Deviating Trajectory and First Cultivation

In the center of the Seventh Dormitory, a space had been cleared.

Tang San and Xiao Wu stood facing each other. One's gaze was as calm as water, yet held hidden depths; the other pouted like a rosy bun, her lively big eyes burning with fighting spirit, as if wanting to vent all her recent embarrassment and anger.

Wang Sheng and the other students gathered around, excitedly watching this "battle for the boss." Only Lin Kun stood in a corner, his mood complicated. He savored the electric sensation he'd just felt and the system's reward notification, while nervously observing the situation. He had just used his newly acquired [Insight Skill (Beginner)] to scan Xiao Wu and Tang San.

[Xiao Wu, Level: 9 (?), Martial Soul: Rabbit (?), Spirit Ring: None] [Tang San, Level: 11 (?), Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass (?), Spirit Ring: None]

The question marks after the information indicated that his Insight Skill was still low-level and couldn't see through their hidden trump cards (like Xiao Wu's Spirit Beast identity or Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill and hidden weapons). However, it could still see their basic levels and Martial Souls. Tang San at level 11 and Xiao Wu at level 9 were data far exceeding their peers.

"I'm Xiao Wu, the 'Wu' from dancing. My Martial Soul is Rabbit. And you?" Xiao Wu said indignantly, but still followed the etiquette of a Spirit Master duel.

"Tang San, Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass," Tang San replied concisely.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Wu moved. Her body was incredibly flexible. With a gentle tap of her toes on the ground and a twist of her waist, she shot towards Tang San like an arrow released from a bowstring. Her long legs cut through the air with a whoosh, aiming directly for Tang San's neck.

The speed was astonishing!

A hint of surprise flashed in Tang San's eyes. He stepped into the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps, his figure blurring as he easily dodged the kick. At the same time, he slightly raised his hands, the power of Crane Controlling Dragon already building.

Xiao Wu missed her attack, but her body twisted strangely in mid-air. Her other leg whipped out like a whip, striking towards Tang San's waist and abdomen. Tang San dodged again, his right hand reaching out, attempting to grab Xiao Wu's ankle.

The two moved like startled rabbits and startled falcons, exchanging several blows in an instant. Xiao Wu's attacks were swift and fierce, her Soft Skill displayed to its fullest; Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps and Crane Controlling Dragon were as steady as a rock, always deflecting the attacks at opportune moments and attempting counterattacks. The surrounding students watched, dazzled, and exclaimed constantly.

Lin Kun held his breath. Witnessing this duel, far surpassing the fights of ordinary children, made him realize the gap in strength in this world more profoundly. If not for the system's mission forcing him, he would never want to get involved in such a conflict between monsters.

During the fight, Tang San gradually figured out Xiao Wu's attack patterns. Seizing an opportunity, he used Crane Controlling Dragon to skillfully pull and disrupt Xiao Wu's center of gravity. According to his calculations, this move should have been enough to make his opponent lose balance.

However, Xiao Wu's reaction far exceeded his expectations. Just as her center of gravity was about to be lost, her waist twisted again as if boneless. She actually used Tang San's pulling force to spin her body in the air, her legs scissor-kicking towards Tang San's neck!

Tang San's heart leaped. The Mysterious Heaven Skill instantly accelerated its circulation, his footwork changing rapidly. He narrowly avoided this fierce counterattack, but a strand of hair from his forehead was cut off by the leg wind.

He stabilized himself and looked at Xiao Wu, who was still eager to fight after landing. His eyes became serious. This girl was very strong, and her fighting style was extremely bizarre. He put away his initial thought of an easy victory.

Xiao Wu was also slightly out of breath. Looking at Tang San, her eyes held less anger and more seriousness. This Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master was much more troublesome than she had imagined.

They exchanged a glance and charged at each other almost simultaneously. This time, Tang San no longer simply dodged. The Mysterious Jade Hand was quietly activated, his palms and fingers carrying a faint white luster.

Just as an even more intense collision was about to occur—

"Stop!" a slightly authoritative voice echoed from the doorway.

Everyone turned to see a person who looked like a teacher standing at the door, frowning as he looked inside. "Fighting in the dormitory right after school started? What kind of behavior is this! Who is the dorm leader?"

Wang Sheng quickly stepped forward to explain, "Teacher, we weren't fighting, we were electing a dorm leader..."

The teacher waved his hand impatiently, "Alright, alright, forget about the dorm leader. No more private fights in the dormitory from now on! Behave yourselves!" His gaze swept over Tang San and Xiao Wu, as if sensing they were unusual, and his tone softened slightly. "You two, you have good strength, but you should focus your energy on cultivation. Hurry up and tidy up, and prepare to attend the opening ceremony!"

The teacher's interruption brought the undecided duel to an abrupt halt.

Xiao Wu glared at Tang San with some unwillingness, then shot a fierce look at Lin Kun beside him, before stomping over to an empty bed and sitting down.

Tang San also retracted his Spirit Power and quietly walked to the side. The slight doubt he had about Lin Kun had not disappeared; rather, it had been slightly overshadowed by the powerful display of strength from Xiao Wu. What was this girl's background?

Seeing this, Wang Sheng could only try to smooth things over. "Since the teacher said so, then... then let's just drop it. Um... Sister Xiao Wu, Tang San, and Lin Kun, find your own empty beds." He subconsciously placed the seemingly strongest Xiao Wu and Tang San in a higher position. As for Lin Kun... although the "accident" just now was astonishing, his Spirit Power level was only level 1.

