Dugu Yan Comes Knocking

"Your girlfriend is angry." Ling Qianyue pointed in the direction Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had left. Yu Tianheng turned to look, an embarrassed expression appearing on his face.

"Ahem, it's not quite like that yet. Brother Ling, see you later." Yu Tianheng hurried after Dugu Yan, bending at the waist as he offered her a stream of apologetic words.

This surprised Ling Qianyue somewhat. After thinking it over, he nodded again. They had arrived nearly two and a half years earlier than Tang San, so it made sense that those two had not gotten together yet.

Judging by the situation, they had only just begun to show signs of it. They probably had not even confessed their feelings properly yet.

Central Reception Hall.

The three members of the Education Committee had, unusually, changed into formal black robes threaded with gold—the attire only Soul Douluo above level eighty could receive from Spirit Hall—to show how much importance they placed on Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing.

Meng Shenji sat in the seat of honor and suddenly said, "Don't you think Ling Qianyue's Martial Soul characteristics are somewhat similar to Star Luo's Star Crown Martial Soul?

"The Hidden Sect, the Star Crown Sect, has not appeared on the continent for thousands of years. Yet the Star Crown Martial Soul, as a support-type Martial Soul, gave Soul Masters who possessed it a special designation.

"Support Battle Soul Masters, rather than Support System Tool Soul Masters.

"They possess comprehensive support methods, along with formidable offensive and control-type soul skills. Their development is highly well-rounded, with almost no obvious weaknesses."

Zhi Lin, one of the three Soul Douluo on the Education Committee, nodded. "Now that you mention it, it really does seem similar. Although the Star Crown Martial Soul has not shown itself on the continent, even after a thousand years, it still occupies one of the six symbols on Spirit Hall tokens."

Meng Shenji stroked his beard. "Shattered Star Sword, hmm."

"Heh, compared to that..." The fat on Bai Baoshan's face trembled as he chuckled. "Do you think those two kids are boyfriend and girlfriend? That Third Prince seems rather miserable."

The reception hall immediately filled with cheerful laughter.

As they spoke, sounds came from outside. Qin Ming led Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing into the hall.

"Greetings, seniors." ×2

Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing clasped their fists in salute.

Meng Shenji smiled and nodded, his gaze moving back and forth between the two. A trace of approval flashed through his eyes.

"The two of you beat every Soul Grandmaster in my academy until they could not hold their heads up. Even teams made up of Soul Elders and near-Soul Elders were defeated by you. Your strength truly makes people see you in a new light.

"Now, you may tell us why you have come. As head of the Education Committee, I can promise that the Star Luo Imperial Family will not interfere with your studies at this academy.

"I will also speak with Your Majesty of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. His Majesty and the Crown Prince—His Highness the Crown Prince in particular—place great importance on talented individuals."

Bai Baoshan added, "You will also receive the best treatment in the academy. We can make an exception and arrange for you to share a dormitory, provide a dedicated mimetic cultivation environment for your Martial Souls, and grant you a considerable sum each month."

Ling Qianyue nodded. "Then thank you, seniors. We did indeed come here to enroll. Aside from that, there is one small matter I would like to ask Chief Meng Shenji to help with."

"Oh?" Hearing that Ling Qianyue was willing to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Meng Shenji was already overjoyed. When he heard that Ling Qianyue had another request, his interest was piqued.

"Go ahead. As an eighty-fifth-level Soul Douluo, I still have some influence in Heaven Dou City."

"I heard that southwest of Heaven Dou City lies the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which possesses the continent's foremost support-type Weapon Spirit, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Tower.

"They have two Super Douluo with Soul Power above level ninety-five. Among them, Senior Sword Douluo Chen Xin is known as the strongest attacking Titled Douluo, with insights into the Way of the Sword that ordinary people can scarcely hope to reach.

"My Martial Soul is also a sword, but in terms of swordsmanship and sword intent, I can be said to lack the guidance of those who came before. Therefore, I would like to ask you to introduce me to Senior Chen Xin, so that I may gain some insight into the Way of the Sword."

Meng Shenji nodded upon hearing this. He slowly said, "Ling Qianyue, your ambitions are not small. You actually wish to meet Senior Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

"You should know that Senior Chen Xin is a towering figure in the Soul Master World. His attainments in swordsmanship are indeed beyond the reach of ordinary people."

"However," Meng Shenji shifted the subject, "since you have made this request, I will naturally do my best to help you. But Senior Chen Xin is proud by nature. I cannot guarantee whether he will be willing to meet you."

Ling Qianyue clasped his fists. "Thank you, Chief Meng Shenji. I understand. I am not in any hurry."

Meng Shenji nodded.

Bai Baoshan interjected from the side, "Since the matter is settled, you two can study in the academy with peace of mind. Shenji will make arrangements concerning the introduction to Senior Chen Xin. You need only wait patiently."

Zhi Lin also nodded and added, "Heaven Dou Royal Academy has abundant resources. Make good use of the conditions here and improve your strength. In the future, the doors of the Soul Master World will open to you. I look forward to seeing you carve out a place of your own."

After the usual pleasantries, the two followed Qin Ming to their assigned residence.

They passed through the academy's orderly buildings and followed a winding path until they arrived before a villa halfway up the mountain. With the mountain behind it and water beside it, the villa overlooked a shimmering little lake, the scenery pleasant and serene.

"This will be your residence." Qin Ming pointed at the villa. "There are not many villas like this in the academy. The fact that you can live here shows how highly the three committee members regard you. It is fully furnished, so you can settle in first and familiarize yourselves with the surroundings."

"Thank you, Teacher Qin Ming."

Qin Ming smiled and waved his hand. "No need to be polite. If you need anything in the future, just come find me. Your formal enrollment will be arranged in a few days."

With that, Qin Ming turned and left, leaving Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing standing before the villa.

The two pushed open the door and entered. The villa's interior was elegantly decorated, its rooms spacious and bright, with the furnishings arranged in neat order.

"This place is really nice." Zhu Zhuqing looked around and nodded in satisfaction. "The environment is quiet and secluded, perfect for cultivation."

Ling Qianyue leaned back on the sofa. "As expected of a royal academy. They really are extravagantly wealthy, giving us a villa like this and the mimetic environment behind it just like that."

Zhu Zhuqing rested against Ling Qianyue's shoulder, closing her eyes for a brief rest. She softly said, "The three committee members just now did not seem to ask why we possessed Thousand-Year Second Soul Rings?"

Ling Qianyue stroked her hair. "You should have been able to sense it too. Those three committee members are desperate for talent. After all, most of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's students are descendants of nobles and sects, and laziness is unavoidable.

"The news of Thousand-Year Second Soul Rings could be called a bombshell in the Soul Master World. It is only natural that they did not want to question us about such a secret right away and provoke our displeasure."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her eyes gradually growing hazy. She raised her head, about to say something, when a rapid knocking suddenly sounded from outside.

"Ling Qianyue, get out here!"