Chapter 3: Fragrant "Soul Rings"

After completing the registration, Cheng Xiao received bedding and other daily necessities and headed to his dormitory.

Although the Novice Soul Master Academy was not officially divided into ranks, the treatment emphasized the distinction in various aspects.

Noble students had luxurious two-person rooms with extravagant items, while commoners stayed in eight-person dorms with provided bedding and daily necessities.

Work-study students slept in open dormitories and needed to bring their own bedding.

After making his bed, Cheng Xiao left his dorm to continue his punishing abdominal exercises. He maintained the intensity, refusing to give himself any discounts.

Based on his past experiences, any compromise would lead to a slippery slope, progressing from a slight relaxation to taking a break for a couple of days, and eventually, complete abandonment. Once the mindset started sliding, it was challenging to revert.

"Whew, whew..."

Several days of intense training had drained his potential significantly. Cheng Xiao felt more exhausted than the previous days, each step becoming a monumental effort, and his lungs wheezed like a bellows.

The pervasive pain throughout his body made Cheng Xiao contemplate, "Is there a better cultivation method that avoids this training pain?"

But in the next moment, Cheng Xiao dismissed the thought, reminding himself, "No shortcuts. I have the advantage of two great monarch. Once I liberate them, my cultivation speed will surpass everyone else."

How fast could Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill be?

During their training at Shrek Academy, Shrek Seven Devils almost leveled up at the same pace. Tang San's upgrade speed didn't significantly outpace the others.

Before enrollment: Dai Mubai 37, Oscar 29, Tang San 29, Ning Rongrong 26, Xiao Wu 29, Ma Hongjun 27, Zhu Zhuqing 27.

Upon graduation: Dai Mubai 45, Oscar 42, Tang San 43, Ning Rongrong 42, Xiao Wu 40, Ma Hongjun 42, Zhu Zhuqing 42.

Tang San also had an additional boost from the Eight Spider Lances.

Under similar training intensity, the extra benefits from the Mysterious Heaven Skill were almost negligible. Why bother with the Mysterious Heaven Skill when Cheng Xiao could focus on cultivating a useful spirit herb?

With a renewed mindset, Cheng Xiao, almost drained of energy, finally completed today's training task. As he relaxed, he collapsed to the ground.

"What's wrong? Why are you lying on the ground?" A melodious voice echoed nearby.

"..." Cheng Xiao tried to lift his head to see the person but could only catch a glimpse of dainty feet. He opened his mouth but couldn't produce any sound.

His throat was dry, and his vision blurred. He just wanted to sleep right there.

"I'm called Xiao Wu, the 'Wu' in dancing. What's your name?"

Xiao Wu?

Cheng Xiao's spirits lifted. Oh, this was the 100,000-year soul beast... no, soul master.

Cheng Xiao struggled to turn around and finally saw Xiao Wu's face: a soft, delicate visage with translucent skin, long black hair braided into a scorpion tail extending to her hips, and those curious eyes glistening like clear springs. She looked genuinely cute.

"But I prefer pure lust route and dislike the cute route..." A muddled thought surfaced in Cheng Xiao's mind. Clearly, exhaustion was taking a toll.

"Are you okay? Should I take you to the infirmary?"

"I... cough, cough..." Cheng Xiao tried to refuse but couldn't make a sound. His throat was hoarse and painful, making it impossible to articulate.

"Well, okay then." Xiao Wu pondered for a moment before unilaterally lifting Cheng Xiao and saying, "What's your name? I'm a work-study student here..."

Listening to Xiao Wu's melodious voice, Cheng Xiao wanted to resist but had no strength in his arms. He could only reluctantly give up. This makes it difficult for me; I coveted your 100,000-year soul ring, so don't be like this...

On the way, Xiao Wu inquired about the location of the infirmary from anyone she met. Cheng Xiao leaned on Xiao Wu's shoulder, and a faint fragrance drifted into his nostrils. It was sweet and refreshing.

Don't say, this soul ring smells so good...

Troublesome!

"Doctor, this fellow fainted on the playground. Can you help treat him?"

"Sure, let me take a look." The doctor in the infirmary examined Cheng Xiao's condition and said, "No problem, just excessive exercise. Wait a moment, I'll treat him."

Saying that, the doctor activated his martial soul. He was a healing-type soul master, although not high in level, possessing a soul skill sufficient to treat Cheng Xiao's current condition.

A beam of light covered Cheng Xiao, and his fatigue was instantly restored by sixty percent. His throat was no longer dry, and his body felt rejuvenated. He even had a certain illusion that he could run another ten kilometers.

"Alright, go back and rest for a while. You'll be fine in a couple of days."

"Thank you."

Both of them expressed their gratitude and then left the infirmary.

"Thanks, my name is Cheng Dao," Cheng Xiao thanked.

"No big deal, we're classmates. Hehe," Xiao Wu said nonchalantly.

"By the way, you mentioned you're a work-study student? Have you enrolled?"

"Not yet!"

"You didn't bring bedding?"

"Huh? Do I need to? I didn't know."

"Work-study students don't get bedding, you have to bring your own." Cheng Xiao checked his pockets, still with a good amount of copper soul coins, and said, "How about I take you to buy? Consider it my way of repaying you for taking me to the infirmary."

Cheng Xiao would never admit that he did this just to keep the rabbit from sharing a bed with Tang San.

He was just expressing his sincere gratitude. Yes, very sincere, Cheng Xiao was sure.

"Sure, sure." Xiao Wu seemed to have no hidden agenda and happily nodded.

The two changed direction, heading towards the sales counter. After purchasing bedding and some daily necessities, they went to the work-study student dormitory together.

Cheng Xiao dropped Xiao Wu off at her dormitory. At this time, Tang San seemed to have been called by a senior and wasn't in the dormitory.

Hearing about the rules in Dorm Seven, Xiao Wu had everyone lying flat on the ground, while Cheng Xiao observed quietly on the side. In the process, he casually inquired about Tang San's bed from the first defeated guy.

Taking advantage of Xiao Wu beating up everyone, Cheng Xiao quietly chose a bed for Xiao Wu that was farthest from Tang San's and made it up, creating an established fact.

As for whether they would switch back later... Who cares? Cheng Xiao just did it casually, and whether it worked or not, he didn't care. Making things difficult for others was his happiness.

"Okay, now that you're done, I'll head back. See you tomorrow."

"Cheng Xiao is really nice. See you tomorrow, Cheng Xiao." Xiao Wu threw herself onto the bed Cheng Xiao had prepared, hugging a pillow and happily rolling around.

Leaving Dorm Seven, Cheng Xiao checked the sky and headed towards his own dormitory.

"It's still quite fragrant." Recalling that refreshing scent, Cheng Xiao murmured to himself, "Ah, not really fond of rabbits, more into little kittens or foxes. It's really complicated..."

"Achoo."

Suddenly, Cheng Xiao sneezed. Rubbing his nose, he realized his own wretchedness, muttering, "You scoundrel!"

Having cursed himself, he felt redeemed and walked towards the dormitory light-heartedly. Well, rabbits weren't entirely unacceptable.