Fame Rises, Undercurrents Surge

The aftermath of Myriad Manifestations Academy's completion ceremony was like a boulder cast into a tranquil lake. The ripples it caused spread rapidly from Heaven Dou City across the entire Douluo Continent, refusing to subside for a long time.

The four words "Myriad Manifestations Academy," along with its mysterious dean, Qin Mo, who was only six years old yet already a Soul Grandmaster with two Thousand-Year Spirit Rings that defied common sense, became the hottest topic in streets, taverns, and teahouses. The five exceptionally gifted young girls under his command, each possessing top-tier martial souls, as well as the miraculous hundred-meter tower and powerful Guardian Great Formation, were all endlessly discussed.

Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, joining the academy, along with Sect Master Ning Fengzhi personally attending the ceremony and displaying obvious support, sent an extremely important message to the outside world—the Upper Three Sects stood behind this newly established academy!

For a time, Myriad Manifestations Academy was unrivaled in prominence, even overshadowing Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

However, fame brought not only attention and admiration, but also countless probes, doubts, and surging undercurrents hidden in the shadows.

The seventh day after the completion ceremony.

The grand gates of profound crystal iron at Myriad Manifestations Academy remained tightly shut, but the square outside was no longer empty. Crowds gathered there every day. Some were curious commoners watching from afar, some were young soul masters from all over who wished to join, along with their parents, while even more were spies sent by various factions. Disguised in all manner of identities, they sought to uncover the truth behind this mysterious academy.

"Is this academy even still recruiting? It's been so many days, yet there hasn't been a single sign." "I heard their requirements are extremely high. Unless you're a genius among geniuses, don't even think about getting in." "Hmph, what a sham! A six-year-old child as dean—what could he possibly teach? This is probably just a front put up by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." "Shh! Keep your voice down! Didn't you see the force of that barrier when it rose that day? Even a Soul Sage might not be able to break it!"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, and every sort of speculation ran rampant.

Inside the academy, however, everything was proceeding in perfect order.

The main buildings had all been completed, while interior decoration, facility installation, and formation testing were underway at a frantic pace. Most of the craftsmen had already departed, leaving only a few core personnel to carry out the final work under Qin Mo's guidance.

Bing'er and Yan'er led the guards transferred from the sect and took over the academy's daily patrols and security. Although the Mountain Protection Formation was powerful, routine order still required manpower.

Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling had immersed themselves in cultivation. While consolidating her Soul Elder realm, Zhu Zhuqing continuously honed the Speed Clone technique Qin Mo had taught her. Within the specially designed Training Room, her figure became increasingly blurred and difficult to distinguish. Ye Lingling, meanwhile, tried to comprehend Qin Mo's guidance concerning Life's Flourishing and Withering. The light emitted by her Nine Heart Begonia was no longer purely white. From time to time, faint ink-black patterns flickered across it, and its healing effects seemed to have gained the peculiar properties of "purification" and "balance."

Ning Rongrong was the most excited of them all. At last, she could remain in the cultivation space of the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda for extended periods and enjoy its terrifying Ten Times Cultivation Speed. After her Soul Power Level stabilized at level thirty-one, it began rising again, slowly but steadily. The Eighth Color radiance upon her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda still appeared only in fleeting flashes, but it seemed to be appearing slightly more often, filling her with motivation.

Qin Mo himself remained stationed on the top floor of the central tower. This place had been designated as his Dean's Office and the future core control room. Through the enormous crystal windows, he could overlook the entire academy and the distant landscape beyond. Before him floated a light screen condensed from Soul Power, displaying in real time the energy flow throughout the academy, the status of the formation nodes, and... the strength of the energy fluctuations from those watchers outside the academy.

"Three hundred meters to the front left. The man wearing a bamboo hat at the tea stall is at Soul King level. His aura is cold and carries a faint scent of blood. He seems to be from an assassin organization." "That fellow in the crowd on the right, constantly hawking candied hawthorns, is at Soul Emperor level. His disguise is terribly clumsy. He should be a spy from the military or some major clan." "Oh? Even Spirit Hall's bishop, Salas, has sent someone to blend into the crowd? He really thinks highly of Myriad Manifestations Academy."

