First Encounter with the Protagonist Group

In the cafeteria, Zhong Shenxiu ordered a lavish dinner—two portions of grilled fish, two portions of braised pork, three bowls of rice, and a large bowl of vegetable soup.

He found a seat in the corner and ate quietly.

Occasionally, people glanced his way, mostly out of curiosity about his Light Gold Vertical Pupils, but they quickly looked away. After the dormitory incident, Zhong Shenxiu's reputation had already spread among the freshmen. Everyone knew there was a ruthless first-year student who had beaten a rich young master into a pig's head and only received three days of confinement himself.

No one dared provoke him lightly.

Zhong Shenxiu was happy to have some peace and quiet. As he ate, he mentally planned his next steps.

Twenty thousand Federal Coins was a huge sum to him. He had originally needed to spend the ten-thousand-coin subsidy carefully, but with another ten thousand now added, he could loosen up a little.

First, buy some basic Soul Tool materials.

Zhong Shenxiu thought, I'll try making simple Soul Tools to sell and earn living expenses. If it works, I can establish a stable source of income.

Second, go to the library and look up information. I need to learn about Soul Beasts, Soul Spirits, and the Spirit Ascension Platform. I also need to study array formations and see if there's a way to speed up the restoration of the Dragon Origin Realm.

Third, continue cultivating. Level seventeen isn't enough. I need to reach at least level twenty to be competitive in the Class Promotion Tournament.

Fourth, get familiar with the class and my classmates. Especially people like Tang Wulin and Gu Yue. They'll be important figures in the future, so I need to understand their personalities and strength.

Just as he was thinking, a commotion came from the cafeteria entrance.

Zhong Shenxiu looked up and saw several freshmen crowding around a black-haired boy as they entered.

The boy was well-proportioned and strikingly handsome, almost pretty enough to resemble a girl. Yet his eyes were bright, and his bearing was steady. It was Tang Wulin.

Beside him was a black-haired, black-eyed girl with a cold and aloof, ethereal temperament. Naturally, it was Gu Yue.

There were also several other boys and girls, all of whom looked far from ordinary.

The protagonist group... Zhong Shenxiu thought to himself.

Tang Wulin's group had clearly noticed Zhong Shenxiu as well. Those Light Gold Vertical Pupils were simply too conspicuous to miss.

"That person is Zhong Shenxiu?"

A red-haired girl asked curiously, "I heard he beat his former roommate, Lin Xuan, badly enough to put him in the hospital?"

"Mm."

Tang Wulin nodded, his gaze meeting Zhong Shenxiu's for a moment.

Their eyes met in the air, and both saw something similar in the other's gaze—resilience, along with power hidden deep beneath the surface.

Gu Yue also looked toward Zhong Shenxiu, and a trace of surprise flashed through her black eyes.

As the Silver Dragon King, she was extremely sensitive to the aura of dragons. She could sense a special draconic pressure from Zhong Shenxiu, one both familiar and unfamiliar, unlike any dragon race on Douluo Continent.

"What is his martial soul?" Gu Yue asked softly.

"I'm not sure. I heard it's the Radiant King Dragon."

Tang Wulin replied, "A dragon-type martial soul I've never heard of."

Gu Yue said nothing more, only giving Zhong Shenxiu another look.

Zhong Shenxiu withdrew his gaze and continued eating. He had no intention of going over to greet them. It was not yet the right time.

Tang Wulin's group did not come over either. They found a place to sit and began eating and chatting.

Zhong Shenxiu quickly finished his meal, returned his tray to the collection counter, and walked out of the cafeteria.

He did not return to the dormitory. Instead, he headed toward the library.

Eastsea Academy's library was a seven-story circular building. Its exterior walls were covered in glass curtain walls, and it was brightly lit in the night like a beacon of knowledge.

The moment Zhong Shenxiu entered, the sight before him left him stunned.

