"Another new student?"
The boys who had been sitting around Yang Yunhai's bed turned their heads at once, curiosity lighting their eyes. Wang Sheng, the self-proclaimed boss of Dorm Seven, immediately stood up. His tall and sturdy frame cast a shadow as he strode heavily toward the door.
Dorm Seven hadn't seen a new work-study student for several years. For two to suddenly appear in the same year was almost unbelievable. In his heart, Wang Sheng worried it might be some noble student here to stir up trouble. As the dorm's head, he believed it was his duty to protect the younger ones and step forward first, no matter what.
Before he even reached the door, the figure of Tang San appeared.
One glance at his plain clothes was enough for Wang Sheng to relax. The tension in his shoulders eased as he asked directly, "You're the new work-study student?"
Tang San smiled politely, the corners of his mouth tugging upward. "Hello, I'm from Holy Spirit Village, here as a work-study student."
"I'm Wang Sheng," the tall boy said, puffing his chest slightly. "My Martial Soul is the Battle Tiger. I'll be a Battle Soul Master in the future. I'm also the boss here in this dormitory." He paused deliberately, noticing that Tang San had not yet mentioned his name or Martial Soul, then asked, "What's your name? What Martial Soul do you have?" After a moment, he added, "And what's your innate soul power?"
Compared to Martial Souls, innate soul power was the real measure of talent. Wang Sheng, like every other student in the academy, knew that.
Tang San's brow furrowed faintly, but he still replied honestly, "My name is Tang San. My Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. My innate soul power is rank ten."
The words landed like a hammer blow.
"Innate full soul power!?" Wang Sheng's jaw dropped. The look of shock on his face was quickly replaced by a solemn expression. "Tang San, you're innate full soul power. Your strength should already surpass mine. According to our rules, we have to fight. The winner becomes the boss of Dorm Seven."
Tang San's expression cooled instantly.
'Children… always obsessed with fighting and titles. I came here to learn, not to play these meaningless games.'
He said calmly, "Sorry, I came to study. I have no interest in fighting for boss or being the leader. Please let me through."
But Wang Sheng didn't step aside. His voice grew more serious. "If you don't want to be the boss, then you'll have to listen to me in the future."
Tang San's eyes narrowed, the faint trace of impatience spreading across his face. He stepped forward, clearly intending to walk past without indulging the nonsense.
Seeing this, Wang Sheng instinctively lifted a hand to block him, wanting to explain the dormitory's rules. He had no intention of truly offending Tang San. After all, anyone with Blue Silver Grass who could awaken with full soul power was someone unusual. He didn't want to make an enemy of him, but rules were rules. Deep down, he even hoped Tang San would defeat him outright. The dorm needed a stronger leader to protect everyone.
But Tang San's body reacted instantly. His waist sank, his torso shifted slightly to the side, slipping neatly past Wang Sheng's reaching hand. In the same motion, his shoulder snapped forward, his elbow striking Wang Sheng's side with precision. His foot pressed firmly, his hands grabbed and pulled.
Caught completely off-guard, Wang Sheng stumbled. His balance gave way, and his body lurched forward uncontrollably.
"Bang!" He crashed heavily into the dormitory door, the wood shaking with the impact.
"Boss!" Several boys cried out in alarm. Their gazes turned sharply toward Tang San, a mix of unease and even a flicker of fear in their eyes.
"I'm fine!" Wang Sheng quickly called back, waving them off before they rushed in.
He gritted his teeth, pushed himself upright, and leaned against the door. His expression was filled with shock and a trace of doubt. "Tang San, did you just use a soul skill?"
"Soul skill?" Tang San's brow creased. He'd heard this phrase before, but it still puzzled him. "What's a soul skill?"
"It's the techniques used with Martial Soul and soul power together," Wang Sheng explained, scratching his head awkwardly. He stepped closer, eyes filled with apology. "Tang San, I'm sorry. I think you misunderstood. I wasn't trying to block you to cause trouble. It's just…"
He sighed bitterly, then rolled up his sleeves.
Seven or eight dark bruises marred his arms.
Tang San's eyes flickered with surprise. His earlier strike had carried some force, but it shouldn't have left that many marks.
"These," Wang Sheng said bitterly, "were from yesterday, when we were on the way to school. Other students from different dorms bullied us."
"All of us work-study students come from poor families. We have no background, little talent, and weak strength. In the academy, we're bullied often. That's why in Dorm Seven we always choose the strongest among us as boss, to protect the rest."
He looked earnestly at Tang San. "You're stronger than me, much stronger. I want you to take the position of boss."
Tang San's heart softened. Justice, protecting the weak—these were values he had always believed in. His face eased as he nodded. "I understand. Don't worry. I won't stand by and watch our dorm mates be bullied."
"That's great!" Relief and joy spread across Wang Sheng's face.
Just then, a sweet, crisp voice called from outside: "Is this Dorm Seven?"
Everyone turned their heads. Their eyes widened.
A girl stood in the doorway. She was strikingly pretty, her long black hair tied into a neat scorpion braid that swayed down past her waist. Her cheeks were pink, her large pink eyes glittered with curiosity as she looked around. She radiated innocence and charm.
The boys froze, their mouths falling slightly open.
Yang Yunhai, standing behind them, also stared. His heart, however, was not filled with the same admiration.
'Xiao Wu. So, she's finally here. I wonder if Tang Hao is lurking outside, watching. Cute or not, all I can think about is her real form—a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. If I could kill her and braise her, I'd enjoy the taste and take the soul bone.'
'Her soul ring might not suit me, but her soul bone? That's priceless. Teleportation and Invincible Golden Body—those are god-tier skills any soul master would kill for.'
His eyes narrowed faintly.
'In the end, strength is the only thing that matters. A soul beast is still a soul beast. I don't care how human she looks.'
Memories from his past life stirred. He'd never liked Xiao Wu in the story.
'Too much of a love-brain, too temperamental. As a hundred-thousand-year soul beast with a blood feud, she should have trained relentlessly. Instead, she wasted time playing around. She had a massive advantage over Tang San—free time, innate full soul power, and a hundred thousand years of foundation—and yet by graduation, she was no stronger than him.'
'Then there was Yearning Heartbroken Red. She got it and refused to use it, keeping it as some silly token. Ridiculous.'
'And her temper… In the Great Spirit Arena, the way she nearly killed the Tie brothers with hidden weapons when they were already poisoned—that was terrifying. Hypocritical. And her foul mouth? Calling people brothel girls, freaks. She left me with nothing but a bad taste.'
'The more I re-read, the worse she seemed.'
But then he caught himself.
'Still, story is story. Reality is reality. I won't hold past impressions against her here. The only reason I'd kill her is for strength—for her soul bone.'
A trace of bitterness tugged at his lips.
'Unfortunately, I'm still weak. I can't fight her, not with Tang Hao watching in the shadows. For now, it's impossible.'
He shifted his position quietly, making sure his small body was hidden behind the taller boys in front.
'Until I've grown stronger, I'll stay invisible. Better to be a shadow than a target.'
As the silence stretched, a boy's voice finally broke the moment.
"Can boys and girls really live together in the same dorm?"
It was Tang San who spoke.
(End of Chapter)
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