NOVEL WEB Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Xiao Chenyu
After spending quite some time, Zhao Ming managed to push his and Xiao Wu's beds together. His bedding was an adult-sized set, large enough to cover about ninety percent of both beds.
"Why is your bedding so big?" Xiao Wu asked in surprise. Earlier, Zhao Ming's bedding had been folded, so she hadn't noticed its size.
"I like kicking off my blanket and rolling around in bed, so of course, I bought a bigger one," Zhao Ming replied with a smile, looking at Xiao Wu.
"Really?" Xiao Wu looked skeptical. She glanced at their two beds, then placed her bundle in the middle and used her hand to draw an imaginary line.
"See this? This is the boundary. If you dare cross it, don't blame me for not being polite," Xiao Wu said, raising her small fists and pretending to be fierce.
"Well, I can't make any promises. I already told you, I tend to roll around while sleeping. I can't guarantee what might happen," Zhao Ming said, shaking his head.
Zhao Ming found the situation amusing. It reminded him of the invisible line drawn between boys and girls on desks back in elementary school.
Crossing the line meant you were a beast.
Not crossing it meant you were worse than a beast.
Which one would you choose?
"You!" Xiao Wu's eyes widened. She felt like she had walked into a wolf's den. But after looking around, she realized there weren't any better options.
"Hmph! You better behave!"
At that moment, Wang Sheng spoke up, "It's time for lunch, Boss. Xiao Wu, let's go together."
After checking the time, Wang Sheng added, "Let's head to the cafeteria."
As soon as she heard "lunch," Xiao Wu immediately perked up and jumped off the bed excitedly. "Great! What's for lunch?"
Wang Sheng and the other work-study students exchanged glances and chuckled bitterly. "What can we afford? We'll just grab some cheap food from the cafeteria and make do."
The excitement on Xiao Wu's face suddenly froze. "Wait… does eating cost money? You mean those Soul Coins or whatever?"
If she weren't somewhat connected to the "Boss," Wang Sheng might have lost his temper. Did she really need to ask? Who would give out free lunches? But he quickly realized that she was probably short on money.
"Since you all call me 'Boss,' I can't be stingy. Today, it's my treat. Eat whatever you want," Zhao Ming said confidently, glancing at Xiao Wu.
Hu Liena's spatial ring contained quite a bit of money. After checking, Zhao Ming found that there were over three thousand gold soul coins—more than enough for him. Aside from money, the ring also held some personal clothing, but Zhao Ming had no interest in those. He wasn't that kind of person. As long as he won over his dear Xiao Wu, he could live a happy life. Why would he need any other improper thoughts?
Hearing this, Xiao Wu's face instantly lit up with joy. She patted Zhao Ming on the shoulder, finally realizing that everything in the human world required Soul Coins.
With Wang Sheng leading the way, the group of eleven left Dorm Seven and headed toward the cafeteria. The cafeteria was inside the teaching building, requiring them to cross the entire training field.
By now, the training field had become lively, with many students wearing academy uniforms walking toward the teaching building—clearly heading to lunch as well.
The cafeteria at Nuoding Primary Soul Master Academy was quite large, capable of seating over three hundred people, including six classes and their teachers. At this time, long lines had already formed at the food counters. The cafeteria had two floors, and even the first floor alone had three hundred seats.
"Isn't this Wang Sheng and his group of poor nobodies?"
As soon as Zhao Ming's group entered the cafeteria, a mocking voice came from the second floor.
Zhao Ming looked up toward the source of the voice. A group of students stood there, looking down on them with arrogance.
"Poor nobodies will always be poor nobodies. I bet they'll never be able to afford a meal on the second floor."
"What's so special about the second floor?" Xiao Wu snapped. Seeing them looking down and mocking them made her blood boil.
"What a cute little girl," an eleven- or twelve-year-old boy with handsome features remarked. "Too bad she's just a work-study student. Wang Sheng, I'm heading to eat now, so I'll let you off this time."
"Who says we can't eat on the second floor?" Zhao Ming's eyes turned cold. "Today, I'm treating everyone. We're eating upstairs."
The second floor of the cafeteria was more expensive, usually reserved for noble children. Ordinary self-funded students and work-study students typically couldn't afford to eat there.
"Huh? Wang Sheng, since when did you become someone's lackey? That's not like you. Don't tell me you can't even beat this kid?" the boy asked mockingly.
"Who is he? Acting all arrogant?" Xiao Wu asked angrily, shifting her stance as if ready to fight.
"His name is Xiao Chenyu," Wang Sheng whispered into Zhao Ming's ear. "He's the strongest student in the academy and the one who leads the bullying against us work-study students."
"So just because he's strong, he gets to bully others? The academy doesn't do anything about this?" Xiao Wu asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
"The academy won't interfere unless something really serious happens," Wang Sheng replied helplessly.
"Don't worry. Since you all call me 'Boss,' I won't ignore this," Zhao Ming said. "Let's go upstairs, brothers!"
With that, Zhao Ming took a step toward the staircase leading to the second floor.
"Oh? You're really coming up? But do you even have money for this? Don't let your pride put you in a bad spot," Xiao Chenyu sneered.
"They're all under my protection now," Zhao Ming said as he stepped onto the second floor. His expression darkened. "You'd better show some respect."
"Or what? You want to fight me?" Xiao Chenyu smirked. "Fine, if you beat me, I'll give you some respect. Otherwise, why should I?"
"Then I'll teach you a lesson today," Zhao Ming said coldly.
With that, he stepped forward, and a powerful surge of soul power erupted from his body.
"You're a Soul Master?" Xiao Chenyu's expression changed as he felt Zhao Ming's soul power. He hadn't expected this new kid to be a Soul Master.
The students around Xiao Chenyu also reacted with shock. In Nuoding Academy, there had been only one known Soul Master—Xiao Chenyu himself. But now, there was another, and he was so young.
"Hmph, so what if you're a Soul Master?" Xiao Chenyu sneered. "Judging by your age, you must've only recently acquired your first soul ring. How do you compare to me?"
As he spoke, Xiao Chenyu activated his Martial Soul.
A layer of blue-green light surrounded him, his muscles swelled, and his eyes turned light green. His arms lifted slightly, fingers extending into sharp claws. A single white soul ring rose from beneath him—he had fully entered his Martial Soul possession state.
"Xiao Chenyu, sixth-year student. Martial Soul: Wolf. Rank 11, One-Ring Battle Soul Master."
"Zhao Ming, first-year student. Martial Soul: Puppet. Rank 11, One-Ring Battle Soul Master."
At the mention of his Martial Soul, everyone around them showed puzzled expressions. Clearly, none of them had ever heard of such a Martial Soul before.
However, what shocked them even more came next.
As Zhao Ming's soul power surged, a unique orange soul ring appeared beneath him.
An orange soul ring? What was that?
The students gaped at Zhao Ming as if he were some kind of monster.
"What kind of freak is this?" Xiao Chenyu cursed inwardly.
"Boss, take him down! He's just a first-year, probably bluffing!" a senior student urged.
"Shut up!" Xiao Chenyu snapped.
This… How was this possible?
The appearance of Zhao Ming's soul ring had completely shattered their understanding of Martial Souls.
Moreover, being in the first year meant he was only six or seven years old. Reaching the Soul Master level at such an age was unheard of in Nuoding Primary Soul Master Academy's history. And his Martial Soul… seemed to be something no one had ever seen before.