# Chapter 8: Return to Academy
As Yu Xiaogang struggled to his feet with Tang San's assistance.
Both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San stared in complete shock. The speed of advancement was already incredible, but what truly stunned them was the five-level jump from a single soul ring absorption.
"That's... that's impossible," Yu Xiaogang stammered, his scholarly mind struggling to reconcile what he was seeing with everything he knew about soul master cultivation. "Even with an optimal soul ring, a three-level increase is exceptional. Five levels defies every documented case I've studied!"
『DING! DETECTED Yu Xiaogang's Shock emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Tang San's Astonishment emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
But Tang San's shock went deeper than mere amazement at cultivation speed. As he replayed the fight in his mind, he kept returning to Chen Sheng's movement technique—that strange, phantom-like footwork that had allowed him to dodge the Shadow Leopard's attack and strike with precision.
That movement technique... it's not something a six-year-old should know, Tang San thought, his mind analyzing every detail. The way he fights, his strategic thinking, even his maturity—it's as if he has experience beyond his years. Could he be... like me? Could Chen Sheng also be someone reborn from other world?
The possibility sent a chill down Tang San's spine. If Chen Sheng was also a reincarnated soul, what were the implications? Were there others? And more importantly, what were Chen Sheng's true intentions?
『DING! DETECTED Tang San's Suspicion and Deep Curiosity emotions toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
Three treasure chests, Chen Sheng noted with satisfaction.
And Tang San's suspicion is particularly valuable—it means he's paying close attention to me.
"I've been training my body since I was very young," Chen Sheng replied modestly, offering a partial truth.
"Grandpa Jack always told me that physical conditioning was important, even without knowing if I'd have soul power."
The return journey to Notting City was slower than their outbound trip due to Yu Xiaogang's weakened condition. The Master rode in the carriage while occasionally checking on both boys' new soul rings and asking detailed questions about their absorption experiences. Chen Sheng was careful to provide answers that were truthful but not revealing of his enhanced capabilities.
During a quiet moment when Tang San was helping Yu Xiaogang adjust his bandages, Chen Sheng decided to examine his newly acquired treasure chests.
System, open the three treasure chests I just earned.
『Treasure Chest opened! Congratulations to master for receiving "Titled Douluo Time-Limited Card (30 minutes)"』
『Description: When activated, this card temporarily elevates the user's power to an average level 95 Titled Douluo for exactly 30 minutes. Recommended for life-threatening situations only. Single use item.』
Chen Sheng's breath caught. A Titled Douluo represented the absolute pinnacle of power on the Douluo Continent—beings who could destroy armies and reshape landscapes with their martial souls. Having even 30 minutes of that level of strength could mean the difference between life and death in a critical situation.
『Treasure Chest opened! Congratulations to master for receiving "Body Strengthening Card"』
『Description: Permanently enhances the user's physical capabilities to rival a level 30 Soul Master's physique. Increases strength, durability, and physical resilience significantly.』
Another enhancement card, Chen Sheng mused, his excitement barely contained. Combined with my current physique, this would make me physically comparable to Soul Elders despite being only level 15.
『Treasure Chest opened! Congratulations to master for receiving "Mountain Bicycle (Premium Brand)"』
Chen Sheng stared at the notification with mixed emotions. A bicycle from his previous world could be useful for transportation, but it seemed almost comically mundane compared to his other rewards.
At least it's not vegetables this time, he consoled himself.
He decided to wait until he could find complete privacy before using the Body Strengthening Card.
The carriage rolled through the academy gates just as dawn was breaking over Notting City.
The journey had taken the entire night, and Chen Sheng could see students beginning to emerge from their dormitories for morning exercises and classes.
"Tang San you should get some rest," Yu Xiaogang advised as they dismounted from the carriage.
"I'll discuss your training schedules after you've recovered from exertions."
"Thank you, Master," Tang San said with a respectful bow.
As they made their way toward Dormitory 7, Chen Sheng and Tang San noticed an unusual crowd gathering in the academy's backyard training area.
