Chapter 656: Slime? No, The Supreme Slime!
As Ye Wen left, his friends who had come along for the Martial Soul awakening all congratulated him before heading off. No one paid any attention to Tang San, the supposed innate full soul power genius, showing just how unpopular he was. Tang San, however, didn't mind he even found it amusing.
To him, these people were just sycophants, selfish by nature. With the Tang Sect's teachings, he knew that as long as he stayed steady and focused, he'd one day reach the peak of this world. What mattered far more to him now was uncovering the secrets of soul masters. He suspected that his stalled progress in cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill was related to soul power.
Unfortunately, Old Jack wasn't a soul master. Although he was literate, his knowledge was limited if he'd known more, they wouldn't be struggling in such poverty, nor would he be wearing patched up clothes and later become the one to plead for entry when Tang San wanted to join the academy.
After a few questions that Old Jack couldn't answer, a hint of impatience flickered across Tang San's eyes. In his mind, this "country bumpkin" was utterly useless. But Jack didn't notice; the old man kindly said, "Let's go, child. I'll take you home and talk to your father about enrolling you in the academy."
The mention of Tang Hao finally softened Tang San's expression; to him, his father was the most important person in the world.
Ye Wen, on the other hand, had no interest in the young "ingrate" beside him. Returning home, he shared the news with his parents, who were overjoyed, and soon they were making preparations for a feast. Though he only had a meager half level of innate soul power, in a world where even a little soul power meant so much, it was enough for his family to celebrate heartily.
That night, after all the festivities, Ye Wen finally had a moment alone to think carefully about his Martial Soul. His father, Ye Qing, had a Martial Soul of a green stone, and his mother, Wen Nuan, had one based on water. Both were lifeless, elemental Martial Souls with no accompanying soul power.
Summoning his Martial Soul again, Ye Wen studied the lively, slime like form with fascination. Martial Soul mutations still followed basic rules, typically changing due to elemental or bloodline factors. But nothing in his parents' elemental Martial Souls explained how he'd ended up with something that seemed like a living, summonable creature.
"So, what exactly are you?" he murmured, staring at the little slime.
Though the slime had no eyes, Ye Wen felt it was looking back at him. In a strange, instinctive motion, it bounced up into his arms, as if seeking his embrace. Feeling the warmth of their shared bond, Ye Wen pushed aside his questions and hugged his Martial Soul tightly.
"No matter what you are, you're the Martial Soul I'll have for life, and that's enough."
Relishing the cool, soft feel of the slime in his arms, he finally drifted off to sleep. But the next morning, as he woke to the same sensation, Ye Wen was puzzled.
"Strange. Su Yuntao said a Martial Soul vanishes when you're not consciously aware of it. So why is mine still here?"
He glanced down, locking eyes with the slime. When he focused, it vanished instantly, leaving behind a now familiar sensation of soul power within him. But something was different his soul power had doubled since the previous day, reaching what felt like a whole level.
"Did I just reach level one?!"
Dumbfounded, Ye Wen spent the following days repeating experiments, continuously summoning and releasing the slime. In time, he concluded that his Martial Soul harbored abilities far more powerful than its appearance suggested, perhaps even on par with, or exceeding, Yu Xiaogang's mysterious Martial Soul with its "light element dragon" potential.
With his Martial Soul's unique abilities, Ye Wen's soul power continued to rise swiftly. And as long as he didn't actively display his skills, no one not even the reclusive Tang Hao would detect his unusual cultivation speed. In the meantime, he found himself wondering about a fitting name for his Martial Soul. Calling it "slime" didn't feel right; he wanted something worthy of the strength he believed it held.
"What should I call you?"
He thought for a while before an idea flashed through his mind, and he said aloud, "Nana."
Saying the name felt strange he couldn't quite place why it had come to mind, given that it had nothing to do with his Martial Soul. But there it was, lingering in his mind. The feeling was both familiar and foreign.
He glanced at the slime. "Are you influencing me somehow? Are you actually... a girl?"
The more he thought about it, the more he felt this odd certainty. Why else would he, a boy, choose a feminine name? He shrugged off the mystery, already imagining that, if his Martial Soul someday evolved, it might have a feminine form. With that slightly mischievous thought in mind, he decided: from then on, his Martial Soul would be called "Nana."
With this settled, Ye Wen faced another decision: Should he enroll in the academy as a paying student or as a work study student?