The first-floor hall alone covered more than a thousand square meters. Glowing crystals were embedded in the high ceiling, illuminating the entire space as brightly as day. Bookshelves lined all four walls, stretching from the floor to the ceiling and packed with densely arranged books.

Dozens of long tables stood in the center of the hall, where quite a few students sat with their heads lowered over their studies.

"So big..." Zhong Shenxiu murmured in amazement.

He walked over to the information desk, where a middle-aged female teacher wearing glasses was sorting through materials.

"Teacher, I'd like to find some books about Soul Tool crafting, Soul Beast studies, and the basics of array formations," Zhong Shenxiu said politely.

The female teacher looked up. Seeing Zhong Shenxiu's Light Gold Vertical Pupils, she froze for a moment, but quickly resumed her professional smile. "Books on Soul Tool crafting are in Area A on the second floor. Soul Beast studies are in Area B on the third floor. Basic array formations are in 4th Floor Zone C. However, books on array formations require beginner-level access to borrow. You're a freshman, so you don't have permission yet."

Zhong Shenxiu nodded. "Then I'll start with books on Soul Tools and Soul Beast studies."

"Alright. This is your temporary library card. You can borrow books from the first through third floors, up to five at a time, for one week."

The female teacher handed him a card.

After thanking her, Zhong Shenxiu headed for the stairs.

He first went to Area A on the second floor. This place was filled entirely with books about Soul Tools, from the most basic Introduction to Soul Tool Principles to advanced works like Level Seven Soul Tool Design and Crafting. Everything was available.

Zhong Shenxiu selected several introductory books: Complete Guide to Soul Tool Materials, Guide to Crafting Level One Soul Tools, and Illustrated Basics of Soul Guide Arrays.

He then went up to Area B on the third floor and found several books on Soul Beast studies: Illustrated Guide to Common Soul Beasts, Research on Soul Beast Habits, and Principles of Soul Spirit Contracts.

Carrying eight books, he found a seat by the window and began reading.

Time slipped quietly away.

Zhong Shenxiu immersed himself in the ocean of knowledge, greedily absorbing information. The vague memories from his previous life gradually became clearer under the stimulation of these books.

He learned the basic principles of Soul Tools—using Soul Guide Arrays to convert Soul Power into various effects, such as attack, defense, healing, and support.

He learned the process of crafting Soul Tools—design, material selection, array engraving, assembly, and testing.

He learned the classifications and habits of Soul Beasts, discovering which Soul Beasts were suitable for becoming Soul Spirits and which were extremely dangerous.

He also learned the principles of Soul Spirit contracts—a symbiotic relationship between the souls of Soul Masters and Soul Beasts. Soul Spirits provided Soul Masters with soul rings and abilities, while Soul Masters provided Soul Spirits with the energy needed to grow.

These were all basics, but they were crucial to Zhong Shenxiu. He needed to understand the rules of this world before he could find his own path within it.

After an unknown amount of time, the library broadcast sounded. "Attention, students. The library will close in half an hour. Please prepare to leave."

Zhong Shenxiu raised his head and rubbed his slightly sore eyes. Looking at the Soul Tool clock on the wall, he saw that it was already nine thirty at night.

He checked out the five books he had not finished, then carried them out of the library.

The night breeze was slightly cool, while the campus Soul Tool lamps cast a gentle glow. As Zhong Shenxiu walked back toward the dormitory, he was still digesting the knowledge he had just learned.

Soul Tool crafting might be a good option, he thought. I'll start with the simplest lighting Soul Tools. The material costs are low, they're easy to make, and market demand is high. A basic lighting Soul Tool costs around fifty Federal Coins to make, but it can sell for one hundred to one hundred and fifty. The profit margin is decent.

But I'll need to buy tools and materials, and I'll also need a quiet work environment. The dormitory obviously won't do. It's too noisy, and people could easily interrupt me.

Maybe... I can apply for a workshop? Zhong Shenxiu recalled that the academy seemed to provide workshops for students, though applications were required and a certain fee had to be paid.

I'll ask Teacher Wu tomorrow.