Journey to Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Heaven Dou Imperial City, formerly the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Academy, now the new Shrek Academy.

"Little San, you need to understand your teacher." Grandmaster "Yu Xiaogang" looked at Tang San, who was training so hard he was drenched in sweat, and said earnestly, "You may still be young, but if you want to defeat that guy, it's simply impossible without putting in dozens of times more effort than before. Your teacher is training you like this for your own good."

Tang San remained silent and merely trained desperately. Jiang Mian's image echoed through his mind, as though he would soon be able to avenge himself.

He wanted to stomp Jiang Mian beneath his feet, make him repay the humiliation he had suffered many times over. He wanted to throw Jiang Mian into the filthiest place, let him endure every possible indignity, then tear him into pieces and have him dismembered by five horses!

Two flamboyantly dressed men followed Tang San through training with effeminate little movements. Even their voices were somewhat feminine, and their hands unconsciously formed orchid-finger poses.

Two pathetic eunuchs. Who told them to be such shameless womanizers? They deserved it.

Tang San ground his teeth and roared:

"Jiang Mian!"

"Ah-choo!"

Outside Heaven Dou Imperial City, Jiang Mian sneezed twice violently. He could not help asking in surprise, "Who's thinking about me?"

"You must've been flirting around out there." Hu Liena lay across Jiang Mian's lap, casually swinging her legs as she said seductively, "Isn't that right, little brother Jiang Mian?"

"Big sister has been with me the whole time. Could the flowers and grass I've been fooling around with be big sister?" Jiang Mian gently stroked Hu Liena's fox ears and teased her.

Hu Liena's ears reddened. She said nothing, only lightly bit her finger and gazed at Jiang Mian with tender affection.

Jiang Mian wrapped an arm around Hu Liena's slender waist and looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who was cultivating with her eyes closed nearby. He felt that even immortals could not have a life better than this.

Zhuqing had just absorbed her soul ring. Combined with the fact that she had been suppressing her Soul Power for some time, this breakthrough allowed her to rise two levels at once, and she was about to catch up to Hu Liena.

After all, she had once eaten Immortal Herbs like meals. Though less than a tenth of their medicinal effects remained now, there had simply been too many of them. Hu Liena's talent was high, but she had not yet encountered such an opportunity. Her Soul Power had stalled at level forty-six, so Jiang Mian planned to find some Immortal Herbs for her as well and help her improve her cultivation.

"Jiang Mian, I'll head on ahead." Outside the carriage, Qian Renxue suddenly spoke.

"Sure." Jiang Mian nodded. Qian Renxue immediately summoned her martial soul and departed. Publicly, she was still Xue Qinghe, so it would not be appropriate for her to enter the city in this appearance. Besides, if His Highness the Crown Prince of an empire vanished without a trace for four days, it would surely draw the attention of those with ulterior motives.

Scarlet King stepped outside the carriage and drove alongside Bear Lord. Looking at the map, Jiang Mian discovered that they were very close to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, so he decided to take a look around. After all, Heaven Dou Royal Academy truly had plenty of beautiful women.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling—each of them was a great beauty no less stunning than Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena. The more girls like that, the better.

"Bear Lord, head for Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Within Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong sat on the Pope's throne with one hand supporting her forehead. Her eyes were gently closed as she listened to Ghost Douluo report on work matters below.

"Jiang Mian, when are you coming back?" Bibi Dong murmured softly. Longing showed in her eyes, and her heart began to race uncontrollably. It seemed she had recalled that night with Jiang Mian. No matter how powerful a woman was, there was always a soft side of her heart that most needed care.

Seeing that the situation was not right, Ghost Douluo immediately and tactfully withdrew, not daring to remain in Bibi Dong's sight.

"Teachers, why are you here too?" A familiar voice rang out. The carriage suddenly stopped, and Jiang Mian was still wondering what was happening when Yan and Xie Yue appeared before it. Upon seeing Bear Lord and Scarlet King, they immediately bowed deeply, looking every bit like exemplary disciples.

"We've only been gone for half a month, and you two missed us this much already?" Bear Lord crossed his arms and laughed. "Don't tell me you're masochists."

Xie Yue scratched his head, a sincere smile appearing on his handsome face. "With our teachers around, our strength really improves quickly. Although we complain a little during training, we've always been thinking of you."

Yan glanced at Xie Yue and said, "Same here."

"We also 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 I can only narrow the distance between us a little, that's enough."