His family could afford the tuition, allowing him to be a paying student and avoid the work study dorms, where he'd have to do chores to cover expenses. This would mean more time for cultivation and studies. However, Ye Wen knew that once Tang San enrolled, the infamous "bunny thug" Xiao Wu would soon follow.
In her first year, Xiao Wu already had a spirit ring, which was practically unstoppable in an entry level academy in the remote countryside. If he remembered correctly, it wouldn't be long before work study and paying students clashed. Thanks to Xiao Wu and Tang San's influence, the paying students would lose that conflict, eventually becoming the ones forced to clean and do other chores.
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Chapter 657: Just a Gatekeeper
At this, Ye Wen sighed. Sharing a crowded dorm with other work study students was definitely better than paying to attend, only to end up getting bossed around by the rich kids. After all, a wise person hides their talents and waits for the right moment. For now, he'd stay under Tang San's shadow, keeping his abilities concealed.
Time passed, and Ye Wen and Tang San were finally set to start at the academy. Getting accepted as work study students wasn't hard, given that each village was allotted a few spots, though not every village had children with awakened soul power. Ye Wen stayed calm during the journey, unlike the almost reclusive Tang San, who found everything unfamiliar. Ye Wen, however, had been coming to Nuoding City with his parents since he was young.
Becoming a soul master meant a real change in social status, which was evident even at this small academy. Though it wasn't Ye Wen's first time seeing it, the academy's grand architecture was still impressive, with a twenty meter wide archway that stood more than ten meters high. The craftsmanship and materials alone would be worth dozens of villages like Holy Soul Village.
Yet the contrast was jarring the grandeur of the academy, and the unimpressive guard at its entrance.
As expected, the guard, noticing Old Jack's patched, worn out clothes, scowled with disdain and stopped them in their tracks.
"Where do you think you're going? This isn't a place for country folk like you."
Despite six years of reincarnation, Ye Wen still couldn't understand this guard's mindset. The man clearly wasn't a soul master otherwise, he'd be getting a monthly gold soul coin subsidy and living comfortably somewhere, not working as a lowly guard here. But a weakling like him, trying to extort the future soul masters he was supposed to protect was he an idiot or insane?
As a normal person, Ye Wen couldn't wrap his head around this kind of stupidity.
People in lower classes faced discrimination all the time, and Old Jack, who regularly visited the city, was familiar with such treatment. He suppressed his irritation, speaking politely to the guard.
"Young man, we're from Holy Soul Village. These two children are the work study students our village sent this year. Could you tell us what procedures we need to complete?"
Ye Wen caught a flash of jealousy in the guard's eyes, who sneered and replied sarcastically.
"Hah! A shabby little village like yours could produce two kids with soul power? Our academy hasn't had work study students in years. You sure you're not impostors?"
Old Jack felt hurt at being questioned, but he kept his emotions in check. He took the proof of admission from his pocket, handed it to the guard, and said, "We're not lying; here's the certification given to us by the Wuhun Hall inspector."
The guard took the papers, examining them. Then, he tossed Tang San's to the ground and waved Ye Wen's in the air with a smirk.
"Hah! Old man, you think I'm stupid or something? A Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul with innate full soul power? That's the biggest joke I've heard in years. I've been here for four years, and never once have I seen a student with innate full soul power, let alone one with Blue Silver Grass! Do I look like an idiot to you? This other one's more believable, with a mutated Martial Soul. But a kid from the countryside with only half a level of soul power? Now that's realistic. Hahahaha!"
Ye Wen ignored the taunting, but he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Tang San had already slipped his hand behind his back. Ye Wen couldn't see if Tang San had any hidden weapons, but his expression was... unsettling.
Knowing his presence might have triggered a "butterfly effect," Ye Wen couldn't count on Yu Xiaogang to appear as he did in the original story. If Tang San killed the guard on impulse, Tang San would be safe with his father's support as the formidable Haotian Douluo. But Old Jack and Ye Wen would be in serious trouble.
Ye Wen also wanted to remind Tang San that this wasn't a hidden assassination like the Tang Sect was known for he was out in the open with bystanders around. Was he really planning to kill the guard and think he could get away with it?
Before Old Jack could snatch back the proof and threaten to report the guard to Wuhun Hall, Ye Wen calmly picked up Tang San's document, dusted it off, and spoke up.
"You're local, right?" Ye Wen asked the guard.
