'Eh? Is Xiao Wu really this obedient?'
'She's pretending, right?'
Qi Lin couldn't help but smile as he stepped forward and gently pinched Xiao Wu's doll-like cheeks.
"So cute!"
Seeing the two children getting along so well, Xu Qian's face showed a doting smile.
Qi Tian was all smiles too.
Even though the children of those rich and noble families were cute as well, they still couldn't compare to Xiao Wu.
That evening, the family gathered in the main hall for dinner. The table was filled with a feast.
After asking Xiao Wu about her preferences, Xu Qian thoughtfully made three carrot-based dishes, which Xiao Wu devoured with great enthusiasm.
Qi Lin watched her with curiosity and even picked up a piece of meat to place in her bowl.
They say rabbits are omnivores—he wanted to see if she'd eat meat too.
And the result?
Xiao Wu paused, turned her head to glance at Qi Lin several times, and saw his warm and friendly smile.
She muttered to herself so quietly that only she could hear:
"What's that supposed to mean? Is he trying to hit on me?"
As expected of a hundred-thousand-year-old rogue rabbit—her thoughts were very "mature."
In the end, Xiao Wu still ate the meat Qi Lin gave her.
"So, she does eat meat!"
Qi Lin muttered under his breath.
Xu Qian and Qi Tian exchanged glances, seeing the teasing look in each other's eyes.
Halfway through the meal, Qi Tian suddenly said, "Oh right, in a few days the master from the Spirit Hall will be coming again to awaken spirits for the common folk."
"If the two of you awaken spirit power, I'll send you to Nuoding Academy."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu's heart stirred.
If she could get into Nuoding Academy, it would be much easier to blend in with human Spirit Masters.
Qi Lin chewed for a bit, then asked curiously, "Will Sister Si Si still be the one doing the awakenings this year?"
Si Si was a Spirit Master from the Nuoding City branch of the Spirit Hall. Every year, she would come to awaken the spirits of six-year-old commoners.
She had liked Qi Lin ever since she met him three years ago and would visit the Qi family during the New Year every year.
Qi Tian gave him a weird look. "Miss Si Si has come to our Radish Village for several years in a row—this year's probably no different."
Then he paused and asked curiously, "Why? You don't want her to come? Don't you like her?"
Qi Lin shook his head. "Nah, I just heard that there's a Master Su Yuntao in the Nuoding Spirit Hall, and I wanted to meet him."
The internet called Su Yuntao the "Blind Douluo." Now that he had transmigrated to the Douluo Dalu world, Qi Lin definitely wanted to meet him in person.
Qi Tian chuckled. "Don't even think about it. I heard the Spirit Hall masters have fixed regions they're assigned to. Su Yuntao doesn't cover our area."
"It's fine, I was just imagining!"
Qi Lin replied casually, though deep down he was thinking—Su Yuntao will definitely come to Radish Village. It was his gut feeling.
After dinner, Qi Tian and Xu Qian went off to handle their own things, leaving only Qi Lin and Xiao Wu in the hall.
Xiao Wu wandered around the hall like a curious kitten, her bright eyes filled with wonder.
The hall was decorated with intricate wooden carvings, plant, animal specimens, and all sorts of strange instruments.
"Your house is so pretty!" Xiao Wu blinked and smiled.
Back when she first took human form, Er Ming built her a log cabin… but it was ugly. Nothing like this.
Qi Lin smiled warmly. "If you like it, then just settle in. It's not like we're going to run out of food for you."
Then Qi Lin suddenly remembered that in the original story, Xiao Wu's mother had died, so he added, "You can think of my mom as your own. I can tell she really likes you."
But when Xiao Wu heard this, she showed a "just as I thought" expression.
'This human kid really is trying to hit on me.'
'Looks like I'm still quite the charming lady,' Xiao Wu thought smugly.
Qi Lin was puzzled to see her spacing out and smiling to herself.
'Wait… did she really get that touched so easily?'
Soon, Xiao Wu snapped out of it and saw Qi Lin's confused expression, which made her start pondering again.
'If this boy is really into me… should I give him a chance?'
If Qi Lin knew what she was thinking, he'd probably be speechless.
Love-brained Continent… terrifying!
Anyway, after this little detour, Xiao Wu remembered her goal of becoming the boss.
So she challenged Qi Lin to a fight—if she won, he'd have to call her "Sister Xiao Wu" from now on.
Qi Lin refused and said they could only play rock-paper-scissors—three rounds.
If Xiao Wu won even once, he'd call her "Sister Xiao Wu" forever.
Seeing the clear advantage, Xiao Wu eagerly agreed.
But…
They played thirty rounds in a row. Xiao Wu didn't win even once.
In the end, she had no choice but to call Qi Lin "Big Brother."
She even cheated to get in an extra 27 rounds… and still lost every time!
But Xiao Wu was now very interested in Qi Lin's secret to winning. She kept pestering him.
She didn't believe it was just "luck," like he claimed.
She's a smart rabbit! No way she'd be fooled so easily!
That night, Xu Qian prepared a spare room for Xiao Wu, but she insisted on sleeping in the same room as Qi Lin.
She was very stubborn—no matter how Xu Qian coaxed her, she wouldn't change her mind.
In the end, Xu Qian figured, They're just kids, and had Qi Tian move another small bed into Qi Lin's room.
The days flew by, and soon it was time for the spirit awakening ceremony.
Everyone in the village gathered early in front of the awakening house.
Originally, the Spirit Hall's awakening site was just a slightly larger building, but after the Qi family grew rich, they had it demolished and rebuilt into a grand stone hall.
After all, the Spirit Hall couldn't look shabbier than the Qi family's home, right?
To Qi Tian and Xu Qian, that would be a sign of disrespect.
The Spirit Hall, as the sacred land of Spirit Masters, came every year to awaken spirits for the commoners—it truly was a blessing.
Qi Tian and Xu Qian stood with Qi Lin and Xiao Wu at the front of the group alongside the village chief.
There were fifteen eligible kids that year, each accompanied by their parents.
Since the Spirit Hall Master hadn't arrived yet, people were chatting amongst themselves.
Of all of them, Qi Tian was the most proud and smug.
He had a beautiful wife and a wonderful son—every man in the village was jealous.
Not long after, a tall figure approached from the distance.
When the figure drew near, everyone froze.
It wasn't Master Si Si from the Spirit Hall!
Qi Tian's expression turned odd, and he glanced at his son.
Qi Lin noticed and shrugged.
Then he turned to examine the newcomer with curiosity.
The man was tall and handsome, dressed in white, with a jet-black cloak draped over his shoulders.
Village chief Kelo quickly stepped up to greet him respectfully.
"Honored Spirit Master, we'll be in your care."
Su Yuntao smiled slightly and nodded.
He stepped in front of the crowd and spoke in a clear voice, "I am Su Yuntao, the patrol deacon from the Spirit Hall in charge of spirit awakenings here in Radish Village."
As he spoke, he pushed open the grand doors of the Spirit Hall and stood at the entrance.
"Children, follow me inside. Be quiet!"
Kelo added, "Everyone, listen to Master Su Yuntao."
The children responded in unison and followed him in.
The others remained outside, waiting.