"Can you tell me why?" Yu Xiaogang asked curiously.
"Because I already have a teacher," Ren Arakawa replied.
"You already have a teacher?" Yu Xiaogang asked in surprise.
"Ren, when did you become my disciple without me knowing?" Tang San looked at him in astonishment.
"During the Martial Soul Awakening," Ren answered truthfully.
"Martial Soul Awakening?" Tang San paused, thought for a moment, then exclaimed, "Ren, didn't you become Su Yuntao's disciple?"
"Su Yuntao?" Yu Xiaogang was taken aback.
"What, do I need someone else's permission to choose my own teacher?" Ren asked in a slightly impatient tone.
"Becoming a disciple doesn't require anyone's permission—as long as both parties agree," Yu Xiaogang replied, looking at Ren with a hint of pity. He sighed softly and murmured, "Any soul master can only have one teacher in their lifetime. What a shame, such a good prospect."
Yu Xiaogang knew that Su Yuntao's first soul ring was just a ten-year white soul ring—far inferior to his own. What he didn't know was that Ren's teacher wasn't Su Yuntao at all, but the mighty Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan—Dustheart, a Titled Douluo so powerful even the Pope of Spirit Hall wouldn't dare disrespect him.
Following Yu Xiaogang, Ren Arakawa and Tang San arrived at the Academic Office to receive their uniforms. Due to Tang San becoming Yu Xiaogang's disciple, the teachers there mocked him. However, the fact that both Ren and Tang San had innate full soul power [-] stunned them nonetheless.
After leaving the office, Ren and Tang San followed a teacher's directions to Dormitory No. 7, reserved for working students.
"Ren, I don't know why, but you seem... different," Tang San said as they walked, eyeing him carefully.
"Why do you say that?" Ren asked.
"Back at the gate, I had no idea how to bribe the guard, but you handled it so well. You really seem more mature than me." Tang San tilted his head, trying to read Ren's expression.
He was disappointed to find nothing out of place.
"Heh, just heard enough stories to know the tricks," Ren replied with a casual smile.
Tang San, a time traveler, possessed wisdom far beyond his years. He figured if he could traverse time, maybe others could too. Since Ren had twin martial souls and a full soul power level of 20 at awakening—despite not training beforehand—Tang San suspected Ren might be a fellow time traveler. This made him probe cautiously.
The door to Dormitory 7 was slightly ajar, leaving a gap.
"Finally!" Ren was excited, as if expecting some kind of reward.
Seeing Tang San about to push open the door, Ren quickly darted ahead and opened it himself.
A sharp whooshing sound pierced the air. Ren, having anticipated the ambush, swiftly caught the attacker's punch in one hand.
The attacker tried to withdraw, but Ren's grip was unyielding. With no choice, the attacker threw a powerful left hook.
Ren smiled slightly, catching that fist as well. Desperate, the attacker launched a kick toward Ren's groin.
"Going that far?" Ren frowned. A solid kick there would've made anyone cry in pain.
A light thud sounded—Ren had quickly brought his knees together, and the kick landed on his knees instead.
"Ahhh!" The attacker let out a scream, his face twisted in agony. Even onlookers winced at the sight.
Ren tightened his grip and tossed the attacker to the ground effortlessly.
Ever since awakening his martial soul, Ren's power had grown immensely, especially after allocating all eleven of his attribute points to strength. Though he hadn't obtained a soul ring yet, he was already on a different level compared to this opponent.
"It hurts!" the attacker, Wang Sheng, clutched his legs and knelt on the floor. "It felt like kicking a rock!"
"Who are you? Why did you attack Ren?" Tang San asked coldly.
Had Ren not reacted so quickly, Tang San might have been the one ambushed.
"My name is Wang Sheng. Martial soul: Battle Tiger. I'm a future Battle Spirit Master and the boss of this dorm. Thank you for going easy on me. According to our rules, since you defeated me, you're now the new boss of Dormitory 7."
He waved his hand, and six other working students in the room stood in two lines.
"Boss!" they shouted in unison.
"Boss?" Ren smiled. The title had a nice ring to it.
"Yes. That's how it works here—whoever is strongest becomes the boss," Wang Sheng said earnestly.
"That's right. Boss!" the six students called again, this time with more respect.
Ren let out a relieved laugh. He had no choice but to accept the title.
Looking around the room, he saw fifty beds—but only eleven had bedding.
"Are you a working student too?" Wang Sheng turned to Tang San.
"Yes," Tang San answered.
"According to our rules, you must challenge the boss. Winner becomes the boss," Wang Sheng stated firmly.
"Me?" Tang San laughed and shook his head. "Forget it, I'm just here to learn."
"No can do. Rules are rules. We can't break them," Wang Sheng insisted.
Tang San glanced around the room, taking in the students' eager expressions. He realized being boss might mean dealing with trouble that could affect his training.
Suddenly struck with inspiration, he smiled and said, "I'm no match for him. My soul power is level 10, while his is level 20!"
"What?"
"Innate soul power level 10?"
"Another one with full innate soul power [-]?!"
Wang Sheng and the others stared at the two boys like they were monsters.
Just then, a clear, melodic voice came from the doorway.
"Excuse me... is this Dormitory 7?"
...