Chu Ting stood to the side. He hadn't intended to do the cleaning himself, but now that he had no personal guards and would be living in this room, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and tidy up.
Actually, when he was in the Chu family, he never did anything himself. After all, he was a pampered young lady, and no one could boss him around. But here, it was different. Everyone was on equal footing, and he couldn't put on airs of a pampered young lady.
If he hadn't experienced the previous dangers, he might not have thought this way, but now it was entirely different.
After cleaning the courtyard, Li Ziming chuckled, "This courtyard is just enough to house over ten of us. That way, we won't have to worry about accommodation!"
"Work hard to improve. If we can break through to Grand Spiritual Master, we can gain access to the many resources of Northern Sea Academy earlier!" Han Feng chimed in.
"That's no problem. As long as we work together, we will surely be able to stand out in Northern Sea Academy!" Li Ziming declared proudly.
"Don't speak too soon!"
Chu Ting rolled his eyes. "Those who can enter Northern Sea Academy are not ordinary individuals. It's not that easy to show off."
"Chu Ting, I find you've changed!"
Li Ziming exclaimed in surprise. "You weren't like this before."
"Perhaps I've been through too much and realize I was a frog in a well," Chu Ting said with a smile. "Recognizing oneself early allows for greater improvement."
Li Ziming stood stunned, at a loss for words.
"It can be said that this Northern Sea Academy is fraught with danger. I imagine other students have already joined various factions. Why don't we also form a faction?"
Han Feng suggested, "This way, we can help each other and secure a place for ourselves in Northern Sea Academy in the future."
"That's a good proposal!" Li Ziming nodded. "What shall we call ourselves then?"
"How about the Green Cloud Sect?"
Long Yi smiled. "I think this name is good."
Lu Fan stood aside, slightly moved. He hadn't heard these three words in a long time.
"This name is good!" Li Ziming nodded. "I think it's acceptable."
Han Feng also nodded slightly. "This name is indeed good. Then, from now on, we shall be called the Green Cloud Sect."
"Since we're called the Green Cloud Sect, who will be the Sect Master?"
Li Ziming stated, "Actually, I believe I am the most suitable, both in terms of strength and family background, to hold the position of Sect Master!"
Everyone present was stunned and remained silent. In their hearts, there was a more suitable candidate.
"I think you should forget about it!" Chu Ting interjected. "Have you forgotten who led us out of the forest? If not for that, we would have likely become food for the demonic beasts."
Li Ziming looked embarrassed. He naturally knew that in terms of strength, there was a gap between him and Lu Fan.
"I believe Brother Lu would be the most fitting person to be Sect Master!"
Han Feng stated directly. "May I ask for the intentions of everyone present?"
"I agree!"
"I agree as well..."
Everyone stood up, expressing their approval. They valued Lu Fan's composure and strength. As for Li Ziming, he was not the best choice.
"Since everyone thinks Brother Lu should take on the role, then it is settled," Han Feng said with a smile.
"Wouldn't that be too hasty!" Lu Fan spoke up. "I may not be a qualified Sect Master."
"You are the most suitable candidate. If you refuse, perhaps others will not be able to fill the role."
Han Feng stated directly. "Therefore, Brother Lu, please don't hesitate!"
"Alright, since you all trust me so much, I can't refuse!" Lu Fan nodded. "In Northern Sea Academy, if any of you encounter difficulties, we can discuss and resolve them together!"
Everyone nodded, feeling somewhat expectant. Having a group in Northern Sea Academy would at least make them less apprehensive.
As they were conversing, two figures arrived outside the courtyard. These two individuals had shifty eyes. They glanced at Lu Fan and the others before saying coldly, "You must have just entered the academy, right?"
"That's right, we just entered!" Li Ziming nodded. "Is there something you need?"
"All students who have just entered the academy must pay one hundred spirit stones!"
The胖子 (pàngzi - fatty) stated. "Only then can you receive protection."
"Pay one hundred spirit stones?"
Lu Fan's brows furrowed. "Are you internal academy staff, or just students?"
"You might not be aware, but there are numerous forces within Northern Sea Academy. We are from the Black Shark Gang."
The 胖子 continued. "As long as you pay one hundred spirit stones, you will be considered part of our Black Shark Gang. If anyone within Northern Sea Academy acts against you, the Black Shark Gang will intervene!"
"So, these one hundred spirit stones are an initiation fee?"
Han Feng chuckled lightly. "However, we might not need it! We new students have already formed our own faction!"
"It doesn't matter if you don't need it, but this one hundred spirit stones is non-negotiable!"
The 胖子 smiled. "After all, we came all this way; you can't let us come for nothing."
"What do you mean by that?" Chu Ting asked indignantly. "We don't want to join the Black Shark Gang, are you forcing us to join?"
"You might be misunderstanding!"
The slender person beside him smiled. "Whether you join the Black Shark Gang or not, the spirit stones are still required. This is our rule. If you don't comply, you'll know the consequences!"
"So, whether we pay the one hundred spirit stones or not, we have to pay!"
Long Yi smiled faintly. "It seems they've come looking for trouble."
"You are just a group of freshmen, and you don't understand the rules of Northern Sea Academy yet. Just do as we say!" the 胖子 stated, completely disregarding them. Su Dan Novel Network
With these words, Lu Fan's brow furrowed. He hadn't expected the Black Shark Gang members to be so aggressive and unreasonable.
"We've already made ourselves clear. Do we need to repeat ourselves?"
Lu Fan stated. "If you want us to pay spirit stones, it depends on whether you have the ability. Don't think freshmen are easy to bully!"
"Are you tired of living, kid!"
The 胖子's expression instantly turned cold, his gaze fixed on Lu Fan. He had never imagined that Lu Fan would dare to speak to him like this. After all, they were just freshmen, and even if they were killed, the academy wouldn't bother them.
"Watch your mouth!"
Li Ziming said coldly. "Do you really think we're easy to mess with!"
"Damn it, this is the first time I've seen a freshman so arrogant!"
The slender person cursed, filled with dissatisfaction.
The 胖子 swung a punch, intending to beat Li Ziming, but Li Ziming forcefully caught it and simultaneously kicked him away.
The 胖子 crashed heavily against the wall, his entire body trembling, looking quite disheveled.