Tang Yin pushed open the dorm door, school uniform in hand. Inside, a bunch of boys were horsing around, shouting and laughing. He glanced at them, then picked an empty bunk.
A tall kid came over, looking him up and down. "New work-study student?"
"Yeah," Tang Yin said.
"I'm Wang Sheng. My Spirit is the War Tiger, and I'm gonna be a Battle Spirit Master," Wang Sheng declared, puffing out his chest. "I run this place. What's your name? What Spirit you got?"
"Tang Yin. Blue Silver Grass."
Wang Sheng burst out laughing—and pretty much everyone joined in. "Really? Trash like Blue Silver Grass can be cultivated now?"
He leaned in, trying to intimidate Tang Yin. "Listen, since you're a work-study student, you follow my rules. Got it? Otherwise, you catch a beating."
Tang Yin stayed calm. "I have Innate Full Spirit Power."
Wang Sheng froze. "Wait, what? Innate Full Spirit Power?!" His face drained of color.
The other boys started whispering, looking at Tang Yin with new interest. Tang Yin handed Wang Sheng his Spirit certificate, then just started changing clothes. Honestly, after arriving in Douluo, this school uniform was the nicest thing he'd worn.
Wang Sheng stared at the certificate. Those words—Innate Full Spirit Power—just taunted him.
"Wow… it's real…" He handed the certificate back and backed off, totally awkward now.
Suddenly, everyone became distant, sizing Tang Yin up like he was some rare animal.
Tang Yin turned to Wang Sheng. "Does the school teach a Meditation Technique?"
"Yeah, but classes don't start for a few days," Wang Sheng said. "Want me to teach you? I've got nothing else to do."
Tang Yin smiled. "Thanks."
Wang Sheng shrugged, "We're all stuck together. Might as well help each other."
A little later, Tang San appeared at the door. He saw Tang Yin inside and grinned. "Brother."
Tang Yin smiled right back. Hard to punch someone who's smiling at you—especially your brother.
"You call him brother?" Wang Sheng rubbed his eyes, confused. "You guys look totally different. It's like… a toad and a swan."
Tang San's face darkened. "Who're you calling a toad?"
Honestly, ever since Tang Yin changed, Tang San was pretty sick of the comparisons. Looks don't matter. Even if Tang Yin went all out, Tang San could still beat him, easy.
Wang Sheng waved his hands. "Sorry, slip of the tongue! Didn't expect it. Actually, you're kinda cute too!"
Tang San looked unimpressed. "Cute, huh." With his lifetime of experience, he couldn't bother arguing.
Tang Yin spoke up, "His name's Tang San. He also has Innate Full Spirit Power."
Wang Sheng's jaw dropped again. "You too? What's your Spirit?"
Tang San gave an icy snort. "Blue Silver Grass."
Wang Sheng looked like he might pass out. "Seriously? Two people, both with Innate Full Spirit Power, both with Blue Silver Grass? What's going on in this world?!"
Tang San shrugged. "There are no useless Spirits—just useless Spirit Masters."
Wang Sheng scratched his head. "Why does that sound familiar?"
Suddenly, a cheerful girl's voice chimed in, "Excuse me, is this Dormitory Seven?"
She wore pink, her long braid swinging behind her. Huge pink eyes blinked at everyone, curious.
Wang Sheng perked up instantly. "Yep, Dorm Seven! I'm Wang Sheng, I run this place! My Spirit is War Tiger!"
She giggled. "I'm Xiao Wu—'Wu' as in dance. My Spirit's a little white rabbit. Really cute."
Wang Sheng's heart practically melted. "For real… it is cute…" He blushed and declared, "Xiao Wu, I'll back you up here! If anybody bothers you, just tell me!"
Xiao Wu smiled, "Thanks, but I'm actually strong myself."
She stepped over to Tang Yin, checking him out closely, looking surprised. "You're really good-looking! And your blue hair's so cool!"
Tang Yin nodded, "Thanks. You're pretty and adorable too."
Xiao Wu beamed and claimed the bunk next to him. Tang San set up on Tang Yin's other side. Honestly, nobody ended up fighting for dorm boss like usual.
Then Yu Xiaogang showed up at the door, carrying new bedding.
"Little San," he called.
Tang San hurried over. "Grandmaster?!"
The other kids started whispering, all curious. Tang San came back with the bedding, making everyone jealous.
Xiao Wu frowned. "I almost forgot—I don't have bedding, either…"
Then Yu Xiaogang called, "Tang Yin!"
Tang Yin looked up. "Grandmaster, do you need something?"
Yu Xiaogang waved him over. "Come here. I want to talk."
Tang Yin walked over. Sometimes, the more you try to avoid someone, the more they chase you. Easier to just deal with it.
They found a quiet spot. Yu Xiaogang asked, "Tang Yin, is Blue Silver Grass really your only Spirit?"
Tang Yin shrugged. "I'm not Little San. Just one Spirit, and it's Blue Silver Grass."
Yu Xiaogang frowned. "Strange… I've studied a lot of mutated Spirits, but never seen Blue Silver Grass alone with Innate Full Spirit Power."
He leaned in. "Can you release your Spirit? I'm Little San's teacher now. You don't need to be cautious."
Tang Yin opened his hand. Blue-gold Blue Silver Grass appeared, shining.
Yu Xiaogang looked, nodding to himself. "It really is unusual…"
Tang Yin turned to leave, but Yu Xiaogang stopped him. "Tang Yin, want to become my disciple? Little San did. Even if you don't trust me, you can trust your brother."
Tang Yin gave a sly grin. "How about you hand over a Meditation Technique first—prove you're serious?"
Yu Xiaogang laughed. "What a pair you brothers are. Always thinking ahead."
"Alright, I'll give you the Meditation Technique I use." He glanced at Tang Yin. "Didn't your father teach you one?"
Tang Yin said, "Dad's just a blacksmith. Not a Spirit Master."
Yu Xiaogang just chuckled, handing him the technique. "Take it and try. This is my sincerity—give me your answer before dark."
"I'm taking Little San for his first spirit ring tomorrow. If you're willing, come with us."
Tang Yin pocketed the Meditation Technique and smiled. "Thanks, Grandmaster. I'll think about it."
He didn't have Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill. This would have to do. Tang San guarded those secrets like a dragon. Every time he practiced, he went off miles from home. Never shared any of it. And asking would just make Tang Yin look bad.