"Same here."

Scarlet King looked at Xie Yue, then at his own cheap disciple who could only say "same here," and became furious. He could lose to anyone, but he could not lose to Bear Lord's disciple!

"Yan, well said." Scarlet King clenched his fists and forcibly suppressed his anger. He laughed in exasperation. "Once we get back to Spirit Hall, your master will train you properly."

"Ah!" Yan's expression changed instantly. He tugged at Xie Yue's sleeve and said, "Teacher, Xie Yue and I still have something to do, so we'll be leaving first."

"Wait." Jiang Mian stepped out of the carriage, jumped down in front of them, and asked, "How did things go?"

"Everything has been arranged." Xie Yue patted Jiang Mian's shoulder and smiled. "I knew that wherever the two teachers were, you'd definitely be there too, Jiang Mian."

Yan greeted Jiang Mian somewhat awkwardly. He was truly afraid that Jiang Mian would settle old scores with him later. He could not beat Jiang Mian, nor could he run away from him.

"Alright, we're good brothers." Jiang Mian's lips curved slightly. "It's such a small matter. Why is Brother Yan still taking it to heart?"

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

"You were injured?" Jiang Mian grabbed Xie Yue's hand and asked with concern, "Was it serious?"

"Won't kill me." Xie Yue smiled. "Besides, how can there be progress without injuries?"

"I'll treat you." Jiang Mian was about to treat Xie Yue's injuries, but Xie Yue quickly pulled his hand back. "Let me tell you, scars are a warrior's glory. Don't even think about erasing mine."

"You." Jiang Mian pointed at Xie Yue and smiled helplessly. Xie Yue's temperament was still far too stubborn.

Bear Lord greatly admired this child. Knowing something could not be done yet doing it anyway—that was the spirit of a true hero.

Xie Yue knew he could not surpass Jiang Mian, yet he still rose early and slept late every day, relentlessly pushing himself through high-intensity training. In truth, he had found the great path he wished to pursue for his entire life. Someone like him was destined for limitless achievements.

As Xie Yue put it, even if he truly could not surpass Jiang Mian, he still wanted to be the one standing behind him.

Jiang Mian looked around and did not spot Yue Guan, so he asked in surprise, "Wasn't Chrysanthemum Douluo sent by the Pope to accompany you? Where is he?"

"Senior Chrysanthemum Douluo went back to Spirit Hall first. Maybe he'd been pent up for too long." Xie Yue laughed. "He thought we were too slow and left us here."

"Gone to vent on Ghost Douluo?"

The three exchanged knowing smiles. Such things could not be spoken aloud.

"Nana is still in the carriage." Jiang Mian smiled. "As her brother, aren't you going to hurry up and see her?"

"Nana, did you miss me?" Xie Yue casually fixed his hair and climbed into the carriage to see his most cherished and beloved little sister. Of course, most importantly, he wanted to make sure Jiang Mian had not done that sort of thing to Nana.

Hearing that, Yan's eyes visibly dimmed, and he immediately became dispirited.

Jiang Mian hooked an arm around his shoulders and comforted him. "Brother Yan, don't worry. Your brother will definitely find you a beauty just as good as Nana, alright?"

"Jiang Mian, do you think I like Nana only because of her looks?" Yan snapped. "Am I really that shallow?"

"Of course not." Jiang Mian patted Yan's shoulder and continued consoling him. "Everyone knows that you're deeply devoted to Nana, but feelings cannot be one-sided. Perhaps you just haven't met the one who suits you better."

"I have nothing to say if Nana likes you." Yan crouched to one side, so aggrieved he nearly cried. "You're better than me, and you're better-looking too. Don't worry, Jiang Mian. I'll sincerely bless the two of you to be together forever. Maybe I won't look for another woman for the rest of my life."

"Don't say that too soon." Jiang Mian pulled the effeminate Yan to his feet. "Take things one step at a time. Maybe comforting you only makes you feel worse."

"You know that?!" Yan pointed angrily at Jiang Mian. A thousand words condensed into one: "Get lost!"

"Tch, no appreciation for kindness." Jiang Mian chuckled and wisely stopped while he was ahead. He called toward the carriage, "Xie Yue, interested in taking a trip to Heaven Dou Royal Academy with us?"

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

"No, I just want to take a look around." Jiang Mian's plans were clicking away, and a whole series of schemes had already emerged in his mind.

