Chapter 2: Roommates, Ah Yin, Ah Yin!
At this moment, Ye Wen asked, "Grandpa, how did you know my soul power isn't just innate level four?"
Ye Buyi's expression turned smug, clearly eager to show off. "Xiao Wen, although you'd learn this eventually, I'll tell you now. On Douluo Continent, elements are typically divided into the mainstream seven elements, plus various rare elements.
"Among the seven elements, there are three superior elements and four lesser ones. The superior three are Light, Darkness, and Space, and any martial spirit with one of these elements is considered a high level spirit. While the books I read didn't specify the soul power level that comes with these spirits, they did say that these spirits often have extraordinarily high innate soul power. Level four soul power is only average; with your martial spirit's traits, it should be at least level five or higher."
At the mention of level five and above, Ye Buyi's smile grew broader. He clearly had high hopes for Ye Wen's future, confident he'd one day bring honor to their family. A martial spirit with spatial attributes, even without offensive power, would be highly coveted on the continent.
Ye Buyi was in high spirits, but Ye Wen felt a bit troubled, muttering, "My innate soul power might be high, Grandpa, but I can't use our family's meditation technique. My martial spirit has mutated, so my training must differ from your Willful Headband technique. How am I supposed to cultivate?"
Ye Buyi waved off Ye Wen's concerns with a hearty chuckle. "No worries! All meditation methods are essentially similar. The basic idea is to visualize your martial spirit and use focused soul power to cleanse and evolve it. Our family's method is just a refined collection of our ancestors' insights. Even with your mutated martial spirit, it won't be too different. What's crucial is that this method includes detailed descriptions of the soul power channels in your body wisdom our ancestors painstakingly compiled. I've heard that the major powers have even more complete diagrams of soul power pathways, but they'd never share them with us commoners."
Ye Buyi then began to teach Ye Wen how to meditate step by step, guiding him through the family method. Ye Wen noted the soul power channel records with surprise. "It's incomplete, but it resembles the meridian theories from Chinese medicine."
As Ye Wen delved further, he realized that these channels determined a Soul Master's total soul power capacity, while a martial spirit determined training focus and minimum strength.
Under Ye Buyi's instruction, Ye Wen also learned to conceal his soul mark. Though Ye Buyi was no powerhouse, his experience taught Ye Wen that battles between Soul Masters often hinged on information. Understanding an opponent's strengths and weaknesses could decide the fight, so hiding one's own strengths was key. After all, experienced observers could deduce a Soul Master's weaknesses just from examining their soul mark.
For example, a fire based opponent could be countered with water, or an enemy's martial spirit type might reveal their combat style, enabling tactical adjustments.
Ye Wen decided not to tell Ye Buyi about his twin martial spirits. Partly, he didn't want to overwhelm the old man with the shock, and partly, he didn't want to cause him worry. After all, no one on the continent had ever successfully trained twin martial spirits, and being so young, Ye Wen feared that if his grandfather knew, he might worry that Ye Wen would recklessly hunt for a spirit ring for his second spirit.
In the months before school began, Ye Wen spent his time in constant meditation, gradually sensing his martial spirit's evolution. However, his soul power remained at level ten, a detail he chose not to share with Ye Buyi, hoping that this glimmer of hope would help his grandfather live a little longer.
As he continued training, Ye Wen found that memories of his past life, which he'd nearly forgotten, were now returning more vividly. This strange bonus seemed like a small compensation for his lack of a golden finger (a cheat ability) upon transmigrating.
During this time, Ye Buyi also gave Ye Wen the simple ring and a bag of gold coins, instructing him, "Xiao Wen, I've watched you grow up, and I know you're a smart child. You think, you read, and you've even followed me to the city to learn about this world. I've seen it all, so now I'm entrusting you with these family heirlooms.
"This ring is a low grade soul guide with one cubic meter of storage, and this bag contains 700 gold soul coins, the savings your father and I accumulated from our Soul Master stipends. Remember, don't flaunt your wealth. Keep these items hidden, and keep your martial spirit's spatial property a secret. If I, an old man, know about martial spirits, so will your teachers at school. We common Soul Masters already have it tough; don't get involved in fights between high level Soul Masters and nobles. Just focus on raising your soul power, acquiring spirit rings, and restoring our family's glory. I'll be watching over you from Holy Soul Village. Stay diligent, my child."
When classes started at Notting Elementary Academy, Ye Buyi brought Ye Wen to the school. This time, unlike the original story, there was no hassle with the gatekeeper. Everything went smoothly.
Although he was well off, Ye Wen kept a low profile and entered the academy as a work study student, living in the much criticized mixed dormitory. Gone was the gatekeeper's obstruction, and no "master" demanded to take him as an apprentice. However, it seemed that the unwritten rules among work study students had been around for decades. A burly little boy blocked Ye Wen's way into the dormitory, puffing himself up.
"New work study student?" he said, sounding cocky.
"What's your business with me?" Ye Wen replied calmly.
Momentarily taken aback by Ye Wen's composure, the boy faltered, then stammered, "Since we're all work study students, we're easy targets for those nobles. We need to stick together, but that requires a leader. I'm the boss of Dormitory Three right now. You have to accept my challenge. If you win, you're the boss. If you don't accept, you'll be my underling and do whatever I say. Got it?"
