Volume One: The Dragon Soul Awakens, Chapter 96, Xiao Feng’s Love Story, Part One, Extra Chapter

My name is Little Maple. I am sixteen years old, born into a wealthy family in the imperial capital of Aslant, and though money has never been in short supply, happiness has always been.

The so-called father and mother were nothing more than titles. They never seemed to love me. They kept me locked away at home, would not even let me play with the children next door, and forced me to endure harsh, grueling training all by myself. From childhood to now, I have lived a very lonely life...

It was not until I entered the Royal Academy of Sacred Sky that I truly tasted freedom. There were all kinds of beautiful senior ladies and adorable younger girls gathered there. Compared with the rigid “maids” at home, it was practically paradise!

Though those girls seemed a little shy and did not dare speak to me much, I knew that behind my back they were fighting over me to the point of near-death...

Yes!

It had to be that way!

Who told me to be so outstanding?

Oh, right, I also made a bunch of younger brothers there. They always trailed after me obediently, serving tea and pouring water, and I had no idea whether they admired my money or my strength...

It should be the latter!

Yes!

It had to be that way!

Who told me to be so outstanding?

...

“Move faster.”

A shout dragged Little Maple back to reality. Blinking, he looked toward the man in front—Wu Danze, with his potato-slice face and a body scarred all over beneath a white T-shirt.

“Ah... how much farther do we have to go... I’m about ready to die of exhaustion...” Little Maple said in utter despair. A few days ago, things had still been fine at school, but after being plotted against, he had been knocked unconscious and brought to this wretched Dragon Fang Island. After many twists and turns, he had finally met fellow students who were carrying out a mission here.

“What are you complaining about? You’re a boy.” At that moment, a girl with twin ponytails walked past Little Maple and gave him a sidelong glance.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Are men not allowed to say they’re tired? What kind of twisted logic is that?” Little Maple shrugged. The pretty girl before him was called Li Xiangcao, someone he had only recently gotten to know.

To be honest, it was rather awkward. A few days ago at school, he had even received a love letter from this girl, but it had actually been a trap set by someone else, and a great deal of confusion had followed. Though the matter was later cleared up, her attitude toward him remained unfriendly...

After all, Brother was too invincible, which made plenty of people stand against him!

“They’re not allowed,” Li Xiangcao said coldly.

“Oh, so now you’re getting bold, are you?” Little Maple frowned.

“That’s right. What of it?” Li Xiangcao shot back.

“You—”

Before Little Maple could finish, a mechanical arm lifted him off the ground, dangling him in midair. It was Wu Danze’s move!

“Say one more word and I’ll ruin you!” Wu Danze turned around and glared at Little Maple.

“Wu... Brother Wu Danze! I’m... I was wrong!” Little Maple hurriedly begged for mercy. He was still a sensible person; after all, the other man had placed first in the freshman assessment, and if that fist came down on him, he feared he would lose his little life right there and then.

“Hmph. And remember to speak more gently to girls in the future!” Wu Danze released the mechanical arm, and Little Maple dropped to the ground.

“Got it, got it. Brother, I won’t dare again!” Little Maple climbed back up and dusted the dirt from his clothes.

“Thanks,” Li Xiangcao said with a smile.

“Just a small thing,” Wu Danze said, waving a hand.

“Tch, what’s he showing off for...” Little Maple muttered, his voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

“We’re almost at the rear medical zone,” Shi Yan said, checking the information displayed on her Titan Wristband. “We still have to go around Dragon Spirit Swamp later. The danger rating in the briefing is four stars...”

“Mm. We need to get Mo Xing and the other two to the rear medical zone as soon as possible,” Wu Danze said, glancing at Mo Xing and the other two inside the metal protective sphere nearby.

Shi Yan and Li Xiangcao also looked over almost in unison, and that gesture filled Little Maple with envy and resentment!

