Dean

"Holy Son, when the time comes, you will enroll as the nephew of someone from my clan. Please be especially careful in public."

Pointing at the identity written on the parchment, Shui Yue began reminding Su Chen.

Her martial soul was the Cold Pool.

And Su Chen's false identity was her nephew.

The offspring of a soul master whose martial soul was a ghost and a soul master whose martial soul was the Cold Pool.

It sounded reasonable enough.

But both Su Chen and Shui Yue knew it was complete nonsense.

"Already level twenty-eight? That's much faster than expected."

Time flew, and three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Su Chen received a letter from Hu Liena in the small courtyard.

Level twenty-eight at the age of ten—such progress was even faster than Tang San's.

"Yes, I can definitely tell Hu Liena wrote this."

Looking at the letter, which was covered in fox-paw-like marks, Su Chen could not help but laugh.

That little girl really knew how to have fun.

"What is it, Holy Son?"

Seeing this, Shui Yue hurriedly leaned over and asked.

Over the past three months, this Holy Son had done nothing but study and cultivate.

Other than occasionally going out for a walk during his daily medicine-drinking time, he was practically motionless.

Whenever she tried to strike up a conversation, Su Chen only gave a polite response. There was almost no real interaction between them.

He was like a robot—either studying or cultivating.

Seeing someone like that laugh aloud at a letter naturally made Shui Yue curious.

"Nothing. It's just a letter from a friend."

Although his current location was secret, it was not difficult for Hu Liena to send a letter here with her status.

"I've memorized almost everything. We can set off for Skywater Academy."

After three months of cultivation, Su Chen had successfully weakened one strand of Heterogeneous Soul Power.

It felt like a constant devouring, and alongside that devouring came the growth of his Soul Power.

After these three months of training, his Soul Power had risen by a full four levels.

Such speed left Shui Yue, who had been accompanying him, utterly amazed.

"Since the Holy Son is ready, we can depart for Skywater Academy at once."

Over the past three months, Shui Yue had been astonished by Su Chen's talent.

Now that Su Chen said he was ready, she said nothing further and set out with him for Skywater Academy.

After several days of travel, the towns along the way became increasingly prosperous.

Su Chen knew that Skywater Academy was close.

"Holy Son, we are about to enter Skywater Academy's sphere of influence. From now on, I will address you by name. Please forgive me."

With a respectful bow, Shui Yue spoke cautiously.

She had spent her entire adolescence at Skywater Academy, so she was naturally highly vigilant.

"Of course. Let's go, Aunt."

Su Chen had been transmigrated here, so he did not care much for formalities.

Besides, this was merely necessary for official business, so he naturally understood.

A cringe-worthy title like Holy Son was not even as good as simply using his name.

"We're here."

Skywater Academy covered an unexpectedly vast area. The entire eastern part of the city fell within Skywater Academy's territory.

"Senior Shui Yue, why have you come back?"

It was no wonder Skywater Academy was often mistaken for an all-girls academy. Even the guards at its gates were women who had graduated from Skywater Academy.

"I have something to discuss with the Dean. Please help introduce me."

"Alright."

The soul master guarding the gate was clearly Shui Yue's junior. Seeing Shui Yue arrive, she excitedly came over to chat.

"Come in."

Before long, the gatekeeper returned.

Led by Shui Yue, Su Chen entered this prestigious academy with a century-long history.

The overall architectural style here leaned toward softness, with light blue as its primary color.

One could tell at a glance that it was an academy focused on water-element martial souls.

"Get ready. This is the Dean's office."

Arriving before the Dean's office, Shui Yue took a deep breath and spoke.

"Hello, is the Dean present?"

After lightly knocking on the door a few times, Su Chen stepped back to wait.

"It has been a long time, Shui Yue."

The office door slowly opened, and a woman with pale blue hair walked out.

She stood around one hundred and eighty centimeters tall, with a notably slender figure.

Even beneath her pale blue robes, her voluptuous curves were plainly visible.

She looked only to be in her thirties. If not for the intelligence he had received beforehand, Su Chen would never have guessed that she was an old woman over sixty.

"Dean."

A smile appeared on Shui Yue's face as she exchanged a few pleasantries.

"Why are you being so reserved? Come inside."

The Dean smiled kindly and ushered them both into the office.

"Come, sit."

After bringing over two drink-like beverages, the Dean returned to her seat.

At the same time, she gestured for Shui Yue and Su Chen to sit down.

"Is this the nephew you mentioned in your letter?"

Taking a light sip from her teacup, the Dean asked with a gentle smile.

"Yes, this is my nephew, Su Chen."

Shui Yue smiled and patted Su Chen on the shoulder.

"Greetings, Dean. You are Senior Shui Qingxuan, an eighty-ninth-level assault-type Soul Douluo. I often heard of your accomplishments from my aunt."

Although the five great academies were renowned across the continent, they did not actually have any Titled Douluos stationed within them.

That also meant that, compared to Spirit Hall Academy, the quality of their instruction was far inferior.

"There are no glorious accomplishments to speak of. I'm just an old woman."

Shui Qingxuan slowly rose to her feet.

In her right hand, she held a scepter.

It was over two meters long, with a fist-sized sapphire at its tip. It had no practical use in battle and merely symbolized status and position.

"I heard from Shui Yue that you possess Innate Full Soul Power."

Shui Qingxuan carefully examined Su Chen for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Yes, I do possess Innate Full Soul Power."

As he spoke, Su Chen circulated his Soul Power and activated his "martial soul."

Over the past three months, Su Chen's primary training had not been focused on raising his level.

Instead, he had improved his control over Soul Power to achieve the effect of using soul skills to forge a false martial soul.

As his Soul Power circulated, a Netherworld Yellow Springs flickered into view around Su Chen.

This was a modified application of his second soul skill, Yellow Springs Wraith.

"An ancient martial soul and Innate Full Soul Power. What a genius."

Shui Qingxuan enviously touched Su Chen's cheek, studying him from both sides with undisguised delight in her eyes, before letting out a sigh.

"What a pity you're a boy."

The moment those words fell, the air in the Dean's office seemed to freeze.

Shui Yue grew extremely nervous. With talent that was neither exceptional nor terrible, if she was unwilling to stop where she was, then currying favor with Spirit Hall was her only path.

The instant Shui Qingxuan said that, Shui Yue's heart leaped into her throat.

After pacing a few steps in hesitation, Shui Qingxuan let out a helpless sigh.

"If you were a girl, this old woman would take you in no matter what."