When morning light streamed through the dormitory window, Tang San was awakened by Xiao Wu's laughter. He opened his eyes to see Xiao Wu and Wang Hu's group of three sitting around the table, each holding a steamed bun and chatting happily. "Tang San, you're finally awake! Get up and eat breakfast. The cafeteria buns are delicious, and they'll get cold if you don't get up soon." Xiao Wu waved the bun in her hand with a smile.
Tang San stretched and slowly sat up, not getting out of bed right away—"extending bed rest" was a routine way to build up Slacking Value. Sure enough, before he could say anything, the system notification rang out in his mind: Voluntarily extended rest time, avoiding the energy expenditure of getting up too early. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 17 points.
"Got it, I'm getting up." Tang San answered as he slowly put on his clothes. By the time he had finished getting ready, Wang Hu and the other three had already finished their buns and were urging him on. "Tang San, hurry up. Theory class starts at the hour of the dragon. If we're late, the teacher will make us stand as punishment."
Tang San's heart stirred. "Going to class" was necessary, but "avoiding a rushed journey" could still earn him Slacking Value. He deliberately picked up his cloth bag and rummaged through it, pretending to be "looking for something." "Don't rush me. I'm looking for the theory notes Grandpa Jack gave me yesterday. We should leave after I find them, or I won't have anything to take notes on in class."
Wang Hu and the other three had no choice but to wait. Tang San rummaged leisurely for a while before he finally "found" a blank sheet of paper—actually one he had casually torn out the night before—and tucked it into his clothes. "All right, let's go."
Voluntarily delayed departure time, avoiding the physical exertion of rushing. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 18 points.
The five of them left the dormitory together and headed toward the teaching building. Along the way, Xiao Wu skipped ahead, occasionally stopping to look at the flowers and grass by the roadside. Tang San deliberately slowed down and followed behind, sometimes even helping Xiao Wu pick up her fallen hair ties—this both "reduced travel speed" and improved his relationship with Xiao Wu, killing two birds with one stone.
Voluntarily matched another person's slower pace, reducing the tension of traveling. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 19 points.
After walking for about a quarter of an hour, they finally reached the teaching building. The theory classroom was at the far eastern end of the first floor, and quite a few students were already seated inside. Tang San followed Wang Hu and the other three into the classroom and chose a seat near the back—"choosing a back-row seat" reduced the odds of drawing the teacher's attention and made it easier to slack off during class.
Not long after he sat down, the class bell rang. The person who entered was none other than Master Yu Xiaogang, who had helped Tang San out of trouble yesterday. Holding a book, he walked to the front of the classroom and swept his gaze over the students. "I am your theory teacher, Yu Xiaogang. Starting today, I will teach you the basic theoretical knowledge of Soul Masters. During class, no talking and no sleeping. If you have a question, raise your hand."
Every student in the class sat up straight. Only Tang San quietly adjusted himself into a comfortable posture and leaned against the back of his chair—he planned to "listen attentively" during class, at least on the surface, while "not voluntarily answering questions." That way, he could learn while also earning Slacking Value.
Master Yu Xiaogang began the lesson on "Classification and Characteristics of Martial Souls." He explained everything in great detail, from tool-type Martial Souls to beast-type Martial Souls, from assault types to control types, all in a clear and orderly fashion. Tang San listened attentively and occasionally wrote down a few notes, but he never raised his hand or actively responded to Master Yu Xiaogang's gaze—"avoiding voluntary displays" would reduce the chance of attracting the teacher's attention.
Voluntarily avoided taking the initiative in class, reducing extra mental and expressive exertion. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 20 points.
Great, that's enough to exchange for a Soul Power Increase! Tang San was delighted, but he did not exchange it immediately. If he did it during class and Master Yu Xiaogang noticed something strange, it would be troublesome. It was better to wait until class ended.
About two hours later, the dismissal bell rang. Master Yu Xiaogang closed his book and fixed his gaze on Tang San. "Tang San, come with me to the office."
