Reporting In, Picking a Fight

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin boarded Eastsea Academy's bus according to Liu Yuxin's instructions.

The bus was very spacious, enough to hold fifty people. There were already quite a few passengers aboard, some their age and some adults. Clearly, parents had accompanied their children to report to the academy.

A flicker of envy passed through Tang Wulin's eyes. Though it vanished in an instant, Tang Wuyang still noticed it and stepped forward to take his hand.

Feeling the warmth in his right palm, Tang Wulin turned and saw that Tang Wuyang's eyes clearly held some unease as well, yet he was still trying to encourage him.

That was right. Even if they were more mature than children their age, they were still only two nine-year-old children! How could they not wish for their parents to face this unfamiliar city alongside them?

Finding a row with two empty seats, Tang Wuyang sat by the window at his older brother's gesture.

Looking at the unfamiliar scenery outside the car window, Tang Wuyang let out a breath of turbid qi. For the next six years, he and his brother would be living here.

Thinking that he was not alone, the helplessness in Tang Wulin's heart immediately lessened considerably. At least Wuyang was with him. He had not come alone to this unfamiliar city to study.

The two of them still clearly remembered what their father, Tang Ziran, had earnestly told them before they left home.

"Linlin, Yangyang, remember this: in this world, the only people you can truly trust and rely on completely are yourselves."

"If the two of you are ever separated, then when you meet again, you must not immediately trust each other. You can only believe after confirming that it truly is the other person."

"No matter what setbacks you encounter in the future, or what bad things happen, you must ask yourselves whether it is because you are not strong enough."

Those words had been deeply shocking to two children of only nine. Having left Dad and Mom behind, they could only rely on themselves.

Just as Tang Wuyang was about to fall asleep, the bus finally started moving. Tang Wuyang, who had still been a little drowsy, immediately woke up. He glanced at Tang Wulin, who was staring blankly beside him, then looked out the window.

By then, the bus was full. Almost everyone was a child accompanied by parents; only the two of them had no parents by their side.

The scenery outside continually receded. Shops lined the streets, and vehicles streamed ceaselessly back and forth. This city seemed filled with the scent of steel and an air of urgency.

Everyone on the streets looked busy, at least countless times busier than people in Aolai City.

Tall buildings slid past the car window. After traveling for more than twenty minutes, the bus stopped beside a high wall.

"We've arrived at Eastsea Academy. Everyone, please get off."

A familiar voice came from the front. Only then did Tang Wuyang see that Senior Sister Liu Yuxin was seated at the very front. She was getting up and calling to the students reporting in and their parents.

Tang Wuyang hurriedly picked up his backpack and got off with Tang Wulin.

When the brothers reached the front, Liu Yuxin recognized the two little juniors who had left such a deep impression on her at once. "Tang Wulin, Tang Wuyang, right? Follow me for now."

The high wall belonged to Eastsea Academy. Not far ahead stood a gate built from massive stones, looking exceptionally grand.

Eastsea Academy was a large academy, qualified to provide both intermediate and advanced education.

Therefore, it was divided into the Intermediate Department and the Advanced Department. Liu Yuxin was a student of the Advanced Department.

Do not let the single-word difference between intermediate and advanced fool you. In reality, they were worlds apart.

Intermediate Academy was compulsory education and charged no tuition fee.

Eastsea Academy's Intermediate Department occupied two-thirds of the academy's total area, but the true essence of the academy was the Advanced Department, which occupied only One Third of the grounds.

As long as one's Soul Power had advanced to Soul Master and one possessed a Recommendation Letter from a Primary Academy within Eastsea City and its surrounding affiliated towns, one could enter the Intermediate Academy to receive Soul Master education.

Intermediate Academy lasted six years. Yet after graduating from Sixth Grade, only a very small number could truly pass the exam for an advanced Soul Master academy.

