Whose Boss Are You?

To be honest, Nezha was rather curious too.

In the original story, Xiao Wu had stood up for the work-study students in this clash between work-study students and self-funded students.

Now that Xiao Wu and he had paid Gold Soul Coins, they did not live in the Seventh Dormitory and naturally did not know Wang Sheng and his group. Without Xiao Wu, who would lead the work-study students?

Would it be Tang San?

By the time the two reached the clearing behind the mountain, the two sides had already formed up.

The leader of the self-funded students was Xiao Chenyu, the son of Notting City's lord. He was a sixth-year student known as Boss Xiao.

Several older students stood behind him, their Soul Power levels all around level eight or nine.

At the front of the work-study students stood exactly who Nezha had expected—Tang San.

Xiao Wu froze for a moment and muttered softly, "Why is it him?"

Nezha said nothing, his gaze resting briefly on Tang San.

Among the work-study students, Wang Sheng stood half a step behind Tang San, while the others all subtly treated him as their center.

Yet Nezha could see a trace of reluctance in Tang San's expression.

In truth, Tang San had no desire to be anyone's boss. He only wanted to quietly study under Grandmaster and could not be bothered with this sort of mess.

But ever since he had defeated Wang Sheng in the Seventh Dormitory that day, he had automatically become the boss of all the work-study students, and there was no shaking it off.

A few days ago, he had heard that the work-study students had arranged a fight with Boss Xiao. Tang San's first thought had been not to go.

Then Wang Sheng told him what the stakes were.

Boss Xiao's side had laid down the terms: if the work-study students lost, every one of them would have to become Boss Xiao's pet.

If the work-study students won, Boss Xiao would never be allowed to bully another work-study student again, and the entire academy would have to acknowledge the work-study students' boss as the academy boss.

The words "work-study students" meant Tang San was included too.

He did not care whether Boss Xiao acknowledged him as boss, but the problem was that line: "If the work-study students lose, everyone becomes pets"—and that included Tang San.

So Tang San had come.

Not because he wanted to be some boss, but simply because he did not want to be someone else's pet.

Besides, he wanted to settle this in one go, so no one would come looking for trouble every few days afterward.

Xiao Chenyu crossed his arms, his chin raised so high it was nearly pointing at the sky. "Wang Sheng, have you work-study students got water in your brains? You found some little brat to challenge me? What a joke."

His gaze shifted to Tang San, and a scornful smile curled his lips. "Little brat, did you even bother to find out who Boss Xiao is? In Notting City, no one would dare stop me even if I walked sideways, let alone here in the academy."

Of course Xiao Chenyu knew who Tang San was—the disciple of that useless freeloader Grandmaster.

He also knew that Tang San had just obtained his first Soul Ring and become a proper Soul Master.

That was why Xiao Chenyu was somewhat wary of Tang San. After all, he himself was only a one-ring Soul Master. If he truly fought Tang San, who was also a one-ring Soul Master, he might not come out ahead.

That was precisely why he wanted to intimidate Tang San with his words, make him afraid, and preferably have him surrender on the spot.

"I advise you to know what's good for you." Xiao Chenyu lifted his chin, his tone growing even more aggressive. "Don't let Wang Sheng talk you into getting lost."

He waited for Tang San to show weakness.

Before Tang San could speak, Wang Sheng could no longer hold back. "Boss Xiao, cut the crap! Don't forget the terms you agreed to—if we win, every student in the academy has to acknowledge our Third Brother as their boss!"

As soon as Wang Sheng said that, Tang San's brow furrowed again.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, who had been watching from the edge of the crowd, instantly darkened.

"Who the hell are this Boss Xiao and that fatty?"

Xiao Wu's voice was not loud, but the anger in it was already close to bursting free.

"They dare find a boss for Sister Xiao Wu? They even dare find a boss for me and Nezha?"

Though Nezha knew the story, their words still displeased him. Before he could say anything, Xiao Wu had already jumped out.

"Boss Xiao, is it?" Xiao Wu planted her hands on her hips, her pink eyes wide and round. "What gives you the right to represent all the self-funded students? You may be other people's boss, but you're not mine or Nezha's!"

The entire place fell silent for a moment.

Everyone on the mountain behind the academy turned to look at Xiao Wu.

There was surprise, curiosity, and amusement. Several older self-funded students whispered among themselves, all asking who this little girl was.

Xiao Wu did not care about their stares. She merely glared at Wang Sheng and Xiao Chenyu, waiting for an answer.

Nezha casually walked over and stopped beside Xiao Wu. He said nothing, but his stance made his position clear.

When Tang San saw the two of them, surprise flickered through his eyes.

He remembered Nezha and Xiao Wu well. After all, Grandmaster had wanted to take them as disciples before, only to be refused.

He had not expected them to come to the mountain behind the academy as well.

Xiao Chenyu's expression darkened.

He felt that his authority as the academy boss had been challenged.

It was one thing for work-study students to talk back to him, but now even two freshmen who had only been enrolled for a few days dared to jump out and undermine him?

He looked coldly at Xiao Wu. "Little sister, this isn't something a person like you, who has only been here for a few days and isn't even a Soul Master, can interfere in."

Xiao Chenyu had never considered the possibility that Xiao Wu and Nezha might be Soul Masters.

This was Notting Academy, out in the middle of nowhere. Students could graduate as soon as they became Soul Masters. How could two six-year-old children possibly be Soul Masters?

Nezha smiled at that.

"Soul Masters?" His tone was casual. "As it happens, Xiao Wu and I both are."

As the words fell, two Soul Rings lit up at once.

A yellow Soul Ring rose from Nezha's body, and a yellow Soul Ring rose from Xiao Wu's as well. The two rings of light slowly revolved beneath the sun.

Xiao Chenyu's eyes went wide. His mouth opened and closed, but not a single word came out.

Tang San's pupils contracted slightly as well.

He remembered clearly that the two had not possessed Soul Rings just days ago.

Yet in only a few days, they had both acquired their first Soul Rings.

Xiao Wu withdrew her Soul Ring, crossed her arms, and lifted her chin slightly. "Since you're competing to see who becomes boss, why not include Nezha and me? A three-way battle. Whoever wins becomes the boss of the entire academy. Fair and reasonable."

Xiao Chenyu's expression shifted several times as his gaze swept back and forth between Xiao Wu and Nezha.

Two six-year-old Soul Masters might have terrifying talent, but they had only recently obtained their Soul Rings. Their combat experience surely could not compare to that of an old hand like him.

Besides, he had more people on his side.

"Fine." Xiao Chenyu sneered. "Since you insist on joining in, we'll do it by the rules. A three-way gauntlet battle. Whoever remains standing in the end is the boss."

Tang San fell silent for a moment before nodding as well. He had come to solve this problem in the first place. Adding another side did not matter; they were going to fight anyway.

"Good!" Wang Sheng stepped forward and asked loudly, "How many people do you have?"

Xiao Wu glanced back at Nezha. Nezha shrugged.

"Just the two of us." Xiao Wu held up two fingers.

The entire place fell silent for a moment.

Wang Sheng was stunned at first, then a surge of delight rose in his heart.