Heading to Heaven Dou Royal Academy

In Heaven Dou Imperial City, at the former Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Academy, now Shrek Academy.

"Xiao San, you need to understand your teacher," Master Yu Xiaogang said earnestly to Tang San, who was training strenuously. "Even though you're young, if you want to defeat that guy, you can't possibly succeed without putting in tens of times more effort than before. Training you like this is for your own good."

Tang San remained silent, only training harder. The image of Jiang Mian replayed in his mind, as if he could soon get revenge.

He wanted to crush Jiang Mian under his feet, to repay the humiliation he had suffered tenfold, to throw Jiang Mian into the dirtiest place and let him endure endless torment before tearing him limb from limb!

Two effeminate men, with their flamboyant demeanor, followed Tang San in his training, their speech somewhat girlish and their fingers unconsciously curled like orchid petals.

Two pitiable souls who had lost their manhood. Who told you to be so promiscuous? You deserve it.

Tang San gritted his teeth and roared:

"Jiang Mian!"

"Achoo!"

Outside Heaven Dou Imperial City, Jiang Mian sneezed hard, unable to help but wonder aloud, "Who's thinking of me?"

"You must have been flirting with someone outside," Hu Liena said with a seductive smile, lounging on Jiang Mian's lap and casually swinging her legs. "Isn't that right, Jiang Mian-dibao?"

"Sister is always with me. Could it be that the 'flowers and grass' I've been flirting with is actually Sister?" Jiang Mian gently stroked Hu Liena's fox ears, teasing her.

Hu Liena's earlobes turned red. She didn't reply, merely biting her finger lightly and gazing at Jiang Mian with affection.

Jiang Mian wrapped his arms around Hu Liena's slender waist and looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who was cultivating with her eyes closed nearby. He felt that such a life was even better than that of an immortal.

Zhuqing had just absorbed a Soul Ring, and coupled with her previous efforts to suppress her Soul Power, she had managed to advance two levels consecutively, nearly catching up to Hu Liena.

After all, she had once consumed Immortal Herbs like meals. Although the medicinal effects were now less than a tenth of what they were, the sheer quantity made up for it. Hu Liena, despite her high talent, hadn't had such opportunities yet, and her Soul Power was stagnating at rank forty-six. Jiang Mian planned to find some Immortal Herbs for Hu Liena to help her improve her cultivation.

"Jiang Mian, I'll be going ahead," Qian Renxue suddenly said from outside the carriage.

"Understood," Jiang Mian nodded. Qian Renxue then released her Martial Soul and departed. She was still Xue Qinghe on the surface and it wouldn't be good to enter the city in this form. Moreover, the disappearance of the dignified Crown Prince of the Empire for four days would surely attract the attention of those with ulterior motives.

Crimson King got out of the carriage and drove alongside Bear Lord. Jiang Mian looked at the map and realized they were very close to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. He decided he wanted to visit there for a bit, as there were truly many beautiful women at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling; each of them was a beauty no less than Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena. Such girls were naturally better in greater numbers.

"Bear Lord, let's head to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Inside Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong sat on the Pope's throne, supporting her forehead with one hand. She lightly closed her eyes, listening as Ghost Douluo reported work information from below.

"Jiang Mian, why haven't you returned yet?" Bibi Dong murmured softly, her eyes revealing a look of longing. Her heart couldn't help but flutter. It seemed she was thinking of that night with Jiang Mian. After all, no matter how powerful a woman was, she also had a most vulnerable and caring side.

Seeing that the situation was not right, Ghost Douluo quickly and discreetly retreated, not daring to obstruct Bibi Dong's view.

"Teacher, why are you guys here too?" a familiar voice sounded. The carriage suddenly stopped, and Jiang Mian was surprised to see Yan and Xie Yue appear before the carriage. Upon seeing Bear Lord and Crimson King, they immediately bowed, acting like model disciples.

"We've only been gone for half a month, and you guys miss us this much?" Bear Lord said with a smile, crossing his arms. "Are you guys masochists?"

Xie Yue scratched his head, a sincere smile on his handsome face. "With Teacher here, our strength really improves very quickly. Although we complain during training, we've always been thinking of Teacher in our hearts."

Yan glanced at Xie Yue and said, "Me too."

"We don't want to fall too far behind Jiang Mian. Although I know I can't surpass him, I still want to work hard, even if it's just to close the gap between us a little."

"Me too."

Crimson King looked at Xie Yue, then at his cheap disciple who could only say "Me too." He was truly furious. You can lose to anyone, but you can't lose to Bear Lord's disciple!

