Heaven Dou Royal Academy [Please collect]

That night, Zhang Yang and the others did not sleep.

Over the next few days, Flender kept to a normal pace for the sake of the students. At last, no one was left half-dead from exhaustion like they had been on the first day of the journey.

On the evening of the eighth day, they finally arrived at their destination—Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

After Dai Mubai beat up the small group of Soul Masters led by Xue Beng, the group finally met Qin Ming.

Qin Ming's feelings for Shrek Academy truly needed no questioning.

Since it was already late, Qin Ming first arranged accommodations for everyone. A villa in the mountains, with mountain views and a lake below—it was an exceptionally high standard.

Qin Ming then laid out a banquet to welcome his teachers and junior schoolmates.

Though it had been prepared in haste, Heaven Dou Royal Academy's abundant resources made the feast incredibly lavish. The academy chef's cooking was so good that even Ma Hongjun, the seasoned gourmand, ate until he cried.

He seemed to resent his younger self for having spent so many years at Shrek Academy eating nothing but coarse food.

Before dawn the next morning, Qin Ming got up to find the chefs and had a steaming breakfast prepared before rushing to the mountain villa.

During breakfast, Qin Ming introduced Heaven Dou Royal Academy to them, focusing especially on the Education Committee members they would soon be meeting.

"Heaven Dou-level teachers can only be Soul Emperors above level sixty. The three strongest among them form the Education Committee. The current committee members are all Soul Douluo-level powerhouses."

At Qin Ming's words, Xiao Wu's expression stiffened.

"The chief of the Education Committee is Meng Shenji. His Martial Soul is Black Demon, and he is a level eighty-six, eight-ring Control System Battle Soul Douluo."

"The second seat of the Education Committee is Soul Douluo Bai Baoshan. His Martial Soul is the Heavenly Star Furnace, and he is a level eighty-five, eight-ring Defense System Battle Soul Douluo."

"The third seat of the Education Committee is Soul Douluo Zhi Lin. His Martial Soul is Azure Vine, and he is a level eighty-three, eight-ring Control System Artifact Soul Douluo."

At this point, Qin Ming smiled. "What a coincidence. Chief Meng's Black Demon Martial Soul is a Humanoid Martial Soul, an extremely special type of Martial Soul. That is why he is very interested in Junior Schoolmate Zhang Yang's Human Form Martial Soul.

Qin Ming then turned to Tang San. "And Soul Douluo Zhi Lin is very interested in Junior Schoolmate Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. Well, it would be more accurate to say that all three Soul Douluos on the Education Committee are interested in Junior Schoolmate Tang San's Blue Silver Grass."

Everyone could understand that. After all, it was a Martial Soul publicly recognized across the continent as useless, yet it had been cultivated to such a level at such a young age. Anyone in the room would have been interested in Tang San.

Flender laughed. "Then does that mean we can all become Heaven Dou-level teachers?"

"Of course," Qin Ming replied with a smile. "Heaven Dou-level teachers hold high status in the academy. Their teaching duties are quite relaxed, and the treatment is excellent. Aside from having all living expenses within the academy covered, they receive an additional three thousand Gold Soul Coins every month as compensation. There can also be other income under special circumstances."

"Three thousand? How extravagant." Flender was immensely satisfied. The smile on his face deepened at once, and his satisfaction with Heaven Dou Royal Academy naturally soared.

"Qin Ming, lead the way. Let's go meet those three seniors from the Education Committee."

"Yes."

Just as everyone finished breakfast and prepared to set off to handle business, Xiao Wu suddenly spoke up. "Dean, Senior Student Qin Ming, I'm not feeling well. I may not be able to go with you."

Tang San immediately became nervous. "Xiao Wu, where do you feel unwell? Should we find a physician?"

Xiao Wu shook her head. "It's nothing. Maybe I've just arrived in Heaven Dou City and can't quite adapt to the environment here."

Seeing Xiao Wu's pale face, Flender said with concern, "Then stay here and rest. We'll go meet the three seniors from the Education Committee first. Qin Ming, explain Xiao Wu's situation to the three Soul Douluos later."

