As Tang San continued walking to his dorm room, he couldn't get what Mei had said out of his head.
Did she know I had a twin spirit, or did she know that he was a soul from a different era?
Tang San pondered this more until he realized another possibility.
Does her martial soul allow her to see into people's pasts?
Or is she a person from the same world, and that's why she can tell he's not from this world?
At this point, he was hoping it was the final guess; after all, it would be great if she were from his world, he could have a conversation with her and maybe become friends.
Tang San thought about this scenario for a while until he came to his dorm room door. When he opened the door, there seemed to be some kind of fight that had happened.
One student was lying on the floor (male), and another (female) was standing above him in a triumphant pose.
Tang San wanted to avoid unnecessary attention and quickly went to the side, but it seems he was noticed by the girl, and she came bouncing right over.
"Hey, you're a new student here, right? You should know there's a tradition where students fight each other to become the dorm head. So come on, let's fight!" The girl proclaimed boldly.
Tang San, now seeing her up close, couldn't help but take her in. She has pink irises and long brown hair that is styled in a scorpion braid. She wore a pink outfit and had a pair of rabbit ears on top of her head. Overall, she's the cutest girl he has ever met.
"So are you going to fight me or not?" The girl interrupted.
"No, you can be the dorm head. I don't want to be it." Tang San replied straightforwardly.
"Good, you can call me big sis Xiao Wu. If you ever get into trouble, this big sister will help you out." As Xiao Wu said this Tang San couldn't help but stagger a bit.
We're the same age, yet you want me to call you big sis.
"Oh, I didn't quite get your name."
"My name is Tang San."
"Okay then, I'll call you brother San, how about it?"
"Okay, but I'll call you Xiao Wu. How about it?" Tang San said with a polite smile.
Before Xiao Wu could answer, a kid with spiky hair interrupted.
"Hehehe, nice to meet you. My name is Wang Shen the previous head dorm, I'm a level 7 spirit trainee and my spirit is a white tiger." Wang Shen introduce himself to Tang San, trying to shift Xiao Wu's attention so she wouldn't beat up Tang San.
"I'm Tang San, and I'm a level 10 spirit master, and my martial soul is the blue silver grass. It's nice to meet you." Tang San said politely.
Just as Tang San finished his introduction, he noticed the shocked and disbelief expression on everyone's face.
The first to recover was Wang Shen who asked Tang San how old is he.
"I'm 6 this year." As Tang San answered it another wave of shock flashed in everyone's faces.
"Is your innate soul power level 10?" Xiao Wu asked excitedly, and Tang San nodded in confirmation.
"Let's fight, I want to know which one of us is stronger."
"Didn't I already surrender before? Why should we fight again?"
Tang San said this because he didn't want to fight and show his skill. But Xiao Wu keeps on insisting.
Wang Shen who had recovered from his shock, quickly defuse the situation, "You all must be hungry from the traveling. How about we go get lunch? It's my treat to welcome our new member of dorm 7."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu bounced in excitement and hurriedly got ready to leave. Tang San shoot Wang Shen a greatfull look and started getting ready himself.
The Cafeteria
They walked to the cafeteria was filled with chatter as the members of dorm 7 asked Tang San and Xiao Wu about their hometown.
From here, they learned that Tang San's father was a blacksmith and Xiao Wu had 2 brothers called Er Ming and Da Ming.
As they walked into the cafeteria, they were greeted with the smell of cooked food.
"You can have about 3 meals a day here, the food is quite good and relatively cheap, with quite a selection. How about you all grab a tray and pick up the things you want to eat, and I can pay for it later." Wang Shen explained.
As they were about to grab a tray, the atmosphere of the hall changed, and people's gaze began to shift in a certain direction.
Tang San and Xiao Wu couldn't help but look at what had caused this change. Then they saw what had caused this change.
It was a girl the same age as them, or maybe even a bit older. She has bright pink hair and a pair of mesmerizing pink eyes. If Tang San is described as pretty in a cute way, this person could be described as pretty in a mesmerizing, eye-catching way. He even deduces that even if someone is killed in front of them, he wouldn't notice it.
Tang San then remembered he had seen this person this morning. This was Mei.
Tang San began to wonder why he didn't notice how she looked this morning.
Was I too busy with my registration and what she said to not notice her eye-catching appearance?
He then wondered if Mei had a technique that allowed people to have a different perception of her, and if she was willing to teach him.
His thought was interrupted when Xiao Wu screamed and said, "Mei, come here. Come join us for lunch."
Xiao Wu shocked most of the student body, and they looked at Xiao Wu weirdly.
"Big Sis, do you know senior Mei?" Shen Li, a guy from our dorm, asked.
