*{System: You have me, the system so any skill you abruptly think of, once you try it, you'll master it. Others don't have me so they can't but that's not the book I picked though}
Tang Xilong waved his hands "Whatever, I already know poison needle so that means you picked out the wrong book"
Tang Xiaomi looked closely at the poison needle skill book and used her wind element to blow the dust on it then said "Xi Gege, Xi Gege. It's not poison needle, look"
Tang Xilong was surprised and read it out "Poison mist? System you are using your mind properly this time but it sounds more like a support attack skill"
*{System: Stop complaining and merge the books, Caiyu and Xi'an are already on their way down}
Tang Xilong nodded and merged the books but before they could check the names, they heard Caiyu's voice "Guys, where are you?"
So the three of them came out of the corner they hid in and Tang Xie'er and Tang Xiaomi took Ning Caiyu to the elder so they could submit their books. Ning Caiyu looked towards Tang Xilong as they pulled him away but Tang Xilong was busy speaking with Tang Xi'an through spiritual link and was looking at her instead
Tang Xi'an quickly went over to Tang Xilong's side and he hurriedly merged the books without looking at the names then gave it back to Tang Xi'an
Tang Xi'an ran back upstairs to do as if she made another choice then quickly came down then both she and Tang Xilong went to the elder to submit their books
When they went out, Ning Caiyu asked Tang Xi'an "Did you finally decide on one of those two books, Ocean of fire and Fire form?"
Tang Xi'an replied "I decided to go for another book I spotted when we were coming down. I asked Xi Gege about it then he told me to decide on that book"
Ning Caiyu nodded "I did see you go upstairs again so can I see the book?"
Tang Xi'an nodded and passed it to him then he smiled softly "Oh, Rain of fire is a pretty good support skill"
Tang Xilong said to the system 'Why does hers sound so different from the first names unlike ours?'
*{System: Caiyu didn't see the previous names of yours so it's no biggie but he did see Xi'an's own so I had to make it different and have you seen yours?}
Tang Xilong was about to take his book out when Ning Caiyu came over and asked "Xilong Ge, am really curious as to what kind of skill you picked. Am I allowed to take a look?"
Tang Xilong gave him the book and Ning Caiyu almost shouted "S-smoke? Just one word? Xilong Ge, did you just pick a book without looking at the name? How did you even pick one of the lousy attack skills?"
Tang Xilong's face hardened 'System..!"
*{System: (≧▽≦) Smoke! Haha serves you right! You said you can use your fists when you need to fight if you can't use your weapon so what do you need a skill for? But this skill is a really good one}
Tang Xilong collected the book and kept it then walked forward 'System, explain the meaning of this'
*{System: You don't need a skill book when you have me! No matter what skill, you can do it as long as you have seen it or thought about it bruh!}
Tang Xilong pursed his lips and held his head 'Then how do I explain it to Caiyu and the others when they see me use different skills?'
*{System: You don't need to explain to Caiyu, he already knows you're an evil sorcerer so you're super strong in his eyes and as for the others, just say you knew it before coming here or bought some.}
Ning Caiyu ran up to Tang Xilong then pulled his sleeve "Xilong Ge, are you angry with me?"
Tang Xilong looked at him confused "Why would I be?"
Ning Caiyu looked down avoiding his gaze "Cause I scolded you"
Tang Xilong raised Ning Caiyu's head up and said as they stared into each other's eyes then he leaned closer "I'm not angry at you. I don't need a skill book, just got one for looks' sake."
Ning Caiyu blushed and removed Tang Xilong's hand from his chin "Y-you don't have to be so c-close to tell me that"
Tang Xie'er carried Tang Xiaomi on his back as he and Tang Xi'an ran past the two while shouting "We'll meet you guys back at the residence!"
It was evening and as usual, very desolate. Ning Caiyu didn't even have the chance to say anything when the trio disappeared from their sight
Ning Caiyu looked at Tang Xilong who was looking at him then he covered Tang Xilong's eyes "W-what are you looking at?"
Tang Xilong quickly hugged Ning Caiyu and turned around then leaned towards the left
Ning Caiyu was still stunned when an arrow swiftly jabbed into Tang Xilong's right shoulder. Ning Caiyu cried out "Xilong Ge!"
Tang Xilong released Ning Caiyu as he turned back but the assailant had disappeared as quickly as they appeared
*{System: The person is gone, no use chasing him.}
Tang Xilong looked at Ning Caiyu who was shaken and asked him worriedly "Are you alright?"
Ning Caiyu shakily pointed at his arm "Xilong Ge, y-your arm.."
Tang Xilong quickly grabbed Ning Caiyu's hand and they started running "Forget about that, let's get back first"
They soon reached their residence, Tang Xilong took Ning Caiyu in then entered and closed the gate
Xia Qianyu came over but noticed the arrow in Tang Xilong's shoulder first "W-what happened?"
