Chapter 37: Is Tang San's First Soul Skill a Deadly Weapon?
"Xiao San, Xiao San, I'm here!"
From far away, Zu Zong called out loudly.
Look at that expression, that tone!
So affectionate, so full of feeling (Zu Zong: Pfft! It's friendship, not some weird romance). Anyone who didn't know might really think these two were "brothers who drink deeply together."
No sooner had the words fallen than the three of them, including Zu Zong, fully appeared within the sight of the Shrek group.
Dai Mubai showed a surprised look and turned to Tang San, asking, "Tang San, do you know that person?"
Just moments ago, Dai Mubai had prepared himself to pick a fight. No matter if that blue-haired pretty boy had "seduced" Zhu Zhuqing, he intended to teach him a lesson.
There were three reasons:
One: Attracting Zhu Zhuqing's attention is a crime.
Two: Being more handsome than himself is an even greater crime.
Three, and most importantly: That guy was accompanied by two beauties who completely ignored this tall, rich, handsome guy—an unforgivable offense.
But now things were different. The other was calling Tang San—and calling him affectionately "Xiao San."
Tsk tsk, listen closely!
Even their classmates never called him "Xiao San," so this was significant. After all, they would be spending years together, so some respect was due.
Tang San's mouth twitched as he shot a venomous glare at the approaching Zu Zong. If no one else was around, he would definitely make that guy taste the power of his newly crafted Zhuge Crossbow.
"I know him," Dai Mubai was still a good guy in Tang San's mind—one he trusted. So no need to lie about this.
Dai Mubai understood immediately, thinking, "Looks like they really are friends! Good thing I didn't rush in."
At that moment, Zu Zong came over. After a quick check, he found Tang San's soul power had risen to level 29, a slight smile tugging at his lips. Interesting! Even though the first soul ring was ruined, he still managed to reach level 29.
"Aiya! Xiao San, why are you still so closed off like before? Brother's talking to you and you don't even reply. Don't forget, it was me who helped you hunt your first soul ring back then!"
Dai Mubai (relieved): Tang San really is closed off. If even I know he's reserved, then they really must be friends—helping with soul rings and all. True brothers!
Tang San (angry): Brother my ass! That dog is a bastard!
As he spoke, Zu Zong sized up the three across from him:
Tang San looked the same, probably wanting to beat him up;
Dai Mubai was smiling and acting friendly, clearly thinking Zu Zong was a good buddy of Tang San's.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, he glanced at her moon-shaped scar—it was really big (swallows saliva). But why was she always staring at him like that? That affectionate gaze—could even the coldest girl in the original story be shaken by his charm?
Clearing his throat, Zu Zong said seriously, "Ahem, ahem. I'm Zu Zong. Zu as in clan, Zong as in ancestor. You can call me Zu Zong or Little Zong from now on. Hmm! I'm Tang San's fellow hometown mate and elementary school classmate."
While saying this, Zu Zong pointed at Xiao Wu and Ye Lingling: "This rabbit here is our village chief's granddaughter, and this beauty in black silk is the campus belle of our academy."
Though Xiao Wu didn't like Tang San's gloomy expression—especially his first soul skill (which was the real issue)—since Zu Zong was introducing her to outsiders, she wouldn't lose face. "Ya ha lo! (copying Zu Zong) Hello everyone, my name is Xiao Wu."
As she spoke, Xiao Wu walked up to Tang San, looking him over left and right and nodding. Tang San felt a bit embarrassed under her gaze.
Tang San (blushing): Xiao Wu is so cute!
Xiao Wu clenched her right fist and tapped her left palm, suddenly realizing, "Your name is Tang San, right? Looking closely, you really are pretty ugly."
Hearing this, Tang San's forehead sprouted a black line. That blow crushed his heart that had lived two lifetimes as a chivalrous man.
Ye Lingling, still dressed in black with her usual cold expression, spoke lightly, "Ye Lingling." But those familiar with her would notice she was gentler than before. In the past, she would at most nod, never uttering a word.
Upon hearing Ye Lingling's melodious and ethereal voice, Dai Mubai was entranced.
He glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and thought to himself, 'Ye… Ling… Ling, is it? She seems to be about my age, truly a girl untouched by the mundane world. I wonder what Zhuqing will be like in a few years.'
Brushing aside his golden hair that had been tousled by the breeze, Dai Mubai said seriously, "Oh! Hello, I'm Dai Mubai, a classmate of Tang San."
As he spoke, he kept glancing at Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling from the corner of his eye.
As for Xiao Wu, he automatically ignored her. Although Xiao Wu was beautiful, compared to the two in front of him, she really fell quite short.
A cold glint flashed in Zu Zong's eyes. His sharp gaze caught Dai Mubai's behavior at once.
Hmph! Still incorrigible, as always.
Zhu Zhuqing looked straight at Zu Zong and said in a cold voice, "Zhu—Zhu—Qing."
She especially bit down hard on the last two syllables.
Then she seemed like she wanted to say more, but stopped herself. After glancing at the two girls beside Zu Zong, she gave a cold snort and said, "Men are all big pigs."
Zu Zong rolled his eyes, confused. 'Did I offend her somehow?'
Tang San didn't say much. He kept his gaze on Xiao Wu and, for some reason, felt a strange emptiness in his heart.
When he shifted his gaze back to Zu Zong, much of that feeling faded.
The faint blush that had crept onto his face from Xiao Wu's gaze vanished. His expression turned cold.
"Hmph! Stop pretending to be kind," he said. "Just say what you want. If there's nothing, I'm going back to the academy."
Tang San's reaction was exactly what Zu Zong expected.
But Xiao Wu at the side was instantly upset.
She flared up like an angry cat—or rather, an angry rabbit. She glared fiercely at Tang San.
"Hmph! Tang San, what's with that tone?" she said. "Xiao Zong was being so nice to you, why do you have to speak so harshly? Are you still blaming Xiao Zong for what happened with the first spirit ring?"
"The first spirit ring?" x2
Both Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing looked confused.
They had both fought Tang San before and acknowledged his strength.
Zhu Zhuqing admitted she couldn't match him, and Dai Mubai believed that even without using his third spirit skill, he couldn't easily defeat Tang San.
Tang San was now level 29.
His second spirit skill—Parasitic—was something they had both witnessed. It was a single-target control skill, very tricky to deal with.
But neither of them had ever seen his first spirit skill.
Could it be that Tang San's first spirit skill was a hidden trump card?
(End of this chapter)
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