The sight of Xiao Wu's instant, unwavering camaraderie with Lin Feng struck Tang San with the force of a physical blow. He stood frozen outside the dormitory entrance, the shock and betrayal eclipsing the pain from the subtle poison he had just neutralized. This was not how the plot was supposed to unfold.
Tang San advanced, his face a mask of restrained fury and confusion. He knew Xiao Wu should have been his partner, his sworn sister, the one who fought him for the right to the best bed. Now, she was laughing easily with the person he had already identified as a dangerous, arrogant rival.
"Xiao Wu, wait," Tang San called, his voice tight. "I am Tang San, from Holy Spirit Village, like him. You should be assigned to the communal dorm, unless you're willing to fight me for the single room."
Xiao Wu stopped, turning back with an air of pleasant dismissal. She looked at Tang San, then glanced back at Lin Feng, whose hand was resting lightly on her shoulder in a protective gesture. She shrugged, her tone light and final.
"Fight you? Why? My Big Brother Lin Feng already secured the best room, and he invited me to share it. He's much stronger than you, I can tell. And besides, he already dealt with all the bullies and problems. He's my sworn brother now," Xiao Wu stated simply, her gaze conveying a certainty that crushed Tang San's hopes. Her loyalty was already cemented by the feeling of protection and the inexplicable vitality from the fused biscuit.
Lin Feng stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malicious triumph. He looked directly into Tang San's soul, speaking in a low, conspiratorial tone only the two of them could truly understand.
"I told you, Tang San. Arrogance is fine when you can back it up. You rely on secrets—things you hide from the light. But those secrets are fragile," Lin Feng whispered, before performing a precise, targeted fusion.
He used his Fusion Phoenix Flame to subtly interfere with the ambient spiritual energy around Tang San, fusing a faint concept of 'Energetic Discord' directly onto the tiny pathway of Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill circulation.
The effect was not a physical attack, but an instantaneous internal disruption. Tang San, who was channeling his power to maintain his composure, felt his internal energy circulation stutter violently. The perfectly smooth, controlled flow of his unique internal technique suddenly choked, causing his body to visibly stiffen and his face to blanch slightly. It was a momentary, terrifying hiccup that exposed the core fragility of his hidden methods.
The other students who had gathered to watch the strange confrontation saw Tang San's momentary spasm. They only saw a nervous, humiliated boy who had just been rebuffed by the beautiful new girl and who was now shaking under the scorn of the rich, strange boy.
"See, even your little secret cultivation method makes you choke under pressure," Lin Feng scoffed loudly, ensuring his words carried. "If you are so weak you can't even maintain your composure, perhaps you should just return home to your father and become a blacksmith."
This public humiliation, coupled with the internal terror of his energy faltering, was a devastating psychological blow to Tang San. He was supposed to be the disciplined, unstoppable genius. Now, he was the isolated outsider, exposed and mocked by a boy whose true power he couldn't even see.
Lin Feng watched Tang San retreat, his back rigid with wounded pride. He knew the seeds of intense, bitter rivalry had been planted perfectly.
Lin Feng: The Established Protector and genius, seemingly possessing great wealth and a terrifying, unseen power capable of affecting hidden cultivation. He had the best room and the affection of the most desirable girl.
Xiao Wu: The Devoted Sworn Sister, whose loyalty was secured through safety and power, completely cutting off Tang San's original path to forming an emotional bond with her.
Tang San: The Isolated Outsider, driven by burning resentment and confused anger. He was forced into the common dormitory, deprived of his first companion, and wary of a powerful enemy whose abilities defied all known logic.
Lin Feng knew this isolation would force Tang San to train harder, but without a mentor (the Grandmaster) or a partner (Xiao Wu), his development would be slower, more conventional, and easily targeted. Lin Feng had successfully stolen the first, most crucial plot advantage. He smiled, turning to Xiao Wu, who was already leaning against him, her face full of happy trust.
"Come on, Big Brother Lin Feng, let's go check out our room!" she chirped, completely forgetting the boy who had called out to her. Lin Feng's ascendancy was secured, leaving the destined hero to begin his miserable, isolated journey in the shadows.