Tang San's heart skipped a beat. He had no idea why Master Yu Xiaogang wanted to see him. He followed behind Master Yu Xiaogang toward the office. On the way, Master Yu Xiaogang suddenly asked, "Yesterday, you said your Martial Soul was Blue Silver Grass, and that your Soul Power was very weak?"
Tang San quickly nodded. "Yes, Master. When my Martial Soul awakened, the crystal ball only lit up a little. The official said I barely counted as having Soul Power, but I don't know what level it was." He continued to "downplay his strength" to avoid drawing excessive attention from Master Yu Xiaogang.
Master Yu Xiaogang frowned but did not ask further. He led Tang San into the office. The office was very plain, with only one desk and two chairs. Master Yu Xiaogang sat down, took a blue crystal ball from a drawer, and handed it to Tang San. "Here. Test your Soul Power again. Let me see."
Tang San secretly groaned—if it tested at Level 12, Master Yu Xiaogang would definitely interrogate him. But he could not refuse, so he could only take the crystal ball and place his hand on it. He deliberately released only a thread of weak Soul Power. The crystal ball glowed faintly, barely brighter than it had during his awakening.
Master Yu Xiaogang stared at the crystal ball for several seconds, then looked at Tang San. "As expected, your Soul Power is very weak. But it doesn't matter. Although Blue Silver Grass is a useless Martial Soul, as long as you are willing to work hard, you can still achieve something. I have a copy of Martial Soul Basic Theory here. Take it and read it. It will help you."
Tang San accepted the book and quickly thanked him. "Thank you, Master. I'll study it carefully." He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had not exposed his strength.
Voluntarily cooperated with the Soul Power test while downplaying displayed strength, avoiding excessive questioning. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 21 points.
After leaving the office, Tang San hurried back to the classroom. Xiao Wu and Wang Hu's group of three were waiting for him. "Tang San, what did Master want from you? Did he criticize you for not paying attention in class?"
Tang San smiled and shook his head. "No. Master just gave me a book and told me to study theory properly." He did not mention the Soul Power test, avoiding arousing the three of their curiosity.
At noon, the five of them went to the cafeteria together. The cafeteria was crowded, and Wang Hu suggested, "Let's grab a seat by the window. The view is better."
Tang San quickly waved his hand. "No need to fight for one. We can sit wherever there's an empty seat. Fighting over seats is too troublesome, and it could easily lead to conflict." He deliberately slowed down and lagged behind. Only after the others had all found seats did he choose an empty spot in a corner.
Voluntarily avoided conflicts over seats, reducing unnecessary competitive behavior. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 22 points.
After eating, Xiao Wu suggested going to the training grounds to practice their Martial Souls. Tang San's heart stirred. "Practicing Martial Souls" was a high-intensity activity, so he had to refuse. He deliberately rubbed his arm. "I'm a little tired. I want to go back to the dormitory and rest for a while. You go ahead. I won't be joining you."
The other four did not force him. After saying, "Then we'll head out first," they went to the training grounds together. Tang San returned to the dormitory alone, closed the door, and quickly opened the system panel. He clicked "Exchange for Minor Soul Power Increase."
A warm current instantly spread through his entire body. The Soul Power in his dantian became noticeably fuller, and the sensation was even stronger than during the last increase. The system notification rang out:
Successfully exchanged for "Minor Soul Power Increase." Current Soul Power Level: Level 13 (minor increase). Remaining Slacking Value: 12 points.
Level 13! Tang San was overjoyed. Leaning against the wall, he opened the copy of Martial Soul Basic Theory that Master Yu Xiaogang had given him and slowly began reading. He read at an unhurried pace, pondering as he went. There's still a practical class this afternoon. I'll have to find a way to slack off and build up more Slacking Value.
Sunlight streamed through the window into the dormitory, illuminating the words on the pages. Tang San knew that although life at Nuoding Academy had only just begun, as long as he kept "slacking off," his Soul Power would steadily rise. This path to the "peak of slacking" would only grow broader and broader.
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