Chapter 297: Sneaky Xiao Wu, Settling the Villagers

Zhu Zhuqing dismissed the slight stir within her as mere envy toward Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong's rewards, without connecting it to any deeper thoughts. Meanwhile, Su Ming, exhausted from the previous day, collapsed into bed upon returning to his dorm, falling into a deep sleep.

Around midnight, a pair of rabbit ears cautiously peeked out of a room, scanning left and right to ensure no one was around. Relieved, Xiao Wu set her sights on the boys' dormitory and, in an instant, teleported there.

In Su Ming's dorm:

Sleeping peacefully, Su Ming suddenly sensed a faint fluctuation of space within his room, immediately recognizing the presence as Xiao Wu's unique scent. A smirk tugged at his lips as he decided to feign sleep, curious about what she was up to.

Seeing Su Ming supposedly asleep, Xiao Wu smirked mischievously, thinking, Su Ming's guard is way too low if he didn't even notice me sneaking in.

Her plan had been to cause a bit of mischief, and seeing Su Ming's oblivious appearance only added to the thrill. She approached his bed, her face flushed with anticipation, as she leaned down to blow a teasing breath near his ear. In a soft, enticing voice, she whispered, "Su Ming, I know you're awake. Stop pretending."

Internally, Su Ming chuckled, Xiao Wu, up to no good, huh?

But he kept his eyes shut, intrigued to see what she'd do. Xiao Wu's cheeks puffed in mild frustration. Oh, really? I'll show him…

Suddenly, Xiao Wu noticed something, and Su Ming mentally cursed. Oh no, she's figured it out!

Determined, Xiao Wu practiced her "soul skill," training with enthusiasm that finally "woke" Su Ming up after half an hour. Realizing he couldn't continue feigning sleep under Xiao Wu's dedication, he gave in.

The next morning, Xiao Wu prepared to teleport back to her dorm to avoid being caught by Ning Rongrong or Zhu Zhuqing. She wasn't hiding anything, but the inevitable teasing from Rongrong made her want to slip away unnoticed.

Su Ming, still in a daze, had no objections. Xiao Wu's presence in the boys' dorm could indeed raise a few eyebrows. After Xiao Wu left, he remembered he'd been meaning to let her try out the mental cultivation technique he'd obtained but had forgotten in the past busy days. Well, I'll show it to her later—after a nap.

Elsewhere, Qian Renxue had just received a report that Su Ming had returned from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. She sighed internally, exasperated at Su Ming's hectic schedule, making it nearly impossible for her to approach him.

True to her suspicions, Su Ming had more on his plate. Reenergized after his rest, he decided it was time to check in with the villagers and help them move to their new home, bringing Xiao Wu along, as old Jack had often asked about her.

They arrived at the hotel housing the Saint Soul villagers, and Su Ming greeted Jack warmly, "Grandpa Jack, I've brought Xiao Wu along to visit you."

Old Jack beamed at the sight of Xiao Wu and, with a knowing smile, commented, "Xiao Wu, don't worry. If Su Ming ever mistreats you, come straight to me. I'll take care of him for you."

"And you, Su Ming—make sure you treat Xiao Wu well, you hear?"

Both nodded in agreement, grateful for the elder's care. Then, Su Ming explained, "Grandpa Jack, we found a piece of land through the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to settle everyone in. I have a classmate there who was willing to help out, so we're all set."

Su Ming refrained from going into detail about his relationship with the clan. Old Jack was, after all, just a common villager, and sometimes knowing too much could be more worrying than reassuring.

Old Jack looked on in awe, marveling at Su Ming's achievements. His grandson is now connected to people of such influence—amazing.

Afterward, Su Ming gathered all the villagers into a storage soul tool and, accompanied by Xiao Wu, brought them to the plot of land outside the city. Upon arrival, they saw a small group of people wearing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's uniforms waiting there.

One of them approached respectfully, "Mr. Su Ming, we're here on behalf of the clan master to assist."

Su Ming waved a hand, "Just call me by my name. None of the villagers know my connection with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Got it?"

The man, understanding, nodded. "Understood, Su Ming."

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, observed with an amused glint. "Su Ming…Mr. Su Ming, huh? Seems like Clan Master Ning is pretty pleased with you!"

Su Ming cleared his throat, embarrassed, "Ahem, Xiao Wu, I—"

"Alright, alright, I'm just kidding. I already knew yesterday. I admit I was a bit jealous, though. Why do you think I was so eager to visit last night, hm?"

After a few hours of setting up the area, the village was finally ready for the villagers to move in. Su Ming and Xiao Wu bid Grandpa Jack goodbye, promising to visit soon.

Jack, in turn, understood that Su Ming's duties as a spirit master were important. After all, there was training to focus on.

Back at the academy by sunset, Su Ming turned to Xiao Wu. "Hey, Xiao Wu, could you come to my dorm tonight? I have something for you."

Curious, Xiao Wu nodded.

Once in his room, Su Ming retrieved a mental cultivation manual from his storage tool, titled Meditation Technique. It was a slightly less intensive version of the technique he used, and he explained, "Xiao Wu, this book here helps with training mental power. While it's a bit simpler than the one I'm using, it's effective and a lot easier to practice. Try it out and see if it's manageable."