Chapter 6: Xiao Wu: Best Served Braised and Stir-Fried!

"Another new student?"

The group of boys gathered around Yang Yunhai's bed turned their heads one by one. Wang Sheng even stood up and strode toward the door.

Dorm Seven hadn't received a new work-study student in years. Now, two in one go? It was hard to believe. He worried this might be a noble soul master coming to cause trouble. As the dorm leader, he saw it as his duty to step up and protect his brothers.

Before he reached the door, Tang San came into view.

Noticing Tang San's plain clothing, Wang Sheng relaxed and asked,"A new work-study student?"

"Hello, I'm from Saint Soul Village," Tang San said politely, smiling.

"I'm Wang Sheng. Martial spirit: Battle Tiger. Future Battle Soul Master—and the boss around here."Seeing Tang San hadn't offered his own name or martial spirit, Wang Sheng gave a brief self-introduction and added,"What's your name? What's your martial spirit?"

Then he remembered how Yang Yunhai had shared his spirit power level earlier, so he added,"What's your innate soul power?"

Compared to martial spirits, soul power was a more accurate indicator of talent and potential.

"I'm Tang San. Martial spirit: Blue Silver Grass. Innate soul power: level 10."Tang San furrowed his brow slightly but answered honestly.

He wasn't fond of this interrogation-style conversation on first meeting.

"Innate soul power level 10?!"Wang Sheng was stunned. His expression turned serious."Tang San, that means you've reached full innate soul power. You're stronger than me—so we'll have to fight to see who's in charge here."

As expected from kids...The moment they hear about strength, they start challenging each other.Tang San's face cooled."Sorry. I'm here to study, not to fight or compete to be the boss. Please step aside."

But Wang Sheng didn't move."Then if you don't want to be the boss, you'll have to listen to me."

This is ridiculous.Tang San's expression turned impatient. He raised his foot, preparing to walk around.

Wang Sheng, startled, instinctively reached out to block Tang San and explain the dorm rules.

Although Blue Silver Grass was a universally recognized weak martial spirit, Tang San had full innate soul power. Wang Sheng didn't want to offend him—but neither did he want to break dorm tradition. In fact, he hoped Tang San would beat him and take over the leadership role.

Work-study students were constantly bullied in the academy. They needed a strong protector.

So this is a dominance check.Tang San's brows tightened. His body reacted in an instant.

His waist dropped, upper body twisted sideways to evade Wang Sheng's hand. In one smooth motion, his shoulder lunged forward, elbow slamming into Wang Sheng's side. Then he stepped forward, grabbed Wang Sheng's arm, and dragged forcefully.

Thud—Wang Sheng stumbled, completely off balance, crashing into the dorm door before stopping.

"Boss!"The onlookers gasped, some giving Tang San wary—and even fearful—looks.

"I'm fine!"Wang Sheng quickly called out to stop them from charging forward.

He stood up, holding the door for support, eyeing Tang San with surprise and a bit of awe."Tang San, was that a soul skill you just used?"

"Soul skill?"Tang San was puzzled. It wasn't the first time he'd heard the term.

"What's that?" he asked.

"It's a technique powered by your martial spirit and soul power," Wang Sheng explained, scratching his head. Then he stepped forward, adding,"Tang San, I'm sorry. I think there was a misunderstanding earlier. I didn't mean to stop you like that. I just..."

He trailed off, revealing a bitter smile.

He lifted both sleeves, exposing bruises all over his arms—seven or eight dark purple ones.

"What happened?"Tang San was surprised.

Sure, he hadn't gone easy earlier, and Wang Sheng's collision with the door must've hurt, but this many bruises?

"These?" Wang Sheng gave a helpless laugh."Got them yesterday, on the way to class. Some students from other dorms did it."

"We're work-study students—poor backgrounds, no connections, weak talent. We get bullied all the time. That's why Dorm Seven has this rule: we pick the strongest among us to lead and protect everyone else."

"Tang San, you're way stronger than me. I'd like to hand over the position to you."

Justice.That's a core value of any martial artist.Protecting the weak and fighting oppression is a duty.

Tang San's expression softened. He nodded slightly."I understand. Don't worry—I won't stand by and let anyone bully my dormmates."

"That's great news!"Wang Sheng's mood visibly lifted.

Just then, a crisp voice called out from outside:"Is this Dorm Seven?"

Everyone turned at once—then froze.

Standing in the doorway was a very cute little girl. Her long black hair was braided into a scorpion-tail braid that reached her lower back. Her cheeks were rosy, her large pink eyes bright and curious. She looked around the room innocently—an adorable sight.

Xiao Wu?I wonder if Tang Hao's outside, secretly watching.Yeah, the girl was cute—definitely someone who triggered people's protective instincts—but Yang Yunhai wasn't fooled.

What he really wanted was for her to reveal her true form—so he could braise and stir-fry her. And maybe extract a soul bone or two.

Xiao Wu's soul ring might not suit him... but her soul bones? Now those were divine.

Teleportation and Invincible Golden Body? Absolute top-tier skills.

Power was everything in the world of soul masters. And soul beasts were soul beasts, no matter what shape they took. He didn't care if she looked human.

Besides, he never liked Xiao Wu, even when reading the original story.

Too much of a romantic. Bad temper.She came to the human world with a vengeance—literally to avenge her mother's death—and what did she do? Slacked off.

She had more cultivation time than Tang San, who was still working part-time at the blacksmith's shop, yet by graduation their soul levels were the same. Ridiculous.

Later, she even got a god-tier herb, Lovesick Heartbroken Red, and didn't eat it—just kept it as a memento. Utter nonsense.

And don't even mention her temper.During the Great Soul Arena arc in Soto City, she completely lost it when Tang San got hurt—launched a hidden weapon and nearly killed the already poisoned Tie brothers. Overkill, to say the least.

She was the type who could dish it but couldn't take it.

And her mouth? Filthy.Start calling people brothel girls and eunuchs the moment she didn't like them. Vulgarity at its peak.

All in all, she left a terrible impression the first time—and even worse on a reread.

Still, books are books, and reality is reality. Now that he was face-to-face with her, he didn't feel any hatred from his past life impressions. His only reason for wanting her dead was that she was a 100,000-year-old soul beast—and harvesting her bones would seriously boost his strength.

Too bad I'm still weak as hell. No way I could take her on.Not to mention Tang Hao's probably lurking outside like a stalker. Not happening anytime soon.

Thinking this, Yang Yunhai subtly shifted his body, making sure the kids in front of him fully blocked him from view.

Until he had fully developed his strength, it was safer to play the invisible kid.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the air:

"We're allowed to have mixed-gender dorms here?"

It was Tang San.