Lin Kun was happy with this arrangement and quietly chose the innermost, most inconspicuous bed. He urgently needed to sort out his gains and think about the future.

The opening ceremony would undoubtedly involve speeches from the academy leaders, emphasizing discipline, encouraging cultivation, and so on – all tedious. After the ceremony, students received their uniforms and class schedules. The students also had to be responsible for cleaning specific areas of the campus. The work was assigned, and Lin Kun and Tang San happened to be assigned to the same area.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

In the afternoon, most of the time was free for activities. Tang San was called away by the Grandmaster, clearly to engage in in-depth communication and learning between master and disciple.

Xiao Wu seemed to have quickly gotten along with the others in the Seventh Dormitory, laughing and chatting, lively like a real rabbit. However, when her gaze occasionally swept over Lin Kun, she would unconsciously purse her lips and then quickly look away. The accidental touch was clearly not something she could forget so easily.

Lin Kun found a quiet corner by himself and began to study his system and Martial Soul.

He first attempted to summon the "Unknown Book" Martial Soul. An ancient book phantom appeared in his palm, the tiny light crystal on its cover still dim. He tried to inject Spirit Power, but the book remained unresponsive. He tried to "turn the pages" with his consciousness, but it didn't budge.

"What's the use of this Martial Soul?" Lin Kun felt a bit helpless. Level 1 Spirit Power was really too little; he felt a sense of depletion after just a slight exertion.

Next, he studied the system rewards.

[Insight Skill] needed to be actively triggered and consumed spiritual power. He had used it twice just now and felt a bit dizzy, so it seemed he couldn't use it often. [Spirit Shock] was even marked as "consumes a large amount of spiritual power." Lin Kun felt that at his current level, using it once would probably make him faint; it was definitely a trump card and couldn't be used lightly. [Imposter's Mask] was a one-time item with astonishing effects, but its usage required careful planning regarding when and where.

Finally, there were the 100 Plot Breakdown Points. He submerged his consciousness into the system store. The items were dazzling, but the prices were staggering. The lowest-grade Stamina Recovery Potion (for Spirit Masters below level 1 Spirit Power, slightly increases cultivation speed) cost 50 points. An ordinary Spirit Ring (10-year white) cost 500 points. Low-level Spirit Skill scrolls started from thousands of points. Items like immortal herbs, cultivation methods, and divine artifacts were astronomical figures.

With his current 100 points, he could only afford the most basic [Stamina Recovery Potion] or [Slight Spirit Power Boost Potion].

"The road ahead is long and arduous..." Lin Kun sighed. The system forced him to cause trouble, and causing trouble yielded points. With points, he could become stronger, and with strength, he could deal with the consequences of causing trouble... It was simply a vicious cycle.

But he had no other choice.

In the evening, Tang San returned, his expression calm, but his eyes seemed to hold something deeper. He glanced at Lin Kun, who was sitting alone in the corner, said nothing, and began to tidy his own bed.

After dinner, night fell.

The Seventh Dormitory gradually quieted down. The children all began to sit cross-legged on their beds, attempting to meditate and cultivate. The improvement of Spirit Power was a process of accumulation, and no one dared to be negligent.

Lin Kun followed suit, sitting cross-legged and diligently sensing the faint Spirit Power within him, attempting to guide its circulation according to the most basic meditation methods of this world.

The process was extremely difficult. Level 1 Spirit Power was like a tiny stream, and it was hard to control. After cultivating for less than half an hour, he felt mentally fatigued, and his Spirit Power growth was minimal.

Just as he was feeling a bit discouraged and preparing to rest, the "Unknown Book" Martial Soul in his sea of consciousness, which had been silent all along, suddenly trembled slightly.

The tiny light crystal on the cover flickered, very faintly.

Immediately after, Lin Kun felt that the Spirit Power particles in the surrounding air, which were originally difficult to capture and attract, seemed to have become... slightly clearer and more docile? The speed at which they converged towards him seemed to have increased by a sliver?

Although the effect was so weak it was almost negligible, it was definitely there!

Lin Kun suddenly opened his eyes, his heart pounding wildly again.

His Martial Soul wasn't useless! It seemed to... improve meditation efficiency? Or perhaps, it had some kind of weak affinity and attraction towards Spirit Power?

This discovery made him ecstatic! With Innate Level 1 Spirit Power, his aptitude was extremely poor. If his cultivation speed was also slow, he would truly have no hope of ever getting ahead. But the characteristic of this Martial Soul gave him a glimmer of hope!

He closed his eyes again, immersing himself in meditation with even greater focus, carefully sensing that minuscule improvement.

He didn't notice that on the opposite bed, Tang San, who had also been meditating with his eyes closed, seemed to have sensed something. He slightly opened his eyes and glanced at Lin Kun with confusion. Although Tang San's Purple Demon Eye wasn't fully developed yet, his senses were far more acute than ordinary people. He had just felt a very subtle, unusual ripple in the Spirit Power fluctuations around Lin Kun, but it quickly disappeared.

'Was it an illusion? Or his strange Martial Soul?' Tang San mused inwardly, his curiosity and wariness towards Lin Kun increasing by another notch.

On another bed, Xiao Wu turned over, facing the wall, seemingly asleep. However, her long eyelashes trembled slightly.

The night in the Seventh Dormitory, three souls who would become entangled in the future, each with their own thoughts, began their first night at Nuoding Academy.

The trajectory of fate had already deviated. More turbulence was quietly brewing in the shadows.