Once they reached Advanced Academy, it was no longer compulsory education. To enroll, they had to pass a series of rigorous examinations before being admitted.

Only those who could pass the exam for Advanced Academy counted as true genius Soul Masters.

If Primary Academy taught the fundamental knowledge of Martial Souls and Soul Masters, then Intermediate Academy taught how to fully apply that knowledge, deeply explore one's own Martial Soul, and determine one's future direction of development.

Only after reaching Advanced Academy could one truly pursue further study.

Upon entering the academy gates, they found a broad road stretching horizontally toward both sides. Lush trees shaded the outside of the road, making the place seem full of vitality.

Directly ahead of the three of them, however, was a small path paved with bluestone slabs, which looked ancient and simple.

Liu Yuxin explained with a smile, "To ensure the students' safety, vehicles are not allowed to drive within the academy."

"Therefore, if a vehicle enters the academy, it will immediately split off to either side and enter the underground parking lot."

"The Advanced Department I'm in is on the west side of the academy. Everything else is the territory of your Intermediate Department."

With the senior sister's explanation, the brothers quickly gained a preliminary understanding of the academy.

The Main Teaching Building of the Intermediate Academy stood on the east side of the academy. It was a twelve-story building, and the higher the grade, the higher the floor where its classrooms were located.

After enrolling, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin would become First Grade students and would only be assigned classrooms on the first or second floor.

"That's the Teaching Affairs Office over there. Go report in."

"Your Intermediate Department dormitories are behind the Teaching Building."

"If anything comes up in the future, you can come find me in the Advanced Department. I'm in Class One of First Grade in the Advanced Department."

"Thank you, Senior Sister." The two thanked the kind senior sister in unison.

Watching the two little boys, who knew not how many times they had said thank you, Liu Yuxin gave a puchi laugh. "Don't be so stiff. Our academy has a great atmosphere. You need to cultivate diligently too."

"After enrollment, there will first be class assignment, followed by the Entrance Exam. If your assessment results are outstanding, there are benefits to be had."

Only after watching Liu Yuxin's back disappear did the brothers enter the Teaching Affairs Office together.

With the Metal Plate hanging from their chests and their Recommendation Letters from Red Mountain Academy, both completed their enrollment procedures smoothly.

Each received two free sets of school uniforms and a dormitory key.

As for study materials, they would not be distributed until classes officially began.

Both were assigned to Grade One Class Five. From that moment on, they were new First Grade students of Eastsea Academy's Intermediate Department.

Carrying his luggage on his back, Tang Wuyang went around the Teaching Building with Tang Wulin and arrived at the Dormitory Building behind it.

The Dormitory Building was about as tall as the Teaching Building, also twelve stories high.

Perhaps because they had been assigned to the same class and had reported in together, their dormitory was assigned together as well. Both were in Room 205 on the second floor.

These days were registration days, and the corridors were noisy and chaotic.

There were not only students here, but also parents accompanying them, making the entire hallway seem somewhat disorderly.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin finally squeezed through the crowd and found their dormitory.

The dormitory door was wide open, and someone was already inside.

There were two bunk beds in the dormitory, enough for four people.

Besides the beds, the room held two rectangular tables, four chairs, two cabinets divided into upper and lower compartments, and a ceiling light. That was everything in the dormitory.

When the two entered, someone was already occupying the lower bunk on the left.

As Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin walked in, his gaze shifted toward them.

The student on the left lower bunk was taller than both Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin by half a head, and he was much sturdier as well. He had short hair, and though he was not old, he already carried a somewhat fierce air.

"Hello, my name is Tang Wulin. He's my younger brother, Tang Wuyang. We're new here."

As Tang Wulin spoke, he placed his luggage on the upper bunk on the right.

He did not ask whether Tang Wuyang wanted the upper or lower bunk. After all, before Na'er came to live with them, the two had originally slept in bunk beds.

"Hello."

After greeting him, Tang Wuyang put the backpack on his back onto the bed board of the lower bunk.

