Xiao Yan said seriously, "You better behave yourself while sleeping and don't disturb me, or you might as well go sleep with Wang Sheng."
Xiao Wu's face flushed a little; she really wasn't a match for Xiao Yan right now.
Wang Sheng walked over and said, "Boss, Xiao Wu, change into your school uniforms and come eat with me."
The moment she heard "eat," Xiao Wu jumped up excitedly and asked, "Great! What delicious food are we having?"
Wang Sheng and the other work-study students exchanged glances and smiled bitterly, "What good food can we eat? We just grab some cheap meals at the cafeteria and make do."
"Does eating cost money? Like those soul coins or something?" Xiao Wu's excitement suddenly froze.
If it weren't for Xiao Wu's impressive strength, Wang Sheng probably would have cursed.
Eating costs money, obviously—who's going to give out free lunches?
Xiao Yan also found it strange. Even if Xiao Wu came from a big family, she couldn't be this clueless, right?
Forget spending money, she didn't even recognize it properly.
Wang Sheng suddenly got generous, "Alright then, I'll treat today."
Xiao Yan didn't say anything and decided to see how things went once they got to the cafeteria.
He practiced martial arts and had pretty high standards for food.
After Xiao Yan and Xiao Wu changed into their uniforms, the group of eleven left Dormitory 7 and headed towards the cafeteria, led by Wang Sheng.
They passed a small path, and the once empty avenue had now become lively. Many students in uniforms were heading in the same direction—obviously all going to eat.
The cafeteria of Notting Junior Soul Master Academy was large enough to hold over 300 people—six classes plus teachers.
Just as they entered the cafeteria, a discordant voice rang out, "Isn't that Wang Sheng's bunch of poor people?"
Xiao Yan looked toward the source and saw three senior students standing on the second floor, looking down at them with disdain.
The one speaking was an average-looking boy, about eleven or twelve years old, eyes full of contempt as he wagged his middle finger at Wang Sheng: "Poor people are poor people. I bet you'll never eat on the second floor."
Seeing the provocation, Xiao Wu got angry and shouted, "Who do you think you are? What's so great about the second floor?"
Wang Sheng whispered, "The second floor is for ordering meals separately, and it's very expensive. We really can't afford it."
Xiao Wu had been hiding behind Wang Sheng before, but now that she stepped out, the students on the stairs saw her.
The boy who had spoken immediately lit up, "What a pretty little loli! Too bad she's a work-study student. Wang Sheng, I'm eating now, so I'll let you off this time."
With that, the group turned and walked inside.
If Xiao Yan hadn't known he was at a Soul Master Academy, he might have thought he stumbled into a gang training center.
What kind of people were these?
Fighting, brawling, and little lolis…
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Xiao Yan, you're here to eat too? Come with me to the second floor, then I'll take you to talk about your Martial Soul."
Xiao Yan turned around and saw the same smooth-talking "big shot."
He shook his head, "No thanks, Big Shot. I'd rather eat with my roommates."
After the bedding incident, Yu Xiaogang had a better understanding of Xiao Yan's personality and didn't insist—he just nodded. "Alright, that's the right choice. Wait for me by the cafeteria entrance after you eat."
Then he headed to the second floor.
The persistent ghost! Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. Besides the strange students, now there was this weird old guy too.
For a moment, Xiao Yan didn't know what to think about his academy.
Once Yu Xiaogang was out of sight, Wang Sheng finally asked, "Xiao Yan, do you know Big Shot?"
"Not really. I met him at the school gate, and he's been trying to recruit me as a disciple."
Wang Sheng nodded, "Good move. Xiao Yan, you absolutely can't become Big Shot's disciple—his strength isn't that great. He's just a guest figure at our academy because of connections with the dean. In other words, he's a freeloader.
I heard Big Shot is almost fifty but hasn't broken through to Great Soul Master yet, and his Martial Soul is only level 29. He's probably stuck there for life."
Xiao Yan suddenly understood a bit. So this Big Shot was only level 29—just a few levels higher than twenty-something Su Yuntao. Truly a waste of space.
Wang Sheng's face changed, and he lowered his voice, "One more thing—I think Big Shot's intentions for recruiting you aren't good."
"How so?" Xiao Yan asked curiously. Could this longtime academy insider Wang Sheng know some secret?
Wang Sheng explained, "Big Shot always says 'there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters,' but in all his years here, he's never taken any of us average work-study students as disciples. But now he's set his sights on you—obviously because of your innate full soul power! So his words and actions don't match; he's utterly hypocritical."
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. No wonder this Big Shot was the laughingstock of the Soul Master world.
If even Wang Sheng, a twelve-year-old kid, could see through him, everyone else certainly could too.
Xiao Yan made a mental note, patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder, and said, "Let's go eat on the second floor. I'll treat today, you can pay next time."
"Xiao Yan, after buying bedding, do you still have money? Not paying has serious consequences." Wang Sheng warned.
Xiao Yan patted his chest, "Don't worry, I have enough for a meal."
He'd been selling rabbit pelts for years and had some savings.
Besides, the food on the first floor was just mediocre—not good for his training.
The eleven of them went up to the second floor, instantly attracting a lot of attention.
These muddy, work-study students actually had money to eat upstairs?
The noble students from before saw Wang Sheng and sneered, "Wang Sheng, you dare come to the second floor? Planning to wash dishes later?"
"Get in line!" Wang Sheng said coldly.
The other didn't bother with him and instead focused on Xiao Wu, smirking, "Pretty little loli, don't stick with these poor folks. Big brother will buy you a big sausage."
"You're asking for death!" Xiao Wu lifted her foot to charge, but Xiao Yan grabbed her.
"What are you doing? I'm going to teach this bastard a lesson!" Xiao Wu shouted.
"Forget it, we're here to eat..." Xiao Yan whispered into her ear.
Originally ready to fight, Xiao Wu suddenly quieted, whispering, "You think you can handle it?"
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded.
A few level 10 soul masters were easy pickings.
(End of chapter)