A Clash

"Is that you?"

Xiao Tianyang looked over at the voice and froze. The lazy-looking child sprawled on the bed was someone he knew.

That was right—the one Teacher Miao had kicked flying...

Xiao Tianyang raised a hand in greeting. "Fate really is a marvelous thing!"

"You're that Work-Study Student?"

The senior sat up, his expression somewhat strange. "This is my, Xiao Chenyu's, territory. Didn't you know?"

"I really didn't."

Xiao Tianyang looked puzzled. "But what does that have to do with me?"

Xiao Chenyu wanted to say something threatening, but when he opened his mouth, he had no idea what to say.

First of all, the two knew each other. Although they had only met once, they had talked before. The most embarrassing thing about showing off was running into someone you knew...

Second, Xiao Chenyu had not left immediately after Teacher Miao kicked him flying. He had stayed behind and witnessed what happened next.

Whether it was Xiao Tianyang blocking Teacher Miao with a single palm or being noticed by him afterward, both made Xiao Chenyu rather wary.

But as the boss of this dormitory, Xiao Chenyu could not back down. He could only say in a deep voice, "You're a Work-Study Student. From now on, you'll be responsible for cleaning this dormitory. Any objections?"

Xiao Tianyang answered directly, "Of course I do. Why me?"

"..."

Xiao Chenyu did not know what to say either, because what the other boy said sounded like the plain truth.

"Liu Long, go teach him a lesson!"

Xiao Chenyu waved a hand, and a tall boy stepped out from behind him. He was one of Xiao Chenyu's lackeys, Liu Long.

"Remember, be careful. This kid isn't simple."

Xiao Chenyu added the reminder casually, but Liu Long did not care. "Got it!"

Xiao Chenyu felt somewhat uneasy, but he did not strike first because he did not know how strong Xiao Tianyang was. If he lost too badly, it would not be worth it.

The other children in the dormitory all wore mocking expressions, as though they could already see Xiao Tianyang being beaten to his knees and begging for mercy.

"Kid, you'd better not move. That way, you'll suffer a little less!"

Liu Long's body trembled as yellow light surged across him. A two-meter-long staff appeared in his grasp, and he lunged forward!

But the moment he moved, he was horrified to discover that Xiao Tianyang had already appeared in front of him, his fist pressed against Liu Long's lower abdomen!

Bang!

With an explosive crash, Liu Long was sent flying. He slammed viciously into the wall, leaving a human-shaped dent!

"Congratulations, Host, for defeating a level-eight Soul Scholar. You have obtained Lottery Points ×1!"

The expressions on the children's faces froze. They seemed not to have realized how the battle had ended already.

Xiao Tianyang looked toward Xiao Chenyu and crooked a finger at him. "How about you give it a try?"

"Are you sure?"

Xiao Chenyu knew he had run into a tough opponent today, but as the boss, he could not show weakness!

He could only step forward and say, "You should know that I'm a sixth-year student, a Soul Master with a Soul Ring. Do you still want to fight me?"

"Why not?"

Xiao Tianyang's lips curled upward again.

Passing up an advantage was not in Xiao Tianyang's nature!

Even a level-eight Soul Scholar could provide him with one Lottery Point. A Soul Master with a Soul Ring would definitely provide more!

Though probably not much more...

The other children watched with the attitude of spectators enjoying a show, and there was even a trace of excitement on their faces.

This was their boss. Once he made a move, there was no way anything could go wrong!

Xiao Chenyu felt uneasy inside. He had already given the other boy a way out, yet Xiao Tianyang still refused to give him any face!

"Since that's the case, I'll oblige you!"

Xiao Chenyu drew a deep breath and forced himself to remain calm. "Xiao Chenyu, sixth-year student, Martial Soul: Wolf, level-eleven one-ring Battle Soul Master. Please enlighten me!"

What a hassle!

Xiao Tianyang grumbled inwardly, but he still raised his right hand and unfurled those green flames. "Xiao Tianyang, new student, Martial Soul: Spirit of the Flame, Innate Full Soul Power, no rank, no Soul Ring!"

No one would recognize the name of his Martial Soul anyway, so Xiao Tianyang could not be bothered to give it another name.

"Innate Full Soul Power? No wonder he's so arrogant!"

Even if they had never seen pork, they had at least seen pigs run!

Those with Innate Full Soul Power were geniuses seen only once in a century!

As for that Martial Soul, they had never heard of it, but it sounded quite formidable from the name alone.

