Dorm Seven

Tang San did not take Wang Sheng's bait. With a calm expression, he said, "My name is Tang San, and my Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass."

"Blue Silver Grass? Since when could someone cultivate with a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul?" Wang Sheng exaggeratedly widened his eyes, putting on a look of utter astonishment.

Tang San's expression did not change. Instead, he put on an innocent look and sighed. "I don't know either. Blue Silver Grass really is useless."

His tone was sincere and his expression calm, as though he were stating a fact that had nothing to do with him.

Wang Sheng was left choking on Tang San's words. He had expected the newcomer to argue back, but instead, Tang San had admitted it outright, and so readily at that. The taunts Wang Sheng had prepared were all stuck in his throat.

Wang Sheng stood there awkwardly, his gaze drifting back to Tang San. This kid's build... His shoulders were broad and sturdy, his arms thick, and his sleeves bulged around them. He was clearly even more solidly built than Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng suddenly felt less confident. He cleared his throat, worked up his courage, and said, "Tang San, let's have a fight. If you beat me, you'll be the boss of the whole dorm."

Despite his words, Wang Sheng's tone was no longer so certain, and there was a hint of hesitation in his eager stance.

Tang San did not answer. Instead, he reached back and unfastened the Vajra Hammer from his back. Gripping the handle with one hand, he set it on the floor as easily as if it weighed nothing. The moment the hammerhead landed, the floor gave a heavy, muffled thud.

The other work-study students were all drawn over. Someone sucked in a breath of cold air.

Tang San brushed the dust off his hands and said calmly, "If you can swing my hammer, I'll admit defeat willingly."

Wang Sheng was puzzled again. He walked forward, bent down, and gripped the hammer handle with both hands.

On the first try, it did not budge.

Wang Sheng gritted his teeth, planted his feet in a firm horse stance, and strained with his back and waist, heaving upward. He managed to lift it, but his face turned bright red and veins bulged at his temples. He gritted his teeth and held on for two seconds before finally dropping the hammer back onto the floor with a clang.

Wang Sheng tried several more times, but he could not swing it at all, let alone hold it in one hand without changing expression as Tang San had.

Wang Sheng released the handle and straightened up. The disdain in his gaze as he looked at Tang San was gone, replaced by undisguised shock.

Such a heavy hammer, yet Tang San handled it as though it were a toy. Could this guy be a monster?

After a few seconds of silence, Wang Sheng said decisively, "I can't lift it. I'm no match for you, so I admit defeat. From now on, you're our boss."

Tang San shook his head and said mildly, "I'm not interested in being the boss. You're still the boss of the dorm. If anyone bullies you in the future, just tell me."

As he spoke, Tang San added silently, You won't be for much longer, though. A hundred-thousand-year-old rogue rabbit is about to snatch your position as boss.

Just then, a clear voice came from behind him.

"Hello, is this Dorm Seven?"

The voice was soft and sweet, with a slightly babyish lilt.

Tang San turned around.

A little girl stood in the doorway, wearing a short pink skirt and white stockings that made her slender legs look even longer. Two fluffy rabbit ears sat atop her head, and a long scorpion braid hung down to her thighs. Her big, watery eyes were staring straight at Tang San.

Tang San looked the girl over and thought, This must be Xiao Wu.

He had to admit, Xiao Wu really was adorable. Her little face looked as though it had been carved from pink jade, her fair skin had a rosy tint, and her eyes were big and bright, framed by fluttering eyelashes. With her slender waist and long legs, she was a beauty in the making through and through.

There was no telling that she was a hundred-thousand-year-old rabbit. No wonder she had bewitched the original Tang San so completely.

Tang San looked away and nodded with an ordinary expression. "This is Dorm Seven."

Xiao Wu stepped inside and began introducing herself with easy confidence.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Xiao Wu, the Wu as in dancing."

When she finished, she waited for a response with a beaming smile.

Tang San pointed at Wang Sheng, a teasing note in his voice. "He just said that newcomers to Dorm Seven have to fight the dorm head. He's our dorm head. Whoever wins gets to be the boss of this dorm."

Xiao Wu turned to Wang Sheng and tilted her head, her expression innocent. "Are you sure?"

Wang Sheng was a little bewildered and nodded instinctively. "Yes, but just now..."

Before he could finish, Xiao Wu had already hopped forward. She eagerly rubbed her hands together and said impatiently, "All right, then, let's do it."

She looked less like she was accepting a challenge and more like she had found something fun to play with.

Wang Sheng sighed helplessly and could only brace himself and fight.

The outcome went without saying. Wang Sheng was quite strong, but he was no match for Xiao Wu. She put him down in no time, her movements clean and efficient.

Tang San watched from the side. Seeing that the fight had been decided, he immediately took the lead and called out, "Greetings, boss."

The other members of Dorm Seven came to their senses and called out in unison, "Hello, boss!"

Xiao Wu was clearly pleased to hear it. She planted her hands on her hips and lifted her chin slightly. "Boss? That sounds fun. All right, I'll be your boss from now on. Being a work-study student seems pretty nice."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Tang San breathed a sigh of relief. Now things were good. With this rabbit standing out front, he could cultivate in peace and quiet from now on.

Tang San's thoughts on Xiao Wu were clear: until he had enough strength, he would leave everything to fate.

As for all the entanglements in the original story, he would avoid whatever he could. He did not want to make deliberate plans for what might happen in the future, either. He would let everything take its natural course.

I'm not going to give up the whole forest for a single tree.

Tang San silently cursed himself as a "scumbag," then picked up his Vajra Hammer and walked over to an empty bed in the corner. He propped the hammer against the foot of the bed, put his bundle on the bare bedboard, untied the cloth cord, and spread out the few pieces of clothing inside.

Tang San was wondering where to buy a quilt later when he caught sight of Xiao Wu bouncing over out of the corner of his eye. Sure enough, Xiao Wu chose the bed next to his.

Xiao Wu sat down, bracing her hands on either side of her body. Her lower legs, clad in white stockings, dangled over the edge of the bed and swung back and forth.

Xiao Wu glanced to the side and saw Tang San making his bed too. She asked curiously, "Are you new here too? What's your name? What's your Martial Soul?"

"My name is Tang San. My Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass." Tang San did not look up, continuing to arrange the clothes in his hands.

"Blue Silver Grass?" Xiao Wu's voice rose a little, her surprise plain to hear.

Before Tang San could answer, footsteps sounded at the door.

A middle-aged teacher walked in from outside, wearing the academy uniform and carrying a set of bedding in his arms. He said, "Are the new work-study students here? Step forward, please."

Tang San and Xiao Wu both stood up from their beds.

"Which one of you is Tang San?" the middle-aged teacher asked.

Tang San stepped forward, puzzled. Isn't it obvious?

The middle-aged teacher said, "My name is Mo Hen. You can call me Teacher Mo. Tang San, this bedding is from Grandmaster."

As he spoke, the middle-aged teacher handed over the bedding.

Tang San accepted it and thought, Yu Xiaogang certainly moved fast. I'd only just arrived at the dorm, and the bedding came right on my heels.