Douluo Continent III Haotian Wulin

Chapter 154: The Arrogant Ice Staff Man

"Zi Xin".

The voice came from not far away.

Ouyang Zixin's smile faltered slightly before she turned around.

Upon recognizing the person, her eyes lit up noticeably, and she stood up to greet them.

"Senior?"

"You're here to eat too?"

Tang Wulin remained seated.

Ouyang Zixin blocked his view, so he could only see that the person was tall and slender, wearing the uniform of the senior department of Donghai Academy, with straight shoulders and back.

The young man laughed and said, "Yes, I brought my sister out to get something to eat."

I've been preparing for my final exams lately, and it feels like it's been two weeks since I last saw you.

He paused.

"You're getting more and more beautiful."

Ouyang Zixin raised her hand and tucked her long hair behind her ear, her smile softening slightly.

No way.

"The senior will say nice things."

Tang Wulin lowered his head and picked up a skewer of grilled meat.

I don't know why, but my mood, which had just calmed down a lot, has become a bit depressed again.

This discomfort came for no reason.

Ouyang Zixin only ran into an acquaintance from her senior classmate, and they only exchanged a few words.

But when she spoke to me, although she was affectionate, she always had a smile on her face as if she were coaxing a child.

But when facing that young man, his attitude was clearly different.

Tang Wulin couldn't explain the difference.

I just felt that the meat skewers in my hand suddenly didn't smell as good as before.

There were no empty tables in the restaurant.

Ouyang Zixin glanced around and suggested, "Seniors, why don't you sit with us?"

"This table can still be squeezed in a bit."

The young man smiled and said, "Then I'll have to bother you."

He led the little girl beside him over.

It wasn't until the two sat down opposite each other that Tang Wulin could see their faces clearly.

The next moment, he stopped what he was doing.

That's really true...

We may meet again anywhere in the world.

The tall young man sitting opposite Ouyang Zixin was the three-ring Ice Staff Soul Master from the riotous Spirit Ascension Platform.

Xu Xiaoyu.

The little girl with light blue hair and exceptionally bright eyes beside him was naturally Xu Xiaoyan.

The ice staff girl who was always protected by her brother and almost never actually used her weapon.

Tang Wulin lowered his head and silently added the name he had already thought of to Xu Xiaoyu.

A haughty ice staff man.

Xu Xiaoyu did not recognize him immediately.

He turned to the side to order food from the shop owner.

"Another order of grilled cod and another order of chicken wings, please."

"Twenty beef skewers and twenty lamb skewers."

After he finished speaking, he looked at his sister.

"Xiao Yan, what else would you like to eat?"

Xu Xiaoyan stared at the iced drink on the table next to her, her eyes shining slightly.

"I'd like to drink an iced barley drink."

"The sweet kind."

Xu Xiaoyu frowned.

"You just said your stomach wasn't feeling well."

"That was just now."

Xu Xiaoyan whispered, "It's all better now."

"You can only drink half a cup."

"it is good."

She agreed very readily, clearly intending to get it first and then figure things out.

Ouyang Zixin sat back down next to Tang Wulin. Seeing the mountain of bamboo skewers on the table, she seemed to suddenly remember something, leaned closer to him, and lowered her voice.

"Eat slowly later."

"Don't scare them."

As Tang Wulin listened to her deliberately lowered, gentle voice and glanced at Xu Xiaoyu across from him, the inexplicable feeling of unease in his heart intensified.

Could she like this person?

The moment the thought popped into his head, Tang Wulin was taken aback.

He didn't actually fully understand what "liking" meant.

Having spent a lot of time with Xie Xie and heard him say a lot of nonsense, I know to some extent that there is sometimes a relationship between boys and girls that is different from that of ordinary friends.

He lowered his head again.

It's best not to be recognized.

Otherwise, it might be very troublesome if my senior asks about things at the Ascension Platform.

Moreover, judging from the way Xu Xiaoyu spoke just now, she seemed to be quite familiar with Ouyang Zixin.

Tang Wulin didn't want to get into a conflict with him here.

So he continued eating.

However, the movements were indeed a little slow.

After ordering her food, Xu Xiaoyu looked at Ouyang Zixin again.

"Junior, is this child your younger brother?"

"Are you also a student at the academy?"

Ouyang Zixin shook her head.

"He's not my biological brother, but I'd say he's the younger brother I've adopted."

She patted Tang Wulin on the shoulder, her tone tinged with pride.

"He's no ordinary student."

"They are members of Class Zero, a newly established first-year class this year."

"Class Zero?"

Xu Xiaoyu's expression changed slightly.

He subconsciously looked at Xu Xiaoyan beside him.

Ouyang Zixin keenly noticed his reaction.

"You know about Class Zero too, senior?"

"I only heard about it from my family recently."

Xu Xiaoyu said, "Xiaoyan was originally supposed to enter the intermediate soul master academy next year. However, her father is discussing with the academy and plans to let her enroll early."

