Six-Year Promise

"I know a little about the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul. It's a top-tier support-type Martial Soul, something every major power covets. If you want to prevent what happened today from happening again, you'd be best off seeking the protection of a faction."

After giving it some thought, Lin Mu offered Ye Miaoyun a suggestion.

Although the Nine Heart Begonia had certain flaws and lacked the all-around boosts of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, its astonishing healing ability alone made it a top-tier support-type Martial Soul.

The functions of support-type Martial Souls were nothing more than enhancement and healing. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda excelled at enhancement, while the Nine Heart Begonia excelled at healing. Each had its own strengths.

"I will consider it."

Ye Miaoyun bit her thin lip, hesitation showing on her face. Given the Ye Family's current circumstances, they truly needed someone to rely on.

However, the Nine Heart Begonia had always been passed down through a single line. No more than two Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters could exist in the world at the same time. Even if they joined another faction, they would not hold much status and might even lose their most basic freedom.

"What I mean is, you don't necessarily have to join any faction. You only need a faction capable of guaranteeing your safety—for example, Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"Although Heaven Dou Royal Academy is merely an academy, the Heaven Dou Royal Family stands behind it. If you join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it would be equivalent to gaining the royal family's protection, allowing you to temporarily avoid the coveting of other factions."

As Lin Mu calmly laid out his reasoning, Ye Miaoyun's beautiful eyes shone with increasing brilliance. She silently agreed with his suggestion.

This method could not only ensure the Ye Family's safety, but also prevent them from being swallowed up.

"Benefactor, since you know of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and are of the right age, why not study there? With your talent, you are fully qualified to serve as the captain of the Imperial Dou Team."

Ye Miaoyun revealed a gentle smile, her eyes filled with admiration for Lin Mu.

There were now three years left until the next Soul Master Competition. Soul Masters under the age of twenty-five could participate, and Lin Mu fully met the requirement. He could even compete in the competition after the next one.

As long as Lin Mu joined Heaven Dou Royal Academy, taking the captain's position would be no problem at all. He might even lead the team to the championship.

"I did consider joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy before, but now I only want to focus my attention on my disciple. I don't intend to participate in the next Soul Master Competition."

After pondering for a moment, Lin Mu answered with half-truths.

At those words, a warm current surged through Tang San's heart. In this world, only Master cared about him this much.

Before his cheat ability had arrived, Lin Mu had indeed considered joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Compared to blindly training behind closed doors, studying at Heaven Dou Royal Academy would not only provide a better cultivation environment, but also let him spar with teachers.

If he entered the Imperial Dou Team, he could even win the next Soul Master Competition.

After all, the next Spirit Hall team would not have the Golden Generation. At most, it would only have one or two Soul Kings.

With three years, Lin Mu could reach Soul King rank or above through normal cultivation. With the strength of his Martial Soul, he was confident that even if he had to fight one against six, he could claim the championship.

But every advantage came with a disadvantage.

If Lin Mu truly became a member of the Imperial Dou Team, he would naturally be branded with the mark of the Heaven Dou Royal Family.

Under Bibi Dong's rule, Spirit Hall had grown increasingly ruthless. Sending people to assassinate geniuses from other factions had become a common occurrence.

As for Spirit Hall distributing Gold Soul Coins to commoner Soul Masters, whether that was the achievement of the two empires or Spirit Hall, it certainly was not Bibi Dong's achievement.

Using that matter to whitewash Bibi Dong was simply laughable.

"Benefactor, this is not a place to linger. Let us leave first."

Ye Miaoyun took her daughter's hand and looked up at Lin Mu.

Now that their servants and guards had all died, even a hundred-year soul beast posed a threat to the mother and daughter. They could only leave with Lin Mu.

Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters were simply too weak. If it had been a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master at Soul King rank, they could at least have escaped upon encountering a hundred-year soul beast.

It could only be said that the same thing that brought success could also bring ruin.

"Let's go."

Lin Mu nodded slightly. Though he could not possibly escort them all the way home, he could at least take them somewhere safe.

They returned to the inn where they had been staying. Since it was already late, the four of them returned to their respective rooms to rest after dinner.

Ye Miaoyun and Ye Lingling shared a room next to Lin Mu's.

Lin Mu did not stay with Tang San. Although Tang San was his disciple and still a child, they had known each other for less than a few days. Besides, Tang San was a Tang Sect disciple, so Lin Mu had to remain somewhat wary.

After a night passed, Lin Mu rose early. Once he had packed his belongings, he stepped out of his room and happened to run into Ye Miaoyun, who was also coming out, with Ye Lingling behind her.

"Benefactor, did you rest well last night?"

Stepping forward, Ye Miaoyun gave him a graceful bow and smiled tenderly.

"Not bad."

Seeing Ye Miaoyun being so polite, Lin Mu's expression became slightly awkward. He then asked, "What are your plans from here on?"

"I thought about it last night. I plan to take Lingling to Heaven Dou Royal Academy," Ye Miaoyun said firmly.

"Perfect. Once Xiao San graduates from Nuoding Academy, we'll be going to Heaven Dou Royal Academy as well."

This decision was not a sudden whim on Lin Mu's part, but the result of careful consideration.

Shrek Academy was definitely out of the question. Its teaching quality was poor enough, yet it shamelessly exaggerated its reputation and fooled many ordinary families into sending their children there to study.

And what was the result? It publicly claimed to be an academy for commoners, yet it seized the money others had painstakingly saved up.

It was exactly like that fraud Yu Xiaogang. Birds of a feather truly flock together.

Although Heaven Dou Royal Academy was not particularly good either, it was at least within the bounds of normalcy. Even if there were some spoiled young masters there, they could be used to temper Tang San.

"Are you going too, benefactor?"

At that, Ye Miaoyun immediately revealed a delighted expression. Though they had only known each other for a day, he had already left a deep impression on her.

Even Ye Lingling, who had not said a word until now, stood on tiptoe and poked out her little head, her heart full of anticipation.

"Mm. Heaven Dou Royal Academy has good educational resources. It should be of considerable help to Little San."

That was what he said, but in truth, Lin Mu simply did not want to teach Tang San all day long. Handing him over to the academy was the best solution.

There was another reason as well. If Tang San joined Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it meant that he would eventually cross paths with Dai Mubai and the others. What kind of sparks would fly between them? It was truly something to look forward to.

"Benefactor, then... we'll meet again in six years."

Ye Miaoyun smiled from the bottom of her heart, her voice incomparably gentle, as pleasant as a spring breeze brushing across one's face.

Six years... she wondered just how powerful her benefactor would become by then.

"Brother Lin Mu, I'll wait for you at the academy."

Ye Lingling hid behind her mother and spoke shyly.

Hearing this, Lin Mu gently rubbed Ye Lingling's hair and smiled faintly. "See you in six years."