Tang San swept a glance over the people surrounding him. His right hand moved behind his back without a sound, his fingers gripping the mechanism of his Sleeve Arrow.
His gaze was as calm as a stagnant pool, but he was already calculating how many people he would need to take down first if a fight broke out to intimidate the rest.
Just as the tension reached its peak, the dormitory door was pushed open from outside.
"What's going on?"
Wang Xian stood in the doorway, his gaze sweeping over the room.
The surrounding Work-Study Students immediately breathed a sigh of relief and stepped aside, each respectfully calling out, "Boss."
Tang San looked up at the boy standing in the doorway.
He was about the same age as Tang San and not particularly well-built, yet he carried a naturally steady presence as he stood there. His eyes were calm, revealing no emotion.
Wang Sheng climbed up from the ground, clutching his arm as he ran over to Wang Xian. Pointing at Tang San, he said, "Boss, this newcomer refuses to acknowledge you as boss, and he even hit people!"
Wang Xian glanced at him and said flatly, "Looks like you were the one who attacked first."
Wang Sheng opened his mouth, then lowered his head and fell silent.
Wang Xian did not pursue the matter further. His gaze passed over Wang Sheng and landed on Tang San.
"The rule of Dorm Seven is that if a newcomer refuses to acknowledge the boss, he has to fight the boss. So, are you still unwilling?"
Tang San shook his head. His expression was calm, but his gaze was resolute.
Wang Xian nodded and said nothing more.
"Then let's fight."
He waved his hand, and the surrounding Work-Study Students immediately retreated, clearing out the open space in the middle of the room.
The two walked to the center of the open space and faced each other.
Tang San did not attack immediately. He was observing.
The person before him felt different. He stood there calm and unhurried, unlike an impulsive opponent like Wang Sheng.
Still, he was only somewhat different.
Tang San moved, using the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. His figure flickered unpredictably as he closed in on Wang Xian.
Wang Xian did not retreat. Instead, he met him head-on.
Their fists and kicks collided, and they began exchanging blows with a rapid series of cracks.
Tang San's techniques were nimble and ever-changing, every dodge and turn carrying the refined intricacy of Tang Sect martial arts.
Wang Xian's moves, however, were far more direct. He had fought in the Soul Fighting Arena for several months, and his combat experience had long since surpassed that of the child who once relied on brute strength alone.
Every punch and kick was reinforced by Soul Power, fast and heavy enough to make the air howl.
The longer Tang San fought, the more alarmed he became. His Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track was one of the Tang Sect's finest movement techniques.
Yet this person could actually keep up with his rhythm, sealing off every punch and kick without falling behind in the slightest.
Moreover, Wang Xian possessed a savage strength. Every time their fists collided, Tang San's arms went numb from the shock. That was the gap in Soul Power.
Tang San's eyes darkened as he changed his technique. His five fingers formed a claw, reaching straight for Wang Xian's throat.
This was a Tang Sect grappling technique, its angle vicious and tricky. Ordinary people could not defend against it at all.
Wang Xian tilted his head aside and avoided it. His right hand flipped over in the same motion, catching Tang San's wrist in a reverse hold.
Tang San flicked his wrist, trying to break free, only to feel something suddenly tighten around his feet.
He looked down and saw that two bluish-green vines had somehow coiled around his ankles. The barbs along their surfaces had hooked into his trouser legs, binding him tightly.
Tang San exerted force suddenly, trying to tear free, but the vines did not move at all. They clamped around his feet like cast iron.
Wang Xian did not give him a second chance.
With a thought, the two vines yanked hard in opposite directions. Tang San lost his footing and pitched forward. With a bang, he slammed face-first into the floor.
Blood immediately gushed from his nose, dripping from his chin onto the ground.
Before Tang San could push himself up, more vines surged in from every direction, wrapping him tightly from head to toe.
He struggled desperately on the floor, twisting his body as he tried to break free.
But the vines only tightened further, their barbs digging into his clothes and squeezing him until he could barely breathe.
Wang Xian stood where he was, looking down at him from above without much change in expression.
"Detected that the protagonist has defeated a Martial Soul possessor. Capture the Martial Soul?"
In truth, he was listening to the notification from the system.
"Confirm capture." Wang Xian agreed without the slightest hesitation.
He had waited for Tang San for more than two full months at Notting Academy.
"How about now?" Wang Xian asked flatly.
Tang San, still struggling on the ground, stared at Wang Xian with eyes full of hatred.
After being on Douluo Continent for so long, he had never been in such a miserable state.
This man has earned himself a death sentence. Killing intent was deeply concealed in Tang San's eyes.
Wang Xian did not wait for Tang San's answer. He knew Tang San would not answer at all.
He directly recalled the Blue Silver Grass. Tang San immediately sprang up with a kip-up, staring warily at Wang Xian.
The hidden weapons in his right hand were already prepared.
But Wang Xian merely glanced at him and said, "Since you're unwilling to acknowledge me as boss, then there's no need to come looking for me when others bully you."
Then he turned to the other Work-Study Students and said, "From now on, don't bully him. We Work-Study Students will not take the initiative to bully others. We will only strike back when others bully us."
"Understood, Boss," everyone answered at once.
Afterward, they each returned to their beds, sitting down and going about their own business. Only Tang San remained standing where he was.
When Tang San saw that no one truly paid him any attention, he finally relaxed, and the killing intent in his heart eased slightly.
However, his gaze toward Wang Xian remained extremely wary, with a hint of confusion mixed in.
What exactly is this person's Martial Soul? It looks somewhat like Blue Silver Grass, but it's completely different from mine.
My Blue Silver Grass isn't nearly as strong as his. No, I need to ask Teacher about it later. Tang San suppressed his doubts and began arranging his bed.
Just then, a sweet voice rang out.
"Hello, is this Dorm Seven?"
A pretty young girl stood in the doorway. She appeared to be about the same age as them and was almost the same height.
Her lovely little face was fair with a rosy tint, tender like a ripe peach that made people want to take a bite.
Her clothes were exceptionally clean and neat, while a sly glint shone in her eyes.
Her long black hair was braided into a scorpion braid that hung past her hips, and she held a brand-new school uniform in her hands.
For a moment, the Work-Study Students, Tang San included, were all stunned.
After all, they had never seen many pretty girls while growing up.
Wang Xian, who had originally closed his eyes, opened them at this moment and calmly looked toward the girl at the door.
Xiao Wu. This Rogue Rabbit has finally arrived too. I might as well capture her Martial Soul as well.
I wonder just what level the quality of a Martial Soul formed from a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit in human form will reach. Wang Xian was somewhat curious as well.
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