"Yan, well said," Crimson King clenched his fist, forcing down his anger. He said with a forced laugh, "When we get back to Spirit Hall later, your Master Father will train you properly."

"Ah!" Yan's expression changed drastically. He tugged at Xie Yue's sleeve and said, "Teacher, Xie Yue and I have some things to attend to, so we'll be leaving now."

"Wait." Jiang Mian emerged from the carriage and jumped in front of the two, asking, "How did things go?"

"Everything is arranged," Xie Yue said, patting Jiang Mian's shoulder with a smile. "I knew it. Wherever there are two teachers, you, Jiang Mian, would definitely be there."

Yan greeted Jiang Mian sheepishly. He was genuinely afraid that Jiang Mian would settle scores with him later. He couldn't defeat Jiang Mian, nor could he escape.

"Alright, we're good brothers," Jiang Mian said with a slight smile. "It's not a big deal. Why is Brother Yan taking it to heart?"

"I'm relieved you say that," Yan suddenly burst into laughter. "You have no idea how many Evil Spirit Masters Xie Yue killed on the border of the Extreme North. That guy really shows no mercy."

"Are you injured?" Jiang Mian grabbed Xie Yue's hand, asking with concern. "Is it serious?"

"I won't die," Xie Yue smiled. "Besides, how can there be progress without injuries?"

"I'll treat you," Jiang Mian said, about to heal Xie Yue's injuries. Xie Yue quickly pulled his hand back and said, "Let me tell you, wounds are a warrior's honor. Don't think about rubbing them off, okay?"

"You..." Jiang Mian pointed at Xie Yue, smiling helplessly. Xie Yue's temper was still too stubborn.

Bear Lord greatly admired this child. To strive for the impossible, a true hero.

Xie Yue knew he couldn't surpass Jiang Mian, yet he still trained himself intensely every day, from dawn till dusk, tirelessly. He had found the great path he would pursue his entire life. Such a person's future achievements would be limitless.

In Xie Yue's words, even if he truly couldn't surpass Jiang Mian, he would still be the person behind Jiang Mian.

Jiang Mian looked around and didn't see Yue Guan's figure. He was somewhat surprised and asked, "Didn't the Pope send Chrysanthemum Douluo to accompany you guys? Where is he?"

"Senior Chrysanthemum Douluo returned to Spirit Hall first. He was probably bored out of his mind," Xie Yue chuckled. "He thought we were too slow and left us behind."

"Went to vent his frustrations on Ghost Douluo?"

The three shared a tacit understanding smile. Such matters were unspoken.

"Nana is still in the carriage," Jiang Mian said with a smile. "As her older brother, shouldn't you go and see her quickly?"

"Nana, missed me?" Xie Yue messily tidied his hair and walked onto the carriage to see his most cherished and beloved sister. Of course, the most crucial thing was ensuring Jiang Mian hadn't done anything to Nana.

Hearing this, Yan's eyes visibly drooped, and he suddenly became disheartened.

Jiang Mian hooked his shoulder and comforted him, "Brother Yan, don't worry. I'll definitely find you another beauty who's as good as Nana, alright?"

"Jiang Mian, do you think I like Nana just for her looks?" Yan roared, "Am I that shallow?"

"That's right, that's right," Jiang Mian patted Yan's shoulder and continued to comfort him, "Everyone knows that you have deep feelings for Nana. But affection can't be one-sided. Perhaps you just haven't met the one who's truly meant for you yet."

"I have nothing to say if Nana likes you," Yan squatted to the side, feeling wronged enough to cry. "You're more outstanding than me, and you're better looking too. Don't worry, Jiang Mian, I'll sincerely wish you two eternal happiness. Maybe I won't look for a woman for the rest of my life."

"Don't speak too soon," Jiang Mian pulled up the effeminate Yan and said, "Let's take it one step at a time. I'm comforting you, but you probably feel even worse."

"You know!" Yan angrily pointed at Jiang Mian, all his words converging into one: "Get lost!"

"Tsk, ungrateful for good intentions." Jiang Mian chuckled, knowing when to quit. He shouted towards the carriage, "Xie Yue, interested in coming with us to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

"What are we going there for?" Xie Yue poked his head out and asked, "Is there something going on?"

"No, I just want to go take a look." Jiang Mian's calculations were clicking into place, a series of plans forming in his mind.

"Alright, then let's go take a look." Xie Yue jumped off the carriage, grabbed Jiang Mian's hand, and said, "Jiang Mian, I know the way, let's go."

"The carriage can't fit the two of us, and Zhu Zhuqing is also cultivating. So, you'll have to bear with it and walk with us."

