Chapter 13: Picking a Fight?

The dormitory was incredibly luxurious, rivaling even hotel accommodations. Each student was assigned a private room. Li Xun and Ning Rongrong were placed in two adjacent rooms on the second floor.

“Brother Li Xun, can we stay together? I’m a little scared,” Ning Rongrong looked up at Li Xun, gently tugging at his sleeve.

Li Xun glanced at her and nodded slightly. After nearly two years of correction, Ning Rongrong’s personality had changed a great deal. Though she still retained a bit of stubbornness and curiosity about the outside world, the reckless defiance she once had was gone. While this tempered nature might protect her from many external hardships, Li Xun wasn’t sure if suppressing her true self was good or bad.

Qin Ming cleared his throat beside them but said nothing. What could two eight-year-olds do, after all?

“Xun, here’s a detailed introduction and the rules of the Heavenly Dou Academy. Take a look,” Qin Ming said, handing Li Xun a manual.

“I’ll come find you once you’re familiar with the academy,” he added, feeling somewhat unnecessary, then turned to leave.

Watching him depart, Li Xun led Ning Rongrong into their rooms. Once inside, their eyes both brightened. The suite featured a luxurious parlor, exquisite furniture, a study, dining area, bedroom, and bathroom—it had everything.

“This isn’t a school; it’s a vacation resort!” Ning Rongrong exclaimed.

Although the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was wealthy, in terms of comfort and luxury, it couldn’t compare to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, let alone a village-run school like Shrek Academy.

“Brother Li Xun, there’s only one bedroom!” Ning Rongrong paced the room.

“This is a single dormitory; having all these facilities is already great. How about I come to your room after you fall asleep?” Li Xun suggested, shooting her a sideways glance. He wasn’t in the mood to babysit.

“No! I’m scared on my own,” Ning Rongrong said, her eyes welling with tears as she looked at him.

“Alright...” Li Xun sighed inwardly, realizing he was walking the same path as Tang San, though in this case, the one being comforted was not a rabbit but a little girl.

The Heavenly Dou Royal Academy operated under a clear hierarchy for both teachers and students: Tianwei level, Tianzhi level, and Tiandou level. Li Xun and Ning Rongrong’s soul power ranked below level 25, placing them at the Tianwei level. Students at this rank focused mostly on cultivating soul power, with theoretical knowledge as a secondary concern.

Li Xun believed martial strength mattered more than theory. So after a brief tour to familiarize himself with the campus layout, he holed up in the dormitory to train. Ning Rongrong, however, was curious about school life and had been attending classes punctually for the past couple of days. But Li Xun sensed she was growing weary.

Ning Rongrong had become reluctant to get out of bed.

“Rongrong, wake up. If you don’t get up soon, you’ll be late,” Li Xun tugged at the blanket.

“I don’t want to go today...” Ning Rongrong rolled over, wrapping herself tightly in the covers.

“Giving up after just two days? What happened to the perseverance of Miss Rongrong?” Li Xun teased.

“...”

“There are some kids in class who are so annoying. They keep bothering me... and a few girls speak to me in such a sarcastic tone.”

“There are too many of them; I can’t argue back,” Ning Rongrong muttered from inside the blanket.

“Are they picking on you? Did you tell them you’re from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?” Li Xun narrowed his eyes, asking softly.

“I did, but they didn’t believe me and even mocked me,” Ning Rongrong peeked out, looking somewhat dispirited.

“Rongrong, get dressed. I’ll go to class with you today. If they cause trouble again, I’ll stand up for you,” Li Xun ruffled her hair comfortingly.

“Okay! Make sure you scold them harshly,” Ning Rongrong’s eyes brightened and a faint smile tugged at her lips as she nodded emphatically.

“I knew you were just pretending to be pitiful. Hurry up and get up.”

...

Li Xun calmly led Ning Rongrong toward the classroom. They had only been at the academy for three or four days, so it was unlikely Ning Rongrong had made any real enemies. Li Xun suspected they had been targeted, and that whoever it was knew their true identities.

The Tianwei-level classroom at Heavenly Dou Royal Academy had yet to start morning lessons. Upon entering, Li Xun and Ning Rongrong saw students divided into several groups, playing and chatting. Though relaxed, their eyes kept flicking toward the door.

When they saw not a teacher but two children of seven or eight years old, many breathed a sigh of relief. As nobles, basic etiquette was still observed.

“Hey! The little girl’s back for class!” one student sneered.

“What little girl? She’s the young lady from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!” another retorted.

“She’s even brought a little friend this time. Do you two even understand the lessons? Haha.”

“Go home and drink your milk!”

...

A few students clearly stood apart from the others. Even hearing the commotion at the door, they paid no attention and continued their play. When they recognized Li Xun and Ning Rongrong, they mocked them openly.

Ning Rongrong tugged at Li Xun’s sleeve from behind: “Brother Li Xun, it’s these few people. Ever since I started attending class, they’ve been harassing me.”

Li Xun nodded. From the moment they entered, those students’ gazes had lingered on them, whether deliberately or not.

Judging by their appearance, these youths were clearly sixteen or seventeen years old; claiming ignorance was self-deception.

Li Xun said nothing and strode directly toward them.

“Hey, kid, what do you want?” a worldly-faced youth named Luo Rongdou sneered as Li Xun approached.

“You didn’t recognize that? That little girl must’ve brought backup to mess with you,” the chubby boy beside Luo Rongdou mocked.

“Ha, Ge Rong, don’t joke,” Luo Rongdou scoffed.

“Haha...”

Several boys and girls nearby laughed along.

Other students in the classroom turned their attention toward the commotion. The Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was a mid-level institution; the youngest students were twelve. Compared to them, Li Xun and Ning Rongrong were undeniably small.

Faced with their sarcastic tone, Li Xun remained calm, stepping firmly before the one who spoke first.

“Do you know who we are?”

“What?” Luo Rongdou blinked, surprised by the question.

Smack —

Suddenly, a sharp clap echoed through the classroom.

“You dare hit me?” Luo Rongdou clutched his left cheek, disbelief written all over his face.

Smack —

Li Xun jumped up and delivered another slap, this time to Luo Rongdou’s right cheek.

“I’m asking you a question! Don’t pretend to be dumb.”

Finally, Ning Rongrong was willing to attend school without Li Xun’s urging, but these trash had already made her hate it. Li Xun was furious.

The swift, fierce strikes caused the onlookers to widen their eyes in shock.

At the door, Ning Rongrong opened her mouth in surprise, her small hands clenched tightly. Weren’t they here to fight? She had never seen Li Xun strike anyone and worried he might be at a disadvantage.

“Now, do you know who I am?”

Luo Rongdou’s face was swollen and red, his anger flaring as he threw a punch at Li Xun.

Li Xun sidestepped lightly and grabbed the extended arm, pulling it downward.

Luo Rongdou lost his balance and toppled toward the ground.

Bang —

Li Xun landed a punch on his side face.