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*****
That furtive glance from Tang San did not escape Xiao Tian's notice. He had no doubt that he was now a marked man in Tang San's mind, already destined for a swift demise! However, given Tang San's current level of strength, as long as Tang Hao didn't suddenly decide to intervene without any regard for martial ethics, it shouldn't be a major problem. He just needed to be wary of those low-level hidden weapons of his. Even so, the situation was already giving Xiao Tian a bit of a headache.
Xiao Tian glanced at Xiao Wu, then back at Tang San. A mischievous idea suddenly sparked in his mind. He might as well lean into the act and be even more reckless. Hehe.
"Tang San, why are you looking at me with such a terrifying expression? Surely you wouldn't hold a grudge and plot revenge against me in secret just because I beat you once, would you? I'm only at rank five, after all. There's no need for that, right?" Xiao Tian said, feigning a look of utter shock as if he had just noticed Tang San's expression.
[Ding! Oh, my dear Host, you truly love to dance on the edge of death, don't you? Aren't you afraid you'll just suddenly die in your sleep one day? Or perhaps get poisoned during a meal?]
Xiao Tian retorted mentally, "What choice do I have? By calling him out on it now, Tang San will be too concerned with his image in front of Xiao Wu to actually resort to any underhanded tricks behind my back."
Just as he'd planned, Xiao Tian's words drew everyone's attention to Tang San. Startled, Tang San quickly concealed his malicious thoughts, marveling inwardly at how perceptive this Xiao Tian was. He immediately put on an innocent smile. "What are you talking about? You must have seen it wrong, Xiao Tian. We're both just six-year-old kids; how could I possibly retaliate against you in secret? I was just thinking that I didn't get to use my full strength earlier. I wanted to invite you to have a proper match outside in a few days. We can spar and improve together."
Tang San's words were seamless, completely dispelling everyone's suspicions.
Wang Sheng also chimed in with a smile, "You probably saw it wrong, Xiao Tian. Tang San seems so honest. Besides, we're all going to be classmates from now on. Our real opponents should be those nobles."
Xiao Tian laughed inwardly. Tang San, honest? That was the most ridiculous joke in the world!
Xiao Wu looked thoughtfully between Xiao Tian and Tang San, but her little mind couldn't make sense of the situation. She turned back to Xiao Tian and said, "Alright, Xiao Tian, let's have our match now. We can use our Spirits."
Xiao Tian nodded without a word. Xiao Wu's Spirit was practically just for show; she could use all her techniques, like the Waist Bow, without even summoning it. He steeled himself, raising his guard completely. He had to be extremely careful not to let Xiao Wu's hands touch him, or he would be left utterly defenseless. He didn't have Tang San's powerful physical techniques; his primary means of attack was the sword in his hand!
Seeing Xiao Tian nod, a cunning smile played on Xiao Wu's lips as she charged straight toward him.
"Fifteen, retract your blade's edge. This is just a spar," Xiao Tian whispered to his sword. In response, Sword Fifteen trembled, and its sharp edge instantly became several degrees duller.
Xiao Tian smiled with satisfaction. Having a sentient Spirit was truly interesting. Now he wouldn't have to hold back so much.
However, in that brief moment, Xiao Wu had already closed the distance to within a meter of him, her small fist flying directly at his face.
"Don't you know you're not supposed to hit the face?" Xiao Tian grumbled, raising his sword to block.
Boom!
The force of the impact sent both of them stumbling back several steps.
'As expected of a power-attack type, her physical strength is incredible,' Xiao Tian thought to himself. 'Luckily, my own constitution has been strengthened considerably from all my sword training.'
Xiao Wu looked slightly surprised. "Xiao Tian, are you really only at rank five? Why does it feel like you're almost on par with me?"
After that first clash, Xiao Wu's curiosity about Xiao Tian had grown immensely. This didn't feel like the strength of a rank-five Spirit Master.
'My innate rank was five, that's true,' Xiao Tian thought, 'but I have a cheat system. I've already been boosted to rank ten! Ehehe.'
"Of course, it's true. I even have the certificate from the Lord Spirit Master from Spirit Hall to prove it," Xiao Tian said, then put on a look of 'envy' and sighed softly. "I'm so jealous of you rank-ten geniuses."
But a moment later, he grinned. "Alright, come on! Show me your true strength! I won't go easy on you!"
"Hmph! I don't need you to go easy on me! I'm going to be the big boss here!" Xiao Wu snorted in response.
Although Xiao Tian's strength had exceeded her expectations, she was by no means weak herself!
In the next instant, Xiao Wu focused her spirit power into her feet and pushed off with all her might, closing the distance to Xiao Tian at her top speed.
'So fast!' Tang San thought, shocked.
A slight smirk touched the corner of Xiao Tian's lips. 'She really is fast. Perfect for trying out my newly learned technique.'
"Drunken Immortal Gazing at the Moon Step!"
In a flash, Xiao Tian's figure flickered. Just as Xiao Wu was about to grab him, he appeared behind her. Seeing her back completely exposed, a wicked grin spread across Xiao Tian's face. "Fifteen, go limp."
Sword Fifteen trembled slightly, and to everyone's amazement, the entire blade drooped down, becoming completely flexible.
Everyone: "Holy crap! This sword is awesome! It can do that?"
Xiao Tian gripped the hilt with both hands, his eyes fixed on the hem of Xiao Wu's skirt. Like swinging a bat, he smacked the flat of the blade right against her bottom!
"Aah!"
Feeling the sting on her rear, Xiao Wu couldn't help but cry out, subconsciously covering the spot with both hands.
"Xiao... Xiao Tian! You... you dared to hit me there!" she stammered, turning around with a beet-red face.
"Ahem, now we're even. You were trying to hit me in the face earlier, but you didn't succeed, did you?" Xiao Tian said, his own face perfectly straight, not a hint of a blush.
"You jerk! See if you can let me touch you just once!" Xiao Wu stomped her foot, her face a picture of frustration, and charged at him again. She hadn't been able to use her true skills at all!
"No way!" Xiao Tian laughed. Seeing her so flustered and exasperated was actually quite amusing.
"Fifteen!"
Xiao Tian released his grip. Using the principles of his Sword Control Art, he directed Sword Fifteen to watch for the right moment and wrap itself around Xiao Wu, binding her completely. It was a move he had come up with on the spot, inspired by the flexible sword of Da Ben from The Legend of the Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit. The now-pliable Sword Fifteen could be used like a small whip. Its inherent toughness also made it difficult to break free from. The only downside was that he couldn't make it any larger at his current level.
"Just give up, Xiao Wu. I know you have techniques you haven't had a chance to use. I haven't let you use your full strength," Xiao Tian said. Since he was half a head taller than her, he leaned down slightly as he approached, whispering into her ear, "But did you know? I haven't used my full strength either."
(End of chapter)