Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy proved smaller than its imposing exterior suggested. With the master leading the way, Cheng Xiao quickly reached the Academic Affairs Office. Armed with his Spirit Certificate from Spirit Hall, he completed registration smoothly and officially became a first-year student.
"Xiao San, I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. I'll visit when I have time." The master addressed Tang San, his tone casual.
"Yes, teacher." Tang San nodded respectfully.
The master ruffled Tang San's hair, then cast a meaningful glance at Cheng Xiao before departing.
During the earlier registration process, he'd glimpsed Cheng Xiao's Spirit Certificate as well—Beast Spirit, Shadow Soldier, Innate Full Spirit Power!
A true prodigy. With proper theoretical guidance, his future achievements would reach at least Titled Douluo level!
Such a shame the child showed no interest in spirit theory. As a master theoretician, wouldn't it diminish his reputation to appear desperate for disciples?
Still, Yu Xiaogang wasn't concerned. Once they began actual martial spirit cultivation, the gap between Tang San and Cheng Xiao would inevitably widen. When that happened, he refused to believe Cheng Xiao wouldn't come begging for instruction.
After the master's departure, Director Su—who'd registered both boys—showed mild surprise at their credentials but said nothing more. He handed each child two sets of pristine academy uniforms before returning to his duties.
"Thank you." Cheng Xiao accepted the uniform with polite gratitude, then exited the Academic Affairs Office alongside Tang San.
Following the director's instructions, Tang San and Cheng Xiao quickly located their assigned dormitory. As work-study students, they'd naturally been placed in the work-study dormitory—Room 7.
Even before entering, raucous noise spilled from within. Opening the door revealed seven or eight children roughhousing and playing, completely oblivious to the newcomers.
"Hey, you the new work-study kids?"
An older boy detached from the group, approaching them.
"We are. Is there a problem?" Cheng Xiao's eyes narrowed as he assessed the advancing youth.
First day and already a power play?
Tang San stood silently beside him, calmly observing the boy who stood two heads taller.
"Since you're in Dormitory 7, you follow Dormitory 7's rules!" The tall boy looked down at them imperiously. "Name's Wang Sheng. My spirit's the War Tiger—I'm a future Battle Spirit Master and the boss of this dorm. What're your names? What're your spirits?"
Tang San and Cheng Xiao exchanged glances before introducing themselves and their martial spirits.
"Blue Silver Grass? Shadow Soldier? What kind of trash spirits are those?" Wang Sheng's expression turned exaggeratedly disdainful as he burst into laughter.
Following their leader's cue, the other dormitory residents erupted in mocking laughter, regarding the newcomers as complete fools.
Shadow Soldier and Blue Silver Grass? Such pathetic-sounding spirits couldn't possibly compare to their boss Wang Sheng's domineering War Tiger!
"Alright, enough laughing." Wang Sheng waved dismissively, turning back to Cheng Xiao and Tang San. "Now that you're in Dormitory 7, you answer to me from now on. Understand?"
Without waiting for a response, Wang Sheng shoved Tang San, who appeared easier to intimidate.
As for Cheng Xiao standing beside Tang San, Wang Sheng deliberately ignored him. Bullying required selecting the right targets—and Tang San seemed perfectly suited.
"Seems a fight's unavoidable." Tang San carefully set down his belongings and uniform.
The next instant, he moved like lightning, appearing behind Wang Sheng. His right arm bent slightly—an elbow strike to the kidney synchronized perfectly with a sweep of his right leg to Wang Sheng's calf, sending him crashing to the floor.
"You dare ambush me?!" Wang Sheng scrambled up, fury blazing in his eyes. A faint yellow radiance enveloped his body as he charged at Tang San with supernatural speed—his martial spirit activated.
Watching Wang Sheng activate his spirit, Cheng Xiao shook his head. Still just a child—easily provoked, easily rattled.
However, he and Tang San had arrived together. Though Tang San could easily handle Wang Sheng alone, standing idle would be unreasonable.
So Cheng Xiao joined the fray, fighting alongside Tang San against Wang Sheng and his lackeys.
Since inheriting the Shadow Monarch's power and maintaining three months of rigorous training, Cheng Xiao's physical capabilities had improved dramatically. Against these roommates who hadn't even reached the first spirit ring, he was more than capable.
Surveying the children surrounding him, Cheng Xiao clenched his fist and lunged toward the nearest opponent.
The child saw Cheng Xiao charging and hastily swung his own fist in defense.
Cheng Xiao tilted his head left, dodging effortlessly. His clenched fist drove into his opponent's abdomen before withdrawing in a flash. Without pause, he pivoted toward the other roommates still processing what happened.
"Ah! Not the face, don't hit my face!"
"Boss, save me—ahhh!"
Several agonized screams later, Tang San—having just finished with Wang Sheng—turned to find three or four children sprawled on the ground, clutching various injured body parts and wailing. The others who'd wisely stayed out of it stood respectfully aside, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Cheng Xiao, architect of this carnage, had already claimed a bed with his uniform and belongings, acting as though the moaning children had nothing to do with him.
"D-damn it!" Wang Sheng's eyes widened, surveying his defeated brothers, his voice trembling. "Cheng... Cheng Xiao's the really ruthless one!"
"Wang Sheng! Come help me make my bed."
"Y-yes!" Wang Sheng leaped up from the floor, rushing to Cheng Xiao's bedside with a fawning smile plastered across his face as he began arranging the sheets.
Witnessing this scene, Tang San shook his head and selected his own empty bed, beginning his preparations.
"Tang San, was that a spirit ability you used earlier?"
Having been thoroughly beaten, Wang Sheng and his crew had abandoned their earlier arrogance, addressing the newcomers in considerably more respectful tones. The fight had made one thing abundantly clear—these two weren't to be trifled with.
Soon, Wang Sheng explained the unspoken hierarchy among work-study students, enthusiastically recommending Cheng Xiao as the new dormitory boss. After all, recent events remained vividly fresh in his mind.
"Let Tang San take the work-study boss position." Cheng Xiao remained unmoved by Wang Sheng's flattery, decisively rejecting the offer and recommending Tang San instead.
"Well... alright then." Wang Sheng sighed upon Cheng Xiao's refusal, then redirected his hopeful gaze toward Tang San.
Tang San prepared to decline, but seeing Wang Sheng and the others watching him with such expectant expressions, he felt something stir within—a sense of responsibility to protect the weak. Some might call it a sense of justice.
As a Tang Sect disciple, how could he lack such conviction? Resigned to acceptance, Tang San opened his mouth to agree—
"Excuse me, is this Dormitory 7?"
A crisp voice drifted from outside.
Everyone's heads swiveled toward the source. Standing in the doorway was a girl with a delicate, pink-tinged face. Her scorpion braid extended past her hips, and her large, watery eyes sparkled with curiosity as she peered into the room.
The boys froze, utterly captivated, forgetting even to respond.
Cheng Xiao also noticed the girl at the entrance, though his reaction was markedly different. Xiao Wu's only six years old right now—how beautiful could she possibly be?