Puzzled but proud, the guard replied with his chin held high, "Of course I am. Why?"
Ye Wen handed Old Jack the certificate and replied softly, "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking, if I do become a soul master one day, I'd remember to repay your kindness today. I don't think anyone would miss a single guard in such a large city."
The guard went pale instantly, seeing that Ye Wen's smile didn't reach his cold eyes. The old fear of soul masters crept up on him, and he shivered.
Ye Wen understood that a bit of money could have resolved this situation. But the guard had already acted like a lackey. If Ye Wen had to bow down now, his reincarnation would have been a waste. As for appealing to Wuhun Hall, that would work, but he didn't want to make a big scene who knew what kind of trouble Tang Hao might cause?
For now, this approach was just right.
Seizing the chance, Ye Wen took back his certificate. Just as he prepared to make the guard back down, a hoarse, weary voice interrupted.
"Who are you? What's all this commotion?"
Ye Wen recognized the voice and knew his brief moment as a "villain" was over. Keeping his composure, he stepped back to stand beside Old Jack and looked to the source of the voice.
It was Yu Xiaogang. Medium build, slightly thin, with short hair and an air of scholarly intellect, though his sunken eyes betrayed his exhaustion and disinterest.
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Chapter 658: Yu Xiaogang
The moment the gatekeeper spotted Yu Xiaogang, his entire attitude changed. Gone was the arrogance he transformed into a loyal dog panting at his master's feet, eagerly greeting him, "Master, you're back!"
But Yu Xiaogang ignored him. Having freeloaded at Nuoding Academy for years, he knew this type of underling all too well. Instead, he turned his attention to Old Jack. "Sir, are you here to enroll students?"
Old Jack nodded eagerly, and Yu Xiaogang understood. Seeing an elderly man with children at the academy gates was a clear sign he was likely a village elder here to enroll promising youngsters as work study students. But "promising" from these rural areas was still a far cry from what one would find in a major city.
Still, Yu Xiaogang knew that students from places like these were easier to manipulate. By using his knowledge gap and the rule that "a soul master has only one teacher," he could get them to validate his theories. Though he had low expectations, he politely asked Old Jack, "May I see your certification from the Wuhun Hall?"
Old Jack, wise in the ways of the world, recognized Yu Xiaogang's authority. If this man could resolve the issue, they wouldn't need to escalate it to the Wuhun Hall, so Old Jack quickly handed him the documents.
The first certificate he reviewed was Ye Wen's. Seeing the mere half level innate soul power, Yu Xiaogang's lips curled slightly in a condescending smile. Ye Wen noticed this but kept a calm, blank expression, pretending to be an innocent child. Inwardly, though, he was rolling his eyes. You only have half level soul power yourself, and you've already ruined your own Martial Soul. What are you even smirking about?
When Yu Xiaogang turned to the second document, however, his expression changed dramatically. The initial gleam in his eyes was almost blinding. He blinked and rubbed his eyes, checking the words over and over again. When he was certain he wasn't mistaken "innate soul power of level 10" he felt his breath quicken.
"Which one of you is Tang San?" he asked, looking up.
Unaware of Yu Xiaogang's ulterior motives, Old Jack patted the shoulder of the small, coal faced child next to him. "It's this kid right here."
At that moment, the gears of fate turned. Yu Xiaogang's gaze met Tang San's, and the young boy felt a strange sensation. The man before him didn't seem particularly sharp, yet Tang San couldn't shake the feeling that he was somehow being seen through.
After calming his excitement, Yu Xiaogang returned the documents to Old Jack, trying to keep a warm and friendly demeanor. "These papers are legitimate, sir. I apologize on behalf of the academy for what just happened. Please allow me to take the children inside."
Ye Wen suppressed a grimace. Isn't enrolling a student something family members or guardians should do? Pushing Old Jack aside so blatantly… you're practically showing your cards, Yu Xiaogang!
Tang San, however, was unfazed. I'm a true nobody, just a supposed "trash talent," so what's the big deal with this setup? Now I have to join your "disciple recruitment" charade? Not interested.
Ye Wen's mind raced, knowing he was edging dangerously close to being entangled in Tang San's apprentice initiation. He couldn't risk being caught in the crossfire if Tang San's secret about his twin Martial Souls led to any "silencing" schemes. This was one situation he needed to avoid.
