Chapter 11: First Steps in Cultivation

In the end, Xiao Wu successfully claimed half of Tang San's new bedding, a situation that left Tang San the most flustered of all.

Wang Sheng, despite his injuries, was not one to miss a meal. "It's time for lunch!" he shouted. "Let's all go to the cafeteria together."

Having only eaten dry rations with hot water that morning, Wang Li was already hungry. "Great idea," he said. "It's a good chance to get familiar with the campus."

Tang San, however, lowered his head. He had no money. What little his father, Tang Hao, earned from blacksmithing was spent on alcohol. He rarely had enough to eat at home, let alone pay for meals in a cafeteria. "You guys go ahead," he said coldly. "I'll just have some of my dry rations."

Xiao Wu hesitated. "Do you need Soul Coins to eat in the cafeteria?"

Wang Sheng was taken aback. Of course you needed Soul Coins. He looked from Tang San to Xiao Wu and quickly understood their situation. In a word: broke.

These two were geniuses with innate full Spirit Power, and they were fierce fighters. Enduring the pain in his heart—and his wallet—Wang Sheng patted his chest. "Come on, let's go. My treat for the next two days. We'll celebrate the expansion of our work-study student team."

"Yeah!" Xiao Wu jumped up, full of energy.

Seeing her agree, Tang San hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Thanks."

The entire group of work-study students set off together. It was a survival tactic for them; they went everywhere as a group and were rarely left alone.

On the way, Wang Sheng looked at Wang Li and scratched his head. "Wang Li, the bruises on your face... they seem to be gone. Did you heal that quickly?"

Wang Li glanced at Wang Sheng's own face, which was still a patchwork of bruises. He naturally wasn't going to reveal the truth. "Maybe you just went easy on me," he deflected, "so I recovered faster."

Wang Sheng knew he hadn't shown any mercy during their fight, but it wasn't a big deal, so he quickly let it go. Wang Li offered no further explanation; some secrets were best kept to oneself.

…

The academy cafeteria was a large, two-story building, spacious enough to accommodate all three hundred teachers and students. As the work-study group entered, their cheerful chatter was cut short when a mocking voice called out.

"Tsk, if it isn't Wang Sheng's little gang of poor bastards."

The speaker was a handsome boy of about eleven or twelve, leaning against the staircase leading to the second floor. The viciousness, contempt, and disdain in his eyes broadcasted his role as a story's minor villain, the kind destined for a quick humiliation.

Xiao Wu was the unofficial queen of the Star Dou Great Forest, with the Titan Giant Ape on her left and the Sky Blue Bull Python on her right. She was not one to take an insult lying down. Besides, Wang Sheng was paying for her meal. She planted her hands on her hips, raised her eyebrows, and shouted, "And what barking mad dog is this?"

The boy's eyes lit up. On the Douluo Continent, children matured quickly. He completely ignored her insult, his gaze fixed on her. "What a cute girl," he said to himself. "Wang Sheng, I'll let you off today. We'll get to know each other better some other time."

With a laugh, he led his group of followers up to the second floor.

Xiao Wu started to chase after them, but Wang Sheng held her back. He was glad she had stood up for them, but he didn't dare let her cause trouble on the second floor. "Sister Xiao Wu, don't," he pleaded. "The second floor is where you order specific dishes. It's very expensive. Only the rich students can go up there. We can't afford it."

Xiao Wu had no concept of money, but seeing Wang Sheng's earnest expression, she calmed down.

Across the room, Tang San walked up to Yu Xiaogang, who had just entered, and respectfully called out, "Teacher." Yu Xiaogang was about to take him to the second floor, but after glancing at Xiao Wu and the others, Tang San decided against it.

When he returned to the group, Wang Sheng said quickly, "Tang San, the Master isn't a teacher here. He's a guest of the academy. He doesn't lead classes or teach students. He's basically a freeloader. It's useless trying to please him."

Hearing this, Tang San's face hardened. "Wang Sheng," he said, his voice turning to ice, "the Master is my teacher. If you are disrespectful to him again, don't blame me for being rude to you."

With that, he lost his appetite, turned, and walked away without looking back.

Wang Sheng stood there, scratching his head in confusion. He had been trying to help Tang San, but got scolded for his trouble. "What a psycho," he muttered.

Wang Li witnessed it all but remained silent, far more interested in the food. As he observed, most self-funded students ate on the first floor. Only a select few—those from truly rich or noble families—went to the second. The first floor didn't allow for custom orders, but it offered a dozen dishes to choose from. Meat dishes were four to six Copper Soul Coins, vegetarian dishes were one or two, and a bowl of rice was one. The ten Copper Soul Coins a work-study student earned per day really didn't leave much room for choice.

Even without Tang San, the group still ate. Wang Li paid for his own meal, spending six Copper Soul Coins on the simplest one-meat, one-vegetable option. Even this was enough to make the other work-study students drool with envy.

After their meal, Wang Sheng led them on a tour of the academy grounds, showing them their classroom and the garden south of the playground that was now Tang San's responsibility to clean.

Back in the dormitory, most of the students began to cultivate. They all came from humble backgrounds; their only path to a better life was to reach Rank 10 within their six years at the academy and become a true Spirit Master.

Wang Li was no exception. Though he lacked a basic meditation method, he had 26 experience points. It was time to try and increase his Spirit Power.

Sitting on his bed, he assumed a meditative posture, but his focus was internal. He interacted with his system panel, focusing his will on the + symbol next to [Spirit Power: Level 3 (54%) [+]].

The panel changed, displaying a new prompt: [Begin Spirit Power enhancement? (Yes/No)].

Wang Li focused his will on "Yes".

In an instant, his world was turned upside down. All the Spirit Power in his body was drawn out by an invisible force, rushing from him like a departing serpent.