358. Tracking

Three days later, in Dorm Seven at Notting Academy, the golden sunset poured through the windows, filling the room with its warm glow.

Freshly showered, Xiao Wu knelt on her soft bed, humming to herself as she folded her clothes, her face glowing like a rosy apple whenever she thought of Qian Renjue.

She bounced around on her bed, then jumped to the floor to put on her shoes, made her bed, and, crossing over the flower circle, headed for the door.

Passing Tang San’s bed, she paused, spun around on tiptoe, and mischievously kicked the bedpost with a sharp thud.

Sitting cross-legged and cultivating, Tang San heard the familiar sound and immediately opened his eyes. Before he could ask what was going on, his gaze became transfixed.

Standing before him was Xiao Wu, her face glowing, her round, glistening eyes shimmering, dressed in a beautiful red dress that made her look like a delicate flower touched by morning dew.

In a soft murmur, he whispered, “So beautiful…”

Xiao Wu’s brows furrowed, and she glared at him, biting her lip as she yelled, “Tang San!”

“You’re such a fool, aren’t you? You need a good smack!” She pulled a carrot from her necklace and threw it at his forehead.

Thud!

The carrot cracked against him. Tang San winced, holding his reddened forehead, a bit embarrassed. “Xiao Wu, I’m sorry! I… I meant it sincerely.”

“As if I need your words!” Xiao Wu huffed, folding her arms. She wasn’t dressed like this for him anyway.

She was eager to see His Highness, and she didn’t want him to come all the way here for nothing.

She pressed him further, “Tang San! Are you going to the Spirit Hunting Forest tomorrow or not?”

“Xiao Wu, you’ve asked me this three times already,” Tang San replied, rubbing his forehead, looking puzzled.

“Quit talking nonsense, I need a clear answer!” Xiao Wu demanded, pouting slightly.

Tang San, smiling at her stubbornness, nodded, “Yes, I already arranged it with the teacher. We’re leaving first thing tomorrow.”

“Good,” Xiao Wu smiled in satisfaction, wanting everything to go smoothly for Qian Renjue’s arrival.

Tang San also smiled as he watched her. Despite her temper, Xiao Wu cared about him deeply.

“Alright then, I wish you the best of luck, Tang San,” Xiao Wu said with a grin. “Just don’t die in the forest, okay?”

Tang San chuckled with confidence, sitting up straight. “Don’t worry, Xiao Wu. This time, I’m fully prepared.”

“Yeah, yeah, always bragging. You’d die if you didn’t,” Xiao Wu scoffed, rolling her eyes as she kicked his bedpost once more. “Anyway, do your best! I’m off.”

With a wave, she bounded out, her face bright with anticipation. Tang San watched her leave, glancing at the golden sunset, and called after her, “Xiao Wu, where are you going?”

She shot him a playful look. “None of your business!”

With a casual wave behind her, she added, “I’ve got some things to do. Just pretend I’m in the dorm tonight.”

And with that, she disappeared through the door.

Xiao Wu suddenly turned around, raising her slender finger and pointing at everyone in Dorm Seven. Then she clenched her small fist and demanded:

"Did everyone get that?"

"Yes, we all got it! Completely understood!" The other dorm members nodded in unison, feeling the pressure of the dorm leader's authority.

"If anyone messes this up, Xiao Wu won’t let you eat!" She jabbed the air in their direction and, flipping her scorpion braid, strutted out of Dorm Seven.

As the undeniable leader of Notting Academy, she needed to uphold her exemplary student image.

She had learned this from a little rascal; such a reputation made things easier.

"Heh, Xiao Wu’s going to see family again, huh?" Tang San chuckled as he watched her leave, guessing to himself. He shook his head with a smile.

"Xiao Wu, I’m not bluffing; one day, you’ll understand my strength." With that, he reached to his waist, took out a black box from his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges, and began making final adjustments.

Tang San was confident that no hundred-year soul beast could withstand his Zhuge Crossbow!

He glanced at the broken carrot on his bed, picked it up, and tucked it back into his storage space.


---

Stepping out of Dorm Seven, Xiao Wu, bathed in the sunset’s glow, scaled the walls of Notting Academy.

With arms spread wide like a bird, she dashed toward the hotel she’d reserved earlier in the day, her lips mouthing silently, "Your Highness, Xiao Wu is finally going to see you again."

In the shadow of a tree behind her, a robust figure in a black robe stood watching her fly off toward Notting City.

"This girl… just which family does she come from?" Tang Hao murmured. With innate full soul power and wealth, she seemed like a noble young lady, yet she stayed in Notting City.

Lowering his hat to cover half his stubbled face, he quietly followed her.

Arriving at the hotel, Xiao Wu hurried up the stairs to her room. She pushed open the door, changed, and, holding the golden collar with a pink pearl around her neck, softly called out:

"Your Highness, you can come out now; Xiao Wu is ready."

As she finished, the golden Beastmaster Collar suddenly glowed with a dark golden light, mixed with an eerie soul power, forming threads that twisted in the air.

They traced an upright circle as if slicing through space itself.

Crack!

Space shattered, and a portal slowly opened, sending a familiar energy into the room.

Xiao Wu’s face filled with excitement. "Your Highness!"

Meanwhile, as dusk deepened, Tang Hao sat in a bar across from the hotel, nursing a mug of cheap ale as he kept his eyes on the hotel’s entrance, hoping to glean some clues.

In the room, Xiao Wu gazed at the figure emerging before her, joyfully exclaiming, "Your Highness!"