Qin Mo lightly tapped several points of light on the screen, his tone calm, as though he were commenting on irrelevant scenery. The academy's formation possessed not only defensive capabilities, but also perception beyond imagination. These spies' disguises were completely useless before him.

"Young Sect Master, should we drive them away?" Bing'er appeared in the room like Gui Mei, a trace of coldness on her aloof face. The flies outside annoyed her.

"No need." Qin Mo shook his head. "Let them watch. The more they see, the more they guess, and the less they'll dare to act rashly. The academy has only just been established. What we need is stability, not enemies everywhere. As long as they do not cross the line, let them be."

"Yes." Bing'er nodded and silently vanished again.

Qin Mo turned his gaze back to the screen, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He knew these were merely appetizers. The truly patient big fish had not yet shown themselves.

Sure enough, two more days passed.

A small but exceptionally elite convoy arrived outside the gates of Myriad Manifestations Academy, escorted by knights whose gazes were sharp and whose auras were heavy and restrained.

The emblem hanging from the most luxurious carriage in the center of the convoy did not belong to any known major clan or sect of the Heaven Dou Empire. Instead, it was a peculiar star design inlaid with seven different metals.

The carriage stopped, and an elderly man in a silver robe, his face stiff and stern, stepped down with the support of a young attendant. He looked up at the imposing gates and towering structure of Myriad Manifestations Academy. A sharp gleam flashed through his cloudy eyes before he called out in a clear voice:

"Starlight Auction House's chief appraiser, Ode, has come by order of the auction house master to visit Dean Qin Mo of Myriad Manifestations Academy and offer congratulations on the academy's completion!"

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly pierced through the noise of the crowd and entered the academy.

Starlight Auction House!

A wave of hushed exclamations rose from the onlookers. This was a colossal commercial organization spread throughout the continent's major cities, with an incredibly mysterious background and a reputation for selling anything and everything! Its wealth and influence were not inferior even to some great sects. They had actually come to pay a visit on their own initiative?

The academy gates did not open completely. Only a small side entrance silently slid open. Bing'er appeared at the doorway and said coolly, "The dean will see you. Master Ode, please follow me. Everyone else, wait outside."

The silver-robed elder, Ode, nodded. After signaling the guards to remain where they were, he followed Bing'er alone into the flowing Nine-Colored Light Screen.

The moment he entered the academy, Ode felt his body grow lighter, as though even the energy in the air had become especially active and pure. It made even his old bones feel comfortable. He was secretly startled, but his expression remained unchanged. His sharp gaze merely swept across the academy's interior, and the more he saw, the more alarmed he became.

The architectural style, materials, and even the faint formation fluctuations he could sense were entirely different from anything he knew. Everything exuded a mysterious aura that was both ancient and advanced.

He was led to the central tower and entered the Dean's Office on the top floor.

Qin Mo still stood before the enormous crystal window with his back to the door, seemingly admiring the view.

"Ode of the Starlight Auction House greets Dean Qin." Ode bowed slightly, his etiquette impeccable. He did not slight the other party in the least because of his youth. Having spent many years in the business world, he understood not to judge people by appearance, especially when facing a boy capable of creating such miracles.

Qin Mo slowly turned around, his calm gaze falling upon Ode. "Master Ode has traveled a long way. What brings you here?"

Ode straightened and took out a gilt gift list from his robes, presenting it with both hands. "Upon hearing of Myriad Manifestations Academy's completion, our auction house master specially ordered this old man to offer congratulations. These humble gifts are but a token of respect. We hope to forge a good relationship with your esteemed academy."

Qin Mo did not look at the gift list. He merely said indifferently, "The Starlight Auction House certainly receives news quickly. I'll accept the thought. Convey my thanks to your auction house master."