"Alright, then let's go take a look." Xie Yue jumped down from 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 Zhuqing is cultivating too. You'll have to suffer a little and walk with us."

Jiang Mian laughed inwardly. This brother was something else. He was so afraid Jiang Mian would do that sort of thing to Hu Liena that he was even preventing them from being alone together?

Xie Yue leaned close to Jiang Mian's ear and whispered, "Actually, I don't object to you being with Nana. But if I, as her brother, ignored it completely, I'd be letting Nana down. I still have to put on a show, after all. In my heart, I'd give you, my future brother-in-law, a perfect ten."

A slap followed by a sweet date. Xie Yue, you were treating Jiang Mian like a child to be coaxed?

Jiang Mian gritted his teeth and forced out a smile. "My brother-in-law makes a good point."

"Let's go."

Jiang Mian walked in the center, with Xie Yue and Yan beside him. Bear Lord and Scarlet King drove the carriage, and the group of seven headed grandly toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

As they passed an alleyway, Scarlet King and Bear Lord both looked in that direction. The alley was dark and empty, with nothing inside.

"A very familiar feeling." Scarlet King spoke calmly.

"It's that guy who ambushed us at the inn last time." Bear Lord said disdainfully. "We spared his life last time, and he still dares set his sights on Jiang Mian?"

"Stay alert." Scarlet King said, "If he dares plot against Jiang Mian, take him down this time."

"I could kill him in an instant." Bear Lord said. "There's no need to worry so much about Jiang Mian. If he wants to reach that height in the future, he must break away from his comfort zone. He cannot rely solely on our protection."

"That makes sense." Scarlet King said. "We can't let Jiang Mian become too dependent on us."

"That actually sounded reasonable for once." Bear Lord remarked.

"You damned bear."

"You little mutt."

"If you don't like it, fight me."

"Fine, let's fight. Who's afraid of you?"

Jiang Mian was speechless. He turned around and said, "Could you two calm down a little? This is Heaven Dou Imperial City. It can't withstand the shockwaves from the two of you."

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

"You little mutt, just wait. I'll find a place later and give you a proper beating."

Scarlet King crossed his arms and said, "We're both old figures now. It wouldn't be proper for us to compete with the younger generation. How about our disciples spar and decide the victor?"

"You think I'm afraid of you?" Hearing this, Bear Lord became even more confident of victory. He had seen how hard Xie Yue worked. If Yan had half of Xie Yue's diligence, Bear Lord would already think highly of him.

"Yan, can you show some backbone?" Scarlet King shouted at Yan. "If you dare lose, I'll throw you into the Crimson Python Flame-Melting Valley, believe me?"

Yan shuddered and involuntarily looked at Xie Yue. His gaze seemed to say, Brother, could you go easy on me?

"Xie Yue, if you lose, I'll throw you into the Green-Winged Myriad Bat Cave." Bear Lord was equally unwilling to be outdone.

Xie Yue looked at Yan, and his meaning was obvious. Brother, there's nothing I can do either.

"I say send both of them there. That way, there's no need to hurt brotherly feelings, right?" Jiang Mian laughed loudly.

"Grab this brat and get him!" Xie Yue and Yan attacked together, trying to seize Jiang Mian. Jiang Mian grinned and dodged backward. "My mistake, my mistake. Please show mercy, brothers."

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

"Damn!" Jiang Mian's rear tightened, and a man's instinctive response activated in an instant. He actually unleashed a soul ring skill without thinking, rapidly pulling his legs together and barely avoiding Xie Yue and Yan's devastating attack.

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

"Brother-in-law, if you cripple me today, what will Nana do?" Jiang Mian hid behind Scarlet King with an innocent expression.

"Let Nana keep you company." Xie Yue laughed angrily. "You still dare threaten your brother-in-law?"

"Alright, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is right ahead. You three little brats, stop fooling around." Scarlet King interrupted their antics. "I've heard of Spirit Hall too, the strongest soul master organization in the human world. You're the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall, so at least behave with some grace."

"Yes." Jiang Mian was the first to jump down from the carriage. He patted Xie Yue and Yan on their backsides and said, "Learn from me. Lift your butt, tighten your stomach, stick your head forward, and walk."

The three bickered and played around, their movements resembling Tom Cat's walk and making people laugh. Then, an uninvited guest suddenly appeared at the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, his gaze filled with contempt and disdain for the three of them.

"Well, well, where did these three turtles come from? And they dare make fools of themselves at the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"