9 Chapter 9: Winning a Game

Two and a half years had passed.

Time flew by, and during this period, Cheng Xiao spent a considerable amount of time and effort, finally summarizing a set of soul force circulation routes that were closely aligned with Tai Chi.

Every time he modified the route, he would engage in a day of Tai Chi to experience its effects. If the feeling deteriorated, he would start over, but if it improved, he would use it as a basis for further adjustments.

After numerous modifications and continuous experimentation, this set of soul force circulation routes finally took shape.

Cheng Xiao still felt it wasn't perfect. Apart from the first time he entered the state of "no self, no form," he hadn't been able to recapture that feeling in the past two and a half years.

The current set of soul force circulation routes allowed him to infinitely approach the state of "no self, no form," but it still lacked that tiny bit.

He wanted to make better modifications based on this foundation, but limited by his current knowledge and experience, it was challenging to make even the slightest adjustment to this set of soul force circulation routes.

Regardless of Cheng Xiao's frustration, he had to admit that human capabilities sometimes had their limits.

He wasn't someone like Zhang Sanfeng who could ascend to immortality in broad daylight. Without such extraordinary abilities, he could only rely on the faint intuition within him to make subtle adjustments, gradually exploring a more optimal state to achieve perfection.

The final version of the soul force circulation routes, combined with Tai Chi, was eventually compiled into the "Tai Chi" cultivation method.

Benefit from Tai Chi's are restoration of his physique, the congenital deficiencies were gradually replenished. In less than three years, Cheng Xiao broke through to the tenth level.

While this speed might be considered swift for an ordinary person, it couldn't be classified as genius-level.

In the past few days, Tang San and Xiao Wu had also broken through to the twentieth level.

The breakthrough at the Spirit Master stage was much more challenging than the Spirit Scholar stage, yet they managed to surpass Cheng Xiao, indicating that in terms of congenital affinity, Cheng Xiao still had a significant gap to bridge.

The news of breaking through to level 20 at less than ten years of age alarmed the dean.

Under the guidance of the academy's dean, Tang San hunted a Ghost Vine and obtained his second soul ring, with the skill being Parasite.

The treatment of geniuses was enviable, something ordinary people couldn't enjoy.

Most students were led by Soul Masters to hunt soul beasts when they were just over ten levels. Rarely did they encounter hundred-year soul rings; most were ten-year soul rings with subpar quality and less desirable attributes.

After reaching the tenth level, Cheng Xiao had the opportunity to ask a teacher for help in hunting soul beasts, but he didn't choose that path.

Ten-year soul beasts were too low for him.

With all the effort he put into training his body, enduring physical hardships, and refining his mind, coupled with the nourishment of Tai Chi to supplement congenital deficiencies, absorbing the annual limit of Soul Rings wasn't enough. At the very least, he needed to reach the upper limit, and ten-year soul rings were like trying to fill a gap between his teeth.

Therefore, he fulfilled the agreement he proposed over two years ago, seeking out Tang San and Xiao Wu.

In the two and a half years, many things had happened. Cheng Xiao's relationship with Xiao Wu became closer, and the same was true for Tang San and Xiao Wu.

A year and a half ago, at the end of the first academic year, Xiao Wu followed Tang San back to the Holy Soul Village and became sworn siblings with him. Cheng Xiao couldn't stop this from happening.

Xiao Wu, without Cheng Xiao's knowledge, had privately arranged with Tang San to spend the summer vacation at Tang San's home, not giving Cheng Xiao the opportunity to intervene.

As for going back to the Holy Soul Village together...

Cheng Xiao eventually abandoned this idea. He had to help with his family's business during the summer vacation, and it was impossible to stay in the Holy Soul Village for the entire summer. There would still be opportunities for them to be alone. If he could intercept them once, he could do it twice or three times, right?

With the soul of an adult, his methods were naturally superior to those of children. In the circumstances where Tang San had ulterior motives, the matter of them becoming sworn siblings was inevitable.

Could Cheng Xiao still stick to his resolution during the six years of the Elementary Soul Master Academy?

If it's going to rain, and the girl wants to get married, let it be.

Cheng Xiao was indifferent, thinking he could always collect the bones if things went south. He was quite fond of the "Invincible Golden Body." As for the body... both the bones and the soul were with him. What Tang San got was just a soulless shell.

Moreover, this wasn't necessarily a disadvantage. Ever since Tang San and Xiao Wu became siblings, Tang San obediently followed Xiao Wu's words.

Cheng Xiao only needed to win over Xiao Wu, indirectly controlling Tang San. Xiao Wu was carefree, much easier to manipulate than Tang San.

This move, Cheng Xiao profited in every direction. He was winning big.

Of course, Xiao Wu wasn't foolish; she wouldn't agree to anything inappropriate.

"Xiao San, do you have time today?"

"Xiao San, are you free today?"

"Xiao San, you should be free today, right?"

Since breaking through to the tenth level, Cheng Xiao asked Tang San every day if he had time to accompany him to hunt soul beasts.

Tang San was quite shocked by this.

The scene on the playground two and a half years ago was deeply etched in Tang San's mind, and he had completely lost any favorable impression of Cheng Xiao.

Tang San could also sense Cheng Xiao's ill intentions. Every time their eyes met, Tang San could feel a hint of deep scheming.

Therefore, the relationship between the two was in a very delicate state. If it weren't for Xiao Wu, the taut string between them would probably snap instantly. Now, they maintained surface peace, but they had simulated countless clashes in their hearts.

With their relationship at an icy point, both knew it well. What surprised Tang San was that even in such a state, Cheng Xiao had the audacity to bring up old matters and ask him to help hunt soul beasts.

"Can people be so shameless?" Tang San expressed his incomprehension, greatly shocked by this.

Cheng Xiao didn't care about that. Even if they were mortal enemies, it was still necessary to use whatever resources were available. Jokingly, do you know how much it costs to hire a high-ranked soul master outside? The Cheng family wasn't a noble family; they hadn't reached the point of disregarding money.

Squeezing all available labor was the conscience of every competent capitalist.

Feeling his conscience, Cheng Xiao found himself quite competent.

At first, Tang San refused with the excuse that he needed to help the teacher organize documents. But later on, he couldn't hold on.

Mainly because his face wasn't thick enough, and his weak spot was still in someone else's hands. If he could hold on, there would be something wrong.

He really didn't expect that Cheng Xiao insisted on waiting for him every time, leading to delays. Xiao Wu was also a bit dissatisfied, and with Cheng Xiao occasionally fanning the flames, Xiao Wu began to throw tantrums.

"Xiao San, when do you have time? If you keep delaying, we won't wait for you," Xiao Wu pouted.

Tang San was anxious, "You can't go; hunting soul beasts is too dangerous. I'm worried if you go."

"What should I do then? I promised Cheng Xiao back then! I'm the big sister; I can't break my word." Xiao Wu huffed, "Hmph! I don't care. If you don't make time, I'll go with Cheng Xiao alone."

Helpless, Tang San could only say, "Alright, wait for me a few more days, I'll ask for leave from the teacher."

"Hehe, Xiao San is the best." Xiao Wu smiled and said, "I knew Xiao San cared the most about me."

"Only this once, not allowed next time. I'm really worried about you." Tang San reluctantly compromised, his face full of doting.

Pouting, Xiao Wu said, "I know, it's not like back then when I was small. Cheng Xiao asked for our help casually, and we agreed. I won't do dangerous things in the future, okay?"

"That's more like it."

And so, Cheng Xiao conquered Xiao Wu, Xiao Wu PUA (controlled) Tang San, and the alliance was formed, a win for all.