Wang Sheng quickly called out to Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, this is the second floor of the dining hall—lots of teachers eat here. You can't just start a fight."
Xiao Wu's small face clouded with frustration.
She'd just been beaten up by Yang Yuan, and her temper was still flaring.
Yang Yuan's dual-pupils swept languidly toward Xiao Chenyu's group, and he smiled meaningfully.
Just when he was worrying about being short on cash, a walking purse had waltzed right up.
He fixed his gaze on Xiao Chenyu, voice flat, betraying neither joy nor anger.
"You're the leader of this bunch, right?"
As he spoke, Chaos light flickered within his double pupils.
A wisp of pressure shot from his eyes.
Across from him, Xiao Chenyu's body gave an involuntary shudder; his face changed, and he stared back in alarm.
"What technique was that just now?"
Could it be a Spirit Ability? he wondered.
When the unfamiliar face looked over, an invisible pressure had suddenly weighed on him.
It made him overlook the interrogative tone and answer instinctively.
"It's me!"
"And who are you?"
Yang Yuan pointed to Wang Sheng and the others behind him.
"From now on, they…"
"…are under my protection."
Hearing that, the last trace of caution in Xiao Chenyu evaporated.
"So you're another country bumpkin from the Seventh Dormitory?"
He sneered.
How strong could a new Seventh Dormitory kid possibly be?
He was a genuine eleventh-rank, one-ring Battle Spirit Master—why fear a freshman?
"Quite the arrogance."
Yang Yuan didn't appear angry; he merely chuckled and turned to Wang Sheng.
"Where do you usually fight when you challenge them?"
Wang Sheng froze, caught on to Yang Yuan's intent, and grew anxious.
"Boss, don't do anything reckless."
"Xiao Chenyu got his first spirit ring a while back; we'd be at a huge disadvantage right now."
Yang Yuan gave a reassuring smile.
"Relax, I know what I'm doing—just tell me the place."
Only then did Wang Sheng exhale. "Usually in the woods behind the academy."
He'd barely finished when Yang Yuan turned to Xiao Chenyu.
"After lunch, back hill of the academy—be there."
"Oh, right—whoever doesn't show is the grand-kid."
With those parting words, Yang Yuan swept his arm.
"Let's go!"
Without a glance at Xiao Chenyu's expression, he strode toward an empty table nearby.
The Seventh Dormitory kids behind him hesitated, then hurried after.
A single thought filled their heads.
We just declared war?
Wang Sheng gaped, horrified. "Didn't you say you knew what you were doing?"
Yang Yuan grinned. "Relax, I've got this."
He sat back, utterly at ease.
Across the room, Xiao Chenyu's group snapped out of it, faces flushed with indignation.
"Boss Xiao, that new bumpkin's got guts, declaring war on us."
"Yeah, looks like he's begging for a beating."
"Wang Sheng's useless—letting a newbie steal the top spot."
Xiao Chenyu was equally furious.
Yang Yuan's challenge felt like a naked provocation.
Didn't they know whose territory Nuoding Academy was?
"I hadn't even gone after Seventh Dormitory yet, and they deliver themselves to my door."
"If they want a fight, we'll give 'em one!"
"Ling Feng, round up every fighter—everyone meets at the back hill after lunch."
Xiao Chenyu snorted coldly and ordered the lanky boy beside him.
The boy nodded and hurried off to gather the troops.
Meanwhile, at the stairwell a slim figure reached the second floor and quickly spotted the Seventh Dormitory group.
Tang San immediately stood and greeted respectfully.
"Teacher!"
The call drew surprised looks from Wang Sheng and the others.
They all recognized Yu Xiaogang—the academy freeloader stuck at rank twenty-nine at nearly fifty, unlikely ever to Breakthrough.
"Little San, I didn't expect to see you here."
Yu Xiaogang nodded at Tang San, a stiff smile on his face.
His gaze swept over the work-study students, surprise flashing in his eyes.
These kids usually ate on the first floor—how could they afford the second?
Tang San explained, "Yang Yuan's treating us today, so he brought us up here."
"Yang Yuan?"
Yu Xiaogang turned to size Yang Yuan up, a "wise" glint in his eyes.
He'd already seen through the boy's little scheme and shook his head with a chuckle.
The kid wanted to buy the Seventh Dormitory's loyalty with one meal.
So calculating at such a young age—no way would he become Yu Xiaogang's Disciple without a change in character.
"Grandmaster, care to join us?" Yang Yuan asked with a smile.
Though in the original story he disliked Yu Xiaogang most, he showed none of it.
Only a foolish rabbit like Xiao Wu wore her heart on her sleeve.
Yu Xiaogang gave a soft laugh.
Was Yang Yuan trying to curry favor with this meal?
Or apologizing for earlier?
A single meal to win him over—clever little abacus.
But with his brilliant insight, how could he fail to see through such petty tricks?
Yu Xiaogang waved a hand. "You enjoy yourselves; I'll pass."
He turned to Tang San again.
"Little San, come find me after you eat."
"Yes, Teacher," Tang San answered at once.
Once Yu Xiaogang left, Tang San apologized, "I'm afraid I can't come with you guys later."
Wang Sheng and the others hesitated.
They'd all seen Tang San's strength—
though he couldn't beat Yang Yuan, he could trade dozens of blows without defeat.
Having him along would ease a lot of pressure.
So Wang Sheng suggested, "Boss, why don't we reschedule? Wait for Tang San to come back before we fight Xiao Chenyu."
Yang Yuan shook his head.
"No need for that—I've got a handle on those guys."
Seeing that, Wang Sheng said no more.
Losing would only mean taking a beating anyway.
Before long, dish after dish arrived.
Wang Sheng and the others stared, throats bobbing as they swallowed.
When did they ever get to taste second-floor food?
Yang Yuan waved generously.
"Dig in, everyone!"
Xiao Wu muttered among them.
"How can a feast not have a single carrot?"
The moment the words left her mouth she saw the newly served plate vanishing at lightning speed.
She yelped and thrust her chopsticks forward.
"Slow down—save some for me!"
(End of Chapter)
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