Jealousy

The night passed without incident.

The large genuine-leather sofa was soft and comfortable. As Yan Shaozhe's personal disciple, her lodgings were indeed exceptional.

Lin Feng slept soundly on the sofa. At dawn, while the sky was just beginning to lighten, he quietly got up to wash and dress, then slipped out of Ma Xiaotao's room.

Ma Xiaotao was still fast asleep. Last night's scholarly exchange on Soul Master cultivation had left her both physically and mentally exhausted.

After leaving the dormitory, Lin Feng didn't even have time for breakfast. He headed straight for the freshman teaching building.

It was the first day of classes, and he didn't want to be late.

As he passed the entrance to Class One, he instinctively quickened his pace.

He'd originally intended to choose Class One when he registered, but after hearing Ma Xiaotao say that their homeroom teacher, Zhou Yi, had an extremely strict teaching style and was simple and heavy-handed in her methods, and was probably at the age when women went through menopause, he'd immediately transferred to Class Nine, renowned for its relaxed atmosphere.

"My name is Mu Jin, and I'll be your homeroom teacher..." The female teacher at the lectern hadn't finished speaking when the classroom door was gently pushed open.

"Teacher, I'm sorry, I'm late." Lin Feng stood in the doorway, his voice full of remorse.

"It's all right. Come in and find an empty seat." Mu Jin's tone was gentle; she didn't blame him.

Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief. If this had been Menopausal Zhou Yi, he would probably have been in for a thorough skinning.

This class really was full of beautiful girls.

Lin Feng strode into the Class Nine classroom and glanced around. He couldn't help sighing to himself.

When it was Lin Feng's turn to introduce himself at the front of the room, his gaze naturally swept over the students below. He immediately noticed two girls sitting in the front row, each with a distinct air about her.

"My name is Lin Feng. I'm twelve years old, my Martial Soul is Fire Lotus, and I'm a level-thirty Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."

As soon as he finished speaking, a low murmur of astonishment rippled through the classroom.

Twelve years old, level thirty!

That strength was absolutely top-tier among the freshmen.

Even homeroom teacher Mu Jin looked surprised. Lin Feng had been the last to complete registration, and she hadn't had time to look over his file.

After class, the two girls who had stood out during the lesson came over together, just as expected.

The elegant girl in front spoke first. "Hello, Lin Feng. Nice to meet you. My name is Ning Tian. Like you, I'm a level-thirty Soul Grandmaster."

Beside her, a red-haired girl with a short haircut and an air of haughty impatience said, "Wu Feng."

Just as Lin Feng was about to reply, a fiery-red figure appeared without warning at the classroom window.

"Well, you two seem to be having a nice chat." The sudden, familiar voice made Lin Feng's hand jerk. He nearly dropped the new textbook he was holding.

"Why didn't you wake me up so we could go together this morning?" Ma Xiaotao folded her arms and walked up to Lin Feng, fixing her gaze on him.

"You were sleeping so soundly. I couldn't bring myself to wake you," Lin Feng replied helplessly.

Just then, Wu Feng gave a soft laugh, her tone carrying the faintest hint of provocation. "Interrupting someone is very rude, you know. And who might you be, older sister?"

Ning Tian gently tugged at Wu Feng's sleeve and quietly reminded her, "Wu Feng, don't say anything more. We can't afford to provoke her."

She knew Ma Xiaotao all too well. The two had deep ties: both were direct descendants of Shrek's first-generation Seven Monsters, and both had orthodox Martial Souls.

At that, Ma Xiaotao raised her chin, her red hair a leaping flame. She didn't even bother to look Wu Feng in the eye. In a possessive tone, she declared, "Good. As long as you know better than to provoke me. He's my Junior Disciple Brother. You two, don't even think about making a move on him."

As the saying went, three women made a whole show...

Looking at the scene reeking of jealousy, Lin Feng didn't dare take sides.

"Come with me. Let's get breakfast." Ma Xiaotao gave the others no chance to speak. She grabbed Lin Feng by the wrist and dragged him out without another word, leaving the other two with very different expressions.

"This isn't right. I still have class. The teacher might mark me absent."

As Ma Xiaotao dragged him along without giving him a choice, Lin Feng couldn't help looking back. He met Ning Tian's thoughtful gaze and Wu Feng's unmistakably defiant one.

It seemed his life at the academy was destined to be anything but peaceful.

"Xiao Feng, what do you want for breakfast? It's on me."

As soon as they left the freshman teaching building, Ma Xiaotao's attitude did a complete about-face. She patted Lin Feng on the shoulder, putting on the air of a big sister.

"Then I won't hold back," Lin Feng said with a smile, though a mischievous idea had begun to form in his mind.

The two went to the upscale section on the second floor of the cafeteria. The surroundings were refined, and the prices were clearly steep.

Lin Feng glanced at the prices, then looked at Ma Xiaotao hesitantly. "Sister Xiaotao, isn't this a bit too extravagant?"

"Order whatever you want!" Ma Xiaotao waved a hand grandly. "Your big sister gets a generous Soul Master stipend. I can easily afford to support you."

"In that case..." A barely perceptible, wicked smile curled Lin Feng's lips. He turned to the woman at the service window and said, "Auntie, could I have one vinegar-sautéed spicy rabbit head, a bowl of hot-and-sour beef noodles, and a bowl of sour plum soup? No, make that two bowls. Thank you."

As the names of all those "sour" dishes rolled off his tongue, the smile on Ma Xiaotao's face instantly froze, and the corner of her mouth twitched.

When the tray arrived, she looked at the dishes, all of them pungent with sourness, and her face turned nearly green.

That brat had done it on purpose!

"Lin! Feng!" She practically ground the two words out through clenched teeth.

"Hm? What's wrong, Sister Xiaotao? Don't these dishes suit your taste? You didn't seem to have much of an appetite last night. I thought sour food would whet it." Lin Feng blinked, looking utterly innocent, though inside he was delighted.

Ma Xiaotao took a deep breath, forcibly tamping down the urge to hit him. Then a sudden idea struck her, and she put on a weak, pained expression. "Ugh, I suddenly feel like I can't suppress the Evil Fire inside me. Xiao Feng, come with me to Sea God Lake and help me channel it..."

Lin Feng saw through her terrible acting but didn't call her out. He simply said, "All right. What can I do? You're my senior sister."

As soon as they reached the shore of Sea God Lake, Ma Xiaotao immediately showed her true colors. Her terrifying Soul Ring Configuration appeared: two yellow, two purple, and two black.

"First Soul Skill, Phoenix Fireline!"

"Second Soul Skill, Phoenix Bathed in Fire!"

She hit hard, sending scorching flames surging mercilessly toward Lin Feng. Clearly, she'd turned all the sourness she'd felt earlier into fire and fury.

Fortunately, Lin Feng's constitution was formidable. With the Burning Art in motion, he withstood every one of those basic fire-type Soul Skills.

After helping her channel it, Ma Xiaotao felt refreshed, all the pent-up irritation in her chest swept away.

Lin Feng wasn't injured, but the new uniform he'd just received had turned brittle in the heat. A gust of wind blew, and a large piece crumbled away.

Looking at his almost-ruined clothes, he felt like crying. With a helpless sigh, he said, "Sister Xiaotao, my brand-new uniform! How am I supposed to go back to class?"

Seeing his disheveled, helpless expression, Ma Xiaotao finally couldn't hold back a burst of laughter. In high spirits, she waved a hand. "Out with the old, in with the new! Come on, I'll go with you to get another one!"

Lin Feng understood now: never go out of your way to provoke a woman who's just tipped over a vinegar jar. The consequences could be dire.