The boy was dressed plainly, looking to be twelve or thirteen years old, roughly one hundred and seventy centimeters tall. He wore a light blue fitted outfit that made him look sharp and tidy. Around his waist was a belt set with twenty-four jade stones, and his half-long black hair barely reached his shoulders. His features weren't particularly handsome, but they gave off an approachable warmth. A faint smile lingered at the corners of his lips.
If the boy appeared calm and unremarkable, the girl beside him was anything but.
Her long black hair, smooth as silk, was styled into a neat scorpion braid that hung past her calves even in its plaited form. She stood half a head taller than the boy. Her upper body was wrapped in a snug pink top that clung to her already developing figure. Her slender waist—too narrow to span with both hands—was the kind that made countless women envious.
Her arched brows formed naturally, and a pair of bright, glistening eyes sat above a softly rounded, rosy little face. She was not only pretty but carried a certain mischievous charm about her. The word "cute" seemed tailor-made for her. The boy standing beside her was already overshadowed by her invisible radiance.
The girl raised her hand and lightly brushed it across her slightly dewy forehead. "We've finally made it to this Sotuo City," she said with a hint of complaint. "I really don't know what the Great Master was thinking. Several intermediate Soul Master academies offered to accept us unconditionally, and yet he insisted you come take entrance exams at that backwater academy that doesn't even have a ranking system."
The boy smiled faintly. "The Teacher asked me to take the exam. He never asked you to come. You insisted on tagging along. Be glad the Balak Kingdom borders Fasnuo Province—otherwise you'd have even more to complain about."
The girl shot him a glare. "How heartless. I did it all for you. Besides, you're my brother. Anyway, the exam isn't until the day after tomorrow. No way around it—you're taking me around Sotuo City for two days to make up for the damage done to my poor little heart."
The boy laughed. "The great big sister who ruled Nuoding Academy for six straight years, and she's talking about a poor little heart? If your little followers heard that, I wonder if they'd jump straight into the river."
This boy and girl were none other than
Five years had passed, and they had finally completed their time at the academy. Given their talent, Nuoding had planned to recommend them directly into an intermediate Soul Master academy. Several prestigious institutions had even sent invitations, leaving them with plenty of choices.
But the Great Master had instructed Tang San to refuse them all and instead take the entrance exam at a place south of Sotuo City called Shrek Academy.
Six years of guidance had earned the Great Master Tang San's respect akin to that for a father. More importantly, he understood that whatever the Great Master asked of him was for his own good. So he had agreed without hesitation.
Over the six years, Tang San and Xiao Wu had grown as close as real siblings. When Tang San chose this academy, Xiao Wu naturally followed.
Before they left, the Great Master told Tang San he needed to make a trip to the imperial capital, after which he would come find them here.
Those six years in Nuoding had been among the most fulfilling of Tang San's life. Mornings in class, afternoons at work, evenings cultivating—there was hardly a moment to spare. At twelve years old, he no longer looked as thin and slight as he once had. The daily labor at the blacksmith shop had built him a sturdy frame. Though he didn't look particularly burly, beneath that fitted outfit lay a body packed with explosive muscle.
Xiao Wu pouted. "No way. Are you agreeing or not?"
Tang San chuckled. "Whatever you say. But after such a long journey, aren't you tired? We should probably find a place to stay first. It's almost noon—let's grab some food."
Xiao Wu brightened. "Now that's more like it." Tang San rarely went against her wishes. Ever since they'd become brother and sister, he had always looked after her like a big brother. He was busy most of the time, but the little signs of care he showed without thinking still made Xiao Wu enjoy every bit of it.
Sotuo City was far larger than Nuoding City, and naturally far livelier. Soldiers on patrol lined the streets, and streams of bustling crowds flowed endlessly through the thoroughfares.
They grabbed a quick bite first, then set about looking for lodging. It wasn't long before Xiao Wu spotted a charming little hotel.
It was three stories tall. The scale wasn't huge, but the exterior was entirely rose-red, and the building's architectural style resembled a giant rose—immediately eye-catching.
"The Rose Hotel. Xiao San, let's stay here." Xiao Wu pointed at it.
Tang San shrugged. "Whatever you want." Between his years of work and the subsidies from Spirit Hall, he had managed to save a modest amount. Xiao Wu never cared about money and spent freely. To keep her from constantly running short, she had simply handed all her earnings to Tang San to manage. With him keeping watch over the finances, she could at least restrain herself a little.
Stepping into the Rose Hotel, the first thing they noticed was a wave of rose fragrance. The pleasant scent carried a hint of something intimate, leaving the body and mind at ease.
The hotel's interior was decorated in only three colors—white, silver, and rose-red. The warm, refined setting was elegant and easy on the eyes.
Tang San walked up to the front desk. "We'd like two rooms, please."
The attendant behind the counter hurried to his feet. He glanced at Tang San, then at Xiao Wu, and a look of wistful admiration flickered in his eyes. "Sir, are you sure you want two rooms?"
Tang San nodded. "Is something wrong?"
The attendant's gaze turned a touch knowing. "I'm sorry—we only have one room left."
(End of Chapter)