"What's up, kiddo? Usually, you're bouncing around. Why so quiet all of a sudden? Are you pretending to be a good girl in front of strangers?"
"You're the one pretending to be a good girl!"
Xiao Wu couldn't take the teasing and immediately became energetic again, pretending to be fierce. On the surface, she seemed livelier, but there was a shadow of unease hidden in her eyes.
'Why is this happening? I made my first human friend, and for the first time, I found a place in the human world where I can feel safe... These two happy things should have brought me more joy. It should have been a dreamlike, peaceful time... But why has it turned into this...'
Xiao Wu lowered her head, biting her lip. Outwardly calm, her heart was in turmoil: 'Why do you have to be part of Spirit Hall!!!'
Having completed the enrollment procedures, You Chen, perhaps to comfort the inexplicably downcast Xiao Wu, took her small hand and led her to the house he had prearranged.
He smiled slightly at the sight of the well-decorated residence, akin to a small villa, just like his other properties.
But it wasn't the beauty of the house that pleased him...
It was Xiao Wu's reaction that satisfied him greatly.
After sensing the Titan Giant Ape's disturbance, he had set his sights on Xiao Wu, not out of kindness.
Becoming the first friendly human Xiao Wu encountered in the human world would leave a lasting impression on her.
It was a move with benefits far outweighing the risks.
Anyone familiar with the original story would undoubtedly know the bond between Tang San and Xiao Wu. Analyzing the plot, it was clear that Xiao Wu's ease of being won over by Tang San was largely due to the kinship she felt from his half-soul beast aura.
This familiarity, combined with the loneliness and fear of the human world, made it natural for her to fall for Tang San under his considerate care.
As for Tang San's feelings for Xiao Wu, his blush and shy reactions to the little girl, and his instinctive response to her as more than just a "child"...
Numerous signs indicated that Tang San experienced "love at first sight" for Xiao Wu, and rather than "familial affection turning into romantic love," it was more about "realizing his love."
Of course, one might say both Tang San and Xiao Wu shared the same inclination—one loved from first sight, while the other grew to love over time.
In this life, it's uncertain if Xiao Wu would still fall for Tang San, but since Tang San was moved by appearances, meeting Xiao Wu would undoubtedly stir his interest.
Having had the experience of turning Yan from a sycophant into a cultivation fanatic, You Chen thought, reversing roles to make Tang San the sycophant could be amusing too.
You Chen was clear about what he needed to focus on.
Improving himself, of course.
Secondly, hindering Tang San and Bibi Dong as much as possible.
These two—one destined to destroy Spirit Hall and the other a completely vengeful madwoman.
For Bibi Dong, he had no good strategies yet.
As for Tang San...
Changing his future animosity towards Spirit Hall, if it were twenty years earlier, You Chen might have considered the feasibility. But now he was no longer arrogant enough to think destiny and trends could be easily altered.
In fact, he had long prepared for the worst—that in the end, both Tang San and Bibi Dong would become gods. Even optimistically, at least one of them would ascend.
He wouldn't easily abandon the possibility of reducing their chances of becoming gods, but his focus was more on "delaying."
You Chen thought simply: "Even if your ascension is a predetermined fate! Since fate is hard to change, I'll keep extending this process, and before you become gods, I'll accumulate as much power as possible until... I become a god too!"
You Chen was a cautious person, but he was also ambitious.
If he hadn't gotten the system, he would have followed his original plan to lie low and retire in peace.
But having the system reignited his ambition...
Since he could gain power, and there was hope of being the last victor, why hide!?
To influence Tang San, Xiao Wu as a pawn was an excellent choice.
And after spending time together and owing him for "guiding her," Xiao Wu had essentially let down her guard around You Chen.
After revealing his Spirit Hall affiliation, Xiao Wu's shaken response further confirmed You Chen's thoughts.
Perhaps due to the effect of the friendly candies, Xiao Wu's trust in You Chen exceeded his expectations.
Upon reaching Nordin City, You Chen had two options regarding Xiao Wu.
First, protect Xiao Wu as much as possible from being discovered by Tang Hao or Spirit Hall, deepening her trust so she could be a potential soul ring or a hostage against Da Ming and Er Ming.
Second, avoid further developing feelings with Xiao Wu and let the trust built during this time settle, focusing solely on Xiao Wu's influence on Tang San.
You Chen's choice was clear.
If he hadn't mentioned his Spirit Hall membership, he could have kept it hidden for much longer. By the time Xiao Wu saw him as important, revealing it naturally, she might still stick with him. This could lead to the first option, gradually gaining complete control over Xiao Wu.
Just like in the original, going to Spirit City for the Soul Master competition was perilous for Xiao Wu, yet she refused to leave Tang San and chose to follow him.
Without You Chen's proactive disclosure, Xiao Wu wouldn't have cared about his affiliations.
However, You Chen deliberately broke the news.
Xiao Wu, though trusting, wasn't blindly so.
Even if she wanted to trust You Chen after spending time together, she might still feel some resistance.
For her peace of mind, she would seek other emotional anchors.
Simply put, the two paths were about domestication versus free-range.
You Chen didn't want to risk the dangers, especially from Tang Hao.
In the original, it wasn't clear whether Tang Hao refrained from targeting Xiao Wu due to his deceased wife or because he planned to use her as a future ten-thousand-year soul ring for his son.
If it were the former, fine. If the latter...
Any slip could be disastrous.
So he wouldn't choose domestication.
Choosing free-range, allowing Xiao Wu to connect with Tang San, he would also help hide Xiao Wu's true identity.
And even in the free-range approach, pulling Xiao Wu "back" was simple.
Once Xiao Wu found new friends and wasn't as emotionally adrift, he could seize an opportunity to tell her the "important person" he offended was Pope Bibi Dong—Xiao Wu's mother's killer.
Then, the distance caused by worry would turn into guilt.
In the future, he might even use Xiao Wu to leverage Tang San and his allies against Bibi Dong.
With just a little thought, You Chen could see countless possibilities.
'Now, just wait for the school year to start.'
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