Hu Liena

The two spoke almost in unison. Yan and Xie Yue looked at Jiang Bai, their faces filled with surprise and even a trace of disbelief.

Yan's dark red eyes widened as he sized Jiang Bai up and down, as though he were getting to know again this seemingly ordinary roommate, who was only a little handsome.

"Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda?! That... the number one support Martial Soul in the world? The inherited Martial Soul of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Even Xie Yue's calm eyes rippled visibly as he looked at Jiang Bai with scrutiny and confusion.

Their reaction was exactly what Jiang Bai had expected.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda was simply too famous, and it belonged exclusively to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. This was practically common knowledge among Soul Masters across the continent.

For someone with the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Martial Soul to appear at Spirit Academy, which was directly under Spirit Hall, was highly unusual in itself.

"That's right, the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda."

Jiang Bai admitted it openly.

"But..."

Yan scratched his head of red hair, his face full of confusion.

"Doesn't the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda only belong to people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? How did you... end up at Spirit Academy?"

His question was blunt, but not malicious. He was simply driven by curiosity.

Although Xie Yue did not ask, his gaze was also fixed on Jiang Bai as he waited for an answer.

Jiang Bai had expected this question long ago.

Facing his two new roommates, he revealed a faint, somewhat complicated smile and explained calmly.

"I don't know either. I only know that I was born in a small village, and my mother died of illness last year. Spirit Hall awakened my Martial Soul and brought me here."

He stated only the most basic facts.

The two still had doubts, but it was not appropriate for them to press further.

The surprise in Yan's eyes gradually faded. He nodded vigorously and said in a forthright manner.

"It's fine. From now on, we're friends at the academy! My Flame Lord has really strong attack power. If we ever need to fight, I'll protect you!"

What a simpleton...

Xie Yue also withdrew his probing gaze and gave a soft "Mm."

His nature was cold and aloof to begin with, and he would not pry too deeply into other people's private affairs.

After their brief exchange about Martial Souls, the dormitory once again fell into a subtly awkward silence.

Yan clearly was not used to such a silent atmosphere.

He glanced at the sky outside the window and immediately found a new topic.

"Hey, I say, you guys haven't gone to collect your academy uniforms yet, right?"

Yan patted the coat he was wearing, then pointed at Jiang Bai's faded rough-cloth clothes.

"Looking at the sky, it's almost time to eat. How about we go to the Logistics Department and collect our uniforms first, then head to the cafeteria together? I heard the academy's food is pretty good!"

Jiang Bai truly had not collected his academy uniform or supplies yet. He glanced out the window, estimated the time, and nodded. "Sure."

Only then did Xie Yue raise his head, his voice as calm as ever. "I'll sit this one out. I need to wait for my sister."

Yan shrugged and readily said, "All right! We'll go first, then. See you at the cafeteria later!"

Then he warmly beckoned Jiang Bai over.

"Come on, Jiang Bai. I know where the Logistics Department is. I saw it when I came in earlier!"

Jiang Bai got to his feet, and the two left the dormitory together.

The Logistics Department was located in a separate red-brick building behind the Administration Building.

Using his student identification card, Jiang Bai smoothly received two gray standard academy uniforms and a thin copy of Academy Rules and Life Guide.

The uniforms were soft and well-fitted, with a small Spirit Hall emblem and the words "Spirit Academy" embroidered over the left breast.

After collecting their things, the two headed straight for the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was a spacious, brightly lit hall with neatly arranged tables and chairs. Quite a few students were already eating there, most of them older students, though there were also a few new arrivals like themselves.

The scent of food mingled with the murmurs of the crowd, creating an atmosphere that was lively yet orderly.

The food was not luxurious, but it was certainly plentiful and delicious.

There was white rice and multigrain steamed buns as staples, several seasonal stir-fried vegetables, and meat dishes such as stewed meat, grilled fish, and fried eggs. Beside them stood a large barrel of steaming soup, along with an unlimited supply of fruit.

"This..."

As Jiang Bai held his tray and looked at the generous serving of stewed meat, a plate of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, a bowl of fresh soup, and the apple he had taken on the side, his eyes were filled with disbelief.

Tuition was fully waived, lodging was free, and now even meals were free?

Wasn't this treatment a little too good?

He had come to the right place!

Your Holiness the Pope, you have my loyalty!

Jiang Bai silently joked to himself, then found a relatively quiet corner seat and eagerly picked up his chopsticks.

The stewed meat was tender and flavorful, the vegetables fresh and crisp, and the soup delicious and warming.

For Jiang Bai, who had spent six years eating plain and simple food, this was practically a feast.

He lowered his head and focused on eating, savoring every bite.

After only a few mouthfuls, he felt Yan lightly nudge him twice with his elbow from across the table.

Jiang Bai raised his head, still chewing, and looked at Yan in confusion.

Yan said nothing. He merely raised his thick brows and motioned with his eyes for Jiang Bai to look toward the other side of the cafeteria.

Jiang Bai followed his gaze.

Xie Yue had apparently arrived at the cafeteria at some point and was sitting at a dining table not far away.

Across from him sat a girl about their age.

She had short, smooth golden-brown hair that glimmered faintly beneath the cafeteria's bright lights.

She wore the same gray academy uniform Jiang Bai and the others had just received.

At the moment, her back was to Jiang Bai. He could only see her straight posture and part of the curve of her profile: fair skin and a delicate, high nose bridge.

Xie Yue seemed to be speaking quietly to the girl.

Yan gave a low "Hehe," leaned forward, and lowered his voice. With the excitement of sharing a secret, he said to Jiang Bai.

"Hey, do you know? That's Xie Yue's younger sister, Hu Liena!"

Hearing this, Jiang Bai glanced at the girl's back again and understood.

"Don't know her."

Jiang Bai withdrew his gaze and answered blandly, continuing to focus on the stewed meat on his plate.

To him, filling his stomach was far more important than looking at pretty girls right now.

Besides, having read the original story, he did not feel anything particularly special about Hu Liena as a character, much less have any thoughts about her at this point.

"Come on, you!"

Seeing Jiang Bai's utterly indifferent response, Yan became a little anxious.

"I'm telling you, Nana is really beautiful! She's the prettiest girl in our class—no, maybe in the entire Primary Department!"

"Oh."

Jiang Bai took a sip of soup and gave a perfunctory reply.

Yan seemed somewhat frustrated by Jiang Bai's unresponsive attitude, but then he appeared to think of something. He suddenly leaned closer, lowered his voice even more, and wore a serious expression that was half declaration, half warning.

"Hey, I'm telling you, I've already decided that I'm going to pursue Nana from now on! You... when you see how beautiful Nana is later, you can't compete with me for her!"

(Female leads: Qian Renxue, Snow Empress, Ice Empress, Bi Ji, Three-Eyed Golden Lion)