Roommate Dai Yueheng

"Are you very interested in Soul Tools?"

Jiang Ming set down the book in his hands and looked at Dorm Manager Grandpa.

This was the first time Dorm Manager Grandpa had taken the initiative to ask him a question. Jiang Ming said softly,

"Yeah, I really am interested in Soul Tools. Old Man, have you studied Soul Tools? Could you teach me?"

Jiang Ming asked expectantly.

He had already decided that this elderly man, who looked like he had one foot in the grave with only his head aboveground, was a Sweeping Monk. If this Old Man knew anything about Soul Tools, then he was at least a Rank 7, perhaps even a Rank 8 Soul Master!

As for Rank 9 Soul Masters, Jiang Ming had looked into them before coming here. There were no Rank 9 Soul Masters in Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department.

Not only were there none in Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department, but aside from the Sun Moon Empire, Rank 9 Soul Masters were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns across the entire Douluo Continent! They practically did not exist!

Still, Rank 7 would do. That was more than enough to teach him.

Seeing the expectation in Jiang Ming's eyes, Dorm Manager Grandpa shook his head and said,

"I know how to use Soul Tools, but I've never studied how to make them. I can't teach you."

At those words, the anticipation in Jiang Ming's eyes faded, though he was not too disappointed.

After all, in a few days, he would be able to sit in on classes at the Soul Tool Department. By then, he would surely find a powerful Soul Engineer who could teach him!

"Kid, I really can't make Soul Tools, and I can't teach you. But I can introduce you to someone."

Dorm Manager Grandpa looked at Jiang Ming, a faint smile appearing on his aged face.

"Hm? Who?"

Jiang Ming leaned closer and looked at Dorm Manager Grandpa.

"Fan Yu. He's quite skilled with Soul Tools, so he can teach you!"

Dorm Manager Grandpa slowly spoke a name.

Fan Yu. Jiang Ming silently committed the name to memory. Anyone recommended by Dorm Manager Grandpa had to be a powerful Soul Engineer!

"Got it. Thank you!"

Leisurely time always passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the whole morning had gone by.

Jiang Ming stood up, put away his Lounge Chair, and looked at Dorm Manager Grandpa.

"Old Man, I'm going to have lunch first. Let's keep chatting this afternoon."

With that, Jiang Ming strode toward the Canteen.

However, after only a few steps, Jiang Ming seemed to remember something and returned to Dorm Manager Grandpa's side.

Jiang Ming squatted beside Dorm Manager Grandpa's Lounge Chair and complained,

"Old Man, I know you must be one of Shrek Academy's higher-ups. Could you report something to the relevant department? It's bad enough that the Canteen doesn't provide tables and chairs, but they won't even let us take food outside. It's way too inconvenient!"

Of course, this was not much of a problem for Jiang Ming. His Storage Soul Tool contained tables and chairs; he simply did not want to keep using his own every time. He would even have to wipe them down after eating, which was too troublesome.

Last time, that blue-haired girl had left several grains of rice on his table while eating.

"Uh..."

Dorm Manager Grandpa clearly had not expected Jiang Ming to bring this up. He opened his mouth slightly and said awkwardly,

"That's not under my jurisdiction. I can't help with that."

Although Dorm Manager Grandpa was an important figure at Shrek Academy, he had never handled logistics like this. It did not seem appropriate to bring up such a matter specifically at Sea God Pavilion either.

"I see. Then forget it. Once classes start, I'll go report it to the Dean. Old Man, I'm off."

Jiang Ming nodded and headed to the Canteen to eat.

He did not run into the girl who had borrowed his table and chairs last night, but there were far more people in the Canteen.

Today was the last day for new student registration. Most freshmen had already registered, so it was only natural for there to be more people.

When he reached the Canteen counter, Jiang Ming had initially wanted to eat well like yesterday. But after taking out his money pouch and checking it, he did some mental calculations and decided to give up his extravagant lifestyle of lavish meat and fish.

There were still several hundred Gold Soul Coins in his pouch, along with several hundred more Gold Soul Coins Madam Nie had secretly given him as spending money. It was certainly enough for meals.

But his money was not only for food. Learning Soul Tools, whether buying materials for practice or covering other expenses, cost a tremendous amount of money!

Especially since he was studying disposable Soul Tools like Soul Cannonballs. That was a bottomless money pit!

After simply ordering one meat dish and one vegetable dish, along with three portions of white rice, Jiang Ming took out his own table and chairs again.

As the saying went, eat well at breakfast, eat your fill at lunch, and eat lightly at dinner!

Jiang Ming also had a Heart Martial Soul, and strengthening his body required a great deal of energy. To a certain extent, that showed in his appetite.

Yesterday, he had eaten Soul Beast Meat. Even though there had not been much of it, it was packed with energy and filling!

Now, food that cost one Silver Soul Coin naturally could not compare to Soul Beast Meat worth several Gold Soul Coins. He could only rely on white rice for his energy intake.

"Doesn't taste bad. It just doesn't contain much energy."

Jiang Ming muttered as he shoveled a large mouthful of rice into his mouth.

It seemed he needed to find a way to make money as soon as possible. Otherwise, he would not be able to keep up with his nutritional needs every day.

Jiang Ming was not someone who would make himself suffer, and he also knew that trying to get by purely by saving money was not viable. He had to earn money!

But school was about to start. During the day, he needed to attend classes at the Martial Soul Department and sit in on classes at the Soul Tool Department. At night, he still had to meditate and cultivate. How was he supposed to make money?

As he thought, the food on his tray was quickly eaten.

This proved that when one ate without talking, one could eat very quickly.

After setting down his tray and putting away his table and chairs, Jiang Ming returned beneath the Big Maple Tree.

This time, however, he did not continue reading. Instead, he stared at the sky, his brows slightly furrowed in thought.

Seeing this, Dorm Manager Grandpa's lips curled upward as he chuckled.

So young, yet already burdened with so many worries.

Jiang Ming thought for the entire afternoon. He came up with dozens of ways to make money, only to reject them all by the end of the afternoon.

Some methods seemed feasible, but were fraught with difficulties in practice.

Some methods were simple and direct, but could easily violate school rules and were not sustainable.

Others required connections. Back in Clear Water City, the greatest connection in the entire city had been Jiang Ming himself. But at Shrek Academy, aside from Dorm Manager Grandpa beside him, he did not seem to know anyone of status.

Sigh, making money really was troublesome.

Before he knew it, night had fallen again.

Jiang Ming bid Dorm Manager Grandpa farewell, returned to his dormitory, lit the Spices in the Small Incense Burner, and prepared to meditate.

However, just as Jiang Ming sat cross-legged on his bed, the dormitory door opened. A handsome young man with short golden hair walked in.

So this was his roommate? He had come awfully late. Classes started tomorrow, yet he had only arrived tonight.

Jiang Ming muttered to himself, then got down from his bed to look over his roommate.

"Hello, I'm Dai Yueheng."

After setting down his luggage, the other man extended a hand to greet Jiang Ming.

Jiang Ming shook his hand and introduced himself.

"Jiang Ming."