Enrollment

Enrollment

Three days later, before the main gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

In the faint morning light, Dugu Yan stood valiantly atop the steps in a dark green academy uniform. A silver sash outlined her slender waist, while her jade-like long hair fluttered gently in the morning breeze. She turned to Feng Yao behind her, who held "Fuxi" in his arms, and parted her red lips. "Come on, Little Feng. I'll take you to meet the Education Committee." Her radiant smile drew glances from passing students.

Feng Yao raised his head toward the gilded plaque. The rising sun outlined his refined features in gold. After being tempered by ice and fire, his entire bearing had become increasingly gentle and jade-like, with an innate grace in every gesture.

"Thank you, Sister Yan." Feng Yao smiled faintly and nodded. His moon-white robe swayed lightly with his steps, and the Jade Pendant at his waist chimed softly.

Along the academy corridors, the two of them attracted countless astonished looks. It was not only because of Feng Yao's ethereal bearing, but also because of Dugu Yan at his side. After all, Dugu Bo's reputation in the spirit master world was far from good, and ordinary people avoided him whenever possible. What was even more shocking was that the granddaughter of this Poison Douluo was now smiling and chatting merrily with the young man in white.

"Did you hear? That boy was personally sent here by Lord Poison Douluo."

"He isn't afraid?"

Amid the whispers, Dugu Yan acted as though she heard nothing and instead edged even closer to Feng Yao.

As they rounded the corridor, a handsome young man with golden hair and blue eyes approached them. Seeing their intimate posture, Yu Tianheng's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. "Yan Zi, this is...?"

Dugu Yan suddenly released Feng Yao and affectionately linked her arm through Yu Tianheng's. "Tianheng, let me introduce you." A sly gleam flashed through her eyes. "This is Feng Yao, the grandson of one of Grandpa's old friends. He's here to enroll, so we'll be classmates from now on."

Then she turned to Feng Yao, the corner of her lips lifting in a teasing curve. "This is Yu Tianheng, your sister's man."

Understanding her meaning, Feng Yao gave an elegant salute. "I have long admired the renown of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon." His gaze was clear, revealing no flaw whatsoever. Naturally, the matter of the grandfather and granddaughter being poisoned could not be known to others. This identity as the "grandson of an old friend" could both explain Dugu Bo's special care and ensure that the academy would not dare look down on him.

Yu Tianheng narrowed his deep blue eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping over Feng Yao like a blade. Dugu Yan's introduction made Feng Yao seem even more like a relative who had come to curry favor. The young man's exceptionally handsome looks and elegant, proper manner, however, became proof of empty flashiness in Yu Tianheng's eyes. His lips curled with disdain as he casually nodded in response.

His gaze lingered for a moment on Feng Yao's slender, long fingers—those were clearly hands meant for playing the zither and writing, so how could they belong to a spirit master? He had seen far too many noble youths like this at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. They spent their days playing the zither and pretending to be cultured, yet could not even properly unleash the most basic soul skills during practical combat classes.

Dugu Yan sharply sensed Yu Tianheng's contempt, and a flash of displeased coldness crossed her emerald eyes. Her red lips parted as she prepared to retort, but Feng Yao's expression remained unchanged. That gentle, jade-like smile still rested on his lips, as if he had not taken the slight to heart at all.

Yu Tianheng raised his brow slightly, surprise flashing in his blue eyes. At the very least, this seemingly frail youth was beyond reproach in bearing, far better than those spoiled young nobles in the academy who flew into a rage after hearing only a few remarks.

"All right, Tianheng. I still need to take Little Feng to report to the Education Committee." Dugu Yan cut in at the right moment, her jade-like hair swaying gently as she turned her head. When she looked at Feng Yao, the sharpness between her brows instantly softened into spring water. "Come on, Little Feng. I'll take you to meet the three committee members." Her tone was so gentle that it was entirely unlike her usual self.

Feng Yao smiled and nodded. His long fingers unconsciously brushed the patterns on the ancient zither in his arms, leaving an almost imperceptible ripple of Soul Power across its strings. Sunlight filtered through the carved railings of the corridor, casting mottled shadows across his refined profile.

"Until we meet again." Feng Yao cupped his hands slightly toward Yu Tianheng. His moon-white sleeve fluttered in the breeze, and as he turned, the Jade Pendant at his waist let out a crisp chime. Its lingering sound somehow matched a mysterious rhythm.

Yu Tianheng watched the two receding figures. For some reason, the seemingly gentle zither sound made his heart tighten inexplicably. This young man did not seem as simple as he appeared.

Dugu Yan sighed softly, her jade-like hair swaying slightly as she shook her head. "Little Feng, Tianheng doesn't actually mean any harm. It's just that people from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect..." She trailed off, helplessness flashing through her emerald eyes. "You know what their temperament is like."

Feng Yao laughed softly. "Dragons have always thought Heaven is first and they're second." He blinked mischievously, sunlight gilding his handsome profile. "Maybe this face of mine is simply too outstanding, and it's made our Blue Lightning Young Master jealous."