"If all goes well, I should be able to get into Class Zero as a transfer student."

"A transfer student?"

Tang Wulin subconsciously raised his head.

Is the little popsicle stick girl going to join Class Zero?

As soon as he spoke, the eyes of the brother and sister opposite him fell on his face at the same time.

The air fell silent for a moment.

Xu Xiaoyu's eyes were blank at first, then suddenly fixed.

"Is it you?"

Xu Xiaoyan's eyes widened as well.

"Ah, you're not that—"

Tang Wulin then realized that he had exposed himself in his haste.

He put down the meat skewers in his hand, a hint of embarrassment appearing on his face.

Hello.

"My name is Tang Wulin."

Xu Xiaoyu's face immediately turned cold.

These past few days, almost all his unhappiness stemmed from his encounter at the Ascension Platform.

The opportunity to participate in the riots, which his family had paid a considerable price for, ended prematurely because of his underestimation of the enemy.

Upon returning, he not only suffered from the mental aftereffects of the elemental bombardment, but was also severely reprimanded by his father.

The captain of that five-man squad was sitting right in front of him.

More importantly, Ouyang Zixin had just referred to Tang Wulin as her adopted younger brother.

Xu Xiaoyu's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"So it was you."

Ouyang Zixin looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression.

"You two know each other?"

Xu Xiaoyu originally wanted to admit it directly.

But as he was about to speak, he remembered his experience of being defeated on the spot by a second-ring girl in the Spirit Ascension Platform.

This is really not something that can be explained in detail to Ouyang Zixin.

His expression quickly returned to its indifferent state.

"We don't really know each other."

"We've only met once before."

"Brother, aren't they from the Ascension Platform—"

As soon as Xu Xiaoyan opened her mouth, Xu Xiaoyu gently touched her arm under the table.

The second half of her sentence remained unsaid.

Xu Xiaoyan looked at her brother, then at Tang Wulin. Although she didn't understand why Xu Xiaoyu wouldn't let her speak, she obediently shut her mouth.

Ouyang Zixin was incredibly clever.

It was immediately obvious that this so-called "one-time encounter" was definitely not that simple.

Xu Xiaoyu was unwilling to say more, so she didn't press her for details.

"That's perfect, let me formally introduce you."

She first pointed to Tang Wulin.

"This is Tang Wulin from Class 0 of the first year of the junior division."

He then introduced her to Tang Wulin: "This is Xu Xiaoyu, a senior from Class 1, Grade 2 of the Advanced Department."

"Senior Xu is a very famous genius in the senior division, and he is already a three-ring Soul Master."

"I heard there's a good chance I'll break the fourth ring before graduation."

"The woman next to him is his younger sister, Xu Xiaoyan."

As Xu Xiaoyu listened to Ouyang Zixin's introduction, she felt her face flush slightly.

Three Rings Soul Master.

The third soul ring in a thousand years.

It would be considered excellent no matter where it is placed.

Yet, not long ago, she was defeated by a second-ring girl from Tang Wulin's team.

And the defeat was completely predictable.

With each word of praise from Ouyang Zixin, he felt the battle become clearer in his mind.

"Hello, senior."

Tang Wulin greeted him politely.

The tone wasn't exactly enthusiastic, but at least it wasn't impolite.

Xu Xiaoyu gave a soft hum.

"This junior is quite capable."

"Were the people who were with you that day also members of Class Zero?"

Tang Wulin did not answer immediately.

Although Gu Yue defeated Xu Xiaoyu mainly by taking advantage of the information gap and Xu Xiaoyu's underestimation of her, Xu Xiaoyu's strength was definitely not weak.

Especially Ice Fury.

Tang Wulin still clearly remembers the sense of threat posed by that ice spear.

If Xu Xiaoyu really wants revenge, and there are only three of them left in Class Zero, the situation will become very troublesome.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Ouyang Zixin gently reminded him, "Your senior is asking you a question."

Tang Wulin turned and glanced at her.

She was speaking to herself.

His gaze remained fixed on Xu Xiaoyu.

Tang Wulin could clearly see that gentleness and attentiveness.

The slight tightness in my chest, which had been vague before, suddenly became much more pronounced.

He didn't want to sit there any longer.

"Senior, I'm full."

Tang Wulin picked up a tissue and wiped the oil off his fingers.

"Let's go back."

After saying that, he stood up and walked out of the store.

Ouyang Zixin was stunned for a moment.

"Wu Lin?"

Tang Wulin did not stop.

Ouyang Zixin had no choice but to stand up and look at Xu Xiaoyu with some apology.

"Senior, I'm sorry."

"He's not in a good mood today, I'll go check on him."

"You guys eat first, I'll be back in a bit."

Xu Xiaoyu nodded.

"Go."

Ouyang Zixin quickly chased after her.

Xu Xiaoyan leaned over the table, watching the two figures leave one after the other, her eyes full of curiosity.

