Chapter 15: The Ultimate Sister Complex

Training and studying filled the lives of the Tang siblings. Before long, under the guidance of their master, Tang San successfully acquired his first soul ring, officially becoming a Control-type soul master.

At the same time, another young soul master who had obtained her first soul ring was the girl who lived with him—Xiao Wu. The two of them, as the top work-study students of Notting Academy, were inseparable, often seen together, playfully teasing each other to the point that even Tang Xi found them quite endearing.

During the first year’s holiday, the Tang siblings, along with Xiao Wu, who was also without a family, returned to Saint Soul Village. Yet what awaited them was an empty wooden cabin.

Tang Hao had left, only leaving two letters—one for each sibling. Tang San’s letter was long and detailed, filling an entire page, while Tang Xi’s contained only six words:

“Royal Academy of Heavenly Fighting.”

Tang Xi stared at those six words all afternoon, and just before sunset, she smiled knowingly at the hillside bathed in twilight.

Their father, who had always been their pillar, had left. The only sister, though not related by blood, had become Tang San’s closest person. And then there was the lively and spirited young girl Xiao Wu, who had accompanied Tang San on a mountain trip; upon their return, Tang Xi had gained another sister.

——

Two years later, at Notting Academy.

“Sister Xi!”

A charming voice rang out. Leaning against the railing outside her dorm, Tang Xi watched as the lively young girl leapt from a window to the third-floor balcony and smiled resignedly while pointing at the dorm door.

“Didn’t I give you a key just for this?”

“Climbing stairs is too slow! And with a rabbit’s agility, the third floor is a breeze!”

Xiao Wu swung her scorpion-tail braid and sat affectionately beside Tang Xi, glancing at the pile of acceptance letters spread across the bed, eyes shining with hope and envy.

“I heard several academies have already sent you early admission offers?”

“Invitations have been nonstop for over a month.”

Tang Xi went to the door and opened it, seeing Tang San standing there awkwardly, waving with a smile.

She stepped aside, signaling him to come in.

——

Tang San immediately noticed the acceptance letters on Tang Xi’s bed and instinctively asked, “So many letters... but, Sister, are you really going to report to the Royal Academy of Heavenly Fighting a whole year early?”

Tang Xi nodded and began sorting the letters she had declined. Xiao Wu swung her long legs and bluntly said:

“Xiao San just can’t bear to be without you!”

“My sister can’t take care of herself if she’s alone!”

Tang San emphasized seriously and leaned toward Xiao Wu, whispering:

“Sister’s a neat freak. On the day the school’s water supply was cut off, I carried over twenty buckets of water so she could bathe. Without me, if the water goes out again, how will she wash?”

Tang Xi smiled wryly and shook her head. “The Royal Academy of Heavenly Fighting doesn’t have water outages.”

Tang San spun around and asked again, “Then who holds your spot in the public bathhouse every day to keep others away? Without me, you’d have to go with them.”

Tang Xi dragged her chin thoughtfully, still calm: “The Royal Academy of Heavenly Fighting has private bathrooms—one room per person.”

Xiao Wu burst out laughing.

Tang San maintained a composed facade, but inwardly he was frustrated. Scanning the room, he added, “Then who will carry your luggage? When it’s crowded, who gets your meals? Who copies your class schedule at the start of the term? Who reminds you of the final exam dates?”

“So admit it—you can’t live without your little brother!”

“There’s a butler assigned for every student at the Royal Academy. Don’t worry!”

Xiao Wu finally jumped down from the windowsill, ran up, and hugged Tang Xi’s arm, gently swaying and softly coaxing:

“Sister Xi, you’re only in fifth grade now. Why do you want to move up to a higher-level soul master academy so early? Xiao Wu can’t bear to see you go!”

Tang Xi reached out, ruffling her hair, and explained tenderly: “I’ve already broken through to level thirty. I can absorb my third soul ring anytime. I want the teachers at the Royal Academy of Heavenly Fighting to guide my hunts.”

“But aren’t they all nobles there?” Xiao Wu blinked and tilted her head slightly. “Sister, if you get hurt there, you can quit anytime and come back. We’ll take the entrance exam for the same school together.”

Tang San, who had earlier been worried about his sister leaving, withdrew his initial doubts. He took a pouch of spirit coins from his storage bag and handed it to Xiao Wu, asking:

“Xiao Wu, can you help Sister buy some local specialties from Notting City? Once Sister leaves, it might be a long time before she returns.”

“Of course! I know all the best food in Notting City!”

Xiao Wu took the pouch, hopping and skipping, and was gone in a blink after leaping over the balcony.

——

With only the two of them left in the room, Tang San’s gaze grew steady. He lowered his voice and asked:

“Sis, you’re not just going to absorb your third soul ring, are you?”

Tang Xi smiled calmly and leisurely packed the few belongings she had.

Seeing she didn’t want to answer, Tang San followed, quietly packing as he calmly stated:

“After all, going back to the Royal Academy means you’ll face your enemies.”

A faint smile lingered on Tang Xi’s brow. Sitting by the windowsill, she reached out to stroke her long, dark hair. Her obsidian eyes flickered with shifting emotions:

“Three years have passed. They should have let their guard down by now. Returning now won’t drag things out, and with some caution, I won’t attract attention. Approaching as a student is the most natural way.”

Tang San always knew Tang Xi intended to seek revenge, but in his mind, this should only happen after she became a Soul Saint—or even a titled Douluo—decades from now, when he could grow strong enough to support her.

Now, it was far too soon.

Seeing the worry crease Tang San’s brow, Tang Xi asked calmly:

“Worried about me?”

Tang San nodded earnestly.

Tang Xi sighed softly, stroking her chest where a small pendant given three years ago by Xue Avalanche lay hidden. The metal patterns had long faded from years of rubbing.

She closed her eyes and said:

“The Royal Academy of Heavenly Fighting, the city of Heavenly Fighting—my family is there. For three years, they’ve lived in a den of danger. I want to know how they are.”

“Sis, are you really ready?”

Tang San looked up, serious.

Tang Xi opened her eyes again. This time, her pupils returned to their original warm blue—radiant, resolute, and unyielding.

“I’ve been ready for a long time.”