Chapter 67: On the Spot, I'm the Villain!

Although he claimed to be entering a cultivation state, Dai Xiyu was merely transferring soul power to Xiao Wu, not cultivating together.

Remaining conscious, they had been secretly observing Tang San's reactions.

Tang San stood at the doorway for a while, ultimately doing nothing, and went to clean with a dark face.

And just as Tang San turned around, a notification reappeared in the upper left of Dai Xiyu's vision.

【Harvest from Tang San's fortune +200,000】

Only two hundred thousand, but Tang San remained calm…… Dai Xiyu secretly pondered, researching subsequent plans.

Actually, if Dai Xiyu wanted, there were plenty of ways to boost Tang San's fortune by directly controlling Xiao Wu with the skull.

But then Xiao Wu's fortune would be hard to obtain.

After all, forced melons aren't sweet; Dai Xiyu was still waiting for Xiao Wu to contribute tens of millions of fortune in one go.

Children make choices; adults want everything!

After Tang San went to clean, Dai Xiyu opened the fortune shop in passing.

Now, the fortune balance had reached 3,800,000, exactly enough to exchange for first‑level soul power.

Before eliminating Tang Hao's threat, Dai Xiyu had no intention of exchanging anything else; soul power was the top priority.

So, after opening the shop, Dai Xiyu directly chose to exchange.

【Successfully exchanged soul power (first‑level), fortune -3,800,000】

The notification appeared, leaving the fortune balance at just over five thousand, while the price for the next level of soul power had reached 4,000,000.

"Seventy‑seven level already…… the speed is not bad."

Dai Xiyu pondered silently, then closed the fortune shop.

The cultivation with Xiao Wu continued until noon, a full four hours.

Today is the day to report to school; tomorrow is the official start of term, so there's no need to register for class.

Dai Xiyu withdrew the soul power, and Xiao Wu also regained consciousness.

Looking into Dai Xiyu's eyes, Xiao Wu exclaimed in delight:

"This method really works; I only just reached level seventeen a month ago, and now I've broken through again!"

You should know, Xiao Wu is the incarnation of a hundred‑thousand‑year spirit beast, so cultivation hardly raises her soul power at all.

Only by staying beside a human can her soul power increase at a steady rate.

According to her previous growth rate, she needs two months to gain one level.

Yet just now, after only four hours of dual cultivation, she actually saved a month's worth of growth time.

Consequently, Xiao Wu's interest in Dai Xiyu grew even stronger.

As her words fell, a special notification refreshed once more.

【Harvest from Xiao Wu's fortune +200,000】

Under the skull's effect, in the early stage when affection is low, each dual cultivation increases affection and yields fortune; Dai Xiyu was not surprised.

After the surprise, Xiao Wu's gaze shifted and she spotted Tang San's figure in the corner.

She excitedly jumped off the bed and called out to Tang San from afar:

"Xiao San, my strength has increased again! This dual cultivation method really works!"

Pausing, Xiao Wu flicked her scorpion braid, hands on hips, boasting:

"Hehe, Xiao San, next time we spar, I might not lose to you!"

Tang San sat cross‑legged on the corner bed, glanced at Xiao Wu, then at Dai Xiyu, and said coldly, "Hmph, boring."

His tone was full of sourness, which even Tang San himself didn't notice.

Xiao Wu had wanted to share her joy, but instead she got a slap in the face, and her happiness instantly faded by half.

Normally, Tang San would never deny her face like this; when sparring in front of others he would deliberately hold back to maintain Xiao Wu's "big sister" persona.

Today, Tang San seemed to have suddenly become a different person, leaving Xiao Wu bewildered.

At this moment, only Dai Xiyu, Tang San, and Xiao Wu remained in the dorm; everyone else had gone to the cafeteria to eat.

Feeling there weren't many people around and no need to keep up her persona, Xiao Wu wanted to yield a little.

However, Dai Xiyu suddenly grabbed Xiao Wu's hand and said, "Come on, let's go eat too—eating is the biggest thing under heaven."

Xiao Wu had wanted to refuse, but after Dai Xiyu took her hand, the words got stuck in her throat and she couldn't say them.

The passive effect of the million‑year skull cannot be avoided, even by a hundred‑thousand‑year spirit beast.

Under the effect of growing affection, Xiao Wu finally agreed with a sound and obediently let Dai Xiyu lead her away.

After Dai Xiyu and Xiao Wu left the dorm, only Tang San remained inside.

A few seconds later, Tang San sprang up, frantically grabbing the pillows and bedding from the bed and throwing them everywhere.

His face flushed, Tang San gritted his teeth and almost squeezed out a few words from between his teeth: "Xi, yu!"

"Who called me?"

The next moment, the door opened; Dai Xiyu led Xiao Wu to stand in the doorway, looking at the mess all over the floor.

