Chapter 5
Work-Study Dormitory—Qishe
Lin Bai didn't need to buy bedding. He had brought a set from home and stored it in his ring.
Saved a few coins.
He reached the door, took out his quilt, and carried it inside.
The wooden door creaked as he stepped in, drawing the attention of the room's occupants. A burly young man jumped off his bed.
"The new guy is here! Come and fight me! Winner becomes the boss of Qishe!"
He pounded his chest and grinned.
"I'm Wang Sheng, Martial Soul: Tiger."
His bright eyes studied Lin Bai, but after taking in his slender frame and delicate features, his enthusiasm wavered.
Lin Bai glanced around, found a bed against the wall, and walked over with his quilt. As he made his bed, he spoke casually.
"A fight is fine, but…"
"But what?" Wang Sheng crossed his arms.
Lin Bai turned and looked him up and down. "You look older than me. Definitely an upperclassman. I'm taking leave tomorrow to get my first soul ring. Let's fight after I come back."
Wang Sheng's face froze. He wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
"You… You just awakened your martial soul, and you can already obtain a soul ring?! Are you one of those legendary innate soul power guys?"
He had been at school for four years and was only at rank seven.
Lin Bai smiled innocently. "Yeah, nothing special. I ran into another guy with innate soul power earlier. He should be here soon. If you really want to fight someone, try him."
Another one?!
The work-study students gasped in disbelief.
Wang Sheng, however, wasn't discouraged. The shock was quickly replaced by excitement—finally, Qishe had a real powerhouse to back them up!
At that moment, the door swung open again, and a boy walked in.
Tang San.
His expression was unreadable as he scanned the room. Without a word, he headed toward the bed in the corner.
"Wait," Wang Sheng called. "New guys have to fight the dorm boss to earn their place."
Otherwise, what reason would a genius have to protect them?
Tang San stopped and looked at him. "Did you beat him?"
He pointed at Lin Bai.
Lin Bai shrugged. "I'm not much of a fighter. I already forfeited."
No one questioned him—his reputation as an innate soul power genius was too useful.
Tang San nodded. "Alright. Come at me."
He stood relaxed, but his stance was deceptive. His waist and back muscles were taut, his arms flexible yet firm, his legs coiled like springs. A faint aura of pressure settled over the room.
Wang Sheng attacked.
Wang Sheng lost.
"…You're the boss now."
He accepted his defeat without hesitation, and the other students quickly followed suit.
Tang San had no interest in the title, but before he could refuse, a lively voice rang out from the doorway.
"Oooh! A fight? Count me in!"
A girl with a scorpion braid skipped inside. Her eyes lit up when she spotted Tang San and Lin Bai. She walked over and studied them curiously.
"She's adorable," Wang Sheng whispered. Then he turned to Tang San. "Boss, show her what you've got."
Lin Bai smirked and pointed at Tang San. "If you beat him, you're the boss."
Tang San glanced at Lin Bai. He hated unnecessary trouble. If Lin Bai hadn't forfeited, he would've preferred to fight him instead.
Xiao Wu, however, didn't care. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. Without waiting for Tang San's response, she rushed forward.
Her legs, wrapped in pink stockings, were like twin pythons—swift and precise. Tang San discarded all distractions and focused.
But Xiao Wu was already inside his guard. She twisted midair, delivered two rapid kicks, and knocked him down.
Battle over.
Tang San rubbed his wrist, eyes flickering with surprise. He hadn't used his real skills, but even so, Xiao Wu's talent was clear.
"Alright!" She planted her hands on her hips. "I'm the boss now! No, wait—boss sounds ugly. Call me Big Sister!"
"Big Sister!"
Wang Sheng bowed his head. He prided himself on recognizing true power—second place was fine, as long as he was under the right leader.
The work-study students echoed him.
Lin Bai, meanwhile, made a mental note—without using the Yin-Yang Nine Dragons technique, he probably couldn't beat Xiao Wu. However, Dragon King's special techniques were especially effective against women…
No need to bully her.
So, he called her Big Sister too.
Tang San sighed and followed suit. Then he turned back to Lin Bai.
Their gazes met.
The air thickened. Sparks flew.
Lin Bai narrowed his eyes. What's with that look? Cupid's arrow isn't supposed to change someone's orientation, right?
Xiao Wu tilted her head and watched them, her curiosity growing. She almost clapped and cheered them on—just like Da Ming and Er Ming!
Before the silent showdown could escalate, another student entered.
"Who's Tang San?"
"I am," Tang San said, snapping out of his thoughts.
What was I doing, getting serious with a brat like Lin Bai?
Still, the kid was irritating.
The student handed him a set of bedding. "I'm in charge of the dorms. Master asked me to give this to you. You're also responsible for cleaning the academy's back garden. Ten copper coins will be deducted if it's not done properly."
With that, he left.
Tang San held the bedding tightly. Warmth filled his chest—his teacher cared. Carefully, he laid it out.
Xiao Wu pouted. "Hey! Everyone else has bedding, but I don't. Tang San, can I share yours?"
"No!" Tang San rejected her immediately, like a startled cat. "Master gave this to me. I won't share it."
His firm refusal made Xiao Wu puff up her cheeks.
She turned to Lin Bai instead. His bedding was also brand new.
Lin Bai smirked. "Men and women shouldn't be too close, Big Sister. Show some self-respect."
Xiao Wu's eye twitched.
Uh-oh.
Without hesitation, Lin Bai executed the ultimate technique—retreat.
"I'm going to request leave. Don't touch my bedding!"
His voice echoed down the hallway as he vanished.