Ning Caiyu looked at Tang Xilong's injury which was bleeding and he collapsed
Luckily, Tang Xilong was right beside to catch him as he fell, Lian Jiayi quickly came over and wanted to carry him but Tang Xilong said "Leave him to me"
Lian Jiayi exclaimed at his injury "Y-you're injured. What happened to you guys?"
Tang Xilong didn't answer him as he carried Ning Caiyu to his room without removing the arrow
*{System: Don't you feel the stinging pain in your shoulder bro? Don't you? I know you can heal quickly but you have to at least remove the arrow for your body to heal! If you don't, you'll feel pain}
Tang Xi'an rushed to open the door for Tang Xilong as he replied 'Lemme just lay Caiyu down on his bed first and I'll remove the arrow'
Xia Qianyu and Lian Jiayi looked at the other two siblings still outside and asked in unison "So?"
Tang Xie'er and Tang Xi'an looked at Tang Xiaomi who had a scared expression on her face cause the system just gave her a detailed explanation of what happened
Then she told the others too and Lian Jiayi frowned "These people made their next attack too quickly, it hasn't even been a day since the last one"
Tang Xi'an asked "But who exactly are they after between Yu Gege and Xi Gege?"
Lian Jiayi sighed "I would say it's both of them but with the way the arrow was targeted at Caiyu and not Xilong since Xiaomi said that Xilong rushed to block Caiyu after hearing a swishing sound"
Xia Qianyu said "It might be Caiyu they're actually after"
Lian Jiayi then leaned in closer to Tang Xiaomi who leaned backwards "But you guys arrived here before them and they only rushed in a minute after you guys got here. So how did you see everything that happened?"
Tang Xie'er took Tang Xiaomi and gave her to Tang Xi'an "Go to your room"
Lian Jiayi looked at Tang Xie'er as the two entered their room then he asked "C'mon, spill, what's up with you guys?"
Tang Xie'er grabbed his neck and lifted him up as he struggled "Let me go!"
Tang Xie'er brought his face close and said "Don't ask things that you're not told"
Xia Qianyu tried to release Tang Xie'er's hand from Lian Jiayi's neck but failed "Xie, Xie, let him go, he's suffocating! Please!"
Tang Xilong came out and said as he removed the arrow then entered his own room "Xie'er, let him go. It's time to sleep"
Tang Xie'er released Lian Jiayi and went to his room. Xia Qianyu helped the terrified Lian Jiayi to his room and went to Tang Xie'er's
Tang Xie'er turned his back to him "Get out, just cause I don't lock my door doesn't you can barge in at anytime you wish. That privilege is for my siblings only"
Xia Qianyu sat on his bed and climbed onto Tang Xie'er who immediately lied down on his back and glared at him "What do you think you're doing?"
Xia Qianyu pouted "I want us to talk face to face and this is the only way I can get you to talk to me since you're acting weird ever since Xilong came back"
Tang Xie'er sighed "Get off me and we can talk or I'll kick you away myself"
Xia Qianyu immediately got off him and sat down happily "So what happened? Why did you almost kill Jiayi just for asking a question?"
Tang Xie'er sat up against the wall "If that's your question, get out"
Xia Qianyu scrunched up his nose "Why can't I ask? I thought we were friends? Friends tell each other everything"
Tang Xie'er carried Xia Qianyu by his collar and dropped him outside his room "Go ask Xi Gege and stop bothering me"
Tang Xie'er closed the door before he could say anything. Xia Qianyu pouted and folded his arms then looked at the door and Tang Xilong's door
Xia Qianyu sighed and went to his room 'When they're ready to tell me, they will just have to'
The next morning, Ning Caiyu woke up early and opened his door only to find Tang Xilong right beside it "Xilong Ge, w-what are you doing here?"
Tang Xilong dusted his clothes as he stood up then walked away without replying
*{System: I told you that you didn't have to do this since I am literally aware of everything that happens}
Tang Xilong shrugged as he replied 'I would be able to react faster there'
*{System: okay whatever but aren't you gonna tell him you stayed awake protecting him from those two assassins all night?}
Tang Xilong spoke as he looked over at Ning Caiyu who was still looking at him waiting for his reply then he entered his own room and shut his door still not saying anything to Ning Caiyu 'They didn't attack so there's no need to tell him anything though'
*{System: So what if they didn't attack, you didn't sleep}
Tang Xilong got onto his bed 'Well am gonna sleep now'
*{System: oh I thought you wanted to watch over him twenty four seven huh}
Tang Xilong replied "I'd rather protect him silently unless he's in danger in my presence. The other three will notify me if he's in trouble"
*{System: Okay that first sentence makes no sense. Look whatever, I don't want to understand your complex mind so why are you suddenly being cold to him now?}
Tang Xilong held his head 'I don't.. know. I just feel like something's wrong with me and not interacting with him for a while would be the best'
*{System: we both know that is n-}
Tang Xilong waved his hand and laid down "Go away and let me sleep"
Ning Caiyu who was about to knock on the door thought he was referring to him and silently moved away 'I probably shouldn't disturb him.. He's probably sick of me being so clingy all the time. He got hurt last night cause of me so he must be frustrated with me..'