Dugu Yan was briefly stunned before she could not help laughing. She lightly punched Feng Yao's shoulder. "You..." Then she suddenly lowered her voice, a crafty light glimmering in her jade-like eyes. "But seriously, Ling Ling is rather pleased with that face of yours."

Before long, Dugu Yan led Feng Yao through the academy's magnificent central plaza and up the white marble steps until they arrived before Ziwei Pavilion, where the Education Committee worked.

"The three committee members are inside." Dugu Yan lowered her voice. "Don't be nervous later. Grandpa has already given them advance notice."

"Thanks, Sister Yan." Feng Yao said with a light smile.

Pushing open the carved wooden doors, they found the three committee members discussing matters over tea in the spacious hall. Seated in the middle was Meng Shenji, the head of Academic Affairs, clad in a purple robe with frost-white hair. To his left sat Bai Baoshan, the Martial Soul department committee member, somewhat plump but with eyes sharp as lightning. On the right sat Zhi Lin, the Control System committee member.

"Student Dugu, this must be..." Meng Shenji set down his teacup, his sharp gaze roaming over Feng Yao.

"Honored committee members, this is Feng Yao, the grandson of my grandfather's old friend." Dugu Yan bowed gracefully. "By my grandfather's orders, I have brought him here to enroll."

Bai Baoshan studied Feng Yao with great interest. "I hear you are quite accomplished in music?"

Feng Yao cupped his hands without servility or arrogance. "I only know a little. I dare not accept the committee member's excessive praise."

Zhi Lin narrowed his eyes slightly and examined the ancient zither Martial Soul that had remained manifested in Feng Yao's hands. A gentle glow flowed across its body, giving off faint ripples of rhythmic energy.

"Student Feng, why have you kept your Martial Soul manifested the whole time?" Zhi Lin asked as he stroked his chin, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "The Soul Power consumption must be considerable."

Feng Yao gently plucked a string, producing a clear, trembling note. "In reply to the committee member, this is merely a habit of cultivation." His voice was as gentle as the zither's sound. "The way of the zither values harmony of heart and intent. Only by remaining with one's Martial Soul at all times can one grasp the mysteries of musical flow."

As he spoke, he rotated his wrist slightly, and a ring of pale golden Soul Power rippled across the strings. The fluctuation was exceedingly subtle, yet Zhi Lin's pupils abruptly contracted.

Understanding appeared on Zhi Lin's face. He suddenly tossed a Gold Soul Coin, which cut an arc through the air and shot straight at Feng Yao's face. In that instant, Feng Yao lightly plucked "Fuxi" in his arms. With a crisp ding, a soundwave precisely knocked the incoming Gold Soul Coin aside.

"What exquisite control!" Zhi Lin's eyes lit up as a Control System spirit master.

"Interesting." Bai Baoshan could not help leaning closer to observe. "You've integrated cultivation into your daily life. No wonder your control over Soul Power is so refined."

Feng Yao lowered his eyes modestly. "It is only a trivial trick. I have made a spectacle of myself before the committee members." The zither sound rose and fell faintly with his breathing, as though it were alive and resonating with its master.

Meng Shenji's profound gaze settled tangibly upon Feng Yao, and a meaningful curve appeared on his lips. As his fingers lightly tapped the tabletop, the air throughout the hall suddenly began to distort in subtle ripples.

Feng Yao immediately felt as though the space around him had frozen. Invisible Soul Power surged in from every direction like a tide. His tall, slender body stiffened slightly, as if he were an insect sealed in amber, unable to move even his fingertips.

"Hm?" A trace of surprise flashed through Meng Shenji's calm eyes. He could clearly sense that the youth before him possessed only twenty-seventh-rank Soul Power, yet under his Soul Power suppression, Feng Yao's expression remained unchanged, and even his breathing had not become disordered.

His black robe fluttered without wind. Meng Shenji appeared to casually adjust his sitting posture, but the Soul Power pressure he was applying was actually rising at an astonishing speed. Twenty-eighth rank, twenty-ninth rank, thirtieth rank...

Only when it reached thirty-fifth rank did Feng Yao furrow his brow slightly. His fingertips trembled, and the "Fuxi" ancient zither in his arms let out a clear cry. Wherever the zither sound passed, Meng Shenji discovered in astonishment that his Soul Power seemed to have sunk into cotton. It enveloped Feng Yao completely, yet could never touch his true body.

"Wonderful!" Bai Baoshan slapped the table and cried out in admiration. "He can actually use musical rhythm to construct a Soul Power barrier!"

Meng Shenji withdrew the pressure and exchanged a knowing glance with his two colleagues. He clapped his hands and laughed. "Good! Good! Good! A true hero emerges in youth! With such talent, let alone being recommended by Poison Douluo—even without anyone's recommendation, Heaven Dou Royal Academy should welcome you with open arms!"

Feng Yao bowed calmly. Amid the lingering zither notes, his voice was gentle as jade. "I am deeply grateful for the favor of the three committee members. This junior will certainly cultivate diligently without pause."

