Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Can we have co-ed dorms here?" Tang San couldn't help but ask Wang Sheng in a low voice.

Wang Sheng nodded and, lowering his voice, explained the school's dormitory assignment rules to Tang San.

After explaining, Wang Sheng added, "Boss, go on, give her a little lesson. Best if you go hard on her, make her suffer a bit."

Tang San initially wanted to refuse. Bullying a girl wasn't something he could bring himself to do, but Wang Sheng's mouth was too persuasive. After a few words of encouragement, Tang San still stepped forward and started speaking.

"My name is Xiao Wu, Wu as in 'dance'," Xiao Wu introduced herself with a sweet smile.

Seeing Xiao Wu's sweet smile, Tang San's face flushed slightly. Stammering, he explained the rules of Dorm Seven and then introduced himself, mentioning his martial spirit. He followed that by challenging Xiao Wu to a spar to determine who would be the dorm leader.

Xiao Wu placed her uniform to the side, excitement flashing across her face as she said, "Alright, let's do it!"

The next moment, Xiao Wu launched an attack on Tang San. The two exchanged blows for a few rounds before Tang San suddenly froze. At this moment, Cheng Xiao had already predicted the outcome of the duel.

Tang San, in his past life, should have been quite mature by now, right? But facing a young girl like Xiao Wu, he was blushing and getting distracted during a fight? Isn't that a bit too...

After losing to Xiao Wu, Tang San was unwilling but accepted the loss without making excuses. In his heart, he thought to himself, 'Next time, I will win!' He then said, "According to the dorm rules, since you won, you're now our leader."

"Leader? Sounds fun. Alright, I'll be your leader from now on. So, who's going to introduce me to the school?"

After the duel ended, Wang Sheng and the others hadn't quite reacted yet. Who could have predicted that the previous leader would be replaced before even warming the seat?

Seeing that no one responded to her, Xiao Wu pouted and scanned the room with her eyes, finally resting her gaze on Cheng Xiao, who was sitting on the bed.

Before even entering the room, Xiao Wu had noticed this boy with a delicate appearance. Although she didn't yet know his name, she confidently called out to him.

"Hey, you over there sitting on the bed, tell me about the school."

Cheng Xiao looked up, meeting the eyes of everyone in the dorm. Their gazes held a mix of worry and envy. Although they feared Xiao Wu's strength, she was still a girl, after all.

The students weren't very old, and it was rare to have a girl in their dorm. Not everyone would get the chance to be noticed by a girl, especially one as pretty as Xiao Wu. The envy was understandable.

"You're talking to me?" Cheng Xiao felt a bit annoyed. Shouldn't she be paying more attention to Tang San because of his Blue Silver Grass aura? "I'm Cheng Xiao, also a new working student. I don't really know much about the school. Why don't you ask Wang Sheng? He knows more." Cheng Xiao pointed to Wang Sheng.

"I don't care! I'm the leader now, and when the leader gives an order, you have to listen!" Xiao Wu was a bit displeased. Compared to the average-looking Wang Sheng, she preferred Cheng Xiao to explain.

"Uh, leader?" Wang Sheng gritted his teeth and stood up, "Cheng Xiao just arrived, so maybe I should explain it to you?"

"I don't care." Xiao Wu pouted and turned to Cheng Xiao. "If you won't explain, then you'll have to fight me!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Sheng, who had initially planned to leave a good impression on Cheng Xiao, immediately clammed up. Though Cheng Xiao was strong, Xiao Wu seemed to be stronger.

From his perspective, Cheng Xiao had the power to beat up his lackeys, so his strength was undeniable. However, compared to Tang San, who had lost to Xiao Wu, Cheng Xiao probably wouldn't stand a chance against her.

Seeing Xiao Wu's insistence, Cheng Xiao sighed. "I don't know how to fight. I admit you're the leader, but I really don't know much about the school."

Xiao Wu bit her lip, her expression firm. "No! I must fight you!"

'Alright, if it's unavoidable, might as well face it.' Since Xiao Wu was so persistent, Cheng Xiao had no choice but to agree.

