Dorm Seven's Undercurrent, Suppressing Tang in the Dark

Passing through the archaic gates of Nuoding Academy, the scene inside was a stark contrast to the outside. Bluestone-paved paths crisscrossed the grounds, flanked by spiritual trees well-suited for spirit masters to rest beneath. The air was permeated with a faint scent of spirit power, and the students passing by were all young spirit masters clad in academy uniforms.

I reined in all my focus, tightly suppressing my true level twenty spirit power to the level of ten. To the outside world, I appeared no different from any other spirit master with Innate Full Soul Power.

[Memory suddenly interrupted]

When I watched this plot in my past life, the rules of Dorm Seven were a classic scene: new students had to defeat everyone in the dormitory to become the boss. Relying on his hidden strength and the foundation of his Mysterious Heaven Skill, Tang San easily secured the position of Dorm Seven boss, while incidentally winning Xiao Wu's favor. With me here in this life, Tang San's moment of glory is destined to be thoroughly crushed by me. Furthermore, Dorm Seven is where I officially meet Xiao Wu. In the original work, Xiao Wu arrived here early, not during the spirit awakening at Holy Soul Village; this detail must not be mistaken.

[Memory abruptly ends, thoughts return to reality]

Following the guidance for work-study students, I quickly found the freshman Dorm Seven.

Pushing open the wooden door, the dormitory was already bustling with activity. Over a dozen youths of similar age were sitting about; in the corner, a beautiful figure was particularly eye-catching.

It was a young girl with a long scorpion braid and fair, spirited skin—none other than Xiao Wu, who had arrived at Nuoding Academy ahead of schedule.

She was currently observing me, the newcomer, with curiosity, her large, watery eyes blinking with an air of innocence and charm.

My expression remained indifferent. I didn't take the initiative to strike up a conversation, simply finding an empty bed to set down my modest luggage. Keeping a low profile is the golden rule for survival right now; interacting with the original heroine too early would only invite unnecessary attention.

Not long after, footsteps sounded again, and Tang San walked into Dorm Seven, followed closely by a self-satisfied Yu Xiaogang.

"I have already told you the rules. It is a tradition of Dorm Seven since ancient times: when a new student enters the dorm, whoever defeats everyone else becomes the dorm leader." Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, projecting an air of unfathomable wisdom. His gaze swept over the crowd before finally landing on Tang San, clearly having already designated his disciple to take the position.

The senior students in the dormitory immediately perked up, rubbing their palms together, intending to give the newcomer a show of force.

"New guy, you know the rules, right? If you want to stay here peacefully, you have to get past us first!" A burly youth stood up, his spirit power fluctuating to nearly level eleven; he was the strongest person currently in Dorm Seven.

The other youths echoed his sentiment, and the atmosphere instantly turned tense.

Tang San's eyes flickered. The Mysterious Heaven Skill within him began to circulate quietly, and he prepared to make the first move to secure the position of dorm leader and establish his authority.

Just then, I slowly stood up.

Since we've already crossed paths, I might as well take the opportunity to knock Tang San down a peg and make him face reality. But I would never reveal my trump cards; from beginning to end, I would only use my superficial level ten spirit power and the Ink Shadow Spirit Cat spirit I had revealed to the public.

"No need to take turns. All of you come at once; it'll save everyone some time." My tone was flat, carrying a hint of laziness, and a Sichuan-Chongqing accent slipped out inadvertently. "Dragging your feet like an old woman binding her feet."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Dorm Seven fell silent.

No one expected that this seemingly unremarkable, introverted newcomer would have such a sharp tongue.

Tang San's brows twitched, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes before it transformed into faint hostility. He could tell I also possessed Innate Full Soul Power, and subconsciously, he already viewed me as a potential rival.

"Arrogant! Since you're looking for death, we'll grant your wish!" The burly senior roared, his spirit power surging as he lunged straight at me.

The other seniors moved in unison, seven or eight waves of spirit power converging on me at once, creating quite a momentum.

To the side, the corner of Yu Xiaogang's mouth curled into a sneer. In his view, a mere common beast spirit with Innate Full Soul Power was bound to lose against so many spirit masters of the same level working together—it would perfectly highlight the extraordinary nature of his disciple, Tang San.

Xiao Wu also clenched her small hands nervously, watching me in the center of the room with curiosity.

Facing the siege, my expression remained unchanged.

With a thought, a faint black spirit power swirled around me, and the phantom of the Ink Shadow Spirit Cat quietly emerged behind me. Its small frame was agile and swift, with the power of shadows flickering in and out of existence.

There was no earth-shattering pressure, no dazzling, flashy light—just the most ordinary posture of a beast spirit.

This was the illusion I had deliberately cultivated.

My feet shifted lightly, and utilizing the extreme speed inherent to the Ink Shadow Spirit Cat, I wove through the crowd's attacks like a ghost. Every strike brushed past the corner of my clothes, hitting nothing but air.

The others felt their vision blur; they couldn't capture my movements at all.

Taking advantage of the gap, I tapped my fingers lightly. My level ten spirit power was condensed to the extreme—precise and restrained—with every strike landing perfectly on the pressure points of their meridians.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of muffled thuds echoed. The seniors who had been so aggressive just moments ago collapsed like puppets with their strings cut, their bodies limp and weak, unable to muster even a shred of spirit power.

The entire ordeal lasted only a few seconds; the outcome was decided.

Dorm Seven was deathly silent. Everyone stared with wide eyes, faces full of disbelief.

Using only a common speed-type spirit and level ten spirit power, I had easily taken down all the seniors in Dorm Seven?

Tang San's expression darkened instantly, and for the first time, a deep sense of wariness took root in his heart. He could feel that my foundation was incredibly solid; while I appeared unremarkable, I was actually unfathomable.

Yu Xiaogang's face was also difficult to maintain. The words he had prepared to praise Tang San were choked back in his throat, and he looked at me with a newfound sense of gravity.

I retracted the Ink Shadow Spirit Cat, my expression indifferent, as if I had just performed a trivial task. From start to finish, I hadn't released a shred of excess power, nor had I leaked the Heavy Profound Iron Sword hidden deep within my soul.

"Does anyone else want to try?" My gaze swept over the room, finally landing on Tang San, the implication clear.

This was a quiet, effortless crushing, and it was the first warning I was giving Tang San.

The talent you are so proud of is not worth mentioning in front of me. Furthermore, I will always be ten levels above you; this is a chasm you will never be able to cross in this lifetime.

Tang San clenched his fists, his pride stung deeply. Yet, his reason remained; he knew that he might not be able to defeat the seemingly ordinary me right now. In the end, he forcibly suppressed the urge to strike and chose to endure.

In the corner, Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled. The way she looked at me held a great deal of inexplicable favor; compared to my steady and mysterious demeanor, Tang San's deliberate attempt at maturity seemed rather contrived.

I took all of this in, a cold sneer forming in my heart.

Tang San, Yu Xiaogang—this is only the beginning.

I will devour all your halos step by step, snatch away all your opportunities, and trample you into the dust. Enduring, hiding one's strength, and laying plans in the shadows—this is the path of the cultivator (spirit master) that belongs to me.