The commotion in Dorm Seven vanished in an instant. The older students who'd been making such a racket were now sprawled on the floor, rubbing their aching limbs. All that remained in their eyes as they looked at me was respect—not the slightest trace of defiance.
"N-new student, you've got us beat. From now on, you're the dorm leader of Dorm Seven!" The burly boy who'd led the others got to his feet and scratched the back of his head, speaking sheepishly. The rest of the older students nodded along, not daring to say another word.
I glanced over them and gave a casual reply. Without putting on any airs as dorm leader, I went straight to the bed in the farthest, most inconspicuous corner and sat down. I kept my aura restrained throughout, maintaining my usual calm, reserved demeanor and revealing not a shred of my true strength.
[The memory suddenly barged in and interrupted me.]
When I'd read the original story in my previous life, Tang San had claimed the position of dorm leader in Dorm Seven and made his first impression at Nuoding Academy. He'd even used the opportunity to win Xiao Wu's affection, taking his first step toward showing off and building connections. But this time, I'd cut him off at the pass. He had to be seething inside, but didn't dare make a sound. Just thinking about it felt great!
[Snapping back to my senses, I put the memory aside.]
I glanced toward the corner. Tang San's face was black as the bottom of a pot, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned pale. His eyes brimmed with frustration, resentment, and unmistakable wariness. He'd already been circulating the Mysterious Heaven Skill, ready to fight for the dorm leader position, but the effortless way I'd crushed the older students had left him completely unsure of himself. He knew full well that he couldn't beat me right now. All he could do was swallow his frustration; he didn't even have the courage to challenge me.
Yu Xiaogang looked just as grim. His brows knitted together as he stared at me, sizing me up again and again, hoping to figure out my background with his shoddy theories. But I kept my Soul Power aura tightly under wraps the whole time. After mulling it over for ages, all he could make of it was that my Ink Shadow Cat Martial Soul seemed ordinary, yet my combat skills were bizarrely good. He couldn't come up with a single useful conclusion.
He quietly sidled up to Tang San and lowered his voice, his tone grave. "Xiao San, Lin Chen is a deep thinker, and he's doing an excellent job hiding his strength. You'd better avoid clashing with him from now on, and be on your guard at all times!"
Tang San gritted his teeth and nodded. The hostility in his eyes as he looked at me grew even stronger, but he could only bottle it up obediently, unable to do a thing.
I took in every little move the master and disciple made, sneering inwardly.
Only now did you realize you had to watch out? Too late!
I'd take your opportunities, your luck, and even the people around you, bit by bit. In this life, I'd make sure you never got back on your feet.
Before I could think any further, a lively figure came bouncing over. Her long scorpion braid swung from side to side. It was Xiao Wu.
Her bright, limpid eyes fixed on me, full of admiration. She didn't spare Tang San a glance as she chirped, "You're amazing! I'm Xiao Wu—Wu as in 'dance'!"
As she spoke, she edged closer to me, completely ignoring Tang San, who was waiting for a chance to strike up a conversation.
Tang San saw this and hurried two steps forward. He opened his mouth to greet Xiao Wu, hoping to recreate their first meeting from the original story.
I raised an eyebrow. Before he could speak, I casually changed the subject and said to Xiao Wu, "You've just started school, so your things are probably all over the place. Get your bed sorted out first, or it'll be a hassle later."
As I spoke, I subtly shifted half a step to the side, blocking Tang San's view and shutting him out completely. I didn't leave him even the smallest opening to butt in.
Tang San's half-extended hand froze in midair. The words caught in his throat, neither coming out nor going back down. He stood there, so awkward he could've dug himself a three-bedroom apartment, his face turning from green to white with frustration.
Xiao Wu didn't notice Tang San's predicament at all. She stayed focused on me, chattering away with warm familiarity. "All right, then! I'll come find you when I'm done. Brother Lin Chen, make sure you look after me from now on!"
"No problem," I replied evenly, keeping just the right distance. I wasn't so warm that I'd draw attention, nor so cold that I'd push her away. I held on to Xiao Wu's favor without letting a hint of my true strength slip.
Yu Xiaogang watched it all, growing even more wary of me. He could only think that I was shrewd and impossible to read, nothing like a six-year-old child. He had no face left to stay in Dorm Seven, so after tossing out a couple of meaningless pleasantries, he slunk away with the deeply frustrated Tang San.
Watching the master and disciple leave, I let the faintest smile curl my lips.
This was only the beginning. Tang San, Yu Xiaogang—your nightmare was still ahead.
Meanwhile, I continued to guard the secret of my Twin Martial Souls and my true Soul Power level of twenty. Until I had absolute strength, caution, patience, and playing the fool while hiding my claws were the keys to surviving on Douluo Continent. Xiao Wu beside me had also completely strayed from the original story's path; she'd never share even the slightest bond with Tang San again.
Before you continue