Blankly staring at Tang San's embarrassed state, Xiao Wu slightly opened her mouth, her face full of confusion.

The air fell silent; Tang San's already flushed face grew even redder, as if he wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Dai Xiyu gave a dry cough and said, "I just came to ask if you'd like to go eat together… looks like you don't, so we'll head out first."

Before closing the door, Dai Xiyu added one more reminder:

"By the way, don't forget to tidy up before anyone else comes back, or it won't look good if they see it."

Having said that, he gently closed the door, leading Xiao Wu—who kept glancing back every three steps—straight toward the cafeteria.

As they had just stepped out of the dorm, a notification refreshed in the upper left of Dai Xiyu's vision.

【Harvest from Tang San's fortune +1,000,000】

This is the first time exceeding one million; it seems the previous operation dealt a heavy blow to Tang San.

Dai Xiyu was in high spirits, smiling as he led Xiao Wu into the cafeteria.

After entering, many people turned their gazes toward him, focusing on Dai Xiyu.

There's no helping it; at Noding Primary Soul Master Academy, a work-study student might not even come once a year.

At this moment a new face appeared, and moreover, he was walking hand in hand with the work-study students' 'little overlord' Xiao Wu, making it hard to avoid attention.

In order to maintain the work-study student persona, Dai Xiyu did not go to the cafeteria's second floor with Xiao Wu, but instead they together got food and ate on the first floor.

While they were eating, many people passing by called Xiao Wu 'Xiao Wu sister'.

Dai Xiyu smiled and said, 'Your reputation as the work-study students' boss is actually quite high.'

Xiao Wu raised her chin somewhat proudly and said:

"Of course, this title of mine was earned through my own strength. And someday I will defeat you and take back the boss's position!"

Dai Xiyu shook his head and smiled, 'Then I'll wait and see.'

The two continued eating their meal, and just as they were about to finish, Xiao Wu suddenly said:

"By the way, Xiyu... when you practice dual cultivation, you can increase soul power for both parties, so why are you only at level nine yourself?"

Dai Xiyu replied nonchalantly, 'It's not level nine, it's level ten; I just don't want the hassle, so I haven't absorbed a soul ring to advance.'

Xiao Wu looked surprised and said, 'If you don't absorb a soul ring, then you can't level up, so how can you get stronger?'

Dai Xiyu took a sip of soup, lifted his head to look at Xiao Wu, and smiled:

"Even without absorbing a soul ring to advance, I can still accumulate soul power; leveling up together after graduation would be the same."

Xiao Wu somewhat half-understood, not grasping why anyone could resist the temptation to level up.

After all, they had only confirmed their adoptive sibling relationship a month ago, so Xiao Wu couldn't really just abandon Tang San.

So, after finishing their meal, Xiao Wu also packed a takeout portion for Tang San, who hadn't eaten.

After the first few times, by the time they headed back, even if Dai Xiyu held her hand, Xiao Wu no longer felt awkward.

During training, they even interlocked their fingers; what's so special about holding hands?

Moreover, walking hand in hand with Dai Xiyu across the campus, Xiao Wu faintly felt something wonderful.

Zhu Zhuqing and Qian Renxue are surely very familiar with this feeling, since they both have been through this stage.

Upon reaching the dormitory entrance, Xiao Wu tried to break free from Dai Xiyu's hand.

However, Dai Xiyu gave her no chance, firmly gripping her hand and opening the door to walk into the dormitory.

Xiao Wu's pretty face flushed, but she couldn't help it; she could only let Dai Xiyu hold her hand.

After entering, the other work-study students saw their joined hands and all gave ambiguous smiles, making Xiao Wu extremely embarrassed.

However, she didn't forget the important matter, quickly pulling Dai Xiyu to Tang San's bedside and handing over the packed meal.

"Xiao San, you didn't go to lunch, so I brought you a portion back."

Tang San, sitting cross-legged on the bed, opened his eyes, glanced at their joined hands, and his previously calm expression instantly darkened.

"No need, I'm going to find my teacher; he'll naturally prepare something good to eat."

Having said that, Tang San angrily got out of bed, brushed past Xiao Wu, and walked out of the dormitory.

After Tang San said that, Dai Xiyu once again saw a new prompt.

【Harvest from Tang San's fortune +1,000,000】

Xiao Wu was somewhat taken aback, feeling as if her good intentions were being treated like donkey's liver and lungs.

She placed the food box on Tang San's bedside, shook off Dai Xiyu's hand, covered her face, and ran out.

Dai Xiyu curled the corner of his mouth and followed her out.

Xiao Wu didn't go after Tang San; instead, she exited through the back door and ran to the secluded bell tower.

Dai Xiyu followed her up, and saw Xiao Wu standing by the battlements.