Meng Shenji stroked his beard and smiled, his profound gaze moving between the two of them. "In that case, I'll trouble Student Dugu to take Student Feng and complete his enrollment procedures." His fingertip lightly tapped the tabletop.

Dugu Yan gave a graceful bow, her jade-like hair swaying softly with the movement. "This student accepts the order." As she turned, her skirt fluttered, and she winked at Feng Yao. "Come on. I'll take you to the Academic Affairs Office."

Dugu Yan led Feng Yao all around the academy to complete the procedures. The cumbersome formalities of a noble academy were displayed in full at this moment. They first went to the Academic Affairs Office to collect his student identification, then traveled to the Finance Office to pay tuition, and finally went to the Logistics Office to receive his uniforms.

"Two sets each for spring, summer, autumn, and winter; four formal outfits; two training uniforms..." Feng Yao looked at the mountain of clothing in his arms and could not help smiling. "There are more uniforms here than all my possessions put together."

Dugu Yan burst into laughter and helped him organize the items he had received. "This is nothing. You still haven't collected the tailcoat for etiquette class or the riding outfit for equestrian class. Of course, those are electives, so there's no need to collect them if you aren't attending."

Feng Yao looked at the densely packed list and dramatically held his forehead. "Is it too late for me to drop out now?"

"But Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Mimicry Cultivation Environment is the best in all of Heaven Dou. Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect cannot compare in this regard. That's a resource advantage. That's also why so many disciples from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect come to study at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. On one hand, it strengthens their sects' ties with the empire. On the other, it is for this Mimicry Cultivation Environment." Dugu Yan smiled and patted Feng Yao's shoulder.

Feng Yao nodded as though it were only natural. After all, when it came to resources and land, no matter how powerful a sect was, it could not compare to an empire.

Near noon, the two arrived at their final destination—the Library. When Feng Yao received the gold-embossed Library Card, Dugu Yan stretched lazily, her jade-like hair drifting in the breeze. "Finally done. Shall I take you to see your dormitory?"

Feng Yao held an armful of belongings, warmth flashing in his eyes. "There's no need. I have Sister Yan to thank for everything today."

Dugu Yan looked back with a smile, her emerald eyes sparkling like the finest cat's-eye gemstones. "We'll be classmates from now on, so there's no need to be so polite." As if recalling something, her long lashes trembled lightly and she revealed a sly smile. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Your dormitory has been arranged right next to Tianheng's."

A helpless expression appeared on Feng Yao's handsome face. His long fingers unconsciously toyed with the strings of "Fuxi" in his arms, producing a light note that sounded half like a sigh and half like a laugh. "Sister Yan, are you afraid the world isn't chaotic enough?"

Dugu Yan covered her lips with her sleeve, but she could not conceal the teasing gleam in her eyes. She stepped closer, her faint fragrance lingering at Feng Yao's nose, and laughed softly. "If you can beat him, give him a good beating for your sister."

Dugu Yan led Feng Yao through the ancient, elegant corridor before the Library, where mottled light and shadow fell across the ground.

"The registration procedures are all complete." Dugu Yan waved the student identification in her hand, her jade-like hair gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. "Come on, it's about time. I'll take you to try the academy's specialty dishes, and I'll introduce you to a beauty while we're at it."

The two arrived at the academy's central Cafeteria, a magnificent domed building with refined yet elegant decor. It was noon, and the Cafeteria was bustling with voices as students from different departments gathered in twos and threes to eat.

After getting their meals, Dugu Yan familiarly headed in one direction with Feng Yao. Before long, Feng Yao spotted a silver-haired girl sitting alone by the window. Sunlight cast a soft halo over her delicate profile. Several exquisite dishes sat before her, but she had barely touched them.

"Ling Ling!" Dugu Yan pulled Feng Yao through the dining hall at a brisk pace, her jade-like hair floating lightly behind her.

Ye Lingling looked up at the call. The instant she saw Feng Yao, a trace of surprise flashed through her pale violet eyes. The silver fork in her hand paused slightly, reflecting scattered glimmers beneath the sunlight.

"What? It's only been a few days, and you already don't recognize this handsome little guy?" Dugu Yan blinked teasingly and deliberately pushed Feng Yao half a step forward.

A faint blush rose across Ye Lingling's snowy cheeks, and the tips of her ears, half-hidden among her silver hair, turned pink as well. She lowered her eyes, her voice as light as a feather brushing past. "Hello."

Feng Yao elegantly performed a standard hand-over-heart salute, a gentle smile on his lips. "Feng Yao. I didn't expect to see Student Ye again so soon. It is an honor."

"Oh, don't be so distant~" Dugu Yan grinned mischievously and nudged Feng Yao with her elbow. "Just call her Sister Ling Ling."

"Yan Yan!" Ye Lingling called out shyly and indignantly, her slender white fingers unconsciously twisting the napkin tighter. The blush had already spread from her ears to her neck, especially noticeable against her silver hair.

Dugu Yan's smile grew even brighter at the sight, though she stopped teasing her friend. "All right, all right, I'll stop teasing you." She pulled Feng Yao into a seat. "Let's eat first. Later, I still need to take him to meet the other members of the team."