Students were rushing in that direction with excited expressions, clearly drawn by some kind of spectacle.
"What's going on?" Tang San wondered aloud.
One work study student spotted them approaching and jogged over with a grim expression. "Brother Sheng, Xiao San! You're back just in time. There's trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" Chen Sheng asked, though he suspected he already knew the answer.
"Remember that arrogant student from the cafeteria yesterday? His name is Xiao Chenyu, and he's challenged the work-study students to a public competition," He explained rapidly.
"He's been going around saying that work-study students are worthless trash who don't deserve to attend the academy. Sister Xiao Wu got angry and accepted his challenge on behalf of all of us."
Chen Sheng's expression grew serious. "Where is Xiao Wu now?"
"She's already at the training grounds," He replied. "The match is about to start."
Sister Xiao Wu organized us to defend our honor, but..." He gestured helplessly toward the training grounds.
The three boys hurried to the backyard, pushing through the crowd of spectators. In the center of a large training circle, they found Wang Sheng fighting against a student with a Wolf Beast martial soul. Both had white soul rings—indicating they were still beginner Soul Masters.
However, the wolf spirit user clearly had superior training and resources. His movements were more refined, his soul power more stable, and his physical conditioning better. Within moments, Wang Sheng was thrown away few meters, landing hard on the ground.
The wealthy students erupted in mocking laughter.
"See? Work-study trash can't even put up a decent fight!" Xiao Chenyu jeered.
"You beggars should just drop out and save everyone the embarrassment!"
Xiao Wu stood at the edge of the ring, her fists clenched in fury but her face showing strategic restraint. She had deliberately sent Wang Sheng first to gauge their opponents' strength before committing herself or her strongest fighters.
When Chen Sheng and Tang San reached her side, Xiao Wu quickly explained the situation.
"They've been insulting all work-study students."
Chen Sheng surveyed the opposing group. Xiao Chenyu stood at the center, flanked by five other wealthy students.
"Step aside," Chen Sheng said calmly, walking into the training ring. "I'll handle this."
Xiao Wu and Wang Sheng moved back, hope rekindling in their eyes.
Chen Sheng summoned his White Tiger martial soul, and the magnificent beast materialized behind him. A single yellow soul ring rose from beneath his feet, drawing gasps from the crowd.
"You want to fight us all?" Xiao Chenyu laughed. "Fine! Let's see how long you last!"
Chen Sheng could have defeated them using only his enhanced physical capabilities—his body strengthening had made him formidable enough to handle multiple opponents without soul power.
However, he recognized that such a display would be too shocking for observers to accept. A six-year-old defeating multiple Soul Masters through pure physical strength alone would raise questions he wasn't prepared to answer.
By using his martial soul and soul ring, he could attribute his victory to legitimate Soul Master abilities rather than inexplicable superhuman strength.
"Come at me together," Chen Sheng said with quiet confidence. "Let's not waste time."
Xiao Chenyu's face flushed with anger at the perceived insult. "You asked for this! Everyone, attack!"
Six wealthy students charged at Chen Sheng simultaneously, their martial souls activated and soul rings glowing. The wolf spirit user lunged from the left, a sword wielder attacked from the right, and Xiao Chenyu led a frontal assault with his Bronze Sword.
"First Soul Skill: Shadow Rush!"
Chen Sheng's speed increased by 30%, and he became a blur of motion. He sidestepped the wolf user's pounce, deflected the sword strike with his arm (his enhanced durability making the blade glance off harmlessly), and drove his fist into Xiao Chenyu's solar plexus with carefully controlled force.
The fight was brutally efficient. Chen Sheng's combination of genuine Soul Master abilities and secretly enhanced physique made him untouchable.
He moved between his opponents like a ghost, landing precise strikes that incapacitated without causing serious injury. Within thirty seconds, all six wealthy students lay on the ground, groaning in pain and shock.
The crowd stood in stunned silence before erupting into excited chatter.