Her slender shoulders twitched slightly, her little hand constantly wiping away tears.

Dai Xiyu walked up to Xiao Wu, feigning ignorance, and asked, 'What's wrong?'

Xiao Wu turned her head, gazing at Dai Xiyu with tear-filled eyes.

"He once said, he said he wanted to be my lifelong sibling, to protect me forever. But now... sniffle..."

Dai Xiyu smiled, took the opportunity to embrace Xiao Wu in his arms, and said softly:

"That guy, although I haven't interacted much with him, I know he's competitive and strong-willed. As a girl, you being the boss he can tolerate, but if it were me, he'd surely not accept it."

"Moreover, people aren't like spirit beasts; they change. As the saying goes, 'After three days apart, look at someone with new eyes.' No one stays the same forever, right?"

After saying that, Dai Xiyu couldn't help but complain inwardly.

He thought to himself, 'Taking advantage of Xiao Wu's naivety, I've been misleading and sowing discord with my words—how could I have such a strong villain vibe…'

But upon reflection, the occupation of fortune hunter is to strike at the protagonist—isn't that outright a villain?

In that case, Dai Xiyu felt somewhat relieved.

After all, this is a game of you die, I live, full of deceit; if there's blame to be had, it's only because you are the protagonists.

Hearing Dai Xiyu's words, Xiao Wu grew even more distraught, burying her face in his chest and sobbing uncontrollably.

Only after several minutes, once her emotions had been vented, did Xiao Wu finally calm down.

Realizing she was held in Dai Xiyu's arms, a strong sense of security welled up in Xiao Wu's heart.

Taking advantage of the ambiguous atmosphere, Dai Xiyu struck while the iron was hot and said:

"Xiao Wu, I actually like you. If you're willing to be my girlfriend, I can also protect you for life."

"What's the point of beating around the bush with sibling pretenses? A real man just goes straight in."

"Based on his twenty‑first‑century experience, Dai Xiyu knew that any man who adopts a sister is just doing it for her looks!"

"To claim any genuine desire to have a relative is nothing but nonsense!"

Looking at Tang San's demeanor, does he seem like he wants to act like an older brother?

Not showing it doesn't mean one's heart is really that pure; only a fool would believe that.

What Dai Xiyu intends to do is intercept all of Tang San's little schemes halfway.

Hearing Dai Xiyu's confession, Xiao Wu's heart thumped and her breathing grew a little ragged.

Her face flushed crimson, and she widened her eyes in Dai Xiyu's arms.

Such frank words, she had only previously heard them from her parents.

Xiao Wu stayed silent for a long time, and Dai Xiyu knew there was hope.

At such a time, one should advance by retreating, letting the relationship progress while lowering the threshold.

Then Dai Xiyu continued: "We can first be together secretly, without telling anyone. Every day we cultivate together, make progress together, and someday astonish everyone."

Xiao Wu thought back to when she lived with her parents.

She thought of the love between her parents, that warm feeling making her very nostalgic.

After a moment, Xiao Wu spoke in a muffled voice:

"Being... being with me involves great risk; I have a very powerful, very powerful enemy who killed my mother, someone even stronger than a Title Douluo."

After Xiao Wu finished speaking, Dai Xiyu then said:

"'Don't be afraid, I can take revenge with you. If we two cultivate together, our strength will increase very quickly; even against a Title Douluo, we can catch up.'"

Xiao Wu fell silent for a moment, then lowered her voice and spoke softly: "What... what if you can't defeat that person, and that person wants to kill me?"

"'Then I'll take you and flee, run to the ends of the earth, then hide and continue secretly cultivating together to grow stronger.'"

"'As long as we have my special martial soul, our strength will certainly increase swiftly; avenging a gentleman may take ten years, but sooner or later we will settle the score with her!'"

"'Once our dual cultivation succeeds, even a Title Douluo will surely die on the spot at her hands!'"

Dai Xiyu's answer caught Xiao Wu completely off guard.

She had thought Dai Xiyu would say something like, if that person wanted to kill her, he would first step over his own corpse.

Unexpectedly, Dai Xiyu's first thought was to take her and flee to the ends of the earth, then return for revenge after becoming strong.

Indeed, avenging a gentleman may take ten years; only by living can there be endless possibilities.

What Tang San said then, although sentimental, was too naive.

Even if one stepped over Tang San's corpse, what would it matter? It would merely add another enemy; as the murderer, Bibi Dong would suffer no loss.

Moreover, after stepping over the corpse, Xiao Wu would still fall into Bibi Dong's hands.

By contrast, Dai Xiyu was very rational; his first thought was how to preserve both their lives so that they could eventually exact great revenge.

Compared side by side, the superiority is immediately clear.

(End of chapter)