
Interesting. Very interesting. Looks like that kid's girl is being taken.
Tang San stood there, eyes bloodshot, breathing heavily, staring at Xiao Wu in Su Bai's arms.
That single sentence wrapped around his mind like a venomous snake, tearing at his sanity.
Rage and frustration intertwined, making his body tremble.
He forced himself to calm down—but the fire in his chest only grew stronger.
No!
He couldn't accept this!
His gaze hardened. He tore his focus away from Su Bai and Xiao Wu, locking instead onto Zhao Wuji.
In his mind, Zhao Wuji was the root cause—he was the one who had hurt Xiao Wu.
He would make him pay.
His left hand slipped quietly into his sleeve. His fingers flicked.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Sharp sounds cut through the air.
Over a dozen hidden weapons shot out at lightning speed, aiming for Zhao Wuji's vital points.
They varied in shape—throwing knives, darts, even fine Dragon Beard Needles as thin as hair.
Zhao Wuji's expression darkened.
As a Soul Sage, when had he ever seen such underhanded tactics?
"Brat, you're courting death!" he growled.
He didn't dodge. His body shook, all seven soul rings blazing.
"First Soul Skill, Immovable King Body!"
A powerful force field erupted around him. Every hidden weapon that reached him struck it like hitting an iron wall.
Clang! Clang! Ding! Dang!
A dense series of metallic collisions rang out.
All the weapons were deflected, scattering across the ground, leaving scratches before coming to a stop.
Not a single one broke through his defense.
Seeing his hidden weapons completely fail, despair deepened in Tang San's heart.
Even the techniques of the Tang Sect couldn't harm Zhao Wuji in the slightest.
Zhao Wuji's anger was fully ignited.
As a teacher, he guided students—but he would not tolerate such tactics.
He stepped forward and raised his hand.
Smack!
A crisp slap echoed across the training ground.
Zhao Wuji's palm struck Tang San square across the face.
Tang San's body was sent flying, spinning several times in the air before crashing heavily onto the edge of the training field like a sack.
His vision blurred, his face burned with pain. His body twitched once—then he lost consciousness completely.
Zhao Wuji lowered his hand, still visibly angry. He looked at the unconscious Tang San and snorted coldly.
Su Bai, holding Xiao Wu, watched everything unfold.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. If Zhao Wuji hit Tang San like that… then Zhao Wuji probably wouldn't avoid getting beaten later either.
With Tang San knocked out, only Su Bai, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing—and Xiao Wu in his arms—remained on the field.
Zhao Wuji's attention returned to Su Bai. He knew that among them, only Su Bai could pose any real challenge.
Su Bai gently handed Xiao Wu over to Ning Rongrong.
"Take care of her," he said.
Ning Rongrong nodded, carefully supporting Xiao Wu. Though shocked by Tang San's actions, her focus was on Xiao Wu's condition.
Su Bai wasted no time. He stepped forward again, charging straight at Zhao Wuji.
His yellow soul ring flashed repeatedly.
"First Soul Skill, Qilin Steps in Heaven!"