Feigning a sudden realization, Ye Wen tugged at Old Jack's sleeve. "Grandpa Jack, could we hold off on registration for a moment? I just remembered that I left something at the blacksmith's shop, and it's supposed to be ready today. I won't be able to fetch it alone after you leave, so could you come with me?"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, a hint of disdain flashing through. A mere half level innate soul power and no sense of priorities choosing a random item over the academy enrollment. Typical commoner's ignorance.
But internally, he was pleased. With the boy out of the way, he could proceed without interruption. "Indeed, sir," he urged Old Jack, "best go with him. This city is safe, but he's only six. He'll be safer staying on the academy grounds once he's enrolled."
Relieved by Yu Xiaogang's polite tone, Old Jack happily agreed, his vanity satisfied by this "respectful treatment."
With matters settled, Ye Wen breathed a sigh of relief. In a world where strength dictated survival, weakness could mean ruin. Being small and powerless, he'd had no choice but to play his cards carefully.
As Ye Wen walked away with Old Jack, Tang San frowned, feeling something was off. Ye Wen's intelligence wasn't news to him, so the way he'd handled the gatekeeper didn't surprise him. But as he watched Ye Wen's retreating figure, Tang San felt an unnameable unease.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang's eyes glinted with greed as he watched Tang San. By the time Tang San turned back, the man had already resumed his "wise mentor" facade. He also used the moment to berate the gatekeeper harshly, warning him not to obstruct Ye Wen's entry later, or he'd be out of a job.
If Ye Wen had witnessed this, he'd only think Yu Xiaogang and Flender were two peas in a pod. The strong, the weak it wasn't something Ye Wen cared about. But he understood that those who lacked something were often desperate to pretend they had it. Yu Xiaogang's treatment of the guard was just another attempt to bolster his image of "strength."
Once Yu Xiaogang had put on his act, he eagerly led Tang San to a secluded spot within the academy, putting on a display of mystique as he initiated his "apprenticeship" pitch.
Meanwhile, Ye Wen hurried to pick up his item, all the while hoping Yu Xiaogang didn't end up a casualty today. After all, this was one of two points in the early story where Tang San nearly killed Yu Xiaogang.
When Tang San had initially rejected his attempt at friendship, Ye Wen had sensed the hostility brewing between them. Though it was baffling, it seemed natural enough for Tang San, who'd exhibited such violent tendencies. Hopefully, Tang San wouldn't overreact if Yu Xiaogang discovered his secret.
Best not to think about how chaotic the story might become if he does…
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Chapter 659: The Unusual Big Sister
On his way to retrieve his items, Ye Wen walked slowly, deliberately delaying. Competing to be the "boss" was tedious and bothersome; better to wait until it was over and then quietly settle in.
After enrolling with Old Jack's guidance, Ye Wen carried his new bedding towards Dorm Seven. Just as he approached, his sharp hearing caught a muffled thud. Looking toward the sound, he spotted something flying straight at him. With no time to dodge, Ye Wen instinctively raised his hands to block, but was knocked back and sent sprawling.
"What the ?!"
Dazed and seeing stars, Ye Wen cursed his bad luck. But as he regained his senses, he noticed a faint scent of fresh grass lingering on the figure that had crashed into him. Curious, he looked down and saw a long scorpion tail braid right in front of his face.
Most girls know that long hair requires a lot of care, and in tough rural conditions, few would keep their hair that long. This small detail was an early hint about the leading girl of Douluo: a supposedly impoverished girl who somehow had silky, well maintained long hair. It didn't add up.
Ye Wen's confusion deepened. "Wait… wasn't Tang San supposed to try sneaking a peek at her, only to get beaten up? Why did she get thrown out instead?"
As he sat there in a daze, the girl atop him, Xiao Wu, stood up, rubbing her bruises and muttering, "Ouch, that hurts…"
When she noticed Ye Wen, she realized she had crashed into him. At this stage, she was still a bit feisty but hadn't yet turned into the sharp tongued delinquent that overindulgence from Tang San would later make her. Recognizing her mistake, Xiao Wu said, "Oh, I bumped into you, didn't I? Sorry about that."
Ye Wen brushed it off, seeing himself as just a bystander in this. Xiao Wu's focus quickly shifted back to Dorm Seven as she yelled, "You coward! How dare you sneak attack me? If you're really tough, come at me again! I'm definitely becoming the boss of this dorm!"
Just then, a voice came from inside the dorm, both familiar and strangely distant to Ye Wen.