『DING! DETECTED Xiao Chenyu's Humiliation and Fear emotions toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Xiao Wu's Admiration emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Wang Sheng's Awe emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Tang San's Shock emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
Four more treasure chests, Chen Sheng noted with satisfaction. Tang San's shock is particularly valuable—he's probably even more convinced now that I'm hiding something.
Tang San stood at the edge of the ring, his mind racing. That fighting style, that efficiency... Brother Sheng fights like someone with decades of combat experience. Combined with his mysterious cultivation speed and that strange movement technique... I'm almost certain now. He must be like me—someone reborn from another world.
After the excitement died down and the crowd dispersed, Chen Sheng finally found an opportunity to slip away to a secluded area behind the academy's storage buildings. The location was rarely visited and provided the privacy he needed to use his Body Strengthening Card without observation.
System, use the Body Strengthening Card.
『Body Strengthening Card activated. Commencing physical enhancement...』
The transformation was immediate and intense. Warm energy flooded every cell in Chen Sheng's body, dramatically restructuring his muscles, bones, and connective tissues. His already enhanced physique—previously comparable to a level 20 Soul Master—underwent another radical upgrade.
When the process completed several minutes later, Chen Sheng stood and experimentally flexed his hands. The difference was staggering. He felt as if his entire body had been reforged from superior materials, every movement flowing with effortless power.
To test his new capabilities, Chen Sheng approached a large boulder that had been left behind during the academy's construction—a massive piece of granite that probably weighed close to 3,000 kilograms. Under normal circumstances, even a team of grown men would struggle to move such a stone.
Chen Sheng bent down, positioned his hands beneath the boulder, and lifted.
The massive stone rose from the ground as if it weighed no more than a bag of grain. Chen Sheng held it overhead with arms that didn't even tremble from the exertion. The realization of his new strength was breathtaking—he could now lift and manipulate weights that would require industrial equipment in his previous world.
With this level of physical strength, I could bend big steel pipes with my bare hands, Chen Sheng marveled. I could punch through brick walls, lift a fully loaded cart, or restrain a charging bull without soul power assistance. My physical capabilities now exceed those of most Soul Elders despite being only level 15.
He carefully set the boulder down and continued testing his enhanced abilities. His fingers could dig into solid wood like it was soft clay. His legs could propel him over walls that would have been insurmountable before. His skin had become tough enough to resist casual blade strikes without injury.
The implications were profound. In a world where Soul Masters relied heavily on their martial souls and soul skills for combat effectiveness, Chen Sheng possessed physical capabilities that would allow him to fight effectively even without activating his martial soul. He was becoming a unique hybrid—part soul master, part superhuman physical specimen.
He practiced several movement sequences, marveling at how his enhanced strength translated into explosive speed and agility. When he punched the air, the displacement of wind created audible sounds. When he jumped, he could easily clear distances that would require Soul Master enhancement for most people.
I need to be careful about revealing this strength too casually, Chen Sheng cautioned himself. Physical power at this level in a six-year-old body will raise serious questions. I'll need to carefully regulate how much force I display in public situations.
After thoroughly testing his new capabilities and ensuring he could control his enhanced strength sufficiently to avoid accidental damage during normal activities.
Chen Sheng returned to Dormitory 7 feeling more confident.
The other work-study students were celebrating his victory over Xiao Chenyu when he entered. Xiao Wu immediately rushed over with an expression mixing gratitude and competitive determination.
"Thank you for stepping in, but next time I'll defeat people like that myself," she declared. "I just need to get my soul ring and train harder."
"I have no doubt you will," Chen Sheng replied with genuine confidence. "You have excellent combat instincts. Once you gain a soul ring, you'll be formidable."
Tang San approached with his characteristic thoughtful expression. "Brother Sheng, your combat effectiveness continues to surprise me. That soul skill of yours—Shadow Rush—combined with your natural physical abilities makes you incredibly dangerous despite being only level fifteen."
"We all have our strengths," Chen Sheng deflected modestly.
---