My System Lives in the Future! (Soul Land Fanfiction)

Chapter 5: Dancing with Death! The Host is too Daring!

Xiao Tian didn't miss the subtle, calculating glance Tang San gave him. A chill crept up his spine. It was clear as day—Tang San had taken note of him, and Xiao Tian had no doubt that, given the chance, Tang San wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him.

However, Xiao Tian reassured himself. As long as Tang Hao didn't suddenly attack in some underhanded manner, he should be safe for now. Still, Tang San's expertise with hidden weapons was something to be wary of, even at this low level.

Xiao Tian sighed inwardly. 'What a headache.'

His eyes shifted between Xiao Wu and Tang San. A mischievous idea formed in his mind. 'If I'm going to dance with death, why not make it entertaining?'

Feigning surprise, Xiao Tian exclaimed, "Tang San, why are you looking at me like that? Just because I beat you once, does that mean you're planning to take revenge? Come on, I'm only at the fifth level of innate soul power. Surely, you wouldn't stoop that low, right?"

[Ding! Host, your love for courting death is unparalleled. Are you not afraid of being poisoned in your sleep or ambushed during a meal?]

Xiao Tian chuckled inwardly. 'If I don't put him in the spotlight now, he might really plot something shady behind Xiao Wu's back.'

His words immediately drew everyone's attention to Tang San, whose expression stiffened. Caught off guard, Tang San quickly composed himself, masking his thoughts with an innocent smile.

"No way! Xiao Tian, you must have misunderstood. I'm just a kid like you. How could I harbor such thoughts? I was only reflecting on how I didn't use my full strength earlier. I thought we could spar again in the future to improve together."

Tang San's response was flawless, quickly dispelling the room's suspicions.

Wang Sheng laughed, clapping Xiao Tian on the shoulder. "Xiao Tian, you're overthinking! Tang San seems so honest. Besides, we'll all be classmates. Our real opponents are the nobles, not each other."

Xiao Tian chuckled inwardly. 'Honest? Tang San? That's the funniest thing I've heard all day.'

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu looked between Xiao Tian and Tang San, her brows furrowing as if trying to piece something together. However, with her small head, she was unable to comprehend the meaning behind the exchange, so she changed the subject.

"Xiao Tian," she said confidently, "let's spar. We can use martial souls!"

Xiao Tian nodded without hesitation. Though Xiao Wu's martial soul was seemingly harmless, her physical techniques—like the waist bow—were formidable.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Tian steeled himself. He had to remain vigilant—if Xiao Wu managed to land a touch, he would have no means to counter it. Unlike Tang San, who possessed incredible physical prowess from cultivating internal energy, Xiao Tian's strength lay in his sword. It was both his shield and his sharpest weapon.

Seeing Xiao Tian agree, Xiao Wu grinned slyly and launched herself toward him with startling speed.

"Xuan-Yuan, dull your blade. This is just a practice," Xiao Tian whispered to his sword.

Xuan-Yuan Sword trembled, its blade dimming slightly. Satisfied, Xiao Tian prepared himself, but in the blink of an eye, Xiao Wu was already within a meter of him, her small fist aimed straight for his face.

"Hey! Don't you know you're not supposed to hit someone in the face?" Xiao Tian protested, raising his sword to block.

Bang!

The impact forced both of them to step back, but Xiao Tian couldn't help but marvel. 'Her strength is insane. If it weren't for my sword training, I'd be flattened.'

It was a physical strength as he expected coming from a human transformed hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast.

Xiao Wu tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Xiao Tian, are you really just at the fifth level of innate soul power? You feel stronger than that."

Xiao Tian smirked inwardly. 'Of course not. Thanks to my cheat, I'm actually at level ten. But no one needs to know that.'

"Absolutely. I even have the certificate from the Spirit Hall to prove it. Honestly, I envy you guys with full innate soul power," he said, feigning a wistful sigh and envious tone.

Then, his tone shifted, a competitive glint in his eyes. "But enough talk. Show me your real strength. Don't expect me to hold back this time."

"Hmph! I don't need you to hold back. I'm going to be the boss!" Xiao Wu declared, her voice firm.

With that, she focused her soul power and charged at Xiao Tian with astonishing speed. Even Tang San, standing on the sidelines, was startled. What speed!

Xiao Tian's lips curled into a sly grin. 'Time to test the moves I just learned.'

— Drunken Immortal Moon-Gazing Step!

In an instant, Xiao Tian shifted, his movement fluid and unpredictable. Just as Xiao Wu reached him, he vanished, reappearing behind her.

Taking advantage of her momentary lapse, Xiao Tian whispered, "Xuan-Yuan, soften up."

Xuan-Yuan Sword trembled again, transforming into a whip-like state. Without hesitation, Xiao Tian swung it lightly, the flat blade making a swift smack against Xiao Wu's backside.

"Ah!" Xiao Wu yelped, spinning around to glare at him, her hands covering the stinging spot. Her face flushed red.

"Xiao Tian! How dare you hit me there!"

"Hey, fair's fair," Xiao Tian replied nonchalantly. "You were aiming for my face earlier, remember? Consider us even."

"You—!" Xiao Wu stomped her foot, her eyes blazing with fury. "If you're so brave, let me touch you just once!"

"No way!" Xiao Tian teased, laughing at her frustration.

"Xuan-Yuan!"

With a flick of his wrist, Xuan-Yuan Sword moved like a whip, wrapping around Xiao Wu and binding her tightly. The dorm fell silent, everyone staring in shock.

Everyone: "Is this a sword or a magic trick? Can it be played like that?"

This move was something he thought of in a spur of a moment, an improvised idea inspired by the soft sword wielded by Daben the wine-obsessed polar bear in the series "The Legend of the Seven Heroes of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit".

By softening Xuan-Yuan Sword, it transformed into a flexible whip-like weapon, combining the versatility of a whip with the durability of a sword. Its unique hardness made it difficult for opponents to break free. However, the only drawback was that he couldn't alter the size of the Xuan-Yuan Sword, limiting its reach in certain situations.

"Admit defeat, Xiao Wu," Xiao Tian said calmly, leaning slightly toward her. His voice softened as he added while softly patting her head, "Be proud, you're strong, but I didn't use my full strength either."

Xiao Wu suddenly felt her ears tingle, and an unfamiliar sensation stirred within her. A faint blush spread across her delicate cheeks as she subconsciously stepped back half a step.

Trying to mask her unease, she said begrudgingly, "I admit defeat. Let me go."