"Boring. I asked if you were ready before I moved. You said you were, and then I struck. Now that you lost, you're trying to back out. It's pathetic. But fine. If I beat you once, I'll beat you again. Come at me with all you've got!"
There was a confidence in that young, yet self assured voice that made Ye Wen look up, intrigued. He wanted to see who could be so bold.
What met his gaze was a small girl with waist length, aqua blue hair and striking golden eyes. Her looks matched Xiao Wu's, but she radiated a refined aura that couldn't be compared to Xiao Wu's rural charm.
Before Ye Wen could think further, Xiao Wu let out a surge of spirit power.
"Martial Soul Possession: Soft Boned Rabbit!"
The other work study students were stunned as they watched Xiao Wu's transformation. A yellow ring of light circled her body, the clear sign of a Soul Master. And not just any Soul Master she had a century level soul ring. Even the least informed student knew that a Soul Master with a hundred year soul ring was on another level entirely.
Xiao Wu was too fired up to care about their shock. Her mind focused solely on one goal: defeating the mysterious girl and claiming her place as the dorm's leader.
"First Soul Skill: Waist Bow!"
Xiao Wu launched forward like a fierce rabbit breaking free from its cage, her long scorpion tail braid whipping forward. The entire sequence of moves flowed with a natural, mesmerizing grace, a performance that would leave most soul masters caught off guard. Once tangled in Xiao Wu's braid, opponents would find themselves pinned between her legs and thrown to the ground. If she really went all out with her self created soul skill, Eight Stage Drop, it'd be even more devastating.
But the mysterious girl was no ordinary opponent. Ye Wen noticed that although she hadn't summoned any soul rings, her eyes seemed to glimmer as intricate patterns appeared around them.
This made Ye Wen freeze.
According to what he knew, although this was Douluo Continent, certain elements here leaned more toward manga style traits, like Martial Souls leaving unique marks on users. Tang San's mark was his left hand, wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, and his right, the Blue Silver Grass. For Ye Wen, the soul mark was a swirling seven colored pattern on his chest, so entrancing that it felt like one's spirit could be pulled in if they looked too long.
The mysterious girl's markings were unique, resembling the soul marks associated with Body Spirits from Soul Land II: The Peerless Tang Sect. But Body Spirits didn't appear until ten thousand years later. Why would a student here have one that resembled the Eye Spirit?
Before Ye Wen could dwell on it, the two girls' duel reached a swift end.
Although Xiao Wu's movements were unpredictable, the girl's golden eyes seemed to follow every nuance of her attack. Xiao Wu's braid lashed out, but the mysterious girl deftly dodged, sidestepped, and slipped behind her in one fluid motion. With a quick push, Xiao Wu was sent sprawling on the ground. Before Xiao Wu could recover, the girl had her arms pinned.
Xiao Wu's Martial Soul transformation had stunned everyone, yet her defeat was equally fast. She seemed almost like a paper tiger.
This brief but intense battle left everyone in awe, including Ye Wen. The first to break the silence was Wang Sheng, who cheered, raising his arms high.
"Boss Huo Yu'er is amazing! With her as our leader, we'll never get bullied by those rich students again!"
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Chapter 660: Xiao Wu's Claim is Interrupted, Part 1
Hearing Wang Sheng's words, the other work study students quickly joined in, cheering for their new leader. But the mysterious girl didn't respond to their cheers. Instead, she tightened her grip on Xiao Wu, still pinned beneath her.
"Concede?" she demanded.
Xiao Wu pouted, annoyed but unwilling to be a sore loser. Though she was proud and fierce, she could admit defeat when necessary.
"Fine, I admit it… But don't get cocky! I'll keep training until I'm stronger, and then the boss of this dorm will be me!" she declared.
The girl nodded in satisfaction and released Xiao Wu, clapping her hands as if dusting them off before standing tall. "Good. Now, I am officially the boss of this dormitory."
Only then did she seem to remember Ye Wen's presence. Glancing over, she noticed him picking up his slightly soiled bedding. She walked over and offered, "Sorry about that; I didn't see you there. Your blanket got dirty. Want me to replace it?"
Ye Wen waved her off, brushing the dust off his blanket. It wasn't the best material, but it was easy to clean. "No need; it's fine now."
