In the clearing, two distinct groups had formed. One group comprised of taller children, unmistakably the seniors, led by Xiao Chenyu. The other group consisted of work-study students, with Xiao Wu at the forefront.
Flushed with indignation, Xiao Wu glared at Xiao Chenyu and snapped, "Do you really think I'm afraid of you? If you lose, you'll be under my command and you'll have to recognize me as your boss!"
The senior students under Xiao Chenyu's leadership burst into disdainful laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
Xiao Chenyu chuckled, "You've got guts, little girl. You dare challenge us seniors! In Nuoding Academy, have you even bothered to find out who I am? Let me enlighten you—aside from Boss Feng, I, Xiao Chenyu, command respect here. I walk sideways in this academy with boss Feng. No one dares stand in my way?"
"Enough with the talk!"
Xiao Wu retorted coldly, her arms crossed, "You higher-grade students are all talk. Let's get down to business!"
With that, Xiao Wu stormed forward. However, Wang Sheng, standing beside her, held her back and whispered, "Sister Xiao Wu, give me a shot. I'll take the lead!"
Xiao Wu cast a hesitant glance at Wang Sheng but patted him on the shoulder and encouraged, "Alright, Wang Sheng, go for it!"
Wang Sheng nodded determinedly and stepped forward.
"Wang Sheng?" Xiao Chenyu perked up, "Liu Long, go show him what we're made of! Make us proud!"
Liu Long emerged with a grin on his face. Wang Sheng had long been a familiar opponent to him, as he had defeated him numerous times.
"Wang Sheng, are you shaking in your boots now that you're facing me, master Liu?" Liu Long taunted loudly. "Let me advise you, don't struggle. We've now got boss Wang on our side. Let me tell you, boss Wang is incredible. Even if we all joined forces, including brother Xiao, we wouldn't stand a chance against boss Wang! You still want to challenge us?"
Hearing this, Xiao Wu grew suspicious.
"The boss Wang?"
What boss was he referring to? She had only known about boss Xiao. The other work-study students were also equally perplexed.
Xiao Chenyu muttered to himself, "Damn it, Liu Long! You changed from calling me 'boss' to 'brother' after getting beaten up once! But, well, I can't argue with what he said."
Within the sixth dormitory, without even using soul power can defeat everyone in one or two moves. He was undeniably powerful!
Now, this type of situation probably didn't even require boss Wang's intervention.
Maintaining a serious demeanor, Wang Sheng remained silent.
Xiao Wu, displaying her usual audacity, declared loudly, "I don't care about your dynamics. Sheng Wang, let me defeat this Liu Long and then take on the whoever that is!"
Her words barely left her mouth when Wang Sheng made a move.
Liu Long's face turned cold, a trace of cunningness flashed in his eyes. A yellow long staff suddenly materialized in his grasp and he swung it directly at incoming Wang Sheng.
Wang Sheng seemed unfazed, displaying familiarity with the situation. A yellow light also enveloped his body as a Tiger martial soul materialized behind him, causing him to slightly expand in body size.
Issuing a low growl, Wang Sheng met the attack head-on, using his arms as a shield.
With a thud, the long staff struck his arms. Yet, Wang Sheng managed to catch the weapon.
"Wang Sheng, you're quite foolish… Do you think you're boss Wang? Trying to seize my martial soul? Your reaction is a little too sluggish for that!"
Liu Long's laughter dripped with sarcasm. His martial soul vanished, his palm shifted and it reappeared from a different direction. With a brutal swing, his long staff descended upon Wang Sheng.
Thud, thud, thud!
A series of suppressed impacts resonated from Wang Sheng's body as Liu Long hit met its mark on Wang Sheng body. The battle appeared heavily in Liu Long's favor.
Xiao Wu's brows furrowed seeing this and she advanced with an air of anger. Why was Wang Sheng persisting under this assault?
"Don't intervene, Wang Sheng lacks the experience to confront Liu Long directly. That long staff is a ranged weapon martial soul. He needs to find a opening to close in and overcome Liu Long." a soft voice advised her from behind.
Xiao Wu glanced over to find Tang San standing a few meters behind her. She couldn't help but smile, mixed with complaint.
"You finally decided to show up but where were you till now?"
Tang San rolled his eyes.
"Seriously. Xiao Wu, couldn't you wait for me? Did you really have to dive into the challenge headfirst?"
Xiao Wu retorted, "What else was I supposed to do? These jerks were bullying me! They want to make me their boss's pet rabbit. It's infuriating!"
She then frowned. "Tang San, do you know someone called boss Wang in the academy?"
"Boss Wang?" Tang San's surprise was evident. "I don't know of another one. Wasn't it boss Xiao? I've heard many students talking about him."
"Are you serious?" Xiao Wu regarded him skeptically.
Tang San shook his head and glanced at Xiao Chenyu. He couldn't help but think that this Xiao Chenyu was also no ordinary person. Upon his return to the college, many students talked about him. It seemed he was Nuoding City Lord's son?
