Dai Mubai's Wild Joy

Tang San placed the ten Gold Soul Coins he had prepared long ago into the wooden box, then held out his hand.

The old man placed his hand over it and squeezed. He suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise, then, as if unwilling to believe it, squeezed Tang San's hand several more times. The expression on his face immediately turned strange. Looking up at Tang San, he asked, "Have you practiced some kind of soul skill with your hands?"

The old man squeezed applicants' hands mainly to determine their true age from the bones in their palms, something that could not be faked. Yet Tang San's hand was extraordinarily flexible to the touch, making it impossible to clearly feel the condition of his bones.

Tang San nodded. "Yes."

The old man frowned. "Lift your lower leg."

Tang San did as instructed, raising his lower leg and placing it on the desk. The old man squeezed his calf a few times through his trousers, and Tang San immediately felt a wave of soreness and numbness.

The old man nodded at him. "Your muscles are well developed. Your bone age is suitable. All right, release your martial soul."

Tang San circulated the Soul Power within his body, and a plant with golden patterns grew from his palm. At the same time, three soul rings—two yellow and one purple—appeared around him.

The old man was first greatly surprised that Tang San had become a Soul Elder at such a young age. Then, looking at the plant in his hand, he asked curiously, "What kind of martial soul is that? It looks like Blue Silver Grass, but how is that possible? Can Blue Silver Grass cultivate so quickly?"

It is Blue Silver Grass—the emperor among Blue Silver Grass! Tang San thought. But outwardly, following Tang Hao's instructions, he explained, "Teacher, my martial soul merely resembles Blue Silver Grass. In truth, it is a martial soul called Golden Pattern Grass."

"I see."

The old man nodded in realization and said with a smile, "That's what I thought. How could the mere Useless Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, possibly cultivate so quickly? So it's another martial soul. All right, you've passed. Mu Bai, take him inside."

Dai Mubai nodded, waved Tang San over, then turned and walked inside. Naturally, Tang San followed close behind.

Before long, it was Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's turn.

Zhu Zhuqing first put in ten Gold Soul Coins, then held out her other hand. The old man squeezed it a few times, then nodded. "Twelve years old. You meet the age requirement. Show your martial soul and soul rings."

Zhu Zhuqing wasted no words. She directly used Martial Soul Possession, cat ears sprouting from her head as her eyes turned into heterochromatic pupils. Two soul rings appeared around her!

At that moment, Dai Mubai, who had just escorted Tang San inside, froze when he saw Zhu Zhuqing's appearance. Feeling that sense of connection and compatibility between their martial souls, he became absolutely certain that the girl before him was his fiancée, Zhu Zhuqing.

But hadn't she taken a Limit Douluo as her master? Why was she so weak now? Could it be that she had not yet become a disciple?

Dai Mubai immediately thought of this, and joy surged through his heart. Previously, when he had seen in the Future Video that his fated fiancée had luckily become a disciple of a Limit Douluo, he had been intensely jealous!

Because that meant Zhu Zhuqing had broken free from the shackles of her family's fate and could freely choose her own life. Unlike him, who still had to struggle in the mire of that family destiny. When the time came, even the best outcome for a loser would be having his cultivation crippled and being raised like a pig.

As for winning?

Dai Mubai had never considered it, because his brother was far older than him, and in terms of strength, connections, and every other aspect, he was simply beyond comparison.

This so-called duel.

From the very beginning, everyone understood that it was merely a formality.

And he was destined to be the stepping stone, the loser used to highlight his imperial brother's wisdom and might.

In such circumstances, who would not despair?

So Dai Mubai ran away.

He had abandoned his fiancée and fled, utterly irresponsibly.

He came to this remote rural backwater of the Heaven Dou Empire, spending every day in pleasure and indulgence, doing whatever he wanted, all so he could experience the taste of freedom before he died. At least then, his trip through this world would not have been in vain.

But now, Zhu Zhuqing's appearance allowed Dai Mubai to see a glimmer of hope!

Because in that Future Video, his fiancée had become a disciple of a Limit Douluo!

That was an enormous patron!

If he could use this chance to become a disciple of the Limit Douluo as well... then winning the future duel against his brother would no longer be impossible.

Even if he took a step back and lost.

As long as a Limit Douluo stood behind him, the Star Luo Empire Royal Family would have to show some consideration no matter what. They would not cripple his cultivation, imprison him, and raise him like a pig. That alone would be enough.

Thus, Dai Mubai's gaze at Zhu Zhuqing began to positively sparkle!

Sensing Dai Mubai's burning gaze, Zhu Zhuqing frowned uncomfortably and silently withdrew her martial soul and soul rings.

The old man said, "Mm, you've passed. Follow him inside."

Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. She merely stepped aside to let Ning Rongrong behind her come forward for the test. Yet she remained where she was, clearly intending to enter together after Ning Rongrong finished testing.

After Ning Rongrong put in ten Gold Soul Coins, she held out her hand. The old man squeezed it and nodded. "You meet the age requirement. Release your martial soul."

Then, amid dazzling multicolored light, a seven-tiered pagoda appeared in Ning Rongrong's hand.

The old man stared at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in surprise and frowned. "Does your family know you came here?"

Those born into great clans and sects would not casually join just any academy. Therefore, to avoid any trouble, the old man asked in advance.

Ning Rongrong smiled upon hearing this but did not answer. She merely asked, "May I pass the preliminary test?" Her voice was soft and pleasant. It lacked some heroic spirit, yet sounded gentle and tender, giving listeners a boneless feeling.

Seeing her evade the question, the old man seemed to hesitate. In the end, he waved to Dai Mubai. "Take her inside with you."

Thus, the two girls followed Dai Mubai into the academy.

Along the way, Dai Mubai repeatedly turned back to look at Zhu Zhuqing, seemingly wanting to speak with her. But her icy gaze forced him back each time. He could only give up for the moment. So long as they joined the academy, there would be plenty of chances to repair their relationship later!

The three entered the village together. Everywhere they looked, there were wooden buildings. Put nicely, the buildings here were simple and rustic. Put bluntly, they were dilapidated beyond belief!

Ning Rongrong, the little princess who had never suffered hardship since childhood, could not help frowning at the buildings, but she said nothing. She merely patiently followed behind him.