Finally, It Had Arrived

In just a few breaths, a clamor of footsteps and voices rose outside Dorm Seven.

Curious students, passing teachers, and even some dormitory staff gathered at the sound, craning their necks and pointing. In an instant, the doorway was packed tight.

"Isn't that the Grandmaster?"

"Who did he say was freeloading?"

"What's wrong with being a work-study student?"

Yu Xiaogang's face had already been deathly pale from coughing up blood earlier that day. Now every trace of color drained from it, leaving him frighteningly white.

He hurried to the doorway, spread his arms, and anxiously tried to explain.

"No! That's not what happened! Don't listen to him! It's a misunderstanding! All of this is a misunderstanding!"

He stumbled over his words, fine beads of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

His position at Notting Academy was already awkward. He was barely managing to stay there on the strength of his old friendship with the dean, and what he feared most was causing trouble like this—being accused of "bullying students." That could cost him even the last place he had to call home.

Zhao Linchuan smacked his lips inside the room and strolled back to the makeshift bed he'd put together. He sat down and leaned back contentedly, then murmured,

"Xiao Wu, come here and massage my shoulders."

"If you do a good job, I'll buy you all the carrots you can eat tomorrow."

"Really?" Xiao Wu had been sneaking peeks at the commotion outside, but the moment she heard the word "carrots," her ears sprang up and her big eyes lit up.

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"We only just met... Never mind. You'd better not lie to me!"

Xiao Wu immediately forgot that she'd been sulking a moment ago. She scrambled behind Zhao Linchuan and began kneading his shoulders with her little hands, making a show of knowing what she was doing, though her pressure was a little uneven.

Zhao Linchuan half closed his eyes and enjoyed the unprofessional "massage." Through a gap in the crowd, he watched with interest as Yu Xiaogang and Tang San struggled at the doorway to deal with the ever-growing throng of onlookers, whose questions were growing sharper by the minute.

A full quarter of an hour passed before Yu Xiaogang, who had nearly talked himself hoarse, finally managed to calm the agitated crowd and send them on their way.

He dragged his weary body back into Dorm Seven, the back of his shirt soaked through with cold sweat.

He shot Zhao Linchuan, reclining on the bed with an expression of utter ease, a vicious glare—the kind that looked ready to tear him limb from limb.

Then he went to Tang San's bed, bent down, and lowered his voice. His tone was icy. "Xiao San, get a good rest today."

"First thing tomorrow morning, I'll take you to the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain your First Soul Ring!"

He deliberately glanced at Zhao Linchuan. His voice was low, but everyone in the room could hear him.

"He has no teacher to guide him. When it comes to obtaining a Soul Ring, he can only wait for the academy to organize a group trip. It's inefficient and dangerous."

"Once you successfully absorb a Soul Ring, increase your Soul Power, and master your first Soul Skill..."

"...you'll show certain youngsters who don't know their place what the true path of a Soul Master is!"

At his words, a sickly flush appeared on Tang San's pale face. He nodded firmly. "Yes! Teacher, don't worry!"

"I won't let you down. I'll prove with facts... that your theories are correct!"

Every word drifted into Zhao Linchuan's ears.

He kept his eyes closed, looking as though Xiao Wu's "massage" had nearly lulled him to sleep, but his thoughts were already racing.

Going to obtain his First Soul Ring? Should I trip him up a little and make this First Soul Ring a more "memorable" experience?

Just as he weighed his options—

[Current plot circumstances detected. A choice mission has been triggered]

[Child of Fortune (Fake), Tang San, is about to obtain his signature Soul Skill]

[Choice One: Leave him alone. Would Tang San still be Tang San without Blue Silver Bind? (Let him obtain the Mandala Snake Soul Ring)]

[Reward: Puni First Spirit Ring (Growth-Type) *1, God-Bestowed Soul Ring *1, System Points *50000]

[Choice Two: Trip him up and leave him with a "deep" impression.]

[Reward: Puni First Spirit Ring (Growth-Type) *1, Golden Beans *36 (each can summon one Golden Armored Warrior), System Points *50000]

A growth-type Soul Ring! I've finally been waiting for this! Zhao Linchuan's thoughts raced.

Tripping Tang San up and still letting him end up with the Mandala Snake Soul Ring didn't seem mutually exclusive.

He could "help" make the process... more "unforgettable."

System, can I choose both? he asked tentatively in his mind.

[...]

The system answered with silence.

Fine, Zhao Linchuan thought, no longer dwelling on it. Then I choose two.

[Choice complete. Mission "Leave Tang San with a Deep Impression" accepted. Rewards will be issued automatically upon completion.]

Zhao Linchuan stretched contentedly, then lifted the eye-catching pink blanket and slipped beneath it.

The bed was already warm from Xiao Wu.

He casually pinched Xiao Wu's cheek as she leaned toward him. "Nice and warm in here. From now on, stay by my side and be my personal little maid—warming the bed and making it up. I'll keep you stocked with carrots."

Xiao Wu rolled her eyes at him and turned around, presenting him with the back of her head, but she didn't argue.

Zhao Linchuan didn't mind. He pulled the blanket higher and mumbled, "Time to sleep!"

The next morning, golden sunlight spilled through the windows of Dorm Seven.

Zhao Linchuan sat up with a long yawn, looking bleary-eyed and utterly languid.

He rubbed his eyes and spoke to Xiao Wu, who was already awake and watching him eagerly.

"Xiao Wu, I'm going out to buy you carrots. I'll be back tonight."

"Tonight?" Xiao Wu stared at him. "Aren't you going to class today? I heard the first lesson is about identifying Soul Beasts. It's really important."

"Class?" Zhao Linchuan recalled a famous saying from a "legendary figure" in his previous life: Studying? Hell with studying!

He replied, "I have something important to do today. As for class... I can always go next time."

With that, he swung out of bed, threw on his outer clothes, and ambled away.

A quarter of an hour later, at the residence in the west of the city.

Zhao Linchuan sat alone in the main seat of the spacious but somewhat empty central hall, absently tapping his fingers against the smooth tabletop as he considered how to engineer a sufficiently "memorable" "accident" for Tang San's first trip to hunt for a Soul Ring.

Just then, faint footsteps approached, so quiet they were almost inaudible.

The newcomer was clearly controlling her pace and breath on purpose.

Yue Shen entered with an ebony tray, walking with light, graceful steps.

On the tray sat a celadon teacup, steam curling above it and a delicate tea fragrance wafting through the air.

Today she wore a simple, light-blue outfit. Her long hair wasn't arranged in an elaborate style; it was loosely gathered with a jade hairpin. She seemed less mysterious and aloof, and a little more gentle and domestic.

Of course, that was if one ignored her eyes, which were far too still and deep.

She gently set the teacup on the table beside Zhao Linchuan, then stepped back half a pace, clasped her hands before her waist, and lowered her head slightly.

"Young Master, please have some tea."

"Mm." Zhao Linchuan picked up the teacup, blew away the foam, and took a sip. It was just the right temperature.

He looked up at Yue Shen, who stood respectfully beside him, and casually asked, "Why are you up so early?"

(Testing the waters here. If you like it, follow for updates.)