The Wu in Xiao Wu Means Dance

"My Martial Soul is a sword." As the other boy sized him up, Qin Muchu took a look at him too. So this was Wang Sheng, the dorm boss who was still only level nine in his sixth year. His name sounded fierce enough, with both "king" and "sage" in it, but he would probably top out around level thirty. The level Tang San reached by the time he graduated from primary school would be Wang Sheng's limit for life.

"We have a rule in this dorm. Every newcomer has to fight me. If you win, you're the boss from now on. If you lose, you have to accept me as your boss and do what I say."

"Then let's go." Qin Muchu beckoned. He might only be level five, but inside, he was a man in his twenties. His eye for a fight and his way of thinking were beyond an eleven-year-old's. Besides, Wang Sheng looked chronically underfed. Dealing with him should be a piece of cake.

Seeing that Qin Muchu was ready, Wang Sheng threw a punch at him.

"He really doesn't have a shred of technique." Qin Muchu watched the plain, straightforward punch, turned slightly to dodge it, and drove his right fist into Wang Sheng's arm joint with the force of his twisting waist.

Wang Sheng winced and yanked his fist back. Clutching the spot Qin Muchu had struck, he shook out his arm. "Again." With a low shout, pale yellow tiger stripes appeared across his skin. Using his Martial Soul made him look much stronger than before. He bent his knees, pushed off the floor, and sprang at Qin Muchu like a fierce tiger, his right claw raking toward Qin Muchu's shoulder.

"Whoa! Boss, you're amazing!" The others in the dorm cheered at the sight of Wang Sheng's strength.

To Qin Muchu, though, the move was still riddled with openings. Wang Sheng had gained a little strength, nothing more, and the gap was nowhere near enough for brute force to overcome all skill.

Qin Muchu shifted his feet and dodged the claw swipe again. At the same time, he summoned the Rusty Sword and slapped it toward Wang Sheng's wrist. Wang Sheng had already drawn on his Martial Soul's power; if Qin Muchu kept using only his fists, he probably couldn't land an effective blow.

Wang Sheng saw Qin Muchu target his arm again and, prepared this time, immediately pulled back. But how could he withdraw his hand faster than a sword could swing? With a sharp smack, his wrist took another hit and promptly swelled red.

Qin Muchu smiled at his pained expression. "Well? Want to keep going?"

"No, no! From now on, you're the new boss of Dorm Seven. Everyone, come meet the new boss." At Wang Sheng's call, the other ten boys finally snapped out of it. They hurried over and lined up neatly. "Hello, boss!"

"Mm." Qin Muchu nodded in satisfaction. He was king of the kids now, at least. He took his bedding from the Soul Tool he had bought earlier in the shop. "One of you, make my bed." What was the point of having underlings if he couldn't put them to work?

Everyone stared enviously at Qin Muchu's Soul Tool and his expensive-looking bedding. Two third-year students soon took the bedding and began making his bed.

"Boss, judging by what you've got, you're probably not a work-study student. So why did you come to Dorm Seven?" Wang Sheng asked curiously.

"Well, I heard the work-study students have a good atmosphere for cultivation, so here I am," Qin Muchu said with a laugh.

The others were instantly filled with respect. Just look at his attitude. No wonder he could become their boss at such a young age.

Just then, a crisp voice sounded from the doorway. "Excuse me, is this Dorm Seven?"

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a little girl standing at the door. Her slightly chubby cheeks were rosy against her fair skin, and a striking pair of rabbit ears stood atop her head. A scorpion braid hung past her hips. She wore a simple but spotless pink dress, held her school uniform in her left hand, and carried a small pink bundle in her right. A knot at the top of the bundle had somehow been arranged into two rabbit ears.

Qin Muchu stared at the little girl in a daze. Xiao Wu was this cute when she was little?

The others were dumbstruck too. The dorm had been full of boys, and the sudden arrival of such an adorable little girl left them all bewildered.

When no one answered, Xiao Wu wrinkled her pert little nose and asked again, "Is this Dorm Seven?"

"That's right. This is Dorm Seven. I'm Qin Muchu, the boss here. What's your name?" Coming back to his senses, Qin Muchu stepped aside to let her in.

"My name is Xiao Wu. The Wu that means dance."

Behind Qin Muchu, Wang Sheng egged him on. "Boss, go on. Show her who's in charge."

Qin Muchu nodded. He wanted to see what this little rabbit could do. Of course, he knew his limits. As he was now, he definitely wasn't her match.

"Hello, Xiao Wu. We have a rule in this dorm. Every newcomer has to fight the current boss. If I win, you'll be my underling and do what I say. If you win, you'll be the boss of Dorm Seven, and we'll all listen to you."

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. "Are you sure?"

Qin Muchu nodded. "I'm sure."

Xiao Wu set her luggage aside, excitement showing on her face. "All right, then. Let's go. Xiao Wu, rabbit Beast Martial Soul, level twelve Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."

What? Level twelve? Wang Sheng and the others were stunned. Good grief, were this year's new students all this formidable? Qin Muchu was already enough of a monster, and now an even bigger one had turned up.

Qin Muchu, who already knew Xiao Wu's true identity, wasn't surprised. After hearing her introduction, he gave his own. "Qin Muchu, longsword Tool Martial Soul, level five Power Attack System Soul Scholar."

"Pfft. You're only level five, and you still want to fight me?" Xiao Wu couldn't help laughing at his introduction.

"Of course. It's our dorm's rule."

"Then let's go." Before Qin Muchu could react, Xiao Wu's right knee shot up and her foot snapped out, her toes aimed straight at his chin.

So fast! Qin Muchu spun left to avoid the kick and summoned the Rusty Sword, slashing at her right leg. Surprise flashed through Xiao Wu's eyes when he dodged her first move. Without changing the motion of her right leg, she planted her right hand on the floor and kicked out with her left. Qin Muchu couldn't pull back in time. Her foot struck the Rusty Sword, and a tremendous force jolted through it. The sword flew from his grip. Xiao Wu pressed her advantage, clamped her legs around his waist like scissors, and dragged him straight to the floor.

The gap really is huge. Qin Muchu gave a rueful smile. "You're the boss of Dorm Seven now."