The tall student lifted his eyelids and said, "My name is Zhou Changxi."

"You two newcomers, go clean the room first."

Hearing that, Tang Wuyang frowned slightly and stood still.

Tang Wulin was initially stunned, but he still obediently pulled his younger brother along and took the washbasin out to fetch water.

As soon as the two left, Zhou Changxi snorted. "Tch, cowards."

As Tang Wulin pulled him forward, Tang Wuyang said unhappily, "Ge! Why did you listen to him? That guy was obviously ordering us around."

Tang Wulin said gently, "We've only just met, after all! We still have to live together for six years. Better to avoid trouble when possible."

When the two fetched water and had just returned to the dormitory, they saw Zhou Changxi holding Tang Wuyang's backpack. His blanket, clothes, and daily necessities were scattered all over the floor. Even the two sets of school uniforms they had just received had fallen to the ground.

Seeing the two return, Zhou Changxi did not care in the slightest. Instead, he reached out to pull at Tang Wulin's bag on the upper bunk.

"What are you doing?" Tang Wuyang shook off Tang Wulin's hand and shouted angrily.

Zhou Changxi curled his lips. "Nothing. Just seeing what you two country bumpkins brought with you."

As he spoke, he opened Tang Wulin's backpack and scattered its contents across the floor.

"Pick it up!" Tang Wuyang's voice turned somewhat cold.

Zhou Changxi raised his eyebrows, his slightly protruding eyes widening. He looked rather fierce. "Who are you talking to?"

As if he had not heard Tang Wuyang at all, Zhou Changxi curled his lips and stepped on Tang Wuyang's blanket with one foot. His right hand continued rummaging through Tang Wulin's backpack.

The spot he had stepped on happened to have a small purple flower on it.

Tang Wuyang's breathing grew heavier. "Na'er embroidered that for me."

The petals of the little flower on the blanket were purple, wrapped around the edges with silver.

Although it did not look perfect, Na'er had left it behind.

Tang Wuyang still clearly remembered sitting beside Na'er and teasing her about the flower, saying it was crooked and ugly, not as pretty as Na'er.

"You two weaklings remember this: here, I call the shots." Zhou Changxi extended his thumb and pressed it against his chest.

At that moment, Tang Wuyang's eyes had already turned bloodshot. His hands clenched into fists, producing sharp cracking sounds from his bones.

Even Tang Wulin, who had always been good-tempered, was filled with anger.

At the same time, a thin student suddenly appeared at the door to watch.

"Zhou Changxi, what are you doing? Why are you making so much noise?"

Zhou Changxi glanced at the thin youngster outside and said, "Yun Xiao, mind your own business."

Then he lifted his chin high and looked at Tang Wuyang. "What, are you going to bite me?"

Tang Wuyang kicked off violently and lunged toward Zhou Changxi like a cannonball fired from its barrel.

Blinded by rage, he did not even think of releasing his Martial Soul. He simply charged forward in a straight line.

His right fist swung out with force, setting off a string of air explosion sounds. It reached Zhou Changxi almost instantly.

Zhou Changxi was no fool. Naturally, he could tell Tang Wuyang was on the verge of exploding, so he had long been prepared.

Seeing the fist hurtling toward him, he slapped out with his right hand, intending to knock Tang Wuyang's fist aside.

Seeing this, Yun Xiao had intended to step closer to get a better look at what was happening, but Tang Wulin directly bound him with a Blue Silver Grass Vine.

Tang Wulin did not know why Yun Xiao had come over, but he clearly knew Zhou Changxi. Naturally, Tang Wulin could not let Yun Xiao enter.

At that moment, he was staring at Yun Xiao with a wary expression.

Although he had not displayed a Soul Ring or used a Soul Skill, the Blue Silver Grass's current toughness was enough to bind Yun Xiao in place.

