First Encounter in the Seventh Dormitory, Queen Rabbit?

Nuoding City was countless times more prosperous than Holy Spirit Village. Its streets were paved with bluestone slabs, shops lined both sides, and carriages, horses, and pedestrians flowed endlessly through them. Like a true little country girl, Xiao Xiaoxiao found everything fascinating. Her eyes could barely take it all in, and she let out soft exclamations of amazement from time to time.

Watching her, Old Jack smiled kindly. Then he looked at the ever-calm Tang San beside him and sighed inwardly. This child's temperament is unbelievably steady.

After asking for directions all the way, they finally arrived at Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy. It had an imposing arched gate, towering walls, and beautiful buildings visible within. It was even better than Xiao Xiaoxiao had imagined.

Old Jack straightened his clothes and led the two children toward the gatehouse. Just as expected, seeing their shabby clothing—especially Old Jack's appearance as an old farmer—the gatekeeper's face immediately showed disdain and impatience.

"What do you want? Is this a place you can just enter whenever you like?"

Old Jack hurried forward with an ingratiating smile and pulled out two letters of recommendation. "Brother, we're from Holy Spirit Village. We've brought these two children to enroll. These are the certificates issued by the Spirit Hall deacon and letters of recommendation from the village..."

The gatekeeper glanced sideways at them and sneered. "Can a grass nest really produce a golden phoenix? Holy Spirit Village? Never heard of it! Two little paupers—how good could their Spirits possibly be? Don't tell me you're impersonators! Get lost, now!"

Old Jack's face reddened with anger, but he still argued his case. Tang San frowned slightly and stepped forward, seemingly about to say something.

A surge of fury shot through Xiao Xiaoxiao. What a snob! She knew this gatekeeper was about to get slapped in the face!

Just as the gatekeeper shoved at Old Jack, trying to drive him away, a somewhat hoarse yet uniquely magnetic voice came from nearby. "What's going on?"

The newcomer looked to be in his forties or fifties. His hair was combed impeccably, and though his clothes were simple, they were spotlessly clean. His eyes carried a hint of laziness and despondency, yet upon closer inspection, they revealed the shrewdness of someone who understood the ways of the world.

Master, Yu Xiaogang!

Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her head to conceal the excitement in her eyes. The key NPC had appeared!

The moment the gatekeeper saw Master, he immediately put on a fawning expression and rushed to explain the situation. Every word implied that Old Jack and the two children knew no rules and had come to fraudulently obtain admission.

Master ignored him and directly took the certificates from Old Jack's hand to inspect them. When he saw Tang San's certificate—"Innate Full Soul Power, Blue Silver Grass Spirit"—a startling light suddenly burst from his eyes.

He carefully examined Tang San, then looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao, who had her head lowered beside him. Only then did he turn to the gatekeeper and say mildly, "These certificates are genuine. Are you new here? If you don't understand the rules, speak less."

The gatekeeper's face immediately turned pale. He mumbled incoherently, not daring to say another word.

Old Jack let out a breath of relief and thanked him again and again.

Master's gaze returned to Tang San, and his tone became much gentler. "The certificates are genuine. On behalf of the academy, I welcome you. Child, you're Tang San, correct? Can you tell me what your Spirit is?"

"Blue Silver Grass," Tang San answered calmly.

"Blue Silver Grass? Innate Full Soul Power?" Master muttered to himself. The light in his eyes grew even brighter, as though he had discovered some peerless treasure. He then looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao. "And you, little girl?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao raised her head and answered obediently, "Hello, Master. My name is Xiao Xiaoxiao. My Spirit is the Phantom Moon Fox, and my Soul Power is Level Seven."

Master nodded. He seemed somewhat surprised that such a remote village had produced two children with Soul Power, especially an exception like Tang San. He said to Old Jack, "Sir, I'll take them to complete the formalities. You may return home."

Old Jack thanked him profusely, gave Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao a few more instructions, and only then left, turning back every few steps.

Master led the two into the academy and first handled their enrollment procedures. Sure enough, both of them were assigned as Work-Study Students.

"The academy will arrange work for Work-Study Students, mainly tasks such as cleaning the campus. In exchange, you'll receive meal expenses," Master explained. Then he looked at Tang San, his eyes burning with eagerness. "Tang San, are you willing to take me as your master?"

Tang San froze for a moment, clearly not expecting this teacher he had just met to directly propose taking him as a disciple.

Xiao Xiaoxiao shouted inwardly, Say yes, idol! He's your future real teacher! A top-tier mentor!