Seeing how straightforward Qin Mo was, Ode felt reassured and continued, "Dean Qin speaks directly. To be honest, our auction house master is also very curious about your esteemed academy, especially after hearing that it seems to possess some... secret method capable of rapidly increasing a soul master's cultivation? Our auction house is willing to pay a high price for the relevant techniques or medicines. In terms of price, we will certainly satisfy your academy."

At last, the true intention was revealed. The congratulations were merely a pretext; probing for information and seeking cooperation—or rather, plundering the technology—was the real purpose.

At this, Qin Mo's lips curved into a faint, ambiguous smile. "A secret method to raise cultivation? Master Ode must be joking. For soul masters, cultivation can only be achieved through steady effort and diligent practice. Where could there be any shortcuts? If the students of Myriad Manifestations Academy progress somewhat faster, it is merely because our teachers are decent, the environment is decent, and the students themselves are reasonably hardworking. As for medicines..."

He paused, his voice carrying a trace of amusement. "I have heard that Poison Douluo, Senior Dugu Bo, has quite a few good things in his medicinal garden. If Master Ode is interested, why not ask the old gentleman?"

The smile on Ode's face stiffened slightly. He naturally understood Qin Mo's evasion and teasing, and he was even more startled that Qin Mo seemed to have dealings with the eccentric Poison Douluo.

He knew he would not obtain what he wanted today, so he wisely did not press further. Instead, he smiled and said, "Dean Qin is right. This old man was presumptuous. In that case, I shall not overstay my welcome. Should your esteemed academy have any needs in the future, whether rare materials, Soul Tools, or even information on soul bones, the Starlight Auction House will be willing to assist."

After a few more pleasantries, Ode took his leave. He had come with a mission, and though he had failed to achieve his primary objective, he became even more convinced that the Myriad Manifestations Sect was unfathomable and far from an ordinary force. He had to report this to the auction house master so they could make long-term plans.

After seeing Ode off, Qin Mo watched the point of light representing his departure on the screen, his expression turning slightly solemn.

Starlight Auction House... There seemed to be traces of the Star Luo Empire behind it? It appeared that every major force on the continent had begun turning its eyes toward this place.

This was only the beginning.

Over the following days, several more groups of people with different identities, representing different forces, came to visit. Some probed tactfully, some directly proposed cooperation or recruitment, while others were simply curious.

Qin Mo responded to every situation without changing his approach. Sometimes he maneuvered cleverly, sometimes he refused outright. His attitude remained neither humble nor overbearing, leaving everyone unable to fathom his true depth.

The number of watchers outside the academy only increased. The undercurrents grew ever more turbulent.

One evening, as the sun set.

An extremely concealed yet incomparably powerful strand of Spiritual Power silently pierced through the void like an invisible tentacle, attempting to slip soundlessly into the barrier surrounding Myriad Manifestations Academy.

This Spiritual Power was far stronger than that of all the previous spies, faintly reaching the level of a Titled Douluo! It was also exceptionally cunning and well-hidden. Ordinary soul masters would have had no way of detecting it.

However, at the very instant this Spiritual Power was about to touch the Nine-Colored Light Screen!

Buzz!

Qin Mo's eyes abruptly flew open atop the tower!

At the same time, in a corner deep within the academy, Qin Yuan, who had been cultivating quietly with his eyes closed, let out a cold snort. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes.

Countless runes suddenly lit up across the seemingly tranquil Nine-Colored Light Screen, and a vast force of recoil erupted with a thunderous burst!

Hmph!

On a distant mountain peak far outside the academy, a figure concealed in the shadows jolted violently and let out a muffled grunt. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, while his eyes filled with horror and disbelief. Like a startled bird, he instantly fled into the distance and disappeared.

"At last, a fish with some substance..." Qin Mo walked to the window and looked toward the direction from which the Spiritual Power had come, his gaze turning cold.

The wind filled the tower before the storm. Myriad Manifestations Academy's peace was destined to be short-lived.