The last moments of the morning quietly slipped away amid the disorder in the classroom.
Faced with the results of today's lesson, the teacher could only shake his head helplessly.
"Class dismissed. Go have lunch. Remember to practice diligently on your own from now on, and come ask me if there's anything you don't understand. Meditation is the only way to increase your Soul Power. The sooner you master the Meditation Method, the sooner you can reach rank ten Soul Power."
Once the teacher finished speaking, the poor students who had failed to enter a meditative state throughout the entire lesson visibly breathed sighs of relief.
Since the teacher had not left yet, these students all sat obediently in their seats. Not one dared leave without permission.
With his hands clasped behind his back, the teacher stepped down from the platform and walked over to Lu Chen. Looking at Lu Chen, who had emerged from meditation and opened his eyes, he said approvingly:
"Child, your talent is excellent. After I taught the Meditation Method, you were the first to enter a meditative state so quickly."
"Although you're very talented, you mustn't slack off in your cultivation. If you encounter anything you don't understand, come to me. I'll be sure to explain it patiently. Cultivate hard. I have high hopes for you."
Hearing this, Lu Chen rose from his chair. He was not someone who knew no gratitude. The teacher's goodwill was already so obvious that he naturally felt it.
Facing the teacher, Lu Chen bowed deeply and said with a grateful expression:
"Thank you, sir. I'll be sure to cultivate diligently. If I have any questions in the future, I'll come to you right away. I hope you'll help clear up my confusion."
Lu Chen's humility and eagerness to learn made the teacher even more pleased with him. He patted Lu Chen's shoulder in encouragement.
Before turning to leave, the teacher shot another fierce glare at Xiao Wu, who was still sound asleep.
In the end, feeling utterly helpless, the teacher walked out of the classroom with his hands clasped behind his back.
After the teacher left, the other new students in the classroom cast complicated looks at Lu Chen.
Those looks held envy, jealousy, and a measure of defiance and resentment.
Clearly, they wished they could take the place of this fellow who enjoyed so much favor from the teacher.
The resentment of poor students toward a star pupil!
Faced with the new students' complicated looks, Lu Chen remained completely composed, without feeling the slightest discomfort.
After leaving his seat, he walked straight to Xiao Wu's desk.
Xiao Wu sat beside the window. Golden sunlight streamed through it, illuminating the side of her face as she slept soundly with her head on the desk. Her rosy cheeks glowed pink against fair skin, lustrous as a ripe red apple.
Lu Chen shook his head with a chuckle at the sight. No wonder the teacher had given Xiao Wu such a fierce glare before leaving. She really was sleeping soundly!
He reached out and banged on the desk, finally waking Xiao Wu with the noise.
After being woken, Xiao Wu rubbed her bleary eyes and spoke, still not quite awake:
"What is it? Is it time to eat?"
Lu Chen raised his eyebrows and answered with a faint chuckle:
"Yes, class is over. Let's hurry and eat. We Work-Study Students have arranged a fight with the noble students this afternoon. Xiao Wu, as Room Seven's number two, you're one of our main fighters. Don't be late because you're sleeping."
At this, Xiao Wu immediately perked up. She sprang straight out of her chair and waved her little fists, which offered little intimidation. Her eyes brimmed with eagerness as she said enthusiastically:
"Boss Lu Chen, don't worry. I definitely won't be late. Hmph, a bunch of little scumbags dare bully us Work-Study Students? The Work-Study Students are under my protection, Sister Xiao Wu's! Just watch me beat them until they're searching the ground for their teeth."
After waking Xiao Wu, Lu Chen went to the dining hall with her. Lu Chen ate on the first floor, while Xiao Wu went to the second.
Lu Chen was a poor Work-Study Student with little money of his own, so he could only eat the mass-cooked rice and dishes on the first floor.
As a One-Ring Spirit Master, Xiao Wu had already collected her Gold Soul Coin allowance from Spirit Hall. With money in hand, she had begun a life of lavish spending, eating only the best, so she went to the dining hall's second floor.
Around two in the afternoon, in the little grove behind Nuoding Academy!