Xiao Chenyu's heart skipped a beat. He felt that forcing this fight had been an incredibly foolish decision.

But now that they had started, there was no turning back.

Xiao Chenyu could only let out a low roar and raise his Soul Ring. Immediately afterward, his body began to transform.

It was similar to Su Yuntao back then. His body grew bulkier, his back hunched, his eyes turned a sinister green, and his claws became sharp and pointed!

"Let's begin!"

Xiao Tianyang took back his Martial Soul and stood upright as he spoke.

But at that moment, Xiao Tianyang remembered something. It seemed he had never actually used his Martial Soul in battle!

Thinking of this, Xiao Tianyang silently warned himself that Douluo Continent was a world centered on Martial Souls!

They were symbols of power and the key to becoming stronger. He absolutely could not lose sight of what truly mattered!

After exchanging a few moves, Xiao Tianyang grew bored. With a sweep of his right hand, he knocked aside Xiao Chenyu's arms and thrust his clenched fist upward!

Xiao Chenyu only felt a powerful gust bearing down on him, whipping his hair wildly about. The next moment, he saw a fist stop directly before his eyes!

It was less than a hair's breadth away from knocking him flat!

"I'll be the boss of this dormitory from now on. What do you think?"

Xiao Tianyang tilted his head and smiled.

"N-no problem..."

Xiao Chenyu said tremblingly.

"Congratulations, Host, for defeating a level-eleven Soul Master. You have obtained Lottery Points ×3!"

The rewards were decent, so Xiao Tianyang did not bother arguing with these children any further. He casually pointed to an empty bed and said, "Make the bed for me. I'm going to the cafeteria to eat first."

He turned and left, ignoring the whispering children behind him.

After leaving the dormitory, Xiao Tianyang headed toward the cafeteria. Just as he reached the entrance, he ran into Tang San.

But there was now a pretty, adorable little girl beside him.

Her features were delicate, her fair skin had a rosy tint, and her plain clothes were exceptionally clean. Her long hair was braided into a scorpion tail behind her, hanging all the way to her hips.

She was currently chattering away with Tang San, though it was unclear what they were talking about.

"Brother Tianyang!"

Tang San spotted Xiao Tianyang at that moment and hurriedly waved in greeting.

His movement also drew the girl's attention toward Xiao Tianyang.

Xiao Tianyang looked at the girl as well, musing inwardly, This should be Xiao Wu, right?

Xiao Tianyang had no other thoughts. In his heart, little girls were only for looking at; Mature Women were his true love!

"Are you the Brother Tianyang Little San mentioned?"

Xiao Wu's bright, watery eyes sized Xiao Tianyang up. In the end, she smiled and nodded. "You really are handsome, much more handsome than Little San. But why are your eyes gray? And why is your hair white?"

"I don't know. Maybe my Martial Soul affected them."

Xiao Tianyang shrugged.

But clearly, Xiao Wu was not interested in that. After saying a few words, she shifted the topic elsewhere.

"I heard you and Little San are from the same village. I defeated him, but he said someone named Xiao Tianyang had rubbed his face into the ground. He was talking about you, wasn't he?"

"What do you mean, rubbed his face into the ground? That was a friendly spar. He just lost!"

Xiao Tianyang shot Tang San a glare. "Watch your wording around other people in the future!"

"Got it."

Tang San did not quite understand, but he still nodded in agreement.

As far as he knew, whenever Xiao Tianyang defeated him before, he would say something like that. Why could he not say it to others?

It left him utterly puzzled.

"Then let's fight after we eat!"

Xiao Wu said eagerly.

Xiao Tianyang was just about to refuse when he heard the System Prompt.

"Host has triggered a Trigger Side Quest, [The Three-Five Combination]. Content: A challenge from Xiao Wu and Tang San!"

"Mission Reward: Lottery Points ×7!"

Xiao Tianyang pondered it briefly. If strength was judged by the Mission Reward, then Xiao Wu should be slightly stronger than Xiao Chenyu, though not by much.

But then he thought of another idea and said, "If it's just you alone, you definitely can't beat me. How about bringing Little San along? The two of you against me. What do you think?"

Tang San was just about to refuse on Xiao Wu's behalf when Xiao Wu spoke first. "Sure! But don't regret it. It'll be two against one!"

"Of course I won't regret it. Let's go. We'll talk after we eat."

Xiao Tianyang glanced at Tang San.

That look made Tang San's heart tremble, and he thought to himself, This is bad!