"Xiao San, look, there are so many stars in the sky." Xiao Wu hopped about with joyful energy, showing the liveliness expected of a child her age, without a hint missing.
She called him Xiao San instead of Xiao Sanzi, and since she was also a girl, Tang San didn't correct her. "You dragged me out here just to look at the stars?" he asked, resigned.
By now, few students or teachers could be seen outside the dormitory building. Tang San would later learn that cultivating after dark was a tradition among Soul Masters.
Xiao Wu grinned. "No, of course not. I want to have another match with you. I got the first strike in this morning—count that as a surprise attack, I suppose. Even if I won, it wasn't a fair victory. You look a bit unconvinced, so I'll give you another chance."
Girls as combative as Xiao Wu were rare, but it suited Tang San's temperament perfectly. His spirits lifted instantly. "Alright, let's do it."
Xiao Wu playfully scraped a finger along her own cheek. "Don't cry when I knock you down later, okay? Are you ready?"
Her cute expression made Tang San stare for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Come on, then."
"Okay, here I come." As she spoke, a mischievous glint flashed across Xiao Wu's face as she walked toward him. She was indeed coming, but not to attack.
Tang San frowned. "What are you doing? Weren't you going to spar?" By now, Xiao Wu had closed to within a meter of him. Though they were still children with not particularly long limbs, she kept advancing, giving herself no room for a proper kick.
From her Martial Soul, Tang San knew that if Xiao Wu's soul was a rabbit, then her legs were her strongest asset, and indeed her kicks had been formidable during their morning bout. Now, having forfeited that distance, what could she possibly be planning?
Xiao Wu nodded, still smiling. "That's right! Isn't that what I'm here to do?"
While confusion still churned in Tang San's mind, Xiao Wu suddenly flicked her head. Her scorpion braid lashed out like a black shadow, aiming to wrap around his neck.
This was possible? Tang San had never encountered hair as a weapon before. But he had been wary of her attack all along; seeing the braid whip toward him, he immediately took a step back and raised his left hand to entangle her hair. If he controlled the braid, Xiao Wu would lose her combat ability.
Xiao Wu's hand rose along with her braid. As Tang San lifted his arm, he suddenly realized her other hand was already coming up. Before his fingers even touched her long hair, Xiao Wu tilted her head back sharply. The scorpion braid cleared his grasping hand, while her own palm pressed against his arm.
Xiao Wu's hand was soft and smooth. Tang San was startled to find her arm twisting in an almost unnatural way, not only wrapping around his hand but instantly extending further to coil around his forearm. At the same time, her other hand reached for his opposite arm, and the raised scorpion braid descended from above like a third limb, snaking toward his neck.
Xiao Wu's arms looked tender and pink, but they were incredibly tough. Tang San's strength wasn't enough to break free once she'd wrapped around him. He tried to spring backward, using his legs, but her body moved with him as if weightless, leaving the ground just as he did. Even the perfected Ghost Shadow Phantom Trail was useless in this situation.
To avoid the braid, Tang San abruptly arched his back, bending backward in a movement resembling an Iron Bridge, while his Mysterious Heaven Skill finally surged into action. He channeled energy through both arms, but fearing he might hurt Xiao Wu, he used only fifty percent of his power.
But just as Tang San channeled his energy, Xiao Wu's hands suddenly released him. The next moment, a powerful force slammed into his lower back. He lost all control of his balance and toppled backward.
With a thud, Tang San fell flat on his back. A pair of small hands used the momentum of the fall to press precisely on the joints of his front shoulders, leaving both his arms tingling and numb, unable to exert force. Xiao Wu stood over him, looking utterly pleased with herself.
"Well? Do you submit or not?" Xiao Wu looked down at Tang San, her face alight with triumph.
If the first time Xiao Wu had thrown him Tang San hadn't felt much, this time it was deeply frustrating. In terms of sheer strength, Xiao Wu seemed noticeably weaker than him. But her fighting methods were far too bizarre. Lacking extensive combat experience himself, Tang San had fallen right into her trap.
"I don't submit. Again," Tang San said, staring up at Xiao Wu with stubborn resolve.
"You want another round? But I'm not giving you the chance. If you're so capable, break free first."
With his shoulder joints controlled, how could he possibly break free? Even the circulation of his Mysterious Heaven Skill was cut off.
"What are you two doing? Get up immediately! In broad daylight, you're actually..." Just then, a dissonant voice rang out.
Xiao Wu and Tang San both turned to look. A female teacher was striding toward them, her face flushed with anger.
Xiao Wu's cheeks reddened. She hurriedly jumped off Tang San. Tang San seized the chance to roll over and scramble to his feet.
The teacher had already arrived, her voice sharp with anger. "What is going on with you two?"
Tang San felt that as a boy, he should step forward and explain. But before he could speak, Xiao Wu cut in. "Teacher, we were just sparring."