Later that evening, Tang Xilong woke up and went for a bath before going to the courtyard but only Tang Xie'er and Tang Xi'an were sitting
Lian Jiayi was helping Xia Qianyu practice his new skill and Tang Xiaomi was probably asleep in the room
Tang Xilong took a seat as he asked "Where's Caiyu, does he have classes today?"
Tang Xie'er replied "No Elder Kun summoned him, it's related to Elder Yin so I didn't bother to wake you up since you were asleep"
Tang Xilong furrowed his eyebrows "Did Elder Kun come here herself?"
Tang Xi'an shook her head "No she sent a discipline hall disciple to bring him"
Tang Xilong slammed the table as he stood up and the part he slammed broke into pieces. It was so loud that Lian Jiayi and Xia Qianyu looked over "You let him go with someone you don't know! And alone!?"
Tang Xie'er and Tang Xi'an stood up and Tang Xie'er hurriedly said "Well Xiaomi told us Elder Yin is your aunt so we let him go since Elder Kun was here before"
Tang Xilong didn't bother with them as he jumped over the fence and took off "System, point me towards his direction"
*{System: Relax, he's not in danger}
Lian Jiayi was shocked when he saw Tang Xilong jump over the fence "Why's he in a rush?"
A door opened and a head peeked out "*yawn* He's probably worried about Yu Gege"
Xia Qianyu said with surprise "Xiaomi, you're awake!"
Tang Xiaomi rolled her eyes and popped her head back in then closed the door
Xia Qianyu blinked his eyes severally and Lian Jiayi pursed his lips then asked Tang Xie'er "Why is Xiaomi always so sleepy?"
Tang Xi'an smiled "She gets easily tired since she's so young"
Tang Xie'er chuckled as he read through his skill book
Lian Jiayi was puzzled "When I was fourteen, I wasn't sleepy at all. You guys spoiled her too much"
Tang Xie'er glared at Lian Jiayi who shrunk his neck out of fear then Xia Qianyu quickly blocked his view "Let's continue, which point were you talking about at that time?"
On his way, Ning Caiyu saw Tang Xilong rushing towards him then he stopped abruptly a meter from him
Tang Xilong calmed down when he saw Ning Caiyu and was about to speak when Ning Caiyu walked past him like he didn't exist then continued on his path
Tang Xilong was confused 'What's with him?'
*{System: Haha, he's giving you the silent treatment. Serves you right for being cold to him earlier in the day}
Tang Xilong watched him walk away 'It was for his own good'
*{System: For his own good? What the! You baffle me host!}
Tang Xilong rolled his eyes as he walked past the other disciples who were scampering and walking about the place. That's when he realized that he was in a sect and couldn't run after Ning Caiyu cause it would seem weird with people looking at them
Then someone called out to him "Xilong!"
Tang Xilong looked right with confusion 'Someone knows me here?'
Then a familiar face came into view and Tang Xilong wondered about her name
*{System: I remember this girl, the one the Zichao attacked a week ago. Her name's Ying Tingting}
Tang Xilong then said "Ying Tingting?"
Ying Tingting smiled as she walked over with a few others then one of them asked "Tingting, who is he?"
The person who spoke had dark orange hair and orange eyes then Ying Tingting replied "Guys, we'll chat later. I have to catch up with someone. Junling, he's a friend of mine"
Bai Junling stretched out his hand towards Tang Xilong "Hello, fellow disciple, I am Bai Junling and I am in Attack-Defend class. What about you?"
Tang Xilong said "New"
Bai Junling scoffed and left. The others dispersed also
Ying Tingting pulled Tang Xilong to an area with less people and yawned "Damnit, it's so hard being tiptop elegant for too long, I am tired!"
Ning Caiyu sighed 'Maybe I am misunderstanding him, It's better to talk things out instead of being childish and keep quiet'
He then looked back only to see a beastkin girl pull Tang Xilong away 'W-what! Who's she? Is.. that why he.. Tang Xilong!'
Ning Caiyu clenched his fist and walked away quickly 'I saw nothing! It's completely fine! Totally normal!!'
Tang Xilong stared at her hand which was still holding him and she immediately let go "Why did you pull me aside?"
Ying Tingting giggled "Sorry, in front of everyone else, I have to be the graceful and elegant crane but for some reason, I can be myself in front of you and the others"
Tang Xilong walked out "Still doesn't explain why you pulled me aside"