Yun Xiao had just wanted to explain something when he heard three different sounds ring out from the room.

"Pa!"

"Bang!"

"Crash!"

The first sound was Zhou Changxi's palm striking Tang Wuyang's fist.

His judgment had been accurate, and he had indeed hit it.

However, the hand that came into contact with Tang Wuyang's fist was like a mayfly trying to shake a great tree. It did not alter the trajectory of Tang Wuyang's fist in the slightest.

The second sound was Tang Wuyang's fist smashing into Zhou Changxi's chest.

Amid that low, muffled boom, Zhou Changxi's large body was sent flying.

The final sound was Zhou Changxi's body smashing through the window as he flew backward. His entire body was sent directly out of the dormitory through the second-floor window.

A scream immediately followed. "Aah!"

Yun Xiao, bound at the doorway, could no longer spare any thought for the vines around him. He stared blankly at Tang Wuyang, whose entire body seemed to radiate the aura of a tyrannosaurus.

Naturally, he knew Zhou Changxi. They had happened to meet earlier while reporting in at the Teaching Affairs Office, so they had come to the Dormitory Building together.

However, he and Zhou Changxi were not in the same dormitory. He was next door.

He had been idly sitting in his dormitory when he heard the commotion, so he came next door to see what was going on.

Instead, he witnessed a scene that left his jaw dropping.

Zhou Changxi's Martial Soul was the Great Strength God Ape, a Level 11 Strength Type Battle Soul Master.

He had been assigned to Class Five and this dormitory only because his Soul Power was not high enough.

Even so, among those his age whom Yun Xiao had seen, Zhou Changxi was the strongest and had the greatest physical strength.

Yun Xiao could say with absolute certainty that Tang Wuyang's punch that sent Zhou Changxi flying had not contained any Soul Power. It had been a purely ordinary punch.

Because his Martial Soul was the Great Strength God Ape, Zhou Changxi's bones differed from ordinary people's and were much heavier.

Therefore, although he was only nine years old, his body weight even exceeded that of an adult.

Yet someone with such a powerful body had been sent flying through a window by one punch from Tang Wuyang.

What kind of strength was that?

Just then, someone walked in through the door.

Dressed in a black tracksuit, he expressionlessly walked around Tang Wulin at the doorway, as though he had not seen Yun Xiao bound beside him at all.

Upon entering the dormitory, the cold and arrogant youth saw the belongings scattered across the floor. His eyebrows furrowed slightly. He kicked aside the daily necessities on the floor, then said coldly to Tang Wuyang, who was blocking the way, "Move."

Tang Wuyang was already blinded by rage. His mind was filled with Na'er's smile. In his mind, Zhou Changxi's step on the blanket was like stepping on Na'er herself.

The cold and arrogant youth kicking aside his belongings undoubtedly became the fuse.

"Court death!" Tang Wuyang roared as he lunged at the other boy, throwing another punch.

The cold and arrogant youth did not even look at Tang Wuyang. He made a slight shift with his feet and stepped aside, evading Tang Wuyang's punch. At the same time, his elbow swept across Tang Wuyang's back, while his left foot extended beneath him.

Tang Wuyang was immediately sent flying under the combined force of his own momentum and the cold and arrogant youth's attack.

This time, however, he was not flying toward the window, but toward the dormitory door.

Tang Wulin raised his left hand and caught his younger brother as he flew backward.

Just as he wanted to step forward to help, the Blue Silver Grass in his right hand trembled slightly as well.

Yun Xiao, who was bound, was slowly moving toward the inside of the dormitory.

Tang Wulin flung out another vine, binding Yun Xiao's legs as well.

What he did not know was that Yun Xiao had merely shifted diagonally forward, afraid of getting caught up in the fight.

Yun Xiao swallowed. Back in Primary Academy, he had been known in his class as the Master of Wisdom, but today, he suddenly felt as though his brain was not quite enough.

What was going on here?