Eastsea Academy

Bai Lin sat down in the window seat Liu Yuxin had assigned him. He had just set down his backpack and had not even had time to catch his breath.

A slightly plump upperclassman in a senior uniform hurried over, his face piled with an enthusiastic smile that bordered on fawning. He held an unopened bottle of chilled drink in his hand.

"Junior!"

"You're Tang Wulin, right?"

"The ride must have tired you out, huh?"

"Thirsty?"

"Here, this is from your senior!"

"Huh?"

"Thank you, Senior, but I'm not thirsty."

Bai Lin hurriedly waved his hands and politely declined.

He truly was not thirsty, and this sudden enthusiasm left him somewhat at a loss.

The senior seemed to want to say something more, but Liu Yuxin had already stepped in front of him with a smile.

"Senior Wang, there are still many new students waiting to be received. You should go get busy."

Her tone was gentle, yet carried an unquestionable reminder.

Senior Wang smiled awkwardly and told Bai Lin, "Come find me anytime if you need anything," before finally leaving, looking back every few steps.

Less than half a minute after Senior Wang left, Liu Yuxin turned back around. She bent slightly at the waist and looked at Bai Lin with concern, her voice so gentle it seemed ready to drip with water.

"Junior Wulin, after such a long ride, are you hungry?"

"Senior has some snacks here..."

Naturally, quite a few students and parents who had already taken their seats witnessed this scene.

Whispers immediately spread through the bus.

"Who's that junior?"

"Why is Senior Liu treating him so well?"

"No idea..."

"He looks pretty ordinary..."

"Shh! Keep it down!"

"Didn't you hear Senior Liu call his name just now?"

"Tang Wulin! That nine-year-old Soul Grandmaster!"

"What!"

"So it's him!"

"My god!"

"No wonder..."

"Senior personally received him, and an upperclassman brought him water..."

"This treatment..."

"Sigh, comparing yourself to others is enough to make you mad..."

"Even Blue Silver Grass can cultivate this fast..."

The discussion was not loud, but the envious, curious, and even slightly sour looks converged on Bai Lin as though they had substance.

Looking at Senior Liu Yuxin, who had returned with such concern on her face, and sensing all those complicated gazes in the bus, Bai Lin truly did not know whether to laugh or cry.

He raised his head and gave Liu Yuxin a smile that was both grateful and slightly helpless. His voice was gentle and clear.

"Senior, there's really no need to trouble yourself."

"I just had breakfast. I'm not hungry at all."

He paused, then added,

"Besides, right now, I..."

"Just want to quietly look at the scenery outside."

Liu Yuxin looked into Bai Lin's clear, calm eyes, which held not the slightest trace of arrogance. She froze slightly, then an even more sincere smile blossomed across her face.

She understood what Bai Lin meant, and she felt a little embarrassed by how overly enthusiastic she had been just now.

"Alright, then get some good rest and enjoy the view."

Liu Yuxin nodded gently, straightened up, and regained the dignified bearing expected of a senior welcoming new students.

"If you need anything, just call for Senior."

She gave Bai Lin one last encouraging look before turning away to greet the other students who had just boarded.

The bus gradually quieted, leaving only the engine's low hum and the clamor of the city outside.

Bai Lin leaned against the soft seatback and turned to look through the window at the unfamiliar yet prosperous streets of Eastsea City rushing past.

Sunlight streamed through the spotless window, casting warm patches of light over his young, tranquil face.

Eastsea Academy's grand white main building, brimming with the distinct feel of Soul Guidance technology, gleamed brilliantly beneath the sun.

Senior Liu Yuxin's warmth was like sunlight as she escorted Bai Lin through broad tree-lined paths and the youthful, vibrant campus, taking him directly to the entrance of the Intermediate Division Academic Affairs Office.

"Junior Wulin, this is the place."

Liu Yuxin smiled gently, lightly knocked on the door, and led Bai Lin inside.

The Academic Affairs Office was bright and clean. A middle-aged male teacher wearing glasses and looking rather stern was bent over his desk at work.

When Liu Yuxin softly explained why they had come and reported the name "Tang Wulin," the teacher, who had not even looked up before, abruptly stopped writing.

He raised his head, his gaze falling on Bai Lin like a searchlight. The stern mask on his face instantly melted away, replaced by almost exaggerated enthusiasm and surprise.

"Tang Wulin?"

"You're Tang Wulin, the nine-year-old Soul Grandmaster?"

"Welcome! A very warm welcome!"

The following procedures went astonishingly quickly.

Registering his information, entering his Soul Power Level, issuing his uniform...

Teacher Li from Academic Affairs moved with unbelievable efficiency. He even personally selected the best-fitting uniform from several brand-new sets and handed it to Bai Lin, repeatedly reminding him with great care,

"You must keep your dorm key safe!"

"Don't lose it!"

"It's a real hassle to replace it!"

"You've been assigned to Class Five, Year One. Your dorm is Room 205 on the second floor of the freshmen dormitory building."

Teacher Li added with a beaming smile, his eyes full of anticipation for the academy's future star.

After bidding farewell to the overly enthusiastic Teacher Li and the still gentle, attentive Senior Liu Yuxin, Bai Lin carried his belongings alone toward the freshmen dormitory buildings surrounded by green trees.

The air was filled with the noise and excitement of new students enrolling. The corridors were piled with luggage, and freshmen in all sorts of casual clothes constantly passed by. Laughter, playfulness, parents' reminders, and the dorm manager auntie's shouts mingled together in chaotic disorder.

Bai Lin frowned slightly, instinctively uncomfortable with such an overly lively environment.

He found the stairs and headed straight up to the second floor.

The door to Dorm 205 stood partly open, and loud voices and the sounds of things being moved came from inside.

Bai Lin pushed open the door and entered.

It was a standard four-person dorm room. Two combination beds with desks and wardrobes stood against each wall, with an aisle down the middle.

There were already two people inside.

At the lower bunk near the door sat a boy who was exceptionally tall and sturdy, looking nothing like a nine-year-old child.

Zhou Changxi sat carelessly on the bed, directing another boy who was thin, wore glasses, and appeared somewhat timid as he organized their luggage.

Packaging bags and miscellaneous items were scattered across the floor.

Bai Lin had only just entered and had not even had the chance to introduce himself.

Zhou Changxi, who sat on the bed, cast him a sidelong glance, raised his chin, and pointed at the pile of clutter on the floor, as well as a broom and dustpan. His tone was clearly commanding and condescending.

"Hey! New guy?"

"Perfect!"

"Go sweep up that trash on the floor, then mop it once!"

"Move it!"

That overbearing attitude was like a powder keg with its fuse lit!

Deep within the Sea of Spirit, Hei Lin, who had always remained silent like the frozen ice of the Abyss, was instantly ignited by this blatant provocation, his violent rage erupting!

An icy, bone-piercing killing intent burst forth like floodwaters breaking through a dam!