Ning Fengzhi's Far-Sighted Schemes

Next, the three education committee members took Shen Tianchen around the academy for a few more rounds. After all, his last visit had been too brief.

As they chatted, Meng Shenji and the others led Shen Tianchen to a level stretch of open ground.

"Tianchen, this will be the future training ground for the second team. Other students are not allowed to enter without permission."

"Once the team is mostly assembled and you need a Mimicry Training Ground, come find us. We'll arrange for people to help coordinate it."

After saying that, Meng Shenji shook his head with a wry smile.

The academy's Mimicry Training Grounds generally did not need coordinating. Across the entire academy, only a very small number of students trained in them.

Although Mimicry Training Grounds could accommodate only a limited number of people, most students in the academy had little interest in cultivation. Thus, the academy's Mimicry Training Grounds were basically never overcrowded.

As contestants representing the academy, the team members were given a separate residential area to keep them from being disturbed by other students.

Meng Shenji discussed it with the other two education committee members and decided to set aside ten two-story houses with private courtyards. Since they were forming a team, substitute members would certainly be necessary.

The Imperial Dou First Team's residence was not far from the second team's, separated by only two corridors. However, the houses where the former lived were far more luxurious than those of the second team.

After the three education committee members left, Shen Tianchen began looking around the houses.

It had to be said that while they were not as lavish as the first team's residences, they were still much better than the buildings along the streets outside.

After making a full round, Shen Tianchen complained, "How are these student dormitories? They're clearly villas. What was the royal family thinking? Isn't this just encouraging extravagance? No wonder those students can't focus on their studies."

The Heaven Dou Royal Family's original intention had been to let the team members understand the empire's generosity, so they would serve the royal family well in the future.

Yet even they had not expected things to turn out this way.

Still, a free mansion was a free mansion. It would be a waste not to live in it.

Shen Tianchen immediately selected the courtyard with the best lighting as his temporary residence.

About two hours later, a middle-aged teacher came to find Shen Tianchen.

The teacher was named Zhou Qi. He was exactly forty-five years old this year, and his Soul Power Level was sixty-one. That was fairly decent.

It was worth mentioning that Zhou Qi had been assigned by the three education committee members. The academy itself was not particularly appealing, and most of the students who came were descendants of nobles and royalty.

Each area had teachers specifically assigned to oversee it. The fact that they had put thought into finding a Soul Emperor to serve as the theory instructor for the soon-to-be-formed second team was already quite commendable.

One should not forget that Qin Ming, the first team's leading teacher, was only level sixty-two. Like Shen Tianchen, he was only a little higher in level, yet he was over twenty years older.

Teacher Zhou Qi was highly skilled in dealing with people, which was also why the three education committee members had chosen him.

Moreover, Meng Shenji and the others had no intention of assigning anyone to interfere with Shen Tianchen's cultivation. Someone whose Soul Power had already surpassed level forty at such an age naturally understood the importance of cultivation and possessed sufficient self-discipline. Sending someone to supervise him would only make him uncomfortable.

After listening to Zhou Qi's introduction, Shen Tianchen hurriedly asked, "Teacher Zhou, where will we be studying our upcoming classes?"

Theoretical courses were just as important as practical courses. The former were the foundation of a soul master's cultivation, so they were still worth studying.

As for how much he could learn, that would depend on the circumstances.

Zhou Qi was greatly surprised when he heard this.

He had not expected Shen Tianchen's first question to be about classes, rather than acting like other students who cared about nothing. It seemed Shen Tianchen truly valued theoretical courses.

Regaining his senses, he explained simply, "If you are willing, from Monday to Saturday each week, you can study theoretical knowledge with me in the mornings. In the afternoons, you may choose your own cultivation. Sunday will be a day of rest, and you can do whatever you want."

Shen Tianchen nodded. He had no objections. It was more or less the same as the conditions he had proposed when he first arrived.

As long as it did not interfere with his trips to the Great Soul Arena in Heaven Dou City at night, it was fine. He was quite curious to see how much stronger the Great Soul Arena here was compared with the one in Suotuo City.

After discussing the future arrangements, Zhou Qi took Shen Tianchen to the academy's resource department to collect this month's Cultivation Resources.

Since Shen Tianchen had only just officially enrolled, Meng Shenji and the others decided to give him ten days to adapt. During that time, he would still be free. His normal academy life would not begin until ten days later.

While resting, Shen Tianchen thought of something. He took out paper and pen, wrote a letter, and sent it to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi had not expected Ning Rongrong to return so suddenly. He had thought his daughter would stay outside for at least half a year.

After all, in his impression, Ning Rongrong did nothing but play around and throw her weight around. She should have been having the time of her life outside, so why had she returned so soon?

Chen Xin and Gu Rong were also somewhat puzzled, but they were still very happy to see Ning Rongrong return.

Ning Fengzhi gave Chen Xin a look, and only then did Chen Xin remember that he had something to ask.

"Rongrong, I heard you spent quite a lot of time with that Shen Tianchen fellow, and your relationship seems pretty good. What do you think of him?"

At the mention of Shen Tianchen, Ning Rongrong immediately began praising him. She also described how she had gradually reined in her personality, saying that she had changed because of Shen Tianchen.

After hearing this, Gu Rong wore a crafty expression. "Looks like our Rongrong has taken a liking to that boy."

Ning Rongrong's pretty face flushed. "Oh, Grandpa Bone, what nonsense are you talking about? Rongrong doesn't mean that at all!"

Ning Fengzhi merely smiled on the surface, but inwardly, he had already confirmed that Shen Tianchen was the child from Spirit City all those years ago.

Then he went along with it and said, "The person who can win over our little witch is someone I, as her father, ought to meet."

Ning Rongrong lowered her head without answering, her face red. Deep down, she rather hoped her father would help bring them together.

"Rongrong, you just got back, so you must be tired. Go rest first."

After Ning Rongrong left, Ning Fengzhi and the other two began discussing matters.

"Feng Zhi, Spirit Hall is now like a tiger. Are you really planning to seek profit from a tiger?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "Why not? Spirit Hall's influence has long since infiltrated the Two Great Empires for many years. If cooperating with Spirit Hall can bring more benefits to the sect, then I would be very willing."

Aside from seeking benefits, Ning Fengzhi had another reason for doing this.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always been an auxiliary-type sect. It had only secured its position among the Upper Three Sects through its two Titled Douluo and the unique traits of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Compared to Spirit Hall, which controlled over seventy percent of the continent's soul master forces, it was utterly insignificant.

One had to know that Spirit Hall had no fewer than a dozen Titled Douluo, and even several peak Douluo above level ninety-five.

"The continent has been peaceful for decades. Although there may not seem to be any problems on the surface now, undercurrents have long been stirring beneath it."

After the Clear Sky Sect sealed its gates and chose to withdraw from the world, the Upper Three Sects' supposed unity had long existed in name only.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan remained neutral. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did not find a solution, its final fate could only be destruction.

Since they clearly knew they were no match for their opponent, why could they not join them instead?

Over the years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had planted many spies in Spirit City, and Ning Fengzhi had heard some rumors about internal discord within Spirit Hall.

Bibi Dong's personality was now known throughout the entire continent. There was no profit to be found by following her.

After thinking carefully for a while, Ning Fengzhi said, "First, let's see whether we can learn from that child whom he is loyal to, so we can make preparations early."

Seeing that Ning Fengzhi had made up his mind, Chen Xin and Gu Rong found it difficult to say anything more. They promptly nodded in agreement with the plan.