Two groups of Nuoding Academy students had gathered in the grove. Both sides rubbed their fists and flexed their hands, trading insults, ready to break into a fight at any moment.
On the Work-Study Students' side, Xiao Wu stood with her hands on her hips and a solemn expression, like a female general commanding thousands of troops. She turned to ask Wang Sheng:
"Wang Sheng, is everyone here?"
Hearing her question, Wang Sheng immediately straightened, raised his head, and thrust out his chest as he answered:
"Basically all our Work-Study Students are here. Only Tang San hasn't shown up. But he doesn't follow Room Seven's rules, so we've never counted him as one of us."
Xiao Wu's slender brows knitted slightly, and her opinion of Tang San fell further. She waved a hand and said:
"Forget it. A coward like that would surely be useless even if he came. Boss Lu Chen and I are here."
"Boss Lu Chen, we can start!"
Lu Chen nodded at her words, then looked toward the noble students' leader opposite them, Xiao Chenyu, the city lord's son. He spoke in a ringing voice:
"How do you want to compete?"
A sharp glint flashed through Xiao Chenyu's eyes. As the city lord's son, he was no good-for-nothing. He had a few little schemes of his own.
Since these Work-Study Students had actually dared take the initiative to challenge them to a fight, they must have something to rely on.
Xiao Chenyu would not blindly plunge into a melee. After a moment's thought, he laid out his terms:
"Each side sends out three people to fight one-on-one in turns. The loser leaves, and the winner stays to face the next challenger. Once all three people on one side have lost, whichever side is still standing wins."
Xiao Chenyu had his little schemes. Unfortunately, before absolute strength, any such scheming was utterly powerless.
Lu Chen agreed to Xiao Chenyu's terms!
For their first fighters, the Work-Study Students sent out Wang Sheng, while the noble students sent out Liu Long.
Wang Sheng's Martial Soul was the War Tiger, and his Soul Power was rank eight.
Liu Long's Martial Soul was the Long Staff, and his Soul Power was also rank eight.
Although their Soul Power was equal, without Soul Skills, Liu Long could wield his Long Staff Martial Soul more flexibly.
After a bout of fighting, Liu Long successfully defeated Wang Sheng.
Losing the first match sent the Work-Study Students' morale sinking.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu could hardly wait to step out as their second fighter.
Her footwork was exceptionally nimble.
Her movements were swift, clean, and crisp.
In their fight, she threw Liu Long away in just a single exchange.
The Work-Study Students won this second match, sending their morale soaring again. They all cheered loudly for Xiao Wu.
On the noble students' side, Xiao Chenyu could tell that Xiao Wu's strength was extraordinary. Originally, he had wanted to appear last as their final fighter.
But Xiao Chenyu felt that no one on their side besides himself was a match for Xiao Wu, so he could only take the field second.
After stepping into the field, Xiao Chenyu immediately activated Martial Soul Possession.
He grew taller, his muscles swelled, gray fur covered his body, fangs grew in his mouth, and sharp claws emerged from his hands. His eyes also turned green with vertical pupils.
At his feet, a white Spirit Ring slowly rose, marking him as a One-Ring Spirit Master.
Yet after his Martial Soul Possession, the Work-Study Students felt no fear. Instead, they all looked expectantly toward Xiao Wu.
At this moment, Xiao Wu also activated Martial Soul Possession. Her legs lengthened to exaggerated proportions compared with her body, her black eyes turned red, and a pair of fluffy rabbit ears grew atop her head.
What frightened the noble students even more was the Yellow Soul Ring gradually rising at Xiao Wu's feet.
A Yellow Soul Ring, a Hundred-Year Spirit Ring!
Compared with Xiao Chenyu's decade spirit ring, a Hundred-Year Spirit Ring was clearly rarer and more precious.
There were no surprises in the outcome of this battle. With a Hundred-Year Spirit Ring crushing a decade spirit ring, Xiao Wu defeated Xiao Chenyu with ease.
After Xiao Chenyu lost, the noble students could no longer send out a third fighter. After all, even Xiao Chenyu had been defeated, and their side had completely lost its nerve.
This arranged fight ended in a sweeping victory for the Work-Study Students!