Chapter 7: The Clash With Benefits
The days at Nuoding Academy had settled into a rhythm of classes, training, and dormitory life, with Xiao Wu's spirited leadership keeping Qishe lively. Tang San had been absent for a few days, accompanying his teacher, Grandmaster, to the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain his first soul ring. I stayed behind, sticking close to Xiao Wu and the other work-study students, my Attribute Collection System quietly amassing fragments of their potential. My status window reflected my steady growth:
*Status Window:*
- *Name*: Fang Shen
- *Age*: 6 years, 4 months, 10 days
- *Race*: Human
- *Strength*: 2.0
- *Speed*: 2.3
- *Endurance*: 2.0
- *Mental Power*: 2.2
- *Soul Power*: 6.1 (Level 6.1; 1.0 represents Level 1)
- *Martial Souls*: Blue Silver Grass (Grade: King, Awakened); Clear Sky Hammer (Hidden, Awakened)
- *Soul Ring*: None
- *Stored Martial Soul*: None
- *Stored Soul Ring*: None
- *Techniques*: Mysterious Heaven Technique, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Purple Demon Eyes, Chaos Cloaked Hammer
The Clear Sky Hammer remained my hidden trump card, locked away to avoid scrutiny from Tang Hao or anyone tied to the Clear Sky Clan. My King-grade Blue Silver Grass was my public face, its vibrant potential humming with promise. The Chaos Cloaked Hammer Technique, collected from Tang San's forge work, had become a cornerstone of my strength, its precision flowing through my nightly practice.
One afternoon, as we work-study students lounged in Qishe's courtyard, a group of rich kids—academy students from wealthier families—sauntered over, their fine robes a stark contrast to our patched clothes. Their leader, a tall boy named Liu Long, sneered as he looked us over. "Work-study trash," he said, loud enough for all to hear. "You think you belong here, cleaning floors and begging for scraps?"
Xiao Wu's eyes flashed, her scorpion braid swaying as she stepped forward. "Say that again, rich boy. We earn our place here, same as you."
Liu Long laughed, his cronies joining in. "Earn? You're nothing but servants. Bet you don't even have soul rings yet." He flashed his martial soul—a spiked mace—around which a white soul ring glowed, marking him as a rank 11 spirit master. His group followed suit, summoning their martial souls—swords, spears, and beasts—all with white soul rings. The display was meant to intimidate, and it worked on some of the younger Qishe kids, who shrank back.
Xiao Wu, unfazed, smirked. "If you're so great, let's settle it. A challenge. If we win, I'm the boss of all of you. If you win, you can call the shots for Qishe."
The rich kids burst into laughter, Liu Long's confidence oozing. "You? Boss of us? Fine, we accept. This'll be quick."
Wang Sheng, still smarting from his loss to Tang San but loyal to Qishe, stepped up. "I'll go first," he said, his voice firm. His martial soul, a Tiger Claw, materialized, its claws gleaming, though he lacked a soul ring.
Liu Long snorted and stepped forward, his spiked mace ready. The fight was brutal and short. Wang Sheng lunged, his claws slashing, but Liu Long's soul ring amplified his strength. With a single swing, he knocked Wang Sheng back, sending him crashing to the ground. The rich kids cheered, their taunts growing louder.
The system chimed: *Ding! Detected: Soul Power +1.3, Martial Soul: Lone Wolf. Do you want to pick up? Yes/No.*
I froze, realizing the Lone Wolf wasn't from Liu Long or Wang Sheng—it must have come from another rich kid nearby with a wolf-type soul. "Yes, for Soul Power," I whispered, feeling a warm surge as my soul power jumped to 7.4. For the Lone Wolf, I hesitated. Another martial soul could draw attention I didn't need. "Store the Lone Wolf," I murmured, directing the system to hold it in reserve. The panel updated:
*Status Window:*
- *Soul Power*: 7.4 (Level 7.4)
- *Stored Martial Soul*: Lone Wolf
The rich kids kept laughing, Liu Long tossing more insults. "Who's next? Or are you all too scared?"
Before Xiao Wu could respond, a calm voice cut through the noise. "What's going on here?"
Tang San stepped into the courtyard, his presence quiet but commanding. His clothes were slightly dusty from the Soul Hunting Forest, but his eyes carried a new weight, a sharpness honed by his recent trial. The rich kids turned, their laughter faltering as they sensed something different about him.
Xiao Wu grinned. "Xiao San! Perfect timing. These rich brats think they can push us around."
Tang San's gaze swept over Liu Long and his group, his expression unreadable. He stepped forward and released his martial soul. Blue Silver Grass sprouted around him, its blades vibrant and coiling, far more potent than before. A single yellow soul ring rose around his legs, glowing with a steady, intense light—a 400-year-old soul ring, a rarity for a first ring.
The system chimed, nearly stopping my heart: *Ding! Detected: Soul Power +1.1, Soul Ring: Yellow (400 years, Binding Ability). Do you want to pick up? Yes/No.*
My breath caught. Tang San's soul ring—a powerful 400-year-old ring with a binding ability—was within my grasp. But using it now, before reaching Level 10, would expose my rapid growth and draw unwanted attention. "Yes, for Soul Power," I whispered, my soul power surging to 8.5. "Store the Soul Ring." The system complied, tucking the yellow soul ring into storage for when I hit Level 10.
*Status Window:*
- *Soul Power*: 8.5 (Level 8.5)
- *Stored Soul Ring*: Yellow (400 years, Binding Ability)
The rich kids gasped at Tang San's yellow ring, their confidence wavering. Liu Long, trying to save face, sneered and summoned his spiked mace again, his white soul ring flickering. "A yellow ring? So what? You're still just a grass user!"
Tang San didn't respond. His Blue Silver Grass lashed out like whips, guided by Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Liu Long swung his mace, but the grass entangled his arms, tightening with unnatural strength. In a flash, Tang San was behind him, a precise strike to the back of Liu Long's knee sending him to the ground. The fight was over in seconds, the rich kids stunned into silence.
Tang San retracted his grass, his yellow soul ring fading. "Anyone else?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying an edge.
Liu Long scrambled up, red-faced, but his group stayed quiet, their bravado gone. Xiao Wu clapped, laughing. "That's my Xiao San! I'm still boss, but you're all under Qishe now!"
The rich kids slunk away, muttering but defeated. I caught Tang San's eye, giving a nod. He returned it, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
That night, in Qishe's dormitory, I practiced the Mysterious Heaven Technique, my soul power thrumming at Level 8.5. The Lone Wolf still in the system's storage alongside the yellow soul ring, both waiting for the right moment.