Xiao Wu's gaze landed on Ning Tian, a sweet smile spreading across her face. "Um, about what happened earlier, I'm sorry. You don't have to call me 'Sister Xiao Wu' anymore. Can we maybe work something out?"
Just then, a teacher in his thirties stepped into the room. "Ning Tian, come here for a moment."
"Teacher Mo Hen!" Ning Tian turned and recognized the familiar dorm supervisor—the same one who had given Tang San a blanket in the original story. Mo Hen was carrying a quilt and pillow under one arm and a basin filled with toiletries in the other, a bucket dangling from his wrist.
"These are from the vice dean–bedding and some daily necessities for you," Mo Hen said.
The bedding was luxurious, and as Ning Tian took it, a faint, pleasant fragrance drifted up. It came with a pillow and various toiletries. Clearly, the vice dean had anticipated his needs as a work-study student and arranged this right after he left her office.
After Mo Hen departed, Ning Tian, determined not to let Xiao Wu and Tang San share a blanket like in the original story said, "I've got new bedding now. If you really like that old one, you can keep it."
Unaware of his true motives, Xiao Wu assumed he was being kind. Touched, her eyes reddened. In her whole life, aside from her mother and Da Ming and Er Ming, Ning Tian was the first person to treat her so well.
"I'll help you make your bed," she offered, wiping away tears and stepping forward.
"No need. I'll handle it myself," Ning Tian replied.
"Then let me sort out your toiletries."
Ning Tian watched her eagerness with mild confusion. 'Good grief, has this rabbit misunderstood something?'
"By the way, Ning Tian, I heard the new vice dean is a real beauty. Why's she being so nice to you, sending all this stuff?"
"She's my teacher," Ning Tian said casually. It wasn't a secret he intended to hide.
Tang San, observing their conversation, felt a bitter twinge, as if something precious was slipping further from his grasp. The ache in his heart was almost unbearable.
The other students, upon learning Ning Tian had become the vice dean's disciple, looked at him with envy. After all, the vice dean was a powerhouse—under thirty and already nearing Soul Ancestor level, making her the second strongest at Nuoding Academy.
"Little Blackie, you're strong, right? Help me move my bed," Xiao Wu called Tang San.
"My name is Tang San, not Little Blackie," he corrected, exasperated.
"But you are dark," she teased.
Tang San sighed but couldn't refuse her. He helped reluctantly, his heart sinking further when he realized she wanted her bed moved next to Ning Tian's.
Ning Tian ignored them, sitting cross-legged on his bed and meditating according to Zhu Qing's teachings to cultivate his soul power.
.......
The next morning, while most of Nuoding Academy slept, Ning Tian rose early, left his cultivation state, and headed to the sports field for his daily workout.
Tang San also left the dorm early, meeting Yu Xiaogang to hunt for his first soul ring.
Yu Xiaogang glanced at Ning Tian, who was doing push-ups with a large rock strapped to his back, and said gravely to Tang San, "Little San, you're still young. Don't copy him. Training like that will only ruin your foundation." 'Besides, he's just a waste with half-level innate soul power, no matter how hard he tries, he'll never reach Level 30.'
He kept that last thought to himself.
"I understand, Master," Tang San replied, fully trusting Yu Xiaogang's words.
As the sun rose, Ning Tian stopped training, soaked in sweat. Yet, thanks to Tang Hao acting as his 'battery,' he felt no fatigue, only boundless energy.
After a quick bath and a change of clothes, he began his day: two morning classes, one on general knowledge, one on martial souls followed by meditation during breaks.
At noon, he ate quickly and spent an hour reading about soul beasts and how to gauge their age.
In the afternoon, he trained with Zhu Qing in the small grove behind the academy. Her method was simple and brutal: an hour of sword swings, then sparring.
Over time, Zhu Qing grew more satisfied with her disciple. He had excellent stamina, resilience, and no fear of hardship or injury.
...….
Days later, a commotion broke out at the academy gate.
Dao Ge's underlings from the underground casino had ambushed Tang San who'd just returned from getting his soul ring and was heading to the Martial Soul Hall for his stipend, demanding he repay a debt or be taken away.
Now a soul master, Tang San refused and beat the goons.
Furious, Dao Ge arrived with over a hundred men to settle the score. Among them were several soul masters, and Dao Ge himself was a Level 43 Battle Soul Ancestor.
The uproar drew Nuoding Academy's dean, Zhu Qing, and the other teachers.
Two groups now faced off. Though Dao Ge had more men, the academy's dozen soul masters including the dean and Zhu Qing made him cautious.
Dean Jeno demanded, "Old Dao, what's the meaning of bringing all these people to my academy?"
Dao Ge adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, smirking. "What do you think? Your student Tang San owes me money, refuses to pay, and beat up my men. Did you think I am a joke?"
Four soul rings—one white, two yellow, one purple rose from his feet as a gleaming white scimitar {curved sword} appeared in his hand.
"You're lying! When did my disciple borrow money from you?" Yu Xiaogang pushed through the crowd. He had been drawn by the noise, still weakened from the Mandrake Snake's poison he'd endured while helping Tang San hunt his soul ring.
...........................................................................................P@treon/DUKE3500