Can't Even Afford to Eat, What Rules Are We Talking About!

During the few days of cultivation following his Spirit Awakening, Qin Qi practiced both within the learning space and in the outside world.

The Qi cultivated through the Five Treasures Body Protection Method was equivalent to Spirit Power, and after these days of uninterrupted study, his Spirit Power had reached a point where it could no longer increase.

Although there was no way to test his Spirit Power at the moment, Qin Qi guessed that he must have already reached level ten.

To continue improving, he had to obtain a Spirit Ring.

As for collecting the medicinal herbs for the Qi Poison, he had gathered quite a few over the past few days, but there were still a few he hadn't found.

However, the day to depart for Nuoding City had arrived, so Qin Qi had no choice but to find a way to buy the remaining herbs once he reached the city.

Qin Qi and the village chief boarded a carriage headed for Nuoding City. While on the road, Qin Qi spoke up.

"Village Chief, could you lend me some money? I'll definitely pay you back once I've made something of myself."

Qin Qi wanted to borrow some money from the chief to buy the missing herbs at a pharmacy.

"If you haven't woken up from your dreams yet, kid, go back to sleep. We're still a long way from Nuoding City."

The village chief looked at Qin Qi with an expression that clearly said, in your dreams. He would offer him food if he were hungry, but money? Not a chance!

"Sigh, a single penny can stump a hero."

Qin Qi didn't blame the village chief; they weren't related, and the chief had already taken good care of him, for which he should be grateful.

"You're no hero, you're just a little brat."

"But don't you worry. Once you get to Notting Academy, you won't just be studying; you'll be working too. I hear they pay ten copper Spirit Coins a day."

The village chief said.

"Sigh."

Qin Qi sighed. He really couldn't wait any longer; up until now, he hadn't learned a single offensive technique.

Having to rely on brawling when fighting others—how was this like a killer or an assassin? How was this like a disciple of the Tang Sect?

It was embarrassing just to be seen doing it.

Upon arriving at Notting Academy, they encountered guards at the gate. The guards didn't give them any trouble; after a routine inquiry to confirm their identities, they let them in.

After finding a teacher to test his Spirit Power, registering his name, and finally receiving his school uniform, Qin Qi officially became a working student at Notting Academy.

"Study hard and become a successful Spirit Master in the future!"

The village chief patted Qin Qi on the shoulder, gave him some earnest advice, and then left.

As the village chief, his duty was fulfilled; the rest was up to Qin Qi. He had already done enough by taking care of him this far.

"Thanks, Village Chief."

Qin Qi walked the chief to the gate of Notting Academy. He had intended to walk him further, but the chief stopped him.

"Don't bother. If you wander too far, I'm afraid you won't be able to find your way back, and then I'll have to come and bring you back myself."

The village chief said.

"Hmm... that makes sense. I won't see you off, then."

Qin Qi nodded. Nuoding City was quite large, and since it was his first time in the city, he might actually get lost.

After seeing the village chief off, Qin Qi prepared to head to his dormitory. He was in Dorm Seven; all working students, regardless of age, were assigned there.

Just as Qin Qi reached the dormitory door and pushed it open, he saw Chang Wei—no, wait, it was Wang Sheng—beating someone up.

"Another newcomer. Are you going to let me beat you up, or are you going to acknowledge me as your boss right now?"

Wang Sheng stretched his limbs and walked toward Qin Qi with a sinister grin. He was broad and sturdy, and he possessed a beast-type Spirit.

With no one having Spirit Rings yet, he had a significant advantage in a fight.

"What did you say?"

Qin Qi put on a look of not having heard clearly, tilting his ear toward Wang Sheng as he approached.

"I said, are you going to acknowledge me as your... ah!!!"

Wang Sheng looked at Qin Qi's honest expression and, completely off-guard, truly believed he hadn't heard him.

He walked toward Qin Qi, intending to say it closer, but the moment he got near, Qin Qi delivered a swift kick to his groin.

"Oh, I heard you clearly that time, but I'm not planning on choosing the answer you gave me."

"I'm planning on beating you up, and then I'm going to take your money."