Although Ye Wen had anticipated this, he pretended to consider it before saying, "I see. If it's a fight you want, then let's fight. But it's a bit cramped in here. Let's head outside so we don't damage the beds and end up paying the school."
In an instant, the large dorm emptied, everyone heading out to the small training field.
"Martial Spirit Possession! My name is Chen Pi, martial spirit: Lone Wolf, rank four Soul Master," announced the chubby boy, Chen Pi, proudly.
Ye Wen, meanwhile, remained calm, taking up a Xingyi Fist stance. "Ye Wen. Martial spirit: black cloth, rank five Soul Master. Please, go ahead."
"You didn't even summon your martial spirit? Are you looking down on me? You're dead!" Chen Pi roared, charging forward.
Ye Wen stood his ground, seemingly paralyzed with fear. But in truth, he felt no emotion watching Chen Pi's reckless charge. Although Ye Wen had studied medicine in his previous life, he had also practiced martial arts under a master during college, learning the Five Animal Frolics and Xingyi Fist.
Though his martial arts were intended for fitness, Ye Wen knew they could be deadly in skilled hands. After arriving here, he had practiced the Five Animal Frolics in his free time, building up his body and developing a graceful, athletic physique.
In mere moments, Chen Pi was within three steps of Ye Wen, claws raised to strike. But Ye Wen's eyes suddenly sharpened, his gaze fierce like a hungry tiger eyeing its prey. Before Chen Pi could react, Ye Wen stepped forward, softening a Black Tiger Heart Strike into a simple palm strike, landing it on Chen Pi's chest. Chen Pi tumbled backward, howling in pain, unable to rise for a while.
Silence fell over the group.
"Now, I'm the boss here. Anyone got a problem with that?" Ye Wen asked, his gaze fierce.
Everyone quickly shook their heads and stepped back, intimidated.
Then, turning to Chen Pi, who was still writhing on the ground, Ye Wen asked, "Do you submit? If not, I'll give you another chance to challenge me."
Eyes filled with fear, Chen Pi hurriedly nodded. "I submit. You're the boss now."
Ye Wen, satisfied with his new subordinate's cooperation, picked a bunk by the window and began unpacking his things. Just then, a sweet voice came from behind him.
"Excuse me, is this Dormitory Three?"
Ye Wen turned to look and found himself captivated. At the door stood a doll like little girl with hair as soft and blue as Blue Silver Grass. Though still young, she already showed signs of growing into a rare beauty, her gentle and kind demeanor radiating from within.
Chen Pi, eager to assert himself, piped up, "You're also a new work study student? This is Dormitory Three, and I'm second in command here, so you can call me Second Brother."
"Hello, my name is Ah Yin. Can I come in?" Ah Yin asked with a smile.
Realizing he was blocking the doorway, Chen Pi hastily moved aside. "Oh! Yes, come in!"
Meanwhile, Ye Wen was having a mental flashback. In all of Douluo Dalu, the name "Ah Yin" was unmistakable. Coupled with her unique temperament, if this girl's martial spirit turned out to be Blue Silver Grass, then he might be meeting the mother of the protagonist a potential complication.
As Ah Yin set her belongings on the bunk next to his, Ye Wen's resolve grew stronger. No matter what, since he had already crossed into the Douluo world, his presence here had likely altered the original story's timeline the famed butterfly effect.
Besides, he had always disliked Tang San. Despite his polite front, he was ruthless beneath the surface. His hypocritical and dark nature, coupled with the grim fate of Spirit Hall, had long solidified Ye Wen's disdain for him.
If he could, Ye Wen was determined to change the future of this world perhaps that was the reason he was here.
Just then, Ah Yin began her simple introduction, "Hello, everyone, I'm Ah Yin. My martial spirit is Blue Silver Grass, and my soul power is…"
"Blue Silver Grass? That's unfortunate. Even with soul power, it's one of the lowest martial spirits. From what I've read, your soul power likely won't exceed level two. But don't worry. While we're here, we won't let the nobles push you around. We commoners must stick together. If you ever need help, come find me.
"Everyone got that? Because of our lowly backgrounds, we have to band together, or nobles will walk all over us. As your boss, my first rule is that we move together as much as possible. Though we can't beat the upperclassmen, we can at least deter weaker nobles. There's strength in numbers," Ye Wen said, cutting in.
Ah Yin blinked, caught off guard by his interruption. But after listening to his words, she nodded, half understanding.
The other freshmen now fully respected their new boss, as most were poor kids with no legacy. Faced with Ye Wen's assertiveness, they instinctively accepted his leadership.
After offering more encouraging words, Ye Wen finally calmed the dormitory and walked over to Ah Yin.
Ah Yin, busy arranging her bunk, looked up curiously at Ye Wen. "What is it, Boss?"
Looking at the adorable girl before him, Ye Wen suddenly understood why the protagonist in the original story became so attached to Xiao Wu.
Ah Yin's beauty was on another level her calm, gentle demeanor held a natural nobility that, even at her age, was captivating.
Clearing his mind of errant thoughts, Ye Wen leaned closer and whispered, "Come outside for a moment. I have something important to tell you."
(End of Chapter)
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