The Girl Meng Yiran

"Zhang, formal classes could begin this afternoon." Meng De handed him a schedule and explained, "There are only nine people in the Advanced Class. With you, that makes ten. The instructors are all the academy's best, and my father occasionally gives personal guidance as well."

Zhang Fei accepted it politely and casually asked, "Pardon me, Dean Meng, but are there any classes above the Advanced Class?"

"Yes." Meng De nodded. "Above the Advanced Class is the Special Class. Its students all have Soul Power above level thirty, and they are also the source of members for the Beast Academy Team."

"The Beast Academy Team?"

"That's right. Every advanced Soul Master academy forms a Soul Master team to compete in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, held once every five years. There are now less than six months until the next tournament."

Zhang Fei nodded. This tournament should be the one before the tournament Tang San participated in in the original story. In other words, there were still five and a half years until the real tournament.

By then, he would already be fourteen. He wondered whether he should participate in the Soul Master tournament when the time came.

He cast those thoughts aside. He could worry about the future later. "All right, I understand. Thank you, Dean Meng."

Meng De nodded, gave him a few more reminders, and left.

After going through the whole process, it was already past noon.

Zhang Fei rubbed his growling stomach and decided to fill it first at the cafeteria.

The moment he stepped out of the courtyard gate, a young girl approached him head-on.

She looked to be around twelve or thirteen, yet she was already rather tall, carrying the faint charm of a girl just beginning to mature. Her neat blue-gray hair was cut short at ear length and gleamed strangely beneath the sunlight. Her large dark-brown eyes tilted slightly upward, their corners naturally holding a trace of seductiveness. Her features were fairly delicate overall.

She wore the blue-gray uniform of Beast Academy's Advanced Class. As she walked, she carried an alluringly sinister air, like a dangerous venomous snake.

When the girl stopped before Zhang Fei and saw his face clearly, her steps unconsciously halted.

So... so handsome.

Her heart skipped for no apparent reason, but she maintained her proud expression. Walking up to Zhang Fei, she lifted her chin slightly and asked, "You're the new junior, Zhang Fei?"

Zhang Fei remained composed and bowed slightly. "Yes, Senior. May I ask who you are?"

"My name is Meng Yiran. I'm twelve years old. My martial soul is the Serpent Cane, and I'm a level twenty-three assault-type weapon Soul Master. My father is the vice dean. He asked me to show the new student around."

Zhang Fei muttered inwardly, So it really is Meng Yiran, the girl from the original story who made a bet with Tang San in the Star Dou Great Forest and even kissed him.

Meng Yiran's gaze unconsciously lingered on Zhang Fei's face again. Then, as if realizing something, she gave a light cough and looked away, though the tips of her ears quietly flushed red.

Zhang Fei took in every detail. He found it amusing, but his expression remained perfectly serious. "Then thank you, Senior. Since it's noon, how about you take me to the cafeteria for lunch? I'm still unfamiliar with this place."

Meng Yiran thought to herself, I never eat alone with boys, yet you sure have some nerve asking.

However, she hesitated for less than two seconds before quickly agreeing. "Fine... fine! I need to eat too, so let's eat together!"

"Then thank you, Senior." Zhang Fei grinned.

The two walked side by side toward the cafeteria.

Zhang Fei was tall and straight-backed, while Meng Yiran was slender and tall. Walking together, they somehow looked strangely well-matched.

Countless gazes of surprise and jealousy followed them along the way.

"Is that... Junior Meng? Why is she walking with a guy?"

"Who's that kid? Why haven't I seen him before?"

"Why him?! Junior Yiran is our academy's beauty. How can she eat with a boy..."

The male students in particular stared at Zhang Fei with envy, jealousy, and confusion, as though they wanted to bore several holes through him with their eyes.

Zhang Fei muttered inwardly, Tch. A girl like Meng Yiran, barely a seven or eight out of ten, is considered the academy beauty? She's only a tiny bit better than the maids at the Crown Prince's Residence. What a bunch of pigs who've never had good food.

He ignored them completely, looking calm and composed. I'm someone who'll be holding onto a little angel in the future. I can't even be bothered with this kind of "fine food."

When Meng Yiran saw that Zhang Fei remained unruffled and at ease despite those hostile stares, her heart stirred again.

That's just... so manly!

When the two entered the cafeteria, the once-noisy hall fell eerily silent for a moment.

Then, even louder chatter exploded throughout the room.

Zhang Fei chuckled softly. "Senior, it seems you're quite popular at the academy."

"Of course!" Meng Yiran's lips curved upward with a hint of pride. "Come on, I'll treat you to something good as a welcome for the new student."

"Then thank you, Senior." Zhang Fei accepted with a smile.

He silently added, It's not like I'm short on money. Between what I earned at the Great Soul Arena and what Ning Fengzhi gave me, I already have over a million Gold Soul Coins in my pocket.

But I just like the feeling of living off a woman.

Zhang Fei showed no restraint. He pointed at the signature dishes on the menu and ordered nearly every one of them, stopping only when the entire table was piled full of food.

Meng Yiran sat across from him. Looking at the table full of dishes, her face darkened as she thought, You ordered so much. If you can't finish it, just watch how I deal with you!

But she was completely wrong.

Zhang Fei grabbed his chopsticks and swept through the feast like a whirlwind, clearing the entire table in no time.

It looked less like he was eating and more like he was washing dishes. He did not even waste the soup, pouring every last drop into his stomach.

Meng Yiran stared in dumbfounded shock and could not help asking, "You... were you reincarnated from a starving ghost?"

Zhang Fei wiped his mouth, burped contentedly, and patted his slightly bulging belly. "I'm still growing. It's normal for me to eat a lot."

Meng Yiran: "..."

In truth, Zhang Fei was rather helpless too. Ever since awakening his martial soul, his appetite had indeed increased considerably. After evolving into the Golden Dragon, it had become even more outrageous. Fortunately, he never lacked food at the Crown Prince's Residence. Otherwise, it would have been a real problem.

After lunch, it was nearly time for afternoon classes. Meng Yiran led Zhang Fei directly toward the training grounds.

"The Advanced Class no longer has theory lessons. Mornings are for individual cultivation, while afternoons are for combat training." As Meng Yiran walked, she introduced the place, her tone still carrying a stiffness that had not recovered from her earlier shock. "Combat training is held in a dedicated training ground. The instructor is very strict, so... good luck."

Zhang Fei nodded as he looked around.

The training grounds covered a vast area. Independent arenas were arranged in an orderly pattern, the ground paved with hard bluestone, while all kinds of training equipment stood around the perimeter. Quite a few diligent students were already sweating on the grounds.

He sighed inwardly, As expected of a proper Soul Master academy. The facilities have everything one could need. It's far more professional than certain sham schools that only put on a show.

The two soon arrived at the training ground reserved for the Advanced Class.

Inside, the other eight students were already standing in a line, waiting.

When they saw Meng Yiran and Zhang Fei approaching side by side, their gazes immediately turned toward them in unison, carrying the same unfriendly intent.