Qin Qi still wore an honest smile on his face. Although he hadn't practiced Qi refinement before, he had grown up in the Tang Sect, after all; he had learned more than a few ways to fight.

He might not be able to handle a master, but beating up a little brat was easy.

"I... I don't accept this!"

Wang Sheng knelt on the ground, clutching his crotch with both hands, gritting his teeth so hard his eyes looked like they were about to pop out.

"Whether you accept it or not has nothing to do with me. Hand over the money, or I'll keep beating you."

Qin Qi had held back earlier; had he truly used his full strength, Wang Sheng wouldn't even have the chance to speak right now.

"No..."

Qin Qi raised his foot, preparing to give Wang Sheng another kick.

"Yes, it's by my bed!"

Wang Sheng caved instantly. That one kick had nearly knocked him unconscious; another one would definitely be the end of him.

"Consider yourself sensible. The rest of you, hand over your protection money, or I'll give each of you a taste of the same."

Qin Qi glared fiercely at the remaining people in the room as he spoke.

"You—you can't do this! That's against the rules!"

Someone spoke up.

"I can't even afford a meal, and you're talking to me about rules? Nothing is more important than filling one's stomach!"

"If you don't pay, I'll beat you until you do!"

Qin Qi couldn't afford to care about much else now; he didn't just need to cultivate, he needed to eat.

There was no one to mooch meals off of in the academy, and the cafeteria charged fees. Although it wasn't much, he didn't have a single cent.

Unlike Tang San, who had a cheap father, Qin Qi was a pure orphan in this Douluo World. He had only survived until today thanks to the simple, honest nature of his village.

He was truly at the point where poverty had sapped his spirit.

The students exchanged glances, then looked at Wang Sheng sprawled on the floor, and they ultimately lost their nerve.

They took out the meager savings they had earned from working odd jobs at the academy and handed it all over to Qin Qi.

"Is there any left?"

Qin Qi took the money and stuffed it into his pocket before looking at the group and asking.

"No, we gave you everything."

The group spoke in unison.

"Gave me everything? I'll search you."

Qin Qi searched the room and confirmed he couldn't find anything else, then looked at the students.

"Keep this for your meals; the rest is mine."

Qin Qi took out a portion of the stolen money and left it for them to eat. Robbery was one thing, but he couldn't let them starve to death.

Qin Qi left the money on the table and walked out. It was a bit like trying to cover one's ears while stealing a bell, but it was better than doing nothing at all.

"Boss Wang Sheng, are you alright!"

Once Qin Qi had left, the group rushed forward to help Wang Sheng up, asking with concern.

"I'm... I'm fine, just let me catch my breath!"

Wang Sheng sat on the bed for a long time before he finally recovered. The first thing he said once he could speak was:

"We have to get him! Don't sleep tonight. When he comes back, we'll trap him in a blanket and beat him to a pulp!"

"Boss Wang Sheng, maybe we shouldn't? I feel like this guy is..."

The student felt that Qin Qi was quite troublesome and didn't want to provoke him, but Wang Sheng glared at him.

"We'll do whatever you say, you're the boss."

The student changed his tune immediately.

At this moment, Qin Qi had left the academy gates, wandered around outside for a while, and finally found a pharmacy.

"Sigh, this money is so little. If I hadn't gathered some medicinal herbs myself, this wouldn't be nearly enough."

"But fortunately, the Tang Sect has ways of refining poison for the rich and ways for the poor."

Qin Qi sighed, feeling grateful for the first time that the Tang Sect had been dirt-poor in its early years.

If not for that poverty, the people of the Tang Sect would never have researched how to refine poisons with minimal funds.

"Sigh, money isn't everything, but you can't do anything without it."

Qin Qi sighed, brought the final few medicinal herbs back to the academy, found a secluded spot, and entered the study space.

"Granduncle, I've found the medicine. Let's start refining the Qi Poison!"

Qin Qi felt a surge of excitement as he said this. He was finally going to start learning real techniques!

Once he mastered the Qi Poison, he would finally have a shred of self-preservation power in the Douluo World!