Chapter 41: Future Developments

Upon hearing the master's logical and well-supported analysis, Tang San, who had been hesitant about whether to switch to cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer, suddenly felt enlightened. The master was right—when his spirit power reached the 90th level, then he could start adding spirit rings to his second martial spirit. At that point, the minimum would be 10,000-year spirit rings.

Cheng Xiao might be able to suppress him now, but that didn't mean he would always be able to. Once Tang San's second martial spirit was fully cultivated, and he possessed nine 10,000-year spirit rings, would he still fear a spirit master like Cheng Xiao, who only had one martial spirit?

At this moment, a sudden sense of clarity surged through Tang San's heart. Thanks to the master's well-reasoned explanation, he finally understood why both the master and his father didn't want him to cultivate his second martial spirit right away. The master's earlier words must have come from regret that he couldn't prioritize cultivating the second martial spirit, right?

Seeing Tang San's look of sudden realization, the master's stiff face softened into a smile. "Xiao San, don't worry. With your teacher here, you will definitely become one of the continent's top experts."

"Mm-hmm," Tang San obediently nodded. "I understand, teacher."

Seeing this, the master gently patted Tang San's head and suggested, "Let's go to the cafeteria and get something to eat. You're still growing, and nutrition is important. Besides, there are some other things I need to tell you."

...

The moon was like a silver disk, and the sky was full of stars.

A bright, full moon hung in the sky, its cool light casting down upon the earth, painting the world in a soft, silvery white hue.

On the rooftop of the working students' dormitory, two small figures sat side by side. They wore the same clothing, sitting quietly without speaking.

The soft silver glow of the moonlight fell upon them, casting a faint silvery-grey sheen on their bodies.

The girl on the left turned her head, looking at the boy beside her. She rested her chin in her hands, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she held back.

"Xiao Wu, I have something I want to tell you," the boy said, his eyes gazing at the full moon in the sky. His voice was deep and sincere.

"What do you want to tell me?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.

"After we graduate, you should return to the Star Dou Great Forest," Cheng Xiao continued to stare at the moon, his tone calm, though tinged with faint emotions. His gaze remained tranquil, as though nothing in the world could stir him.

Xiao Wu was taken aback. She looked at Cheng Xiao's expressionless face, and a feeling of abandonment welled up in her heart. She bit her lip and said, "Why? Didn't you promise Da Ming and Er Ming that you'd take care of me?"

Cheng Xiao turned to look at Xiao Wu's somewhat panicked face and said calmly, "Xiao Wu, have you thought about what would happen if you stayed in the human world and one day encountered a Titled Douluo? Do you know what your fate would be?"

"Maybe you think it's unlikely. The human world is vast, and you might believe it's impossible to just randomly run into a Titled Douluo. But it's precisely because of that 'what if' that you need to be cautious. If you really were to meet one, you know what the consequences would be, right?"

Hearing this, Xiao Wu fell silent. Cheng Xiao was right. She had indeed harbored a sense of false security, thinking the human world was so large that it would be unlikely for her to meet a powerful spirit master who could see through her true identity. But Cheng Xiao's words pierced her heart like a sharp thorn.

Seeing Xiao Wu's silence, Cheng Xiao sighed softly, reaching out to pat her head. "Xiao Wu, I don't covet your spirit ring or spirit bone, but other spirit masters might. For your safety, I think you should return to the Star Dou Great Forest. Once you've cultivated to the 70th level and fully transformed into a human, your situation will be different. Do you understand?"

"But I don't want to leave you," Xiao Wu said, her expression sorrowful.

"You're playing with your life," Cheng Xiao said, shaking his head slightly. "You know as well as I do how valuable the spirit rings and spirit bones of a 100,000-year spirit beast are to a spirit master. Right now, both of us are only at the rank of two-ring Spirit Grandmasters. If we were to encounter high-level spirit masters, we'd have no way to defend ourselves. Do you understand that?"

"I know, but I…" Xiao Wu's eyes gradually reddened, and she bit her lip, holding back a flood of emotions. She gazed at Cheng Xiao's still emotionless face, but in the end, she didn't say those words she had been suppressing. Instead, she nodded quietly, her voice trembling. "I understand. After graduation, I'll return to the Star Dou Great Forest."

Hearing Xiao Wu's response, Cheng Xiao didn't speak further. He knew that only by returning to the Star Dou Great Forest could Xiao Wu be truly safe. Otherwise, joining Shrek Academy would only lead them to danger.

He had no intention of going to Shrek Academy. An academy with neither talent nor resources couldn't possibly be his first choice. If anything, he was considering creating his own academy or force. With his martial spirit's unique abilities, given enough time, he could become a one-man army. No one would be able to stop him.

"Cheng Xiao." Xiao Wu's voice suddenly broke the silence as Cheng Xiao was lost in thought about his future plans.

"What is it?" Cheng Xiao turned to look at Xiao Wu beside him.

"There are still four years until graduation, right?" A faint blush appeared on Xiao Wu's face, and she bit her lip lightly as she asked.

Cheng Xiao was stunned and instinctively replied, "Yeah, four years. Why do you ask?"

Xiao Wu snorted, "Not telling you. I'm tired. I'm going to bed, and you're coming with me."

"Uh…" Cheng Xiao scratched his nose. For some reason, he had a bad feeling about this.

"Hmph, afraid? Tonight, I'll show you how strong Sister Xiao Wu is." Without waiting for an answer, Xiao Wu grabbed Cheng Xiao's hand and jumped down from the rooftop, pulling him back into the dormitory.

Inside the dormitory, everyone was focused on their cultivation, so no one noticed the two walking in, hand in hand.

Leading Cheng Xiao to their bed, Xiao Wu swiftly slipped under the covers, then pointed to the empty spot next to her and said, "Go to sleep. I'm exhausted today, and you'd better not disturb me."

With that, she ignored the stunned Cheng Xiao and buried her head under the blanket.

Cheng Xiao was dumbfounded, but seeing his roommates working hard at their cultivation, he sighed inwardly. He didn't want to disturb them, so he figured he might as well get some rest after the day's exhausting training.

So, Cheng Xiao lay down naturally on the bed. However, he didn't pull the blanket over himself since Xiao Wu had already taken all of it. He didn't plan to fight her for the blanket, instead choosing to relax and fall asleep.

Just as Cheng Xiao was about to drift off, he suddenly felt a weight on his chest. Then, a soft breath brushed against his neck, and…