Master went on to explain his theory of the core competitive strength of Spirits. Though it sounded somewhat shocking, its logic was rigorous. A thoughtful, approving light appeared in Tang San's eyes.

In the end, Tang San solemnly performed the disciple's ceremony before Master.

A gratified smile appeared on Master's face as he patted Tang San's shoulder. He then looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Your Spirit is fox-type, inclined toward spiritual power or Illusion Techniques, so its path of development is also very clear. If you have any problems with cultivation in the future, you may come ask me as well."

"Thank you, Master!" Xiao Xiaoxiao hurriedly thanked him, delighted inside. She had managed to mooch off the benefits of her idol's master-disciple connection!

Master had many matters to attend to. After telling them to collect their uniforms and daily necessities from the logistics office themselves, and informing them that all Work-Study Students lived in the Seventh Dormitory, he left first.

Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao collected their things—two rough uniforms and a few simple daily necessities. The uniforms were light gray and made of very ordinary material, but Xiao Xiaoxiao still held hers carefully against her chest.

The Seventh Dormitory was easy to find. It was the most remote and rundown room in the entire dormitory building. Before they even reached the door, they heard a burst of shouting and fighting from inside.

The two pushed open the door and saw that the dormitory was fairly spacious, but it was crammed with dozens of beds, all simple wooden plank beds. A group of Work-Study Student boys around their age had gathered in a circle. Two boys in the middle were wrestling, while a tall, burly boy stood nearby with his arms crossed, seemingly acting as either referee or leader.

As the door opened, everyone's attention instantly turned toward them.

The tall boy looked Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao up and down. Seeing the uniforms and new luggage in their hands, he spoke in a deep, booming voice. "New Work-Study Students?"

Tang San nodded. "Hello. We're Work-Study Students from Holy Spirit Village. My name is Tang San, and she is Xiao Xiaoxiao."

The tall boy said, "My name is Wang Sheng, and I'm the dorm leader of the Seventh Dormitory. You came at just the right time. According to the Seventh Dormitory's rules, newcomers must display their Spirit strength. Whoever is strongest becomes the new dorm leader. Which of you two will go first?" His gaze was mainly fixed on Tang San, clearly not taking the thin, petite-looking Xiao Xiaoxiao seriously.

Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart lurched. Here it comes! The Seventh Dormitory's traditional specialty—an initiation! And then... the countdown to Xiao Wu's entrance!

She immediately shrank behind Tang San, quietly grabbed the corner of his clothes with her little hand, and put on an expression that said, "I'm so scared, but I'll support you." In a soft voice, she said, "Tang San, good luck..."

Tang San felt the faint tug on his clothes. He glanced at her from the side, then calmly said to Wang Sheng, "I'll go."

The battle had no suspense whatsoever. Although Wang Sheng possessed the War Tiger Spirit and his Soul Power Level was slightly higher than Tang San's at present, Tang San had the Mysterious Heaven Skill and Tang Sect Secret Arts at his disposal. In just a few moves, he threw Wang Sheng aside.

All the Work-Study Students were stunned, and their gazes toward Tang San filled with awe.

Wang Sheng climbed to his feet. He was straightforward enough, scratching his head as he said, "Amazing! I admit defeat! From now on, you're the boss of our Seventh Dormitory!"

Tang San had no interest in being the boss and was just about to refuse—

"Bang!"

The dormitory door was violently pushed open once more.

This time, everyone's attention was drawn over again.

At the doorway stood a pretty little girl, seemingly a bit taller than Xiao Xiaoxiao. She wore pink clothes and had a long scorpion braid. Her large, watery eyes brimmed with curiosity and lively light, while her tiny nose and rosy lips made her look as adorable as a porcelain doll.

Tilting her head as she looked at the people inside, she asked in a voice as crisp as a lark's, "Is this the Seventh Dormitory?"

The entire Seventh Dormitory instantly fell silent, and every boy stared wide-eyed.

Alarm bells blared in Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart! The real deal was here! The Rabbit Queen, Xiao Wu!

She instinctively clutched the corner of Tang San's clothes.

Xiao Wu's gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on Tang San, who stood at the front. Her big eyes blinked. "What are you doing? Fighting? It looks like fun! Who's the strongest?"

Wang Sheng had yet to recover from the frustration of losing to Tang San. He pointed at Tang San irritably. "There. The new boss, Tang San. You're a new Work-Study Student too?"

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. She skipped over to Tang San without caring about the gazes around her and said with a grin, "Your name is Tang San? You're the boss? Then if I beat you, I'll be the boss, right?"