"Fine, we can fight. But after this, no matter who wins, don't bother me anymore." Cheng Xiao got out of bed, spread his hands, and said helplessly.

It was true that he wasn't a fighter—he only knew a bit of martial arts, after all.

"Hmph, let's fight first!"

With a light snort, Xiao Wu bent her right knee, her toes shooting straight towards Cheng Xiao's chin.

Cheng Xiao shifted his body to the left, dodging Xiao Wu's kick while grabbing her ankle with his right hand. Using her momentum, he swung her backwards.

Xiao Wu reacted quickly. She immediately planted her hands on the ground, twisting her body and sending her other leg towards Cheng Xiao. However, Cheng Xiao blocked her kick with his left hand. He then released his grip, causing Xiao Wu to lose her balance and fall to the ground with a thud.

"Ouch, that hurt…" Xiao Wu winced in pain, her face scrunched up as she sat on the ground.

"Wow, Cheng Xiao beat the boss!"

Wang Sheng and the others were dumbfounded. The same Xiao Wu who had defeated Tang San had just lost to Cheng Xiao. Not only had he won, but he had won easily—although it seemed he wasn't exactly gentle about it.

Wang Sheng discreetly gave Cheng Xiao a thumbs-up. No wonder he had recognized Cheng Xiao as the true leader.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so rough." Cheng Xiao stepped forward and offered his hand.

"This doesn't count. I was careless," Xiao Wu said, clutching her sore backside as she stood up with his help.

Cheng Xiao smiled slightly. "We agreed earlier, win or lose, you wouldn't bother me anymore."

Xiao Wu's expression changed. She stomped her foot angrily, turned to the others with her hands on her hips, and barked, "Did I agree to his terms earlier?"

"No, we didn't hear anything," Wang Sheng and the others exchanged glances and shook their heads rapidly.

"Hmph, see? I didn't agree." Xiao Wu was pleased with their response.

Cheng Xiao ignored her antics and returned to his bed.

Seeing this, Xiao Wu pouted and cheerfully followed him. It seemed her sore bottom was no longer an issue.

"Cheng Xiao, didn't you say you don't know how to fight?" Xiao Wu sat on the empty bed next to Cheng Xiao, curiosity in her eyes.

"I don't. I only know a bit of martial arts," Cheng Xiao said calmly.

"Are the new working students here? Come out for a moment."

At that moment, a teacher in his thirties entered the room.

Cheng Xiao, Tang San, and Xiao Wu all stood up.

"I'm Mo Hen, you can call me Teacher Mo. Here are the blankets the school has assigned to you." Mo Hen said, handing two blankets to the students.

Cheng Xiao and Tang San took the blankets, noticing they were brand new, with pillows tucked inside.

Mo Hen added, "Since you're working students, you'll be responsible for cleaning the garden near the sports field. It's 10 copper soul coins per day. But remember, it must be cleaned every day, or your pay will be docked."

The three nodded in acknowledgment.

After delivering the message, Mo Hen left.

Holding the blanket in his arms, Cheng Xiao couldn't help but wonder if the academy was treating him differently because of his innate full spirit power.

Tang San, on the other hand, didn't overthink it. He simply returned to his bed with the blanket.

Xiao Wu stared blankly at Cheng Xiao's blanket, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes.

Mo Hen had only brought two blankets, and they had been given to Cheng Xiao and Tang San. Now, Xiao Wu was the only one in the dorm without a blanket.

Wang Sheng and the other working students noticed Xiao Wu's predicament and immediately offered to gather a set of bedding for her. But after taking one look at their ragged, worn blankets, Xiao Wu couldn't bring herself to accept.

"Cheng Xiao, let's make a deal." Seeing that Cheng Xiao hadn't made his bed yet, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up.

"Huh? What deal?" Cheng Xiao looked up, meeting her eager gaze.

"Your blanket is pretty big. I think it could easily cover two people. How about we push our beds together and share?"

...

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(MC's Reference)