Chapter 15: Reunion with the Little Rabbit
The meeting room fell into silence.
Bibi Dong waved her hand, dismissing Ma Xiu Nuo. Then she sat down heavily, her eyes distant and unfocused.
Luo Ling glanced at her. Of course, he already knew all about Yu Xiaogang's "accident." What he didn't expect was that the man had actually taken on a disciple.
By his calculations, Tang San should have already arrived at Notting Academy. Even with Yu Xiaogang's reputation in ruins, Tang San still chose to become his student.
Was this fate, or simply stupidity?
As he thought about it, another image popped into his mind.
Xiao Wu.
If Tang San had joined Yu Xiaogang, then Xiao Wu must have already reached Notting Academy as well.
But now, with Bibi Dong in Notting City, things could turn disastrous. If she saw Xiao Wu—the hundred-thousand-year transformed rabbit—she would definitely strike her down on the spot to obtain her soul ring.
Luo Ling knew it well: Bibi Dong's second martial soul still lacked several rings.
"Teacher, what should we do next?" Hu Liena finally broke the silence, turning toward Bibi Dong.
"We'll stay here for now," Bibi Dong said after a moment of hesitation. "We'll wait until Yu Xiaogang returns from the Spirit Hunting Forest."
…
Night fell, quiet as flowing water.
Luo Ling sat alone on his bed, reflecting on Bibi Dong's reaction earlier that day.
"I've already planted the psychological suggestion," he muttered. "Yet Bibi Dong still came here for Yu Xiaogang. Her obsession with him really runs deep…"
He shook his head helplessly. Changing Bibi Dong's fate wouldn't be easy.
"And now Yu Xiaogang has taken Tang San to the Spirit Hunting Forest. Looks like they didn't take the same route as we did, or else we would've already crossed paths."
"In the original story, their trip to the Spirit Hunting Forest didn't take long. They should return in a few days. If Bibi Dong visits Notting Academy before then and sees Xiao Wu…" He frowned deeply.
"After all the effort I put into that psychological suggestion, if Xiao Wu ends up dead already, that would be such a waste."
Letting out a quiet sigh, Luo Ling rose and looked out at the bright full moon.
He walked to the door, locked it carefully, then shut the window tightly. Once everything was secure, he sat cross-legged on the bed.
"Little rabbit, I've gone this far for you," he whispered darkly. "Don't disappoint me."
In the next moment, his crimson eyes deepened into a dark glow.
The silent night rippled faintly as a phantom form passed through the wall and drifted away from Spirit Hall's branch.
Luo Ling was using the first soul skill of his Soul of Desire—Spectral Veil.
The ability wasn't simple invisibility.
Spectral Veil allowed his entire body to become ethereal—like a spirit leaving its vessel—ignoring physical barriers and attacks. The effect ended after he either struck an enemy or canceled it himself. He could even apply the same effect to others if needed.
It was a powerful soul skill, but what made it truly invaluable was its ability to bypass even a Title Douluo's spiritual detection.
He had originally planned to use his Soul of Desire's full out-of-body projection but decided against it after remembering how easily Bibi Dong had sensed him in the forest.
…
Ten minutes later, Luo Ling arrived at Notting Academy's dormitory for working students—the same place he had once lived, Dorm Seven.
He floated through the door silently and spotted a familiar figure fast asleep, hugging her pillow in the corner.
Xiao Wu.
Seeing her peacefully asleep in her own bed, Luo Ling gave a small, satisfied nod.
It seemed the psychological suggestion had worked. At least she wasn't sharing a room—or a bed—with Tang San.
He leaned closer and lightly tapped her cheek.
"Mm… Don't bother me! I love carrots…" she murmured, turning over.
Luo Ling's face darkened. He coughed softly and whispered, "If you don't wake up, you're going to end up as someone's soul ring and bone."
Whether it was his words or pure coincidence, Xiao Wu's rabbit ears twitched. Her eyelids fluttered open slowly.
By then, Luo Ling had canceled his Spectral Veil.
Their eyes met—and Xiao Wu's widened in shock. She gasped and nearly screamed.
Anyone would, waking up in the middle of the night to find a red-eyed figure looming over them.
Quick as lightning, Luo Ling clamped his hand over her mouth and pressed her back onto the bed.
After the strengthening of two soul rings, his physical power far exceeded that of an ordinary Soul Master. Xiao Wu struggled, but his grip didn't budge.
"If you want to become someone else's soul ring that badly, go ahead and keep struggling," he said in a low whisper, pressing her down.
The familiar voice startled her. Under the moonlight, Xiao Wu's eyes widened again as she carefully studied his face.
Luo Ling put a finger to his lips. "Shh. Come outside. We need to talk."
Before she could respond, he released her and slipped out through the window.
Outside, Luo Ling leaned against a tree, and moments later, Xiao Wu appeared, glaring cautiously at him.
"How did you even get in here?" she demanded, suspicion in her tone.
When he had approached her earlier, she hadn't sensed him at all. If he had wanted to kill her, she wouldn't have stood a chance—and that terrified her.
"Not happy to see me?" Luo Ling said with a faint smile.
"Who'd be happy to see a pervert sneaking into a girl's room at night?" she snapped, still scowling.
"Heh. That's gratitude for you—I came here to warn you." Luo Ling feigned a wounded expression.
"Warn me?" Xiao Wu frowned, still wary.
"Yes. I'm telling you to leave Notting City for at least a week. There are three Title Douluo here right now, stationed at the Spirit Hall branch. They might even visit Notting Academy soon."
"What?" Xiao Wu's face drained of color, her body trembling.
"I'm serious," Luo Ling said quietly, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. "If you don't want to end up as a soul ring or a set of bones, you'd better hide."
She stared at him, conflicted. The silver-haired boy before her, with crimson eyes glowing faintly, looked like a noble prince of the night.
"Why are you helping me?" she asked softly.
"Because I don't want to see you die," he said simply.
"You said you were a reborn traveler from the future," she continued after a pause. "In that future… were we really just friends?"
Luo Ling blinked, taken aback.
Wait—does she think we were lovers or something?
Speechless, he stared at the blushing rabbit girl for a long moment. Admittedly, she was very cute—beautiful, even—but he had never seen her in that way.
Now that she'd asked such a question, he suddenly felt awkward.
After a brief cough, he answered evenly, "Of course—we were just friends."
Xiao Wu pouted, clearly unhappy with that response.
"So you actually believe me?" Luo Ling asked, changing the subject.
"I've met Tang San," she said. "He really does have the Blue Silver Grass and full innate soul power. We even sparred once—his techniques matched exactly what you told me: Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon."
"That's it?"
"He and his master went to get a soul ring. Once he's back, I'll ask more to see if everything you said is true." She glared at him again.
"Then by all means, verify it," Luo Ling said with a faint smile. His tone then grew serious. "I only came to warn you about the Title Douluo from Spirit Hall. You should hide soon."
"I understand," Xiao Wu said quietly, biting her lip.
"Good." Luo Ling turned to leave—but paused mid-step.
He looked back over his shoulder and added, "Oh, and one more thing—be cautious of Tang San's father."
With that, his figure vanished into the night, leaving the young girl standing alone beneath the moonlight.
(END CHAPTER)
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