After completing registration, Cheng Xiao received his bedding and daily necessities before heading to his dormitory.
Although Notting Junior Soul Master Academy did not formally divide students by grade, treatment was clearly stratified.
Noble students lived in luxurious two-person rooms, fully furnished with high-end items.
Commoners were assigned eight-person dormitories, with basic bedding and daily supplies provided.
As for work-study students, they were given only a shared bunk room and had to bring their own bedding.
After making his bed, Cheng Xiao left the dorm before the others arrived and began his usual training.
It was still an extreme regimen—he had no intention of easing up.
From his past life, he understood one simple truth: the moment you relax even slightly, it becomes easier to slack off again. One day turns into two, then a few more, until eventually you don't want to move at all.
And once that happens, there's no going back.
So Cheng Xiao never allowed himself excuses.
"Huff… huff… huff…"
After several consecutive days of overload training, his body had been pushed to its limits. Today felt even worse than before—every step was heavy, his lungs burning like bellows.
Pain spread through his entire body, and a dangerous thought surfaced:
Is there a better way… to avoid this kind of suffering?
But he immediately crushed it.
"There are no shortcuts. Don't even think about it!"
"My advantage lies in the Twin Spirits. As long as I can unlock them, my growth speed will surpass everyone else."
How fast could Tang San really grow with the Xuantian Technique?
During their time at Shrek Academy, the Seven Monsters progressed at nearly the same pace. Tang San's advantage wasn't particularly overwhelming.
Before enrollment:
Dai Mubai (37), Oscar (29), Tang San (29), Ning Rongrong (26), Xiao Wu (29), Ma Hongjun (27), Zhu Zhuqing (27).
At graduation:
Dai Mubai (45), Oscar (42), Tang San (43), Ning Rongrong (42), Xiao Wu (40), Ma Hongjun (42), Zhu Zhuqing (42).
Even with the boost from the Eight Spider Lances, Tang San didn't pull far ahead.
Under equal training intensity, the Xuantian Technique's advantage was minimal. It clearly wasn't some miraculous acceleration method.
Instead of wasting time chasing it, Cheng Xiao would rather focus on obtaining immortal herbs.
After reinforcing his resolve, he squeezed out the last of his strength and finally completed his training.
The moment he relaxed—
he collapsed.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you lying here?"
A clear, pleasant voice sounded beside him.
"…?"
Cheng Xiao tried to look up, but his vision was blurred. All he could see were a pair of delicate feet. His throat was dry, and he couldn't even speak.
All he wanted was to sleep.
"My name is Xiao Wu—'Wu' as in dance. What's yours?"
Xiao Wu?!
Cheng Xiao was jolted awake.
Damn… the 100,000-year spirit ring—no, wait, the spirit beast!
Struggling, he turned over and finally saw her clearly.
She had soft, delicate features, skin as smooth as jade, and long black hair braided into a scorpion tail that hung behind her. Her bright, curious eyes shimmered like spring water.
She was… undeniably cute.
…But I prefer a more mature type, not the cute route…
His thoughts went completely off track.
Yeah… I must be exhausted.
"Are you okay? Should I take you to the infirmary?"
"I… cough—!"
He tried to refuse, but his throat burned with dryness. The single syllable triggered a fit of coughing.
"…Alright."
After a brief hesitation, Xiao Wu hoisted him onto her back.
"My name is Xiao Wu. I'm a work-study student… What's your name?"
Her cheerful voice rang in his ears as she carried him.
Cheng Xiao wanted to protest—but his body had no strength left.
You're making this difficult… I'm eyeing your future spirit ring, you know… don't be this nice…
As they walked, Xiao Wu asked around for directions. Leaning against her shoulder, Cheng Xiao caught a faint, sweet fragrance.
…Even the 'spirit ring' smells nice.
This is troublesome…
At the infirmary—
"Doctor, this classmate fainted on the playground. Can you take a look?"
"Let me see."
The doctor examined him briefly.
"It's nothing serious. Just overexertion."
He summoned his martial soul—a healing type—and activated a spirit skill.
A warm light enveloped Cheng Xiao.
Almost instantly, his fatigue eased by more than half. His throat recovered, his body regained strength—he even felt like he could run another ten kilometers.
"Rest well for a couple of days and you'll be fine."
"Thank you."
They both expressed their gratitude and left.
"Thanks. I'm Cheng Xiao," he said.
"It's nothing. We're classmates, after all." Xiao Wu smiled casually.
"By the way, you said you're a work-study student? Have you registered yet?"
"Not yet."
"You didn't bring bedding?"
"…Was I supposed to?"
"Work-study students don't get bedding—you have to prepare it yourself."
Cheng Xiao checked the copper soul coins in his pocket. He had enough.
"How about this—I'll take you to buy some. Consider it repayment for bringing me to the infirmary."
Of course, he would never admit his real motive:
preventing Xiao Wu from sharing a bed with Tang San.
Purely gratitude. Absolutely.
"Okay!" Xiao Wu agreed happily, without suspicion.
They headed to the supply store, bought bedding and daily necessities, then went to the work-study dormitory.
When they arrived, Tang San was nowhere to be seen—likely called away by Yu Xiaogang.
After hearing the rules of Dorm Seven, Xiao Wu swiftly defeated everyone present and claimed dominance.
Meanwhile, Cheng Xiao calmly observed.
From one of the defeated students, he identified Tang San's bed.
Then—
while Xiao Wu was busy beating people up—
he quietly chose a bed as far from Tang San as possible and made it for her.
Done.
Whether it would stay that way later… who cared?
He just did it on a whim.
Causing a little trouble for others was its own reward.
"Well then, I'll head back. See you tomorrow."
"Xiao Cheng, you're so nice! See you!"
Xiao Wu threw herself onto the bed, rolling around happily.
Leaving Dorm Seven, Cheng Xiao glanced at the sky and walked back.
"…She does smell pretty nice," he muttered.
"…Still, I prefer cats or foxes. Rabbits aren't really my type… this is complicated."
"Achoo!"
He suddenly sneezed.
Looking down at his filthy, sweat-soaked body, he cursed himself inwardly:
You're disgusting.
Strangely, that made him feel better.
With a lighter mood, he continued walking.
…Well, rabbits aren't completely unacceptable either.
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