Heading to the Star Dou Forest

Throughout this academic year, Ao Tian lived a relaxed and carefree life. When he felt like attending classes, he went, and when he didn't, he skipped. Occasionally, he would visit Spirit City to check on Bibi Dong.

On the day of Qian Renxue's birthday, he even made a trip to Heaven Dou City to bring Qian Renxue back to the Supreme Pontiff's palace.

Similarly, Xiao Wu enjoyed a leisurely and relaxed life. As a 100,000-year spirit beast in human form, her natural talent set her apart, and even without much cultivation, her strength steadily improved.

In the dormitory, the students were packing their belongings, and Tang San was also organizing his things. With the holiday approaching, they were all eager to return home.

Tang San, in particular, worried about his father and bought a new forging hammer to give him when he returned home.

Inside the dormitory, only Ao Tian and Xiao Wu hadn't packed their things. Ao Tian lounged comfortably on his bed, with nothing to pack.

Xiao Wu, too, leaned back on her bed, watching her roommates busily packing their belongings, her eyes filled with a hint of loneliness.

Ao Tian glanced at Xiao Wu, intrigued. "Why aren't you packing? Aren't you going home?"

Xiao Wu looked distressed as she replied, "I might not go home. I'll probably stay at the academy."

Hearing her words, all the students turned to look at her, wondering if something had happened in Xiao Wu's family.

"Why not go back? You've been away from home for so long. Don't you miss your mother?" Ao Tian asked.

He knew that Xiao Wu's mother hadn't died. When Bibi Dong advanced to Titled Douluo, he personally selected a more powerful spirit beast for Bibi Dong, saving her from death.

Xiao Wu felt conflicted and leaned closer to Ao Tian, whispering softly, "It takes several days to travel back to the Star Dou Forest. When I came here, I was lucky not to encounter any trouble. But the last time that mysterious figure infiltrated the academy, I was terrified. I... I'm afraid to go back."

She believed that staying at the academy was safer. If her identity were exposed on the way home, it would likely lead to a dangerous situation.

However, she missed her mother terribly, and her heart was torn between the two choices.

Ao Tian teased her, "Are you telling me all this because you want me to escort you home?"

He didn't bother hiding his voice, drawing everyone's attention again.

Hearing Ao Tian's words, the dormitory erupted in laughter and teasing remarks.

"Xiao Wu, are you going to introduce him to your parents already?"

"You're saying that so soon?"

Xiao Wu was embarrassed, her face turning as red as an apple. She reached out and pinched Ao Tian's arm.

After a moment, she calmed down and said, "You're just a Spirit Master now. You can't protect me."

Ao Tian chuckled, "Have you forgotten? I have an older brother."

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she was intrigued.

Ao Tian's older brother could drive away a Titled Douluo, which indicated that his strength among Titled Douluos was quite formidable. He could certainly protect her on the way back to the Star Dou Forest.

But how could she bring such a powerful Titled Douluo to her home? It might endanger her mother and her two brothers.

Ao Tian could see Xiao Wu's concerns and said, "I can make sure my big brother doesn't enter the Star Dou Forest. He'll do whatever I ask."

"Really?" Xiao Wu looked at Ao Tian with a glimmer of hope.

Ao Tian nodded. "Really. Whatever I tell him to do, he'll do."

"Then let me think about it first," Xiao Wu said. She needed to consider the risks involved in bringing Ao Tian's powerful older brother into her family's territory.

"Sure," Ao Tian replied, unfazed.

After thinking for a while, Xiao Wu suddenly brightened up and asked, "Ao Tian, is your home far from here? How about I go to your house for a visit?"

"It's about the same distance as your home," Ao Tian replied. He lowered his voice and added, "My home is inside Spirit City. Would you dare to go there?"

"Ah!" Xiao Wu exclaimed in shock, quickly covering her mouth and shaking her head. "Then I won't go."

Ao Tian smiled and didn't say anything more.

Wang Sheng suddenly stood up, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. He said, "This semester, I became a Spirit Master, and my dad wrote to me a few days ago, saying that when I return, the village will throw a celebration party. Anyone who wants to go is invited, and it includes food and accommodation."

"I'm in!"

"I want to go too."

"... "

As soon as they heard there would be food, several people couldn't resist.

"Tang San, are you going?" Wang Sheng asked.

Tang San shook his head. Wang Sheng's village was quite far from Holy Spirit Village, and he didn't want to waste so much time on it.

Tang San and Ao Tian's bet had only a few months left. When school started again, it would be the time for him and Ao Tian to settle the score.

So he had to make the most of his time for cultivation.

'Ao Tian, what level have you reached, and how strong are you?' Tang San looked at Ao Tian, who was leaning on the bed, and wondered.

Since their match on the small hill, the two of them hadn't fought again. In this semester, Tang San hadn't seen Ao Tian practicing or using his abilities, so he had no idea what level Ao Tian had reached.

"Ao Tian, Xiao Wu, what about you two?" Wang Sheng asked, looking at Ao Tian and Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu replied, "I'll think about it."

Ao Tian shook his head and said, "I'm not going."

Ao Tian's response didn't surprise Wang Sheng. A rich young man like Ao Tian wouldn't be interested in a rural celebration.

That night, Xiao Wu couldn't fall asleep, and she kept thinking about going home.

Could she really trust Ao Tian?

As she thought, she suddenly felt relieved. Ao Tian's older brother was a Titled Douluo, and even without her guidance, he could find his way into the Star Dou Forest. Furthermore, Ao Tian's brother knew her spirit beast's identity. If he really wanted to threaten her family into submission, she wouldn't have to go back; he could just capture her.

So, no matter how she chose, the outcome would be the same.

"In that case, let him take me back. I trust him," Xiao Wu said, glancing at Ao Tian.

Over the past year, she had grown accustomed to having Ao Tian sleeping beside her. If he were suddenly gone one day, she thought she would feel lonely for a long time.

"I wonder if I'll end up sleeping next to him again tonight..." Xiao Wu thought, her cheeks turning slightly red.

In the past semester, almost every morning, she had woken up on the side where Ao Tian was sleeping. The phenomenon was quite strange. As soon as she fell asleep, she would roll in Ao Tian's direction, no matter which way she had been facing.

As she thought about it, her face turned even redder, but she closed her eyes with a sweet smile, deciding that it wouldn't hurt to let it happen. After all, he was still just a kid and couldn't do anything bad.

The next morning, Tang San and Wang Sheng, among others, couldn't wait to leave.

"Have you decided? If you don't need me to take you, I'll leave," Ao Tian said, looking at Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu gave him a sweet smile and said, "Didn't you say a long time ago that you wanted to take me to see the secrets inside the Star Dou Forest? Let's go."