By the time they returned to Notting Academy, night had fallen.
Notting Dean still had some personal matters to attend to, so he hurriedly said goodbye to Li Luo and Tang San.
"Xiao Luo, Xiao San, feel free to stop by my office whenever you have time. If you run into any difficulties cultivating your Martial Souls, you can come ask me anytime."
Notting Dean paid close attention to talents like Li Luo and Tang San, whose Innate Full Soul Power was a once-in-a-century rarity. He didn't mind investing more in them, either.
Notting Dean knew that these two children's future achievements would never be limited to the tiny Nuoding City.
Of course, Notting Dean didn't expect anything in return. He was already fifty, and further cultivation wouldn't bring him any great achievements. The greatest reward Li Luo and Tang San could give him was graduating with a high Soul Power Level.
That would add a bold, striking stroke to his teaching record.
Of course, if Li Luo and Tang San made a name for themselves in the Soul Master World someday, or even became the legendary Titled Douluo, Notting Dean could proudly declare:
"I taught two Titled Douluo!"
Li Luo and Tang San accepted Notting Dean's kindness and thanked him for personally helping Tang San obtain his First Soul Ring.
"All right, Dean. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to take Xiao San to get his Soul Ring."
"If we run into any trouble in the future, don't complain that we're bothering you!"
"Of course not, of course not!"
"I'm looking forward to seeing you graduate from Notting Academy in the most brilliant fashion."
With that, the three went their separate ways.
Notting Dean returned to his office, while Li Luo and Tang San went back to Dorm Seven.
By the time they returned to Dorm Seven, everyone was already asleep. Li Luo and Tang San went to bed as well.
The next morning, Li Luo and Tang San still got up early to cultivate the Purple Demon Eye, then went about their classes as usual.
In his spare time, Tang San went to work at a blacksmith's shop in the city. While cultivating the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, he also made a few simple Hidden Weapons.
Meanwhile, Li Luo spent all day in Notting Academy's library, greedily and ravenously absorbing knowledge.
But those peaceful days didn't last long. Two and a half days later, after finishing their meal and leaving the cafeteria, Li Luo and Tang San were stopped by a group of upperclassmen.
"Hold it! Who said you could leave? Stop right there!"
An upperclassman stepped in front of Li Luo and Tang San.
"Look at you two, all fresh-faced and young. Are you new work-study students?
"Are all the work-study students this clueless about the rules this year?
"Classes started ages ago, and you still haven't paid us tribute?"
This was Liu Long, Xiao Chenyu's top lackey and one of the people who most enjoyed bullying work-study students.
The "tribute" he mentioned meant that every month, these noble students and their lackeys went to bully the work-study students and demanded fifteen Copper Soul Coins from each of them. Otherwise, they'd beat them up.
In truth, these people didn't need those few Copper Soul Coins. They were simply imitating their elders, who bullied the farmers and laborers under their rule, and picking on the weak and helpless work-study students at the academy to satisfy their sense of superiority.
The injuries Wang Sheng had suffered were from being beaten by these people every month for refusing to pay tribute.
The work-study students had a new leader this year. The noble students had also heard that Li Luo was their new leader, which was why this scene was unfolding now.
"I hear you're pretty cocky! You just started school, beat that useless Wang Sheng, and became the new leader of the work-study students?"
"Since you're so amazing, why don't you try fighting me? If you can last two and a half minutes against me, I'll let all the work-study students off their dues this month."
Liu Long was arrogant. He summoned his Martial Soul, an ordinary staff, and immediately swung it down at Li Luo's head.
Liu Long was pleased with himself, certain that he was about to see Li Luo's head split open as he screamed in agony in a ridiculous spectacle.
But the next moment, his expression froze. Li Luo had effortlessly caught the staff of Liu Long's Martial Soul in his hand, right above his head.
"How can this be?!"
Liu Long couldn't believe that a newly enrolled work-study student could withstand his attack. He gritted his teeth and tried to force the staff down.
But Li Luo had a firm grip on Liu Long's Martial Soul. No matter how hard Liu Long tried, he couldn't push it down even a fraction.
Liu Long tried to pull his Martial Soul back, only to discover in horror that although the hand gripping the staff looked delicate, it was like a pair of iron pincers. It held Liu Long's Martial Soul fast; it wouldn't go down, and it wouldn't come back.
"Had enough fun?"
Li Luo crooked the corner of his mouth in a wicked smile, then snatched Liu Long's Martial Soul from his hand and tossed it aside.
"My Martial Soul!"
Liu Long was about to go pick it up, but the next moment, a sharp pain erupted in his abdomen.
"Ah!"
He let out a scream and flew a full two and a half meters before crashing heavily to the ground.
He struggled twice, but the pain all over his body left him unable to get up.
Liu Long had been badly injured, and his Martial Soul vanished, returning to his body.
Li Luo stood where he was, without moving an inch. He simply drew back the foot he'd just kicked with.
His expression was perfectly calm, as if he hadn't just kicked someone at all and nothing had happened.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Li Luo casually dusted off his hands, then prepared to leave with Tang San.
"Let's go, Xiao San!"
"Wait!"
Another voice called out to Li Luo.
"What, you want to fight too?"
Li Luo looked toward the speaker, who was also a sixth-year student.
When the upperclassman saw Li Luo look his way, he glanced at Liu Long's sorry state. He didn't dare act rashly, much less make threats, afraid he'd end up just as miserable as Liu Long.
"You—you hurt Liu Long! Boss Xiao Chenyu won't let you off! If you've got the guts, if you've got the guts, don't run! Come to the field in two and a half days. Boss Xiao Chenyu will deal with you himself!"
(Xiao Chenyu: Thanks a lot, you jerk!)
"Fine. I'll show up right on time in two and a half days. You'd better get ready to be beaten!"
After getting Li Luo's definite answer, the upperclassman ran off without looking back. He didn't even bother to drag Liu Long, who was lying on the ground. He was afraid Li Luo might change his mind the next second and beat him up too.
Li Luo had accepted the challenge the upperclassman issued on Xiao Chenyu's behalf.
He'd always looked down on the noble students bullying the work-study students. This was the perfect chance to beat that arrogant bunch into submission, which would be one small contribution Li Luo could make on behalf of the academy's lower-class students.
As for Liu Long, who was lying on the ground, dazed and confused, some students couldn't stand to leave him there. Since he was also one of Xiao Chenyu's lackeys, several of them carried him to the academy's infirmary.
Li Luo hadn't hit Liu Long very hard. After all, he was just a child, and they were only at the academy. It wouldn't do to cause a death.
Still, Li Luo had intended to teach him a lesson. Liu Long wouldn't be getting out of bed unless he spent at least two and a half months in it.