"So they were from Class Zero."

"Isn't Class Zero amazing?"

She turned her head and asked seriously, "That black-haired sister only had two rings, yet she defeated my brother."

Xu Xiaoyu's forehead twitched slightly.

"Could we please stop bringing this up?"

Xu Xiaoyan touched her head.

"I'm just telling the truth."

Xu Xiaoyu reached out and gently patted her on the head, sounding annoyed.

Xu Xiaoyan immediately covered her head.

"You hit me."

"I'm going to tell Dad when I get back."

"How can this be considered a fight?"

Xu Xiaoyu quickly withdrew her hand.

"I just touched it."

You're lying.

"Then... I'll order you ten more skewers of beef."

Xu Xiaoyan thought for a moment.

"And a whole glass of iced wheat drink."

"no."

"Then I'll tell Dad."

"..."

Xu Xiaoyu took a deep breath.

"You can only drink half a cup."

Xu Xiaoyan's eyebrows immediately curved into a smile.

"it is good."

……

"Wu Lin".

Ouyang Zixin caught up with Tang Wulin at the street corner and reached out to grab his arm.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Your senior only asked you one question, why did you suddenly leave?"

The wind on the street passed between the two buildings.

As the cold wind blew, Tang Wulin's gloom gradually dissipated.

He then realized that his behavior just now was indeed somewhat inappropriate.

Ouyang Zixin kindly invited him to dinner and kept comforting him.

However, due to some emotion that he couldn't even explain, he abandoned her and left.

"I'm sorry, senior."

Tang Wulin lowered his head.

A lot has happened these past few days.

I'm not in a good mood.

Ouyang Zixin looked at him for a moment.

Tang Wulin was only nine years old after all.

It's normal for him to be upset since Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi have just transferred schools.

She didn't blame him anymore, but just sighed softly.

"never mind."

"You've eaten quite a bit today, you should be full by now."

"Let's go back to the academy and rest first."

After she finished speaking, she subconsciously glanced back in the direction of the small shop.

"I'll go back and sit with my senior and Xiaoyan for a while longer."

Tang Wulin looked at the expectation in her eyes and understood.

At least in Ouyang Zixin's mind, Xu Xiaoyu was not the same as herself.

I am the little brother she takes care of.

Xu Xiaoyu, however, was the senior she truly cared about.

"it is good."

Tang Wulin nodded.

His tone also returned to politeness.

"Thank you for treating me to dinner today, senior."

"I'll treat you next time."

Ouyang Zixin smiled and said, "Let's talk about it later."

"Then I'll head back now."

Be careful on your way home.

After saying that, she turned and ran towards the shop.

Her long hair billowed behind her as she quickly disappeared through the doorway.

Tang Wulin stood there and watched for a while.

He then lowered his head and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

What exactly was I doing just now?

Ouyang Zixin only ever treated him as a younger brother.

Moreover, there is a significant age difference between them.

To him now, this gap feels like a separation between two completely different worlds.

Tang Wulin turned and walked towards the academy.

I still feel a little disappointed, but not as suffocating as before.

Compared to Ouyang Zixin and Xu Xiaoyu, he is now more concerned about something else.

Is Xu Xiaoyan going to join Class Zero?

She possesses innate full soul power and exhibits the Star Wheel phenomenon that the Xu family highly values; her talent is clearly extraordinary.

But inside the Ascension Platform, she almost always hid behind Xu Xiaoyu.

Let alone fighting soul beasts, he doesn't even seem to have the courage to face a strange soul master alone.

Is she really suited for Class Zero?

However, after Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi left, only three people remained in Class Zero.

Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xie Xie.

The front axis, element control, and agile attack points are still there.

However, there were obvious gaps in flank defense, reconnaissance, and rear defense.

It wouldn't be surprising if the academy planned to add new members to Class Zero.

Why has Wu Changkong never mentioned this kind of thing?

After returning to the academy, Tang Wulin did not go back to his dormitory.

He went straight to Wu Changkong's residence and knocked twice on the door.

"Come in."

A cold, clear voice came from inside the room.

The door was not locked.

Tang Wulin pushed open the door and entered.

Wu Changkong was still dressed in white, sitting cross-legged on the bed. His hands were placed naturally on his knees, and there were no obvious fluctuations of soul power around him, but there was a faint chill in the air.

"What is it?"

Wu Changkong did not open his eyes.

Tang Wulin said, "Teacher Wu, I met someone outside the academy today."

She said she might join Class Zero as a transfer student.

"Should we add some new members?"

Wu Changkong slowly opened his eyes.

A fleeting hint of purple flashed in his eyes, quickly returning to his usual icy blue.

"That's not something you should be concerned about right now."

Tang Wulin was taken aback.

Wu Changkong continued, "What you should be thinking about is how to pass tomorrow's final exam."

"The second test was originally designed for a team of five."

"Now that Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi have left, only you, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie remain."