Qin Ming nodded at Flender's words. "Don't worry, Dean. The three seniors on the Education Committee are extremely kind. Once they learn of the situation, they will certainly understand."

"Good."

Thus, after Tang San escorted Xiao Wu back to her room to rest, everyone headed together to the Education Committee of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The Education Committee of Heaven Dou Royal Academy was located in the center of the academy's main campus. It was the largest building in the entire main campus. Though it was only a single-story structure, its highest point reached a full ten meters, giving it somewhat of the feel of Spirit Hall.

By the time their group arrived at the entrance to the Education Committee, three old men were already waiting there.

The three old men merely stood there, and though Gentle Smiles rested on their faces, the distinctive aura belonging to true powerhouses could not be concealed. Their presence was impossible to ignore.

The black robes embroidered with gold thread they wore were custom formal attire prepared by Spirit Hall for Soul Masters of the Soul Douluo rank. They were only worn on extremely important occasions.

Even someone as proud as Flender could not help feeling flattered.

Three Soul Douluo-level powerhouses had not only come outside early to welcome their group, but had even put on their custom Soul Douluo formal attire. How could one not be moved by such importance?

Flender quickened his pace and stepped forward in a few strides. Crossing his hands over his shoulders, he bowed slightly. "Flender of Shrek Academy. Martial Soul: Cat Eagle. Level seventy-eight, seven-ring Agility Attack System Battle Soul Emperor. Greetings, seniors."

The old man standing in the center of the three burst into laughter and strode forward, lowering Flender's hands from his shoulders. "Dean Flender, no need for such courtesy. I have long admired your reputation, truly long admired it!"

"To have the teachers of the Monster Academy come personally to guide us brings great honor to our humble academy. I am the chief of the Education Committee, Meng Shenji. My Martial Soul is Black Demon, and I am a level eighty-six, eight-ring Control System Battle Soul Douluo. Let me introduce you..."

Meng Shenji then introduced the Soul Douluos Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin behind him. Flender also introduced the teachers on his side, explained Xiao Wu's situation, and apologized to the three Soul Douluos.

Just as Qin Ming had said, the three Soul Douluos were kind people. They did not blame Xiao Wu, merely expressing regret that she had not come.

Flender could tell that, compared with Soul Emperors and Soul Sages like himself, the three Soul Douluos before them were clearly more interested in the students.

Meng Shenji led the Shrek group into the Education Committee.

This building of the Education Committee was where the three Soul Douluos worked and lived. Its interior was very simple, containing only essential furnishings and a few ordinary green plants for decoration.

The guests and hosts took their seats. The students stood behind their teachers, gazing excitedly at the three Soul Douluos seated in the places of honor.

Soul Douluos—rare existences in the world of Soul Masters, supreme powerhouses who could move freely through armies of ten thousand and come and go as they pleased.

"We often heard Teacher Qin Ming speak of you before, but only upon meeting you again did I realize that although your academy has few students, every one of them is a prodigy blessed with exceptional talent. Qin Ming was like this twenty years ago, and the Shrek Team remains the same twenty years later."

Flender gave a bitter smile. "Shrek Academy no longer exists."

Meng Shenji waved his hand with a smile. "No, Dean Flender, please do not say that. Teacher Qin Ming has already explained the circumstances of this exchange between our two academies very clearly. It is our honor that all of you have come to our academy this time."

"Please rest assured that we understand your feelings very well. Therefore, Heaven Dou Royal Academy will not go against the wishes of the teachers by assigning you any teaching duties. If you need anything here, simply ask. So long as it falls within my authority, everything can be discussed."

Everyone could clearly feel the sincerity in Meng Shenji's words. His eagerness to recruit talent could not be faked.

The atmosphere in the Education Committee became lively.

After finishing the serious matters, Meng Shenji suddenly asked, "Teacher Qin Ming told us that among the students of your academy is a genius Soul Master whose Martial Soul is a Mutated Beast Martial Soul in Human Form. May I ask which one?"

