Chapter 20

... The main body ...

Shen Qingxue watched Tang San and Xiao Wu sitting on the grass in front of him, still directing the clones to go to the places the plan had prepared for them. By the way, the Enchanted Forest boasted huge, but rare trees, which is why large open glades are not uncommon in it. However, many spiritual beasts increase with age, which means that the stronger the beasts are in a particular area of the forest,the rarer the trees are.

Here in such a clearing at the moment were the heroes, two of whom were slowly enjoying the absorption of the residual energy of the soul, and the last one was sitting on the grass, lazily looking at the clouds floating in the sky.

After two hours of leisurely waiting, Shen Qingxue finally saw Xiao Wu wrinkling her nose as if waking up from a sweet dream. Cute wiping the corners of the eyes with her small fists, she looked around, and, seeing the curious face of Shen Tissue, in a panic, he jumped, but due to the considerable reflexes, I realized the person sitting in front of her boy and attacked him.

Xiao Wu had already seen Tang San's face for several years after waking up from a dream, which made her a little disoriented when she saw the face of a boy who had just met her after a dream.

– Hmm, unlike Xiao San, you weren't able to break through, so it's probably your animal nature that's to blame. – Shen Qingxue noticed as he stroked the delicate skin on his chin.

– Yes ... er...! – Xiao Wu panicked, but Shen Qingxue took control of her jaw so that she wouldn't wake Tang San, who was sitting next to her. It was not yet time to share such a secret with him.

– Don't shout, though, neither you nor I really want Tang San to know about this. Although, I must say, I've known Xiao San since childhood, and I can see from his face that he's already got a huge crush on you, so you don't have to worry about him distancing himself from you if he finds out your secrets. – Shen Qingxue spoke unhurriedly, not particularly affected at first by the fighting, and then by the terribly awkward atmosphere.

– Er... I... – The girl clearly did not expect such frank statements. Still, she had just woken up, and the information that the boy in front of her knew her biggest secret, and then told her that her brother San had a "crush" on her, immediately poured out of a bucket.

It took a full minute for the girl to calm down more or less, during which time Shen Qingxue sat on the ground, resting his hands on the ground, while simultaneously directing his gaze to the sky, as if counting the passing clouds.

– Um... may I ask how you know about my ... animal nature? – Xiao Wu asked tensely, because even though the boy in front of her was somehow trustworthy according to Brother San, if he could find out her secret, more evil people might also find out about him, which would definitely put her life in mortal danger.

– Ah... have you forgotten that I've learned quite a bit about spiritual halos? – Shen Qingxue pointed his finger at his head, calmly explaining the reason for his awareness to Xiao Wu. – Well, this knowledge, combined with my soul power, can easily allow me to determine whether I'm standing in front of an eight-year-old girl or a hundred-thousand-year-old granny.

– ... – Xiao Wu looked at Shen Qingxue with a physically palpable reproach in her eyes.

– Okay, okay, don't be angry, just kidding, still, I didn't have much fun waiting for my so-called guards to wake up from their sweet sleep. – Shen Qingxue pretended to yawn as he continued to watch the clouds pass through the sky. Of course, the boy was not particularly bored, because right now his consciousness controls four clones at once, which, unlike the original body, are engaged in more interesting things, for example, practicing the technique of beating spiritual animals to obtain soul energy, well, or jumping up trees at mind-blowing speed, trying to imitate the ninja from the well-known anime.

– Um, I'm sorry. – The girl lowered her head in embarrassment before abruptly raising her eyes to Shen Qingxue's face. – And... excluding the Titled Martial Spirits, only you can find out about this? – Xiao Wu asked in a panic, still feeling awkward when talking to the boy in front of her.

– Yes, yes, don't worry, except for the Titled Martial Spirits, only I can find out that you're actually a hundred-thousand-year-old shotacon granny seducing my little brother. – Shen Qingxue spoke in a reproachful but emotionless voice, and while Xiao Wu thought that Brother San was more right than ever to describe the boy in front of her as annoying, he continued. – In fact, if you promise me one thing, I can make it so that only people with soul power that surpasses me will be able to find out about your true identity.

– How strong is your soul? – The silly rabbit asked with a hint of mockery, crossing her arms over her nonexistent chest and not even thinking that Shen Qingxue wouldn't have offered such a deal if his soul wasn't stronger than at least a Level 91 Titled Martial Spirit.

– Hmm, if my assumptions are correct, there are currently only three people in the entire continent who can compete with me in the amount of soul power. – Shen Qingxue straightened his hand and spoke as if counting on his fingers. Xiao Wu opened her bright pink eyes wide, realizing how valuable the offer of the boy sitting in front of her was.

– What do you want? – Xiao Wu asked, breathing excitedly. Of course, she would never agree to anything that would indirectly or directly harm her brother San, both physically and spiritually.

– Hmm, apparently, my offer is very important to you, so I won't be petty... – Shen Qingxue still managed a smile to scare the little rabbit in front of him. – Hmm.…

– I'll tell you right now, I won't do anything obscene or anything that will harm Brother San! – Xiao Wu stood up belligerently, covering her body with her hands as if she was facing an irreparable pervert.

– Oh, calm your narcissism, girl, do you really think that your underdeveloped body will interest me? – Shen Qingxue rolled his eyes, not expecting such an outburst from an innocent-looking girl.

– As for harming Xiao San... why would I want to do that? He's my little brother, after all. Okay, I won't delay. I will hide your bestial nature from outsiders if you promise that you will stay by Xiao San's side for the rest of your life and never betray him… Unless, of course, he rejects you. – Shen Qingxue smiled gently as he stroked the head of the girl in front of him, who would become his daughter-in-law in the future, if nothing unexpected happened.

– Uh… – Xiao Wu opened her small mouth in surprise, and then, realizing the full meaning of Shen Qingxue's words, she blushed and lowered her head, squeaking softly. – Yes…

– Haha, Brother San would be happy if he knew about your promise. – For the first time since receiving the heart spirit, Shen Qingxue laughed with sincerity, exerting all his control to at least show his true emotions at this moment. – Now, let me help you hide your aura from the Titled Martial Spirits.

"Xiao San has finally found the person who will pull him out of the constant loneliness that has accompanied him for two lifetimes… Still, I won't always be around"