"Yup, she helped me find the registration desk. Why? Is she some cruel senior with a bad reputation, but that can be she was very nice and polite when we met?"
"No, actually just the opposite. She is a very kind senior; she's been here for only a week, and she has gained a reputation for being strong, beautiful, kind, and has a wonderful singing voice. Not only is she a one-ring soul master, she is close to being a two-ring soul grandmaster. She also performed for the public a lot and accumulated some die-hard fans from different walks of life in a few days." Wang Shen explained.
Hearing this explanation, Tang San and Xiao Wu couldn't help but stare in awe, who knew that the senior they met would have such a reputation. But they also wondered what they meant by performance and a wonderful singing voice.
They didn't have time to think about it when Mei came over and said, "Xiao Wu, Tang San, Welcome to Nuoding Academy. It seems you made new friends on your first day. That's good to hear."
They were shocked again at how the school goddess knows these two.
But their shocked expression didn't bother Xiao Wu, and she asked Mei again if she wanted to join them for lunch.
"If the other don't mind me joining, then I'm happy to join," Mei replied with a smile.
"D-Don't mind, D-Don't mind at all, Senior." The dorm 7 members replied.
"Great, let's go get lunch. Wang Shen is treating us." Xiao Wu jumpily said.
"Okay, then I'll thank Wang Shen in advance. Also, please drop the Senior and just call me Mei."
"O-Okay, S-Mei." They all replied with a blush on their face.
The cafeteria buzzed with renewed energy as Mei settled gracefully at the table with Dorm 7.
Her tray held a modest portion: a small bowl of clear broth with a few delicate greens, a slice of steamed fish, and a single piece of fruit.
It looked starkly inadequate compared to the heaping plates of braised meat, steamed buns, and stir-fried vegetables piled high on Xiao Wu's and Wang Shen's trays, and even Tang San's sensible portion.
Xiao Wu, already halfway through a large steamed bun, paused mid-bite, her pink eyes wide with disbelief. "Mei! That's all you're eating?" she exclaimed, pointing a chopstick accusingly at Mei's tray.
"You're tiny! You need way more food than that! Look at my plate! You need energy to be strong!"
A slight blush crept up Mei's neck. She instinctively straightened her posture, a habit ingrained from years of idol training.
"Ah, well," she began, her voice soft but clear, "I had quite a substantial breakfast this morning. Master insists it's the most important meal." She offered a small, practiced smile.
"But lunch is important too!" Xiao Wu persisted, leaning forward.
"How can you train and perform on that? You should try this spicy braised pork belly! It's amazing!" She gestured enthusiastically towards her own plate.
Mei's gaze flickered longingly towards the fragrant dish before she firmly looked back at her broth.
Oh, how I miss carbs and spice… The thought was accompanied by Ai's phantom sigh in her mind. 'Tell me about it. The culinary sacrifices for stardom… tragic.'
Tang San observed Mei's subtle reaction – the fleeting desire quickly masked by discipline. She truly controls herself meticulously, he noted, filing away another piece of information about this intriguing senior.
"It's not just today," Mei explained, her tone turning slightly hesitant, almost apologetic.
"My master… she's very strict about my regimen. She says maintaining… a certain physique… is crucial for my spirit's harmony and stage presence." She carefully avoided the word 'weight', but the implication was clear.
"Portion control is part of my training."
"Stage presence?" Wang Shen asked, intrigued, momentarily distracted from his meal.
"Is that why you sing in the marketplace every evening? We've heard about your performances! They say your voice is like magic."
A genuine spark of happiness lit Mei's pink eyes.
"Yes! Performing is vital training for my Starlight Stage spirit. Connecting with the audience, sharing emotions through song… it strengthens my spirit power uniquely." She picked up her spoon, stirring the broth gently.
"And it brings joy to people, which is the most rewarding part."
"Starlight Stage?" Tang San murmured, his mind racing. A spirit focused on performance? That explains her dedication, but… innate spirit power combined with such a unique martial soul? And her knowledge…
"See!" Xiao Wu declared triumphantly. "You need energy to sing magic! You should eat more! Your master sounds too strict!" She puffed out her cheeks.
"Da Ming and Er Ming would never let me go hungry!"
Mei chuckled softly, a light, melodic sound that drew the attention of nearby tables. "Your brothers sound very caring, Xiao Wu. My master's methods are… unconventional, perhaps, but she believes deeply in my path." She took a small, deliberate sip of her broth.
"Besides, I find joy in the discipline. It's part of the journey to becoming a top idol."
"Top idol?" Shen Li echoed, confused. "What's an idol?"
