Douluo Dalu: The Path of Abyss

"100 points?"

Ye Feng was stunned.

This time, subverting the storyline involving bunk beds had earned him a staggering 100 attribute points—over 30 times the points he received for challenging Xiao Wu for the title of dormitory boss.

What should he allocate these points to?

Strength?

Agility?

Spirit?

Defense?

...

After Wang Sheng, Xiao Wu, Tang San, and Ye Feng got to know each other, Wang Sheng, being the senior, assumed the trio of newcomers—being part-time students—didn't have much money to spare. Generously, he offered to treat them to a meal.

The Cafeteria

The cafeteria at Notting Academy was vast, capable of accommodating all the students and teachers at once. As soon as they stepped inside, the tantalizing aroma of food filled the air.

"Wow, it's so big!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, her wide eyes darting around curiously. She looked like someone who had never seen the world before, drawing attention from others effortlessly.

Ye Feng and Xiao Wu hadn't even been in the cafeteria for twenty seconds when a mocking voice rang out from the second floor.

"Isn't that Wang Sheng and his gang of paupers? A bunch of part-time students. Poor is as poor does—guess they'll never step foot on the second floor!"

Ye Feng and Xiao Wu followed the voice and spotted three older male students, likely around eleven or twelve, leaning against the railing on the second floor. They sneered and gestured mockingly toward Wang Sheng and his group.

Xiao Wu, annoyed, immediately retorted, "What's so special about the second floor? You're nothing but loudmouths, cursing people without reason. Is that your claim to greatness?"

One of the older boys smirked at her. "Oh, look at that! A pretty little girl with some spirit. Too bad you're just a work-study student. Otherwise, I might've been interested in... playing with you."

Xiao Wu bristled at the words, anger simmering in her eyes.

"Xiao Wu, don't," Wang Sheng whispered nervously. "The second floor is where people order specialty dishes, like in a high-class restaurant. The prices are outrageous. We're part-time students; we can't afford that. And that guy is Xiao Chenyu, the self-proclaimed boss of the academy. It's best not to provoke him."

Xiao Chenyu overheard Wang Sheng's words and laughed derisively. "That's right. At least you know your place, Wang Sheng. I'll let you off easy this time. Enjoy your scraps while I eat something proper."

Before anyone could respond, Xiao Wu clenched her fists and took a step toward the staircase, ready to confront Xiao Chenyu.

But a firm hand caught her wrist.

"Tang San?" Xiao Wu turned, her frown deepening. "What are you doing?"

"We're here to eat, not to stir up trouble," Tang San said calmly.

"Trouble? Are you scared?" Xiao Wu snapped, her voice full of disdain.

"You misunderstand," Tang San explained patiently. "As freshmen, it's not wise to start conflicts. But if someone provokes us directly, we can respond with decisive force."

"Not wise? Tang San, they've practically trampled on our heads, and you're still trying to avoid conflict? Ye Feng, you're the boss of the seventh dormitory. Say something!" Xiao Wu turned to Ye Feng, demanding support.

"Teacher!" Tang San suddenly interjected, spotting a middle-aged man entering the cafeteria. It was his mentor, Yu Xiaogang. Tang San excused himself to greet him.

Tang San and the Master

When Tang San returned to the group after his conversation with Yu Xiaogang, Wang Sheng couldn't help but ask, "Did you just call him Master?"

Tang San nodded.

Wang Sheng looked conflicted but eventually said, "No offense, but... are you sure about this? They say his strength is average at best. He only stayed at this academy because of his relationship with the dean. Some people call him a freeloader. He's already fifty and hasn't even broken through to the rank of Spirit Elder. His spirit power is stuck at level 29. People say he'll never advance further."

Tang San's expression darkened, and his voice turned sharp. "This will be the first and last time I hear such comments about my teacher. If you don't want to spar with me, I suggest you stop insulting him. Also, thank you, but I won't need that treat anymore."

With that, Tang San turned and left the cafeteria, heading outside to eat the dry rations he had prepared for himself. Wang Sheng was left standing there, dumbfounded.

"What did I do? I wasn't mocking him—I was just giving some advice," Wang Sheng mumbled, confused.

Ye Feng observed calmly and said, "It's his pride."

As a transmigrator, Ye Feng knew Tang San's character well. Tang San was someone who pursued perfection obsessively and couldn't tolerate blemishes on his record. This obsessive pride was both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.

"No, he's just a lunatic," Xiao Wu said dismissively, folding her arms.

Ye Feng glanced at her and smirked slightly. Indeed, "lunatic" wasn't entirely inaccurate.

In the original storyline, Tang San's pride drove him to extremes, even sacrificing Xiao Wu's 100,000-year spirit ring to satisfy the conditions set by the elders of the Clear Sky Clan. All for the sake of recognition.

A Bold Move

"Ye Feng," Xiao Wu pressed, "what do you think? Should we teach him a lesson?"

"Let's go to the second floor and eat," Ye Feng replied nonchalantly.

"The second floor?" Wang Sheng's voice dropped to a whisper. "Boss, the second floor is for ordering dishes—just one meal there costs more than several days' wages. We can't afford it."

"I'll treat," Ye Feng said simply.

"You?" Wang Sheng asked skeptically, his disbelief evident.

"Yes. Wang Sheng, go find the others from Dormitory 7 and bring them here."

Without waiting for a response, Ye Feng started climbing the stairs to the second floor.

"Boss... You're really going to treat everyone?" Wang Sheng stammered. But Ye Feng didn't reply, leaving Wang Sheng frozen in shock.

Xiao Wu, however, grinned in excitement. She nudged Wang Sheng playfully. "Hurry up and get them!"

A Standoff

When Xiao Wu followed Ye Feng to the second floor, she found him already seated at a table. Across from him sat Xiao Chenyu. The two locked eyes, the tension palpable. Ye Feng's calm, piercing gaze bore into Xiao Chenyu, who, for the first time, found himself unnerved.