Tang San stared at the overly lively girl in front of him, momentarily stunned before he could answer.

Beside him, Xiao Xiaoxiao was burning with anxiety. In a sudden lapse of judgment, she had no idea where she found the courage to take a small step forward and stand slightly in front of Tang San—though it was hardly useful. Her voice carried a trace of barely noticeable tension and hostility, or so she thought, as she said to Xiao Wu, "Y-you, why do you want to fight the moment you arrive? We're all classmates. We should get along peacefully..."

Xiao Wu's attention was immediately drawn to this girl who had suddenly appeared and seemed to be trying to "protect" Tang San. She curiously sized Xiao Xiaoxiao up, then looked at the hand clutching Tang San's clothes. Her big eyes darted around before her smile suddenly grew even brighter, revealing a cute little canine tooth. "Eh? And who are you? His little wife? You're so protective of him?"

"Of course not!" Xiao Xiaoxiao instantly flushed scarlet. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she immediately let go of Tang San's clothes, her heart pounding like a drum.

Xiao Wu ignored her and turned back to Tang San, eager to try. "Well? Are we fighting or not? Whoever loses has to call the other one boss!"

Tang San looked into Xiao Wu's eyes, filled with challenge and vitality, then glanced at Xiao Xiaoxiao beside him, whose face was so red it seemed about to steam. In his calm eyes, an exceedingly faint hint of amusement seemed to flicker—so faint that even he did not notice it. He nodded. "All right."

Xiao Xiaoxiao: "!!!"

It was over, it was over. The wheels of history were rolling onward. Was what had to come still going to come?

She watched helplessly as Tang San and Xiao Wu took up their positions in the middle of the dormitory. She watched Xiao Wu's nimble movements and astonishing flexibility, Tang San's Mysterious Jade Hand and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and the two of them trading blows. Finally... she watched Xiao Wu use her signature Soft Skill, wrap her legs around Tang San's neck, and throw him to the ground...

"I won!" Xiao Wu jumped up happily and clapped her hands, her scorpion braid swishing back and forth as she proudly declared, "From now on, I'm the boss of the Seventh Dormitory! You all have to call me Sister Xiao Wu!"

The Work-Study Students looked at one another before finally turning toward Tang San, who was climbing up from the floor with a somewhat helpless expression.

Tang San dusted himself off. He was quite true to his word as he said, "Sister Xiao Wu."

"Sister Xiao Wu!" the other Work-Study Students shouted along with him.

Xiao Wu nodded in satisfaction. Then her gaze swept across the room and landed on an empty bed. Naturally, she tossed her small bundle onto the bed beside Tang San's. "I'll sleep here!"

Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart went ice-cold.

She watched Xiao Wu naturally claim the bed next to Tang San's, watched the atmosphere between the two become instantly familiar after their fight, and watched Xiao Wu's bright, radiant, completely guileless smile...

First round: Rabbit Queen, complete victory!

Xiao Xiaoxiao silently clenched her little fists.

No! She couldn't lose heart! This was only the beginning! She still had the advantage of being nearby! Tang San had only accepted the bet and its outcome!

Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile and walked to a bed she had already picked out—on Tang San's other side, separated only by an aisle—and placed her luggage on it.

"Xiaoxiao, you're sleeping over here too?" Wang Sheng casually asked.

"Mm! The lighting here looks better!" Xiao Xiaoxiao replied with a smile, trying to make her voice sound natural.

Both Tang San and Xiao Wu looked over.

Blinking her big eyes, Xiao Wu grinned at Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Your name is Xiaoxiao? That's such a nice name. We'll be roommates from now on! Please take care of me!" Her smile was infectious, without the slightest hint of reservation.

Looking at her smile, Xiao Xiaoxiao suddenly found that little bit of hostility in her heart had nowhere to go.

"...Please take care of me too, Sister Xiao Wu." She struggled to force out the title.

Tang San looked at the two girls without saying anything, merely beginning to quietly arrange his bedding.

The new life in the Seventh Dormitory officially began on that somewhat chaotic and unexpectedly eventful evening.

As Xiao Xiaoxiao made her bed, she secretly observed Xiao Wu and Tang San beside her.

Xiao Wu was chattering away, asking about this and that, curious about everything. Though Tang San was not much of a talker, he answered every question.

It seemed this battle against Intercepting would be much harder than she had imagined.

Her opponent was not only strong and beautiful, but also so... likable?

Xiao Xiaoxiao felt a pressure unlike anything she had ever experienced.

But she would not give up!

Just wait, Rabbit Queen! The battle to defend her idol had only truly begun!