Chapter 416: Winning Over Huo Wu

"Damn!"

Even Huo Wu couldn't help but curse. She had poured all her soul power into this fourth soul skill, only to see it caught effortlessly?

It didn't make any sense! Shouldn't this wooden figure at least pretend to struggle, maybe shatter halfway through? That way, she could accept the outcome more easily. But to catch her attack barehanded? This was absurd.

Su Ming himself was only experimenting. After all, in Naruto, the Wood Human could catch a tailed beast bomb with ease. Catching a mere fireball here wasn't asking too much, right? Fortunately, it worked out, but summoning the Wood Human consumed more soul power than he had expected. Luckily, his abilities included skills to restore and accelerate soul power recovery; otherwise, he might not have been able to sustain it for long.

Su Ming looked at Huo Wu, grinning. "Huo Wu, looks like it's my turn to attack. Let's see if you can handle it?"

The next moment, the Wood Dragon threw the giant fireball straight back at her.

"Ahh!"

Huo Wu's heart raced. There was no way she could catch an attack like this—she was doomed! She closed her eyes, bracing for impact.

But in an instant, she felt a strange pull in the air. When she opened her eyes, she found herself beside Su Ming. She even heard him mumbling, "Wood Release: Wooden Wall Technique!"

A wooden shield with a fierce, ghostly face appeared just in front of the Blazing Dance of the Sun.

Boom!

Dust filled the air as Su Ming demonstrated his second wood technique of the day. In Naruto, the Wooden Wall Technique had blocked Madara's enhanced Susanoo blade, showing its immense defensive strength. Even if Su Ming's current version couldn't match the original, it was more than enough here.

Huo Wu was shocked by Su Ming's skill, seeing the shield emerge unscathed from the explosion. The sheer defensive power left her in awe. She looked at Su Ming, realizing the vast difference in their strength. Though reluctant to accept it, her heart beat faster, as if someone had stolen their way in.

Satisfied with the Wooden Wall's defensive power, Su Ming smiled, "Well, it looks like you lost this one, right?"

Huo Wu gritted her teeth. "Don't get cocky! I'll double my training and beat you next time!"

Seeing her stubbornness, Su Ming leaned closer. "Oh? You're certain you'll win next time? What if you lose?"

Watching him draw near, her heart pounded faster. Backed into a corner, she stubbornly retorted, "What do you think you're doing?"

Su Ming met her gaze. "If you lose, you agree to one condition I set."

However, he underestimated Huo Wu's fiery nature; in a quick move, she "pinned" him against the wall instead. "By the way, why'd you even agree to that duel with Feng Xiaotian?"

Ignoring his challenge, Huo Wu changed the subject. She knew her chances of winning in the finals were slim. Just Su Ming alone could likely take out her entire team, let alone with his other teammates.

Without missing a beat, Su Ming answered, "To be honest, I didn't even want to entertain his challenge. But as you saw, he wouldn't stop. He said that if I didn't accept, I wasn't a man. How can I prove I'm a man with just words? That was an insult. Plus, didn't I say I'm drawn to beautiful girls? Feng Xiaotian probably thought we were something more than friends, making us rivals. The duel would keep him away from you, so why not? You'd have peace and quiet too, right?"

Su Ming finally laid it all out. As he spoke, he placed his hand on Huo Wu's shoulder, reversing the pin until she was the one backed against the wall.

Thump, thump, thump…

Huo Wu's heart pounded. Was he confessing? She realized she was a bit moved—but what should she do? Su Ming already had other women in his life.

While she was lost in thought, something unexpected happened. She felt her lips pressed softly by his.

"Mmm…"

Huo Wu's eyes widened in surprise. Su Ming had kissed her when she least expected it!

No matter how hard she pounded on his chest, Su Ming remained unmoving, steady as a rock.

A few moments later, she closed her eyes.

Sigh… If you can't fight it, might as well enjoy it.

After a while, Huo Wu looked at Su Ming with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "You… you jerk, how could you…"

She was surprised to find she didn't feel any dislike. In fact… she'd even liked it.

"Ahem… Well, you looked so conflicted, so I just made the decision for you. Besides, you didn't seem to mind it either," Su Ming replied, feeling a bit sheepish. Honestly, even he was taken aback by his boldness. He wouldn't have tried this with anyone else. Attempting such a move might risk the entire friendship. But Huo Wu was different—he knew she'd appreciate a show of strength, and based on what he remembered, he had a solid 98% chance of success.

"Idiot… I can't believe you!" Huo Wu's face turned red with embarrassment.

What choice did she have now? She'd been kissed; there was no turning back.

If Su Ming didn't have so many women around, she might not have hesitated. Knowing his character was precisely why she had doubts—Su Ming attracted women like a magnet.

But now, she was on the "thief's ship." Since she'd lost her first kiss, she was committed to staying by him.

Once Huo Wu fell for someone, she was all in. She wouldn't change her mind so easily. But now, she wondered how she'd explain things to Xiao Wu and the others…

Seeing Huo Wu's silence, Su Ming broke the tension. "Alright then, Huo Wu. It's decided—you're officially my girlfriend now!"

Huo Wu huffed, "Aren't you worried about how Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong will react when they find out?"

Feeling a bit guilty, Su Ming replied, "Ahem… Don't worry. They know my type already—I'm into beautiful girls. I'll talk to them when the time comes."