The green-haired senior brother inside the barrier was called Zero Wuyu, and that adorable little boy was called Dongjun. They were students from the nearby Immortal Spirit Academy. They had met last night by chance while taking down the Wolf Blade King together...

Because Zero Wuyu was badly injured, he had fallen unconscious, while Dongjun had been so frightened that he could not sleep all night, only finally drifting off this morning...

One had to admit, the werewolf hunt last night had been thrilling!

No, wait!

That was not the point. The point was Mo Xing—this guy had been stealing the spotlight ever since Little Maple met him! Back at school, he had snatched away Little Maple’s beloved mentor Chen Mosi, and even the position of class monitor had nearly been taken from him.

That alone could be let go, but who would have thought that last night, when they fought the Wolf Blade King, this guy had kept holding back his ultimate move, causing Little Maple to miss the best chance to single-handedly slay the beast!

Only after Little Maple had collapsed did Mo Xing finally unleash his ultimate, showing off magnificently before everyone and stealing the limelight completely! And as if that were not enough, he had already been blessed with outrageous romantic luck; now, after this stunt, it had only become even stronger, and once again he had stolen the girls around him! It was simply as though some damned protagonist halo had possessed him!

If only Little Maple had that kind of treatment...

Heeheehee...

“What... what are you grinning about?”

A familiar voice rang out. Little Maple came back to himself and found Li Xiangcao looking at him with a disgusted expression.

Subconsciously, Little Maple wiped at his mouth and felt something damp. Looking closer, he realized it was drool!

Oh heavens! He had just been drooling!

“Damn...” Little Maple hurriedly wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth. This was far too embarrassing!

“How disgusting...” Li Xiangcao shook her head.

“Wait, it’s not what you think—” Little Maple was about to rush over and explain when the ground beneath his feet suddenly trembled, and both his legs sank downward.

“My... my goodness!” Little Maple cried out in panic.

“Little Maple!” Li Xiangcao turned and grabbed his hand, but the soil beneath her feet was also beginning to collapse.

“Help! Something down there is pulling me!” Little Maple shouted, his whole body sinking faster and faster.

“It’s the ancient vines of quicksand!” Shi Yan rushed over at the sight, but at that very moment countless purple tendrils burst up from the surrounding earth, cutting off the path between them.

“Damn it, we’ve been ambushed!” Wu Danze unleashed his heavy cannon, Dragon’s Roar, firing several shells into the vines. Blue-white light blossomed, but the effect was minimal.

“Let go! Otherwise you’ll be dragged down too!” Little Maple shouted at Li Xiangcao.

“No! If I let go now, you’ll sink!” Li Xiangcao shook her head and gripped his arm all the tighter.

“Heh, didn’t expect you to care that much about me!” Little Maple suddenly said with a grin.

“Quit being so full of yourself!” Li Xiangcao frowned slightly.

“What can I say? It’s not bad to be favored a couple times now and then.” Little Maple smiled, then his expression abruptly changed. In the next instant, he and Li Xiangcao were both dragged down together.

“Oh my god!”

————

Lately, many friends have asked why I have not been updating. I’ll explain. I’ve been busy with schoolwork, since exams are approaching and there is a lot to do, and the first volume has reached its ending, so I’m preparing the second volume now.

I thought I would finally get a good rest like this, but somehow I still feel as though something is missing. Writing novels really is addictive, and life has not felt as fulfilling as I had imagined.

Since my major is art, my writing may not be as good as other authors’, but I truly want to record my own story. If conditions allow, I am considering drawing a related comic as well, though the process is somewhat troublesome, so I need time to prepare.

As for updates, I may have to slow down for a while. I hope everyone can understand. If conditions are right, I plan to begin the second volume this July. In any case, I will do my best to ensure the quality of this novel.

Today is May 20, so I’ll post a side story. Perhaps my writing style is a little different from before, but it is also a kind of attempt.

Everyone, if fate allows, we will meet again. Let us reunite in summer vacation!