As Ning Rongrong and the others eagerly handed water to Shi Yi, Tang San—who had been standing silently with a dark expression—slowly stepped forward, eyes locked on the little boy. A flicker of confusion and disbelief flashed in his heart.
Just moments ago, Tang San and the others had been discussing how easily they were dominating the competition. Naturally, the topic shifted to the mysterious child who had disrupted their spirit beast hunt in the Star Dou Great Forest.
If not for that kid, Tang San would've gotten a ten-thousand-year spirit ring. Their chances of winning the championship would've been even greater.
Now someone who looked exactly like that child was standing right in front of him. Fury surged in his chest, his fist clenched as anger twisted his features.
That brat not only stole his spirit beast, but also robbed him of his rare immortal herb—the Fragrant Silk Beauty. Tang San couldn't accept the loss, and he absolutely refused to believe that a kid could have such power. There had to be some trick behind it.
But as he studied the boy more closely, he realized something was off. The clothes were different—last time the child wore red, but now he was dressed in orange. Their faces were nearly identical, like twins.
Then Tang San's expression shifted again—his Purple Demon Eye caught a shocking detail: dual pupils.
Tang San's heart skipped a beat.
Even back in his previous life in the Tang Sect, he'd never encountered someone with such an innate divine trait. But in the next moment, he smiled warmly.
"I got it. You're thirsty, right? Here, I've got plenty of water."
"Brother San?" The others were confused. They assumed Tang San had a change of heart like them and felt a bit guilty, so no one stopped him.
Only Xiao Wu looked hesitant, as if she wanted to say something but ultimately stayed silent.
Shi Yi didn't care who gave him water—as long as he could drink, it was all the same.
"Here, here. Drink up."
Tang San took out a water bottle from his pouch and—swift and subtle—he smeared a bit of powder onto the spout. His movements were so quick and concealed that no one noticed.
Except Shi Yi.
His brows furrowed slightly as he accepted the water. He didn't drink. He simply stared at Tang San, silent.
"Huh? Little guy, didn't you say you were super thirsty? Why aren't you drinking?" someone asked, puzzled.
Tang San frowned. "What's wrong? Aren't you thirsty anymore?"
Shi Yi's expression remained blank, but a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes. So Father was right—don't judge a book by its cover. You have to see with your own eyes and never trust too easily.
They had originally planned to find a stream deeper into the forest, but seeing travelers on the road, Shi Yi remembered what his father had said about the kindness of strangers.
He hadn't expected someone to try and poison him.
That's right—he'd seen everything.
With his dual pupils, Shi Yi could see clearly even dozens of li away. How could a petty little trick like this escape his notice?
"There's something wrong with this water. I'm not drinking it."
His words were cold and direct.
"Impossible!"
"Hey kid, you shouldn't say things you can't take back."
"Brother San gave you that water! How could there be a problem with it?!"
Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun all barked in protest at once. In their eyes, this kid was just being ungrateful. They were offering help out of kindness, and he dared accuse Tang San of poisoning?
"Yeah, little one, you must be mistaken. There's nothing wrong with the water."
"Exactly, Brother San would never hurt you," Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong added, their expressions sincere.
But faced with Shi Yi's cold, unrelenting gaze, they began to waver.
Xiao Wu hesitated. She sensed something different about the child. Riding a soul beast? Was he… like her?
Still, she couldn't say it aloud. Instead, she chose another path.
"Here, I'll drink it first. If it's fine, then you can drink it too, okay?"
She smiled brightly, took the bottle from Shi Yi's hands, and held it up.
"If big sis says it's fine, then I'll drink it!" Shi Yi smiled sweetly.
That soft, childlike "big sis" made Xiao Wu's heart melt. She lifted the bottle and tilted it—
"Stop!"
Tang San's voice snapped like a whip. He lunged forward and slapped at her hand.
"Don't drink that, Xiao Wu!"
"Why not? Is there really something wrong with it?" Xiao Wu froze. She hadn't noticed anything strange. She simply thought Tang San didn't like the kid.
She hadn't even considered the possibility of poison.
"It's just that… the water's been sitting too long. It's probably spoiled. Better not to drink it." Tang San stammered.
He reached out to take the bottle away, but Xiao Wu instinctively pulled back.
Crash—!
Their hands collided. The bottle slipped, shattered on the ground. Water spilled everywhere.
Everyone stood frozen.
Xiao Wu stared at Tang San in disbelief.
What… was that?
Shi Yi said nothing, his expression grim. He was sure now—this water had poison in it. Not just any poison, but one that dissolved completely into water. No color, no scent. Virtually impossible to detect without special abilities.
Nearby, the other academies had noticed the commotion. From the Godwind Academy team, Feng Xiaotian smirked and stepped forward.
"Poisoning a kid just because you didn't want to share your water? And now pretending to drop the bottle to destroy the evidence? Tang San, really?"
Tang San's face darkened. He couldn't deny it, but neither did he want to start a fight.
"I just tried to take the bottle from her. It was an accident."
Feng Xiaotian sneered. "Accident? Please. What, you thought no one would see through it? Picking on a little kid just because he's easy prey?"
"You said you knew his brother before—what, was that a rivalry? Wanted revenge on the little brother?"
"You're a piece of work, Tang San."
Dai Mubai immediately stepped forward, voice thunderous. "Watch your mouth, Feng Xiaotian! Tang San would never do something like that. You're just mad you lost to us!"
Ma Hongjun and Oscar also stood with Tang San, their voices full of indignation.
In their eyes, Tang San was practically flawless. No way he would stoop to poisoning a child.
Tension crackled in the air, swords almost drawn.
Tang San's face was ashen. His eyes flicked toward Shi Yi, a dark glint flashing within.
Why is it always these damn gourd-wearing brats?
Why can't they just die already?!
"Brother San…" Xiao Wu looked at him, uncertain and worried.
_
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