Master smiled calmly. "Genius is too much praise. Zhang Yang."

Zhang Yang answered and stepped out from behind Master, respectfully saluting the three Soul Douluos. "Greetings, Teachers."

"You are Zhang Yang?" Meng Shenji smiled faintly at the tall, sturdy Zhang Yang. The air around his body suddenly twisted slightly.

The others felt nothing, but Zhang Yang clearly discovered that the air around his body seemed to have frozen solid. An immense Soul Power Fluctuation surged toward him, and his body was completely unable to move.

Zhang Yang knew that Meng Shenji was testing him, so he focused his mind and circulated his Soul Power to resist the surging force.

This Soul Power carried an almost imperceptible chill, infiltrating everywhere like a ghost and exerting all-around pressure on Zhang Yang's body.

Meng Shenji said nothing. Zhang Yang's body trembled faintly, and everyone understood what was happening, but no one spoke.

Flender regarded it as a contest from afar. He dearly hoped Zhang Yang could produce an impressive answer and show the three Soul Douluos just how outstanding the students trained by Shrek Academy were.

Heh heh, I may not be able to fight, but you can't outteach me.

As time passed, the smile in Meng Shenji's eyes gradually turned to surprise. This genius youth had only level thirty-three Soul Power, yet he had unexpectedly endured pressure equivalent to level thirty Soul Power for so long.

Generally speaking, when a lower-ranked Soul Master bore Soul Power pressure from a higher-ranked Soul Master, enduring pressure equivalent to two-thirds of one's own level was already considered quite outstanding.

If one could endure pressure equal to one's own Soul Power level, then one's willpower was extraordinarily firm. But that was under the prerequisite of having released one's Martial Soul.

Meng Shenji smiled in great satisfaction. "Teacher Qin Ming said you are only thirteen this year? Very good."

As he spoke, Meng Shenji slowly increased the Soul Power pressure on Zhang Yang.

Level thirty-one...

Level thirty-two...

Level thirty-three...

Meng Shenji stared in astonishment at the youth below, whose back remained straight. He could hardly believe Zhang Yang had endured Soul Power pressure equal to his own Soul Power level without releasing his Martial Soul, showing no strain, as calm as though nothing had happened.

Wanting to test where Zhang Yang's limit lay, Meng Shenji slowly increased the pressure again.

As the Soul Power Fluctuation in the air gradually intensified, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the others began to grow nervous as well. They sat upright and watched Zhang Yang closely, fearing that something might go wrong.

Only Master remained leaning back in his Chair, drinking tea and calmly watching the scene unfold without the slightest concern for Zhang Yang.

As the only theory expert present, as well as Zhang Yang's Teacher, Master understood Zhang Yang's limits very well. According to his calculations, Zhang Yang's bodily strength, combined with the Soul Power within him, would allow him to withstand level forty Soul Power without showing any strain.

After all, his Physical Fitness was simply too terrifying.

Level thirty-four...

Level thirty-five...

Level thirty-six...

Even the pressure of level thirty-six Soul Power failed to make Zhang Yang show the slightest discomfort, leaving the three Soul Douluos utterly astonished.

He hasn't even been forced to release his Martial Soul? the three Soul Douluos thought.

Level thirty-seven...

Level thirty-eight...

Level thirty-nine...

Level forty...

Reaching level forty Soul Power would be a threshold, because once one entered another stage, the nature of Soul Power would undergo a qualitative transformation.

After the Soul Power pressure slowly rose to level forty, Zhang Yang finally felt somewhat awkward beneath the immense pressure. The Soul Power inside him circulated faster and faster, and he faintly felt as though it might slip out of his control.

It was like a hamster running inside a wheel in an animation. At first, the hamster drove the wheel, but once the wheel spun faster and faster, if the hamster tripped even once, it would be carried around by the wheel.

And now, Zhang Yang had reached that critical point. All he lacked was the pebble that would appear at some unknown moment and trip him up.