Jiang Yang merely uttered two words, his expression indifferent.
This was the first time Wang Dong had met a boy even more cocky than she was.
She couldn't help feeling her own pride rise a little higher.
"In that case, release your Martial Soul."
"No need."
"Why?"
"I don't need it to beat you."
"You! What! Did! You! Say?!"
Clearly,
Wang Dong had spoken through gritted teeth.
Seeing her like this, the old man not far away couldn't help chuckling.
It had been a long time since he'd laughed like this.
Before long, he sank into deep memories once more, seemingly recalling what his own days had been like at that age.
"Fine! Since you're asking for a beating, I'll give you one!"
As soon as Wang Dong finished speaking, she planted her right foot and sprang forward, throwing a punch at Jiang Yang's face.
She seemed intent on leaving him with a swollen nose and bruised face so he'd learn his lesson.
"Too slow."
Jiang Yang smiled faintly. With his hands in his pockets, he shifted to the side and just managed to dodge Wang Dong's punch.
Wang Dong punched empty air and, carried forward by her momentum, stumbled toward the ground. If she hit it, she'd be sure to end up with a swollen nose and bruised face.
Fortunately, Jiang Yang casually caught her by the ankle. She stopped just inches from the ground, without actually crashing into it.
"Hmph! Again!"
Of course Wang Dong wasn't convinced after being stopped on her first attack.
She still felt she hadn't even tried yet. Asking her to admit defeat would be worse than killing her.
However,
Jiang Yang didn't mind either way.
"Suit yourself. Still, I suggest you show me your Martial Soul. It won't help, but at least you'll lose fair and square."
"Jiang Yang! You jerk!!"
This time, Wang Dong was genuinely furious.
She wanted nothing more than to tear that mouth of his to shreds.
That was just too hurtful!
As she spoke,
Wang Dong attacked again with another punch. This time, she was clearly a few degrees faster than before.
But it was still far too slow for Jiang Yang.
Ever since he was born on Douluo Continent, apart from the time when he awakened his Martial Soul, he had spent nearly all his time outdoors.
He'd seen far more Soul Beasts than Wang Dong had seen people. Even his sparring partners had all been Soul Beasts that wanted him dead.
Not to mention that his Soul Power was now far greater than Wang Dong's. Even if their Soul Power had been equal, or even if Jiang Yang's had been much weaker than hers,
Wang Dong still wouldn't have stood a chance against him.
Thus, the outcome of this battle was already clear.
"Hmph! Let go of me, you jerk!!"
After Jiang Yang had effortlessly subdued Wang Dong once again, all she could do was run her mouth.
"Do you admit defeat?"
"Admit defeat to you? In your dreams, you jerk!"
"If you can't take a loss, then apply to move out of my dorm. I don't like sharing a room with sore losers. I'd be ashamed to be seen with one."
With that,
Jiang Yang let go of Wang Dong's hand and headed toward the dormitory entrance without looking back.
"Hey! You! Who says I can't take a loss? I never said I wouldn't admit defeat!"
"Hm?"
"You only asked if I was convinced. I—your lord and master—obviously am not! But I admit defeat!"
"Heh..."
Jiang Yang laughed. "Then you'd better honor our bet. Go clean the dorm first. From now on, you'll clean it every day. And when you get breakfast, lunch, and dinner, bring me a portion too. Don't worry, I'll pay you."
"You—"
"Jiang! Yang!"
Wang Dong flew into a rage once more. So he really was treating her like a servant!
"Not convinced?"
Jiang Yang turned around and smiled faintly. "Then beat me."
With that,
he continued upstairs without even glancing back.
"Argh!!!!"
Wang Dong stamped her feet in fury.
Just then, an elderly voice sounded beside her ear. "You didn't just lose the fight. You lost in character, too."
"Why?! He can't be more than a few months older than me! How did he beat me?!"
Wang Dong argued.
"He has the bearing of one who rules all beneath heaven. No matter what hardship he faces, he dares to meet it head-on. He'll even give up his life to win. You don't have that."
"Not everyone can do that. The road he's traveled to reach this point surely wasn't easy."
Listening to the old man's words,
Wang Dong fell silent for a long while. Only then did she bow to him. "Thank you for your guidance, Grandpa."
With that,
she headed toward the dormitory as well.
However,
when she entered, she saw Jiang Yang already sitting in meditation and cultivating.
She couldn't help feeling even more respect for him.
"Hmph! Fine, I'll clean!"
A while later,
Wang Dong finally got moving. She picked up a broom and started cleaning.
She didn't care what time it was.
What normal person cleaned their room in the middle of the night?
But,
if Wang Dong was willing to clean, then let her.
Jiang Yang didn't mind.
He continued to focus on his cultivation, working hard and making use of every last moment.
Because he knew that, at this point in time, if he wanted to avoid being controlled by Tang San, he had to grow stronger.
"Monster!"
Early the next morning,
Wang Dong woke up as early as she usually did. But when she opened her eyes and saw that Jiang Yang was still cultivating, she couldn't help cursing.
"No way! I can't fall behind either!!"
"Then you'd better work hard."
As soon as she finished speaking,
Jiang Yang slowly opened his eyes.
"Don't get cocky!"
"Don't forget my breakfast."
"Hmph!"
The two got up at almost the same time and went to wash up.
The difference was that Wang Dong went to buy breakfast, while Jiang Yang planned to go running after washing up. It was a habit he'd maintained for years.
That was also why he could summon the Emperor Armor without relying on a Soul Ring.
However,
just as they left the dormitory, one after the other, they both came to a halt.
"Hey? What are you doing? Why'd you stop?"
Wang Dong was following behind. When she saw that Jiang Yang wasn't moving, she stopped too.
"Good morning, Brother Jiang Yang."
At the sound of the sweet girl's voice, Wang Dong froze and immediately raised her head.
There stood a stunning girl in a purple school uniform, tall and well-proportioned, with a gentle air about her. Her long, golden curls framed a beauty whose warmth was touched with a hint of reserve. She stood with her hands clasped in front of her skirt, gazing at Jiang Yang.
Her bright eyes and smile seemed capable of melting the depths of winter.
Even Wang Dong, herself a stunning girl, was astonished. The boys from the dormitory were even more affected.
Every one of them turned to stare.
"Who's Jiang Yang?"
"Wow! That's a senior from the upper grades. Hasn't she been waiting here for almost half an hour?"
"Tell me about it! Ah! Who exactly is this Jiang Yang? How could he make such a beautiful senior wait for nearly an hour? He has no idea how to treat a lady!"
"Personally, I'd rather know the name of this peerlessly beautiful senior. Does anyone know?"
Before you continue