As night fell, Nuoding Primary Soul Master Academy gradually quieted down.
The dim lights in Dorm Seven had gone out. A dozen work-study students had already curled up in their shabby blankets in their respective corners and closed their eyes.
The night wind blew in through cracks in the dilapidated windows, making a low, mournful sound.
Yet not even a loud cough came from the dormitory. No one dared disturb the large bed at the very back.
Ever since Wang Sheng had been smashed into the wall, the rules of Dorm Seven had been firmly established.
Su Yu was the undisputed king here. No one dared challenge his position.
The work-study students, usually so mischievous, now tiptoed wherever they went. When they slept, they tried to face away from him, afraid even the sound of turning over might disturb their boss.
Whenever it was time to eat or fetch water, someone would volunteer to save Su Yu a place in line and bring him a bowl, for fear of not looking after him well enough.
On the large bed at the very back, Su Yu sat cross-legged in the middle and slowly breathed out a mouthful of stale air.
Tang Wu, sitting to his left, and Xiao Wu, to his right, opened their eyes at the same time.
After several days of diligent cultivation, aided by the powerful effects of the Intermediate Soul Power Potion, all three had steadily reached the bottleneck at level ten Soul Power.
"Brother Yu, I feel like my body can't hold any more Soul Power. My meridians feel a little swollen."
Tang Wu spoke softly, unable to hide her excitement.
She had grown up in Holy Soul Village and had never dreamed she would reach level ten so quickly.
She raised her right hand. The mutated Blue Silver Grass in her palm shimmered with faint golden patterns, its life force many times stronger than before.
"Me too."
Xiao Wu stretched, showing off her remarkable flexibility. "No matter how I circulate the Soul Power in my body, I can't increase it by even a little. It's time to get our First Soul Ring."
Although Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast reincarnated, her current body was only six years old. She, too, needed a Soul Ring to continue growing stronger.
She looked at her hands, a complicated emotion flickering in her eyes.
Su Yu nodded, glancing at the two girls. "First thing tomorrow morning, we'll ask the academy for a permit and get ready to head to Soul Hunting Forest. Once you get your First Soul Ring and break through this bottleneck, you'll officially become Soul Masters."
At this, anticipation shone in Tang Wu's big eyes.
Xiao Wu pursed her lips, seeming to have her own thoughts about hunting Soul Beasts, but she said nothing. She simply straightened her clothes.
When bedtime came, the nightly Dorm Seven tradition—the battle for attention—began right on schedule.
Tang Wu had just finished washing up, her hair still slightly damp.
She had changed into a simple white nightdress and quickly claimed the spot to Su Yu's left, settling beside him like a well-behaved kitten.
She even tucked her feet beneath the blanket, as if determined to keep her place.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu immediately refused to be outdone.
"You're clinging to him every day. Aren't you worried you'll get too warm?"
Xiao Wu gave a cold snort.
Taking advantage of her height and long legs, she stepped across Su Yu and squeezed into the bedding on his right.
She claimed her spot, then leaned over and playfully brushed her fluffy rabbit ears against Su Yu's cheek, making it tickle.
The two girls glared at each other across Su Yu in the dim light.
"Why are you squeezing over here? Brother Yu's left side is mine!"
Tang Wu didn't back down. Her voice was soft, but her tone was firm. "I'm the one Brother Yu brought here from the village. What gives you, the newcomer, the right to compete with me?"
"Who says? This bed is huge. I can sleep wherever I want."
Xiao Wu stared with wide, bright eyes, her big-sister attitude on full display. "Strength decides everything. Can you beat me? Brother Yu needs someone who can help him fight, not a crybaby who'll only hold him back."
"You're talking nonsense! I can protect Brother Yu too!"
Tang Wu protested, clutching Su Yu's sleeve.
The two began quietly jostling beneath the blanket, shifting back and forth.
Their nightclothes became rumpled as they wriggled around, but they soon settled down again.
Su Yu was caught firmly between them.
On his left was Tang Wu's gentle warmth; on his right was Xiao Wu's lively energy.
Two distinct, youthful scents lingered around him: one fresh and delicate, the other faintly sweet.
Su Yu could barely turn over. Even a slight movement risked bumping into one of them.
He stared helplessly at the ceiling and let out a long sigh.
These two were always stirring up trouble. If he recruited any more helpers, they might tear the dormitory apart.
As they continued quietly competing over who got to hold Su Yu's arm, he finally reached his limit.
He reached out, put one hand on Tang Wu's head and the other on Xiao Wu's, and firmly guided them back onto their pillows, putting an end to the commotion.
"Close your eyes and go to sleep. Now."
Su Yu's voice wasn't loud, but it carried absolute authority. "Anyone who keeps moving will have to stay in the dorm tomorrow instead of coming to Soul Hunting Forest."
That threat finally quieted the two girls.
Tang Wu pouted, and Xiao Wu puffed out her cheeks. Neither was happy about it, but neither dared disobey Su Yu. They obediently closed their eyes.
The next morning, warm sunlight streamed through the dilapidated windows and into Dorm Seven.
The work-study students got up early and began washing and tidying the dormitory.
Su Yu and the two girls had also washed up and dressed, and were getting ready to ask their instructor for a permit.
Just then, hurried footsteps rang out in the corridor outside Dorm Seven, accompanied by the ingratiating praise of several academy instructors.
"Grandmaster, please watch your step. The dean has prepared some excellent tea for you in his office."
"That's right, Grandmaster. It's a great honor for our Nuoding Academy to have you here to offer guidance."
The instructors spoke loudly, as if they wanted to make sure everyone could hear their enthusiasm.
Wang Sheng came running in from outside, panting.
His face was slick with sweat. He hurried over to Su Yu, looking as though he had a secret to share.
"Boss! Something's happening outside!"
Wang Sheng lowered his voice, excitement in his tone as he gestured wildly. "A big shot has come to the academy! Even the dean went all the way to the front gate to welcome him. He was more respectful than if he'd been greeting the city lord."
Su Yu adjusted his sleeve and casually asked, "What big shot?"
"I heard he has a lot of prestige in the field of Martial Soul Theory and knows an incredible amount. The academy's teachers and dean all call him Grandmaster."
Wang Sheng swallowed and poured out everything he had heard.
At the word "Grandmaster," Xiao Wu frowned slightly.
The title sounded familiar, as if it had held some place in her memories from a past life, but she couldn't recall the details.
In Su Yu's eyes, a glint of cold golden light quietly flashed.
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