The four chatted happily for a while. Tang San, having composed himself, arrived late and joined the conversation.
Tang Sui yielded the spotlight, watching as Tang San struck a deal with Ning Fengzhi for five million gold soul coins.
After Ning Rongrong saw Ning Fengzhi and his party off, Tang Sui turned her head and met Tang San's gaze.
Brother and sister looked at each other, and finally, it was Tang San who broke the silence, whispering,
"Suisui, have you been well these past six months?"
Half a year had passed since they last met. His sister had grown taller and had advanced to the rank of Soul Sect, nearing Soul King.
While he felt joy, he also knew that this progress must have come with considerable hardship and sweat.
The once lively girl now carried a much calmer demeanor, leaning towards a more mature disposition. However, facing her own blood brother, her eyes softened. She reached out and hugged his waist, burying her face in his embrace, which carried the scent of grass and trees. She mumbled,
"Not well at all. Father is very strict."
Tang San's gaze shifted slightly. He raised his hand and gently stroked Tang Sui's raven-black hair, recalling Tang Hao's rough and indifferent face. A reminiscent smile flickered in his eyes. "Yes, Father has always been like that."
Once Tang Sui had calmed down, the siblings recounted their experiences and achievements of the past six months in the well-soundproofed VIP room.
As for their origins, Tang Sui glanced at Tang San's composed expression. After some thought, she decided to postpone mentioning it for now, knowing that her brother had likely resolved the matters concerning Titan.
"Oh, right, Suisui, you've been gone for over half a year. Haven't you seen Teacher yet?"
After handing over the medicinal herbs he had chosen for Tang Sui, Tang San brought up others.
Tang Sui nodded, her face lighting up with genuine smiles as she looked at Tang San. "A few days ago, after I gave Teacher the herbs I 'borrowed' from that old monster, he finally broke through Great Soul Master and became a Soul Elder."
"Really? That's wonderful! Is Teacher at the academy now? I'll go find him right away!"
After half a year's absence, Tang Sui truly missed Grandmaster.
Tang San smiled and led Tang Sui out. "No rush. Dean Flanders and the others are accompanying Teacher to hunt for his third soul ring and will likely take some time to return. Let's go find everyone else first. Xiao Ao and the others miss you too."
"Okay~"
...
Having not seen Tang Sui for a long time, Ma Hongjun and the others were very excited. They surrounded her, chattering away. Upon learning that Tang Sui's strength had actually reached level 47, Ma Hongjun's eyes turned red with envy.
"Heavens, Suisui, you're too amazing! You've even surpassed Dai-ge!"
Dai Mubai, who had just emerged from seclusion after reaching level 40 and entering the Soul Sect rank, had come to share the good news with his companions. His smile froze on his face as he stepped through the doorway. "?"
Who?!
Suisui surpassed him?!
"Huh? Dai-ge, you're back!" Ning Rongrong, with her sharp eyes, spotted Dai Mubai frozen at the door and waved enthusiastically. "Dai-ge, you've come at just the right time. Suisui has 'returned after completing her studies' this time!"
"Mubai, were you successful?" Zhu Zhuqing asked with concern.
Dai Mubai dispelled his petrification, gave Zhu Zhuqing a gentle, affirmative look, and then, his gaze fixed on Tang Sui, who was surrounded by the others, he said, "Suisui, what level are you now?"
Tang Sui felt the aura of Dai Mubai's Soul Sect strength and gave an innocent, competitive smile. "Oh my, Dai-ge, congratulations to you too, entering Soul Sect. But I'm level 47 now~"
"Rumble—!"
Dai Mubai felt as if he had been struck by lightning and froze on the spot.
Amidst Oscar and the others' suppressed laughter, he tremblingly pointed at Tang Sui and uttered a few words, "As expected of you." Competitive spirit, truly too competitive.
He, the "rolling paper," couldn't keep up anymore.
This outcome was entirely within reason, yet it was also unexpected.
He knew Suisui would give them a big surprise upon her return, but he hadn't expected it to be this big!
So big it made him feel bitter.
With a bitter heart, Dai Mubai met Tang Sui's pure, unmocking gaze, which held only genuine goodwill and playful teasing. The unwillingness and bitterness in his heart dissipated, turning into a hint of helplessness. He scratched his head. "I'm ashamed, your leader is actually not as strong as your soul power."
"But you'll always be our leader, Dai-ge," Oscar said heartily, patting Dai Mubai on the shoulder.
Dai Mubai met the trusting, slightly smiling gazes of his companions, and the last trace of gloom vanished, replaced by a sense of acceptance. "Naturally!"
The atmosphere returned to its lively state. As they were chatting and laughing, Dai Mubai suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Suisui, aren't you level 47 now? You haven't told us what your fourth soul skill is yet."
"That's right, Suisui. Since your fourth soul ring is ten thousand years old, your fourth soul skill's support ability should be very powerful, right?" Ma Hongjun's eyes were filled with anticipation.
"This one." Tang Sui met the curious and amused gazes of her companions and winked playfully, saying mysteriously, "My fourth soul skill, I'll show you all when Dean and the others return and we go hunt for soul rings together. I guarantee it will surprise you immensely~"
—Author's Notes—
Starting today, we'll have three updates daily. Four consecutive updates with 8,000 words, or five updates with 10,000 words, is too much. It's better to do six updates a day. I'm getting old, my "liver" can't handle it. I haven't even played games lately, my friends are doing it for me!
Whispering quietly: And she even live-streams it. Mo Li is being publicly exposed this time, but as long as she doesn't say it, no one will know, haha.
PS: Around the 20th, there will be a major update, which will also serve to accumulate some draft for the big update.
See you tomorrow~