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Meanwhile, Xiao Wu had successfully claimed half of Tang San's bedding. Throughout this incident, Tang San was clearly the most uncomfortable.
Wang Sheng was injured, but his injuries couldn't keep him from eating. He announced loudly, "It's time for lunch. Let's go to the cafeteria together."
Wang Li had only eaten dry food with hot water that morning. He was already hungry. He chimed in, "Okay, it's a good opportunity to get familiar with the academy!"
Tang San lowered his head. He had no money. All the money Tang Hao earned from blacksmithing was spent on alcohol. He had never eaten his fill at home, so how could he afford to eat in the cafeteria?
He said indifferently, "You guys go ahead. I'll just eat some dry rations."
Xiao Wu hesitated. "Do we need soul coins to eat in the cafeteria?" she asked.
Wang Sheng was stunned. Of course, eating required soul coins. He looked at Tang San, then at Xiao Wu. He quickly understood their situation: they had no money.
Two geniuses with innate full soul power—and both excellent fighters. Wang Sheng, despite the cost to his own meager funds, patted his chest. "Let's go," he said. "Let's all go to the cafeteria together. I'll cover your meals for these 2 days. Consider it a celebration for our work-study student team growing."
Xiao Wu immediately jumped up, full of energy. "Great!" she exclaimed excitedly.
Seeing Xiao Wu agree, Tang San hesitated for a moment. Then he said, "Thank you!"
This time, all the work-study students set off together. It was a survival tactic for them. They would stick together whenever possible, careful not to be easily separated.
On the way, Wang Sheng looked at Wang Li. He suddenly scratched his head. "Wang Li," he said, "why do I feel like the bruises on your face have disappeared? Are you recovering that quickly?"
Wang Li glanced at Wang Sheng's face, which was still bruised. Naturally, he wouldn't tell the truth. "Probably because you showed mercy," he said. "So I recovered very quickly."
Wang Sheng knew he hadn't shown any mercy during their fight. But it wasn't a big deal, and he quickly put it out of his mind.
Wang Li offered no further explanation. Some secrets were best kept to oneself.
***
Cafeteria
The cafeteria was a 2-story building. It was quite spacious—easily large enough to seat over 300 teachers and students for their meals.
Originally, everyone was talking and laughing. But as they entered, they heard a harsh voice call out, "Tsk, isn't that Wang Sheng and his bunch of poor wretches!"
The person speaking was standing on the stairs between the first and second floors. He was about 11 or 12 years old and quite good-looking. However, the ruthlessness, contempt, and disdain in his eyes at this moment clearly marked him as an antagonist—the kind one almost expected to see proven wrong.
Xiao Wu was known for her lively and assertive nature. She had practically grown up with powerful beings like the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Blue Bull Python by her side in the Star Dou Great Forest. She was never one to remain silent when insulted. Moreover, Wang Sheng had offered to cover her meals for 2 days.
She stepped forward, put her hands on her hips, raised her eyebrows, and shouted, "Where did this rude dog come from, barking nonsense!"
The boy on the stairs' eyes lit up. People on Douluo Continent matured quickly, understanding many things by the age of 11 or 12. He ignored Xiao Wu's words and said to himself, "What a cute girl. Wang Sheng, I'll let you off today. We'll get to know each other better another day."
After saying that, he led a group of followers upstairs, laughing loudly.
Xiao Wu still wanted to chase after him, but Wang Sheng quickly dissuaded her. He was very happy with Xiao Wu's willingness to stand up for them. But his funds were limited, and he dared not let Xiao Wu go to the second floor.
"Xiao Wu," he said, "the second floor is for ordering individual meals. It's very expensive. We can't afford it. They can go to the second floor as they please, but we shouldn't go up."
Xiao Wu had no concept of money. But seeing Wang Sheng like this, she calmed down.
On the other side, Tang San walked over to Yu Xiaogang, who had arrived later. He respectfully called him Teacher. Yu Xiaogang wanted to take Tang San to the second floor, but Tang San glanced at Xiao Wu and decided against going.
When Tang San returned, Wang Sheng quickly said, "Tang San, Grandmaster is not a teacher. Don't call him that by mistake. He is not a teacher of the academy—only a guest elder. He neither leads classes nor teaches students on weekdays. He's just like a freeloader. It's useless to try and curry favor with the Grandmaster."
Hearing this, Tang San frowned. His voice became cold. "Wang Sheng, Grandmaster is my teacher. If you are disrespectful to my teacher again, don't blame me for being impolite."
After saying that, he didn't even want to eat. He left without looking back.
Wang Sheng, left standing there, scratched his head. He was trying to do Tang San a favor, but instead, he got scolded. He couldn't help but mutter, "Crazy!"
Wang Li witnessed all of this but remained silent. He was more interested in what the food in the cafeteria was like.
According to his observation, most of the self-funded students in the academy also ate on the first floor. Very few students could afford to go to the second floor. Their families must be either rich or noble.
The food on the first floor wasn't like the second floor, where you could order individual meals. But there were still more than a dozen dishes to choose from, including both meat and vegetables, with prices clearly marked.
Meat dishes generally cost 4 to 6 copper soul coins. Vegetable dishes generally cost 1 to 2 copper soul coins. Rice cost 1 copper soul coin, and porridge cost 1 copper soul coin. There were also some other filling dishes with different prices. Considering the 10 copper soul coins earned daily by work-study students, there was indeed not much room for choice.
Without Tang San, everyone else still ate. Wang Li paid for himself. He spent 6 copper soul coins to order the simplest meat and vegetable dish. Even this meal was enough to make many work-study students drool with envy.
After eating, under Wang Sheng's leadership, they took a tour of the academy. They found the classroom where they would attend classes. They also located the garden on the south side of the playground that needed cleaning.
Back in the dormitory, most of the work-study students began to cultivate. They were all from humble backgrounds. Only by cultivating to the 10th rank during their 6 years of academy life could they become Soul Masters and truly graduate. Otherwise, the academy would not recognize them as students of Nuoding Academy.
Even Wang Li was no exception. He didn't have a basic meditation method. But he had gained 26 experience points, so he had to try to improve his soul power.
Sitting on the bed, he adopted a cultivation posture. In reality, he was communicating with the panel. He used his will to touch the "+" sign in the [Soul Power: Level 3 (54%)+] position.
Soon the entire panel displayed [Whether to start improving soul power (Yes/No)]
Wang Li once again used his will to touch the word "Yes"
In just an instant, Wang Li's body underwent significant changes. All of his soul power was instantly drawn by an invisible force.
It surged out powerfully—like a coiling dragon or a striking snake.
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