Mei's smile widened fractionally. Progress. Aloud, she explained, "An idol is someone who inspires others, brings them happiness and hope, through their talents – singing, dancing, performance. They strive to be a shining example. That's my dream."
"Like the strongest Soul Masters inspire others with their power!" Wang Shen concluded, trying to fit this new concept into his worldview.
"Similar spirit, perhaps," Mei agreed diplomatically. "But the focus is different. It's about connection and emotion rather than solely combat prowess."
Tang San listened intently. Her explanation felt… modern.
'Idol'… that term resonates differently than anything in this world's common parlance. Is this another clue?
He carefully watched her expressions as she spoke about her dream. The passion was undeniable, yet the discipline she described felt extreme, even by Soul Master standards.
Was this mysterious female master real, or was it a convenient cover Mei used?
The thought that Mei might be concealing her origins, perhaps even fabricating a mentor, added another layer to her mystery.
If she were like him, crafting a believable background would be essential.
Xiao Wu, however, was fixated on the food issue. "Well, I still think you should sneak an extra bun sometimes," she whispered conspiratorially, nudging a spare steamed bun on her plate slightly toward Mei.
"No one has to know!"
Mei laughed again, a brighter sound this time, shaking her head. "Tempting, Xiao Wu, truly. But discipline is discipline. Maybe… after a particularly good performance?" She winked playfully, surprising the younger girl and causing Wang Shen and Shen Li to blush again at her sudden informality.
As the conversation flowed, shifting to Tang San's village and the academy's training grounds, Mei subtly observed the boy.
He was quiet, thoughtful, absorbing everything. She remembered their earlier encounter and her offhand comment about reincarnation.
He tensed up… just like Ai said he did. She recalled Ai's teasing about 'reincarnated grandpas'. Could it be…? She pushed the thought aside. Probably coincidence. Focus on the now.
Suddenly, a slightly older student approached their table, his posture deferential but excited. He bowed slightly towards Mei.
"Senior Mei? Pardon the interruption. Some of the merchants from the fabric district near where you sang last night sent this." He held out a small, neatly wrapped package.
"They said it's a token of appreciation and… they hope you might grace their street corner again soon? The crowd last night was bigger than market day!"
Mei accepted the package gracefully, her cheeks pink with humble pleasure. "Please thank them for me. Their support means the world. I'll certainly try to perform there again soon." The student beamed, bowed again, and hurried off, casting an awed glance at the table where the 'school goddess' sat casually with first-year students.
Xiao Wu's eyes were wide as saucers. "Wow! Merchants send you gifts? That's amazing!" Tang San looked equally impressed, filing away another facet of Mei's growing influence.
"It's the power of music and connection," Mei said simply, tucking the package away. "Seeing people smile, forget their worries for a moment… that's the real gift."
As lunch drew to a close, with Xiao Wu finally accepting Mei wouldn't eat more and Wang Shen proudly paying the bill, Mei stood. "Thank you for letting me join you, everyone. It was a lovely welcome for Tang San and Xiao Wu." She smiled warmly at the dorm members.
"If you ever want to hear a song, feel free to find me by the lake in the evenings on the weekend, or you can see me perform tonight at the commercial district at sundown. I'm usually practicing."
As she walked away, leaving a ripple of whispers and admiring glances in her wake, Tang San watched her go.
Strict master, unique spirit focused on performance, the term 'idol', a knowledge that unsettled me… and now open acknowledgment of her otherworldly charisma and influence.
The pieces were forming a picture that pointed less towards a spirit power that saw the past, and more strongly towards his final, hopeful guess:
Could Mei truly be from the same world as I am?
The need to find out, to potentially find someone who understood the profound dislocation he felt, burned brighter than ever within him.
Lunch was over, but the mystery of Mei had only deepened.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Readers,
First and foremost, I want to sincerely apologize for the recent lack of updates. The past month have been unexpectedly demanding, juggling job hunting, family matters, and writing commitments for my other stories. I truly appreciate your patience and understanding.
I'm getting back on track now and will aim to post at least one chapter per week. I know this isn't as much as I'd like, but it's a sustainable pace right now as I work through everything.
One thing I'm carefully considering is the romance direction for this fic! Your opinions matter a lot to me, so I'd love your input. Here are the current options I'm exploring:
1. Yu Tianxin
2. Xie Yue
3. Yu Tianxin and Xie Yue
4. Someone else
Please let me know your choice by writing it in the paragraph comments! I'm curious to hear what you think.
Finally, if you enjoy my writing and would like to support me in creating more stories, I've set up a Ko-Fi account: https://ko-fi.com/chesse_cake_is_life. Any support, big or small, is deeply appreciated and helps me dedicate more time to writing.
Thank you all so much for reading and sticking with me!