Jiang Mian chuckled inwardly. This older brother is really something. He's afraid I'll do something to Hu Liena, so he's trying to prevent me from being with her?

Xie Yue whispered in Jiang Mian's ear, "Actually, I don't object to you and Nana being together. It's just that if I, as her older brother, were to ignore this, I would be letting Nana down. After all, I have to maintain appearances. In my heart, you'd make a great brother-in-law, a perfect ten."

Slapping me then giving me a sweet date. Good one, Xie Yue. You think you can fool me like a kid?

Jiang Mian gritted his teeth and forced a smile. "Brother-in-law, you make a lot of sense."

"Let's go."

Jiang Mian walked in the center, with Xie Yue and Yan following him. Bear Lord and the Lynx King drove the carriage. The seven of them headed towards Heaven Dou Royal Academy in a grand procession.

As they passed an alley entrance, both the Lynx King and Bear Lord instinctively looked that way. The alley was dark and empty.

"A very familiar feeling," the Lynx King said calmly.

"It's that guy who ambushed us at the inn last time," Bear Lord said disdainfully. "I let him live last time, and he still dares to target Jiang Mian?"

"Keep an eye out," the Lynx King said. "If he dares to scheme against Jiang Mian, we'll take him down this time."

"I could kill him in an instant," Bear Lord said. "You don't need to worry so much about Jiang Mian. For him to reach the heights he'll aim for in the future, he must break free from his comfort zone. He can't rely solely on our protection."

"That makes sense," the Lynx King agreed. "We can't let Jiang Mian become too dependent on us."

"That's the first sensible thing you've said this time," Bear Lord commented.

"You blind bear."

"You brat."

"Don't like it? Let's fight."

"Fight then, who's afraid of you?"

Jiang Mian was speechless. He turned around and said, "Can you two please calm down? This is Heaven Dou Imperial City, it can't withstand the shockwaves from you two."

"For Jiang Mian's sake, I'll let you blind bear off this once."

"Brat, you wait. I'll find a place later to properly deal with you."

The Lynx King crossed his arms and said, "We're both old-timers. It's not good to compete with the newbies. If you have the guts, let our disciples spar and decide the winner?"

"You think I'm afraid of you?" Bear Lord felt even more confident hearing this. He had seen firsthand how hard Xie Yue worked. If Yan worked half as hard as Xie Yue, Bear Lord would already think highly of him.

"Yan, can you show some spirit?" the Lynx King yelled at Yan. "If you dare to lose, I'll throw you into the Lynx Python Fire Melting Valley, believe it or not!"

Yan shivered slightly. He involuntarily looked at Xie Yue, his eyes seeming to say, Brother, can you go easy on me?

"Xie Yue, if you lose, I'll throw you into the Azure Winged Ten Thousand Bat Cave," Bear Lord retorted, not to be outdone.

Xie Yue looked at Yan, his meaning obvious: Brother, I can't help you either.

"If you ask me, send both of them, so they don't hurt their brotherly feelings," Jiang Mian laughed heartily.

"Catch this kid, get him." Xie Yue and Yan attacked together, intending to grab Jiang Mian. Jiang Mian chuckled, dodged back smoothly, and said with a smile, "Wrong, wrong, wrong. Please be gentle, dear brothers."

"That won't do, my Great Soul Master Jiang." Xie Yue and Yan grabbed Jiang Mian's legs, spread them apart, and charged towards the carriage wheel.

"Damn!" Jiang Mian's rear end felt a jolt. A man's instinctive reaction instantly kicked in. He actually used his Soul Ring skill uncontrollably. His legs rapidly retracted, allowing him to dodge Xie Yue and Yan's critical hit.

"Still can't beat him," Xie Yue shook his arm and said. "He actually managed to break free."

"Brother-in-law, if you cripple me today, what will happen to Nana?" Jiang Mian hid behind the Lynx King, looking innocent.

"Let Nana accompany you." Xie Yue said with a laugh, "You dare to threaten your brother-in-law?"

"Alright, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is just ahead. You three kids, stop messing around," the Lynx King interrupted their play. "I've also heard of Spirit Hall, the strongest Spirit Master organization in the human world. You are, after all, the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall. Behave yourselves with some dignity."

"Yes." Jiang Mian was the first to jump off the carriage. He patted Xie Yue and Yan on their behinds and said, "Learn from me: lift your hips, tuck your abdomen, extend your head forward. Go."

The three of them playfully bickered, their movements somewhat resembling Tom and Jerry, drawing laughter. Suddenly, an unwelcome guest appeared at the entrance of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain for the trio.

"Well, well, where did these three turtles come from, daring to make a spectacle of themselves at the entrance of Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"