"Then why did you?" Wang Sheng asked, puzzled.
"If you knew you couldn't beat me, why did you still challenge me? Your reaction speed is impressive."
"If that strike had landed just now, I definitely would have been hurt."
Fang Ling shook his head. "I just didn't want to be bullied, so I showed you a bit of my strength. I never intended to hurt you."
"I have my own goals. I can't just follow your orders."
Wang Sheng understood and responded with loyalty, "Alright. Just for your courage and the fact that you didn't really go hard on me in the end, I'll agree!"
While rubbing his aching stomach, he sighed, "Don't blame me. We work-study students are always looked down on by the others. Every one of us ends up facing this at some point."
"That's why we work-study students must stick together."
"You don't have to follow me or call me boss, I don't care. But if someone bullies you, don't expect me to stand up for you."
Fang Ling laughed heartily. "Don't worry, I don't need your help even if I get bullied. I used to be a beggar. What kind of suffering haven't I endured?"
"You used to be a beggar?" Wang Sheng's eyes widened.
"Ugh"
Just as he was about to say something, all he could manage was a dry heave.
His eyes were slightly red. That punch to the stomach earlier wasn't heavy, but it hit just the right spot, his stomach. The pain made him nauseous.
He spit up some bile on the ground and rubbed his stomach. Wang Sheng realized he was getting hungry.
"I'm hungry. Let me take you to eat, and show you around the academy while we're at it."
"Thank you," Fang Ling replied politely.
"No need to be so formal. We're all work-study students, if we're not united, we'll just get beaten up."
Wang Sheng laughed heartily and gave Fang Ling a firm slap on the shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance.
Seeing this, he laughed again. "Looks like you didn't bring any bedding, out of money?"
Fang Ling let Wang Sheng steady him. "I have money. I just haven't had the chance to buy any yet."
"I'll take you. I've been a work-study student for five years. I know the city like the back of my hand, where to find tasty but cheap food, and where to buy affordable and decent bedding."
He spoke eagerly.
Just as he finished, a teacher in his thirties appeared, seemingly out of nowhere like an NPC refreshing on screen, and quietly walked in.
"Which one of you is the new work-study student?"
"Teacher, I'm here," Fang Ling quickly raised his hand.
The teacher glanced at Fang Ling's wooden prosthetic leg with a hint of surprise, and his expression turned slightly odd.
"I'm Mo Hen, the teacher in charge of you work-study students."
"You are… hmm?"
"Fang Ling," Fang Ling reminded him gently.
Mo Hen acted as if he didn't hear him and pulled out a piece of paper to check. "Fang Ling, right?"
"Yes." Fang Ling nodded slightly.
"You're a first-year work-study student… cleaning, slacking off, expulsion… opening ceremony…"
He rattled off a long list of rules, much like a leader droning on in a meeting.
Even he got bored of talking eventually and stopped with a dry mouth.
"That's all from me. The rest of the rules, Wang Sheng will explain."
And with that, he left.
Fang Ling stood there silently, lost in thought.
Wang Sheng patted him on the shoulder and whispered into his ear, "Hey, what are you thinking about?"
"Snap out of it. It's your first day, my treat!"
Fang Ling hesitated a bit, but Wang Sheng dragged him along.
Several other work-study students followed closely behind, jostling and joking all the way to the teaching building.
That's where the cafeteria was.
Strangely enough, the cafeteria was located inside the teaching building.
They ate on the first floor. Maybe because they were early, they didn't run into any trouble from other students.
Even Fang Ling felt a bit relieved.
In his current state, he'd probably get beaten if someone picked a fight. And since he couldn't kill anyone yet, it was best not to run into any trouble.
A bit of patience wasn't a big deal.
He was a future powerhouse. Once he'd killed enough and leveled up, his strength would speak for itself. Then let's see who dares mess with him.
Fang Ling sat down with his food and began eating.
Suddenly, a slightly thin, medium-built man walked past them.
At a glance, he looked to be in his forties or fifties.
He had very ordinary features, with short black hair parted three-to-seven.
He carried a unique air about him, his eyes half-closed, exuding laziness and a hint of despair.
His hands were behind his back, as if he was trying to look impressive.
At a glance, he gave off a feeling of someone who had weathered many storms.
But that zombie-like face, oversized mouth, and thick lips were a bit too attention-grabbing.
Walking with his hands behind his back made him look like he was poorly imitating someone important, there was an odd sense of comedy about it.
"Who's that?" Fang Ling asked, taking a bite of food and pointing with his chopsticks at the figure heading up to the second floor.
"Who?" Wang Sheng looked up, recognized the person, and smirked, "Oh, you mean 'The Master'?"
"His name is Yu Xiaogang. He's just someone who mooches off the academy thanks to his ties with the dean. He's not that strong, always daydreaming. He's fifty and only at level 29. He'll never break through to the next soul master rank."
Wang Sheng glanced sideways at Fang Ling, chewing his rice without pausing in his explanation.
"Why? Do you know him?"
It really was Yu Xiaogang!
To fall for someone with a zombie face and thick lips… truly a romance continent.
Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong must have been blind.
Fang Ling sighed inwardly but didn't say anything outright. "No, I just thought his back looked a little familiar."
Actually, he found the man's appearance quite comical, but saying it out loud wasn't worth it.
Yu Xiaogang may be ugly and incompetent, and Fang Ling did look down on him.
But he was Bibi Dong's darling, the only one she held sacred.
Fang Ling would need help from her one day, so he had to get used to not openly badmouthing Yu Xiaogang now.
Better to stay silent.
You never know when a careless word might end up reaching Bibi Dong's ears.
If his critical mission to the Slaughter City got ruined just because he insulted Yu Xiaogang, that would be a joke.
He had backup plans, but losing the Slaughter City as a stepping stone would significantly delay his advancement.
And who said the divine position couldn't be his?
The Slaughter system destined him for a path of blood and death, perfect for the Asura God's role. Wasn't that just right?
Fang Ling tucked away the idea and, seeing the others nearly finished, started eating faster.
After the meal, the wariness between them began to fade.
They were all young kids. After some bonding, Fang Ling blended in smoothly.
After the long and boring opening ceremony, he easily transitioned into regular academy life.
Classes in the morning, pig slaughtering at the abattoir in the afternoon, sweeping on the way back for a bit of extra money.
Sometimes, he even brought some homemade braised meat for Wang Sheng and the others.
At night, he followed the basic cultivation methods taught in class and meditated.
Even if he couldn't feel his soul power improving beyond what the system panel showed, he was content and practiced daily.
Feeling the faint movement of soul power in his body brought a joy he couldn't explain.
This was cultivation.
True power, born from within.
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