Douluo: Venom Martial Soul

"Alright!"

Xiao Wu nodded with a sweet smile, her heart secretly brimming with pride. Even though she already had a good idea of Ye Qiu's thoughts, she still asked knowingly:

"How about it? Isn't Sister Xiao Wu's soul skill amazing?"

"Mm, very powerful."

Ye Qiu replied honestly, quite satisfied himself. He didn't mind her asking an obviously rhetorical question.

Xiao Wu's soul skills were indeed impressive.

Waist Bow, Charm, and Teleportation.

She had offense, control, and mobility. That was already a well-rounded combination.

"Hee hee~ I'll get even stronger in the future, so you'd better treat me even better!"

"And what exactly does it mean to treat you well?"

"Hmm? You should take more walks with Sister Xiao Wu. That earlier one was too short… I didn't have enough fun."

…

Aside from training and classes, the only spice in Ye Qiu's life was teasing Xiao Wu. A month passed quickly, and Ye Qiu successfully broke through to level 32.

Right now, he had just picked up his monthly allowance from the Spirit Hall and was casually walking back to Dorm Seven. Along the way, he occasionally saw students carrying luggage, heading out of the academy.

It was vacation time.

Students were already leaving to return home. This was Ye Qiu's fifth school break at Nuoding Academy.

He wore a bright, spring-like smile, full of joy and anticipation—because soon, he would be setting off for Sunset Forest to finally explore the vast world of soul masters.

Before long—

Ye Qiu returned to Dorm Seven.

"Ye Qiu! You're finally back! It was so boring while you were gone!" Xiao Wu jumped off Ye Qiu's bed, flusteredly straightening the messy blankets she had rolled around in.

"If you're bored, go train or something. Why do you always lie on my bed?" Ye Qiu looked at the disaster she left behind and rolled his eyes helplessly.

"I was just tired from packing and accidentally dozed off." Xiao Wu grinned sheepishly and quickly ran to Ye Qiu's side. "So? Did you maybe 'accidentally' get a few extra gold soul coins?"

"What are you imagining? Good things like that don't happen that often." Ye Qiu pushed her face away, amused but annoyed. Her reminder made him remember—he still had to go to a higher-tier city to update his Spirit Hall member ID.

After all, the Spirit Hall had the widest network of influence. When traveling, he might even be able to score free lodging, and it'd make sleeping much easier.

"I'm gonna go wash up first, we can talk more after." Ye Qiu gently flicked her little nose. Tomorrow marked the end of the term—it was also time for him to say goodbye to this rabbit for a few months.

"Okay!"

Xiao Wu nodded happily. Once Ye Qiu left, she dove right back onto his bed. She once hinted about pushing their beds back together during training, but Ye Qiu teased her about it so much she didn't have the face to bring it up again.

Still, she cherished every trip back to Holy Soul Village, because during those times, she and Ye Qiu shared a bed. She would help him do laundry, and he would cook delicious food for her—just the two of them living together.

When Ye Qiu came out from washing up, his bed was neat again, and on the headboard was a small bundle.

"Ye Qiu! I already packed everything you'll need for the trip tomorrow! So? When you get home this time, can you make a few more Blue Silver Grass Cakes for Sister Xiao Wu?" Xiao Wu sat at the edge of the bed, proudly patting the blanket as if claiming credit.

Ye Qiu smiled and shook his head: "That might not happen this time."

"Huh? Why not? I've been really well-behaved lately! I train with you every afternoon and evening!" Xiao Wu started counting on her fingers and looked at him confused.

Ye Qiu answered truthfully.

"Because this year… I don't plan on going home."

"You're not going home?!"

Xiao Wu looked at him, stunned. She jumped off the bed and walked over, hands behind her back, tilting her head upward. Her expression was sweet and curious. "Then where are you going? Sister Xiao Wu will go with you!"

Ye Qiu paused in toweling his hair, smiled slightly, then suddenly draped the towel over Xiao Wu's face.

"Ah~ What are you doing?!"

Xiao Wu quickly yanked the towel off, but Ye Qiu was no longer in front of her. His voice came from behind:

"I'm heading out to see the world."

"Okay! Okay! That's great! I want to see the world too!" Xiao Wu spun around excitedly. Seeing him sitting on the bed again, she gleefully bounced toward him.

Ye Qiu looked at the overly energetic Xiao Wu with a wry smile, paused for a moment, and said, "But… I don't plan to take you with me this time."

"Huh?!"

Xiao Wu froze mid-step, nearly twisting her ankle. The towel slipped from her hands to the floor. But she couldn't be bothered with it—her eyes were filled with confusion and worry.

"Ye Qiu, what did you say?"

"I said, I don't plan to bring you along this time." Ye Qiu repeated.

Xiao Wu blinked, then rushed over and grabbed his arm, her voice urgent. "Why? Why aren't you taking Sister Xiao Wu with you?"

"Uh… because it's not very convenient." Ye Qiu chuckled. The place he was heading to was the Eye of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, hidden deep within Sunset Forest. That was the territory of the Titled Douluo—Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.

Bringing Xiao Wu along? She might just get "boxed" the moment they landed.

And there was still Tang Hao around. He might allow some teasing between Xiao Wu and Ye Qiu, but there was no way he'd let Xiao Wu leave his sight.

The safest and best approach was to have Xiao Wu and Tang San stay in Holy Soul Village for two months.

"What's inconvenient about it?! Is it because I wasn't obedient?!" Xiao Wu shouted, her crimson eyes wide. She hadn't yelled at Ye Qiu like this in a long time.

"Of course not. You've been very obedient lately." Ye Qiu shook his head, chuckling. He pinched her soft, chubby cheek.

"Then take me with you! Staying here alone is boring!" Xiao Wu's eyes brimmed with grievance and pleading. She hugged his arm, gently swaying and pouting. "I promise I'll be good. I won't cause trouble. I can train with you, and even wash your clothes…"

"Enough." Ye Qiu knocked on her forehead, then took her hand in his, gently kneading it. "It's not like I'm abandoning you. I'll be back once the new term starts."

"What do you mean 'abandon'? I—I'm not even yours…" Xiao Wu's face flushed pink, muttering back a retort. But she still didn't want to be separated from Ye Qiu. "Ye Qiu~ Take me with you, please? I promise I'll behave…"

"Ah! Ye Qiu~"

Ye Qiu suddenly pulled Xiao Wu into his arms, gently embracing her slightly-developing frame. Their faces pressed together—and her body quickly turned warm as fire.