Who could be Xiao Chenyu's boss?
Boss? Wait a minute. Could it be Feng'ge? Tang San's thoughts raced.
He immediately shook his head. Impossible! Feng'ge was a work-study student just like himself, with no connection to these people. It made no sense for Feng'ge to be Xiao Chenyu's boss.
"Uh-oh, Wang Sheng seems to be losing," Xiao Wu exclaimed with anxiety.
In the central arena, Liu Long leaped high, his long stick descending towards the fallen Wang Sheng.
Tang San, observing the situation, discreetly picked up a few stones and hurled them secretly toward Liu Long.
Thud, thud, thud!
Liu Long's key stick was poised to strike Wang Sheng but he suddenly experienced a sharp pain in his wrist, as though he'd been hit by something. His grip slightly weakened and his offensive attack crumbled instantly.
Wang Sheng realized the opening and seized the opportunity. His eyes gleamed with determination as he let out a roar and charged directly at Liu Long.
Swiftly, Wang Sheng's palm struck Liu Long's back, forcefully driving him to the ground. A series of swift kicks followed, leaving Liu Long no chance to retaliate before losing consciousness.
At a distance, Wang Feng observed the scene and thought to himself, "Xiao San is quite cunning, making covert moves. His proficiency with hidden weapons probably conceals it from others noticing it."
After a brief consideration, Wang Feng approached slowly.
Meanwhile, witnessing Liu Long's defeat, Xiao Chenyu's expression darkened.
"Next, I'll step in."
A young man emerged from the shadows—Ling Feng.
On the other side, Tang San restrained Xiao Wu, who was eager to join the fray, and spoke seriously, "Wang Sheng has expended too much energy."
Xiao Wu nodded.
"Ling Feng, you must not lose." Xiao Chenyu said solemnly.
"Rest assured, brother Xiao," Ling Feng responded with confidence.
Among the upperclassmen, only brother Xiao surpassed him in skill and power before boss Wang came.
With a proud stride, Ling Feng advanced… yet the ensuing battle shattered his confidence.
Boom!
A resounding boom echoed and within seconds, Ling Feng was propelled backward, landing right at Xiao Chenyu's feet.
"Brother Xiao, this guy's a bit formidable! It seems like he's holding his own even without even using soul power!"
"Ling Feng got taken down by that guy with just a few moves... He was kicked away before he could do anything..."
"Why are these work-study students in this class stronger than usual..."
The chatter behind Xiao Chenyu erupted as they tried to make sense of the situation.
Stepping forward, Xiao Chenyu locked eyes with Tang San, his demeanor composed. This boy seemed a little different than others.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Chenyu announced himself, "Xiao Chenyu, sixth-grade student. Martial soul, Wolf, eleventh-rank soul master."
As he finished, a white spirit ring emerged from his feet, as a wolf's phantom appeared behind him. His body underwent a little transformation, growing stronger and displaying changes.
Tang San contemplated for a moment. Xiao Chenyu was indeed astute, immediately declaring his martial soul. Tang San recalled his master's teachings about maintaining equal footing to avoid disdain and disrespect from others, which could lead to animosity.
However, Tang San held a four-hundred-year-old mandala spirit ring now. Fear was the last thing on his mind. Even if brother Feng were present, Tang San believed he could stand his ground and maybe even defeat him.
With a casual tone, Tang San introduced himself, "Tang San, first grade student. Martial soul, Blue Silver Grass, eleventh-rank soul master."
At his words, a yellow spirit ring manifested around him.
Initially, many had regarded the Blue Silver Grass martial soul with disdain. What use could such a supposedly feeble soul do in battle? People mocked it as suitable only for feeding livestock.
Could it really be employed in combat?
Such notions seemed laughable.
Yet, as Tang San's spirit ring appeared, astonishment painted countless faces.
A hundred-year spirit ring!
Xiao Chenyu was equally flabbergasted. His own soul ring was only a decade old.
This work-study student possessed a century-old soul ring?
Could he have earned favor from some nobility or some other force due to his remarkable potential? Did they aid him?
How else could he possess a hundred-year soul ring? Or perhaps as a first-year work-study student, he had achieved the status of a true eleventh-level soul master by the age of six?
These thoughts raced through Xiao Chenyu's mind, causing him to regard Tang San with increased vigilance.
"Brother Xiao, it's just Blue Silver Grass, nothing special... It's merely a waste of a martial spirit... what's there to be afraid of!"
"That's right, the boss wields a formidable beast spirit with potent attack prowess!"
"Brother Xiao, even a century-old spirit ring can't salvage the uselessness of Blue Silver Grass."
Amid the encouraging shouts from his comrades, Xiao Chenyu's voice dropped to a low growl.
"All of you, shut up! That's enough!"
The senior students obeyed, falling into silence at Xiao Chenyu's command. He locked his gaze on Tang San.
.....
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