Chapter 10: A Maiden's Heart
"I apologize!"
"Fellow students, I deeply regret my earlier rudeness."
A ninety-degree bow. Though his expression was hidden, the voice rang with sincerity. The battle between the freshman and sixth-year senior had concluded.
The disheveled black-haired youth approached An Zhen, retrieving three delicate jade vials and a thin black card from his soul tool. "A wager is a wager. These are the promised Xuan Shui Pills. The black card is a savings pass. Thank you for your words earlier—please accept them."
After speaking, the mud-smeared youth (whose face resembled a turtle's shell) bowed deeply again before leaving.
"Disperse, everyone. The remaining milk tea belongs to this old man."
At the elder's command, the crowd—whether lingering for tea or curious about the freshman who mastered both principles and combat—drifted away. They chattered animatedly about the bizarre duel. Without the elder's presence and their knowledge of Xu Sanshi—the academy's infamous "turtle"—they might've suspected a staged fight.
"Impressive, An Zhen." The vivacious Tang Ya hopped up and slapped An Zhen's shoulder. "Not only did you beat Xu Sanshi, you made him yield!"
"..."
Instantly, the boy who'd seemed heroic moments ago paled drastically. His aura withered, and he swayed until Bei Bei caught him.
"Hey!" Tang Ya stared at her hand. "Are you faking it?!"
"Thank you," An Zhen murmured to Bei Bei.
"No need."
"Brother An Zhen!" Huoyu Tong rushed forward, worry etching her features. Wang Dong, who'd just handed An Zhen his milk tea, glanced nervously where the elder had stood—only to find emptiness.
"Overused my Martial Soul," An Zhen explained, face ashen. "I'll recover after meditation."
His reality-altering capability depended on an object's hierarchy and energy… A normal Xu Sanshi would've been manageable. The gap between a soul master with and without their Martial Soul active was vast. But earlier, to make a statement…
Sigh. Showing off has consequences.
Frustratingly, this exhaustion couldn't be reset by his Martial Soul.
"Such power demands sacrifice," he added weakly.
The group nodded inwardly. The scene had been staggering—a top-tier beast Martial Soul (Xuanwu Tortoise) and Soul Elder, yet his defense crumbled like paper against a Great Soul Master. It resembled a Titled Douluo bullying a child.
"An Zhen! An Zhen!" Tang Ya's eyes sparkled. "Join the Tang Sect! I'll make you third-in-command!"
This kid's a monstrous genius!
"Xiao Ya," Bei Bei sighed, pulling her back. "He's injured. Let him rest."
By now, Elder Xuan and Zhang Lexuan had vanished. With An Zhen weakened, the moment was ill-suited for socializing.
Nightfall.
"Why am I carrying you?!" Wang Dong's indignant voice pierced the air.
Having worked at the milk tea stand, Wang Dong was deemed An Zhen's "employee." With Huoyu Tong too petite to support him, Wang Dong—a fellow male of similar height—was reluctantly elected.
Why didn't I refuse? Wang Dong wondered. His earlier actions? That frail look?
Whatever. He made that turtle apologize to us. Consider this my magnanimity.
"Want me to carry you ten times later?"
"Ten?!" Wang Dong hissed, cheeks flushing crimson—a fleeting beauty in moonlight. "Lecher!"
"And here I thought I was being nice."
An Zhen rested against Wang Dong's shoulders. Silken pink-blue hair brushed his cheek; a faint floral scent lingered.
Soon, Huoyu Tong parked the beverage carts outside the dorm and hauled two jars—one brimming with gold coins, the other silver—into An Zhen's room. Wang Dong deposited him onto his bed.
"We sold 226 cups today," the frugal loli reported precisely.
"Is that so?" An Zhen withdrew fifty gold coins. "Split the rest."
"I don't need it," the young mistress sniffed, turning away.
"Brother An Zhen, this is too much!" Huoyu Tong stared wide-eyed at the fortune.
Ruffling her hair, An Zhen nudged the jars. "You earned it. Hard work deserves reward."
He grinned at Wang Dong. "Unless this is Wang Dong's first self-earned income? Or you'd work for me free?"
"I won't be exploited!" Stiffening, she snatched the jars. No more letting him win! "Huoyu Tong, I'll store these!"
She bolted out.
"Wash the coins first!" An Zhen called after her.
He grasped Huoyu Tong's wrist. "Open up."
A smooth pill slipped into her mouth.
Hm?
Didn't the Xuan Shui Pill have side effects?
An Zhen belatedly recalled:
Gentle efficacy
Guaranteed soul power boost (min. +1 rank for sub-20 soul masters)
Purged bodily impurities (potentially +1 innate rank)
But purging impurities meant… it would reek.
Ah. I've doomed Wang Dong.
I'll lend her my room tonight.
"Rest well," An Zhen said, escorting Huoyu Tong out without mentioning meditation. He needed to test his cultivation speed without her proximity.
⋯
Wang Dong's Perspective
Pink feet kneaded plush bedding. A pale calf peeked from thin sleepwear. Wang Dong's mood was uncharacteristically bright.
Counting her spotless coins brought joy—her hard-earned spoils.
That guy's… decent.
His interest in Huoyu Tong was transparent yet earnest. He'd secured her a good job, stood up against that sixth-year turtle… Almost manly. And he'd been respectful while she carried him.
Though oddly experienced?
She recalled his words during the fight—the ones that made Xu Sanshi cry. Sounds like he's known heartbreak.
Her gaze slid to the petite loli.
Heh. With me here, he won't bully Yu Tong.
Huoyu Tong's Perspective
Starlight eyes reflected overflowing jars. Misty pupils replayed the day: that protective silhouette stepping forward, etching itself into her memory.
A hero-saves-beauty tale had unfolded—with the roles reversed.
(End of Chapter)