The girl didn't think much of it and returned to the group. Seeing that everyone else had acknowledged her leadership, she realized Ye Wen, the newcomer, hadn't yet had the rules explained to him. As the newly minted dorm leader, she repeated the "rules of the boss" Wang Sheng had mentioned earlier and asked him, "So? Want to challenge me for the leader position?"
Ye Wen shook his head. He'd been training daily for years but had no illusions about surpassing a martial prodigy like Tang San or a formidable spirit beast like Xiao Wu. He needed time to develop and figure things out, not waste energy on petty disputes.
Walking into Dorm Seven, he found a bed near a window and started setting up. He glanced around at his fellow dormmates, noting the modest backgrounds they all shared. As the gatekeeper had hinted, it was rare for commoners to produce outstanding Soul Masters. Even here at Nuoding Academy, there were only a few work study students in Dorm Seven a clear sign of how hard it was for commoners to become Soul Masters.
As he looked around, he caught sight of Tang San. Just as in the original story, Tang San didn't seem interested in the leader role. However…
Ye Wen couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Xiao Wu might be cute she had that charm that could make someone think, "I wouldn't mind if my daughter looked like her one day" but seeing a man in his thirties, soul reincarnated or not, staring at her that way was unsettling. Lucky for Tang San he currently looked like an innocent young boy. Otherwise, he'd risk giving off serious creep vibes.
Tang San noticed Ye Wen, too, but his pride kept him from showing any interest. He had a strong distaste for "fame chasers," and despite all the help Ye Wen's family had given him, he showed little gratitude. Ye Wen had expected as much, so he didn't let it bother him.
Meanwhile, the mysterious girl was proving to be quite the natural leader. With her position secure, she began asking everyone in the dorm for their names. Since Ye Wen had arrived last, she went around the room, saving him for last.
As he waited, Ye Wen pondered the oddities of this version of the Douluo Continent. Could he have landed in a parallel world or some kind of fan fiction inspired version of Douluo? If so, there might be a lot more deviations in the future, and he'd have to proceed cautiously. The days of assuming "countrymen" would be allies were long gone; now, encountering another transmigrant often meant trouble.
Finally, the mysterious girl turned to him. "What's your name?"
Ye Wen had no qualms about saying it. Everyone else had introduced themselves, so staying silent would just make him stand out unnecessarily.
"Ye Wen," he replied.
Unexpectedly, the girl's eyes lit up with excitement when she heard his name, though Ye Wen didn't notice since he was busy unpacking. The other students, however, noticed the shift in her attitude. Wasn't she acting unusually warm with him?
Finally, the girl introduced herself. "Hello, Ye Wen. You're the last one to hear this, but my name is Huo Yu'er. Nice to meet you."
Xiao Wu, having mostly recovered from the fight, shot Huo Yu'er a defiant glare and asked, "Huo Yu'er, what's your spirit power level? Why are you so strong?"
The girl, Huo Yu'er, caught herself and coolly resumed her earlier demeanor. "I'm already at level ten, so you didn't lose unfairly. And don't forget to call me 'Boss.'"
A wave of awe rippled through the room, with even Ye Wen's usual composure giving way to surprise. Three students reaching Soul Master standards in a commoner dorm? Unheard of.
Xiao Wu, looking thoughtful, followed up, "So, what's your Martial Soul? Your eyes lit up with those patterns earlier was that your Martial Soul?"
Huo Yu'er nodded, not hiding anything. "Yes. My Martial Soul is my eyes. I call it Spirit Eyes. But if you've got time to chat, you might want to start making your bed instead. Night's falling soon, and you're going to need somewhere to sleep."
Listening in, Tang San frowned. He'd learned from Yu Xiaogang that Martial Souls only came in two types: beast and tool. Yet here was someone with a Martial Soul of their actual eyes. He'd have to ask his teacher about this.
At that moment, a teacher entered the dorm and called out, "Which one of you is Tang San?"
Tang San stepped forward and collected a blanket from the teacher, courtesy of Yu Xiaogang. Watching this, Ye Wen couldn't help thinking, "Really, Tang Hao? No money, no supplies, and not even a blanket for your kid?" Clearly, neglected children had it rough.
As he mused on Tang San's unfortunate situation, Ye Wen noticed Xiao Wu looking uncomfortable.
"I… I don't have anything to set up," she admitted, feeling a pang of embarrassment.
It was the first time Xiao Wu truly understood what it meant to be lacking. Yet as she eyed the blanket in Tang San's hands, her instincts kicked in.
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