Evening, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
The golden glow of the setting sun spilled across the walls of Qi Lin's dormitory.
Out front, on the open space just before the dormitory gates, Qi Lin stood behind a roasting rack. He lazily turned over skewers of golden, fragrant meat, the rising aroma making the scene feel warm and relaxing.
Grease dripped from the skewers onto the charcoal below, producing a satisfying sizzling sound that made the barbecue all the more tempting.
Just then, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing came walking over from a distance.
Even from afar, Xiao Wu caught the irresistible scent in the air. Her eyes lit up, and she instinctively quickened her pace.
"Brother Lin, did you make this just for us?"
Ning Rongrong beamed. "Isn't it obvious? Brother Qi Lin must've known we'd be finishing training soon and prepared this just for us."
As she spoke, she patted her little belly.
"After a whole day of training, I'm starving. My back's about to meet my stomach."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak, but her eyes were already glued to the golden roast meat on the rack. She couldn't help swallowing a mouthful of saliva.
Qi Lin looked at the three girls in front of him and lazily flipped the meat with a smile. "Just sit wherever. It'll be ready soon."
Not that he needed to tell them—they were already seated before he even finished his sentence, waiting for the "chef" to serve the meat.
A moment later, Gu Yuena also emerged from the room, silently taking a seat next to Zhu Zhuqing.
Qi Lin brought over a tray of roasted meat, grinning. "Alright, time to eat."
"Yay!" Xiao Wu cheered, waving her fists in delight.
But just as everyone was about to dig in, a series of footsteps rang out from the distance.
Ten soul masters, about eighteen or nineteen years old, came swaggering over with arrogant expressions. Their steps screamed entitlement.
Judging by their Heaven Dou Academy uniforms, they were clearly students here.
Leading the group was a young man with sharp features and a haughty sneer, his face practically carved with the words "arrogant punk."
Qi Lin and the others naturally noticed them.
"Who are these guys?"
"Troublemakers?"
Xiao Wu set down her skewer, her eyes flashing with excitement.
Qi Lin wiped the grease off her mouth with a napkin, not sparing the intruders even a glance.
Meanwhile, Xue Beng's gaze swept over the group of girls. His eyes gleamed the moment he saw Gu Yuena. A mix of lust and awe flickered in his gaze, and he swallowed hard.
What a stunning woman!
But then, his gaze landed on Qi Lin.
The boy's youthful, handsome face instantly ignited a fire in Xue Beng's heart.
It was jealousy. Pure, raging jealousy.
He envied Qi Lin's talent.
He envied the beautiful girls around him.
Damn it, who's the prince here—you or me?
You're not even a noble. How dare a commoner like you have things even I don't?!
That thought made Xue Beng's heart explode in fury, his eyes glinting with a sadistic light.
Originally, he'd come just to find an excuse to beat Qi Lin up. If things went well, maybe he could even get him expelled from Heaven Dou Academy.
Once Qi Lin was gone, his uncle would have more room to maneuver.
But now, he had changed his mind.
He wanted—
To cripple this lucky bastard right here and now!
As that thought rose, Xue Beng suddenly felt a heavy pressure on his mind, and a suffocating tightness in his chest. It was as if a boulder had been placed on it.
He brushed it off.
Probably just overindulgence lately. I'll take some tonics later.
Still strutting like he owned the place, Xue Beng walked up near Qi Lin, chin held high.
"So, you're the academy's new teacher?"
"I heard you reached Rank 50 at thirteen. Somehow, I find that hard to believe."
Qi Lin wasn't about to waste politeness on someone who clearly came to pick a fight.
"Whether you believe it or not is none of my concern. This is my dorm. If you've got no business here, then scram. If something happens, don't say I didn't warn you."
"Consider yourself warned."
Qi Lin shot him a lazy glance, then turned back to the grill, ignoring him.
"Impudent!"
"Do you know who you're speaking to?!"
"This is His Highness, Prince Xue Beng of the Heaven Dou Empire!"
The moment Qi Lin finished speaking, a lackey behind Xue Beng jumped forward and started barking.
Xue Beng sneered, eyes glittering with cruelty.
"Well, well. Aren't you bold."
"You really think a little talent gives you the right to talk down to this prince?"
"You're just a support-type soul master. Who gave you the courage to act so arrogant in front of me?"
"All of you—get him. Break this brat's legs! If anything happens, I'll take full responsibility."
"And as for the girls…"
"Tie them up and send them to my palace."
Xue Beng licked his lips, leering. A lascivious light danced in his eyes.
After all, everyone knew he was a hedonistic prince.
Bullying men and abusing women? Totally in character.
Most importantly, Qi Lin had no backers. If he crushed him now, what's the worst that could happen? A slap on the wrist?
He was a prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Even if he killed Qi Lin, who would dare make him pay for the life of a commoner?
"Don't worry, Your Highness. We'll get it done."
Behind him, Xue Beng's cronies cracked their knuckles, grinning wickedly.
On the other side, Qi Lin suddenly laughed.
He was smiling, yes—but his gaze was icy cold.
Looking into Xue Beng's eyes, his tone and presence carried a chilling weight.
For the first time since arriving in this world—
Qi Lin was truly angry.
Today...
He wasn't in the mood for beef.
"W-What's with that look?"
Xue Beng caught Qi Lin's eyes and felt an unexplainable fear rise within him. His chest tightened again, the pressure growing heavier.
What's going on with me?!
Anxiety began to claw at his insides.
Xiao Wu suddenly stood up, fists clenched. "Brother Lin, leave these clowns to me. I'll break all three of their legs."
Ning Rongrong slammed the table.
"Count me in! When have I ever been humiliated like this?!"
"This prince crap is getting out of hand. If Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone were here, I'd have them go ask the old emperor whether he even knows how to raise a son!"
Qi Lin slowly stood up and stopped them.
"Arrogance will meet its end."
"Heaven will take care of them."
Just as the girls were about to speak, a voice rang out—
"What's that?!"
They all looked up.
In the sky, a streak of fire blazed across the heavens, hurtling straight toward them.
At first, it looked like the tip of a needle.
But within a single breath, the fiery streak swelled rapidly, becoming visible to the naked eye.
"Crap, it's a meteor!"
"It's coming this way!"
"Run!"